Ryan O’Hearn joins Clubhouse Conversation for the fourth time, dating back to the day after he was selected in the 8th round of the 2014 draft out of Sam Houston State. Since then, O’Hearn has done nothing but hit, averaging 24 HR’s per season in his three full minor league campaigns to go along with lifetime marks of .355/.487/.842. O’Hearn currently plays with the Omaha Storm Chasers and joined Dave O on the Friday off day to talk about his continued interest in ping pong, playing the outfield, being on the cusp of the Big Leagues and lots more! (Photo Courtesy Minda Haas Kuhlmann)
Guy Hansen spent eleven years as a pitching coach in the Royals organization, including four in Kansas City (1991-1993, 2005). Besides that, Hansen also served as a Royals area scout (1981-1983), a national cross checker for the Royals scouting department (1994-1995) and KC bullpen coach (1996-1997). If you add those years up, plus the four he spent as a pitcher in the KC minor leagues (1969-1972), Hansen dedicated over 20 years of his life to the Royals organization. He recently joined Dave O to talk about his new book “A Baseball Guy,” which is available on Amazon and laced with amazing Royals story after amazing Royals story, as is this interview. Enjoy! (Photo Courtesy Guy Hansen)
The first manager of the expansion Kansas City Royals in 1969, Joe Gordon was part of the 2009 class inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. Remembered by most as “Flash Gordon,” the slick fielding and power hitting second baseman played parts of eleven seasons in the Big Leagues with the Yankees and Indians, winning five World Championships (4 in New York, 1 in Cleveland). A nine time All-Star and the 1942 AL MVP, Gordon went on to manage with the Indians and Tigers, before logging two KC stints as skipper (Athletics in 1961, Royals in 1969). In this 70 minute documentary, Kansas City radio host Dave O talks with ten individuals who knew Gordon well, from family members to teammates, players he managed to media members, as you’re guided through Joe’s entire life, from a difficult childhood in mining towns to college at the University of Oregon; from the Yankee minor leagues to starring with Joe DiMaggio; from the trade to Cleveland and being one of the first to accept Larry Doby; from the only managerial trade in Big League history to a bizarre relationship with Frank Lane; to both times in KC and beyond. Please enjoy the story of a greater man than baseball player – Joe Gordon. (Photo Is Of Joe & His Wife Dorthy In 1935; Courtesy Of Gordon Family Archives)
Damian Jackson played for the Royals during the 2004 season as a super utility man and overall, spent parts of eleven seasons at the major league level with eight teams (the Indians, Reds, Padres, Tigers, Red Sox, Cubs, Royals and Nationals). Jackson, who came up as a shortstop, logged 2,509 MLB at bats in 827 games and made it to the post-season twice (2003, Boston; 2005, San Diego). The California native recently joined Dave O in an extremely frank and refreshing conversation about growing up without a Dad, being a longshot to make the Big Leagues as a 44th rounder, the vicious collision with Johnny Damon in the 2003 ALDS, the time he tried to talk Zack Greinke out of retiring, tough days with the Royals, what being a parent has mean to him and much more. (Photo Courtesy San Diego Padres)
Frank Ortenzio played for Kansas City during the 1973 season, appearing in 9 games with a home run, 6 RBI and slashes of .333/.480/.813. A 47th round selection of the Royals in the 1969 draft, “Moose” was a power hitting outfielder who clubbed 181 minor league home runs with marks of .369/.494/.863. He finished his career in Japan from 1979-1980. Frank recently joined Dave O to talk about turning down a football scholarship to Stanford, almost being released after one season, being called a future “Rookie of the Year” by baseball publications, the freak injury that changed everything and lots more! (Photo Courtesy Kansas City Royals)
AJ Puckett was Kansas City’s first selection in the 2016 June Amateur Draft (67th overall) and finished his initial summer of pro ball with a 3.68 ERA in 13 starts (58.2 IP) with the Lexington Legends. A 6-4 righty out of Pepperdine, Puckett has a fascinating past, including playing both football and baseball at the famed De La Salle High School (Concord, California), going through a three day medically induced coma, being drafted twice and lots more! He joined Dave O following his final start of 2016 to talk about all of that plus being a film major (lots of movie talk!), his 45.2 scoreless inning streak at Pepperdine (third longest in NCAA history), the striking sound of his Grandma’s voice and lots more! (Photo Courtesy Mary Lay/Lexington Legends)
Andrew Edwards enters August 8th with combined 2016 marks of 34 games, a 2.79 ERA and 65 K’s in 51.2 IP between Northwest Arkansas and Omaha. A 6-6 righty, Edwards was KC’s 19th round selection in 2013 out of Western Kentucky and finds himself a key member of Omaha’s bullpen and a guy who’s firmly entrenched on Kansas City’s radar. Andrew caught up with Dave O to discuss his increase in velocity to the upper 90’s, a peak into the life of AAA travel, scouting reports on some of his Omaha teammates and lots more! (Photo Courtesy Minda Haas Kuhlmann)
Selected by the Royals in the 1st round of the 2014 draft, Chase Vallot was just 17 years old when he embarked on his professional baseball career. Since then, the power hitting catcher has logged time with Burlington and Lexington, where he was named a 2016 All-Star with marks of .393/.531/.925 and 8 HR’s in 43 games. Still just 19 years old, the top prospect joined Dave O on Friday morning July 15th to talk about his recovery from being hit by a 93 MPH in the face last month, the role Mike Sweeney has played in his life, his progress both offensively and defensively, Pokemon Go and lots more! (Photo Courtesy Beth Mallard/Lexington Legends Booster Club)
Matt Strahm continues to knock on the proverbial “Kansas City door,” as the 6-3 lefty currently sports a 3.17 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 87 K’s in 88 IP at AA Northwest Arkansas. Added to the Royals 40 man roster last winter, the Fargo, North Dakota native began 2016 as the 8th ranked prospect in the Royals organization according to Baseball America. He joined Dave O on Friday, July 8th from Midland, Texas to talk about the excitement of being added to the 40 man roster, the ongoing work on perfecting the changeup, an update on whether or not the 90’s movie Fargo has been viewed yet and lots more! (Photo Courtesy Alan Jamison/NWA Naturals)
Ryan O’Hearn checks in for the third time with Clubhouse Conversation and continues to rise up through the Royals system and prospect ranks at a speedy rate (unanimous Top 10 mid-season Royals prospect). Selected in the 8th round of the 2014 draft out of Sam Houston State, O’Hearn was the Pioneer League MVP that summer after leading the league in runs, hits, OPS and slugging percentage. A year ago, O’Hearn cranked 27 home runs with an .817 OPS at Lexington/Wilmington and as of June 24th, the left handed slugger has a combined 14 home runs and .949 OPS between Wilmington and Northwest Arkansas, where he currently plays first base. He joined Dave O from Tulsa to discuss ping pong, continental breakfasts, weight lifting and lots more! (Photo Courtesy Alan Jamison/NWA Naturals)