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Skin in the Game

The Best of Baseball with Tim O’Shei

Published August 30, 2025 at 4:00 PM EDT

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Mariann Do

This week on Skin in the Game, Tim O’Shei cues up a baseball special that spans sandlots to the show. We’ve dug into the archives and curated a program that looks at America’s pastime from different perspectives. Mike Buczkowski, president of Rich Baseball Operations, shares how Bisons baseball fuels Buffalo’s identity—from big-league ambitions in the ’90s to today’s role anchoring downtown. Michelle Seniuk, the Blue Jays’ senior vice president of fan experience and concessions, pulls back the curtain on Toronto’s reimagined ballpark culture and the multi-year Rogers Centre makeover built around inclusive, social spaces. Trailblazer Kate Brownell reflects on life after becoming the only Little Leaguer ever to throw a perfect game—and how grit and grace outlast a viral moment. Rob Perez of the Tri-City Chili Peppers and Cosmic Baseball talks about the game’s pop-culture moment and authors Will Bardenwerper (“Homestand: Small Town Baseball and the Fight for the Soul of America”) and Mark Sommer (“Rocky Colavito: Cleveland’s Iconic Slugger”) round out the lineup with stories of small-town resilience and the celebration of an icon whose legend still resonates.

Skin in the Game | Season 1

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How Sports Build Empathy On and Off the Field with Joon Lee

This week on Skin in the Game, John and Tim sit down with sports journalist Joon Lee—whose bylines span The New York Times and The Boston Globe, and who previously covered baseball and features at ESPN and Bleacher Report—to explore how sports can build empathy on and off the field.
Rocky Colavito, Baseball and the Making of a Sports Icon with Mark Sommer

This week on Skin in the Game, John and Tim are joined in the studio by Mark Sommer, author of Rocky Colavito: Cleveland’s Iconic Slugger.
Pedals, Policy and the Push to Ride More

This week on Skin in the Game, we shift gears to focus on cycling—its business, its culture and its growing place in our cities. Tim and John welcome Kevin Heffernan from Go Bike Buffalo, Chris Lonzi from Tom’s Pro Bike, and Buffalo Toronto Public Media producer Pat Kelly.
Roller Hockey, Hollywood, and the Hustle of Independent Filmmaking with Jake Cimperman

This week on Skin in the Game, Tim sits down with filmmaker Jake Cimperman—yes, the son of co-host John Cimperman—for a conversation that spans from the roller rinks of 1990s California to the unpredictable world of independent sports documentaries.
Lacrosse, Identity and the Making of “The American Game” with S.L. Price

This week on Skin in the Game, John and Tim sit down with journalist and author S.L. Price to discuss his new book, “The American Game: History and Hope in the Country of Lacrosse.”
From the mound to mentorship with Scott Swinson from the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation

This week on Skin in the Game, John and Tim talk with Scott Swinson, Senior Director of Development at the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, about how baseball—and a strong coach—can change a kid’s life.
Cosmic Baseball with Rob Perez and the Tri-City Chili Peppers

In this special edition of Skin In The Game, hosts John and Tim dive into the neon-lit spectacle of Cosmic Baseball, featuring fan-favorite innovation from the Coastal Plain League’s Tri-City Chili Peppers — joined by none other than Rob Perez, the team’s award-winning general manager.
The Changing Course: How Golf Is Evolving On and Off the Green

In this special edition of Skin in the Game, John and Tim take a deep dive into the world of golf. They’re joined by: Tim Fries, General Manager and Head Professional at Glen Oak Golf Club IN East Amherst, NY; Cindy Miller, LPGA professional, coach, and author; and Tim Karches, Executive Director of First Tee Western New York.
Beyond the Perfect, Perfect Game with Kate Brownell

This week on Skin in the Game, John and Tim are joined by Kate Brownell—trailblazer, athlete, coach, and the only Little Leaguer in history to pitch a perfect game.
The Show Must Go On with Frank Supovitz

This week on Skin in the Game, John and Tim sit down with Frank Supovitz, President and Chief Experience Officer of Fast Traffic Events & Entertainment—and one of the most respected names in sports event production.