Hook Line & Splitter, a Jersey Shore BlueClaws Podcast
94 episodes - English - Latest episode: 6 days ago - ★★★★★ - 7 ratingsHook, Line & Splitter is a Jersey Shore BlueClaws Podcast. We'll talk everything BlueClaws (High-A affiliate of the Phillies), Minor League Baseball, and much more. Hook, Line & Splitter is hosted by Greg Giombarrese, Director of Communications and Radio Broadcaster for the Jersey Shore BlueClaws.
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Episodes
Checking In With BlueClaws RHP Andrew Baker
August 27, 2022 16:10 - 27 minutes - 23.1 MBAndrew Baker joins us for Episode 44 of Hook Line & Splitter. The hard-throwing right-hander from Alabama was an 11th rd pick last year out of Chiopla Junior College and has struck out 35 hitters over 18 innings since the beginning of July. We talk about his development this season, his time with the BlueClaws, at Chipola JC, and learn which Phillies prospect would make an excellent NFL punter.
Carlos De La Cruz Joins Hook Line & Splitter (Ep. 43)
July 28, 2022 21:37 - 26 minutes - 23 MBWe're joined by 6-8 BlueClaws OF Carlos De La Cruz on Episode 43 of Hook, Line & Splitter. De La Cruz homered twice on Saturday against Brooklyn and added home runs in each of the first two games against Wilmington (July 27-28). The right-handed hitting OF talks about his time growing up in New York, playing at George Washington HS, signing with the Phillies, how he's grown as a player over the last few seasons, and more.
Karl Ellison Talks Catching, Pitching, and His Career on Episode 42
July 18, 2022 20:09 - 39 minutes - 34.3 MBWe're joined by BlueClaws C Karl Ellison on Ep. 42 of Hook Line & Splitter. Ellison talks about his baseball journey from high school in Ohio to Vanderbilt to Lynn University in Florida to the Lake Erie Crushers to the BlueClaws. He didn't join the Phillies until just a few days before Spring Training. We talk about his role as a mentor for the BlueClaws young arms and he talks about what they all bring to the table.
BlueClaws Pitcher Andrew Schultz Joins Hook Line & Splitter
June 29, 2022 17:15 - 31 minutes - 28.2 MBWe're joined by BlueClaws RHP Andrew Schultz on our latest Hook Line & Splitter podcast. The right-hander was a 6th round pick from the University of Tennessee and talks about his recovery from Tommy John Surgery, his 2022 season, what he missed most about not pitching last year, and much more.
Rixon Wingrove Joins Hook Line & Splitter (Ep 40)
June 17, 2022 17:48 - 23 minutes - 21.7 MBWe're joined by BlueClaws 1B Rixon Wingrove, a native of Newcastle, Australia. Wingrove joined the BlueClaws on May 24th and hit three home runs in his first series. Today, we talk about growing up as a baseball player in Australia, other sports he played, his time in the Australian Baseball League, coming over to the Phillies, his 2022 season, and much more.
BlueClaws Closer Jason Ruffcorn Joins Hook Line & Splitter
May 28, 2022 15:47 - 25 minutes - 23.2 MBWe're joined by Jason Ruffcorn, the Sally League saves leader, on today's episode of Hook Line & Splitter. The right-handed reliever was drafted in last year's 8th round out of the University of Oklahoma. We talk about his baseball journey, including getting drafted by the Phillies, the last team his father, Scott, played for. Additionally, we talk pickleball, pitch clocks, and much more.
BlueClaws SS Casey Martin Joins Hook Line & Splitter (Ep 38)
May 13, 2022 18:22 - 37 minutes - 33.5 MBWe're joined by BlueClaws SS Casey Martin on Hook Line & Splitter this week. Martin was a 3rd round pick in 2020 from the University of Arkansas. We talk about his season so far, the transition to professional baseball, playing for manager Keith Werman, how he's grown as a player and person in the two years since the draft, Dustin Pedroia (his favorite player to watch growing up), playing in the SEC, and much more. The BlueClaws are back home to play 12 games in 13 days at ShoreTown Ballpa...
Mick Abel Joins Hook Line & Splitter (Ep. 37)
May 05, 2022 21:26 - 35 minutes - 30.7 MBWe're joined today by Mick Abel, BlueClaws right-hander and Phillies first round pick in the 2020 draft. We talk about the start to his 2022 season, his 2021 season, facing fellow Oregonian Adley Rutschman in Aberdeen last week, the draft process, collecting baseball cards (including what it was like to open his own Mick Abel card) and much more.
Ethan Wilson, BlueClaws OF and Phillies 2nd Round Pick (Ep 36)
April 28, 2022 19:45 - 26 minutes - 24.6 MBWe're joined by BlueClaws OF Ethan Wilson on today's Hook Line & Splitter. The outfielder from Andalusia, Alabama was a 2nd round pick of the Phillies last year out of the University of South Alabama. We talk about his first 10.5 months in the system, going through the draft process, his newfound stolen base prowess, and much more. The BlueClaws are back home on Tuesday to welcome in the Hudson Valley Renegades (Yankees).
BlueClaws SP Ben Brown Joins Hook Line & Splitter (Ep. 35)
April 14, 2022 19:16 - 32 minutes - 28.7 MBWe're joined by BlueClaws RHP Ben Brown on our latest Hook Line & Splitter. Brown was the BlueClaws Opening Night starter in 2021 and again in 2022. We cover a lot of topics including his health coming back from injury, his spring, his use of analytics, his development as a pitcher, the draft process, the Long Islanders in the Phillies system, and much more. A right-hander from Long Island, Brown was a 33rd round pick of the Phillies in 2017 from East Setauket, New York.
BlueClaws Manager Keith Werman Previews The Season (Ep. 34)
April 07, 2022 20:52 - 30 minutes - 25.6 MBThe BlueClaws have a roster and we're joined by BlueClaws manager Keith Werman to preview the season. The BlueClaws roster includes seven of the top 30 prospects in the system per MLB Pipeline and five of the top nine. #2 prospect RHP Mick Abel, Phillies first round pick in 2020, is the 13th former first-round pick to play for the BlueClaws. We go through spring training, the roster, who he's most excited to see, style of play, the new rules changes, and much more.
BlueClaws Team President Joe Ricciutti Previews the Season (Ep 33)
April 04, 2022 16:11 - 25 minutes - 22.4 MBWe're joined by BlueClaws Team President Joe Ricciutti to preview the season from the fan's perspective. We talk about the new Blue Wave Bar, Reel Claw - our new team beer, 8-million fans, bringing the best of the Jersey Shore to the ballpark, Marvel nights with the BlueClaws, and much more. The BlueClaws open the season on Friday night against Aberdeen. Tickets are on sale now at BlueClaws.com.
2022 BlueClaws Manager Keith Werman (Ep 32)
February 22, 2022 22:57 - 29 minutes - 26.9 MBWe're excited to be joined today by Keith Werman, earlier today named the 15th manager in BlueClaws history. Werman spent the last four years as the major league development coordinator with the San Diego Padres and this will be his first year in the Phillies system. We talk about his time with the Padres, his philosophy, his relationship with new Phillies Director of Player Development Preston Mattingly, playing at the University of Virginia, and much more. Be sure to like, rate, review, ...
Ep 31 - Negro League History in New Jersey With Dr. Larry Hogan
February 17, 2022 14:43 - 28 minutes - 24.8 MBIt's part two of our interview with Negro League historian Dr. Larry Hogan. Dr. Hogan was a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame committee to help elect 17 Negro League players and executives to the Hall of Fame in 2005. We talked about that, Buck O'Neil's entry this year, the Newark Eagles, and much more. Hook, Line & Splitter is presented by NJR Home Services.
Ep 30 - Pop Lloyd, the Atlantic City Bacharach Giants, the Negro Leagues & More With Dr. Larry Hogan
February 11, 2022 16:54 - 22 minutes - 21.4 MBWe are pleased to be joined today by Dr. Larry Hogan, Negro League baseball historian, to talk about Pop Lloyd and the Atlantic City Bacharach Giants for Black History Month. This is the first of two episodes with Dr. Hogan. Today, we talk about Lloyd and the Bacharach Giants and next time we'll talk about the Newark Eagles and more teams and players around the Negro Leagues. Hook Line & Splitter is presented by NJR Home Services.
Ep 29 - Josh Hendrickson
January 31, 2022 13:54 - 25 minutes - 24.7 MBWe're joined by 2021 BlueClaws pitcher Josh Hendrickson. The left hander from Perth recaps his off-season, talks about his time in Australia and the growth of baseball in that country, what other sports he played growing up, and much more. Hook Line & Splitter is presented by NJR Home Services.
Ep 28 - Logan O'Hoppe
January 13, 2022 18:47 - 33 minutes - 29.7 MBHe began the season by hitting the first home run in Jersey Shore BlueClaws history on Opening Night, and ended the year with promotions to AA Reading and later AAA Lehigh Valley before a productive autumn in the Arizona Fall League. Logan O'Hoppe is our guest on episode 28 of Hook Line & Splitter, presented by NJR Home Services. We talk about his excellent season with the BlueClaws, gaining experience at the higher levels, the Arizona Fall League, his time in Australia prior to the 2020 s...
Ep 27 - Mike Morvay, a Farewell
January 06, 2022 00:23 - 42 minutes - 35.3 MBToday we say "Goodbye," for now, to longtime BlueClaws Head Groundskeeper Mike Morvay, who is stepping away from his full-time role with the team. We look back on his more than 15 years with the BlueClaws, starting with his time on the grounds crew, to being the assistant groundskeeper, to his role as Head Groundskeeper for the better part of the last decade. We also talk groundskeeping, the winter weather, and much more. Hook, Line & Splitter is presented by NJR Home Services.
Ep 26 - Neil Solondz, The First 'Voice of the BlueClaws'
November 23, 2021 22:12 - 41 minutes - 35.4 MBNeil Solondz, the original 'Voice of the BlueClaws,' is our guest on Episode 26 of Hook Line & Splitter, a Jersey Shore BlueClaws podcast, presented by NJR Home Services. Solondz worked for the BlueClaws from 2001 to2003 and broadcast players like Carlos Ruiz, Ryan Howard, Gavin Floyd, and Cole Hamels. We also talk about opening the ballpark here in Lakewood, his time with the Rays, and much more.
Ep 25 - Billy Sullivan
November 09, 2021 17:32 - 47 minutes - 42.9 MBWe're joined in Episode 25 of Hook Line & Splitter, a Jersey Shore BlueClaws podcast, by 2021 BlueClaws RHP Billy Sullivan. The University of Delaware product opened the season, and his professional career, with the BlueClaws in May before a promotion to Double-A Reading after just five appearances. Sullivan, who went to Delaware, grew up a Phillies fan and talks about that, his Tommy John Surgery in 2019, the Covid shutdown in 2020, signing with the Phillies as a non-drafted free agent, and...
Ep 24 - Mike Adams
October 26, 2021 15:55 - 41 minutes - 36.5 MBOn our latest Hook Line & Splitter, presented by NJR Home Services, we catch up with Mike Adams. The right-hander, from Holy Spirit High School, signed with the Phillies in January and has run Baseball Performance Center in Pleasantville for the last several years. We talk about his time as a baseball trainer, getting a tryout for scouts, signing with his hometown team, pitching at the Jersey Shore, just a few miles from where he grew up, his summer transition to Triple-A, and much more. He ...
Ep 23 - Phillies Minor League Round-Up
October 12, 2021 13:48 - 54 minutes - 43.8 MBWe go through 2021 around the Phillies minor league system today on Hook Line & Splitter. We're joined by Emily Messina from the Reading Fightin' Phils plus Mike Ventola and Pat McCarthy from the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. In the episode, we hand out our Player and Pitcher of the Year Awards from each level, breakthrough players from each level, players we're looking forward to seeing more of in 2022, and much more.
EP 22 - Griff McGarry
September 21, 2021 13:49 - 23 minutes - 22.4 MBWe're joined by BlueClaws RHP Griff McGarry, the first (and only) member of the 2021 Phillies draft class to reach the BlueClaws this season. McGarry was a 5th round pick in the 2021 draft out of the University of Virginia, where he threw two near no-hitters in the NCAA Baseball Tournament in his final two collegiate starts. McGarry struck out 21 opposing hitters in his 13.1 Jersey Shore innings. We talk about his time at UVA, his early baseball influences in California, what he's learned th...
Ep 21 - Luke Williams
September 03, 2021 15:07 - 24 minutes - 21.8 MBWe're joined by Luke Williams, current Phillies player and 2017 BlueClaw! It's been a crazy year for Williams, who hit a walk-off home run in his second big league game. He also helped the US qualify for the Olympics, and played earlier this year in Australia where his manager was current BlueClaws manager Chris Adamson. We talk about all of those things, plus how he found out he got called up to the big leagues, his time with the BlueClaws, and much more. Click here to listen to past epis...
Ep 20 - Blake Brown
August 30, 2021 15:27 - 40 minutes - 35.9 MBWe're joined by BlueClaws closer Blake Brown on Episode 20 of Hook Line & Splitter, a Jersey Shore BlueClaws podcast, presented by NJR Home Services. Brown, signed as a non-drafted free agent after the five-round draft of 2020, is from Dallas, NC and played collegiately at UNC-Asheville. We talk about his season, goals for the future, technology and analytics in baseball and how he uses them to his advantage, what attracted him to the Phillies when choosing a team last year, and much more. ...
Ep 19 - Tyler McKay
August 20, 2021 15:37 - 20 minutes - 18.4 MBWe're joined by BlueClaws pitcher Tyler McKay on Episode 19 of Hook Line & Splitter, a Jersey Shore BlueClaws podcast, presented by NJR Home Services. McKay threw six perfect innings in his August 14th start at Hudson Valley and was scheduled to start for the BlueClaws on Friday night at FirstEnergy Park. We talk about the wild game on Saturday - the BlueClaws won 2-0 in 12 innings - plus his season, his background, growing up a Cardinals fan, and much more. A right-hander from Lee's Summit,...
Ep 18 - DJ Stewart
August 11, 2021 18:42 - 18 minutes - 16.6 MBOur guest on episode 18 of Hook Line & Splitter is BlueClaws IF DJ Stewart. The St. Louis native is in the midst of his best professional season, having already hit nine home runs with the BlueClaws after he hit three with Clearwater earlier this year. We talk about his new-found power, growing up in St. Louis, how he very nearly went to Eastern Illinois instead of signing with the Phillies, and much more. Click here to listen to our previous episodes. Hook Line & Splitter is presented b...
Ep 17 - Tony Graham
August 05, 2021 15:55 - 1 hour - 77.2 MBTony Graham has covered the BlueClaws for the Asbury Park Press or the team's broadcast on and off for the last 20 years and he joins us on Episode 17 of Hook, Line & Splitter, presented by NJR Home Services. We go way back to the beginning but spend a lot of time on the last decade of BlueClaws baseball - from championship teams in 2009 and 2010, to the present day. Hear about Spencer Howard, Anthony Gose, Mark Parent, Dusty Wathan, Greg Legg, Jim Murphy, Darick Hall, the playoff runs in 20...
Ep 16 - BruceClaws With Tom Cunningham of 107.1 The Boss
July 23, 2021 18:17 - 43 minutes - 35.3 MBIt's BruceClaws season. With Springsteen Appreciation Night set for July 31st, we're joined by Tom Cunningham, host of Springsteen on Sunday on 107.1 the Boss. We talk about Springsteen, Asbury Park, the Jersey Shore music scene, his show, which has now eclipsed 900 episodes dating back over the last 18 years, and much more. For more in BruceClaws Night, click here and to bid on the special BruceClaws jerseys, click here. Hook Line & Splitter is presented by NJR Home Services.
Episode 15 - Kevin Gowdy
July 20, 2021 15:03 - 22 minutes - 20.2 MBWe're joined by BlueClaws RHP Kevin Gowdy on Episode 15 of Hook, Line & Splitter, a Jersey Shore BlueClaws podcast, presented by NJR Home Services. Gowdy talks about his breakthroughs this season, returning from missing two years with injury in 2019 and then having the 2020 season wiped out by the pandemic, representing Team USA in a world U18 tournament in 2015 and helping them win a gold medal, and much more. Hook, Line & Splitter is presented by NJR Home Services.
Ep 14 - Travis "Moose" Mattair
July 13, 2021 15:58 - 29 minutes - 25.8 MBTravis "Moose" Mattair, one of the most popular BlueClaws in history, is our guest on this "BlueClaws at 20" episode of Hook, Line & Splitter, presented by NJR Home Services. We cover his time with the BlueClaws, his transition to basketball and then back to baseball, his new career as a high school coach in the Pensacola, Florida area, his BlueClaws Bobblehead, and much more. Hook, Line & Splitter is presented by NJR Home Services.
Ep 13 - BlueClaws at 20: The Lights Out Game
July 03, 2021 14:44 - 30 minutes - 25.7 MBJuly 3, 2016. The BlueClaws trailed Greensboro 4-3 heading to the bottom of the ninth inning. As he crossed onto the infield dirt, darkness struck the ballpark. The lights went out. On this episode of Hook, Line & Splitter, we talk with BlueClaws Director of Events & Operations Kayla Reilly, who had a role in the incident, re-visit that night and the memorable stories that emerged - fans Tweeting from the QuickChek parking lot asking why the fireworks haven't been shot off yet, an autographe...
Ep 12 - The Phandemic Krew
July 02, 2021 12:45 - 16 minutes - 14.1 MBOn Ep. 12 of Hook Line & Splitter, presented by NJR Home Services, we talk with Brett MacMinn and Oscar Alvarado, founders of the Phandemic Krew. You saw them last year outside the gates of Citizens Bank Park when fans were not allowed inside, and now they have built one of the biggest Phillies fan groups around. We talk about the origins, Aaron Boone's complaints, the community support they've received, and their upcoming outing at the BlueClaws game on Friday, July 9th! You can join thei...
Episode 11 - BlueClaws RHP Adam Leverett
June 24, 2021 16:31 - 27 minutes - 24.8 MBOur guest on Episode 11 of Hook, Line & Splitter, presented by NJR Home Services, is BlueClaws RHP Adam Leverett. Through June 23rd, Leverett has allowed just two earned runs in 29.1 innings pitched, with 32 strikeouts. We talk about his impressive change-up, his development in the two years since he was drafted, his time with the BlueClaws, his time at Gordon State, his favorite team growing up, and much more! Hook Line & Splitter is presented by NJR Home Services - your energy savings MV...
Episode 10 - Pride Month Special With Billy Bean
June 22, 2021 13:30 - 38 minutes - 31.5 MBIt's Pride Month and we have a special episode of Hook, Line & Splitter, presented by NJR Home Services. We're joined by Billy Bean, Vice President and Special Assistant to Commissioner Rob Manfred to talk about his life story, Pride in baseball, and how his story can inspire people going through similar situations. Then, we air our round-table discussion with Christian Fuscarino of Garden State Equality and Joe Votruba of NJ 101.5 which was done in conjunction with Pride Night at FirstEnerg...
Episode 9 - Phillies History With Larry Shenk
June 18, 2021 14:09 - 50 minutes - 39.8 MBLongtime Phillies PR maven Larry Shenk is our latest guest on Hook, Line & Splitter, a Jersey Shore BlueClaws podcast, presented by NJR Home Services. Shenk began his career with the Phillies in 1964 and was there for an incredible amount of Phillies history that we cover in this episode. We talk about the finish to the '64 season, two World Championships, the magical 1993 season, Mike Schmidt, Steve Carlton, Harry Kalas and so much more. Hook Line & Splitter is presented by NJR Home Servi...
Episode 8 - C Vito Friscia
June 15, 2021 13:59 - 22 minutes - 19.9 MBOur guest on Episode 8 is former BlueClaws C Vito Friscia. He was with the BlueClaws when we taped but has since been with both AAA Lehigh Valley and AA Reading. Hook Line & Splitter, a Jersey Shore BlueClaws podcast, is presented by NJR Home Services. Friscia grew up on Long Island and went to Hofstra and we talk about his two-home run game against Brooklyn on June 1st, his time at Hofstra, the other Long Island players with the BlueClaws, some of the BlueClaws pitchers, the use of analytic...
Episode 7 - BlueClaws RHP Noah Skirrow
June 09, 2021 14:17 - 22 minutes - 21 MBBlueClaws RHP Noah Skirrow joins us in Episode 7 of Hook Line & Splitter, a Jersey Shore BlueClaws podcast, presented by NJR Home Services. Skirrow, from Canada, went to Liberty University and signed with the Phillies last year. He talks about the draft process, going undrafted and all the calls he got the first day teams were allowed to contact undrafted players, how he chose the Phillies among all of his options, getting a call from Joe Girardi, and much more. Thanks to our sponsor, NJR ...
Episode 6 - Former BlueClaws Groundskeeper Bill Butler, Brooklyn Cyclones Broadcaster Keith Raad
May 27, 2021 15:21 - 38 minutes - 34.2 MBIn Episode 6 of Hook, Line & Splitter, presented by NJR Home Services, we welcome in Bill Butler, former BlueClaws groundskeeper, on the 3rd anniversary of him becoming the first groundskeeper ever ejected from a professional baseball game. We also talk about the build-up to the BlueClaws and his time with the team from 2000 - 2003. Then, we welcome in Keith Raad, the voice of the Brooklyn Cyclones. The Mets affiliate will be at FirstEnergy Park from June 1st - 6th and we talk about the pl...
Hook, Line & Splitter, Episode 5 - Bryson Stott
May 24, 2021 16:21 - 21 minutes - 20.9 MBIn Episode 5 of Hook Line & Splitter, presented by NJR Home Services, we talk with BlueClaws SS Bryson Stott, Phillies first-round pick in the 2019 draft. A Las Vegas native and UNLV product, we check in with Stott about growing up in Las Vegas, the draft process with the Phillies, his start to the season with the BlueClaws, and much more. Thanks to our sponsor, NJR Home Services - Your New Jersey Heating and Cooling Experts Bringing You High Heat and Cool Savings.
Hook, Line & Splitter, Episode 4 - Marty Malloy
May 19, 2021 14:53 - 24 minutes - 21.1 MBIn episode 4 of Hook, Line & Splitter, a Jersey Shore BlueClaws podcast, presented by NJR Home Services, we speak with former BlueClaws manager Marty Malloy, who managed at the Shore in 2017 and 18 and is now the Phillies minor league infield coordinator. Malloy led the BlueClaws to the SAL Championship Series in 2018 and talks about his time at the Shore, his current role with the Phillies, hitting a home run in his second big league at bat, and much more. Thanks to our sponsor, NJR Home ...
Hook, Line & Splitter, Episode 3 - Logan O'Hoppe
May 12, 2021 16:22 - 23 minutes - 22.3 MBIn episode 3 of Hook, Line & Splitter, a Jersey Shore BlueClaws podcast, presented by NJR Home Services, we speak with BlueClaws catcher Logan O'Hoppe. A Long Island native who played at St. John the Baptist High School in West Islip, he's been with the Phillies since 2018. We talk about the start to his season with the BlueClaws, homering on Opening Night, how close he was to going to East Carolina, playing in Australia one winter, his time in big league camp this spring, and much, much mor...
Hook, Line & Splitter, Episode 2 - Chris Adamson
May 04, 2021 11:53 - 16 minutes - 13 MBIn episode 2 of Hook, Line & Splitter, a Jersey Shore BlueClaws podcast, presented by NJR Home Services, we speak with BlueClaws manager Chris "Tank" Adamson. From Australia, Adamson was set to manage the BlueClaws in 2020 before the season was cancelled, and will manage the BlueClaws in 2021, their first as a High-A affiliate. We talk about his background, his team, and learn a little about Australia too! Thanks to our sponsor, NJR Home Services - Your New Jersey Heating and Cooling Exper...
Hook, Line & Splitter, Episode 1 - Greg Legg
April 16, 2021 16:32 - 55 minutes - 49.5 MBIn Episode 1 of Hook, Line & Splitter, a Jersey Shore BlueClaws Podcast presented by NJR Home Services, we talk with Greg Legg, the first BlueClaws manager. 20 years after he managed the BlueClaws in their first season, we catch up with Legg to talk about the BlueClaws first season in 2001, his time with the Phillies, helping the BlueClaws to a pair of titles in 2009 and 2010, some of the many players he mentored over the years, and much more. Hook, Line & Splitter is presented by NJR Home...