Title: Anthony Kay: From NY Mets First-Rounder to Japan Series Champion w/ the Yokohama BayStars | "Baseball takes you places you never imagined"

In this episode of Pacific Swings, David MacKinnon and Jasper Spanjaart sit down with Anthony Kay, the Yokohama DeNA BayStars left-hander who went from first-round draft pick heartbreak to Japan Series champion in one of baseball's most inspiring turnaround stories.

Drafted 31st overall by his hometown New York Mets in 2016, Anthony's dream quickly turned into a nightmare when he needed Tommy John surgery immediately after signing. Fast-forward to 2024, and he's throwing six hitless innings in the playoffs and celebrating Japan's ultimate prize with the BayStars.

Anthony opens up about the mental challenge of that year-plus rehab, why he's become a "completely different pitcher" in Japan, and how Trevor Bauer has helped refine his approach. From learning a devastating two-seam fastball to keep Japanese hitters honest, to understanding why throwing 500 batting practice swings daily is just normal in Japanese spring training.

Key Topics Covered:

• The Tommy John surgery right after being drafted and the lonely rehab process
• Why the 2024 Japan Series championship was every kid's dream scenario
• How he's transformed his pitch arsenal: 90-92 mph cutter and new two-seam fastball
• Trevor Bauer's mentorship and analytical approach to pitching
• Facing Murakami, Okamoto, and Sato - the Central League's most dangerous hitters
• The bizarre Japanese playoff system that gives teams free wins
• Why NPB training culture is completely different from America
• Learning to control emotions on the mound in Japanese culture
• How the strike zone is wider but shorter in Japan
• Why balls hit 440 feet only reach the warning track in Japanese ballparks
• The Cape Cod connection with David and those simpler baseball days

From Wareham Gatemen teammates to crossing paths again on Pacific Swings - Anthony proves that sometimes baseball takes you exactly where you need to be, even if it's 7,000 miles from where you started.

Anthony Kay is the left-handed pitcher for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars, 2024 Japan Series champion, and former first-round draft pick of the New York Mets who has found his home and success in Japanese baseball.

🇯🇵 日本語: エピソードタイトル: アンソニー・ケイ：トミージョン手術から日本シリーズ優勝まで

横浜DeNAベイスターズの左腕アンソニー・ケイが登場！2016年メッツ1巡目指名直後のトミージョン手術から2024年日本シリーズ制覇まで、野球人生の波乱万丈な軌跡を語ります。

主要トピック:

• トミージョン手術とリハビリの孤独な過程
• 2024年日本シリーズ優勝の軌跡
• 投球フォーム改造：90-92マイルのカッターと新ツーシーム
• トレバー・バウアーとの関係
• 村上・岡本・佐藤との対戦
• 日本の練習文化とアメリカとの違い

Season Number: 1 Episode Number: 14 Anthony Kay Interview キーワード: アンソニー・ケイ、横浜DeNAベイスターズ、日本シリーズ、トミージョン手術、トレバー・バウアー

🇰🇷 한국어: 에피소드 제목: 앤서니 케이: 토미 존 수술에서 일본시리즈 우승까지

요코하마 DeNA 베이스타즈의 좌완 앤서니 케이가 출연! 2016년 메츠 1라운드 지명 직후 토미 존 수술부터 2024년 일본시리즈 제패까지, 파란만장한 야구 인생을 들려줍니다.

주요 주제:

• 토미 존 수술과 재활의 고독한 과정
• 2024년 일본시리즈 우승 여정
• 투구 폼 개조: 90-92마일 커터와 새로운 투심
• 트레버 바우어와의 관계
• 무라카미·오카모토·사토와의 대결
• 일본 연습 문화와 미국과의 차이

Season Number: 1 Episode Number: 14 앤서니 케이 인터뷰 키워드: 앤서니 케이, 요코하마 DeNA 베이스타즈, 일본시리즈, 토미 존 수술, 트레버 바우어

Retry

In this episode of Pacific Swings, David MacKinnon and Jasper Spanjaart sit down with Tyler Nevin, the Seibu Lions first baseman who's transformed from MLB organizational depth to becoming one of NPB's most consistent hitters and a legitimate batting title candidate. Tyler's having the season Lions fans have been dreaming about since 2023, opening up about why choosing Japan over grinding in Triple-A was the best decision he ever made.

Fresh off becoming the first player to 100 hits in the Pacific League and winning MVP honors for May, Tyler explains how he escaped MLB "survival mode" where you're just trying to get hits to avoid getting optioned the next day. Instead of worrying about his next paycheck, he's actually been able to develop as a player for the first time since Double-A ball.

Key Topics Covered:

• How he escaped MLB "survival mode" and finally found consistent playing time after five years
• The early 2-year extension that shocked NPB after just months with the Lions
• Growing up as Phil Nevin's son and learning from big league clubhouses
• That legendary Angels-Mariners brawl and Phil's player-first managing philosophy
• Breaking an 87-year NPB record by collecting all four of his team's hits in one game
• Playing baseball in the desert winds of Lancaster, California where mishits became homers
• Japanese fan culture: custom towels, kimonos, and why respectfulness matters
• Why he accidentally injured rookie sensation Seiya Watanabe twice
• Living in Tanashi vs American cities and the $40 grocery bill phenomenon
• Facing elite NPB pitching: Miyagi's six-pitch arsenal vs Moinelo's raw power
• The grand slam at Belluna Dome that made Jasper nearly fall out of his seat
• Why Japanese convenience store fish-shaped pancakes are elite snack food

Tyler Nevin is the first baseman for the Seibu Lions, the first player to 100 hits in the 2025 Pacific League season, May MVP winner, and holder of a rare mid-season extension after proving essential to the organization.

🇯🇵 日本語: エピソードタイトル: タイラー・ネビン：MLBサバイバルモードから西武ライオンズ成功への道

西武ライオンズのタイラー・ネビン選手が初登場！MLB組織の底辺からNPB最高の打者の一人へ、そして正当な首位打者候補になるまでの軌跡。日本選択がトリプルAでの苦闘より最良の決断だった理由を語ります。

主要トピック:

• パリーグ初の100安打達成、5月MVP受賞
• MLBサバイバルモードからの脱却
• フィル・ネビンの息子として育った経験
• 87年ぶりのNPB記録更新
• 日本のファン文化と田無での生活

Season Number: 1 Episode Number: 13 Tyler Nevin Interview キーワード: タイラー・ネビン、西武ライオンズ、NPB、首位打者争い、一塁手、フィル・ネビン

🇰🇷 한국어: 에피소드 제목: 타일러 네빈: MLB 서바이벌 모드에서 세이부 라이온즈 성공까지

세이부 라이온즈의 타일러 네빈이 첫 출연! MLB 조직 하부에서 NPB 최고의 타자 중 한 명이 되어 정당한 타율왕 후보가 되기까지의 여정. 트리플 A에서의 고군분투보다 일본 선택이 최선의 결정이었던 이유를 들려줍니다.

주요 주제:

• 퍼시픽리그 첫 100안타 달성, 5월 MVP 수상
• MLB 서바이벌 모드 탈출
• 필 네빈의 아들로 자란 경험
• 87년 만의 NPB 기록 갱신
• 일본 팬 문화와 다나시 생활

Season Number: 1 Episode Number: 13 타일러 네빈 인터뷰 키워드: 타일러 네빈, 세이부 라이온즈, NPB, 타율왕 경쟁, 1루수, 필 네빈

Dave fired his translator app, paid to ride trains with his own face on them, and somehow convinced us he's funnier than the average Joe. Meanwhile, Jasper's threatening to sell Dave's signed NPB card for five bucks and we're introducing "Cartoon Dave" - complete with progressive beatdowns every episode.

In this episode of Pacific Swings Q&A #2, we tackle your burning questions about Asian baseball. From heated debates about whether Samurai Japan could win the WBC without their MLB superstars to Dave's embarrassing encounters with 19-year-old Korean robot umpires (yes, really), this mailbag episode has it all.

Key Topics Covered:

• NPB vs KBO talent levels - why players choose each league and Dave's hot takes on earning potential
• Samurai Japan without Ohtani, Yamamoto, and Sasaki - could an all-NPB roster still win it all?
• Young Seibu Lions prospects flying under the radar (spoiler: Watanabe and Takizawa are studs)
• Japanese stadium experience - beer girls with kegs, cheap curry, and why you can bring anything you want
• Umpiring across three countries - from robot zones in Korea to Dave thinking MLB umps are "almost like robots"
• Dave's NPB baseball card collection and the tragic story of his .235 batting average being immortalized forever
• Media relationships and social media - why post-game interviews are terrible for everyone involved

Dave also reveals he was never "gifted with a swing" like Mike Trout, explains why he timed himself up for 85 mph splitters against Japanese pitchers, and shares his master plan for live shows in Japan and Korea. Plus: Dustin Pedroia losing his mind in the most relatable post-game interview ever.

🇯🇵 日本語: エピソードタイトル: 太平洋スウィングス Q&A #2: NPB対KBO、MLB抜きの侍ジャパン、デイブの野球カード

デイブの翻訳アプリが解雇され、自分の顔が載った電車に運賃を払い、平均的な人より面白いと自分を納得させた第2回Q&Aエピソード。NPBとKBOの実力差、大谷・山本・佐々木なしの侍ジャパンのWBC優勝可能性、若手西武選手、日本の球場体験などファンの質問に答えます。

主要トピック: NPB対KBO実力比較、MLB抜き侍ジャパン論争、注目若手選手、日本球場体験、各国審判比較、NPB野球カード、メディア関係

シーズン番号: 1 エピソード番号: Q&A #2 キーワード: Q&A、NPB、KBO、侍ジャパン、WBC、野球カード、審判、球場体験

🇰🇷 한국어: 에피소드 제목: 태평양 스윙스 Q&A #2: NPB vs KBO, MLB 없는 사무라이 재팬, 데이브의 야구카드

데이브의 번역앱이 해고되고, 자신의 얼굴이 붙은 전철에 요금을 내며, 평균적인 사람보다 재미있다고 스스로를 설득한 두 번째 Q&A 에피소드. NPB와 KBO의 실력차, 오타니·야마모토·사사키 없는 사무라이 재팬의 WBC 우승 가능성, 젊은 세이부 선수들, 일본 구장 경험 등 팬들의 질문에 답합니다.

주요 주제: NPB vs KBO 실력 비교, MLB 없는 사무라이 재팬 논쟁, 주목할 젊은 선수들, 일본 구장 경험, 각국 심판 비교, NPB 야구카드, 미디어 관계

시즌 번호: 1 에피소드 번호: Q&A #2 키워드: Q&A, NPB, KBO, 사무라이재팬, WBC, 야구카드, 심판, 구장경험

#PacificSwings #QandA #NPBvsKBO #SamuraiJapan #WBC #BaseballCards #NPB #KBO #JapaneseBaseball #KoreanBaseball #SeibuLions #UmpireComparison #StadiumExperience #YoungProspects #BaseballPodcast #AsianBaseball #ProfessionalBaseball #BaseballCulture #MLBvsNPB #BaseballMedia #SocialMedia #BaseballFans #태평양스윙스 #야구 #프로야구 #사무라이재팬 #세이부라이온즈 #太平洋スウィングス #野球 #プロ野球 #侍ジャパン #西武ライオンズ

In this episode of Pacific Swings, David and Jasper talk with Casey Kelly, the man who truly mastered the Pacific swing. After five and a half years with the LG Twins, Casey became Korean baseball royalty - earning the nickname "Jamsil Jesus" and helping end the team's 29-year championship drought in 2023.

From nearly walking away from baseball to becoming a Korean legend, Casey opens up about his transformative journey that took him from reluctant Korea signing to beloved superstar who brought a championship to Seoul.

Key Topics Covered:

• From reluctant Korea signing to five-year legend: How his wife convinced him to take the leap
• Winning the 2023 Korean Series and ending LG's 29-year championship drought
• The emotional farewell ceremony that had the entire stadium in tears
• Korean baseball culture vs MLB: Why emotion and passion rule the KBO
• Learning Korean language and culture while raising a family in Seoul
• The incredible fan support and celebrity status foreign players achieve in Korea
• Technical adjustments needed to succeed against Korean hitters who approach at-bats differently
• His dramatic MLB comeback with Cincinnati after being released by LG
• Playing for his father as AAA manager and getting called up mid-fireworks show
• Why Korean baseball fans are the most passionate in the world
• The "foreigners in a smaller bubble" experience and finding brotherhood overseas
• Bat-flipping culture and embracing the emotional side of Korean baseball
• How Korea "made him fall in love with baseball again" after becoming bitter in the minors

Casey also breaks down the differences between Korean and Japanese baseball, shares stories about becoming Korean celebrities, and explains why David MacKinnon's release from Samsung still doesn't make sense.

Whether you're curious about international baseball culture or want to understand what it takes to become a legend in a foreign country, this episode delivers authentic insights from someone who lived the dream.

Casey Kelly is a former MLB pitcher who became a Korean baseball legend with the LG Twins, earning the nickname "Jamsil Jesus" while helping end their 29-year championship drought in 2023.

🇰🇷 한국어: 에피소드 제목: 케이시 켈리가 어떻게 '잠실 예수'가 되어 29년 만의 우승 가뭄을 끝냈는가

에피소드 노트: LG 트윈스에서 5년 반을 보낸 케이시 켈리가 한국 야구의 로열티가 되어 '잠실 예수'라는 별명을 얻고 2023년 팀의 29년 만의 우승 가뭄을 끝내는 데 도움을 준 이야기를 들려줍니다.

주요 주제:

• 한국행을 망설였던 선수에서 5년 전설로의 변화
• 2023년 한국시리즈 우승과 LG의 29년 우승 가뭄 종료
• 한국 야구 문화 vs MLB의 차이점
• 서울에서 가족을 키우며 한국어와 문화 학습
• 외국인 선수들이 받는 엄청난 팬 지지와 유명인 대우
• 한국 타자들을 상대로 한 기술적 조정
• LG 방출 후 신시내티에서의 극적인 MLB 복귀

Season Number: 1 Episode Number: 11 키워드: 케이시 켈리, LG 트윈스, KBO, 잠실 예수, 한국시리즈, 우승, 한국 야구

In this episode of Pacific Swings, David and Jasper talk with Kaima Taira (平良海馬), the Seibu Lions ace closer who has dominated Japanese baseball with a legendary 1.88 career ERA across seven NPB seasons. For the first time ever, Kaima Taira speaks in English!

From his devastating slide step that makes elite hitters look foolish to his ambitious quest to throw 170 km/h (105 MPH), Taira opens up about his journey from a tiny 6-player junior high school team in Okinawa to becoming one of the most feared closers in Japanese baseball.

Key Topics Covered:

• The secret behind his slide step technique that baffles elite hitters
• Why his high school coach's advice changed his entire pitching approach forever
• How he prepares differently as a starter vs closer (spoiler: he doesn't prepare much as a closer)
• The mental game of closing tight games with bases loaded and 40,000 fans screaming
• His devastating pitch arsenal: 100+ MPH fastball, unhittable cutter, and why he switched from splitter to changeup
• Facing Japan's best hitters like Yanagita (SoftBank) and why the Fighters lineup is so dangerous
• His YouTube channel documenting the quest to throw 170 km/h and why that final 10% is nearly impossible
• Life as a new father while still throwing 100+ MPH (spoiler: no sleep, no video games)
• Growing up in Okinawa as a Chiba Lotte fan and watching spring training
• His off-season hobbies: fishing in beautiful Okinawan waters and terrible golf
• Why he'd be a YouTuber if he wasn't a professional baseball player

Whether you're fascinated by elite pitching mechanics or want to understand what separates NPB's best closers from the rest, this episode delivers rare insights from someone operating at the absolute pinnacle of Japanese baseball.

Kaima Taira is the ace pitcher for the Seibu Lions with a career 1.88 ERA across seven NPB seasons, known for his devastating slide step and 100+ MPH fastball while pursuing his goal of throwing 170 km/h.

🇯🇵 日本語: エピソードタイトル: 日本の100マイル・クローザーが打てないスライドステップの秘密を明かす

エピソードノート: 西武ライオンズのエース・クローザー平良海馬が、NPB通算防御率1.88という伝説的な成績を誇る投手として、沖縄の6人制高校チームから日本最恐のクローザーまでの軌跡を語ります。

主要トピック:

• 打者を翻弄するスライドステップの秘密
• 先発とクローザーの違い
• 柳田悠岐など日本最高打者との対戦
• 170km/h達成への挑戦
• 新米パパとしての生活

Season Number: 1 Episode Number: 10 キーワード: 平良海馬、西武ライオンズ、NPB、クローザー、スライドステップ、100マイル

🇰🇷 한국어: 에피소드 제목: 일본의 100마일 마무리 투수가 치기 어려운 슬라이드 스텝의 비밀을 공개

에피소드 노트: 세이부 라이온즈의 에이스 마무리 투수 타이라 카이마가 NPB 통산 평균자책점 1.88이라는 전설적 성적을 자랑하는 투수로서, 오키나와의 6인제 고교팀에서 일본 최강의 마무리 투수까지의 궤적을 들려줍니다.

주요 주제:

• 타자를 농락하는 슬라이드 스텝의 비밀
• 선발과 마무리의 차이점
• 야나기타 유키 등 일본 최고 타자들과의 대결
• 170km/h 달성을 향한 도전
• 신임 아빠로서의 생활

Season Number: 1 Episode Number: 10 키워드: 타이라 카이마, 세이부 라이온즈, NPB, 마무리 투수, 슬라이드 스텝, 100마일

In this episode of Pacific Swings, David and Jasper talk with Trey Cabbage, the Tennessee slugger who went from breaking exit velocity records in the minors to demolishing baseballs at the Tokyo Dome for the Yomiuri Giants. From 487-foot home runs to 121.1 mph exit velocity, Cabbage opens up about the mental and technical adjustments needed to succeed in NPB.

"My job is to barrel the baseball and do some damage"

Key Topics Covered:

• Breaking the minor league distance record with a 487-foot home run
• Holding the hardest exit velocity record at 121.1 mph (for three glorious weeks)
• The technical differences in NPB pitching: speed changes vs. raw stuff
• Mental preparation adjustments: from playing scared to playing with swagger
• Cultural immersion: learning Japanese slang vs. textbook language
• Tokyo life with wife Kenzie: seasonings, safety, and daily grocery runs
• Mechanical changes that unlocked his power: getting the barrel behind the baseball
• The art of barrel depth and chasing the baseball with the bat
• Giants teammates who helped with the transition: Chono, Sakamoto, and the pitching staff

Cabbage gets candid about the mental side of international baseball, from dealing with information overload in scouting meetings to the discipline required when preparation routines change. He breaks down why NPB pitchers attack foreign hitters differently, explains the humidity's effect on ball flight, and shares what it's like being married to baseball in the world's biggest city.

Trey Cabbage was drafted by the Minnesota Twins and played in MLB with the Los Angeles Angels and Houston Astros before joining the Yomiuri Giants in NPB, where he's become known for his mammoth home runs and 121.1 mph exit velocity record.

🇯🇵 日本語: エピソードタイトル: 巨人のパワー：トレイ・キャベッジが語る487フィート弾、NPB適応、東京生活 エピソードノート: 2024年読売ジャイアンツのトレイ・キャベッジが、マイナーリーグでの記録破りから東京ドームでの活躍まで、NPBでの技術的・精神的調整について語ります。487フィート本塁打と121.1マイル/時の打球速度記録保持者が、日本野球への適応と東京での生活を率直に語る。 主要トピック: 487フィート本塁打でマイナーリーグ記録更新 121.1mph打球速度記録（3週間保持） NPB投手の技術的違い：球速差対パワー 精神的準備の調整：恐れから自信へ 文化的適応：教科書的日本語対スラング ファン文化：MLB5人対NPB50人のメディア対応 巨人チームメイトとの関係：長野、坂本らとの交流 Season Number: 1 Episode Number: 8

In this episode of Pacific Swings, we sit down with Matt Davidson, who became the KBO's home run king in 2024, launching 46 bombs for the NC Dinos and establishing himself as one of Korea's premier power hitters. Davidson shares his journey from MLB to international baseball stardom across two countries.

Key Topics Covered: ⚾

• Becoming Korea's home run champion

• Adapting to unique Asian pitching styles and different training methods
• The difference between Japanese and Korean baseball cultures and approaches
• Why consistency separates good players from great players at any level
• Life as an international baseball player: motocross, whiskey collecting, and fatherhood
• The mental approach to hitting and building confidence through results
• How family and perspective changed his approach to professional baseball

And more!

Davidson breaks down his time with the Hiroshima Carp in Japan versus his success with the NC Dinos in Korea, explains why timing adjustments are crucial when facing pitchers with longer windups, and shares his philosophy that elite players simply execute more consistently. He offers insights into the international baseball lifestyle and what it takes to succeed overseas.

Whether you're curious about the technical aspects of hitting in different countries or want to understand what separates successful international players from the rest, this episode delivers authentic insights from someone who mastered the art of Pacific baseball.

🇯🇵 日本語: エピソードタイトル: ホームラン王：マット・デイビッドソン エピソードノート: 2024年にKBOホームラン王となったマット・デイビッドソンが、NCダイノスで46本塁打を放ち韓国野球界のスーパースターとなった経験を語ります。

主要トピック： トリプルAスタンダウトから韓国ホームラン王への変貌 アジア投手スタイルへの適応と異なる練習方法 日本と韓国の野球文化の違い 一貫性がトップ選手を分ける要因

シーズン番号: 1 エピソード番号: 7 キーワード: マット・デイビッドソン、NCダイノス、KBO、ホームラン王、国際野球

🇰🇷 한국어: 에피소드 제목: 홈런왕: 매트 데이비슨 에피소드 노트: 2024년 KBO 홈런왕이 된 매트 데이비슨이 NC 다이노스에서 46홈런을 때려 한국 야구계의 슈퍼스타가 된 경험을 들려줍니다.

주요 주제: 트리플A 스탠드아웃에서 한국 홈런왕으로의 변신 아시아 투수 스타일에의 적응과 다른 훈련 방법 일본과 한국의 야구 문화 차이 일관성이 톱 선수를 가르는 요인

시즌 번호: 1 에피소드 번호: 7 키워드: 매트 데이비슨, NC 다이노스, KBO, 홈런왕, 국제야구