Nicholas Punto joins us for a behind-the-scenes baseball conversation that hits every note: big moments, clubhouse reality, and the details fans only hear when a true pro breaks it down. Nick played 14 years in the majors, won a World Series with the 2011 St. Louis Cardinals, and now helps shape big-league infield play as the San Diego Padres infield coach.

We talk about what it really feels like getting called up as a late-round pick, the surreal timing of his MLB debut just before 9/11, and how baseball helped a shaken country come back together. Nick takes us inside the pressure and emotion of the 2011 World Series — including Game 6, the dugout vibe, and why that team felt destined in Game 7. We also get into elite defense, turning double plays back when runners tried to blow you up, and the pure frustration of facing Mariano Rivera.

If you love baseball stories with real context, you’re in the right place. Subscribe and ride with us.

(00:00:00) – Nick Punto intro: 14-year MLB career, World Series champ, Padres coach
(00:03:12) – Late-round mindset, earning a shot, first pro home run
(00:07:04) – First MLB at-bat nerves and first hit in Montreal
(00:09:40) – September 9, 2001 debut and the impact of 9/11
(00:14:59) – Trade to Minnesota and finding a true baseball home
(00:19:18) – Playing multiple positions and infield adjustments
(00:24:46) – Joe Mauer’s arm, athleticism, and leadership
(00:27:08) – Old Yankee Stadium vs new and facing Mariano Rivera
(00:32:32) – 2011 Cardinals run and belief inside the clubhouse
(00:37:27) – Game 6 walk-off, “We’ll see you tomorrow night”
(00:42:10) – Game 7 confidence and why it felt inevitable
(00:45:18) – Don Mattingly as a manager and baseball teacher
(00:55:14) – Basketball roots and getting dunked on by Tony Gonzalez
(01:01:20) – Rapid fire begins: the “Shredder” nickname
(01:04:45) – Hardest hit ball ever fielded
(01:07:42) – Favorite glove and old-school infield communication
(01:10:33) – Defensive play he’s most proud of
(01:13:09) – Best golf courses and Pebble Beach
(01:17:14) – Phil Nevin golf stories and Jim Abbott memories
(01:19:10) – Wrap-up and final thoughts

2011 World Series Game 6 and Game 7 behind the scenes
Life as a late-round pick and earning respect in MLB
9/11 through the eyes of a young major leaguer
Elite infield defense, double plays, and preparation
Facing Mariano Rivera and the legendary cutter
Leadership lessons from Mauer, Utley, Rollins, and others

About Nicholas Punto

Nicholas Punto played 14 seasons in Major League Baseball, won a World Series title with the 2011 St. Louis Cardinals, and built a reputation as one of the toughest, smartest defenders of his era. He currently serves as the infield coach for the San Diego Padres.

️ About the JustIn Time Podcast

The JustIn Time Podcast brings you exclusive, in-depth conversations with the biggest names in sports and beyond. Veteran broadcaster Justin Kutcher delivers unfiltered discussions with legendary coaches, professional athletes, and influential figures who share their journeys and behind-the-scenes stories you won’t hear anywhere else.

Subscribe on your favorite platform to never miss an episode.

#NicholasPunto
#MLBPodcast
#WorldSeries2011
#StLouisCardinals
#MinnesotaTwins
#BaseballStories
#JustinKutcher

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Robert Damron is a PGA Tour winner and longtime golf broadcaster, and in this episode we get into the kind of behind-the-scenes golf stories you only hear from someone who lived it. We talk about growing up at Bay Hill, what it really meant to be in Arnold Palmer’s orbit, and the gambling matches and locker room culture that shaped Damron’s mindset. He also opens up about failing out of college, the fear that fueled his mini-tour grind, and the hard lessons Q-School teaches when your mind starts counting bogeys instead of playing to win. Then we jump into the Tiger Woods era and why the intimidation was real for so many guys, plus what it felt like winning the Byron Nelson with Tiger charging late. If you love golf history, old-school stories, and what it takes to survive on tour, this one’s for you. Subscribe and drop a comment with your favorite Damron story.

Timestamps:
(00:00:01) - Intro, “Xander Schauffele” look-alike joke
(00:01:15) - Kentucky accent, “Bob” vs Robert
(00:04:09) - Arnold Palmer as mentor and presence
(00:05:31) - Dr. Phillips High School and famous alumni
(00:08:20) - Johnny Damon stories and Red Sox to Yankees shift
(00:13:57) - Meeting A.J. Pierzynski and the friendship
(00:15:47) - Hawk Harrelson, Bay Hill, and how Arnold became close
(00:24:40) - Playing with Arnold Palmer and taking it for granted
(00:29:29) - Palmer’s best advice: “find your system”
(00:33:13) - Most nervous moment: first tee at Bay Hill
(00:36:32) - Leaving UCF, academic ineligibility, turning pro
(00:43:07) - Q-School pressure and the “wiggle room” collapse
(00:48:57) - Tiger and strategy: why the leaderboard matters
(00:49:49) - Tiger’s intimidation factor from inside the ropes
(00:55:01) - Winning the Byron Nelson in 2001 with Tiger chasing
(01:00:42) - Why first wins are hard to “enjoy” in the moment
(01:06:55) - Rapid fire: favorite venues, nerves, best athletes
(01:14:13) - Playing with Michael Jordan and the betting
(01:16:41) - Paired with Arnold in a PGA Tour event
(01:19:00) - Broadcasting style, honesty on air, closing thoughts
(01:21:07) - Wrap-up and sign-off

Key Topics:
Arnold Palmer stories, Bay Hill inner circle, golf history
PGA Tour life, mini tours, Canadian Tour, Q-School mindset
Tiger Woods era, intimidation, leaderboard strategy
Byron Nelson win, playoffs, handling pressure
Broadcasting, golf commentary, behind-the-scenes culture

About Robert Damron:
Robert Damron is a PGA Tour winner and respected golf broadcaster who grew up around Bay Hill and Arnold Palmer. He shares a rare insider view of tour life, pressure moments, and what it takes to win at the highest level.

️ About the JustIn Time Podcast:
The JustIn Time Podcast brings you exclusive, in-depth conversations with the biggest names in sports and beyond. As veteran broadcasters, Justin brings unfiltered discussions with legendary coaches, professional athletes, and influential figures who share their remarkable journeys and behind-the-scenes stories you won’t hear anywhere else.

Subscribe now on any major platform to never miss an episode of these timeless conversations.

#RobertDamron
#JustInTimePodcast
#JustinKutcher
#PGATour
#ArnoldPalmer
#TigerWoods
#GolfPodcast

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Cliff Floyd joins us for a real behind-the-scenes baseball conversation that feels like you are sitting in the clubhouse with him. We get into a baseball epic comeback moment where Cliff explains the mindset of waiting on one mistake and then taking Greg Maddux deep, plus what it felt like when the Braves’ pitching reputation finally cracked. We also hear Cliff relive a wild Pedro Martinez fight pile that instantly made him say, “never again”, and the story is as funny as it is stressful.

From there, Cliff takes us through the reality of the minors, how quickly confidence can swing, and why coaching and preparation are everything. Then we hit the gold: an All-Star Game batting cage session with Barry Bonds that happened with no cameras, no phones, and one unforgettable hitting cue that changed how Cliff heard the ball come off the bat. If you love MLB stories, 90s baseball, and the human side of the game, this one is for you. Subscribe and drop a comment with the name you want us to get next.

Timestamps:
(00:00:01) - Welcome and Cliff’s career intro
(00:01:01) - The truth about the broadcaster lifestyle and long days
(00:04:29) - Finding the competitive edge after playing days
(00:06:32) - Analytics, batting average, and modern MLB pay
(00:09:12) - Recruiting, Creighton decision, and going pro
(00:13:09) - Cliff thought he was better at basketball than baseball
(00:14:54) - Kenny Lofton story and elite multi-sport athletes
(00:17:18) - AAU hoops memories: Webber, Jalen Rose, Grant Hill, Finley
(00:19:22) - The Chris Webber moment that changed Cliff’s thinking
(00:23:38) - Getting placed on the B team and the reality check
(00:27:15) - Raw talent to top pick: how Cliff leveled up fast
(00:34:16) - “Hate the minors”: development, call-ups, and AAA frustration
(00:40:26) - The strangest MLB debut setup you will ever hear
(00:49:10) - The 1994 strike and Cliff working a holiday job
(00:53:14) - June 27, 1994: pinch hit vs Greg Maddux and went deep
(00:56:23) - Pedro Martinez fight pile: panic, bodies, and Kevin Mitchell
(01:00:03) - The lost art of pitching inside and how it changes hitters
(01:09:20) - Felipe Alou vs Jim Leyland leadership styles
(01:13:54) - Leyland’s intensity: flipping food, calling guys out
(01:16:07) - 1997 team talk and the Edgar Renteria “setup” idea
(01:18:49) - Manny Ramirez: “watch this” and setting pitchers up
(01:22:10) - 2001 All-Star Game and being surrounded by legends
(01:23:15) - Barry Bonds cage session: “catch the ball with the bat”
(01:33:20) - Rapid fire: favorite park, favorite athletes, best teammates
(01:41:14) - Toughest pitcher to hit: John Smoltz “in your meeting”
(01:42:56) - Bob Gibson and the “good guy award” story
(01:45:14) - Wrap-up and the “Happy New Year” cutoff

Key Topics:
Greg Maddux home run story, pinch hit mindset, nitro zone approach
Pedro Martinez brawl story, 1994 Expos intensity, baseball retaliation era
Barry Bonds batting cage insight, hitting mechanics, All-Star Game stories
Jim Leyland leadership, clubhouse culture, World Series preparation
Manny Ramirez approach, setting up pitchers, elite hitter psychology
Minor leagues reality, call-up timing, baseball development and coaching

About Cliff Floyd:
Cliff Floyd played 17 seasons in Major League Baseball, made an MLB All-Star team, and won a World Series championship. He is also a current MLB Network analyst, known for breaking down the game with the same honesty and edge he played with.

️ About the JustIn Time Podcast:
The JustIn Time Podcast brings you exclusive, in-depth conversations with the biggest names in sports and beyond. As veteran broadcasters, Justin brings unfiltered discussions with legendary coaches, professional athletes, and influential figures who share their remarkable journeys and behind-the-scenes stories you won’t hear anywhere else.
Subscribe now on any major platform to never miss an episode of these timeless conversations.

#CliffFloyd
#MLBPodcast
#BarryBonds
#GregMaddux
#PedroMartinez
#JimLeyland
#JustInTimePodcast

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