Nuts About Baseball

All you need to know to get ready for the World Baseball Classic is in this episode.  Host Joe Grimme briefly talks about the history and the format of the tournament, as well as the teams and players participating this year.

Nick Enginger, head varsity baseball coach at Newport Central Catholic, joins host Joe Grimme in this episode.  Nick talks about his playing and coaching career, as well as what you might expect from the Thoroughbreds in 2026.

In this episode, host Joe Grimme is joined by Briley Seiter, former Bellevue High School baseball player, who continued his playing career throughout college.  Briley talks baseball with Joe, but he also discusses the love and support of the community, which has helped him get through the discovery of a brain tumor, his surgery, and the recovery afterwards.

Basketball official Greg Spencer joins host Joe Grimme in this episode to talk about Northern Kentucky High School Boys basketball.  Greg and Joe talk about the top teams in the 9th Region, as well as what to possibly expect in the upcoming district and regional tournaments.

Basketball official Greg Spencer joins host Joe Grimme in this episode to talk about Northern Kentucky High School Girls basketball.  Greg and Joe talk about the top teams in 8th, 9th, and 10th Regions and what to expect in the postseason.

Greg Kuffner, Sports Illustrated beat writer for the Cincinnati Reds, joins host Joe Grimme on this episode to talk about the upcoming season, and what we might expect from the team in 2026.

In this episode, host Joe Grimme talks with Lee Witte, founder and owner of Hometown Mortgage.  Lee provides valuable information about the loan application process when purchasing or refinancing a home, as well as the advantages of working with him.

In this episode, Scott Schweitzer, Campbell County High School Baseball Head Coach, returns to the podcast for a discussion about the upcoming season.  Host Joe Grimme also has a little fun putting Coach Schweitzer on the spot to talk about "speculative scenarios" that he may be faced with...

In this episode, host Joe Grimme pays tribute to Coach Ken Shields, Northern Kentucky basketball legend, who has touched the lives of thousands of people over several decades.  This episode features a collection of interviews with former players (Bill Stoeckle, Willie Schlarman, Scott Draud, Shannon Minor, and Jeff Walz), as well as family members (son Kenney Shields and grandson Abe Hils).

In this episode, Nick Krall, Cincinnati Reds President of Baseball Operations, joins host Joe Grimme to talk about his own career, as well as the ongoing duties that his position requires.  Nick also discusses the current status of the Reds roster, as well as some outlook for the upcoming season.

On Thursday, February 5, 2026, the National Football League will announce the winner of the Most Valuable Player Award, which will most likely be awarded to one of two players.  In this episode, host Joe Grimme is joined by his son, Steven Grimme, to debate whether Drake Maye or Matthew Stafford will win.

Since everybody talks about the best teams of all time, host Joe Grimme decided to do just the opposite.  In this episode, Tyler Owen joins Joe to talk about four of the worst teams in Major League Baseball history, which discussion concludes with a simulation between the teams to crown "the worst ever.

Salaries in Major League Baseball are out of control, and something needs to be done about it.  In this episode, host Joe Grimme discusses the 10 highest paid players and whether they are worth the money.  He also addresses team salaries and the unfortunate possibility of a lockout before the 2027 season.

Chris Kidney, who calls himself a "thrifter," joins host Joe Grimme in this episode, as he talks about finding items at thrift stores and reselling them for profit.  During this interview, Chris specifically discusses a rare find that made him over $100,000.  

Returning to join host Joe Grimme in this episode is his oldest son, Steven Grimme, as they talk about the College Football National Championship to be played on Monday, January 19, 2026.  Joe and Steven provide statistics and insight about how the Miami Hurricanes matchup against the Indiana Hoosiers.

Tyler Owen, a returning guest, joins host Joe Grimme, as he discusses his struggle with alcoholism, and how he has been sober for 13+ years.  Tyler also talks about his current journey with his wife as foster parents, while working full time and attending law school at the same time.

With the New Year upon us, host Joe Grimme discusses the current status of the Cincinnati Reds.  This brief discussion touches upon the offseason moves made by the Reds so far, as well as an outlook for the upcoming 2026 season.

For the first time ever, host Joe Grimme is joined by his oldest son Steven in this episode.  As part of the Mixed Nuts Series, this episode is a preview of the college football semifinals, which will include OPINIONS about wagering on the games (for the listeners that are in to that sort of thing).  

As we leave 2025, host Joe Grimme looks back 50 years ago, as he reviews the 1975 Major League Baseball season.  He also replays the 1975 season in his Out of the Park Baseball simulator to see what might happen if the season was replayed.

As part of the Mixed Nuts Series, host Joe Grimme talks with Kyle Rust, who underwent heart surgery at age 22, and had a near death experience that changed his life.  Kyle compares his life before and after the surgery, as well as his efforts to bring more awareness regarding heart heath for children.

In this episode, host Joe Grimme talks with Olivia Bricker, who will be participating in the first ever Women's Pro Baseball League in 2026.  Olivia, who is a Cincinnati native and former Division 1 softball player, talks about living out her dream of playing professional baseball.  

Who was the best team from the 1980s?  Host Joe Grimme discusses the decade that produced some iconic memories in this episode.  To help his analysis, he uses the Out of the Park Baseball simulator to match the 20 teams that participated in the World Series between from 1980 to 1989.

In this episode, host Joe Grimme talks with Derek Smith, former basketball and football standout at Highlands High School, who went on to play football at the University of Kentucky.  Derek talks about his playing career, as well as the relationships he made with fellow players and coaches along the way.

This episode is an interview with Chris Hook, current Milwaukee Brewers Pitching Coach.  Chris talks about his lifetime achievements in the NKY area, including his playing days at Lloyd and NKU, as well his coaching journey, which has now reached the highest level.

In this episode, host Joe Grimme interviews Chuck Keller, who was a teacher for 34 years.  Chuck talks about his teaching career, as well as battling cancer several times.  Chuck's positive attitude has remained throughout it all, and it continues to serve as an inspiration for everyone.

The decade of the 1970s featured some phenomenal Starting pitchers, which host Joe Grimme discusses in this episode.  Take a listen, as he compares his top 10 and ranks them in 8 categories to determine the best overall.

In this episode, host Joe Grimme talks with Patrick Jones, who helps guide high school baseball players through the recruiting process.  Patrick talks about his personal journey, and he provides insight as to what colleges are looking for, as well as what services he offers with his business.

In the first episode of the Mixed Nuts Series, host Joe Grimme gives his insight on THE GAME (Ohio State vs. Michigan).  Enjoy a quick summary of statistics, key injuries, and other factors that provided the basis for Joe's prediction of the outcome for Saturday's game.

In this episode, host Joe Grimme talks with Tom Nichols, Director of Media Relations and Broadcasting for the Dayton Dragons (high-A minor league affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds).  Tom discusses his career, as well as his experience with Rhett Lowder, Chase Burns, and Sal Stewart.

Host Joe Grimme welcomes back Bronson Arroyo, who was one of his first guests in 2024.  In this episode, Bronson tells more great stories about playing with the Boston Red Sox and Cincinnati Reds.  He also takes listeners behind the scenes to explain how he is now creating great music with the help of fellow musicians.

In this episode, host Joe Grimme enjoys some time with Russ Skubal, the father of Tarik Skubal (2024 American League Cy Young Award winner).  Russ talks about raising Tarik, and what it has been like to see him evolve to become one of the best lefthanded pitchers in major league baseball.

In this episode, host Joe Grimme interviews Jake Sanford, a former New York Yankees prospect who shares his journey from growing up in Nova Scotia to pursuing a career in baseball. Jake discusses his early sports experiences, the challenges he faced in college, and his eventual draft by the Yankees. He candidly opens up about his struggles with gambling addiction, the impact it had on his career, and the lessons he learned along the way.

In this episode, host Joe Grimme ranks the top 8 Toronto Blue Jays hitters of all-time, and he names the best four overall, which make his Mount Rushmore. 

Host Joe Grimme talks with Hayden Stamm, Ludlow High School graduate and current Clubhouse Manager for the Double-A Midland Rockhounds.  Hayden, who was on the podcast in April 2025, talks about his first season with the Rockhounds, and what it was like behind the scenes with a minor league ballclub.

During this episode, host Joe Grimme talks with Camden and Callum McAtee, two brothers that are Highlands High School graduates, and who are now playing baseball together at Transylvania.  

In this episode, host Joe Grimme talks with JP Donelan, a Highlands High School graduate, who is entering his third year at Wilmington College.  JP talks about his experience from childhood to now, as well as how he has become one of only a few players to hit, play in the field, and emerge as one of the team's starting pitchers.

To commemorate episode 73, host Joe Grimme talks about the designated hitter rule, which was instituted in the American League in 1973.  Joe provides his analysis of the top 5 designated hitters of all-time, as he ranks them in order as to their accomplishments during their illustrious careers.

Former Cincinnati Reds catcher Tucker Barnhart talks with host Joe Grimme during this episode.  Barnhart, who won 2 Gold Glove Awards behind the plate, tells some great stories during this interview, and he explains why he decided to retire in June of 2025. 

In this episode, host Joe Grimme admits he was wrong when he predicted (in his August 1 episode) that the Cincinnati Reds would not make the 2025 playoffs.  Listen to a recap of how the Reds snuck in, as well as their chances to make a run at a World Series Championship.

In this episode, host Joe Grimme talks with Vada Pinson III, the son of Vada Pinson, Jr.  Enjoy first-hand stories from the son of Vada, Jr., who played 11 seasons for the Cincinnati Reds, and put together a great career that should place him in the Baseball Hall of Fame.