On this episode, Brandon James and Jon Paramore discuss complacency, pressure and staying ready with a special guest today: MLB World Series Champion + former St. Louis Cardinal Matt Adams — aka “Big City.”
In this episode, we cover:
- The “Big City” nickname
- How it started in spring training
- Why it stuck for 10+ years
- Where it all began
- Starting baseball at 3–4 years old
- Small-town Pennsylvania upbringing + early love for the game
- The setback that fueled him
- Losing the University of Pittsburgh opportunity
- Going D2 at Slippery Rock with a chip on his shoulder
- The money + travel ball reality
- Not having the resources for all the “prep / travel circuit” stuff
- Betting on: “If I’m good enough, they’ll find me”
- Manifestation before it was “cool”
- Practicing his autograph in class
- Visualizing success as a teenager without even realizing it
- Minor leagues → fast track to the show
- Rookie ball → A-ball → Double-A → Triple-A → debut
- Getting drafted 23rd round and being told he was a “roster fill”… then proving everyone wrong
- What it takes to climb when you’re NOT the top prospect
- Why most guys don’t make it
- Complacency after getting drafted
- Taking the foot off the gas
- Expecting things to be given instead of earned
- The “Cardinal Way” culture
- The obsession with doing the little things right
- Practicing fundamentals daily (even bunting when you’re a big bat)
- Low tolerance for ego / selfishness
- How leaders are built, not bought
- Playing with legends + learning the standard
- Being around Pujols / Yadi / Tony La Russa
- Mentors like Jon Jay & Daniel Descalso
- How winning environments feel different
- World Series moments you can’t script
- Fenway Park as a rookie (pinch-me stuff)
- The emotional chaos of a Game 7 moment
- Winning a championship and realizing: “We’re grown men celebrating a kid’s game”
- St. Louis as a baseball city
- Why Cardinals fans are different
- Respecting great baseball… even from visiting players
- Getting love on the road because Cardinals fans travel
- The hard truth: keeping your spot is harder than earning it
- The pressure of always having someone coming for your job
- Why role players have to stay ready at all times
- Life after the league
- Independent ball grind + still chasing the dream
- Coaching, media, and what his next chapter could look like
- What he wishes he told his younger self: don’t take a day for granted
Quick notes:
- If you’ve got little ears in the car, heads up: we drop a little salty language sometimes.
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