Chiseled Ep 83 Playing in the League of Dreams - Mike Bordick

Chiseled with Rob Commodari

Baseball fans are in for a treat this week. I had the pleasure of interviewing Baltimore Orioles Hall of Famer Mike Bordick, who shared stories about his experiences playing in the Major League for 14 years, lessons he took from the game, and thoughts on the role of sports in young people's lives. As a true lover of baseball, I was in heaven talking to Mike, who is very down-to-earth and charitable. Having never been drafted, Mike signed a minor league contract in 1986 before being called up to the Oakland Athletics in 1990. He signed with the O’s in 1996 where he played for six seasons. He also played single seasons for the Mets and the Blue Jays. Mike has two World Series rings playing for the Mets and A’s, but still calls Baltimore, where three of his six kids were born and his family still lives, home. Mike is very humble about his career and his success, which he considers a combination of hard work, luck, and circumstance. He also gives back in a big way. An ambassador for The Baseball Warehouse, he gives lessons and clinics to players and coaches. Mike is also chairman of League of Dreams, a Maryland nonprofit dedicated to providing special needs children and adults with the opportunity to play baseball and softball. "When I see a kid, you just never know what's in there, under that skin and heart," he said. On July 16, Mike will be at the Maryland School for the Blind, volunteering his time. If you want to help him out, learn more about Mike, or have him speak to your group, you can reach out to him at ⁠leagueofdreams.org⁠, ⁠thebaseballwarehouse.com⁠, and ⁠mikebordick14.com⁠. Meantime, tune into this week's Chiseled to hear Mike discuss his love of trash talk, how teammates recapped their games in the clubhouse, and why Bull Durham is his favorite movie. You will also hear from his biggest fan, his dog, Emmy, who shares some of the vocals in this week's podcast.