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PODCAST

Pacific Swings

David MacKinnon and Jasper Spanjaart

Pacific Swings brings you exclusive interviews and insider stories from players who’ve crossed the Pacific Ocean. Hosted by former MLB, NPB & KBO player David MacKinnon and filmmaker/journalist Jasper Spanjaart.David MacKinnon (1994) played professional baseball for nearly a decade, competing in Major League Baseball (MLB), Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), and the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO).Jasper Spanjaart (1995) is an established journalist and documentary filmmaker specializing in

sports baseball

All Episodes

41:32

Dietrich Enns Returns: From NPB/KBO to MLB Comeback...

Pacific Swings ·

2025/11/29

Dietrich Enns went from Yankees prospect to NPB (Seibu Lions) to KBO (LG Twins) and back to MLB with the Tigers and Orioles. The gap between MLB starts? 2,877 days. One of the longest this century.In this episode, Dietrich joins David and Jasper to talk about:🔥 Facing Schwarber, Harper & Castellanos in the 8th 🚂 Taking trains with Japanese fans after games ⚾ Breaking down NPB vs KBO vs MLB hitting styles 🦁 Which Seibu Lions pitchers could dominate MLB 👨‍👧 How becoming a father changed

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48:09

Ronnie Dawson: From Indie Ball to KBO All-Star w/...

Pacific Swings ·

2025/11/05

Ronnie Dawson: From Indie Ball to KBO All-StarFrom thinking his career was over to becoming one of the KBO's most beloved players - Ronnie Dawson's story is about finding freedom, being yourself, and redefining success.In this episode of Pacific Swings, former Kiwoom Heroes outfielder Ronnie Dawson joins David MacKinnon and Jasper Spanjaart to share his incredible journey from a $85,000 contract to KBO All-Star and fan favorite.Ronnie's Journey:Second-round pick by Houston Astros (2016, 61st

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38:12

Okamoto & Murakami: Can They Hit MLB Pitching? | Full...

Pacific Swings ·

2025/11/03

Can Kazuma Okamoto and Munetaka Murakami succeed in MLB?In this episode of Pacific Swings, David MacKinnon and Jasper Spanjaart break down two of NPB's biggest power hitters: Kazuma Okamoto (Yomiuri Giants) and Munetaka Murakami (Tokyo Yakult Swallows).David analyzes their swings, projects their MLB futures, and makes bold predictions about contracts and team fits.Key Topics Covered:Kazuma Okamoto's swing mechanics: "His swing will play anywhere"Why Okamoto's approach translates to MLBMunetaka

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45:56

Lions: The Reunion Episode | With Mark Payton & David...

Pacific Swings ·

2025/10/17

Sponsored by JAX Athletics - Premium baseball and softball batting gloves. Use code PACIFICSWINGS for 15% off at jaxathletics.comIn this episode of Pacific Swings, David MacKinnon reunites with his 2023 Seibu Lions teammate Mark Payton for a conversation that goes beyond the box scores—diving into injuries, Japanese baseball culture, and the reality of playing in NPB when everything goes wrong.Mark Payton was drafted by the Yankees in 2013 and made his MLB debut with Oakland in 2020. In 2023, he

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30:09

Never Giving Up with Gosuke Katoh | Meeting Ichiro &...

Pacific Swings ·

2025/10/09

In Part 2 of Pacific Swings, David MacKinnon and Jasper Spanjaart continue their conversation with Gosuke Katoh, diving into the mental strategies and development philosophies that shaped his unique career path.After 10 years grinding through six different MLB organizations, Gosuke finally reached the majors with Toronto before setting NPB rookie records with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. Now at 30, he's bringing that experience to the Blue Jays front office, evaluating players with a

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34:29

Never Giving Up with Gosuke Katoh (加藤豪将) | The ONLY...

Pacific Swings ·

2025/09/29

In this first-part of a two-part episode of Pacific Swings, David MacKinnon and Jasper Spanjaart sit down with Gosuke Katoh, the first player in baseball history to be drafted by both MLB and NPB, who just retired at 30 to join the Toronto Blue Jays front office.Drafted 66th overall by the New York Yankees in 2013 as an 18-year-old, Gosuke spent a decade grinding through six different organizations in the minor leagues. Then many years later, he woke up at 3am in California to discover he'd made

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40:02

Anthony Kay: From NY Mets First-Rounder to Japan...

Pacific Swings ·

2025/09/12

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

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45:41

Tyler Nevin: Fan Favorite with the Seibu Lions,...

Pacific Swings ·

2025/09/04

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

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33:45

Pacific Swings Q&A #2: NPB vs KBO, Samurai Japan...

Pacific Swings ·

2025/08/27

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

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51:10

How Casey Kelly became 'Jamsil Jesus' & Ending LG...

Pacific Swings ·

2025/08/20

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

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24:39

Kaima Taira's (平良海馬) Incredible Journey From 6-Player...

Pacific Swings ·

2025/08/12

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

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25:43

David MacKinnon for NPB Commissioner: Why Ties in...

Pacific Swings ·

2025/08/05

In this special episode of Pacific Swings, David MacKinnon addresses his viral tweet about NPB ties that sparked outrage across Japanese baseball Twitter with 1.4 million impressions. Now he's officially launching his campaign to become NPB Commissioner with a platform built on controversy and questionable logic."Most home runs wins. That's it."Key Topics Covered:The viral tweet that broke Japanese baseball Twitter (1.4 million impressions)Why NPB ties must die according to Commissioner

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38:54

Giant Cabbage Power: Trey Cabbage on 487-Foot Bombs,...

Pacific Swings ·

2025/07/31

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

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35:27

The Korean Home Run King: Matt Davidson on 46 Bombs,...

Pacific Swings ·

2025/07/26

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 championAdapting to unique Asian pitching styles and different training methodsThe difference between Japanese and Korean baseball cultures and

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25:31

Fan Mail: Japan's Insane Cheering Culture, Elite NPB...

Pacific Swings ·

2025/07/23

In this episode of Pacific Swings, we dive into your questions in our first-ever Fan Mail episode. David shares stories from his time with the Seibu Lions, revealing the cultural surprises, unforgettable teammates, and incredible experiences that defined his NPB journey. Plus: an unsolicited golf update and why train station food in Japan is better than most American restaurants.Key Topics Covered:Japanese cheering culture vs. MLB crowds - why the coordinated songs and drums hit differentLife

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36:56

The Giants Standard: Tyler Beede on Playing for...

Pacific Swings ·

2025/07/18

In this episode of Pacific Swings, we sit down with right-handed pitcher Tyler Beede, who made history in 2023 as the first non-Japanese pitcher in his first year to start Opening Day for the Yomiuri Giants. Known as the Yankees of Japan, the Giants demand excellence at every level - from mandatory designer suits to elite performance on the mound. Key Topics Covered: ⚾ Making Opening Day history and the electric atmosphere of Tokyo Dome - The Giants' Yankees-like culture: designer suits,

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22:30

'Rakedown' Sandro Fabian & Ryōma Nishikawa | NPB June...

Pacific Swings ·

2025/07/14

In this RAKEDOWN episode, David MacKinnon breaks down Japan's June MVPs Sandro Fabian and Ryōma Nishikawa - two hitters absolutely raking that most baseball fans have never heard of. On Fabian: "His plate coverage is unbelievable... he's able to catch that ball out front, which most guys can't do."From Fabian's grand slam celebrations to Nishikawa's 1,000th career hit milestone, this is why these NPB stars deserve your attention.Featuring swing breakdowns you won't find anywhere else, the foreign

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30:38

How to Prepare for Japan (Spoiler: You Can't) | Mr....

Pacific Swings ·

2025/07/08

David MacKinnon reveals his comprehensive preparation strategy for Japanese baseball: watch Mr. Baseball, Google some teams, and wing it.From Tom Selleck's 1992 masterpiece to the reality of all-dirt spring training fields, this is what actually happens when preparation meets Japanese baseball. Featuring David's Mr. Baseball moments, the Seibu Lions' daily preparation emails, and why foreign players will never be asked to bunt."My research was I Googled stuff... but nothing prepares you for how they

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45:24

Three Countries, Three Baseballs: Dietrich Enns on...

Pacific Swings ·

2025/07/03

In our second episode, we sit down with left-handed pitcher Dietrich Enns, who has lived the Pacific Swings experience across three countries and three professional leagues. From his MLB debut with the Minnesota Twins to starring in Japan's NPB with the Seibu Lions, and then dominating in Korea's KBO with the LG Twins, Dietrich brings a unique perspective on international baseball.Key topics covered:The culture shock of landing in Japan and experiencing earthquakes in your first weekHow different

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30:52

That Retirement Episode with David MacKinnon & Jasper...

Pacific Swings ·

2025/07/02

The Pacific Ocean used to separate two baseball worlds. Not anymore. In our debut episode, recently retired MLB/NPB/KBO player David MacKinnon and journalist Jasper Spanjaart reveal why Pacific Swings exists and what you can expect from the only podcast bridging baseball's global divide. David shares what it was really like playing alongside Shohei Ohtani, hitting cleanup behind Mike Trout, and then crossing the Pacific to experience the electric atmosphere of Japanese and Korean baseball. From the

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