Mike Safo with Shane Youman

Joined today by former MLB and KBO pitcher Shane Youman. The LSU alumni and I talk about the upcoming BCS title game between Clemson and LSU. We chat about Shane’s high school career, his recruitment and getting drafted. Shane explains why he turned down a 6 figure contract and headed to Baton Rouge. We hear about winning the 2000 College World Series, getting drafted again and the best college player he played with. We chat about the grind from Williamsport to Hickory and how it all paid off when he got the call that he was going to play in the Majors. We chat about walking in the locker room the first time, stealing the ivy in Wrigley and facing Ken Griffey Jr. Shane tells us about the mental hurdles you face as a young pitcher and how he coped with it. Shane took his talents overseas and we hear about his time in Korea, the adjustments he made, trying new foods and dealing with some racism out there. We discuss how baseball can expose itself more in the African American community, some NOLA basketball and what advice he gives to kids coming up. All this, along with being a new father and what Shane’s up to now makes this episode a really fun ride.