In this episode, we sit down with former Major League infielder Doug Flynn, a two-time World Series champion, Gold Glove winner and one of the most respected defensive players of his era.

Doug takes us on a journey from his days growing up in Kentucky, where he starred in football, basketball, and baseball, to earning a dual scholarship at the University of Kentucky and playing for legendary coach Adolph Rupp. What started as a trip to an open Cincinnati Reds tryout with friends turned into an unlikely path to professional baseball and eventually a spot on one of the greatest teams in baseball history, the famed Big Red Machine.

We discuss Doug's rapid rise through the minor leagues, making his Major League debut with the Reds, winning back-to-back World Series championships in 1975 and 1976 alongside Pete Rose, Joe Morgan, Johnny Bench, and Tony Pérez, and his memorable first big-league hit against the Dodgers.

Doug shares his perspective on the blockbuster 1977 trade known as the "Midnight Massacre" that sent him to the New York Mets in exchange for Tom Seaver. We also dive into his 1980 Gold Glove season, the historic game in Montreal where he became the first and only Met to hit three triples in a game, and his later stops with the Rangers, Expos, and Tigers.

Along the way, Doug reflects on playing for legendary managers including Sparky Anderson, Joe Torre, Don Zimmer, and Bill Virdon, and what life was like during the 1981 players' strike touring with the Oak Ridge Boys.

From World Series celebrations to Gold Gloves, clubhouse stories, and lessons learned after baseball, this conversation offers a fascinating look at a player whose career intersected with some of the most iconic moments and personalities in baseball history.

Whether you're a fan of the Big Red Machine, the Mets of the late 1970s and early 1980s, or simply love great baseball stories, you won't want to miss this episode with Doug Flynn.

00:00 Intro

00:26 High School Football

01:13 Favorite Athlete Growing Up

02:18 Going to Kentucky and Playing for Adolph Rupp

03:43 Open Tryout With the Reds

06:00 Minor League Career

09:04 Getting a Call From a Hall of Fame Teammate Live

13:26 Playing for the Big Red Machine

16:42 Hall of Fame Discussion

19:49 First Major League Hit and the Ball

21:28 Sacrifice Hits and the Bunt

23:47 Comparing the 1975 and 1976 Reds Teams

25:59 How Pete Rose Described Doug and Was Doug's Versatility and Asset?

27:49 The Midnight Massacre and Being Traded for Tom Seaver

32:30 1980 Gold Glove

35:33 Hitting Three Triples in One Game

38:05 Closing Out Doug’s Career Playing for the Rangers, Expos and Tigers.

42:51 Which Manager Was Best for Doug to Play For - Joe Torre, Don Zimmer, or Bill Virdon

44:19 Facing Carlton, Seaver, Koosman and Grimsley

48:13 Who Did Doug Tour With During The Baseball Strike of 1981

51:18 Binge Burner Round

59:13 Outro

Thanks for tuning in and be sure to leave a comment for Doug.

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https://www.hopeforthewarriors.org/donate/

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