Pacific Swings
David MacKinnon and Jasper Spanjaart
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About This Podcast
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 and cultural storytelling. His work focuses on the intersection of athletics and international culture.
Together, they host Pacific Swings, a podcast dedicated to exploring the cultural and athletic connections between American, Japanese, and Korean professional baseball. Through exclusive interviews and insider perspectives, the show bridges baseball’s two worlds, offering listeners unique insights into the global game.
Two worlds, one podcast, countless stories.
ありがとう, 감사합니다, and welcome to Pacific Swings.
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Recent Episodes
S1E27 Monthly Swings: Inside the NPB with Cooper Hummel & Trey Cabbage | Talking Smack and Breaking Unwritten Rules of Baseball | Ep. 1
In this first edition of Monthly Swings, we sit down with Cooper Hummel (横浜DeNA BayStars) and Trey Cabbage (Yomiuri Giants) — two Americans playing on opposite sides of Japan's most storied rivalry —…
S1E26 Scott Mathieson (マシソン) on 8 Years in Japan & Legendary Baseball Brawls | Pacific Swings | "The umpire told me to only throw fastballs against Ohtani"
In this episode of Pacific Swings, we sit down with Scott Mathieson — a Canadian pitcher who survived two Tommy John surgeries before the age of 25, made it to the Philadelphia Phillies, and then…
S1E25 Lewis Brinson on Japan, Pressure and Wearing Jackie Robinson's Number at the Tokyo Dome | Pacific Swings | "Going to Japan was the best decision I ever made"
In this episode of Pacific Swings, we sit down with Lewis Brinson — first-round pick, centerpiece of one of MLB's most talked-about trades, and the man who wore number 42 at the Tokyo Dome for the…
S1E24 How an American Manager Built a Japan Series Champion From Scratch | Trey Hillman | トレイ・ヒルマン | Shinjirarenai!
In this episode of Pacific Swings, we sit down with Trey Hillman — the only manager in baseball history to have managed teams in Major League Baseball, Nippon Professional Baseball, and the Korea…
S1E23 Cooper Hummel's NPB Dream: Playing Little League in Japan & the Yokohama BayStars | クーパー・ヒュンメル | Episode 23
In this episode of Pacific Swings, we sit down with Cooper Hummel — an outfielder whose 2025 season reads less like a baseball career and more like a fever dream written by someone who has never seen…
S1E22 From MLB Debut to Hanshin Tigers: Cam Devanney's Wild Ride to Japan
Royals AAA. Pirates trade. MLB debut. Released. Signed in Japan. All in the same year.In this episode of Pacific Swings, we sit down with Cam Devanney, whose 2024 was the most chaotic season…
S1E21 Tatsuya Imai & Kona Takahashi Deep Dive | Former Teammate Breaks Down Seibu Lions Aces | "He's got the best stuff in NPB"
Two Seibu Lions aces. One former teammate who faced them both. Everything you need to know about the next NPB stars heading to MLB.David MacKinnon (@dcmack24) joins us to break down his 2023…
S1E20 Dietrich Enns Returns: From NPB/KBO to MLB Comeback Story | 2,877 days between MLB starts | "My stuff is so much better now"
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…
S1E19 Ronnie Dawson: From Indie Ball to KBO All-Star w/ Kiwoom Heroes | 로니 도슨 | "I thought my career was over"
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…
S1E18 Okamoto & Murakami: Can They Hit MLB Pitching? | Full Swing Analysis + Contract Predictions | "His swing will play anywhere"
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…
S1E17 Lions: The Reunion Episode | With Mark Payton & David MacKinnon | 2023 Seibu Teammates | "Hi, I'm Mark"
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…
S1E16 Never Giving Up with Gosuke Katoh | Meeting Ichiro & The "Invincible" Mindset | Part 2
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…
S1E15 Never Giving Up with Gosuke Katoh (加藤豪将) | The ONLY player drafted by both MLB and NPB | "If you never give up, a lot of good things will happen" | Part 1
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,…
S1E14 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…
S1E13 Tyler Nevin: Fan Favorite with the Seibu Lions, Conquering NPB & Embracing Life in Japan | "I'm just diving all in"
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…
S1E12 Pacific Swings Q&A #2: NPB vs KBO, Samurai Japan Without MLB Stars & Dave's Japanese Baseball Cards
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…
S1E11 How Casey Kelly became 'Jamsil Jesus' & Ending LG Twins' 29-year Championship Drought | "We just embraced Korea"
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…
S1E10 Kaima Taira's (平良海馬) Incredible Journey From 6-Player Junior High School Team to Chasing 105 MPH
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…
S1E9 David MacKinnon for NPB Commissioner: Why Ties in Baseball are Stupid | "Most home runs wins. That's it."
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…
S1E8 Giant Cabbage Power: Trey Cabbage on 487-Foot Bombs, NPB Adjustments & Tokyo Life | "My job is to barrel the baseball and do some damage"
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…
Frequently Asked Questions
Pacific Swings has published 28 episodes since June 2025, covering topics in Baseball, News.
Pacific Swings is currently moderate with new episodes every 2 weeks. Average episode length is 38m.
Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for Pacific Swings, including email and social media links.
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