Behind the Braves

On this episode of Behind the Braves, host Ricky Mast sits down with Atlanta Braves pitching coach Jeremy Hefner for an in-depth conversation about his baseball journey, coaching philosophy, and what makes the Braves pitching staff so successful.

Hefner shares stories from growing up in Oklahoma, falling in love with baseball while watching the Braves on TV, and his path from lightly recruited high school pitcher to Major League Baseball. He opens up about getting called up to the big leagues with the New York Mets, battling injuries that ended his playing career, and how he unexpectedly found his way into coaching.

Jeremy also discusses what drew him to Atlanta, working alongside manager Walt Weiss, and the day-to-day life of a big-league pitching coach. Plus, he gives fascinating insight into the development of Braves starter Bryce Elder and explains how communication, trust, and relationships are at the center of his coaching style.

You’ll also hear Jeremy talk about:

-His favorite players growing up, including Ken Griffey Jr.

-The surreal story of being recruited in a McDonald’s parking lot

-Transitioning from player to coach-Balancing analytics with personal connection

-His music taste ranging from grunge and nu metal to country and Christian music

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg McMichael joins host Ricky Mast on this episode of Behind the Braves to reflect on the lives and legacies of two towering figures in Braves history: legendary manager Bobby Cox and longtime Braves owner Ted Turner.McMichael shares personal memories from his playing days under Cox during the Braves’ dynasty years, including stories from spring training, Bobby’s loyalty to his players, his unforgettable arguments with umpires, and the leadership style that made players feel like family. He also discusses Turner’s vision for transforming the Braves into “America’s Team” through TBS, his competitive spirit, and the larger-than-life personality that shaped generations of Braves fans across the country.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Step back into one of the most colorful—and unconventional—chapters in Braves history. In this installment of Behind the Braves: Historian Tour, team historian Sam Wallace joins the show to unpack the story behind the infamous 1976 “nickname” jerseys—an experiment that saw players swap their last names for nicknames on the backs of their uniforms.

Wallace dives into how the idea came to life under new owner Ted Turner, whose bold, outside-the-box approach brought a wave of attention-grabbing (and sometimes head-scratching) promotional stunts to Atlanta. From the inspiration behind the jerseys to why the concept was so short-lived, this episode explores the intersection of baseball, marketing, and personality during a transformative era for the franchise

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Behind the Braves, Ricky Mast sits down for a wide-ranging conversation with his boss, Greg Mize, Vice President of Marketing & Innovation for the Atlanta Braves. Greg shares his journey from his early roots and upbringing to his college experience, and he walks through his career path in sports—detailing how he got his start, the key stops along the way, and what ultimately led him to Atlanta and a leadership role with the Braves.

The conversation then dives into two of the most exciting recent developments in the organization. Greg gives a behind-the-scenes look at the creation and launch of BravesVision, the Braves’ new television network, including the vision behind it, and the challenges of building it from the ground up. He also discusses the debut of the Braves’ new City Connect uniforms—breaking down the inspiration, storytelling, and fan impact behind the design.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of our Historian Tour series, Braves Historian Sam Wallace takes us on a journey through every home ballpark in the history of the Braves!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices