Dave Magadan on Homestead, hate mail, and lessons learned from the 1994-95 strike

This week’s "Stitch x Stitch'' guest is Dave Magadan, a 16-year big leaguer who went on to a successful career as a hitting coach with several organizations. Dave grew up in Tampa playing Little League ball with the likes of Luis Gonzalez and Tino Martinez before moving on to the University of Alabama and winning the Gold Spikes Award as the nation’s best amateur player. He made a name for himself as a professional hitter for the Mets and six other clubs, while helping further the advancement of player rights as an advocate for the union. In this conversation, Dave reflects upon his baseball journey, the 1994-95 strike, his experiences at the “Homestead Homies’’ free agent camp, and a commitment to his fellow players that spanned the entirety of his career.

“Stitch x Stitch’’ is part of a year-long recognition of the 60th anniversary of the union’s founding under executive director Marvin Miller. The weekly podcast is hosted by Jerry Crasnick, associate director of player, agent and media affairs at the MLBPA and a former baseball journalist for more than 30 years. Previous guests include the late Phil Garner, Reggie Smith, Dave Stewart and Rick Monday, the No. 1 pick in the first MLB amateur draft in 1965.

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