David MacKinnon reveals his comprehensive preparation strategy for Japanese baseball: watch Mr. Baseball, Google some teams, and wing it.

From Tom Selleck's 1992 masterpiece to the reality of all-dirt spring training fields, this is what actually happens when preparation meets Japanese baseball. Featuring David's Mr. Baseball moments, the Seibu Lions' daily preparation emails, and why foreign players will never be asked to bunt.

"My research was I Googled stuff... but nothing prepares you for how they play."

"I'm guilty of watching Mr. Baseball and thinking I was going to be fully prepared for what's to come. But it did definitely prepare me for some things that I would not have been prepared for."

The lifestyle changes, train transfers, and teammate revelations that no movie could prepare you for.

IN THIS EPISODE:

✓ David's "research" method: Google + Mr. Baseball = prepared?

✓ The 24-hour signing chaos that changed everything

✓ Mr. Baseball moments vs. Japanese baseball reality

✓ All-dirt training fields and team warmups Tom Selleck missed

✓ Why the lifestyle change is harder than the baseball change

✓ What David wishes he'd known before crossing the Pacific

🇯🇵 Japanese: デビッドの日本野球準備方法：グーグル検索とミスター・ベースボール鑑賞。現実との違いについて。

🇰🇷 Korean: 데이비드의 일본 야구 준비 방법: 구글 검색과 미스터 베이스볼 시청. 현실과의 차이에 대해.

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In our second episode, we sit down with left-handed pitcher Dietrich Enns, who has lived the Pacific Swings experience across three countries and three professional leagues. From his MLB debut with the Minnesota Twins to starring in Japan's NPB with the Seibu Lions, and then dominating in Korea's KBO with the LG Twins, Dietrich brings a unique perspective on international baseball.

Key topics covered:

• The culture shock of landing in Japan and experiencing earthquakes in your first week
• How different baseballs completely change your pitching approach across leagues
• The incredible training regimens and attention to detail in Japanese baseball
• Why NPB starters throw 150-pitch bullpens and complete games at 130+ pitches
• The electric atmosphere of Asian baseball fans and their coordinated chants
• Facing elite talent like Yamakawa's 44-homer season and Kensuke Kondoh's hitting wizardry
• The rising wave of Japanese pitching talent heading to MLB
• Living as a foreign player: from steakhouses in Tanashi to navigating train systems
• The respect and politeness that defines Japanese baseball culture

Dietrich also shares insights on pitchers like Tatsuya Imai and Kaima Taira, discusses the differences between Korean and Japanese baseball cultures, and explains why the texture and seams of different baseballs can make or break a pitcher's career overseas.

This episode delivers authentic stories from someone who's mastered the art of adaptation across three very different baseball worlds.

🇯🇵 JAPANESE VERSION:

エピソードタイトル: 三つの国、三つの野球ボール：ディートリック・エンス

エピソードノート: 左腕投手ディートリック・エンスがMLB、NPB、KBOでの経験を語ります。ミネソタ・ツインズでのデビューから西武ライオンズ、LG双子まで、三つのリーグでの野球の違いと文化について深く掘り下げます。

主要トピック：

• 日本での地震体験と文化的衝撃
• 各リーグの野球ボールの違いと投球への影響
• 日本の訓練体制と150球ブルペン
• アジアファンの熱狂的応援
• 山川、近藤健介などのエリート選手との対戦
• 今井達也、平良海馬の才能
• 外国人選手としての生活体験

シーズン番号: 1 エピソード番号: 2 エピソードタイプ: フル 露骨な内容: いいえ

キーワード: ディートリック・エンス、NPB、KBO、MLB、日本野球、韓国野球、西武ライオンズ、LG双子、国際野球

🇰🇷 KOREAN VERSION:

에피소드 제목: 세 나라, 세 개의 야구공: 디트릭 엔스

에피소드 노트: 좌완 투수 디트릭 엔스가 MLB, NPB, KBO에서의 경험을 들려줍니다. 미네소타 트윈스 데뷔부터 세이부 라이온즈, LG 트윈스까지, 세 리그의 야구 차이점과 문화에 대해 깊이 탐구합니다.

주요 주제:

• 일본에서의 지진 경험과 문화적 충격
• 각 리그 야구공의 차이점과 투구에 미치는 영향
• 일본의 훈련 체제와 150구 불펜
• 아시아 팬들의 열광적인 응원
• 야마카와, 콘도 겐스케 등 엘리트 선수들과의 대결
• 이마이 타츠야, 타이라 카이마의 재능
• 외국인 선수로서의 생활 경험

시즌 번호: 1 에피소드 번호: 2 에피소드 타입: 풀 노골적인 내용: 아니요

키워드: 디트릭 엔스, NPB, KBO, MLB, 일본 야구, 한국 야구, 세이부 라이온즈, LG 트윈스, 국제 야구

The Pacific Ocean used to separate two baseball worlds. Not anymore.

🇯🇵 : 太平洋は、二つの野球世界を分けていました。もう違います。

🇰🇷: 태평양은 두 개의 야구 세계를 분리했습니다. 이제는 아닙니다.

Former MLB/NPB/KBO player David MacKinnon and journalist Jasper Spanjaart are launching Pacific Swings - the podcast that brings you exclusive inside stories from baseball's global stage.

From clubhouses in Tokyo to stadiums in Seoul, get ready for conversations with players who've crossed the Pacific, cultural insights you won't hear anywhere else, and the untold stories that happen when baseball crosses oceans.

David's the 32nd round draft pick who somehow made it to three continents. Jasper's the one asking all the right questions. Together, they're bridging baseball's two worlds.

🇯🇵 Japanese / 日本語: 太平洋を越えた野球の真実の物語。元MLB/NPB/KBO選手デビッド・マッキノンとジャーナリストのジャスパー・スパンヤルトが、クラブハウスの内部から国際野球の独占ストーリーをお届けします。7月2日開始。

🇰🇷 Korean / 한국어: 태평양을 건넌 야구의 진실한 이야기. 전 MLB/NPB/KBO 선수 데이비드 맥키논과 저널리스트 재스퍼 스판야르트가 클럽하우스 내부에서 국제 야구의 독점 스토리를 전해드립니다. 7월 2일 시작.

First episode drops July 2nd, 2025.

Subscribe now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and wherever you listen to podcasts.

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