Overall Summary
Steve and Scott Miller - a seasoned national baseball columnist who has been telling stories via writing, radio and television for decades - explore the art of storytelling. Baseball is a game of occasional success amidst mountains of failure - indeed, what other sport considers a player on the top of his game (for example in batting) if ONLY 3 of 10 attempts were successful? Unlike most news, sports reporting generally focuses on the successes often steering away from “if it bleeds it leads.” This puts Scott and other sports writers in the unique position of hunting for those gems each time. Steve and Scott also discuss several personal experiences with travel, career longevity, and reflections on facing life's adversities.
The conversation blends professional insight with personal reflections on life’s moments, learning from experience, and creating a shared legacy. The below segments offer unique perspectives on sports journalism, personal growth, and professional development amidst the overall theme of storytelling.
Learning How to Interview from a Pro
Segment Summary:
In this initial segment, Steve speaks with longtime sportswriter Scott Miller, who has over 30 years of experience—mostly in baseball, but also covering other sports. Scott recounts his early days in journalism, starting with small-town newspapers and high school coverage. He explains that those early assignments shaped his interviewing and storytelling skills.
Scott offers insights on what makes for a strong interview, emphasizing concise questions to keep both the interviewer and the guest on track. He also stresses the importance of rapport: making guests comfortable so they open up more. Additionally, Scott recommends saving any controversial questions for later in the interview—after a level of trust has been built.
Another key point is striking a balance between preparation and spontaneity. While researching is essential, Scott cautions that over-preparation can turn the interview into a list of scripted questions. Allowing the conversation to flow naturally can uncover new angles or insights.
Finally, Scott highlights the value of active listening—being fully present and ready to explore unexpected tangents. By doing so, interviewers can follow up on intriguing details and spark deeper dialogue.
Developing a Brand
Segment Summary:
In this portion of the conversation, Scott describes how he built his reputation (or “brand”) as a sportswriter over several decades. Starting fresh out of college covering high school sports for small newspapers, he gradually worked his way up to major outlets, including the Los Angeles Times, CBS Sports, Bleacher Report, Fox Sports San Diego, and The New York Times.
Early Journalism Foundations
Scott began by covering local high school games, learning to interview teenagers—a formative experience that helped him hone his craft and gain confidence.
He emphasizes that every story—whether it’s high school tennis or Major League Baseball—shapes you and builds your professional identity.
Climbing the Ladder
After his time at local papers, Scott transitioned to larger outlets like the L.A. Times and eventually covered the Minnesota Twins from 1994 to 1999 as a beat writer.
Later, he became a national writer for CBSSports.com for 14 years and continued in a similar role for Bleacher Report for 7 more years, supplementing his print work with on-camera TV segments at Fox Sports San Diego.
Authentic Storytelling vs. Clickbait
Scott highlights the importance of genuine storytelling—finding a compelling lead and weaving human interest into sports coverage.
He notes that sensational “clickbait” might grab attention briefly but can harm credibility and relationships with teams, players, and readers.
Maintaining trust and consistency, he believes, is key to a journalist’s long-term brand.
Reader Engagement & Gratification
Over the years, Scott has received meaningful feedback from readers, including letters from his time in Minnesota—showing lasting loyalty.
The internet era brought detailed analytics (e.g., click counts), confirming that authentic stories can reach hundreds of thousands of readers.
Scott finds validation not just in large numbers, but in knowing people continue to follow and appreciate his work years later.
Travel & Commitment
A big part of Scott’s brand involves being on the road—covering teams in different cities, racking up extensive hotel stays, and attending countless games.
This dedication underlines his hands-on approach to storytelling and further cements his credibility.
Overall, this segment illustrates how Scott Miller’s brand was forged through consistent, high-quality journalism, a commitment to honest storytelling, and long-term relationship-building—not quick-hit sensationalism. By focusing on genuine narratives, he cultivated a loyal reader base and a respected name in the world of sports media.
Baseball's Unique Storytelling Canvas
Segment Summary:
The conversation revolves around the generally uplifting nature of sports news—contrasted with the gloom often found in other news sections—and how baseball, in particular, can still bring in its share of tough stories. While the “toy department” nickname implies sports coverage is all about fun and success, Scott points out that issues like steroid scandals or the recent surge in sports betting and online gambling can bring controversy and negativity, too. Covering baseball spans more than just on-field action; it can involve business reporting, crime beats, and human-interest pieces—like a player’s harrowing car accident. Despite these darker undercurrents, the essence of sports remains rooted in hope, comeback stories, and the unpredictability that makes each game unique. Baseball, specifically, includes layers of strategy, arcane rules, and spontaneous moments that keep even lifelong fans on their toes. In Scott’s view, there’s a “Zen” element to stepping into the ballpark, never knowing what you’ll see that night or which dramatic twist might unfold next—an experience that sets sports apart from more scripted forms of entertainment.
The conversation explores how baseball's rich statistical tradition and complex rulebook create unique storytelling opportunities. Scott explains how even after decades covering the sport, he still encounters novel situations and rules he hadn't seen before. They discuss how baseball differs from other sports in its emphasis on statistics and data collection, creating deeper narratives beyond just wins and losses. This segment highlights baseball's special place in American storytelling tradition.
Travel Chronicles
Segment Summary:
In this segment, Steve and Scott discuss the demanding nature of frequent travel—especially for someone who’s on the road as much as a beat writer covering Major League Baseball. Scott explains that his love for the sport began in childhood, when he first realized that “writing about baseball” was actually a career path. Over time, his passion for the game deepened into a genuine fondness for the people in it, especially the fellow writers he’d see in press boxes from one city to the next.
They also touch on the downsides of constant travel: the pre-9/11 days of breezing through airports are long gone, and shrinking plane seats, long security lines, and the frustrations of losing airline status can make travel feel more like a slog than an adventure. Even so, the relationships and camaraderie formed on the road often outweigh the hassles, creating a “traveling carnival” sense of community. Scott admits that, while he’s more of a homebody now, he still packs a suitcase when it’s worth the trip—acknowledging that once you’ve tasted the perks of frequent-flyer status or first-class upgrades, it’s hard to give them up.
A poignant moment comes when Scott recalls his wife telling him he needed local friends, while he explained his "traveling carnival" of press box colleagues had become his extended family. This segment humanizes the behind-the-scenes reality of sports journalism and the personal sacrifices involved.
Having Purpose, Doing the Reps, and Adversity
Segment Summary:
In this segment, Steve and Scott discuss the idea of retirement and the importance of having a purpose rather than simply quitting a job. Scott mentioned a relevant, impactful quote from his recent book (Skipper: Why Baseball Managers Matter and Always Will out in May, 2025 ) - as long as you are “retiring to something, not from something,” suggesting that individuals should find new goals or passions instead of stopping work entirely and losing their sense of drive. They compare different attitudes toward retirement—some people eagerly count down the days until they can stop working, while others, particularly those who love their jobs, feel no need to retire because their work aligns with their passions.
They also explore how passion and purpose intersect with everyday life and career choices. Scott explains how he found work that hardly felt like “work” at all—covering ballgames was a pleasure, and the “real work” was the travel and logistics behind it. They note that for young people who aren’t sure of their path, it’s wise to follow what genuinely excites them, then figure out how to earn a living in that space. Consistent effort—showing up day after day—is key, as are “reps” and pushing through discomfort.
The conversation shifts to handling adversity, with references to Major league baseball players and how the mental game can be the differentiator when talent levels are similar. They discuss how a person’s true character often reveals itself under duress. In baseball, as in life, facing tough moments can show whether someone stays composed and keeps working or gives in to frustration. Personal challenges—like health issues or family crises—further illustrate that life doesn’t remain static, but maintaining perspective, resilience, and continuing to move forward can help people navigate change successfully.
Finding Stories Within Stories
Segment Summary
In this part of the conversation, Steve and Scott discuss how human spontaneity can lead to more memorable, genuine conversations—much like how AI Large Language Models (LLMs) generate responses on the fly. Steve points out that “canned” replies create dull interviews, while authentic, unpredictable moments produce fresh insights. Steve notes human conversation is not unlike how large language models (LLMs) work—both often rely on “the next word” organically appearing with the flow. Steve mentions AI’s usefulness, including how it helps him automate coding tasks and can help writers by generating first drafts or transcriptions. They also talk about using AI as a tool rather than a replacement: for instance, automated transcription tools can handle routine tasks so a writer can focus on the core elements of storytelling. Scott mentioned his experience writing books—most notably, 90 Percent Mental (co-written with former Major League pitcher and mental skills coach Bob Tewksbury), published in 2018. He explains that producing a book is a long process, often spanning two or more years, so it helps to be genuinely passionate about the topic. Although initially skeptical of AI, he does concede that technology such as speech-to-text programs has eased much of his workload, and he acknowledges the need to keep an open mind or risk being left behind. Though Scott initially jokes that he’s “old school,” they agree that staying open-minded to new advances—like AI—can help writers produce better work, faster, and potentially unlock more stories. Ultimately, they see both traditional skills (like strong interviewing) and innovative technology (like LLMs and speech-to-text programs) as complementary rather than competing forces in the storytelling process.
Short Afterword
Scott Miller is the consummate professional, extremely patient during pre-game setup. We arrived to my disheveled studio after a recent mix, and he was quite patient with my rapid camera repositioning effort. Despite this, I wanted to maximize the time for our discussion and ran short of time to optimize all the different camera positions. My sincere apologies to him and all his fans for not having more close-ups of Scott, who is surely more famous than me with a greater following who would rather have seen more of him! For the record, I did have a camera on Scott as you can see in the below brief sound check. Unfortunately, when I moved to adjust a microphone, I head-bumped his close-up camera which spun away from him so we missed his face-on view for the real discussion…Mea culpa! Anyway, I wanted to include this for the record.
Another example of Scott’s professionalism, not missing a beat even after mixing up “The Wiz” with “Wicked”—and humor ensues as they struggle to pin down the correct title. Scott jokes about how he might need a break from the baseball world to stay current on pop culture. Indeed, “Ease on down, ease on down the road….” aligned well with Scott not missing a beat and getting back to his original point….
For a mix clip - totally enjoyed a session with Tim (Vocals/Guitar), Rick (Vocals), Andrew Defaria (Guitar/Vocals), Alan (Bass), and Johnny Conga. A first run at "The Way." We just jumped into it after Tim described the story behind the song. Knowing the story adds a new dimension, especially when playing with a new mix of people on a new song.
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