Episode 65: From Diamondbacks to Tokyo Dreams: Tony Barnette’s Unlikely Path to the Majors

Winning The Moment

In episode 65 of the Winning The Moment Podcast, we dive deep into the extraordinary journey of Tony Barnette, a professional baseball player whose story is captured in the book A Baseball Gaijin by Aaron Fischman. Tony's dream of playing in the major leagues began like that of many American boys, with aspirations of making it to "The Show." After being drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks, he was on the brink of achieving that dream, but fate had a different plan.

As the lure of a significant salary hike drew Tony to Japan to play for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, he embarked on a path filled with cultural challenges, language barriers, and professional setbacks. The odds were stacked against him, with less than a quarter of foreign players in Japan returning to make it in the major leagues. But Tony's resilience and determination kept him focused on his ultimate goal.

Through the highs and lows of his six seasons in Japan, Tony transformed from a struggling starter to a successful closer, eventually fulfilling his lifelong dream by joining the Texas Rangers in 2016. This episode not only explores Tony's baseball career but also delves into the themes of perseverance, adapting to change, and the relentless pursuit of one's dreams. It's a compelling conversation for anyone who has ever dared to dream big, with insights into the world of professional baseball both in the U.S. and abroad.
Connect w/Tony:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tony.barnette/
Buy The Book: https://www.amazon.com/Baseball-Gaijin-Chasing-Dream-Japan/dp/1683584775
Support the show

https://www.codyadent.com/
https://www.instagram.com/cody_adent/