Thad Levine and Chet West welcome back Scott Servais for a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to win in October. Drawing on his experience as a player, executive, and manager, Scott breaks down how postseason decisions differ from the regular season, from bullpen strategy and roster construction to handling pressure and keeping players focused. Thad adds the front-office perspective as the group previews the Brewers-Rays World Series matchup, examining each team’s strengths, key advantages, and what could ultimately decide the series. Plus, the guys tackle a listener question about whether the Minnesota Vikings are legitimate contenders.

🎧 Send your questions to rosterstoringspodcast@gmail.com and we'll answer them on the pod!

 

Thad Levine and Chet West welcome back Scott Servais for a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to win in October. Drawing on his experience as a player, executive, and manager, Scott breaks down how postseason decisions differ from the regular season, from bullpen strategy and roster construction to handling pressure and keeping players focused. Thad adds the front-office perspective as the group previews the Brewers-Rays World Series matchup, examining each team&rsquo;s strengths, key advantages, and what could ultimately decide the series. Plus, the guys tackle a listener question about whether the Minnesota Vikings are legitimate contenders.
🎧 Send your questions to <a href="mailto:rosterstoringspodcast@gmail.com">rosterstoringspodcast@gmail.com</a> and we'll answer them on the pod!
&nbsp;

Managing October: Scott Servais on the 2026 World Series

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/b526b81d-9d92-4316-80c7-b4eb003c170c/transcript

Former American League MVP Justin Morneau joins Thad Levine and Chet West to break down what makes postseason hitting so difficult, the teams he likes to reach the World Series, and why October baseball demands a different mindset. Morneau also weighs in on baseball’s growing payroll disparity, the coming collective bargaining battle, keeping the game affordable for fans, and what the Twins should do to become a contender again.

🎧 Send your questions to rosterstoringspodcast@gmail.com and we'll answer them on the pod!

 

Former American League MVP Justin Morneau joins Thad Levine and Chet West to break down what makes postseason hitting so difficult, the teams he likes to reach the World Series, and why October baseball demands a different mindset. Morneau also weighs in on baseball&rsquo;s growing payroll disparity, the coming collective bargaining battle, keeping the game affordable for fans, and what the Twins should do to become a contender again.
🎧 Send your questions to <a href="mailto:rosterstoringspodcast@gmail.com">rosterstoringspodcast@gmail.com</a> and we'll answer them on the pod!
&nbsp;

MVP Perspective: Justin Morneau on October Baseball, Payrolls & Building a Winner

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/41003875-edf1-46fc-bdbd-b4e400703195/transcript

Thad Levine and Chet West examine why NFL quarterbacks are getting hurt at such an alarming rate and how teams are adapting to the league’s most important position. Then they break down the new pitching strategies shaping the MLB postseason, debate whether leagues can finally eliminate tanking, and revisit one of the strangest playoff plays you’ll ever see after a Brewers fly ball collided with the roof at American Family Field.

🎧 Send your questions to rosterstoringspodcast@gmail.com and we'll answer them on the pod!

Thad Levine and Chet West examine why NFL quarterbacks are getting hurt at such an alarming rate and how teams are adapting to the league&rsquo;s most important position. Then they break down the new pitching strategies shaping the MLB postseason, debate whether leagues can finally eliminate tanking, and revisit one of the strangest playoff plays you&rsquo;ll ever see after a Brewers fly ball collided with the roof at American Family Field.
🎧 Send your questions to <a href="mailto:rosterstoringspodcast@gmail.com">rosterstoringspodcast@gmail.com</a> and we'll answer them on the pod!

Quarterback Crisis, October Arms & the Fight Against Tanking

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/c3852ec8-9224-4fe2-a4fb-b4dd007657f9/transcript

Thad Levine and Chet West reflect on the legacies of Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer and what their careers tell us about the changing role of starting pitching. They recap the biggest stories of the 2026 season, from Jacob Mizorowski’s dominant year to Pete Crow-Armstrong’s remarkable turnaround and Pete Alonso’s continued production. Then, they break down the postseason field, debating pitching depth, bullpen strategy, home-field advantage and whether the current Wild Card format gives teams enough room to find their footing.

🎧 Send your questions to rosterstoringspodcast@gmail.com and we'll answer them on the pod!

Thad Levine and Chet West reflect on the legacies of Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer and what their careers tell us about the changing role of starting pitching. They recap the biggest stories of the 2026 season, from Jacob Mizorowski&rsquo;s dominant year to Pete Crow-Armstrong&rsquo;s remarkable turnaround and Pete Alonso&rsquo;s continued production. Then, they break down the postseason field, debating pitching depth, bullpen strategy, home-field advantage and whether the current Wild Card format gives teams enough room to find their footing.
🎧 Send your questions to <a href="mailto:rosterstoringspodcast@gmail.com">rosterstoringspodcast@gmail.com</a> and we'll answer them on the pod!

The End of the Workhorse Era and Playoff Preview Continued

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/b6fd3ff0-9d74-475d-a7c3-b4d5016e8b73/transcript

Thad Levine and Chet West break down the controversy surrounding UNC football and what happens when college programs begin operating like professional franchises without the same level of governance. Then they turn to baseball, dissecting the final week of the MLB playoff race, from the loaded AL East and surprising Rays, to the Dodgers, Brewers, Phillies and the battle for postseason positioning in the National League.

🎧 Send your questions to rosterstoringspodcast@gmail.com and we'll answer them on the pod!

Thad Levine and Chet West break down the controversy surrounding UNC football and what happens when college programs begin operating like professional franchises without the same level of governance. Then they turn to baseball, dissecting the final week of the MLB playoff race, from the loaded AL East and surprising Rays, to the Dodgers, Brewers, Phillies and the battle for postseason positioning in the National League.
🎧 Send your questions to <a href="mailto:rosterstoringspodcast@gmail.com">rosterstoringspodcast@gmail.com</a> and we'll answer them on the pod!

September Scandal & the Road to October

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/54c8e9ca-1857-4306-a530-b4cf0060718b/transcript

Vikings play-by-play voice Paul Allen joins Rosters to Rings to share the journey behind his unmistakable broadcasting style and the passion he brings to every call. He breaks down quarterback development, his relationship with Kevin O’Connell, the pressures facing NFL decision-makers, and what he sees ahead for Minnesota in 2026.

🎧 Send your questions to rosterstoringspodcast@gmail.com and we'll answer them on the pod!

Vikings play-by-play voice Paul Allen joins Rosters to Rings to share the journey behind his unmistakable broadcasting style and the passion he brings to every call. He breaks down quarterback development, his relationship with Kevin O&rsquo;Connell, the pressures facing NFL decision-makers, and what he sees ahead for Minnesota in 2026.
🎧 Send your questions to <a href="mailto:rosterstoringspodcast@gmail.com">rosterstoringspodcast@gmail.com</a> and we'll answer them on the pod!

The Voice That Launched a Thousand SKOLs - Paul Allen

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/9f4a11bc-ad8a-4b6e-9d71-b4c7007d80ef/transcript

Thad Levine and Chet West continue their conversation with Dan O’Dowd, diving into his philosophy on player development, the balance between data and relationships, the future of the minor leagues, the CBA and the possibility of a 2027 lockout. Dan also shares his thoughts on pitching injuries, biomechanics, potential changes to the game and the legacy he’s built through the executives he helped develop. Then, Thad and Chet tackle listener questions on the Michigan-Western Michigan clock controversy and the NBA’s harsh penalties for the Clippers.

🎧 Send your questions to rosterstoringspodcast@gmail.com and we'll answer them on the pod!

Thad Levine and Chet West continue their conversation with Dan O&rsquo;Dowd, diving into his philosophy on player development, the balance between data and relationships, the future of the minor leagues, the CBA and the possibility of a 2027 lockout. Dan also shares his thoughts on pitching injuries, biomechanics, potential changes to the game and the legacy he&rsquo;s built through the executives he helped develop. Then, Thad and Chet tackle listener questions on the Michigan-Western Michigan clock controversy and the NBA&rsquo;s harsh penalties for the Clippers.
🎧 Send your questions to <a href="mailto:rosterstoringspodcast@gmail.com">rosterstoringspodcast@gmail.com</a> and we'll answer them on the pod!

Dan O'Dowd Part 2 + Michigan Controversy and Clippers Fallout

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/72b6bc12-5574-410d-8761-b4c00100b30e/transcript

Thad Levine and Chet West sit down with Dan O’Dowd, Thad’s first boss and one of the most influential executives of his generation, for a behind-the-scenes look at building a Major League organization. Dan reflects on his path from Baltimore to Cleveland to becoming GM of the Colorado Rockies, the challenges of building a winner at altitude, the 2007 “Rocktober” run, and the realities of working with ownership. He also shares candid lessons from his career, including the decisions he would make differently today and the importance of finding the right balance between analytics, relationships, and leadership.

🎧 Send your questions to rosterstoringspodcast@gmail.com and we'll answer them on the pod!

Thad Levine and Chet West sit down with Dan O&rsquo;Dowd, Thad&rsquo;s first boss and one of the most influential executives of his generation, for a behind-the-scenes look at building a Major League organization. Dan reflects on his path from Baltimore to Cleveland to becoming GM of the Colorado Rockies, the challenges of building a winner at altitude, the 2007 &ldquo;Rocktober&rdquo; run, and the realities of working with ownership. He also shares candid lessons from his career, including the decisions he would make differently today and the importance of finding the right balance between analytics, relationships, and leadership.
🎧 Send your questions to <a href="mailto:rosterstoringspodcast@gmail.com">rosterstoringspodcast@gmail.com</a> and we'll answer them on the pod!

Building a Baseball Organization - Part 1 with Dan O'Dowd

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/0bd46a65-0c4b-473f-b5df-b4b90157b590/transcript

Thad Levine and Chet West break down a wave of major front-office shakeups across Major League Baseball, from the Angels and A’s to the Astros, and ask what these moves say about the state of the game. They also dive into the ongoing debate over MLB payroll, salary caps and salary floors, and whether spending more actually translates to winning.

The conversation then turns to the other side of roster construction: when big contracts go wrong. Thad and Chet examine the long-term impact of deals like Deshaun Watson’s contract with the Browns and Kris Bryant’s deal with the Rockies, and how injuries, declining performance and guaranteed money can reshape a franchise.

🎧 Send your questions to rosterstoringspodcast@gmail.com and we'll answer them on the pod!

Thad Levine and Chet West break down a wave of major front-office shakeups across Major League Baseball, from the Angels and A&rsquo;s to the Astros, and ask what these moves say about the state of the game. They also dive into the ongoing debate over MLB payroll, salary caps and salary floors, and whether spending more actually translates to winning.
The conversation then turns to the other side of roster construction: when big contracts go wrong. Thad and Chet examine the long-term impact of deals like Deshaun Watson&rsquo;s contract with the Browns and Kris Bryant&rsquo;s deal with the Rockies, and how injuries, declining performance and guaranteed money can reshape a franchise.
🎧 Send your questions to <a href="mailto:rosterstoringspodcast@gmail.com">rosterstoringspodcast@gmail.com</a> and we'll answer them on the pod!

Bad Contracts and Big Payrolls

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/fec8c453-1775-4d8f-9fa2-b4b20162c17e/transcript

Rosters to Rings welcomes back former NBA GM and longtime friend of the program Ryan McDonough to break down the rapidly changing business of sports ownership. Ryan joins Thad Levine and Chet West to discuss the explosion in NBA franchise valuations, the rise of minority ownership, and why sports teams are becoming increasingly attractive investment opportunities.

Ryan also explains why the Timberwolves sale looked like a bargain in hindsight, what makes the Lakers such a uniquely valuable franchise, how his Sports Ownership Group evaluates potential investments, and why relationships and insider knowledge can be just as valuable as capital. Plus, a look at the future of NBA expansion, the growing role of syndicate-style ownership, and why MLB could be the next major sports ownership market to heat up.

🎧 Send your questions to rosterstoringspodcast@gmail.com and we'll answer them on the pod!

 

Rosters to Rings welcomes back former NBA GM and longtime friend of the program Ryan McDonough to break down the rapidly changing business of sports ownership. Ryan joins Thad Levine and Chet West to discuss the explosion in NBA franchise valuations, the rise of minority ownership, and why sports teams are becoming increasingly attractive investment opportunities.
Ryan also explains why the Timberwolves sale looked like a bargain in hindsight, what makes the Lakers such a uniquely valuable franchise, how his Sports Ownership Group evaluates potential investments, and why relationships and insider knowledge can be just as valuable as capital. Plus, a look at the future of NBA expansion, the growing role of syndicate-style ownership, and why MLB could be the next major sports ownership market to heat up.
🎧 Send your questions to <a href="mailto:rosterstoringspodcast@gmail.com">rosterstoringspodcast@gmail.com</a> and we'll answer them on the pod!
&nbsp;

Billion-Dollar Teams and Minority Stakes with Ryan McDonough

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/a8f8db7b-1b06-4da0-9db5-b4ab016974fd/transcript

Welcome to the Rosters to Rings Podcast where General Managers from the MLB, NBA, NFL and more will take you behind the curtain and share their unfiltered experiences and evaluations of past and present events in professional sports.

Due to competitive reasons, league rules, ownership directives and extreme discretion, General Managers share approximately 40% of what they know and experience with fans. At the Rosters to Rings Podcast, we are here to share as much of the other 60% as we can. We will dive deep into not only what decisions are made, but how and why they are made, the strategic nature of negotiations, roster construction, the characters that make up the game, and the true depth of relationships between executives, coaches, players, agents, media and fans.

 

Welcome to the Rosters to Rings Podcast where General Managers from the MLB, NBA, NFL and more will take you behind the curtain and share their unfiltered experiences and evaluations of past and present events in professional sports.
Due to competitive reasons, league rules, ownership directives and extreme discretion, General Managers share approximately 40% of what they know and experience with fans. At the Rosters to Rings Podcast, we are here to share as much of the other 60% as we can. We will dive deep into not only what decisions are made, but how and why they are made, the strategic nature of negotiations, roster construction, the characters that make up the game, and the true depth of relationships between executives, coaches, players, agents, media and fans.
&nbsp;

Rosters to Rings Podcast

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