July 4, 2018 12:41 pm

Tonight, We Explore MLB Greatness with LA Angels Superstar Mike Trout and Nike’s Mike Ekstrom

This week on Playing with Science we add yet another superstar to our ever-growing line up of guests. Hosts Gary O’Reilly and Chuck Nice chat with Mike Trout, centerfielder for the Los Angeles Angels and all-around MLB superstar.

Before we get to that Mike, we sit down with another Mike, Mike Ekstrom, former MLB player and Nike Product Line Manager for cleated footwear. Ekstrom is responsible for heading the design of the Trout 5, Mike Trout’s signature shoe.

You’ll hear what it’s like working alongside Trout to develop, design, and create a shoe that can handle the playing style and demands of a superstar athlete. As you’ll hear, sometimes it’s about protecting Mike from himself and also about providing footwear that enhances what he can do. We hear why this new shoe is a “data-informed” shoe and how that translates into a visual and physical item. You’ll also hear if there’s been anything during Ekstrom’s time at Nike that he’s seen change the way people understand footwear.

We also talk to Ekstrom about his former playing days and how he prepared, as a former pitcher, to face the big hitters at the plate. As Ekstrom says, knowing the odds can help, but confidence is key.

We then hear from the superstar himself. You’ll learn how Mike keeps his drive to remain the best player in baseball day in and day out. You’ll also find out whether Mike has a part of the game that is harder to master than other parts – and how he’s turned his former flaws into strengths. You’ll discover more about the mental side of the game and how that impacts overall performance. Mike also talks about the importance of keeping the same routine every day and not getting too much into your own head. Lastly, Mike tells us what it was like on his end to work with Nike to make the Trout 5.

Don’t miss our episode with the best player in baseball!

Please join us tonight at 7pm ET for MLB Greatness and Trout 5 Design, with Mike Trout right here on our website, as well as on our Playing with Science channels on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and TuneIn. If you’re an All-Access subscriber, you can watch or listen to this episode ad-free.

That’s it for now. Keep Looking Up!
–Ian Mullen