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A Grand Slam Story with Hannah Wing
71 Plays4 months ago
Step up to the plate for an inspiring Kick Your Boots Up Podcast episode! Join us as we sit down with Hannah Wing, the Digital and In-Game Host for the Texas Rangers. Hannah shares the exhilarating experience of witnessing the Rangers' epic World Championship win and takes us back to her roots at the University of Southern California, where her broadcasting career began. With six successful years under her belt with the Texas Rangers, Hannah gives us a behind-the-scenes look at her remarkable journey in sports broadcasting. Don't miss this exciting episode filled with passion, perseverance, and unforgettable baseball moments! So, kick up your cowboy boots and listen. For a full episode transcript, please visit our website: https://www.justinboots.com/en/kick-your-boots-up/podcast.html
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Transcript
Podcast Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:00:00
Speaker
It was like top eight, Mitch Garver's up to bat, bases are loaded, and they pan over to Pierce, my husband, who was freaking out, and they were like visibly, like they could tell that he was like nervous, so they had a perfect shot. So he got more air time than I did, which was kind of funny. So I saw that, and I was thrown off. I was like, what is he doing on TV? This is nuts. Hey everybody, and thank you for listening once again to the Kick Your Boots Out podcast. We're so excited to have this lovely lady here in studio. But before we tell you a little bit about her, if you don't recognize her already, don't forget to like, subscribe, share with your friends, tell us what you want to hear, comment. We want to hear it all. So without further ado, we're going to jump into this. And this is the digital and in-game host for the Texas Rangers. There's none other than Hannah Wing. Thank you for being on the podcast. Thank you for having me. I'm so excited to chat with you. It's going to be a lot of fun. ah Yes, it is. And I am just like in awe sitting next to you because you're a fashionista. You have a really cool background in broadcasting at University of Southern California. Yes.
Hannah Wing's Background and Career Beginnings
00:00:57
Speaker
Okay, so yeah, so a Cali girl turn Texan such a cool story to share and I just want to start with you and just to kick things off on this podcast Tell us a little bit about how you grew up your background and and kind of I know it's a loaded question But like how you got to where you are today. Absolutely So originally born and raised in Southern California in Orange County. My parents were still there. A ton of my friends are still out there. So I always loved going back and being by the beach, but was born and raised there. um I was a dancer my whole life, which I think translated a lot into what I'm doing now and just that comfortability.
00:01:29
Speaker
in front of an audience and in front of a camera and things like that. So went on to the University of Southern California, which was truly a movie of a college experience. It was so much fun. Got my degree in broadcast and digital journalism. I was toggling between doing news and sports. And I really think that my senior year was really pivotal in that sense because I learned that I did not want to go into news, at least as of then. And I still kind of don't. Oh, absolutely. yeah And so I realized that sports were definitely where my passions lied. I've always loved baseball. My grandpa played in the Phillies organization. My dad played up through college. I married a pitcher through college as well. So um yeah, I just worked out that baseball was always in my family's blood. I grew up going to Angels games. My very first Angels game was actually against the Rangers. So I have a little ticket stuff that my mom saved. So that was some really cool foreshadowing about 20 years down the line. So eventually graduated from USC, wanted to go more into the sports realm. So I actually got my job with the Texas Rangers.
00:02:29
Speaker
about two to three months after I graduated so I moved out to Dallas. A lot of my best friends from USC were actually from Texas so it worked out well because their families are out here and I had been out here quite a few times throughout college for different USC football games or to be with their families and kind of see where they grew up and so I was always kind of a Texas girl at heart if you will and so it was just God's plan to bring me out here in 2018 and I'm heading into my sixth season which is crazy so it'll be six years with the Rangers in August um so I guess this is season six thank you yeah it's truly flown by so fast and I love my job and it's really evolved and grown as have I throughout the past six seasons and so it's been really special to open up a new ballpark and have a World Series win and
00:03:14
Speaker
you know, there were so many highs and lows over the past couple
Settling with the Texas Rangers and Career Growth
00:03:17
Speaker
of seasons. So I think I'm really in the right place at the right time and just have loved my life here in Texas and the Dallas area as a whole. I, wow, first of all, there's so much that we could dive into. And I'm so glad we have a little bit of time to get to know you because um I want to back up just a little bit to what you said about you learned very quickly. You didn't want to be in the news. Listen, there's a lot of girls out there that are in the same boat that either are currently going to do like a news journalism type um or like they've already so made the switch of like, I'm gonna do more broadcast side because yeah, listen, news is hard. I did the same thing. And I learned very quickly that I could not go up to a mom that just lost a child and shove a mic in her face and say, now tell me how does that make you feel? you know So that's so relatable. Talk about your experience it through college there and like the decisions you made in college because like,
00:04:05
Speaker
Listen, i that's so relatable to me. I changed my major so many times, so I'm sure there's a lot of girls out there too. Yeah, absolutely. So I think, well freshman year I was a communications major. I actually transferred to USC from Loyola Marymount University my sophomore year. So starting at USC, you kind of had to declare what your major would be. especially if it wasn't broadcast because it's a three-year program technically so it kind of was now or never essentially at that time and so all of my classes were pretty much news or sports and I think that the news classes were so beneficial when it came to writing and making sure that I mean I write everyday scripts and podcast outlines and copy and all these different things and so I think having that writing background was super helpful but
00:04:48
Speaker
Obviously USC is not in Beverly Hills and so a lot of the assignments that I would get sent out on at USC were typically really challenging things and in local neighborhoods close by to the campus where things were happening that I hope that no one ever has to go through. and so that was really challenging for me. And I think that's when I really realized, okay, I really don't envision myself doing this every day. And also, I think something that a lot of people don't think about when it comes to broadcast is the local news route of hopping around. Traditionally, they're two year deals. And so I really wanted to try and find a way where I could
00:05:25
Speaker
potentially take a different route and so I'm very thankful that the Rangers took a chance on me and gave me the chance that I have now that I would turn into the role that I'm currently thriving in and I love it and it's a really interesting mix of still hosting in that on your capacity of what my traditional college experience and training was but then also so many things on the marketing side which I've really grown and evolved with since I started about six years ago and so Previously, I knew nothing about podcasting or influencer marketing or anything and I kind of just picked it up and I'm very thankful for the Rangers for giving me that opportunity. Oh definitely and that kind of goes back to your first answer when you're talking about across the six years you you've had highs and lows and that's relatable too to any person out there that has any job for any amount of time you experience it all but one thing that sticks out to me for you is when you mentioned building a new stadium and all of that that was right around COVID it was like The stadium's open and the world is closed, you know? So for you, you had like the best. You could have sat around and said, this sucks and it got in the negative way, but instead you chose to cowgirl up and you chose the positive route. And and if there was not an opportunity before, you made the opportunity to be the podcast host. So talk about that too, like the mental aspect of doing all the things that you do and creating the opportunities that you've been able to create through the Rangers. Yeah, absolutely. So I credit a lot of it to Travis Dillon, who's our senior VP of marketing. So for example, for the podcast, he was the first one that said, you know, I would like to consider you as a co-host for my former show Straight Up Texas podcast. um So the first season I was co-hosting.
00:06:56
Speaker
It was with Jared Sandler who is on our broadcast team and he's wonderful and like a big brother to me so that was kind of my first taste of hosting a podcast. The previous season it was more just playing entire straight up Texas campaign and so I was doing everything behind the scenes of figuring out how to start a podcast and so I think from a mentality side for the podcast and for influencer marketing a lot of it was just kind of no pun intended but winging it and learning from it and seeing what happens because there are so many different ways to do it and I think the digital world especially in social media is just evolving and growing so much especially in sports and kind of where things are trending and so from a mentality standpoint I think it was just kind of letting go of
00:07:41
Speaker
the traditional ideas of what I thought my career would turn into and just kind of being open to new things that have ultimately led me to what I'm doing now and I'm so grateful for that. and you're doing it amazingly like you are you're fun to follow because you're just yourself whether you're on the camera or not and I love I respect that so much because there's a lot of people out there that do it differently and I really really appreciate that thank you um and then one thing with that this whatever you started six years ago they're probably there were influencers but it was not what it is oh my god it was podcasting but it was not what it is today So talk about like the best advice that you could give yourself six years ago. How'd you have known what you've learned now? Maybe go back and give yourself some advice or share memories of like, yeah, this was a humble memory. I didn't learn i learned that you had to take the lens cap off the camera. I don't know, something. What's the story that you want? Oh man, I think... who probably early on would be i guess speaking back to my college self i would say take a marketing class just at least have like general understandings of things because when the social media team transitions to the marketing side i felt like there were so many decks i was going through and
00:08:46
Speaker
things that people were talking about, all of these marketing terms. And I was like, what does that even mean? and so Exactly. So I think I would tell college Hannah to A, not stress out so much because you'd get a job and figure it out. But I think taking those marketing classes would have been really beneficial, even if it was just something basic. And then I think as far as honestly advice I would have given myself in year one would be to start working with a talent coach. So I have a talent coach that I work with. She's incredible. She's helped me grow and evolve so much. And I started working with her, I believe it was in 2021. So I wish I would have told um little Hannah, baby Hannah in 2018 to start working with a talent coach. earlier on with my time at the Rangers just because she's really helped sharpen and hone my interviewing skills specifically for sports where I think a lot of my background was traditional news and anchoring and things like that from college and so I think she's helped me tremendously in so many ways and I think that would definitely be my first piece of advice and then I also think on the influencer side I that I should have started taking my own social media a little bit more seriously earlier on with the team.
Insights on Personal Branding and Game Day Experience
00:09:56
Speaker
um I actually knew nothing about influencer marketing like we just talked about. I think I followed maybe one or two people in the Dallas area at the time and again like you mentioned everything has evolved so much and so I think that I would have
00:10:11
Speaker
taken the time to put more energy into my own social media as that was kind of building up when I first started. But that's ultimately how I learned everything was by doing little brand affiliate deals to learn about influencer marketing and agreements and communication and things like that. So I think maybe taking that a little bit more seriously on my own page earlier on, because now it's turned into so many incredible brand deals and opportunities. Oh, yeah, that's such solid advice, you guys, because I mean, truly, I remember being in your exact same spot. um I don't know how many, is probably around the same time in college um and just being like, what in the world is all of this? And um luckily I got, I don't want to say I got smart, but for myself, I got smart and um
00:10:52
Speaker
figured out really quickly that I didn't want to do like the whole news journalism and just kind of went the marketing and communications route and so most people would think like oh PR but like just like you've done at the Rangers it doesn't matter where you're at there's gonna be a job for you you do it's just how you work it and and then too it feels I want to say this it feels so vain getting social media for yourself having someone take pictures of you um all the stuff, but at the end of the day, like that's how you market yourself. And then that's how you bring value to your brand and you know so on and so forth. So I love that. um I also want to talk like family for a little bit yeah because before we talk about the Rangers and the partnership, i'm so I've loved getting to know you. So yeah I can't help but go back to what you said about your grandpa and your dad. That's so cool. I'm so glad you brought that up, by the way, because I looked at you up on an article and I was like,
00:11:36
Speaker
What? I have so many questions. That is so cool. And a lot of people don't realize how tall you are to us. I get that all the time. People at the ballpark, because usually I'm on camera by myself. So it's just like my camera guy and myself. So people don't really see me next to people that often. And that's the number one thing that people always say when I walk around. They're like, I had no idea how tall you were. How tall are you? Five eleven and three quarters. So not officially six foot, but I guess I always have some sort of like a heel on or something. So we can just say six foot. But when I was in middle school, I was always so tall, like the tallest kid in my class. And so it was when Yao Ming was really big. So everyone called me Yao Wing because I was like two heads taller than everyone else. And I would like hated it at the time. But now I think it's so funny. I think it's awesome. And that's, that's the thing about middle school. You think everything in middle school that somebody picks at you about you think is like an insecurity or whatever, then you become a adult and you're like, Hey, that's what sets me apart. That's the coolest thing. Exactly. And like, who's laughing now? I have a world series ring and I'm living my dream. So yeah. So we get from there. no
00:12:38
Speaker
I love what you said earlier, by the way, Wing it. You probably say that a lot. All the time. Even though I'm technically married now, like my last name is different, but like I'm still Hannah Wing, you know? What a weird thing. Yeah. Yeah. No. And that's fun too, to be able to follow you personally, kind of going to the influencer thing, follow you personally and get to see you you and your husband. I know by the time this episode airs, that I think it will be a a long time by now, but um you, when we're recording, you guys just went on a vacation. Yes. so fun tell us about it where'd you go so we went to cabo for our one-year wedding anniversary it has flown by so quickly we got married in may of 2023 so um it just so worked out that the all-star game this year is in arlington so we usually would have traveled
00:13:15
Speaker
probably in taking the trip during the all-star break but this year it's gonna be so busy so it worked out that right around our anniversary the team was on the road so we took some time off and went down to Cabo we stayed at the Thompson or the Cape down there which was a beautiful hotel it was incredible like we just laid by the pool we ended up actually seeing some friends down there because it was Memorial Day um but we just had an amazing time spending just quality time the two of us and trying to not check emails and things like that but It was really great just being by the beach my happy place and laying by the pool and just relaxing and just spending time together. And it's so cool since you're from California that was probably like a little piece of home right like the little yeah no I love that and I will say you're doing an awesome job at the influencing thing because I'm also going to the beach nowhere near as cool as Cabo. We're going to Galveston so hey still fun but I noticed your little slides your dupe slides that you linked from Amazon and I was like oh my Oh my gosh, okay, I have to wear this to the dupes. Oh, I love those. Those are my favorite shoes. I'm so excited to wear them all summer. They're the Hermes dupes. I was like, I'm not going to spend $800 on sandals, but I'll find ones that look like it. Exactly. No, exactly. I love it. And then kind of twofold for this. So whenever you are trying to plan outfits for your, really for anything, for an appearance, for your job day to day, is there something, any fashion advice that you have for girls out there that
00:14:33
Speaker
um I don't know, they're trying to piece together outfits or like build, I know like right now it's a big thing on TikTok to like get like, I don't know, I forget the number like 70, I don't know, 13 natural items and then you can like rebuild and re-wear and re-work to make like 75 outfits, I don't know. Something like that. So what's your best fashion advice when you're getting ready for work and then also personal since you are such a fashionista. Thank you. gosh I mean, my husband always makes jokes that our closet's overflowing and it's my fault because I just have so many things in it. But I would say definitely for those that want to get into the sports industry or being on camera for your careers, I would definitely say get a membership with, I mean, I partner with Fashion Pass and they're amazing with the Fashion Pass or Rent the Runway because especially in baseball, I mean, we have
00:15:21
Speaker
81 home games plus exhibitions plus potential postseason games. And so that's a lot of games to dress for. And I try not to wear the same thing twice because sometimes we have season ticket holders that come to every single game. And I don't want them to be like, oh, you wore that yesterday because you will. So I think definitely getting some sort of a membership where you can always kind of funnel in some new things. That's definitely a life hack both on and off the field. And I also love wearing cowboy boots. I think even though I am from Southern California, I think it's a really fun kind of my little favorite game day accessory, if you will. I love planning outfits around them and things like that. So I would say
00:15:59
Speaker
cowboy boots and some sort of like a fashion rental company to always have new things in and then Amazon Prime is also my lifesaver so I made a little storefront finally so I can share all my favorite stuff but yeah Amazon is my best friend especially that Prime shipping it's a game-changer It really is. And as we're speaking right now, I have a wedding this weekend that I haven't even shopped for. you'll be fine So yeah, Amazon, it's going to be the total opportunity there. Um, so it's been so good getting to know you. We're going to take a quick break, but when we come back, you guys, we're going to get to talk about Justin and the Texas Rangers and everything we've partnered up to do. So stay tuned. We'll be right back. Hey guys, it's All Star Week, and I don't know if you've heard, and if you haven't, I'm excited to tell you that Justin has partnered with the Texas Rangers, the 2023 World Champions, to become the official boot of the Texas Rangers. We've got a lot going on for All Star Week, but the next time you're here for a home Rangers game, be sure to stop by the big red Justin Boots to enter for your chance to win a free pair of Justin Boots.
00:16:59
Speaker
And if you aren't able to make it to the ballpark, that's okay, we'd still like to save you some money. Please visit our website, www.justinboots dot.com and enter code KYBU15 at checkout to receive 15% off your next purchase. That's code KYBU15. Hey y'all, thanks for listening. We're still in studio with the one and only Hannah Wing from the Texas Rangers. You know her, you love her. We've now gotten to know even more about her. So now it's time to kind of transition just a little bit into the Texas Rangers and what you actually get to do and our partnership here. So I don't know if you guys have heard, if you haven't heard, you're living under a rock. you need to Get out more we are Justin is now the official boot of the Texas Rangers and that has been something that is really cool It's a national natural and organic partnership and so tell us from your perspective what it's like to have a ah ah Brand support you guys to become I know you have it all the time, you know official whatever official beverage official But for being the official boot also being a Texas company just tell us about your perspective there Yeah, I think it's a lot of fun. I know that the Rangers and Justin have partnered since 2020 and there's so many different ways. Obviously my podcast, which I'm sure we'll dive into um Rangers deep in the heart presented by Justin. One of my favorite in game activations that we have is the Justin give them the boot. So it's whenever.
00:18:17
Speaker
They quite literally boot the opposing pitcher. This graphic comes on and everyone just dies laughing. And I think it's my husband's favorite too, but I look forward to it every single time it happens. And it's also a chance for Rangers fans to win free Justin boots. So who doesn't need more boots in Texas? And so I love the way that it's two very Texas brands coming together. um And it's been fun watching how the partnership has evolved. And I know that now there are like actual like life-size massive Justin boots around the ballpark for photo ops and things like that which is really fun. So yeah it's been awesome to work with you guys on the podcast side and I know the team also loves the partnership as a whole.
00:18:53
Speaker
Yeah, that was such a good answer. I love that. And those boots are fun. like ah We've just carted one around for all of our events, and it's been crazy all the amount of things that people say about them. Like, how can I get in there? Has anyone tried to get in there? who's ah who The most recent one we got was, whose foot does this fit? And we were like, Shaq is the biggest one we know, and even he isn't that big. Like, come on, people. you know it's just It's just fun. It's a good talking point for sure. So I'm glad you brought that up. Yeah. and um And then from your perspective with the baseball I I'm gonna be honest. I did not grow up in a baseball family My husband is the baseball guy. He um I think the highest he ever got was coaching in college or whatever but um loves loves baseball loves it and um So for me though being like a dad a good girl dad, you know He he would always turn the baseball on and the sisters and I we would always fall asleep.
00:19:40
Speaker
So that was like our like, and that was before the pitch clock too. So the games are like four or five hours long. So I don't blame you. It happens. Yeah. Yeah. No, but with that, I have become a a ah Texas Rangers fan specifically through working here at Justin. I started almost two years ago and um yeah, seeing the different opportunities that are available, um it's really cool. But then from like, I guess to get some insiders perspective for you, let's pretend we're there at a normal game day, home game. Um, you obviously have to be there way earlier than everyone else. Talk to us through your schedule. What's it like at a Rangers game from your perspective? Because the fans, we all know our perspective. It's awesome. We get all the things, but for you, what do you do start to finish? Great question. So I actually get asked this all the time and every day is a little bit different, but also follows a similar structure. So let's say it's a Wednesday seven o'clock game. So
00:20:27
Speaker
night game, I'll usually get in around like 10, 10 30, sometimes 11. During the day, I'll make sure I am working on podcast outlines or just at my desk doing influencer emails. I'm essentially a one woman agency on the influencer side. So handling everything for our campaigns for that home stand, making sure everything's all set for partners that are coming that night to the game. um Again, just getting everything for our college brand ambassadors together. Just a lot of desk work and things like that. Sometimes we'll do podcast shoots. I usually have one podcast shoot per home stand for the most part, because that's obviously when the players are home. So usually knocking out a podcast recording. um I'll also do, I have a segment on Rangers Insider now where it's a player sit down, which is really fun. So I'll also record that during batting practice. So I'm usually at my desk kind of doing different odds and ends, meetings, things like that, um usually from,
00:21:23
Speaker
ten up until around two and that's when I get ready so people think that I have a full hair and makeup team but I actually do it at my desk and all the guys that work with me look around like I'm crazy because I'm curling my hair and I have dry shampoo and all the hair. Just doing full glam at my desk so I'll do that and then I'll go change because usually I don't wear to the office when I'm wearing to the game that night so I can be a little bit more comfortable. And then around 245, sometimes three, 330. Clubhouse will open up so I'll go down on the Rangers Clubhouse if I have to schedule any interviews with players I'll try and do that then Again, just keeping up that rapport with them checking and seeing how they're doing If I have any actual baseball questions or things from them that I need to ask I'll go ahead and do that
00:22:06
Speaker
and then rangers manager bruce pochi does his media availability so if i have a question for him for a podcast episode or an insider interview i'll talk to him then then it's batting practice and then at 5 15 usually we'll do our pre-production meeting so i'll go up to our control room which is so cool and looks like nasa's headquarters all these buttons and screens and we'll do our pre-production meeting. So it's myself, obviously the in-game host, our camera crew, our ballpark entertainment team, graphics, everyone that's a part of our game day productions in that meeting. So we'll run through and have a rundown of what's happening during that night's game. We go inning by inning, pre-game, everything we need to go through to make sure that we're all set.
00:22:47
Speaker
I'll go up for what we like to call family dinner. So we obviously all spend so much time together. And I feel like I see my coworkers sometimes more than my own husband during season. And so we all have family dinners. So it's a group of like 10 of us that I'll go up there every night and have dinner together. And sometimes it gets pretty unhinged, but it's a really funny group and we're always laughing and having a good time. And um sometimes I'll force us to go around and do peaks and valleys of our days and like talk about it and we get really deep sometimes. And then my pregame hits usually start around 6.30. So I'll go down on the field for that. And then now we have a new area called the holster that we have up above the batter's eye. So that's where I do a majority of my in-game hits. And then sometimes I'm done around the fourth or fifth inning and I'll go back home. Sometimes I'll stay the full game depending on what's happening. And then some games I'll stay even after the game is over. If we have an influencer event or an influencer suite or something like that happening at that time too.
00:23:43
Speaker
that I'm so glad you kind of shed light a little bit on your schedule because a lot of people think, we were talking about this off camera, a lot of people think that, oh, you're just the pretty face. You come in with the g glance g glam squad, they get you ready, you go on, and they don't even see like um the hours and hours and hours of preparation that you took just to learn the stats that you have. That's one thing I want to really compliment you on. is thank you every interview I've seen of you whether that be in the game during the game in host or in-house and then like even on your podcast you can just tell about the questions that you have for these guys are very formulated very prepared and that is like you probably gain a lot of respect from them as well because like so I'm sure so the you know knowing that you know their
00:24:23
Speaker
i Don't know how fast they could throw the ball or like all their stats that you know that you're so good at they that probably helps but um yeah, you spend so much time doing that and i'm So glad that you told us a little bit about your story and I can't help to ask you um I I know I'm sure all of your friends have already like beat it like a dead horse on the national championship win, you know World Championship. on Oh my gosh, this is my first time I'm talking with you. I can't help but bring it up on the podcast. Were you there at the game? Yes, so I was fortunate enough to do all of the road trips for the postseason. So that was a ton of fun. Tampa, Baltimore, Houston, Arizona, like we were all there for all the games, which was so fun. So they actually flew out the Rangers front office um for the games in Arizona, which was really
World Series Win and Personal Insights
00:25:06
Speaker
cool too. So I was there in a working capacity, but I'm really grateful that everyone else was able to be there as well to experience it and celebrate.
00:25:13
Speaker
That is so cool, Hannah. So what were your, I guess, what was like going through your mind the second you knew that they won? I'm sure you had all kinds of emotions. Oh my gosh. There are coworkers, essentially, but you have so much respect for them. You know them. You've obviously studied them for so long. So was it like your like your brothers won something cool? Was that what it was like? You know what? It was so interesting because how it works in the postseason is if there's a potential clinch situation. no matter what the round is, um you go down in the tunnel usually in like the sixth or the seventh inning and then and MLB will line everyone up and they're like okay this phase of people gets to go on the field first and then these people get to go second and so we were I think we were only up by one run at that point because it had been a fairly slow game we were getting no hit
00:25:59
Speaker
um through several innings because that gallon was just on one that day. We were all stressed out. So ah we had a perfect road record, obviously. So we're like, it just makes sense for us to do it here. So we're all waiting in the tunnel. And I remember just watching the screens because we couldn't see the field from where we were because we were like in the actual tunnel. so um I was watching the TV screen, and they actually panned to my husband and the crowd of all people for about 10 seconds. And it was like the most pivotal point in the game. ah It was like top eight, Mitch Garver's up to bat, bases are loaded, and they panned over to Pierce, my husband, who was like freaking out, and they were like visibly like, they could tell that he was like nervous, and they were like, perfect shot. So he got more air time than I did, which was kind of funny. So I saw that, and I was thrown off. I was like, what is he doing on TV? This is nuts. So his phone obviously started blowing up, and then
00:26:48
Speaker
Um, we ended up winning the game. It was incredible. But I remember I was in the tunnel and Lauren Gardner, who's a host and a reporter with and MLB network, who I've looked up to for years, was like three people in front of me. And like, by that point, we knew that we had it. And so she turned around and she was like, congratulations. I just started tearing up and I was like, I can't cry. I can't cry. I have to go in the field and interview people. and It was really surreal when she looked over at me and she was like, congratulations, like you guys did it. And I was like, the first time in franchise history, there was so much excitement. I like get chills thinking about it. And then yeah I went on the field to get a couple player interviews. And by that point, it was like, you just grab whoever you can. There was no rhyme or reason. like I found Evan Carter and Josh Young. and
00:27:27
Speaker
They're two great guys. I was like, perfect. Like they'll get great sound bites. I'll make it short and sweet so they can celebrate. And honestly, I had all these questions in my head of what I was going to say. And I totally just blacked out. And like, I don't even remember what I said or what I asked because there are so many emotions and then their families came out. So I was trying to also. help get little candid videos of them with their families i mean it was such a big deal for everybody and so it was really special and i remember donnie ecker our bench coach who's like a big brother to me was like over on the field kind of like squatting down just like watching everything and like observing taking it all in so i gave him the massive hug and
00:28:02
Speaker
um I don't think I fully got emotional until after I got out of the clubhouse when I saw my husband and then I just started sobbing I was like oh my gosh I couldn't believe it but being in the clubhouse after a World Series win was so special and I mean there's champagne everywhere like my eyes were burning and But it was so much fun. I mean, there's truly nothing like it. And they said, okay, you get one player in the clubhouse, who do you want? And I said, Austin Hedges, who was like the team morale guy. He was the best. He was like drinking a beer during the interview. Like there's no one like him. He's a gem. So I was like, this is the exact person that I want. Because um after the really rough loss against Houston in game five, that was at home on that Friday night.
00:28:44
Speaker
Um, he basically said to the team, something along the lines of like, this will make a great 30 for 31 day. And that was like, he really helped kind of shift the team's mentality from what I understand. And he's also just a hoot, like he's an awesome guy and just brings great vibes. And we got him at the deadline or shortly after that. And so it just made sense that we had him and he was just a huge morale guy and was always super animated. So I was like, that's the guy that I want. So being in that clubhouse was awesome for sure. Oh my gosh, and yeah, since you brought that up, the whole champagne moment. like i I didn't know what to expect it. Tyler, my husband, who watches it, every year knew it was coming. You knew it was coming. Everyone knew it was coming. But was it still just so cool being there? And like yeah, your eyes were burning, but um just talk about that moment in particular, because I remember they were going crazy. like They were so happy.
00:29:31
Speaker
So happy. Yeah, it was awesome. I walked in, I think like during, so Bochi gave his speech obviously. yeah And that was like a private moment with the team. So like they let media in after that. And so they started spraying champagne all over the place. And I remember I got sprayed like right in my eyes. It was unintentional. Like no one was doing it on purpose, but I couldn't see anything and I had to go interview Austin. And so I like found one of our clubhouse attendants that had like a shirt on that was cotton. Cause I had on some blazer dress that was like not fit for cleaning your eyes off. And I was like, do you mind if I dab the bottom of my eye with like the under part of your shirt? And he's like, just wipe your face, I don't care. And I was like, I'm gonna get makeup all over your World Series Champion shirt. like I'm so sorry. And he's like, just do what you have to do. So really appreciate that because it was very chaotic, but it was so much fun. And yeah, I mean, nothing really prepares you for that. I think we obviously had champagne celebrations along the way, but I think that one felt extra special for sure.
00:30:24
Speaker
That is so cool. And I've got to ask, was it easy to wash out of your hair and stuff? Oh no, it's not like champagne for like weeks after it was so gross. My husband's like, what is that? Like, don't worry about it. It's fine. It's just now like permanent part of me, but it was great. I think my hair smelled like a champagne for a very long time throughout that whole month, but it was a lot of fun. yeah I don't know what, that's a goal in life. If your hair can smell like champagne, you're living a life. Exactly. I think I tagged, yeah, I was wearing a blazer dress from Fashion Pass and I posted it and I tagged them. And then in the comment, I was like, at Fashion Pass, sorry for all the champagne returns closed. Cause you have to send it back to them and they like dry clean it. So I mean, not a bad complaint obviously, but it was pretty fun.
00:31:03
Speaker
So fun, so fun. And I'm glad we've gotten to have this little moment with you to talk about it. That is so cool. And before we go, I can't help but talk about your podcast. Yes. It's so cool. Thank you. um The guests that you get to have on are interesting. And one thing that I got to see is like, well, when you brought, um I forget who it was, but you brought his wife on. Yes. um And I remember thinking like, that is so cool to get to have, they don't get to do a lot of things together as a couple. And so you're giving them an opportunity to not only get to be themselves, um you know, and to a certain a point, but like to be themselves and bring in their personal aspects. So what's it like for you then hosting a podcast um that just like gets to share their stories? What's that like for you?
00:31:42
Speaker
It's amazing. I mean, I've truly never done anything like this before. um I've never actually had my own podcast. And so when I was kind of envisioning what I wanted it to be, I was trying to think of something that's different because there are so many great Rangers podcasts out there and I was trying to think of a way to differentiate it just a little bit. And so I thought it'd be really fun to have the wides come on because I think a lot of people don't understand the behind the scenes aspects of being a baseball family. And so it's really fun for them to obviously open up about how they met and their relationship stories. And you know we play the newlywed games so people can get to know both of them as people off the field as well. So my biggest goal for Rangers Deep in the Heart presented by Justin. is to obviously give them a platform if they have a foundation they want to talk about or if there's something that is on their heart that they've never been asked about before that that's the place where they can do it and so my number one goal after every recording is for them to always say oh wow that was so much fun or I've never been asked that before so trying to really find those personal and fun stories and
00:32:46
Speaker
I think every episode's really had a theme so far. um The Jankowski's, for example, was a big theme on family because he talked about the adoption of their son, Jet. We all were crying on the first episode and they're just they were so open and they're just amazing people. and then Josh Young and talking about his faith and how the difficult time he's going through now with his injury has really tested that and how he leans on his faith. I think that's the one I watched. yes Yes. And then Cody Bradford and his wife Maddie and Cody grew up in Aledo, so not too far from the ballpark and grew up a Rangers fan, so the hometown kid. and
00:33:19
Speaker
ah My next episode will be with Josh and Claire Smith, which was a total blast as well. And they're so sweet. So it's just fun to kind of get the players in a different mindset and different location. And, you know, of course we talk a little bit of baseball at the top of the show and current events and things that are happening. But I really just want our fan base to get to know them and their wives, of course, too, yeah off the field. Well, if you're listening to this podcast, go on over after this and listen to Rangers Deep in the Heart hosted by Hannah because truly that's like a perspective. It was, it was great for my husband and I both to watch it together because he's a baseball fan. He gets it. He'll watch anything baseball. But for me, I was like, this is the wife's perspective. And a lot of people don't get to see how hard it is, just like you mentioned. And I also think too that Josh particularly like opened up once his wife was there, he was able to be like, okay, yeah, I can talk normal. Like I'm talking to a friend and not like there's a million cameras around me or whatever. So well done. Thank you. I love everything that you're doing with it. Thank you so much. I know it's going to continue to thrive. And before we go, there's one question that I always ask for podcast guests, and it's what is the best piece of advice that you'd like to give to anyone that wants to enter into your career? So for you specifically, what is the best piece of advice that you can give to anyone that is getting ready to go on? I know we've covered it through right after college, but maybe even wanting to take the next step. I know you've done so good already with the line coach and all that. Thank you.
00:34:37
Speaker
What's your other tidbit? What would you like
Advice for Aspiring Professionals
00:34:39
Speaker
to tell them? I would say, and this is something I actually tell everyone, um is to be willing to move anywhere. I think there's so many people that want to do a specific job for their hometown team and they don't open their minds to anything else. And I think when I was applying to jobs all over the country, I was like, well, I guess we'll see what state I end up in. And thank goodness it was here in Texas. But I think especially in the world of sports, It's definitely big because there are so many teams and networks and opportunities, but I think it's also fairly small as well once you get in. So obviously not burning any bridges, but being open to moving truly anywhere and taking any opportunity. um I always tell people that
00:35:18
Speaker
There's nothing wrong with ever working in the minor leagues because that's a really great way to learn so many different skill sets and things like that. So I think not being set on one specific team or even sports. um What am I trying to say? Network or. region or area, um if you will, because I think there are so many great opportunities out there, especially in the digital space now. And yeah now we have the UFL and we have indoor football and we have rugby and there's all these things, especially in the DFW area. So just being kind of open minded to whatever it takes to get your foot in the door instead of wanting to do one specific thing for your favorite team.
00:35:57
Speaker
Well said. I love that piece of advice. That's so good. And that could kind of translate to really, not necessarily any industry, but any job you have of like, not, don't be complacent. Don't, you know, don't just want to stay, get get ready to move and grow. And so I love that. I love that so much. And we always got to give the guests a shout out on their social media. so yes Tell us where we can find you on all the socials, um web website, whatever. Awesome. So um I'm probably the most active on Instagram. So my Instagram is at Hannah Wing. My Twitter is at hannah underscore wing. And then you can find my podcast Rangers Deep in the Heart and at rangers dot.com slash podcast. And it's also on the Rangers YouTube channel as well.
00:36:35
Speaker
Okay, very good. And yeah, there you have it, you guys. That's where you can listen to the podcast. That's where you can see Hannah. If you have any more follow-up questions that I didn't get to ask her that you want to know, slide into her DMs, ask her questions, whatever you got to do. I'm always checking, so I'll get back to you. That's so good. And that's what I love about you, truly. You do seem like you're the real girl behind the video or whatever. Thank you. I love that. Thank you for your time today. Thank you for having me. That was so fun. Of course. And I wish you the best of luck as we go into the next, as the season unfolds. We'll see what happens and hopefully we'll get to have you back on the podcast in the end. I would love that. Thank you so much. Thank you.
00:37:13
Speaker
Thanks for joining us on Kick Your Boots Up. I'm your host, Taylor McAdams, and we can't wait to share the next story of the West. Until then, feel free to like, subscribe, and leave us a review. Follow us on social media at Justin Boots to keep up with our next episode, and we'll see you the next time you kick your boots up.