- [Mike] What's up, Cubs fans?
I'm Mike Bolling, the honor of social host, and I'm honored to be joined by the man, the myth,
the legend, First Baseman, Frank Schwindel.
You may know him as Frank "The Tank," or "Schwindy City."
Those are his nicknames.
My nicknames include the "Schwin Dog" and "Frankie Finger Guns."
So, how's it going, my man? How's everything?
- [Frank] All good. How about yourself?
- I can't complain, man.
And you guys got the sun out there.
We've got a little rain, but Opening Day is one week away.
So... - Absolutely.
- We'll make it over here.
All right, so I watched the episode and right off the bat, you mentioned a quote that stuck with me.
And it said, "Baseball doesn't care who you are."
And I think that's such a strong quote.
I think that, you know, you guys are still playing a kid's game,
so tell us in a few words who you are and how you grew to love the game of baseball.
- Yeah, I mean, started off by...
I always loved the game even, you know, before I could talk probably.
My parents took so many pictures of me hitting before I was two and stuff like that.
But no, it's just always was a good time to me.
And I was lucky enough to have a bunch of good friends playing with me growing up.
So that made it much that much better just going to the park and having some fun.
And, you know, that kind of went from there.
And then I realized I was good, so started putting the work in.
And, you know, keep the same mindset to have some fun, but it kind of went off from there.
- I love that, man.
And that's so funny that you mentioned that you and your buddies, in the episode you talk about the wiffle
ball games that go on in the backyard.
Tell us a little bit about how intense those games used to be for you.
- Oh, yeah.
They got competitive for sure.
You know, we threw that...the chair for the strikes on back there and, you know, we let it rip.
But yeah, there were some hard feelings some days, but, you know, always a barbecue or something after,
you know, to laugh it off and have some fun.
But no, we got competitive.
Like I said, we had an awesome group and I got lucky enough to play with them for a bunch of years.
And we pretty much stuck together until college.
And like I said, it was a lot of fun and, you know, good competition back there.
- I love that, just sharpening your tools in the backyard.
You can't beat it. - Absolutely.
- So you've come from a long line of Franks.
And we got to meet the youngest Frank in the start of the episode which I thought was really cool.
Do you have a favorite Frank that you looked up to as a kid or athlete, celebrity?
I'm a big fan of Frank Sinatra myself, so a lot of Frank action going on.
- That's a good one.
Yeah, a lot of my area is Italian.
Frank Sinatra is big around there.
I like Frank Thomas growing up because, you know, he hit the ball harder than anybody back then.
So yeah, he was cool.
And I think I did a paper sometime on famous Franks.
So, you know, a couple of those, but yeah, I'd say him for sure.
He was just a monster and fun to watch.
- Now you're one of the famous Franks.
That's pretty cool, huh?
- Yeah, not bad.
Pretty cool.
- So you mentioned something really awesome and I think, you know, a lot of people can relate or would
love to relate that you met Kat in middle school.
So bravo.
I heard you guys grew up seven houses down from each other?
What's the...
- Yeah, something like that.
I don't know the official count, but yeah, on the same road.
- So what's it been like being so close to her and your families, and how has that helped you
throughout your baseball career?
- Oh, it's been awesome.
Just because I think a lot of people don't realize what goes on behind the scenes, you know,
from whatever it is, rookie ball in Idaho to all the transactions and
stuff like that.
And, you know, she's been with me every step of the way.
So I give her a ton of credit, even to just now, she just set up my apartment and shipped my car,
stuff like that.
I don't know if I could do it without her.
And it was a blessing that she was able to enjoy every step of the way with me.
- That's awesome, man.
It's so beautiful.
And, you know, you just mentioned kind of the behind-the-scenes of the game.
You gave us a pretty honest, you know, look into that business side when you talk about being
DFAed and shortly after, placing a bid on a house.
So, what'd you mean when you said you were pretty lost there for a second?
Like I don't want to bring back a ton of bad memories, but I think it's something that's really human that I
think a lot of people can probably relate to.
- Oh, yeah.
I mean, it's like I said, it's a crazy game where I'm, you know, hitting above 300 with, you know,
leading the league in homers to getting called up to Oakland, a home run in the first AB and then go
down to hitting 150 in Iowa.
So it's just like, "What the hell just happened?"
But yeah, so, you know, those ofers, they hit worse, especially when, you know,
you're on cloud nine in the big leagues and then, you know, two weeks later, snap of the fingers,
you're back down after all the work, after all the success.
And you just like, "Man, maybe this is it for me."
But, you know, it's when those bunch of negative thoughts come in the head, but you've got to, you know,
shake those off and realize, you know, "I was having an awesome season," and don't let,
you know, getting sent down define that.
So I'm still the same player.
So I go from there and, you know, I got called back up and everybody saw the rest and
what I'm capable of.
So it was, yeah, just crazy emotions and, you know, I'm happy I made the best of it.
- Amen to that, man.
I think it's just like a great testament to your perseverance and your hard work.
And I talked to Patrick Wisdom a couple of weeks ago and he mentioned that, you know,
he really had to work on the mental side of the game a little more even than the physical side.
So tell me a little bit about how you navigated those muddy waters and what you did, you know,
maybe support from your family or your wife to kind of get you through?
- Yeah, absolutely.
I mean, you know, still battling that.
There's good days and bad days in this game.
And nothing's given, even now, nothing's guaranteed.
But yeah, it's just I had a great support system.
Everybody was in my corner.
They know I can hit.
Everybody knows I can hit.
So it's just stringing those good games together and swinging at good pitches,
which is a lot of the mental approach.
But yeah, just never getting too high or too low and, you know, just playing the game.
And I think the biggest thing is having some fun because once I started, you know, having more fun,
it just starts to show on the field.
And people, you know, they like to see it and they enjoy it as well.
So, yeah, I'd say my family, my inlaws, and my wife, couldn't have done it without them and just keeping
the positive mindset.
And, you know, it is a job, but it is a game.
So you just got to enjoy, you got to put the work in but have as much fun as you
can and enjoy it while you're in the moment.
- Yeah, I loved watching the episode, and just, you know, I could feel just by the way you spoke and
the way your family spoke how close you are with them.
And I even noticed the New York Giants stickers on the fridge.
So, I'm going to put you on the spot.
You're expecting big things from the G-Men this year?
- Oh, not at all.
They've been...
- I'm a Bears fan, so we've been rowing in the same boat for a while.
- Yeah, absolutely.
You know, the 0-2 start has been pretty common to the start of the year.
And then, you know, the fans, and not lose hope, but there's some negative energy in the tailgates
after two or three weeks in.
But I know they're in this situation where they've got to make some moves, got to make some tough
decisions this year.
So we'll see what happens.
A bunch of new faces and management.
So we'll go from there, but, you know, when we're 0-0, the spirits are high.
But we'll see how that first game, how they treat us that first game.
But, you know, I think half the battle is getting a good crew to the tailgate and enjoying that.
And having some fun in the lot and, you know, going to the game.
But, you know, we want to see some wins this year.
- Yeah, man, I'm with you.
I've enjoyed my time at Bears games more at the tailgate than actually inside the stadium.
So we share that.
So I love the shot in the episode of you celebrating on the field at Wrigley and your family all had
matching T-shirts on.
And it just looked like such a great celebration for you.
Talk about that whirlwind that was those last few months of the season where you came up and you were
just hitting everything, man.
You were just mashing and helping us win games.
I think that the Cubs fan base really embraced you.
So talk about when you really made your first impression here at Wrigley.
- Yeah, it was a lot of fun.
Yeah, I don't know if I've said this story in the interview or when, but yeah,
a bunch of my buddies were out there.
And you know, we go to Murphy's after the one game.
And I went and, you know, had a couple of drinks and nobody had any idea
who we were.
And then after that Labor Day Series, we couldn't get in there or anywhere else on the park
without anybody at least recognizing my buddies, let alone me.
So they were enjoying it more than I was.
But, no, it was just crazy how everything happened because, you know, people didn't know who I was and
they had a fan favorite.
They had a bunch of guys that they loved that just, you know, packed up and kind of went their own way.
And had to step in and not necessarily fill those shoes, but, you know,
somebody has to go play that position.
And we had a bunch of guys step up and I played well and the fans tended to...they liked me right away.
So, it was a lot of fun.
I fed off that energy as well.
So, I appreciate them, and like I said, it was a lot of fun just to have all that happen and be
a part of that and all my friends and family be there too.
- Yeah, that was a hell of a day.
I remember it, it was September 6th.
It was a Sunday.
I was actually at Murphy's and I think I had left like right before you got there.
My buddy texted me.
He was like, "Yo, Frank Schwindel is in here and nobody actually even knows who he is."
And I'm like sprinting, trying to get back, but that was a really cool moment for us as fans.
I know for sure because it feels like a lot of times the players can kind of go their own way and do
their own thing.
And it was very, very relatable to have you just walk across the street and go to Murphy's and grab some
beers with your family and your friends.
And, you know, that will always stick with me because I always go to Murphy's right before every game
in the bleachers.
So it's not like it's something new to me.
But I just thought that was really cool.
- Yeah, it's a great spot.
It's a great spot.
- Yeah, it's a great bar.
And, you know, I think I want to know a little bit more about like that culture for you.
You talk about the tailgate, you talk, you know, going over to Murphy's.
Like I notice that, you know, your family, your in-laws are Dominican.
I'm half Dominican as well.
So I'm thinking that that...
- Oh, there you go.
- So I'm thinking that that part of it kind of trickled through on you from the party side.
But talk a little bit about those parties, man.
What's your favorite food and tell me how they're going.
- Well, what do you mean?
Like what favorite food in the Dominican side?
- Oh, yeah.
Oh, yeah.
- Okay, I'd say pollo guisado with moro de guandules, tostones and I'm all set with that.
I mean, I got lucky enough where when her grandma's in town she'll cook for us.
And she'll live at the house we're at for a couple of months a year.
So we're very spoiled.
My mother-in-law cooks, my wife cooks, and then Frank that you met, my father in law,
he's great on the grill.
He makes a great sancocho.
So we're all set over there.
- Yeah, pollo guisado is actually some of my favorite too.
I love mangú in the morning.
I don't know if you do [crosstalk].
- Absolutely, yeah.
- So maybe one day if I get myself out there, I'll bring some Presidente and we can have a good time.
- Oh, nice.
Absolutely, I'm in.
- Okay, so you arrived in Chicago, like we mentioned.
You start mashing.
People can hardly figure out who you are, but my group chat lights up,
all these Cubs fans are just like, "Who is Frank Schwindel?"
So, tell us about your first experiences here, you know, finding a place to stay and then really just
like being accepted by us Cubs fans.
- Ooh, that's a good question because I was bouncing around all over.
I had one suitcase with me.
So I know one of the jokes on Twitter my buddies showed me was that I was on like a six-shirt rotation
with my travel shirts.
They caught me traveling to the field.
And so I was like, "Man, I at least got to rotate the days so the
cameras off, you know."
No I think I wear the same thing every day.
But no, it was just cool because I got to experience a bunch.
I stayed downtown for a couple of series.
I stayed by the field at the Zachary and a couple of those places nearby for a couple of series.
So I got to see a bunch of things that I normally wouldn't if I was just sitting there, you know,
sitting at an apartment, or set house, whatever.
And then wherever I was hitting the best, I would just check back into there when we got back
from the roads. So stuff like that.
So it was fun.
- "Not superstitious, but a little stitious."
- Yeah, absolutely.
- I love that, man.
That's so awesome.
And, you know, I'll just say from my perspective, when we have turn over and things like that on the
business side happen, it's really nice to see just new energy and just like a
lot of fun.
That's really what brought us through the end of last year is just like it felt like the guys gelled so well.
And talk a little bit about what the Clubhouse was like and how you kind of made friends, you know.
You've bounced around a lot.
So I'm sure that's like something that's not, you know, new to you, but now you have a new home
here in Chicago.
So what's the camaraderie been like with you and some of the guys?
- Oh, the guys are awesome.
It wasn't an easy spot to come into.
You know, those first couple of days, maybe the morale was a little down.
But it had to be tough.
They're losing their best friends and, you know, a lot of their best players to other teams.
So it's got to be tough seeing that from the other end.
But seeing a bunch of guys who, you know, want it real bad, just want to have fun,
and stay there, and contribute, and win some ball games.
I think there was a new energy that it kind of helped the Clubhouse out.
And there was a lot of guys that are getting the shot for the first time and, you know,
some steady playing time that were hungry and wanted, you know, to play well and show people what
they can do.
So I thought it was a great energy.
We were in a bunch of games.
We were playing some great baseball.
You know, the wins and losses weren't as we wanted, but I think we were playing some good ball and
surprised a lot of people.
So, we've got a couple of huge additions now this offseason.
And I think we have a lineup that could surprise some people.
- I agree, man.
I'm an eternal optimist and I try and find the best in those situations.
Like I remember watching that game when Romine hit the homer off of Craig Kimbrel, I'm like, "Man,
this is our World Series right now."
Like I was so happy for him hitting that ball out.
So, I love that you spoke about the new energy and the new additions, and you say you think you can surprise.
You know, talk a little bit about some of your goals for this season personally and how special April 7th
will be versus the Brewers.
I'm assuming you'll have the whole gang in town for Opening Day.
- Yeah, we'll have a bunch there, even more the next weekend.
But, no, I'm not going to throw any numbers out there.
But I just want to build off the success.
You know, I'm not expecting 400, but, you know, stuff like that.
But I want to build off of last year, I want to put a bunch of good at-bats together.
And, you know, drive guys in and win some ball games.
So, I think I showed a little taste of what I can do last year.
So I want to build off that.
And worst case, do the exact same thing.
- Yeah, I mean, you laid a good foundation from my perspective.
I think, you know, you're going to be a rock-solid person in the middle of this line-up.
And we, as Cubs fans, can't wait to see what, you know, the next step is for you.
So good on you for, you know, not even putting too much pressure on yourself,
just obviously continuing the success that you've had.
So, I know you're really busy, and I'm going to get you out of here,
but I heard that you have a pizza named after you in your hometown.
I need to know what's on it, and how can Cubs fans get it because if I've got to go
all the way to New York, I'm going to want to find it and I really want to know
about this pizza, man.
- So this pizza place is right down the road from my house.
And my family grew up, you know, I think all three of my cousins work there that
live in town.
My wife worked there, her sister worked there.
- Wow.
- And it's just a great spot to be.
Great family that owns it.
And yeah, it was on the Barstool.
Dave Portnoy gave it an 8.9.
So that was their claim to fame.
And they actually shipped a couple of pies out to Wrigley, so for the Cubs staff to enjoy.
But my personal pie is the Schwindy City pie.
- Love that. - So it's like a tailgate one.
So it's gotten squares like a Chicago style but not the deep dish.
It's a half Buffalo, chicken half barbecue chicken.
So that's their two top-selling pies.
So it was a good idea from there.
And, you know, it's a good tailgater like party appetizer-type pie.
So, we'll have them send a couple out there for us.
- Yeah, man.
That sounds pretty good.
I can definitely get down with that at 11 a.m., maybe on April 7th before Opening Day.
- Yeah, there you go.
Yep, you're welcome.
- Yeah, absolutely.
Well, so on the way out, I know that you spoke a lot about your family.
And you know, one of the quotes that you had really stuck with me when you said,
"They gave me everything they had growing up."
And, you know, I feel the same way with my family.
So, just give a little shout-out to your family on the way out, and best of luck this season.
- Oh, absolutely.
I appreciate it, yeah.
Couldn't do it without them and they've been the best.
And they'll be in Chicago a bunch.
So you'll probably meet them at some point.
- I can't wait, man.
Thank you for your time and good luck this season, man.
- All right, I appreciate it.
Nice meeting you.
I'll see you out there.
- All righty.