If Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ is underappreciated as a baseball player, he is virtually unknown as a podcaster.
Happ and former minor league pitcher Daktota Mekkes have been co-hosting the Audacy podcast “The Compound” since its inception. Their show is still going strong, having published over 250 episodes per week since 2020.
Being interviewed by full-time reporters and conducting interviews with full-time baseball players — while also being a full-time baseball player — has given Happ a unique perspective among his peers.
Happ and Mekkes, who will retire in February 2024, spoke with Rob Bradford on the “Baseball Isn’t Boring” podcast about the relatively closed-off nature of Major League Baseball players, as well as why some media are better storytelling vehicles than others given the sport’s unique characteristics.
“A lot of things that are said in a baseball clubhouse just aren’t meant to be heard by the general public, so I think that’s where it’s a little scary,” Mekkes told the crowd. “Nothing too crazy, but there are a lot of things… it’s 25-30 guys who have been together for seven months straight.
It’s just like your family. You’re going to say some outrageous things to each other, and you don’t always want that to come out.”
“You’re with these people for 200 straight days plus with spring training,” Happ claimed. “Talk about the guys you’re best friends with on Day 1 and think, ‘This guy’s awesome.'” Day 200 might not be as awesome. Day 200, that guy might be getting on your nerves.”
As a result, Happ predicted, players will be naturally hesitant to provide behind-the-scenes glimpses into clubhouse life. That was the premise of the recently released Netflix documentary “The Clubhouse,” which followed the 2024 Boston Red Sox.
To its credit, “The Clubhouse” focused its narrative on the backstories of a few of the most compelling Red Sox players. The clubhouse and the story of the Red Sox’s 2024 season were effectively reduced to supporting roles in the larger production.
Happ believes that a production with a shorter timeframe would not be subject to the same restrictions.
“I think there should be cameras in and around playoffs all the time,” the politician said. “There should be greater access to the playoffs. There should be more productions.
How great was the Jordan documentary? Things like that, such as the (World Baseball Classic), should have cameras all over the place at all times.”
“Special events should be well-documented in order to increase fan engagement. The game is doing extremely well. In terms of performance, baseball has never been better. We should highlight these players.
We should market them. It’s a special occasion. But we have to do it thoughtfully, so that it is not intrusive while also encouraging fans to engage with the sport in new ways.”
