In this week’s episode of Diamond Dreams Miami: Up & In, Mike and Armando dive into the Dolphins’ latest debacle — breaking down Miami’s collapse, the fallout, and why ownership has still decided not to move on from Mike McDaniel or Chris Grier... at least not yet. Then, the guys turn their attention to Shohei Ohtani’s historic performance and explain why he’s proving to be worth every single penny of that record-breaking contract. From there, it’s a trip up to the Bronx — what can the Yankees do in free agency to finally get back on track? Mike and Armando weigh the realistic (and dream) moves that could shift the balance of power. Finally, the show wraps up with a deep dive into the world of card collecting — when timing is everything. The guys talk market trends, player value spikes, and how to spot the perfect moment to buy or sell. All that and much more on Episode 119 of Up & In.

The Yankees were eliminated from the postseason, and Mike and Armando sound off on the Bronx Bombers.  Will Aaron Boone and Brian Cashman finally be replaced, or will it be more of the same in New York? What big free agent can make a huge difference for the Yanks? Tune in and find out our thoughts. Also, the Dolphins continue their free fall. It's time for changes. Armando talks about who he likes at head coach, and what other changes must occur. That and much more on episode 118 or Up & In.

Up & In is back for Episode 117, where Armando shares what he would do if he were in Stephen Ross' shoes.  Would he fired Grier and McDaniel? Would he replace Tua? If so, who are the candidates to lead the Dolphins next season? Also, Mario Cristobal has the Canes in the best shape they've been in years. What's working for the Canes, and which of their players should be a top 5 pick in the NFL Draft. The MLB Playoffs are right around the corner, and we share what teams are in, who's on the brink of clinching, and who has been a disappointment. All that and much more on Episode 117 of Up & In!

This week on Diamond Dreams Miami Up & In we cover it all: Little League talk + the latest controversies on the diamond with Framber Valdez & Rafael Devers. Can the Marlins make a run next season? We break down exactly what needs to happen. Are the Miami Dolphins really a playoff team? Armando gives his take. The Miami Hurricanes looked great vs. Notre Dame to kick off the season—we’ve got the breakdown. Bill Belichick & Jordan Hudson… older men with younger women. Is it a big deal? Plus, Real Housewives of Miami talk and much more!

School’s back in session, and so is fall little league baseball. We kick things off by talking about the start of the season — and ask the big question: is there actually betting in little league? In MLB, Shohei Ohtani finds himself walking straight into another scandal. On the NFL side, it’s the Miami Dolphins vs. the national media, and we break down the bias against the team. Plus, Armando shares his frustrating experience trying to preorder the brand-new Topps Boxing trading cards. That and much more on this week’s episode of Up & In.

In this episode of Diamond Dreams Miami Up & In, with Armando Alvarez and Mike Quintana break down a number of topics in the world of sports. Mike recaps his recent trip to Cooperstown with his 12U team—what the experience meant, how the kids grew as teammates and competitors, and the lessons they’ve already applied since returning. The guys then shift gears from baseball to golf. What’s it like transitioning from the diamond to the fairway? They explore the mental and mechanical adjustments needed, and how the two swing in the two sports differ. In MLB talk, the Yankees’ free fall continues. Will Aaron Boone survive the season? Is anyone in the front office feeling the heat? Meanwhile, the Marlins are heating up—Armando and Mike break down what’s clicking, and which recent move signals the team is eyeing the postseason. Also, Topps is releasing its first boxing trading card set since 1951. How many boxes will Armando be ordering? He also pulls back the curtain on what really happens behind the scenes in the fight game. That and more, right here on Up & In.  

Up & In is back with Episode 113.  Mike is back from his Cooperstown tournament trip, and tells us a bit about his experience.  He will give us the full details on episode 114.   On 113 we talk about the upcoming MLB trade deadline.  Will the Marlins be sellers, or buyers? Has Sandy Alcantara pitched his last game in Miami? The Yankees have made a couple of trades, and some have indicated they could trade Spencer Jones for a starting pitcher.  We tell you what we think of that possibility. Also, we discuss the death of Hulk Hogan and how it was a shot to the gut of those that grew up in the 1980s. That and much more on Up & In!

Up & In is back with Episode 112.  Yankees are struggling, should they finally fire Boone? Anthony Volpe has had a rough time at shortstop.  Will the Yankees be in the market to replace him at the trade deadline? We will tell you who makes sense. Paul Skenes is one of the best young arms in MLB today, and may turn out to be a Hall of Fame worthy pitcher.  He has one of the lowest ERAs, but his team is offering very little run support.  Should he request a trade to a contender?  Also, we talk about someone who makes all the sense in the world to buy the Marlins.  Who is it? That and much more, on episode 112 of Up & In.

In Episode 111, we talk MLB—Jasson Dominguez launches a huge home run, Juan Soto continues to struggle, and the Orioles are hitting a rough patch. We break it all down and talk about what’s ahead. Plus, we dive into the surprising release of Pope Leo XIV’s Topps “rookie card” and the fan response to the Pontiff’s cardboard debut. And we wrap up with a conversation on some of the greatest Cuban players to ever play in the big leagues. All that and more on this episode of Up & In.

Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson are officially reinstated by MLB. Should this be celebrated or frowned upon—and does this mean Pete finally belongs in the Hall of Fame? We break it down. We also revisit the steroid era, when MLB reaped the benefits while the players who used PEDs may never get into Cooperstown. Fair or foul? Plus: The Godfather and the Pope. What’s next for Pat Riley and the Miami Heat? And our thoughts on Pope Leo XIV. That and more on Up & In, episode 110.

Armando and Mike talk about Aaron Judge's historic stretch on Episode 109 of Up & In.  The Yankees superstar is in the midst of another stellar, MVP type season, and the numbers he's put up the last few years have been mind boggling.  Ohtani was back in Miami, and playing as if he were home.  If only the Marlins paid their players...Speaking of the Marlins, we talk about Sandy Alcantara's situation what may be up next for him, and if a change in scenery may be just what is needed to get him back to Cy Young form. We also give our thoughts on the NFL Draft for the Miami Dolphins.  That and much more on Ep. 109 of Up & In.

In this episode of Up & In, Mike and Armando talk about something a lot of parents deal with—kids around 8 to 10 years old deciding they’re done with a sport they’ve been playing and want to try something new. We get into what drives those decisions and how you can be supportive without pushing too hard. Then it’s on to baseball: bad umpiring is back, and we’re wondering how some of these obvious home runs are getting called foul—especially when the replay tells a different story. The Yankees are off to a solid start, but Juan Soto’s been struggling in Queens... did he pick the wrong New York team? And who's really been carrying the Mets? Plus, Armando was not feeling the WrestleMania main event—he breaks down what didn’t work for him. All that and more on Episode 108 of Up & In.

On Episode 107 of Up & In, Mike and Armando talk about the "controversy" with the torpedo bats.  Is it really an issue, or a nothing burger?  We also talk about the placebo effect when using new equipment.   The Marlins are off to a decent start.  Can they show us all something and become buyers instead of sellers this season?  The Mike Trout/Mickey Mantle comparison, life talk regarding memories and stress, healthy lifestyle, and much more on Up & In.  

In this episode, we break down the Marlins' 2024 bobblehead giveaways and which ones fans are most excited about. Plus, MLB’s latest blunder—the logo on top of logo hats—what went wrong, and why the Texas Rangers' version stole the show. The Yankees take a major hit with Gerrit Cole’s injury—how can they fill the void in their rotation? We also dive into the latest buzz from NFL Free Agency and the wild world of college sports breakups and makeups. All that and much more on Episode 106 of Up & In!

Spring Training is back, and so is Up & In! In this episode, we break down all the biggest baseball storylines as the season gets underway. Will the Marlins move on from Sandy Alcántara? What should fans expect from Mike Trout this year? And who should take over as the Yankees' full-time shortstop in the near future? We also dive into early World Series contenders. But that’s not all—John Cena’s shocking heel turn has the wrestling world buzzing, and Armando breaks down the art of scoring knockdown rounds in boxing. All that and much more on Episode 105 of Up & In!

In this episode of Diamond Dreams Miami: Up & In, we’re joined by special guest FIU Head Baseball Coach Rich Witten as we gear up for the 2025 college baseball season, set to begin Friday, February 14. Coach Witten gives us an inside look at the Panthers’ offseason preparations, the players to watch, and his expectations for the team this year. We also talk about FIU teams of the past, including the squads Mike Quintana played on, and how Coach Witten is bringing former players back to speak to the team. Plus, we discuss former FIU Head Coach Danny Price and his lasting impact on the program.

For Episode 103 we hang out with Jonathan Escarza.  We talk about opening day at Diamond Dreams, and bringing the little back to little league.  Also, why our kids can't truly enjoy the Marlins. Is this situation worse than 1998 and 2004? The Super Bowl is set. Who is our favorite to win, and how far are the Dolphins from getting themselves to a position to make the big game.  We dive into boxing and how the stacked cards are making a comeback.  Is Naoya Inoue one of the best fighters of all time? The boxing/UFC comparison, and much more.

Happy 2025 everyone! We are back with Episode 102.  We talk about the Marlins spending $0 in free agency, and what we can expect from the team this season.  Also, should the Yankees trade for Luis Arraez?  If you've been listening to this podcast, you know the answer to that. In the NFL, will the Chiefs repeat?  Will this be the Lions year? We talk NFL Playoffs, and we talk about the Dolphins.  What that can do differently to turn around their fortunes, and who Armando wants them to draft to back-up Tua. Some exciting Diamond Dreams Academy news, and much more, on Up & In.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Happy Holidays from the Up & In family!  On Episode 101 Mike and Armando talk about the unexpected death of Rickey Henderson, one of the greatest of all-time, and a favorite of the both of them.  Also, what are the Marlins doing? Will the A's do better, and have better attendance than the fish? With each passing day, the non-signing of Juan Soto is looking good on the Yankees. The NBA and their viewership problem. And Why Oleksandr Usyk may be one of the best heavyweight boxers of all-time.  This and much more, on Up & In.

Up & In hits the century mark! 100 , and first off we want to thank the loyal listeners who have supported us from day one.  It means so much to us every time some of you reach out to tell us about an episode you just listened to, or with an opinion about a certain topic.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!   On episode 100, we talk about Juan Soto signing with the Mets over the Yankees.  Will this move hurt the Yankees, or will it backfire on the Mets?  Was it too much money?   The Marlins traded Jake Burger.  Who on their team excites the fan base? Let us know. The Miami Dolphins suffered a terrible loss against the Houston Texans, and with that Mike McDaniel and Tua continue their terrible streak against winning teams.  Barring a miraculous turn around, is it time for the Dolphins to blow it up, and start from scratch?  Mike rips into Tua, while Armando defends him a bit...just a bit. Cam Ward didn't win the Heisman, but Armando tells us what he did that should earn him even more respect.  Also, where Ward should go in the draft, and what will happen with Shedeur Sanders. Political talk on Up & In as well.  We're getting to the end of the Biden Administration and the start of the second Trump term.  What we can expect, and what's changed since Election Day. All that, and much more on Episode 100 of Up & In.