Andrew Somuah: First off how did guys get involved with the show?
Chris Distefano: Well, I work for MTV2 a lot especially with Guy Code, Ain’t That America and Guy Court.
Andrew S: Yea, I’m familiar with those shows.
Chris Distefano: Yea so, the network came to me knowing I had an existent knowledge of baseball and I was a comedian so they were looking for a personality to fill one of the host roles and felt that I fit the role the best.
Andrew S.: What about you Sway?
Sway: Well about 2 summers ago, we did a thing with Converse and MTV2 which showed how pop culture, sports and athletics have a natural fusion and commonality. It showed how people who grew up in Hip-Hop and pop culture typically had a sport they were into as well. Fast-forward to the present, when MTV told me this show’s concept and what it was based off it really exciting to me. The reason is cause you never seen a show of it’s kind. I’m excited about a lot of baseball players primarily Oakland Athletics and it just felt like it would be a fun show.
Sway: I actually remember the first time I was on the phone with Chris I thought I already met him in person. Then I realized I was so familiar with his work I actually thought I knew him. Later, he would tell me gingerly “Nah we never met motherf*cker” haha
Chris Distefano: Haha, I mean “Sway I knew who you were of course!”
Sway: Yea, when we saw each other in D.R (Dominican Republic) he would walk past me and I would be like “Who is this bum” haha. But honestly, it really comes from working at MTV for such a long time and the concept of the show. I grew up an athletic kid and a big Oakland A’s fan who followed baseball throughout years. Now, I’m not that much of an expert as he is (Chris Distefano) but I played the sport and I know the teams and players I like. I felt like this is a great way to learn about it, but at the same time make that fusion special man.
Andrew S: Yea I agree, this show is really going to change the game.
Sway: Chris said it best the other day, “Kids will be looking forward to meeting their favorite athletes without the uniform and the hats on.”
Andrew S: That’s what’s going to make this show so great. Fans are going to see their favorite players come in and kind of be themselves.
Sway: And it’s Funny! It’s going to be just natural conversation and things normal people would say. I think MTV2 has always done well when it comes to funny.
Chris Distefano: Absolutely, look at Guy Code!
Sway: Perfect example. For me, it’s great for me too. I don’t get to do too much funny, I’m usually doing radio or if I’m on TV I’m doing news…
Chris Distefano: Sway is funny on the low!
Sway: Nah, I’m funny looking guys, I don’t like to deliver a joke but I like to talk sh*t and make people laugh. But, it’s been fun right?
Chris Distefano: Yea, it’s been so much fun. Personally like Sway said earlier, I love baseball and watched it my whole life. I know a lot of the players so at first I’m in awe of them as we all would be. Then it’s like, we wouldn’t ask any questions about their life but rather ask what their into musically, entertainment wise and what type of food they ate. After 5 minutes, I would forget I’m talking to Adam Jones of the Baltimore Orioles whereas two years ago I would ask for his autograph and giggle like a little kid. When you find out you share a common interest, it’s just so amazing that these are high-profile baseball players.
Andrew S.: That’s so dope.
Chris Distefano: Every single player has shockingly been down to earth to the point you can’t believe that this guy has millions of dollars and is living out his dream playing in front of thousands of people. It’s been really great on a personal level to know the players and as far as the footage we’re getting, I don’t think there has ever been a show like that. Many networks have tried to do pieces outside of the sport, but it’s never been this in-depth or as edgy as we’re going to do it. Really this show will give you a deep look as to what these players are doing when they aren’t playing baseball.
Sway: Yea, like we all been studying the game. For example take Melanie (points to her) she’s studying stats.
Chris Distefano: Or looking at her shirtless boyfriend haha
Chris Distefano: Yo Melanie, you studying batting averages or looking at “bats?”
Melanie: I’m studying batting averages
Chris Distefano: (In a strong Italian accent) “Yo it’s off the bat.”
Sway: Hahaha.
Chris Distefano: That’s how we should present the show.
Sway: That would be a funny ass way to open up.
Chris Distefano: We should do that, and then we can like blur the bat out or something.
Sway: Yea you do that sh*t, you just said “we.”
Chris Distefano: We can both do it, and yours will be down to the floor.
Melanie: Guys, I don’t think it will work.
Chris Distefano: What!? You don’t think they will say my penis is small and cute?
Sway: Yea, that will definitely keep the viewers.
Andrew S: Haha, I can sense the vibe from all you guys on the show. How is it working with the rest of the cast?
Sway: Well I love Melanie she’s sweet. She’s very smart and talented, I actually remember when the Guy Code correspondents came into the MTV building. I always thought it was great and Darin Byrne who is one of the executive producers on that Guy Code Show used to be my office mate.
Andrew S: Wow, so you saw some of the beginning stages?
Sway: Yea, I would always hear a bunch of ideas for the show. I remember when it first came to be, he was telling me about all these personalities and when I saw how natural they were on camera I knew this is where MTV needs to be. Chris is somebody I would hang out with regardless. He’s a great comic and this is just a start for him. Seeing these young talents is inspiring for me and I’m an OG. I don’t care how old you are, you’re always learning. As for Fat Joe, he is really going to surprise some people. He has a very multilayer personality and he tells the greatest stories. Honestly, you’re getting a batch of different people that are trying to create something new.
Andrew S: I can definitely tell. I think with the vibrant cast you guys have, it will translate well to the screen.
Sway: Yea, I can say that in my career I have always tried to be groundbreaking and make history. With MTV, I have been able to do that multiple times and I just think this is just a continuation of it. I can just sit back and chill, Chris what do you think of it?
Chris Distefano: I agree with everything that Sway said. Me and Melanie been friends for a couple of years due to the show and I have watched Sway for about 15 years.
Sway: 14!
Chris Distefano: Yea 14 years, and with Fat Joe I have been listening to him for 15 years so it’s great to see how the four of us gelled so quickly. It feels like you knew them your whole life, same with Fat Joe. Like Sway is the glue, he just doesn’t want to admit it. He is the one that is going to steer the ship and the one we look to for advice. I think we all know our roles, and whether or not he wants to admit it he’s the captain. Sway is the Derek Jeter of the squad.
Sway: I’m Derek Jeter?
Chris Distefano: Even though I have the number two tatted on my lower back haha
Andrew S: So Chris mentioned to me earlier that he grew up playing baseball, did you?
Sway: I didn’t play baseball in highschool, because I ended up running track. But, we played baseball as much as basketball, football or any other sport. I grew up in a very athletic environment growing up in Oakland, and you couldn’t be wack in sports. It was like a social status thing. Growing up, to us the Oakland A’s were like how the Yankees were to New Yorkers. You had to know your history from the: Vida Blue’s, Canseco’s, Maguire’s, Coco Crisp’s to even Sonny Gray. Growing up, baseball has always been important to me. Only thing that was more important was Hip Hop culture.
Andrew S: That’s Dope. My next question for you is how much baseball did you have to consume prior to this show?
Sway: I was already knowledgeable of baseball but not like Chris, he knows his sh*t. He is way more in-depth than the rest of us. I know what your average baseball fan would know like difference between the National and American Leagues, some divisions or teams that are hot. So for me it wasn’t so much learning the game, but more so learning them as regular people.
Andrew S: That seems like it’s going to be the formula for the show. This show seems like it will be a relaxed environment for players to just come in and be themselves.
Sway: Exactly! I’m going into this as a fan, not an expert. You will not hear me talk like the guys on ESPN. For example, Bryce Harper may come out to Dark Horse by Katy Perry and I will ask what’s the tie to the song and why is he coming out to that song haha.
Andrew S: So I asked Fat Joe earlier who out of the whole cast was the best on the diamond and he gave me his answer. Now it’s your turn, who is the best on the diamond out of all you guys?
Sway: I bet he said he was right?
Andrew S: He actually didn’t say.
Sway: Depends on what you’re asking.
Andrew S: Hitting.
Sway: If it’s hitting, it’s not Chris. Then I saw Melanie doing a piece and she couldn’t hit a tee-ball. So if it’s hitting, it’s between me and Joe. At pitching I would say Joe because he used to play for a softball team and at fielding I would give it to me. Also at running bases, I would also give that to me because I run the fastest. At talking sh*t to another batter, I would give it to Melanie.
Andrew S: She be talking that sh*t?
Sway: Man, she don’t stop talking that sh*t hahaha.
Andrew S: So can you give a little insight to who is going to be on the show?
Sway: Well one of our guest is Bryce Harper. He plays for the Nationals and I think our audience really wants to get to know him. Adam Jones is going make an appearance down the line also on the show. I actually met him in D.R when “Big Papi” had his charitable golf tournament who by the way is the executive producer of the show.
Andrew S: That’s pretty amazing he is stepping into the executive chair.
Sway: He’s so down to earth bro, it’s like how me and you are talking. Papi would sit down and talk to you about rappers and who’s his favorite. We talked about Drake, Kendrick and Jay-Z.
Andrew S: That right there is a glimpse as to how great this upcoming show will become.
Sway: We all our fans, none of this is choreographed or scripted. MLB has been really great in getting us these players and the players have been great in participating.
Andrew S: Ok, so we get to that last question. We’re going to play a little game of “Word Association.” I’m going to round off 8 topics and without thinking you have to give me the first answer that pops into your head. You ready?
Sway: Ready.
Andrew S: New York Yankees
Sway: So what.
Andrew S: Miguel Cabrera’s new deal
Sway: I’m pissed because I went into the wrong field. I should have been a baseball player.
Andrew S: Derek Jeter
Sway: The A’s is going to sincerely miss him.
Andrew S: The enforcement of the new drug penalty laws
Sway: Absolutely, I think every sport should be clean.
Andrew S: Boston Redsox
Sway: Big Papi
Andrew S: Mashiro Tanaka
Sway: Exciting. There are some amazing players around the world and Japan has an incredible baseball consciousness.
Andrew S: New team to watch out for this season
Sway: Detroit and Cincinnati. I think Cincinnati is looking real promising this year.
Andrew S: Lastly, who is your favorite MLB player of all time?
Sway: Rickey Henderson. He stole a lot of bases back when he had the “They called me little Rickey cause I looked like him” hairstyle. Rickey was solid for many years bro, he was a very durable player. I could have also said Barry Bonds, it’s unfortunate the way his career kind of tapered off. But, Rickey Henderson was a great player and a great model for kids in little league.
Andrew S: Well, this pretty much sums up the interview. Thank you and good luck on the show.
Sway: Good job and it was my pleasure.
