Back Where It Started
Royals reliever Matt Strahm on returning to Kansas City, evolving as a pitcher, and embracing the grind
On the latest episode of the show, Royals reliever Matt Strahm joins the conversation after returning to Kansas City, the organization where his professional career began. Strahm reflects on the emotions of coming back to a familiar place, the comfort of rejoining an organization that helped shape him, and the excitement of starting a new chapter with a team he knows well.
The discussion dives into Strahm’s relationship with Salvador Perez, a decade in the making, and why throwing to Salvy remains one of his favorite parts of the game. As a veteran pitcher nearly ten years into his big-league career, Strahm opens up about how his approach has evolved—balancing tinkering, refining his arsenal, and focusing on one simple goal: getting outs, however that happens.
Strahm also shares insight into modern pitching, from experimenting with arm slots to embracing PitchCom and trusting his catchers in high-leverage moments. Off the field, he talks about his passion for baseball cards, the stories behind some of his biggest pulls, and how family life has shifted his priorities in recent years.
The episode wraps with a fun rapid-fire segment that shows Strahm’s personality away from the mound. Thoughtful, honest, and entertaining, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at a veteran pitcher returning home with perspective and purpose.