Texas Rangers manager Skip Schumaker joins Mike Rhyner and Woodsey (Ben & Woods Show, San Diego) for a lively, honest, and at times hilarious look into baseball, leadership, and life in the big leagues.
Skip talks about his path from player to manager, lessons learned under Tony La Russa, and what it takes to build a real clubhouse culture. The guys dig into the Rangers’ rollercoaster season, the difference between coaching and managing, and what Skip’s bringing to Arlington.
It’s part baseball masterclass, part barroom storytelling—classic Your Dark Companion energy.
⏱️ Chapters
00:00:00 – Intro: Mike Rhyner welcomes Skip Schumaker & Woodsey
00:01:33 – How Skip fell into coaching and learned the game from the other side
00:02:50 – Lessons from Tony La Russa & how bench roles shaped his mindset
00:04:19 – The DH debate: Has baseball changed for better or worse?
00:05:30 – Who influenced Skip’s baseball brain the most
00:07:17 – Skip’s radio connection with Woodsey and Ben & Woods Show
00:11:39 – How Skip’s long ties led him to the Texas Rangers
00:15:27 – Working alongside Bruce Bochy as a senior advisor
00:19:10 – Why Texas was Skip’s #1 choice & family ties to TCU
00:21:26 – Building a clubhouse culture from Day One
00:23:53 – Why culture wins games & why staff chemistry matters
00:25:44 – The kind of people Skip wants in the organization
00:26:30 – The Rangers’ frustrating 2024 season – what went wrong?
00:30:22 – Skip’s pitching philosophy: command beats velocity
00:32:24 – October baseball – pressure, preparation, and playoff mentality
00:35:06 – Pitching evolution: velocity vs. control in modern MLB
00:38:18 – The Rangers bullpen & the power of command
00:39:33 – Building chemistry through communication
00:41:50 – Hotel-bar lessons with Tony La Russa 🍷
00:42:50 – Padres talk: culture, chemistry, and what went wrong in San Diego
00:46:19 – Would Skip ever have imagined managing the Rangers?
00:48:42 – Closing thoughts, friendships, and managing with gratitude
Watch the full conversation now and don’t forget to like 👍, subscribe 🔔, and share with your fellow baseball fans.
📺 Your Dark Companion
🎙️ Hosted by Mike Rhyner
💬 Guest: Skip Schumaker – Manager, Texas Rangers
🎧 Featuring Woodsey (Ben & Woods Show, San Diego)
Follow Your Dark Companion on Patreon for every episode:
patreon.com/YourDarkCompanion
IG: https://www.instagram.com/yourdarkcompanion/
X: https://x.com/YDC_Dfw
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourdarkcompanion
FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559876685445
The Old Grey Wolf:
X: https://x.com/TheOldGreyWolf
IG: https://www.instagram.com/theoldgreywolf16/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikerhyner579
To reach out email us at: Info@Stolenwatermedia.com
