Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford
Episode: The Biggest Gamble of Austin Riley's Career
Date: December 24, 2025
Host: Matt Hannaford
Guest: Austin Riley (Atlanta Braves 3B), Mike (father), Elisa (mother)
Episode Overview
This episode offers a candid, behind-the-scenes look at the journey of Austin Riley—from his small-town Mississippi upbringing to his rise as a Major League Baseball All-Star and, ultimately, signing a life-changing contract. Joined by his parents, Mike and Elisa, and hosted by their longtime agent Matt Hannaford, the conversation covers athlete development, parenting philosophies in sports, navigating failure, and the high-stakes business of MLB contracts. The narrative mixes nostalgia, hard-earned wisdom, and real talk about the pressures, pitfalls, and triumphs that come with chasing (and achieving) baseball’s highest levels.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Setting the Scene: Austin’s "Man Cave" [00:12–01:10]
- Matt visits Austin in his home shop—a man cave gym, complete with deer and turkey mounts.
- Family is at the heart: two young sons running around ("We all look forward to them hitting these weights at some point." [01:09])
Tone: Laid-back, personal, family-first vibes.
2. Parental Impact and Early Baseball Development [01:11–04:20]
- Dad’s Role: Mike taught him fundamentals—"through the middle of the field" hitting.
- Quote: “Tony La Russa was there... I was hitting the ball the other way and he’s like, ‘Who taught you that?’ I was like, ‘My dad.’” – Austin [01:53]
- Mom’s Role: Elisa is equally invested and sharp about the business, not just the nurturing role.
- Quote: “She definitely was the one... she’s always asking questions.” – Austin [03:35]
- Both parents balanced guidance and support, each bringing unique strengths.
3. When Did Austin Realize He Was ‘Different’? [04:23–06:51]
- Varsity as a freshman, but didn’t think about pro ball until much later.
- "Senior year, in your mind, you’re going to college. That’s just—I don’t think I’m going to sign." – Matt [05:44]
- Growing up in Mississippi, exposure to pro scouting was limited—a “sheltered” experience compared to bigger baseball hotspots.
4. Football vs. Baseball: The Multi-Sport Debate [06:51–09:44]
- Austin played football (kicker, then quarterback) due to his dad’s NFL background, but eventually prioritized baseball, loving its “nitty gritty” details.
- Quote: “The name of the game is the attention to the little details... That’s what I like so much about the game.” – Austin [08:20]
5. High School Knowledge vs. The Big Leagues [09:44–14:19]
- Austin estimates the average high-level baseball dad may know “50%” of what really goes into success at the MLB level.
- Difference maker is not just talent, but the mental side, advanced game planning, and ability to process highly technical information at the plate.
Memorable At-Bat Example
- Austin recounts his 2021 NLCS walk-off vs. Blake Treinen, describing the deep mental process and game plan.
- Quote: "In order for me to have any production in this at bat... I’m going to try to hit this fastball a bloop single over the first base head. That’ll keep me inside the ball..." [13:00–14:06]
6. Riley Family Roundtable: Parental Perspective [15:01–18:10]
- Mike & Elisa join to give their view on when they sensed Austin was special.
- Mike: Work ethic over time, not just physical tools (“He consistently wanted to go do more and more…” [16:41])
- Elisa: Noticed rare physical coordination very young—bike at 2, roller-skate early—plus “the it factor.”
7. Parenting Philosophy: Pushing Without Breaking [19:11–21:44]
- Austin credits parents for never pressuring him to “fill someone else’s shoes,” knowing when to push and when to ease off.
- Elisa: “I was the break. Let’s dial it back.” Mike: “Combo; we chose when to press.”
- They pushed after good games, relaxed after bad games.
8. Consistency in Development & Team Environment [22:10–28:35]
- Mike’s own D1/Pro sports background gave him perspective: learn from many, but keep message consistent.
- Austin benefited from having ONE main voice (dad) instead of conflicting lessons from multiple sources (“I only heard his voice the first 15 years…” [26:11])
- Family avoided constant travel ball team changes. Stuck with a core group for years.
9. Letting the Kid Lead [31:27–34:55]
- No fixed “goals,” just routines based on Austin’s drive.
- Emphasis on joy and presence, not overbearing control: Austin always wanted to be outside, to hit or play.
10. The Danger of Living Through Your Kid [34:55–36:53]
- Matt & the Rileys discuss the danger of parents pushing too much, leading to burnout or resentment, even at the MLB level.
- “I’ve seen players in pro ball... they’re out of ball because they don’t love it.” – Austin [35:21]
11. Evolution in Modern Youth Baseball [41:03–41:52]
- Mike notes today’s kids are inside on video games; less self-directed outdoor play shapes development differently.
12. The Draft Process: Expectation vs. Reality [41:53–44:07]
- Austin’s mom was afraid to believe the dream would happen.
- Mike: Notices the realness as GMs/scouts show up ("That's got to do something." [44:27])
- Austin’s imposing physical frame also stood out in the draft process.
13. Professional Beginnings: Handling Failure [45:11–49:33]
- Austin started pro ball 0-for-23 with 18 strikeouts; questioned everything.
- Candid story: Braves’ brass briefly wondered if he should pitch instead.
- Family flew in to support, coaches stayed patient; first hit was a huge relief.
- Quote: “I still remember feeling like the first knock and it finally hitting like a weight off your shoulders.” – Austin [47:35]
- Austin: “Those two things [failure in A-ball and MLB debut]... I wouldn’t change it for the world. It helped me grow as a player.” [49:33]
- Emphasized the necessity of failure as part of growth—at every level.
14. Minor Leagues and Understanding the Business [51:06–53:58]
- Navigating promotions/frustrations; family’s mixed emotions during call-ups.
- Austin credits family communication and sticking to routines for smooth transitions each off-season.
15. The Call-Up & Early MLB Success [54:17–56:09]
- After crushing AAA, gets MLB call, homers in debut, then “hits the wall” after initial hot streak.
- Key lesson: “The good ones... their routine stays the same. That’s what I needed to learn.” – Austin [55:15]
16. The Gamble: Turning Down $100 Million [59:40–67:06]
- Braves offer $100M extension—family’s instant reaction: “Gotta take it” [60:18]
- Matt explains to the Rileys—through years of built trust—why it’s not the right number.
- After ongoing talks, they turn down $212M (highest contract in Braves history at the time), weighing risk versus organizational fit.
- Quote: “Would you bet $212 million that all those other things are going to happen and that one team is going to be the team that comes and gives you that money?” – Matt [66:53]
- “I'm taking the deal.” – Austin [67:05]
- Austin signs for $212M; grateful, reverent, stays in Atlanta by choice.
17. Family Reflections on the Dream Realized [67:17–69:55]
- Elisa: “You’re lying... you’re lying.” – on hearing the final deal [67:17]
- Whole family in awe—“It's crazy. It's truly just the Lord's blessed us.” – Austin [68:05]
- Austin’s using the blessings (“I just closed yesterday on... Huntland”) to fulfill lifelong wishes.
18. Navigating Injuries & Staying Motivated [69:05–70:12]
- Family discusses the frustrations of injuries—hardest on Austin himself.
- Even after setbacks, Austin’s focus is on hard work and using each challenge to get better: “...the last two years have been the best shape I’ve been in my life... and it’s like I've been hurt...” [69:35]
19. Favorite Memories [70:32–72:31]
- Austin: Hotel room after the World Series win, whole family packed in, celebrating together.
- Elisa: High school heroics—his home run in Tupelo, “He couldn’t be hit.”
- Mike: Austin’s first MLB home run—“That’s the highest stage... there are so many great moments, but that’s the ultimate.” [71:50]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On letting the child lead:
"I didn't ever feel like goals or expectations. But...the routines... we were just always outside... it was our nature... doing something all the time." – Austin [31:27–32:09] -
On parental pressure:
"I think they did a really good job as far as just like... the pressure of pushing me that you see... kind of ruin it... for the kid." – Austin [19:25] -
On learning to fail:
“Those two things [early big league and minor league struggles], I wouldn’t change it for the world. I think it helped me grow as a player.” – Austin [49:33] -
On the big contract decision:
“There was never any pressure... You’ve educated me to the right decision. When it came to that point, we were in each other’s corner... I’m leaning on you.” – Austin (to Matt Hannaford) [61:38–62:44] -
On choosing Atlanta:
“I’d rather be with Atlanta. Would you bet $212 million that all those other things are going to happen...?” – Matt [66:53],
"I'm taking the deal." – Austin [67:05]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 01:09 — Austin’s boys at the shop/junior gym
- 03:35 — Mom as the business mind
- 05:44 — “In your mind, you’re going to college.”
- 08:20 — Football vs. baseball, loving the details
- 13:00–14:06 — NLCS walk-off, approach breakdown
- 16:41 — Mike on Austin’s internal drive
- 19:25 — Austin: pressure, routine, and balance
- 24:58–26:11 — Playing for one consistent voice
- 31:27–32:09 — Letting the child set the pace
- 35:21 — Players who quit because “they don’t love it”
- 47:35 — The relief of the “first knock” in pro ball
- 55:15 — “Routine stays the same…” lesson from MLB vets
- 60:18 — Mike: “Gotta take it” (the $100M offer)
- 62:44 — Matt’s method: “Educate, don’t pressure”
- 67:17 — Elisa: “You're lying... you’re lying.” (on the final deal)
- 68:05 — Austin: “It’s truly just the Lord’s blessed us.”
- 70:38 — World Series hotel celebration memory
Final Thoughts
This episode pulls back the curtain on what it takes to forge and sustain big-league success—athleticism, yes, but also family cohesion, humility, the willingness to accept and grow from failure, and (at the biggest moments) the courage to bet on yourself. Matt’s interview style is open, familiar, and honest—the chemistry with the Rileys is palpable. For players, parents, or fans, it’s a must-listen for its wisdom, relatability, and inspiration.