Mike Safo with Daniel McCutchen, Former MLB Pitcher

Mike Safo with Daniel McCutchen, Former MLB Pitcher

From Mike Safo by msafoschnik

April 20, 2026 · 58 min · Season 1 · Episode 350

About this episode

Mike Safo interviews former MLB pitcher Daniel McCutchen about his baseball career and transition to business.

Joined today by former Major League Baseball pitcher, Daniel McCutchen. Daniel and I talk about his journey from growing up in Oklahoma to making it to the majors and then becoming a father of four and now running his own car wash business. He talks about going largely un-recruited out of high school and somehow turning that into a pro career where he got drafted four times, twice by the Yankees. We talk about his first call-up experience and the surreal moment of walking into a clubhouse with legends like Yogi Berra, Jason Giambi, and Mariano Rivera. Daniel also opens up on being traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates, finally making it to “The Show,” and his unforgettable welcome-to-the-big-leagues moment just two pitches into his career. He chats about the mental challenges of baseball, dealing with the highs of being called up and the lows of being sent back down. We also discuss life after baseball, including how he transitioned into business and became involved in a multimillion-dollar car wash venture, Major League Car Wash, which now has four locations and is preparing to open a fifth. Daniel shares how he once handed out business cards before even having a business, the…

People in this episode

Host: Mike Safo

Guest: Daniel McCutchen

Topics covered

  • Major League Baseball
  • career journey
  • fatherhood
  • business
  • mental challenges
  • trades
  • baseball history

Keywords

  • Oklahoma
  • Yankees
  • Pittsburgh Pirates
  • Major League Car Wash
  • AJ Burnett

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Major League Car Wash

Books & works: The Show

Places: Oklahoma

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