Mike Vasil: This is the beginning of Dark Knight Rises

The White Sox Podcast w/ Chuck Garfien

Chicago Sports Network

Sports, Sports:baseball, Baseball

4.7 • 620 Ratings

🗓️ 9 April 2026

⏱️ 19 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Chuck Garfien sits down with White Sox pitcher Mike Vasil for an honest and lighthearted conversation as he navigates the early stages of recovering from Tommy John surgery. Vasil shares his initial reaction to the diagnosis, how he’s processing the setback mentally, and why it meant so much to hear his teammates want him around the team all season. He also gives a behind-the-scenes look at what his role will look like on game days, from hanging in the dugout to helping out in the bullpen (and even keeping the bullpen stocked with snacks). Vasil breaks down what Tommy John surgery actually entails, including some of the more eye-opening and hard-to-unsee details, while also reflecting on the growing trend of younger players undergoing the procedure. He discusses whether he is allowing himself to think ahead to his comeback and creatively compares his journey to a pivotal chapter in The Dark Knight Rises. Plus, Vasil talks about exploring new hobbies during recovery, including the possibility of stepping into the podcasting world himself and even joining “Dr. Chuck” once a month on the White Sox podcast.

Transcript

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0:00.0	The White Sox podcast with Chuck Garfine is brought to you by Wind Creek, Chicago, Southland.
0:05.0	Are you ready for your winning moment?
0:06.9	Find it at Wind Creek, Chicago, Southland, where the action never stops.
0:18.5	Hey, everybody, it's Chuck Garfinn.
0:20.3	Welcome.
0:44.5	It's the White Sox podcast brought you by Wind Creek, Chicago, Southland. And on the podcast today, you are all in for a treat as I sit down with Mike Vassel. Mike, unfortunately, is out for the whole season. He had Tommy John surgery, but we get into a whole lot of stuff, a whole lot of inside stuff that's going on with him.
0:48.3	What it was like getting Tommy John surgery, the recovery process.
0:55.0	Also, what he is bringing to the table behind the scenes with this White Sox team. He is one of the most colorful personalities
0:58.8	in all of baseball and it comes shining through
1:02.4	on this podcast.
1:03.3	In fact, he's got a little bit of time on his hands.
1:06.5	So he has agreed to come on this podcast
1:10.4	every month during the baseball season for a check-in,
1:15.0	a check-in with Chuck actually.
1:18.1	And he actually said to me that this was kind of a therapeutic conversation.
1:25.1	So it is me and Mike Vassel, this is some good, good stuff coming
1:30.4	your way here on the podcast. Let's go.
1:36.2	I bought it deep way back. There's a blast. Steve to left.
1:42.6	Holy cow!
1:47.3	Carlton Chris has put the White Sox ahead.
1:51.2	Montgomery, deep to right field, back it goes.
1:54.4	His first big league home run.
	...

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