Jun 10, 2025
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Growing The Couch GM and the 2025 Mariners Season: Insights from the Refuse to Lose Podcast
In the latest episode of the Refuse to Lose podcast, Brady Farkas sits down with Connor Webb, better known as The Couch GM, to discuss the journey of growing a sports media brand and share his thoughts on the promising 2025 Mariners season. Connor, a rising content creator in the Pacific Northwest, has carved out a unique niche by blending his passion for baseball with creative video storytelling. This conversation offers an inside look at how a dedicated fan turned creator is making waves in the sports media landscape, while also diving deep into what makes the current Mariners team so exciting.
The Journey of The Couch GM: From Fan to Influential Content Creator
Connor Webb’s path to becoming The Couch GM was not a traditional media route. Rather than coming through formal media training, Connor’s success stems from his genuine passion for baseball and his creativity in content production. He explains how he entered the world of sports content creation after graduating college in 2016 and diving deep into fantasy baseball leagues. This intense engagement with the sport sparked a desire to share insights and player analyses with others, which eventually led to his first YouTube video in December 2021.
His debut video focused on the trade involving Adam Frazier and the Mariners' farm system, highlighting his knack for analyzing baseball moves and player potential. From there, Connor began producing videos that combined detailed player profiles with compelling storytelling, often packaging them like short films with carefully selected music and highlights to keep viewers engaged.
"Whenever I'm thinking of content to create, it's all about what do I find interesting? What would I like to watch myself?"
One of the unique aspects of Connor’s work is his ability to blend his love for baseball with his creative vision. Without the constraints of traditional media frameworks, he approaches video creation with a fresh perspective, focusing on what captivates him and could resonate with fans. His attention to detail and passion for the sport shine through in every piece of content.
Challenges and Rewards of Building from the Ground Up
Building a successful YouTube channel and brand as a solo creator is no small feat. Connor candidly shares how the process required countless late nights and weekend hours, balancing content creation with his full-time mortgage lending career and family life. Despite the challenges, the gratification of producing quality content and receiving positive feedback keeps him motivated.
A particularly motivating moment came when Mariners pitcher Andrés Muñoz started following and engaging with his content on social media. This interaction was a powerful validation of the impact his videos could have, even reaching players themselves.
"You never know what the impact of your videos might be and who might be seeing it. That’s just an extremely motivating thing."
Connor also credits his wife for her understanding and support throughout this demanding journey, especially given the many hours spent editing and refining videos. Today, The Couch GM boasts nearly 12,000 subscribers and continues to grow as Connor expands his content beyond just the Mariners to include broader baseball topics and other sports.
Expanding the Brand: Beyond Mariners Content
Initially, Connor focused exclusively on Mariners content, aiming to become the definitive source for Mariners fans on YouTube. However, as his channel grew, he began branching out to cover players from other teams and leagues, creating evergreen player profiles that could attract fans nationwide.
He highlights how creating content that remains relevant over time—evergreen content—is a key strategy for sustained growth. This approach contrasts with trending content, which is timely but quickly loses relevance. By telling the stories of players like Paul Skenes and Dylan Cruz, Connor taps into broader baseball audiences and builds a diverse content portfolio.
In addition to baseball, Connor has ventured into football content, co-hosting a Washington State University (WSU) podcast with his college friend Dylan. This podcast gained significant traction, accumulating around 80,000 views in a season and earning shout-outs on regional broadcasts. This diversification reflects Connor’s broader goal of filling content gaps wherever he sees opportunities.
The Origin of "The Couch GM" Name
The name "The Couch GM" embodies Connor’s passion for fantasy sports and his dream of one day becoming a Major League Baseball general manager. The brand started simply with text and AI-generated caricatures before evolving into a polished identity with the help of a graphic designer.
He explains,
"It's all really fantasy sports for the most part. What would I add to this team? Who should the front office pursue? We all have an opinion."
This name perfectly captures the essence of Connor’s content: a fan’s perspective with the analytical mindset of a general manager, shared through engaging and creative videos.
Creativity at the Core: How The Couch GM Crafts Content
One of the standout qualities of Connor Webb is his natural creativity. He describes being a "creative kid" who always enjoyed drawing and conceptualizing ideas from a young age. This creativity translates into how he structures his videos, often planning the narrative flow and syncing highlights to music beats to maximize viewer engagement.
He emphasizes the importance of understanding YouTube metrics like retention rate, click-through rate, and average view duration. By designing his videos to hook viewers within the first minute or two, Connor ensures his content performs well on the platform.
His creative process typically starts with finding the right music, then building the video around the rhythm and emotional beats of the song. This approach elevates his player profiles beyond simple highlight reels to immersive storytelling experiences.
The 2025 Mariners: What’s Driving Their Success?
Turning to the Mariners themselves, Connor shares his excitement about the current team, especially considering their position in the standings and the challenges they've overcome. Despite injuries to key pitchers like Logan Gilbert and Bryce Miller, the Mariners sit two and a half games above the Astros and four games ahead of the Angels, signaling a strong season ahead.
According to Connor, the biggest surprise has been the team's offense. Players like Jorge Polanco and Cal Raleigh have been hitting at MVP-caliber levels, bringing unexpected power and consistency to the lineup.
"Who saw this coming? Absolutely no one. Jorge Polanco was the hottest hitter in baseball outside of Aaron Judge the first month."
The Mariners' offensive success is underpinned by a disciplined approach at the plate. They rank second in the league in walks and walk rate, trailing only the Yankees. This patient, power-focused style contrasts with previous years and has proven highly effective.
On the pitching side, Bryan Woo has emerged as a reliable ace, starting the season with an impressive streak of ten straight starts pitching six innings or more. His durability and performance have been crucial, especially given the rotation’s injury setbacks.
Connor also highlights Andrés Muñoz not just for his electric pitching but for his character off the field, describing him as one of the nicest guys in the clubhouse.
The Mariners’ Defensive Legacy
During the conversation, Connor fondly recalls one of his favorite lesser-known Mariners legends: Franklin "Guti" Gutierrez. Known for his defensive prowess in center field and clutch moments at the plate, Guti represents the kind of player who left a lasting impression on fans despite career interruptions due to health issues.
Connor notes the Mariners have been fortunate to have outstanding center fielders over the years, from Ken Griffey Jr. and Mike Cameron to Guti and Ichiro Suzuki, creating a rich defensive tradition.
Balancing Life, Creativity, and Future Goals
Outside of baseball content, Connor leads a busy life balancing his mortgage lending career, family, and content creation. With him & his wife expecting a son in September, he anticipates some changes but remains committed to growing his brand.
Looking ahead, Connor aims to become the go-to mortgage lender for sports fans and athletes in the Pacific Northwest, leveraging his growing audience for business opportunities. However, he is open to wherever the journey takes him, including possibilities like starting a sports agency or expanding his media presence.
Connor’s story is a testament to the power of passion, creativity, and perseverance. Starting from a simple love of baseball and fantasy sports, he has built a respected media brand that not only informs but inspires fans across the country.
A Fun Side Note: The Veter Cup Media Game Challenge
In a lighthearted moment, Connor and Brady discuss the idea of organizing a media baseball game between Mariners and Padres media members at spring training, inspired by similar events hosted by ESPN’s Buster Olney years ago. Connor enthusiastically agrees to participate, showing his competitive spirit and love for the game extend beyond the screen.
Conclusion
The Couch GM’s rise as a sports content creator offers valuable lessons in authenticity, creativity, and strategic growth. His deep knowledge of baseball, combined with a unique storytelling approach, has helped him stand out in a crowded digital space. Meanwhile, his insights into the 2025 Mariners season reveal a team full of promise, resilience, and exciting talent.
For fans looking to engage with original baseball content or learn more about the Mariners’ journey, The Couch GM’s channel is a must-watch. As Connor continues to innovate and expand his brand, the future looks bright both for him and the team he passionately supports.
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