Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Padres trading for Adam Frazier and other pre-deadline activity, Joey Votto’s offensive resurgence, Shohei Ohtani’s dirty uniform, and more, then react in real time to the Mariners surprisingly trading Kendall Graveman to the Astros for Abraham Toro. They also answer listener emails about adding a pitcher/DH position, bringing back unlimited two-strike foul bunts to combat the shift, trading catchers at the deadline, the possibility of pitchers, not catchers, calling pitches, and enjoying baseball via stats alone. After that, they do a “Meet a Major Leaguer” on two rookies recently traded to the Pirates, Hoy Park and Tucupita Marcano, and share a Stat Blast on Merrill Kelly and the longest team streaks in which the only wins were in starts by one pitcher (plus postscripts on trades, “pulling the goalie,” cycles, and more).
Audio intro: The Pretty Things, "Joey" Audio outro: Lana Del Rey, "Mariners Apartment Complex"
Link to Dan Szymborski on the Frazier trade Link to latest Ohtani two-way outing Link to story on the “phantom DH” Link to story on electronic pitch-calling Link to The Hidden Language of Baseball Link to story on Maddux pitch-calling Link to Gallo shift before two strikes Link to Gallo shift with two strikes Link to story on the two-strike-bunt rule Link to Travis Sawchik on foul balls Link to story on Marcano Link to Stat Blast data Link to Ryan Divish on the Mariners’ reaction Link to story on Piniella’s “cycle” Link to tweet about Kepler Link to Facebook thread on cycles and no-nos Link to Mary Shane podcast
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the new name and look of Cleveland’s MLB team, the Guardians, then react to the Rays trading for Nelson Cruz and dealing away Rich Hill, analyze a new electronic system for sending signs from catchers to pitchers that’s about to be tested in A ball, and salute Juan Soto’s post-Home Run Derby hot streak. Then (38:42) they bring on FanGraphs writers Ben Clemens and Kevin Goldstein to talk about their just-completed ranking of the 50 players with the most trade value, touching on how the series’ sausage was made, the most divisive players, the toughest omissions, valuing pitchers vs. hitters, evaluating Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani, Max Kepler, Ramón Laureano, and other players, synthesizing stats and scouting info (and production and pay), what they expect at this year’s trade deadline, and how teams’ behavior at the deadline has changed (plus a postscript on historic pitching matchups and more alternate cycles).
Audio intro: Lou Reed, "Guardian Angel" Audio interstitial: The Bats, "Trade in Silence" Audio outro: Sloan, "I Can Feel It"
Link to Guardians announcement video Link to Guardians logo and lettering Link to Guardians uniforms Link to story on Tom Hanks and Cleveland Link to article about the Guardians name selection Link to Dan Szymborski on the Cruz trade Link to BP IL Ledger Link to report on electronic signs system Link to story on Soto and the Derby Link to story about the Derby “curse” Link to Trade Value series
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the return of the debate about batting around and other unending debates they do or don’t care about, whether MLB should borrow the NFL’s plan to make clubs forfeit games that can’t be played because of unvaccinated players, Willians Astudillo being back in the big leagues, and listeners’ suggestions for alternate cycles, then answer listener emails about Zack Greinke and the Expos, turning the zombie runner into a ghost runner, beliefs about baseball that they have changed their minds about or will change their minds about, a baseball equivalent of pulling the goalie, and how long it would take aging former stars’ career WARs to hit zero, plus a Stat Blast about the Mariners and teams with the longest droughts since their last sweep of a homestand or road trip.
Audio intro: Lou Reed, "Endless Cycle" Audio outro: Death Cab for Cutie, "Debate Exposes Doubt"
Link to WSJ batting around article Link to Deadspin batting around article Link to 2019 batting around video Link to 2021 batting around video Link to “triple short of cycle” games Link to “Miggy cycle” games Link to story about NFL forfeits Link to post about pulling the goalie Link to post about civilian WAR Link to post about potato WAR Link to Stat Blast data
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the length of the baseball season (and postseason) compared to other sports’, whether Shohei Ohtani ever grows frustrated with his mere-mortal teammates, the prolific predictions of the Rockies’ Mike Redmond, a possible modification to the zombie-runner rule, an update on the Marlins’ run differential, a story about a broadcaster bet gone wrong, a listener report on Tony La Russa, Willie Stargell’s stars, an Ohtani playing-time fun fact, the AL MVP race, the Blue Jays returning to Toronto (and a hat tip to John McDonald), a few potential variations on the cycle, and when MLB will welcome its first active, openly gay player, then close with a discussion of MLB’s first month sans sticky stuff, focusing on the offensive effects and whether cheating is overrated.
Audio intro: Vetiver, "Been So Long" Audio outro: The Posies, "Flavor of the Month"
Link to study on postseason randomness Link to Neil Paine on MLB vs. the NBA Link to Ohtani’s postgame comments Link to The Onion on Ohtani Link to Ohtani Week intro Link to Redmond predictions story Link to Nightengale on the zombie-runner rule Link to The Athletic on the zombie-runner rule Link to Jim Rooker story Link to Jake Mintz’s ride Link to Buster Olney on Stargell’s stars Link to Engadget on Stargell’s stars Link to cycle tweet Link to story on Ron Wright Link to story on the “Saint Cycle” Link to Ben on sticky-stuff effects
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the conditions David Fletcher has faced during his hitting streak compared to those Joe DiMaggio faced, follow up on a discussion of baseball in a multiverse scenario, discuss the difficulty of extending (or trading) Byron Buxton, mention a quest to collect Willians Astudillo cards, puzzle over the stagnation of former top prospect Nomar Mazara, and marvel at Padres rookie reliever Daniel Camarena’s improbable grand slam. Then (32:53) they talk to Jake Mintz of Cespedes Family BBQ about his All-Star week experience, his upcoming baseball bike ride from New York City to Chicago, the teams he’ll see along the way, his fateful bet about the White Sox not hiring Tony La Russa, how La Russa has handled the job in Chicago, the challenge of gauging how effective any manager is, Jake’s friendship with Jordan Shusterman, and more.
Audio intro: Billy Bragg & Wilco, "Joe DiMaggio Done it Again" Audio interstitial: 2nd Grade, "My Bike" Audio outro: The Dukes of Stratosphear, "Bike Ride to the Moon"
Link to Stats about DiMaggio’s streak Link to story about official scorers and DiMaggio Link to list of pitchers Fletcher faced Link to Larry Niven story Link to Buxton extension story Link to Astudillo card collector Link to Wallach card blog Link to Sam on the Wallach card collector Link to one million Cubs cards account Link to 2019 Mazara moonshot Link to Camarena homer Link to Camarena backstory Link to Camarena high-school stats Link to story about Duggleby Link to Andy McCullough on La Russa Link to 2014 Cespedes BBQ road trip Link to Jake’s 2021 trip website Link to Lost Boyz Inc.
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Meg’s airport problems, discuss the All-Star Game (touching on mic’d up and profane players, unsightly uniforms, All-Stars being friendly on the field, and MLB embracing the game’s lack of stakes), lament that the zombie-runner rule may not be (un)dead after all, follow up on more players with high highlight-to-value ratios, reflect on Will Craig seeking solace in the KBO, celebrate David Fletcher’s 24-game hitting streak and unique offensive profile, examine some entertaining pettiness between Aaron Judge and Jose Altuve, and assess the state of the standings, focusing on teams that may make a late-season charge. Then they wrap up with a Stat Blast about the underperforming (but opponent-outscoring) Marlins and note some news about Roy Campanella.
Audio intro: The Byrds, "The Airport Song" Audio outro: Beady Eye, "Back After the Break"
Link to mic’d up Ohtani and Soto Link to mic’d up Tatis Link to mic’d up Hendriks Link to Ben on mic’d up players Link to Rovell’s first Derby tweet Link to Rovell’s second Derby tweet Link to Manfred’s comments Link to article about Craig Link to Fletcher leaderboard Link to Fletcher’s Baseball Savant page Link to Fletcher hitting head-high pitch Link to BP on the Yanks-Astros beef Link to the Chronicle on the Yanks-Astros beef Link to the Post on the Yanks-Astros beef Link to FanGraphs playoff odds Link to FanGraphs BaseRuns standings Link to FanGraphs team pitching Clutch scores Link to B-Ref team pitching high-leverage splits Link to Craig R. Wright on Campanella
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Rob Manfred teasing a possible permanent reprieve from zombie runners and seven-inning doubleheaders, react to Monday’s Home Run Derby and outpouring of appreciation for Shohei Ohtani, and lament Ronald Acuña Jr.’s season-ending injury (and assess the state of the Braves). Then (45:46) they bring on FanGraphs Lead Prospect Analyst Eric Longenhagen and National Writer Kevin Goldstein to break down the amateur draft, touching on the Pirates’ surprising first-overall pick, the best player picked, draft-day maneuvering, players who fell further than expected, how to break news about the next players picked, teams with “types,” the best and most eyebrow-raising team approaches, the Angels’ no-hitter draft, the draftees who’ll make the majors fastest, the potential two-way players, the oldest player ever drafted, the impact of the late draft date, the future of the draft, standouts at the Futures Game, and more.
Audio intro: Willie Nelson, "Denver" Audio interstitial: Eli “Paperboy” Reed, "Pick a Number" Audio outro: Bob Seger, "Get Out of Denver"
Link to story about Manfred’s comments Link to story about Players Alliance donation Link to story about Ohtani ASG rules Link to Ben on the Derby Link to MLB The Show Tatis promo Link to MLB Network Ohtani interview Link to players’ reactions to Ohtani Link to amateur draft results Link to Eric and Kevin’s last mock draft Link to Eric and Kevin’s Day 1 draft recap Link to story on the Angels’ draft Link to list of oldest players drafted Link to Ben on Ohtani’s origin story
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the 10th anniversary of Mike Trout’s promotion to the majors, Rey Ordóñez and other players with high highlights-to-value ratios, opting against an Albert Pujols pun, MLB wisely forgoing the humidor for the Home Run Derby, and a quibble with the Derby bracket, then follow up on a discussion of mid-inning coaching visits for hitters and answer listener emails about the value of an above-average broadcast crew, letting All-Stars wear a special patch on their regular jerseys, how baseball would be different in a multiverse scenario, the differing levels of outrage that resulted from MLB’s assorted cheating scandals, and when rooting for individual players crosses over into rooting for teams.
Audio intro: Earlimart, "10 Years" Audio outro: The Big Bopper, "Bopper’s Boogie Woogie"
Link to MLB.com on Trout’s 10-year anniversary Link to Ben on Trout’s rookie year Link to Michael Baumann on Lindor and the Mariners Link to Ordóñez defensive highlights video Link to story on Vieira’s debut Link to story on the humidor and the Derby Link to FanGraphs TV broadcaster crowdsourcing Link to FanGraphs radio broadcaster crowdsourcing
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Rays’ combined seven-inning hitless game, knuckleballer Mickey Jannis as a secret weapon in MLB The Show, Jacob deGrom and the near-impossibility of breaking the ERA record, Billy Hamilton and players with the highest highlight-to-value ratios, a six-man outfield against Joey Gallo, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the retelling of player predictions, a first for Albert Pujols, Miguel Cabrera’s recent semi-resurgence, Pablo López and an (almost) unprecedented one-pitch loss, Sonny Gray getting naked, another Max Muncy, the hidden difficulties of Shohei Ohtani’s two-way season, Max Stassi and the virtues of a catcher who can frame, and the Angels without Mike Trout, plus a Stat Blast about Jake Arrieta and the fewest pitches before grand slams. Then (1:05:34) they talk to Hat Club community manager Benjamin Christensen about the online backlash to the New Era “Local Market” and “Mixed Font” caps, why those caps are more successful than they seem, the process of designing hats, the overlap (or lack thereof) between Baseball Twitter and baseball-cap buyers, baseball caps as fashion statements, the continued cap dominance of MLB, how caps can promote the sport, and his favorite baseball caps.
Audio intro: Oasis, "(Probably) All in the Mind" Audio interstitial: The Rose Petals, "The Man Who Sold the Hats" Audio outro: First Aid Kit, "Ugly"
Link to story about Rays’ “notable achievement” Link to Jannis in MLB The Show 21 Link to Ben on mid-PA pitching changes Link to video of Hamilton catch Link to shift against Gallo Link to Vlad prediction clip Link to full mic’d up video Link to Ben on in-game interviews Link to BP on López and Cabrera Link to story on López and Art Schallock Link to story on Gray getting changed Link to FanGraphs mock draft Link to info on the new Muncy Link to video of Ohtani at-bat and homer Link to story on Ohtani and Stassi Link to Ohtani curve/fastball overlay Link to Ben on the .500-ish Angels Link to tweet about economical grand slams Link to Stat Blast spreadsheet Link to WaPo on the “Local Market” caps Link to BP on the “Mixed Font” caps Link to Hat Club website Link to story about Griffey’s backward cap Link to Shakeia Taylor on hats and hip-hop culture
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about their long weekends, birthday boy (and two-way All-Star) Shohei Ohtani, MLB’s perplexing timing when it comes to announcing awards and All-Star honors and scheduling special events such as the Futures Game and the amateur draft, the Yankees’ continuing troubles, pitchers who’ve struggled since the sticky stuff crackdown began, and Kyle Schwarber falling prey to the hamstring-injury epidemic. Then (35:34) they “Meet a Major Leaguer” up close by bringing on Mickey Jannis, right-handed knuckleball pitcher for the Triple-A Norfolk Tides, who discusses making his major league debut for the Baltimore Orioles last month, his journey from the 44th round to indy ball to the O’s, how he learned the knuckleball, how high-speed video has helped him refine his unusual pitch, being inspected for sticky stuff, the future of the knuckler, and more.
Audio intro: The Decemberists, "Down on the Knuckle" Audio outro: Hinds, "Finally Floating"
Link to story about all-Star Ohtani Link to video of Ohtani steal/walkoff Link to video of Walsh/Ohtani hug Link to video of Ohtani whiff Link to story about the Yankees and analytics Link to Lindsey Adler on Cole and Chapman Link to video on Cortes Link to video of Cortes vs. Ohtani Link to Devan Fink on Richards Link to BP article on hamstring strains Link to Derek’s hamstring injury visualization Link to Ben on Jannis and the knuckleball Link to Jannis’ Twitter account Link to Jannis’ first MLB out (and K) Link to Jannis’ spring training knuckler Link to Jannis’ knuckler grip Link to Jannis’ knuckler on high-speed video Link to story on Jannis’ “perfect” loss Link to Ben on the Castellanos meme Link to new Castellanos clip