Tipping Pitches

Songs featured in this episode:

Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Lucky Number Seven

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 12 Aug 2024 09:00:00 GMT

To celebrate the seventh anniversary of the podcast, Alex and Bobby share seven notable instances of the number seven throughout baseball history, including legendary players to wear the number, rules oriented around it, customs and traditions involving seven, and much more. By the end of this episode, if you still want to hear the number seven, you need to take a long, hard look in the mirror.

Links:

The Most Evil Jersey Sponsors, Ranked

Songs featured in this episode:

Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

It’s A Phillynomenon

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 05:32:22 GMT

Bobby and Alex tune into Bryce Harper’s audible frustrations at the plate and wonder if some gentle parenting could help, then belatedly recap a middle-of-the-road trade deadline, reflect on Billy Bean’s indelible mark on MLB, slot two new additions onto the most evil jersey sponsors list, and rank mascots they’d like to get a beer with.

Links:

Tipping Pitches Bingo Card

Songs featured in this episode:

Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Utilities Included

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 15:21:11 GMT

Bobby and Alex discuss a go-to phrase for ESPN reporter Jeff Passan. Then, they pepper around some thoughts about this year’s trade deadline so far, including Garret Crochet’s surprising demands, Jesse Winker’s heel reverse, and the “state of market value.” Finally, they share some more in-depth thoughts about the amendment to the CBA's luxury tax provisions before Bobby hands Alex a breakfast related list to rank.

Tipping Pitches Chicago Cubs Meetup Form!!! ⁠⁠https://forms.gle/j7iayhGgRY6WcEBg7⁠⁠

Links:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the Tipping Pitches Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tipping Pitches merchandise⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Songs featured in this episode:

Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Sports Movies, Now More Than Ever! (feat. Kyle Bandujo)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 09:00:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex chat about the Chrysler Building, discuss the All-Star Game and an underwhelming home run derby, and parse a few (typically horrible) Rob Manfred quotes. Then, they're joined by friend of the show Kyle Bandujo to talk about his new book, "Movies with Balls: The Greatest Sports Films of All Time Analyzed and Illustrated." Finally, they finish with an infrastructure-centered rankin segment.

Buy tickets to the Tipping Pitches Brooklyn Cyclones Meetup!!! ⁠⁠https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/bc24Tippingpitches⁠⁠

Tipping Pitches Chicago Cubs Meetup Form!!! ⁠https://forms.gle/j7iayhGgRY6WcEBg7⁠

Links:

Buy Kyle's Book

⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the Tipping Pitches Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Tipping Pitches merchandise⁠⁠⁠⁠

Songs featured in this episode:

Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

The 2024 All-Star Game Drinking Game

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 09:00:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex share, in great detail, everything they watched, did, and thought about on Saturday! Then, they create a drinking game (whatever "drinking" means to you!) for the 2024 All-Star week events by each sharing five rules for your at-home imbibing while watching the festivities. Finally, Alex is put through a gauntlet in this week's...Lineup Construction (?).

Buy tickets to the Tipping Pitches Brooklyn Cyclones Meetup!!! ⁠https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/bc24Tippingpitches⁠

Tipping Pitches Chicago Cubs Meetup Form!!! https://forms.gle/j7iayhGgRY6WcEBg7

Links:

⁠⁠⁠Join the Tipping Pitches Patreon⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Tipping Pitches merchandise⁠⁠⁠

Songs featured in this episode:

Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

The Good, The Bad, and Good Who Are Playing Bad

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 08 Jul 2024 09:00:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex banter about a dearth of fireworks in Pittsburgh and a plethora of cliches from A-Rod and David Rubenstein. Then, they dig into the perplexing case of the Rangers (and a handful of other teams) underperforming expectations with similarly constructed rosters. Finally, they close by tying up some loose ends from last week's mailbag and a Lineup Construction (maybe this is the name now??) about between-inning entertainment.

Buy tickets to the Tipping Pitches Brooklyn Cyclones Meetup!!! https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/bc24Tippingpitches

Links:

⁠⁠Join the Tipping Pitches Patreon⁠⁠

⁠⁠Tipping Pitches merchandise⁠⁠

Songs featured in this episode:

Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Mr. Cohen, Make Us Your Best Offer

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 14:02:51 GMT

Bobby and Alex open up the mailbag to take your questions on college sports, broadcasting "icks," Mets vs. Yankees fandom, when it's okay to hate your team, and more. Plus, they end the episode with their patented (and still unnamed) ranking segment.

Links:

Clinton Yates on Tipping Pitches

Songs featured in this episode:

Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Eternal Say Hey

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 09:01:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex reflect on the legacy of Willie Mays after this passing this week, discussing his singular place in the game and how fans internalize his legacy. Then they place the Orioles and Pirates’ new jersey patches on the Most Evil Jersey Sponsorship list, answer some listener questions, check in on a couple friends of the pod, and rank baseball superstitions.

Links:

Clinton Yates on Willie Mays' Life and Legacy

Most Evil Jersey Sponsors

Bat Flips and Nerds rates our accents

Batting Around Patreon

MLBUA’s statement on Pat Hoberg

Songs featured in this episode:

John Fogerty — "Center Field" , Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Morgan Sword’s Youth Army

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 17 Jun 2024 09:00:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby return to their regularly scheduled programming with — what else? — a betting controversy involving umpire Pat Hoberg, and discuss the sport’s increasingly hard-to-ignore gambling problem. Then they react to some comments from former agent Jeff Berry on the league’s economic landscape, cross a couple of items off their season bingo card, and run through this week’s edition of the Unnamed Ranking Segment.

Links:

Tucupita Marcano banned from baseball

Mark Attanasio on Bloomberg Business of Sports

Arctos Sports Franchise Index

Q&A with former agent Jeff Berry

Michael Bloomberg joins bid for Timberwolves

Tipping Pitches bingo card

⁠⁠⁠Join the Tipping Pitches Patreon⁠ ⁠Tipping Pitches merchandise ⁠

Songs featured in this episode:

Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Cheers From London!

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Wed, 12 Jun 2024 09:00:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby talk through Alex's journey to London for the Mets-Phillies MLB London series, including the people Alex met, his attempt to meet the Phillie Phanatic, the food at the ballpark, the stadium experience, and more. Throughout the episode, you'll hear natural sound and interview tape that Alex captured during his weekend at the games.

Links:

Songs featured in this episode:

Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Lockheed Martin Went Woke!! [Unlocked]

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 13:26:00 GMT

Scheduling conflicts means we had to take the week off from our normal feed, so please enjoy this unlocked Patreon episode of Three Up, Three Down, featuring in depth discussion of bespoke AI appliances, Catholic guilt, accents, and more.

To unlock every episode of the Tipping Pitches Patreon feed, you can sign up at patreon.com/tippingpitches

Contract Her? I Hardly Know Her

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Tue, 28 May 2024 09:00:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex discuss the increasingly confounding (and self-destructive) business plan of the Oakland A's and owner John Fisher, before making fun of Hal Steinbrenner crying poor and the predictability of another betting scandal. Then, they answer listener questions about salary caps, MLB contraction, express written consent, and more. Finally, they close with another Untitled Ranking Segment about playground games.

Links:

Join the Tipping Pitches Patreon
Tipping Pitches merchandise
Songs featured in this episode:
Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Nationalize MLB (TV Rights)!

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 20 May 2024 09:00:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby discuss the latest AI innovation (quoting fake stats with its chest), break down the Perfect Game/Fanatics partnership and what it means for the future of youth baseball, and ponder the prospect of "nationalized" TV rights in the wake of Rob Manfred's comments, then unleash top sunflower seed power rankings in a new segment.
Links:
Perfect Game, Fanatics deal has agents raising concerns
F.C. Rancho Cucamonga (feat. Ryan O'Hanlon)
Could MLB nationalize its media rights?
Join the Tipping Pitches Patreon
Tipping Pitches merchandise
Songs featured in this episode:
Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Patreon Preview: Three Up, Three Down (feat. Jordan Peterson)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Fri, 17 May 2024 09:00:00 GMT

To unlock this and our entire back catalogue of Patreon-exclusive episodes, go to patreon.com/tippingpitches

The Power Brokers Draft (feat. Michael Baumann)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 13 May 2024 09:00:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex invite FanGraphs writer Michael Baumann to join them in drafting the most powerful figures in baseball, spanning executives, owners, players, politicians (??), and more.

Links:

Follow Michael on Twitter

Songs featured in this episode:

Huey Lewis — "The Power of Love" • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Reckless Extrapolations

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 06 May 2024 09:00:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex fulfill their promise of ordering and eating MLB Ballpark Bites on the podcast (at the expense of their stomachs). Then, they each share four extrapolations from the first month+ of the MLB season and whether they expect them to actually continue or not.

Links:

Alec Bohm breaks play-by-play

Songs featured in this episode:

TKTK • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Ghost Kitchen on Third

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 29 Apr 2024 09:00:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex take a moment to appreciate the human toil of maintaining MLB Gameday feeds, then try and see if they can become a ghost kitchen for MLB’s new food delivery venture, throw out some other ideas for venture capitalists wanting to squeeze more juice out of the sport, and reflect on one year since the A’s announced their move to Las Vegas. Then they answer some listener questions about an employee-owned team, the MLBPA, and what they'd do if there were no copyright restrictions on broadcasts.

Links:

What is Diamond Baseball Holdings up to?

Songs featured in this episode:

Equipment — "Talk to Strangers" • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Cross Your T’s and Dot Your Outs

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 09:00:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex take a look at how Slam Corp stock is doing, then discuss a recent article about Diamond Baseball Holdings’s minor league shopping spree and what the encroachment of private equity means for the developmental arm of the sport. Then they settle on a slogan for the A’s and answer some mailbag questions about how to denote outs on scorebugs, governmental investigations, the outlook for robot pitchers, MLB in the Middle East, and more.

Links:

Rockies under investigation by the FAA

Every 2024 scorebug

The billionaire behind the scenes in White Sox’ stadium plan

Songs featured in this episode:

Arm's Length — "Dirge" • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

It's the End of the DH as We Know It (feat. Hannah Keyser)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 09:00:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex are joined by Hannah Keyser to run through a grab bag of topics, including the Shohei Ohtani/Ippei Mizuhara investigation updates, the state of the Designated Hitter across the league, why pitchers are not more...anxious, whether Jordan Montgomery leaving Scott Boras portends anything, team slogans, and more.

Follow Hannah on Twitter.

Links:

Join the Tipping Pitches Patreon
Tipping Pitches merchandise
Songs featured in this episode:
At the Drive-In — "Lopsided" • Jimmy Eat World — "Christmas Card" • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

The Most Evil Jersey Sponsors, Ranked

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 09:00:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby break down the quote that's got them saying "Let's Go Brandon" and check in on some news items regarding a Sacramento baseball team and a recent rash of elbow injuries. Then they take stock of MLB's current bedfellows by ranking this year's jersey patch sponsors based on their benefit (or lack thereof) to society. We're talking grocery stores and oil spills, baby!
Links:

Join the Tipping Pitches Patreon
Tipping Pitches merchandise
Songs featured in this episode:
Madonna — "Material Girl" • The Saints — "Know Your Product" • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Tipping Pitches Bingo: 2024 Edition

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 09:00:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex preview the 2024 season (three days into the season) by putting together a bingo card of some off-field events they'll be watching for this year, including billionaire shopping sprees, the encroachment of sports betting, political donations, Twitter settings tweaks, and more. Play along with your own card at the link below!

Links:

A-Rod, Marc Lore and Glen Taylor clash publicly over Wolves, Lynx ownership

Play Tipping Pitches Bingo: https://bingobaker.com/#660a190e3bb4104e

Songs featured in this episode:

Smirk — "Violent Game" • Booker T & the M.G.'s — "Green Onions"

The 2024 Banned Topics. Plus: Ohtani Betting Scandal and the MLBPA Rift

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 03:39:21 GMT

Return of the pod! Alex and Bobby are back to kick off the 2024 season with this year’s banned topics, a list which includes a media member, a sport, an oft-repeated lie from owners, a uniform decision, and more. Plus, some discussion of a couple small stories from the last week involving Shohei Ohtani and the MLBPA. Everything is fine here!

Links:

Players move to oust Bruce Meyer from union

⁠Watch along with Tipping Pitches Classics⁠

Songs featured in this episode:

Thin Lizzy — “The Boys Are Back In Town” • Gulfer — “Clean” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

[Rebroadcast]: Vote For Pedro (feat. Sean Doolittle)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 09:00:00 GMT

[From April 20, 2020]

Alex and Bobby are joined once again by Washington Nationals closer Sean Doolittle to break down Game 5 of the 1999 ALDS between the Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians. It’s a game that features plenty of dingers, plenty of Hall of Famers, and vintage Pedro Martínez in the tightest pants imaginable. Plus: a dive into the story of Albert Belle and the greatest heist in baseball history.

Follow Sean on Twitter at ⁠@whatwouldDOOdo⁠.

Links:

Songs featured in this episode:

Jamiroquai — "Canned Heat" • Booker T. & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

[Rebroadcast]: The 10 Players Who Defined The Decade

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 09:00:00 GMT

[From Dec. 9, 2019]

For their 100th episode, Alex and Bobby take a look back at the 2010s by picking a player from each year who best represented the decade as a whole. The resulting list is a collection of players who were not necessarily the best, but who made the biggest cultural impact in the last 10 years, or who changed the way that we as fans consume the game. Does Yasiel Puig make the cut? Listen to find out…

Songs featured in this episode:

Lorde — “Supercut” • Booker T. & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

[Rebroadcast]: The Least Terrible Owners Draft (feat. Céspedes Family BBQ)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 10:00:00 GMT

[From Jan. 17, 2022]

Bobby and Alex are back with a very special episode this week. They’ve invited on their friends Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman of Céspedes Family BBQ to do the unthinkable: draft the owners who they would actually want — or wouldn’t hate — to have running their team. Some of the choices may surprise you and some may not, but the episode reveals the colorful history of some of baseball’s lesser known owners and is sure to give you a better understanding of the billionaires who run the sport we love to hate and hate to love.

Follow Céspedes Family BBQ on Twitter at @CespedesBBQ.

Songs featured in this episode:

H.E.R. — "Do To Me" • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

[Rebroadcast]: Tipping Pitches, Presented by CarMax (feat. Eireann Dolan)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 10:00:00 GMT

[From Feb. 19, 2018]

On this episode, Alex and Bobby banter a bit about baseball’s resident dad Mike Scioscia, the return of The Freak, and Hunter Pence’s board game/video game/comic book/live streaming/podcasting café in Houston (a.k.a our new recording studio). Then they bring on writer and prolific tweeter Eireann Dolan to talk about activism in baseball, a painfully slow offseason, baseball reality shows, and how she met her husband Sean Doolittle (spoiler: it was Twitter). She also has some great ideas for how we should monetize. Follow Eireann on Twitter ⁠here⁠.

Links:

⁠Pedro Moura on Ohtani/Scioscia ($)⁠ / ⁠the Scioscia quote⁠

⁠Hunter Pence’s foray into the coffee business⁠

Songs featured in this episode:

X — “Los Angeles” • Japanese Breakfast — “Everybody Wants to Love You” • Jeff Rosenstock — “Nausea” • The Eagles — “Already Gone”

[Rebroadcast]: A Love Letter to Backyard Baseball

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 10:00:00 GMT

[From March 12, 2018]

Inspired by an article by Zach Kram at the Ringer last year, Bobby and Alex take a deep dive into the history of “Backyard Baseball,” the kids-video-game-turned-cult-classic that they grew up with. They bring on Nick Mirkovich, one of the game’s co-creators, to talk about the game’s inception and its evolution through the years, and speculate on why the game remains so firmly embedded in the minds of this generation. They dive into the colorful personalities of each character and reminisce on what made the game so special in the first place. It’s a full-on nostalgia sesh, featuring real gameplay and cameos from Sunny Day, Vinnie the Gooch, and the one and only Pablo Sanchez.

A Brief Update About the Show

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 10:00:00 GMT

Hi everyone,

We'll be taking a small hiatus from the show. In the meantime, we'll be running old classics and hidden gems from before many of you were subscribed. Thanks for your understanding, we look forward to being back with new episodes soon!

—Alex and Bobby

UNLOCKED: 'Moneyball' Watchalong

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 10:00:00 GMT

Please enjoy this 'Moneyball' watchalong commentary track, unlocked from the Tipping Pitches Patreon, while Alex and Bobby take the week off from the feed to recover from the chaos of Billionaire Hunting. 'Moneyball' is currently streaming on Netflix in the United States.

Billionaire Hunting

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 10:00:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex discuss the sale of the Baltimore Orioles to billionaire hedge fund manager David Rubenstein. Then, in one of their most unhinged efforts ever, they run through the Forbes list of the 100 richest people in America to try and find a new owner for the Oakland Athletics.

Links:

Michael Baumann on the sale of the Orioles

⁠Join the Tipping Pitches Patreon⁠⁠ ⁠

⁠Tipping Pitches merchandise ⁠

Songs featured in this episode:

Parquet Courts — “NYC Observation • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Children of Manfred

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 10:00:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex banter about a World Series between the most likable teams, then discuss the bubbling age fraud story in the Dominican Republic and its fallout, run through a grab bag of listener topics, and float an idea for how to raise the stakes of the Hall of Fame selections.

Links:

Age fraud in the Dominican Republic

Adrian Beltre gets the call to the Hall

Amazon investing in Diamond Sports Group

Songs featured in this episode:

Jess Williamson — "Hunter" • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Live From Bankruptcy Court!

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 10:00:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby try and parse Amazon’s rescue of Diamond Sports Group and what it means for the future of broadcasts, then discuss Jerry Reinsdorf’s quest to make his mark on the South Side with a new stadium, and dive into what Sports Illustrated’s untimely demise means for the future of the media landscape (it’s not great!).

Links:

White Sox in “serious talks” for new stadium

Matthew Trueblood on Jerry Reinsdorf’s stadium dreams

⁠Join the Tipping Pitches Patreon ⁠

Songs featured in this episode:

The Mother Hips — “White Falcon Fuzz” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

The 2024 State of Labor In Baseball (feat. Michael Baumann)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 11:00:00 GMT

You know him, you love him. It's FanGraphs writer Michael Baumann's fifth time appearing to assess the state of labor in baseball, which this year features a macro-analysis of the minor league CBA, a final consensus on whether deferred money in player contracts matters all that much, and predictions over whether streaming's collapse will have adverse effects on labor in the future.

Subscribe to Mike's cycling newsletter here: https://wheelysports.substack.com/

Links:

⁠Tipping Pitches merchandise ⁠

Songs featured in this episode:

Desaparecidos— “Mall of America” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Alex Rodriguez Victory Fund

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 10:00:00 GMT

New year, same Tipping Pitches. Alex and Bobby ring in 2024 by running through some REAL baseball news (the contents of Jeff Passan’s Twitter account) over the last few weeks, including a pair of moves from the Red Sox, even more rule changes, and Harrison Bader (that’s right). They also make some New Year’s resolutions, field some listener questions, and start planning out Alex Rodriguez’s presidential campaign.

Links:

Songs featured in this episode:

Indigo Moiré — “Whole, Again” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

UNLOCKED: 'The Sandlot' Watchalong

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 25 Dec 2023 05:01:00 GMT

Unlocked from the Patreon feed, Alex and Bobby give you a podcasters' commentary of the seminal coming-of-age baseball flick The Sandlot. Come for the Green Onions lore, stay for the Stevie barks, maybe leave for when they eat s'mores.

TO GET MORE PATREON CONTENT, SIGN UP AT: patreon.com/tippingpitches

Links:

Shohei Ohtani Contract Explainer

Songs featured in this episode:

Counting Crows — "Big Yellow Taxi" • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Shohei Ohtani Contract Support Group

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 18 Dec 2023 10:00:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex banter about colds and cold opens before delving into the disastrous discourse that is Shohei Ohtani's whopping $680 million of salary deferral and what it means for the Dodgers competitive balance tax bill. To close, they tell you everything you could possibly ever want to know about the Mariners and ROOT Sports and why you might actually not need to know any of it.

Links:

Mariners to take full control of ROOT Sports NW

John Angelos says the Orioles aren’t for sale

Songs featured in this episode:

Oso Oso — "reindeer games" • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Overrated/Underrated (feat. Céspedes Family BBQ)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 10:00:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby discuss Shohei Ohtani’s free agency and the resulting media frenzy, Juan Soto’s heel turn, and a prospective Orioles sale, then bring on Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman of Céspedes Family BBQ for a game of Overrated/Underrated that includes MLB.tv, Jumbotrons, ballpark flyovers, Jackie Robinson, and more.

Links:

The doomed search for a perfect Statcast data interpretation

⁠⁠⁠Join the Tipping Pitches Patreon⁠⁠⁠

Songs featured in this episode:

Spiritual Cramp — "Talkin' On The Internet" • Taylor Swift — "Mastermind" • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Condolences, Casinos, and Cardio

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 10:00:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex open with a dramatic reading of the New York Yankees statement on the death of Henry Kissinger and try to parse why the hell a baseball team would feel the need to release it. Then, they speed round (lol) some news items from the last couple weeks, including Ohtani and Soto rumors, Steve Cohen’s casino, and more. Finally, they open the mailbag to allow a bevy of listeners to yell at them about running, matchmake for Taylor Swift, share managerial interview tactics, and make sense of the Jackson Chourio extension.

Links:

⁠⁠⁠Tipping Pitches merchandise⁠⁠⁠

Songs featured in this episode:

No Thank You — “Saturn Return” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Jocks and Emo Kids (feat. Pool Kids)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 10:00:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex are joined by Christine Goodwyne and Andy Anaya of Pool Kids to recount the band's hilarious connection to Pete Alonso, give an update the Pete/Pool Kids saga, talk about their last year of touring, writing new music, creative influences, meeting Hayley Williams, and more.

Links:

Pool Kids' website

Pool Kids Pete Alonso tweet

⁠⁠Join the Tipping Pitches Patreon⁠⁠

⁠⁠Tipping Pitches merchandise⁠⁠

Songs featured in this episode:

Pool Kids — "Couch” • My Chemical Romance — "Hang 'Em High" • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Free Cowboy Boots (feat. Trevor May)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 10:00:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex give some quick reactions to the owners’ unanimous vote to relocate the Oakland A’s to Las Vegas, then bring on recently-retired reliever Trevor May to talk about his second career as a content creator, how his rant against A’s owner John Fisher went viral, what Fisher’s motivations for selling the team might be, the end-of-season gift the notoriously penny-pinching A’s owner got all the players, Beats by Rob, what he puts on when he has the aux cord in the clubhouse, and more.

Links:

⁠Follow Trevor May on Twitter ⁠

⁠Q&A with Dave Kaval ⁠

⁠Q&A with Alex Rodriguez ⁠

⁠⁠Join the Tipping Pitches Patreon⁠⁠

Songs featured in this episode:

Kississippi — "Around Your Room” • Antarctigo Vespucci — "Freakin' U Out'" • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

The Dumbest Baseball Things of 2023 (feat. Batting Around)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 13 Nov 2023 10:00:00 GMT

Reprising their roles as the arbiters of all things Dumb in the baseball world, Stephen, Lauren, and Jane from Batting Around join Alex and Bobby to do their incredibly on-brand yearly drafting duties.

Links:

⁠⁠Tipping Pitches merchandise ⁠⁠

Songs featured in this episode:

Smut — "After Silver Leaves” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

The Real World Series Was the Narratives We Made Along the Way

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Sun, 05 Nov 2023 10:00:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex come together to recap a dominant Texas Rangers run that ultimately ended in a somewhat pedestrian World Series. Then, they expand the scope of the conversation to include some retrospective thoughts on the 2023 season at large, including how pitcher usage is affecting our relationship to watching the sport, what we learned about what "all in" means for teams, and more. Also, Alex shares a very important memory about fonts.

Links:

⁠Tipping Pitches merchandise ⁠

Songs featured in this episode:

Into It. Over It — “August, GA” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Snakes in the Grass

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Sun, 29 Oct 2023 21:12:29 GMT

Bobby and Alex ideate some outside-the-box baseball Halloween costumes, then dig into some surprises from the World Series thus far, including the Dbacks’ apparent non-fraudulence(?), Tommy Pham’s intensity, critical analysis of the Global South, and drone technology. Plus: predictions for Scherzer vs. Pfaadt, the announcement of a Game 5 watchalong, and a lot of hot yoga talk.

Links:

Songs featured in this episode:

Shania Twain — “Any Man Of Mine” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

The 2023 World Series: What's Going On In Arizona?

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 06:32:30 GMT

Alex and Bobby reflect on some main takeaways from the ALCS and NLCS, including why you don’t start beef in the middle of a series, the arrival of Adolis García, the podcast’s hand in the Phillies’ elimination, the Rangers’ need for a karaoke machine, and more. Then they give some predictions for the World Series and share what they’re looking forward to, including a pivotal moment for Chris Young’s height, the concept of Dignity, and a January 6th reunion.

Links:

Songs featured in this episode:

Teenage Joans — "Three Leaf Clover" • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

The Division Series (The Concert, The Movie, The Film)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Sun, 15 Oct 2023 20:53:38 GMT

Bobby and Alex build out a concept for a World Series documentary on the heels of Taylor Swift’s box office success, then look back on the various Division Series and ensuing eliminations, including a desperate string of narratives in Atlanta, Sonny Gray’s One Bad Start, some legitimate scheduling gripes, and powerhouse teams going silently into the night, before answering some listener questions about the upcoming Championship Series.

Links:

Jerry Dipoto’s 10-year plan

Songs featured in this episode:

Relient K — "Be My Escape" • Blue Deputy — "I Hate Steven Singer" • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Variance Flies Forever

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Sun, 08 Oct 2023 20:38:50 GMT

Alex and Bobby check in on Bob Nightengale’s recent predictions record, then take stock of the playoff picture thus far, including whether the “right” teams made it to the division series, the most compelling matchups to watch this round, which teams are poised to come back after losing their first game, Kershaw and Verlander in October, and more. They also give Jerry Dipoto some PR lessons, make the case against Online Mascots, and dig into the Diamondbacks crossing a picket line in LA.

Links:

UNITE HERE calls out the Dbacks

Songs featured in this episode:

Tony Allen — “Secret Agent” • Equipment — “Hot, Young Doctors” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

2023 MLB Playoffs Narrative-Ball

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 09:00:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby assess the 2023 playoff field and which teams have the most compelling narrative cases to win the World Series. Plus, they assign two teams, respectively, as the hero and villain of this year’s October.

Links:

Follow Allison on Twitter

Songs featured in this episode:

Olivia Rodrigo — “bad idea right?” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Kerned Beef (feat. Allison McCague)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 09:00:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby run through a grab bag of topics from the last couple weeks, including David Stearns as the prodigal son, meet the new Trop (same as the old Trop), some certifiably Bad Vibes in San Diego, the end of The Chaim Bloom Era in Boston, the finer points of uniform typography, Yusei Kikuchi’s sleep habits, James Cameron’s “Titanic,” and more. They also talk to Allison McCague from A Pod of Their Own about their annual Dollars for Dingers fundraising drive in support of the National Domestic Violence Hotline and this weekend’s raffle in New York.

Links:

Dollars for Dingers

Follow A Pod of Their Own on Twitter

Yusei Kikuchi’s need for sleep

Rays announce new stadium deal

Neil deMause on the Rays stadium news

DEA documents show A-Rod named names

Rangers announcers roast Mariners uniform kerning

The Padres are facing an “institutional failure”

Songs featured in this episode:

Smash Mouth — “Walkin’ On The Sun” • Jay-Z — “Change Clothes” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

The 300th Episode Power Hour

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 06:15:54 GMT

It had to be something special for the 300th episode: Alex and Bobby do a “power hour” while answering your questions, ranging from cities they’d want to live in, a fictional A-Rod and Taylor romance, eggplant parmesan vs. lasagna, and much more. Plus, they finally deliver on the long-promised two hour episode. Strap in!

Links:

Submit questions for a Tipping Pitches milestone

Songs featured in this episode:

Fall Out Boy — “Our Lawyer Made Us Change the Name of This Song So We Wouldn't Get Sued” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Low-Level Corruption

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 09:00:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby discuss some mediocre yelling at clouds before moving on to talk about the Nationals’ mishandling of the Stephen Strasburg retirement situation. Then, they check in on a pair of lawsuits against MLB, before finishing with their favorite topic: the Nevada state legislature!

Links:

David Wells’ comments at Old Timers’ Day

Two lawsuits against MLB advancing

Nevada Schools Over Stadiums

Jim Quinn on Tipping Pitches

Submit questions for a Tipping Pitches milestone

Songs featured in this episode:

Swearin’— “Untitled (LA)” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

I Don’t Play Golf, I Don’t Go Outside

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 02:03:15 GMT

Alex and Bobby banter about infrastructure in Pennsylvania and the destruction of the cap shuffle in Washington, D.C., then discuss the rationale behind Arte Moreno’s waiver wire frenzy, Jerry Reinsdorf’s jarring lack of hobbies, and Brian Cashman and the Yankees’ inevitable turn to “outside consultants.”

Links:

Answering questions about the Angels’ waiver wire dump

Reinsdorf on the 2023 White Sox

Reinsdorf on the possibility of selling

Reinsdorf on Mitch McConnell

White Sox decline to hire diverse group of GM candidates

Yankees bringing in outside consultants

John Angelos talks the future of the Orioles

Songs featured in this episode:

The Cardigans — “Live and Learn” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

It’s So Over, We’re So Back

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 09:00:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex return from summer break with a grab bag of topics in the latest edition of Three Up, Three Down, including the first-place Mariners, owners talking to reporters, Shohei Ohtani, a half dozen team plans to move, ESPN’s big bet, pizza reviews, the delay of Dune 2, and more.

Links:

John Fisher talks the future of the A’s

ESPN launching a sportsbook

Shohei Ohtani fan account

Tahoe Coffee Shop bans John Fisher

Dave Portnoy’s pizza mafia

Songs featured in this episode:

TKTK • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

The Coliseum Diaries

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 07 Aug 2023 09:00:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby take a trip to the Oakland Coliseum for a Bay Bridge Series protest game and report back on what they saw and heard, like “Sell the team” chants, sick Teamsters shirts, and a whole lot of passionate fans. Plus: Steve Cohen semi-open letter alert, and a programming note about the next couple weeks.

Links:

Rob Manfred re-elected as MLB commissioner

Songs featured in this episode:

Kool & the Gang — “Celebration” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Sad at the Deadline 2: Electric Boogaloo

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 09:00:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby reflect on a fun evening at the Brooklyn Cyclones game, then take stock of Rob Manfred’s legacy as his commissionership is renewed, check in on John Sherman’s quest for a new Royals ballpark and interrogate the concept of the “open letter,” react to the Max Scherzer trade, and celebrate six years of being bummed on July 31.

Links:

John Sherman’s open letter to Royals fans

Max Scherzer traded to the Rangers

Ken Rosenthal on Steve Cohen’s investment in the Scherzer trade

Buy tickets for the Tipping Pitches Brooklyn Cyclones Meetup

Songs featured in this episode:

Alabama — “I’m In A Hurry (And Don’t Know Why) • Bobby Brown — “Every Little Step” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

MLB Matchmaker, Part 2

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 09:00:00 GMT

At long last, Alex has selected the team he will switch his allegiances to. That's it! This is a podcast! Here's a podcast! Please listen! Thanks!

Submit questions for a Tipping Pitches milestone episode

Links:

Buy tickets for the Tipping Pitches Brooklyn Cyclones Meetup

Songs featured in this episode:

[REDACTED] • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

MLB Matchmaker, Part 1

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 09:00:00 GMT

At long last, it's time for Alex to either publicly break up with the Oakland A's and find a new team or renew his vows to the Athletics. In part one of two, we go team-by-team through 20 of the 30 MLB teams to determine where they measure up on Alex's custom made rubric. In part two, we will finish the final 10, consider alternative visions of fandom, and make a final selection.

Submit questions for a Tipping Pitches milestone episode

Links:

Buy tickets for the Tipping Pitches Brooklyn Cyclones Meetup

Songs featured in this episode:

Whitmer Thomas — “Rigamarole” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Tipping Pitches, a.k.a NYSE: TIPP

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Tue, 11 Jul 2023 01:54:19 GMT

Alex and Bobby discuss the ways MLB's Virtual Ballpark could actually supplement fans' experience, but instead serves as an uncanny reflection of the league's diverging interests. Then, they break down what it means for the Atlanta Braves to be officially listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Finally, they share their thoughts on what the 2023 season has brought us at the halfway point.

Submit questions for a Tipping Pitches milestone episode

Links:

MLB's Virtual All-Star Game Stadium

Braves to split from Liberty Media later this month

Inside the Alabama Baseball Betting Scandal

Rob Manfred's Sportico Guest Essay

Buy tickets for the Tipping Pitches Brooklyn Cyclones Meetup

Songs featured in this episode:

Dog Ears — “Midnight Sunburn” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Where There’s Smoke, There’s Baseball

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 09:00:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby talk about air quality and MLB’s discouraging response to hazardous climate events, the Royals stalling in contract talks with stadium workers, scouts suing the league over age discrimination, and the Orioles’ heartening Pride Night, then answer listener questions about a Castellini inheritance, Immaculate Grid strategy, Mets players who would risk it all for Mrs. Met, and more.

Submit questions for a Tipping Pitches milestone episode

Links:

Royals accused of stalling stadium worker deal

Stadium workers file federal labor charges against Royals

Scouts sue MLB over age discrimination

Scenes from the Orioles’ Pride Night

Immaculate Grid

Pepsi Colachup is coming to stadiums for July 4th

Submit questions for a Tipping Pitches milestone episode.

Songs featured in this episode:

Jimi Hendrix — “Purple Haze” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

The Empire Strikes Out (feat. Debbie Sharnak)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 09:00:37 GMT

Bobby and Alex bring on Rowan University professor Debbie Sharnak to discuss MLB’s international presence, including the ways their practices overseas reflect imperialist desires, the U.S.’s long history of baseball as an export, the complicated proposal of an international draft, the impact of talent drain on international communities, the role of baseball academies in the sport’s global influence, and more.

Links:

Two Dominican prospects sue the Angels

Dodgers establish a “secret” baseball academy in Uganda

Submit questions for a Tipping Pitches milestone episode.

Songs featured in this episode:

boygenius — "$20" • Sweet Pill — "Sucker Punch" • Green Day — "Longview" • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

It’s All Green to Me

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 19 Jun 2023 20:10:28 GMT

In this episode, Alex and Bobby delve into the recent news surrounding the Oakland A's move to Las Vegas, dissect Rob Manfred's comments on the A's relocation efforts and his stance on Pride Nights across the league, and drill down into the implications of the recent spate of layoffs at The Athletic.

Links:

Manfred on the A's potential move

Manfred's comments on Pride Nights

Bryce Harper's comments on the A's situation

A's stadium deal wins final legislative approval in Nevada

MLB intends to curb team spending on tech

Layoffs at The Athletic

The Collective Bargaining Agreement

Songs featured in this episode:

TOPS — “Petals” • Jim Croce — “You Don’t Mess Around With Jim” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

The CBA Deep Dive

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 09:00:00 GMT

It's here. At long last. Bobby and Alex comb through the recently-released MLB Collective Bargaining Agreement and discuss the parts of it that that stand out beyond the headline items, including sports betting, international play, service time manipulation, grievances, market sizes, uniform regulations, and more.

Links:

Evan Drellich’s breakdown of the CBA

Links:
MLB takes over Padres broadcasts
CityNerd’s top 10 urbanist ballparks
Field of Schemes
Join the Tipping Pitches Patreon
Tipping Pitches merchandise

Songs featured in this episode:

Daryl Hall and John Oates — "Rich Girl" • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Is There a Right Way to Build a Ballpark? (feat. Neil deMause)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 09:00:25 GMT

Alex and Bobby touch on Bally Sports making way for blackout-free baseball in San Diego, then welcome on journalist and stadium economics expert Neil deMause to try and dream up the ideal community-integrated ballpark, exploring the history of baseball in urban areas, the long shadow of mallparks, the ruthless efficiency of today’s mixed-used development stadiums, what ethical engagement with surrounding neighborhoods looks like, and much more.
Follow Neil on Twitter @neildemause.

Songs featured in this episode:
Roky Erikson — “Starry Eyes” • The Chicks — Texas Man” • snow ellet — “In Reverie” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Let’s Give Jeff Bezos a Hand

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Tue, 30 May 2023 09:00:52 GMT

Bobby and Alex wonder if AI is coming for Alex Rodriguez’s pod spokesperson duties and discuss the potential perils of Amazon’s palm recognition technology in baseball stadiums, then respond to a grab bag of listener topics, including another Billy Eppler masterclass, a reasonable Chicago sports talk radio caller, baseball heists, Oppenheimer vs. Barbie, the new pitch sweeping the nation, and more.
Links:
Rockies bringing palm recognition tech to Coors Field
Join the Tipping Pitches Patreon
Tipping Pitches merchandise
Songs featured in this episode:
Paramore — "Big Man, Little Dignity" • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Gambler’s Paradise

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Tue, 23 May 2023 02:49:08 GMT

Alex and Bobby banter about internet sleuthing in the golden age of sign stealing, then wade through the latest development in the Oakland A’s non-development, the Dodgers’ spineless response to Marco Rubio, and on-the-ground reporting from the Eras tour.
Links:
The Dodgers cave to right-wing concern trolling
Statement from the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence
Nevada lawmakers balk at public funding for A’s stadium
Join the Tipping Pitches Patreon
Tipping Pitches merchandise

Songs featured in this episode:
The Apples in Stereo — “Do You Understand” • Beach Bunny — “Sports” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

You Wouldn’t Download a Strike Zone (feat. Steve Sladkowski)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 15 May 2023 09:00:58 GMT

Bobby and Alex try to figure out what the hell the Cardinals are doing with Willson Contreras, discuss a Baseball America series on artificial intelligence in baseball, and give updates on the Tipping Pitches Brooklyn Cyclones meetup in July. Then they welcome back friend of the pod and PUP guitarist Steve Sladkowski to talk about being on the road nonstop over the last couple years, the implications for AI’s emergence in the music industry, his strategy when shopping for vinyl, birthday buddy Brandon Belt’s slash line, and much more.
Follow Steve on Twitter @sladkow.
Links:

Brooklyn Cyclones meetup interest form

Maitreyi Anantharaman on the Cardinals’ Willson Contreras woes
How AI could hone pitcher deliveries in real-time
The scouting director of the future may be AI
See PUP, Beach Bunny, and Pool Kids in NYC
Join the Tipping Pitches Patreon
Tipping Pitches merchandise
Songs featured in this episode:
PUP — "Full Blown Meltdown" • PUP — "Closure" • Pool Kids — "Talk Too Much" • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Meaningful Games (feat. Trevor Hildenberger)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 08 May 2023 09:00:32 GMT

Alex and Bobby discuss the role of the audiologist in society and reflect briefly on the ongoing WGA strike, then dive into a CBS Sports article about the potential for a front office union, Jerry Reinsdorf’s comments about the White Sox level of play, and the Angels concern over negative energy from the media. Then they bring on minor league pitcher and friend of the pod Trevor Hildenberger to discuss what it was like forming a whole dang minor league union, how the fight for a housing policy introduced many young players to the idea of organizing, how members went about deciding which issues to prioritize for their first CBA, and much more. Follow Trevor on Twitter at @t_hildy.

Links:
Baseball’s next unionization effort could be in front offices
Jerry Reinsdorf talks the business of sports
The Angels don’t appreciate negative energy from reporters
Join the Tipping Pitches Patreon
Tipping Pitches merchandise
Songs featured in this episode:
Parquet Courts — “Dust” • Thundercat — “Friend Zone” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

To The Moon (And Back)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Sun, 30 Apr 2023 21:00:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby report back from the set of Alex Rodriguez’s documentary, then discuss MLB’s embrace of cryptocurrency products and how the failure of these entities is a blip on the league’s bottom line, how John Fisher and Dave Kaval’s gambit in Las Vegas backfired, and what baseball can learn from the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury’s game-changing new television rights deal.

Links:
Alex Rodriguez is shopping a documentary about his life
Terra is still all over Nationals Park
Terra co-founder is currently being sought for extradition
A’s stadium math doesn’t add up
A’s don’t deserve public funding from Las Vegas
Suns & Mercury strike game-changing TV deal
Join the Tipping Pitches Patreon
Tipping Pitches merchandise

Songs featured in this episode:
Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Tax Rebates Fly Forever (feat. Mike Duncan)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 09:01:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex discuss the whiplash effect the Oakland A’s are starting to have on Alex and the rest of A’s fandom, Max Scherzer’s suspect suspension, and Rob Manfred’s Luncheon World Tour. Then, they’re joined by author and podcaster Mike Duncan (49:30) to discuss Alex Rodriguez a centaur, the state of Mariners fandom, and baseball’s relationship with its own history.

Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeDuncan.

Links:
Evan Drellich on Manfred wanting shorter contracts
Join the Tipping Pitches Patreon
Tipping Pitches merchandise

John Fisher and the A's Are Cowards Who Quit On Oakland

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 04:31:07 GMT

Well, it’s happening. Alex and Bobby react to the late-breaking news that the Oakland A’s are purchasing 49 acres of land on the Las Vegas strip to build a stadium. They break down the ways in which the team failed their fans over the past few years, contextualize how the media has been covering this, try and determine what it means to be a free agent fan, and just generally work through a lot of emotions.

Links:
A’s enter agreement for Las Vegas ballpark site
Nevada lawmakers on board with Vegas baseball stadium
Marc Carig on where the blame falls in Oakland
Join the Tipping Pitches Patreon
Tipping Pitches merchandise

Songs featured in this episode:
The Coup — “The Guillotine” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Rob Manfred Reaches Back

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 09:00:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby discuss Michael Kay’s reflexive nihilism in response to being mildly criticized, then revive Three Up, Three Down to talk about some of the happenings around the league this week, including MLB loosening beer cutoffs due to shorter game times, Rob Manfred’s streaming pitch to fans, a possum haunting the Oakland broadcast booth, Jim Bowden’s misguided perspective on contract opt-outs, and more.

Links:
Michael Kay has some words for his critics
Evan Drellich on the possibility of an MLB streaming service ($)
Jim Bowden’s column on opt-outs in baseball ($)
Matt Strahm responds to MLB’s relaxed beer policies
A possum at the A’s stadium displaced the Mets broadcast team
Join the Tipping Pitches Patreon
Tipping Pitches merchandise

Mailbag: Barbie, The Muppets, Cereal & Scoreboards

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 09:00:00 GMT

It’s the start of the baseball season, so what better time to answer all your burning questions? Bobby and Alex dig into the mailbag for this episode, answering listener questions about dynamic duos Barbie-style, whether the Mets scoreboard is too big, which players pour the milk before the cereal, favorite baseball books, Muppet Mets fans, and more.

Links:
Join the Tipping Pitches Patreon https://www.patreon.com/tippingpitches
Tipping Pitches merchandise https://tippingpitches.myshopify.com/

Songs featured in this episode:
Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

This Ain’t a Sport, It’s an Arms Race

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 09:00:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex banter about some Opening Weekend takeaways, including a timely news dump from the Mets, first reactions to a chaotic new schedule, and the continued takeover of baseball by sports betting, then discuss John Angelos’s game of footsie with financial transparency, Rob Manfred’s PR tour and the disparate narratives coming from league executives, and what to make of the ratification of the first minor league Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Links:
John Angelos misses self-imposed deadline to share financials
Angelos declines to share Orioles finances after being pressed on it
MLB owner says analytics in baseball are “an arms race to nowhere”
MLBPA and MLB reach tentative deal on minor league CBA
Michael Baumann’s analysis of the minor league CBA
Join the Tipping Pitches Patreon
Tipping Pitches merchandise

The 2023 All-GIF Draft

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 09:00:00 GMT

The baseball season is back, and so is the Tipping Pitches way of previewing it: by drafting the most GIF-able players in the game right now. Alex and Bobby invite a roster of a guests to pick opposite them, welcoming on Jane Ost, Stephen Hesson, Bekah Ansbro, Clinton Yates (by absentee ballot), Sarah Langs, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman, Matthew Ritchie, and Shakeia Taylor to talk about their players to watch this year.

Follow Jane on Twitter @JaneOst_
Follow Stephen on Twitter @TangoGolfKilo
Follow Bekah on Twitter @BekahAnsbro
Follow Clinton on Twitter @clintonyates
Follow Sarah on Twitter @SlangsOnSports
Follow Cespedes Family BBQ on Twitter @CespedesBBQ
Follow Matthew on Twitter @mkrwrt
Follow Shakeia on Twitter @curlyfro

Links:
The 2022 All-GIF Draft
Join the Tipping Pitches Patreon
Tipping Pitches merchandise

The 2023 Tipping Pitches Banned Topics

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 20 Mar 2023 09:00:32 GMT

Bobby and Alex theorize who in the baseball world might've been sweating the SVB bank run, before each ceremoniously banning three topics from the podcast for 2023. Then, they answer a handful of listeners questions about the World Baseball Classic, a parody movie of the Houston Astros, John Smoltz, and more.

Links:
Join the Tipping Pitches Patreon
Tipping Pitches merchandise
Songs featured in this episode:
Paul McCartney and the Wings — "Band on the Run" • John Denver — "Take Me Home, Country Roads" • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

The Baseball A-Listers

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 10:00:00 GMT

With movies' biggest stars on display at the Oscars, Alex and Bobby depart from their normal episode structure to try and determine the 30 "most famous" figures within the confines of the baseball world. Current players, retired players, managers, owners, media members, and more battle it out for the unbelievably arbitrary award of being Tipping Pitches' #1 A-lister.

Links:
Join the Tipping Pitches Patreon
Tipping Pitches merchandise

Consulting Fixes Everything (feat. Evan Drellich)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Fri, 03 Mar 2023 10:00:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby discuss favorites for the Mets’ upcoming talent show, break down the news that MLB is lobbying to exclude minor leagues from minimum wage law in Florida, and take stock of the results of the official Tipping Pitches Fans Union Survey (thanks to listener Owen for putting it together!), then talk to The Athletic’s senior MLB writer Evan Drellich about his new book “Winning Fixes Everything,” including the reporting process for the book, how the Astros have influenced other front offices, how consultants took over baseball, ill-advised X-ray machines, and more.
Follow Evan on Twitter @EvanDrellich.

Plant-Based Food for Thought

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 27 Feb 2023 10:00:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby bask in the idea of a book on “business and baseball” from Alex Rodriguez, then discuss Manny Machado’s contract extension and Peter Seidler’s perspective on on risk vs. reward, the A’s going door-to-door looking for stadium money in Las Vegas, Bob Nutting’s CBA hopes and dreams, Tony Clark shutting down the prospect of a salary cap, and Rays reliever Ryan Thompson’s tweet thread on his arbitration experience, before answering listener questions about pitch clock leeway and spring training cliches.
Links:
Peter Seidler on why he’s comfortable taking risks
Bob Nutting is mad about the CBA
Ryan Thompson’s tweet thread
Marc Normandin on the necessary evil of arbitration
Join the Tipping Pitches Patreon
Tipping Pitches merchandise

Blue Cowboys Matter (feat. Lindsay Zoladz)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 10:00:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex discuss Chris Christie’s wasted 80-grade corruption potential, plus MLB’s new economic reform committee designed to increase revenue parity and navigate the Bally Sports bankruptcy. Then, they bring on Lindsay Zoladz, pop music critic for the New York Times, to review Joe West’s seminal debut album “Blue Cowboy,” as well as his spoken word sophomore effort “Diamond Dreams,” before answering a listener question about banishing a baseball stat.
Follow Lindsay on Twitter @lindsayzoladz.
Links:
MLB creates an “economic reform committee”
The impact of the Blue Ribbon Panel on baseball’s economics
John Middleton on prioritizing winning over revenue
Join the Tipping Pitches Patreon
Tipping Pitches merchandise

Go West Old Man

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 10:00:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby ponder what it would take for Rob Manfred to put out a statement on the prevalence of UFOs in the skies right now, then talk at length about Cowboy Joe West’s showdown with Wikipedia, including his obsession with “grammer,” his revelations about Manfred’s dislike for Bob Nightengale, and why he didn’t use his own platform for this spring of content, before wrapping up with a listener question about what element of baseball other sports might envy à la the Super Bowl.
Links:
Joe West is spending his retirement editing his Wikipedia page
Joe west explains himself on Effectively Wild
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Tipping Pitches merchandise

Tipping Pitches, a Waystar Royco Subsidiary

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 10:00:42 GMT

To pass time in what is the most dead week of the baseball calendar, Bobby asks Alex to name as many people playing in the Super Bowl as possible (spoiler alert: it doesn’t go well). Then, they’re joined by “Meddling Adults” and “The Newest Olympian” host Mike Schubert to discuss the emergence of Derek Jeter in the public eye, Aaron Judge returning to the Yankees, and whether or not Derek Jeter and Tom Brady are soulmates. Finally, they answer a handful of listener questions about “Succession,” American trophy culture, and more.

Links:

Join the Tipping Pitches Patreon
Tipping Pitches merchandise

Songs featured in this episode:

Pavement — “Summer “Babe • Sleater-Kinney — “Dig Me Out” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Bally-Up

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 30 Jan 2023 10:00:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex react to Elon Musk’s unfortunate newfound association with the Oakland A’s, break down the likely reasons why Arte Moreno decided not to sell the Angels, and speculate about what the demise of Bally Sports could mean for the rest of the baseball landscape, then answer listener questions about attending a full season of games, potential pod sponsorships, and the simplest way to explain baseball’s broken economic system.
Elon Musk an A’s fan now?
Diamond Sports Group is headed for bankruptcy
Daniel R. Epstein on Sinclair’s convenient stock buybacks
Join the Tipping Pitches Patreon
Tipping Pitches merchandise

The Biometrics Revolution

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 23 Jan 2023 10:00:55 GMT

Alex and Bobby discuss former Brave GM John Coppolella’s reinstatement after a “lifetime ban” for breaking international signing rules, MLB hiring a blackouts czar and what it means for the future of streaming, robot umpires coming to Triple A, thoughts on expansion, and the implications of facial recognition technology in MLB ballparks.

Links:
John Coppolella on life before and after MLB’s banned list
MLB seeks to end local market blackouts
AAA parks to use electronic strike zone in 2023
Andy McCullough on expansion to Las Vegas
Facial software used to remove lawyer from Radio City Music Hall
Facial recognition enters the sports arena
Join the Tipping Pitches Patreon
Tipping Pitches merchandise

Songs featured in this episode:
James Blood Ulmer — “Are You Glad to Be In America?” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Hark! The Herald Angelos Sings

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 16 Jan 2023 10:00:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby tie a bow on the Carlos Correa Mets saga, before checking in on some arbitration deadline decisions and examining the state of the arbitration system as a whole. Then, they react to two owners doing their favorite thing (shooting themselves in the foot), before answering some listener questions and voicemails about EGOTs, the three wise men, and Charles Johnson.

Links:
Join the Tipping Pitches Patreon
Tipping Pitches merchandise

The 2023 State of Labor in Baseball (feat. Michael Baumann)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 09 Jan 2023 10:00:20 GMT

Alex and Bobby are back with their fourth annual State of Labor in Baseball and are joined, as always, by FanGraphs staff writer Michael Baumann for a discussion on minor league unionization, payroll disparity, The Atlanta Model, and what the recent spate of mega deals says about the league’s economic health, plus why Baumann doesn’t fear Trea Turner, the scam that is grass, labor being entitled to some of what it creates, and much more.

Follow Michael on Twitter at @MichaelBaumann.

Links:
The 2022 State of Labor in Baseball
Join the Tipping Pitches Patreon
Tipping Pitches merchandise

Songs featured in this episode:
Dungeon Family — “Rolling’ (feat. André 3000, Cee-Lo & Society of Soul)” • Paul Simon — “Duncan” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Baseball Butterfly Effects Pt. 2 (feat. Janice Scurio)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 10:00:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby are joined by CHGO writer and podcaster Janice Scurio for the second installment of Baseball Butterfly Effects, this time focusing on hugely consequential what ifs surrounding the White Sox, Twins, and Expos. Follow Janice on Twitter @scuriiosa.

Links:
Join the Tipping Pitches Patreon
Tipping Pitches merchandise

Songs featured in this episode:

Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Baseball Butterfly Effects Pt. 1 (feat. Grant Brisbee)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Thu, 22 Dec 2022 10:00:00 GMT

This week, Bobby and Alex are once again joined by Grant Brisbee (this time for the original reason they invited him!) to talk about some of their favorite "what ifs" in baseball history — hypothetical alternate timelines where things go differently, broadly speaking. Grant shares a different path for one of the greatest pitchers of all time, while Bobby does what he does best: imagines a world where baseball is publicly owned. Follow Grant on Twitter @GrantBrisbee.

Links:
Join the Tipping Pitches Patreon
Tipping Pitches merchandise

Carlos Correa is a WHAT?! (feat. Grant Brisbee)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Wed, 21 Dec 2022 10:00:00 GMT

A Met, apparently. Alex and Bobby bring on Grant Brisbee for a special midweek reaction pod for this wild turn of events, and discuss such topics as: 1) What?, 2) How?, 3) Why?, and 4) What? They don’t uncover many answers but they do reveal quite a few emotions, and Grant assures everyone that he’s actually laughing, really.
Follow Grant on Twitter @GrantBrisbee.
Links:
Join the Tipping Pitches Patreon
Tipping Pitches merchandise

Luxury Tax You Can Afford

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 19 Dec 2022 10:00:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex do a (slightly belated) dramatic reading of the history of Mike Piazza’s quest to bankrupt an Italian soccer team, then take stock of the myriad “mega-deals” over the last couple weeks and how they reflect the health of baseball’s economic landscape, and try to figure out whether Chaim Bloom has any clue what he’s doing, before answering listener questions about conspiracy theories, Jesus Christ player comps, and “The Last Out.”
Links:
The Passion of Mike Piazza ($)
Ken Rosenthal on how teams are circumventing the luxury tax ($)
Effectively Wild Episode 1942: Get Interested in Interest Rates!
Ben Clemens on how interest rates tell the story of decade-long contracts
Join the Tipping Pitches Patreon
Tipping Pitches merchandise
Songs featured in this episode:
Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Goldilocks and the Three Balls

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Tue, 13 Dec 2022 06:30:01 GMT

Alex and Bobby banter about the litany of transactions over the last week and do a little discourse about the discourse surrounding contracts, then bring on Insider investigations reporter Bradford Williams Davis to break down his report in partnership with Dr. Meredith Wills regarding MLB’s use of three different baseballs in 2022, including how the league tried to discourage cooperation with third party investigations of the ball, why they thought they’d be able to get away with this again, the media’s role in this sort of story, and more.

Links:
Major League Baseball used three types of baseballs in 2022
Transgender sex workers face an acute risk of violence
Rob Manfred is willing to waive a relocation fee for the A’s
Join the Tipping Pitches Patreon
Tipping Pitches merchandise

Songs featured in this episode:
070 Shake — “Nice To Have" • Parquet Courts — “Light Up Gold” • Katy Perry — “Hot N Cold” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Everything Is Sadder In Texas

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 05 Dec 2022 10:00:08 GMT

Alex and Bobby grin and bear the news that Jacob deGrom is leaving the Mets to join the Texas Rangers, before recapping a quick hits list of news items from the past two weeks, including: José Abreu signing with the Astros, Disney purchasing the remainder of BAMTECH for $900 million, the Brewers dumping all salary, and the Rays pivoting to real estate.

Links:
Join the Tipping Pitches Patreon
Tipping Pitches merchandise

Songs featured in this episode:

U2 — "Sunday Bloody Sunday" • tiny deaths — "Ever" • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Stock Market Syndrome

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 28 Nov 2022 10:00:00 GMT

After their longest layoff between recording episodes, Bobby and Alex are back with another episode of the acclaimed podcast Tipping Pitches. This week, they run through some news items they missed in their time off, including the FTX meltdown, Billy Beane’s Irish exit, collusion abound, buying and selling Atlanta stock, Jim Crane taking the reins in Houston, and baseball’s impending rule changes.
Links:
What players have to say about MLB’s rule changes ($)
Rob Manfred talks FTX deal ($)
Join the Tipping Pitches Patreon
Tipping Pitches merchandise

The Dumbest Baseball Things of 2022 (feat. Batting Around)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Thu, 10 Nov 2022 10:00:00 GMT

For their classically on-brand roundup of the 2022 season, Bobby and Alex bring on Stephen Hesson, Lauren Walker, and Jane Ost to run down the dumbest things that happened in baseball this year, including the emergence of Roger Maris, Jr., Dave Kaval yelling at a seagull, The Tony La Russa Experience, an ill-conceived hologram, scoring at the Coliseum, the Great Sunflower Seed Incident That Wasn’t, Phil Castellini’s honesty, and much more.
Links:
Follow Batting Around on Twitter
Batting Around Patreon
Follow Jane
Follow Stephen
Follow Lauren
Watch “The Last Out”
Join the Tipping Pitches Patreon
Tipping Pitches merchandise

Baseball & Exile in “The Last Out” (feat. Sami Khan & Michael Gassert)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Tue, 08 Nov 2022 10:00:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby talk with Sami Khan and Michael Gassert, co-directors of “The Last Out,” a new documentary that follows three Cuban players in their journey to the major leagues, about how they went about making this film, how the focus of the project evolved as the filmmaking process went on, balancing the callousness of the international signing system with the humans at the center of the story, documenting the harrowing journey the players took, situating their stories in the broader political climate, and more.
Links:
Watch “The Last Out”
Join the Tipping Pitches Patreon
Tipping Pitches merchandise

Offseasonal Depression

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 10:00:54 GMT

Alex and Bobby discuss the Houston Astros’ World Series victory and reflect on the narratives surrounding their win, Dusty Baker finally getting his, the beauty of this Phillies team, and more, then run down a few of Probably Popular Opinions and answer listener questions about tweets and Wet Guys.

Links:

Watch “The Last Out”

David Roth on Wet Guys

Songs featured in this episode:

Crosby, Stills & Nash — “Wasted on the Way” • Mavis Staples — “You Are Not Alone” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Bean Me Up, Scotty

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 31 Oct 2022 09:00:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex discuss what to look for when scouting and developing your child, then discuss games one and two of the World Series, including the Phillies’ caffeine habits, the realization of J.T. Realmuto the star, the virtues of cranked-up umpire mics, and what to make of the various cheating accusations this postseason, then touch on Rob Manfred’s comments on the zombie runner and the A’s prospects in Oakland.

Links:

Baseball Bar-b-Cast Dave Dombrowski Interview

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Tipping Pitches merchandise

The World Series (3am Edition)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 17:30:13 GMT

Alex and Bobby give their takeaways from the championship series that concluded this week, then break down the strange allure of an Astros-Phillies World Series, including the likability of the not-so-ragtag team from Philadelphia, the inevitability of Houston, and the strange arc of this postseason. They spend the second half of the podcast discussing Taylor Swift’s “Midnights.” Don’t say you weren’t warned!

Links:
Join the Tipping Pitches Patreon
Tipping Pitches merchandise

Songs featured in this episode:
Taylor Swift — “You’re On Your Own, Kid” • Taylor Swift — “Maroon” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Chaos Is a Feature, Not a Bug

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 09:02:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex take a wander through the vast world that is Jon Heyman’s mind, then discuss the (nearly) completed division series, including the Phillies as the last standing NL East team, the Guardians’ #brand of #baseball, the parity among baseball’s top teams, and more. Bobby breaks down his platonic ideal of a playoff baseball game, they discuss why playoff format discourse is missing the forest for the trees, and then talk for a good half hour about Taylor Swift’s upcoming album.

Links:

Join the Tipping Pitches Patreon
Tipping Pitches merchandise

Where the Wild Cards Are

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 10 Oct 2022 09:00:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby review the results of the Wild Card round, take a look at the matchups they’re excited for in the division series, and unpack Bobby’s uneasy relationship with Mets fandom currently, then answer listener questions about the updated Enemy of the Pod with the Rays eliminated, Joe Musgrove’s ear, the potential for Joe West album features, and more.
Links:
Join the Tipping Pitches Patreon
Tipping Pitches merchandise

Choose Your Fighter, 2022 Playoffs Edition

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 09:00:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex preview the 2022 MLB playoffs by making the case for each of the teams in the hunt for a trophy this October for the average Tipping Pitches listener. Self-described Dodgers masochist Makenna Martin also joins to plug the 5th annual Hottest Dodger Bracket and their raffle benefiting Peace Over Violence and their Domestic Violence Action Fund.

Follow Makenna on Twitter @makenna_m19.

Links:

Hottest Dodger Bracket

Fundraising and raffle entry

Songs featured in this episode:

Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

The Judge Is Ruling

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 09:00:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby pour one out for Derek Jeter’s Tampa mansion and celebrate the real estate cycle of life, then discuss Albert Pujols’ historic achievement and the blissful lack of narratives, Aaron Judge’s home run chase and Apple TV’s ill-timed broadcast, and what the AL Central says about the state of competition in baseball.

Links:
Derek Jeter’s former mansion slated for demolition
Ken Rosenthal on what Albert Pujols can tell us about Aaron Judge

Songs featured in this episode:
Sturgill Simpson — “Life of Sin” • Janelle Monáe — “Don’t Judge Me” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

The Triple Crown Affair

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Sun, 18 Sep 2022 09:00:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby discuss whether or not it’s time for Tipping Pitches to hang ‘em up now that the minor leagues are unionized, before determining when is the best time to start getting excited for the playoffs. Then, they answer some listener questions about revising the triple crown, useless merch, and their team’s most evil fans.

Links:

Tipping Pitches Patreon

Tipping Pitches Merch Store

Songs featured in this episode:

Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

The Gang Forms a Union (feat. Trevor Hildenberger)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 12 Sep 2022 09:00:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex discuss Queen Elizabeth, MLB’s decision to voluntarily recognize the minor league union, and the rule changes coming in 2023. Then they bring on San Francisco Giants reliever Trevor Hildenberger to discuss the timeline of the minor league unionization effort, what the conversations were like in the clubhouse, how life in the minor leagues shifted his perception of labor, and more.

Follow Trevor at @t_hildy.

Links:

Steve Gelbs wrecks Zack Hample

Songs featured in this episode:

Kelly Clarkson — "Breakaway" • Luther Vandross — "Never Too Much" • David Archuleta — "Crush" • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

One Baseball, Under the MLBPA

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Sun, 04 Sep 2022 09:00:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby talk about Alex Rodriguez’s liquidity concerns and how long it would take him to get to 700 home runs if he came out of retirement. Then they talk with Allison McCague of A Pod of Their Own about this year’s Dollars4Dingers fundraiser for the National Domestic Violence Hotline and how you can get involved. Finally, they bring on Eugene Freedman, a union lawyer and baseball writer, to discuss the mechanics of unionizing minor league baseball, what to expect from the league in the coming weeks, why the timeline is important, and more.

Follow Allison on Twitter @PetitePhD and Eugene @EugeneFreedman.

Links:
Dollars4Dingers spreadsheet
Should we be concerned with A-Rod’s finances?
Tipping Pitches store
Tipping Pitches Patreon

Songs featured in this episode:
Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Emergency Minor League Union Pod

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 09:00:00 GMT

They uhhhh are doing the damn thing! In this emergency podcast, Alex and Bobby break down the announcement that the MLBPA has launched a campaign to unionize minor league baseball players, diving into the history that brought us here, why the current moment is ripe for this effort, and what the coming fight might look like.

Links:
The MLBPA’s statement on their campaign to unionize the minors
Joon Lee on the MLBPA sending out union authorization cards
Evan Drellich on the effort the unionize the minors
Where is the minor league unionization effort? (from 2012)
Buy Unionize the Minors merchandise

Songs featured in this episode:
The Clash — “Career Opportunities” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

If You Build It (feat. Matt Ritchie)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Sun, 28 Aug 2022 09:46:00 GMT

*Disclaimer: this podcast was recorded before the news that the minor leagues were unionizing. For our reaction episode to that news, click here.

Bobby and Alex discuss PPP loans in baseball, then break down the news that Arte Moreno is considering selling the Los Angeles Angels, and try and make sense of Julio Rodríguez choose-your-own-adventure contract extension. Then they bring on Matt Ritchie, a freelance writer and graduate student, to discuss his thesis on bolstering the pipeline of Black baseball players, why the sport's Black population has declined, where the most impact can be made by the league, the benefits and limits of Black representation among the top prospects, and more.
Follow Matt on Twitter at @mkrwrt.
Links:
Arte Moreno exploring a sale of the Angels
Jeff Passan breaks down the Julio deal
Minority Baseball Prospects

It’s Not That Serious (feat. Mike Schubert)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 09:00:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby discuss their weekend in Philadelphia and the disgust that they incited in Phillies fans, then talk about what the Braves’ recent spate of team-friendly contract extensions means for the sport, as well as their misguided loyalty to Marcell Ozuna. Then they bring on their resident Yankees fan Mike Schubert to talk about the Yankees’ fun August, a Brian Cashman-less franchise, and to place some bets with Bobby on the upcoming Subway Series. They round things out with a couple listener questions about walk-up song strategy and a Statcast time machine.
Follow Mike Schubert on Twitter at @Schubes17.
Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Let's Go Spreadsheets!

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 09:00:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby discuss how the business of "getting good players" and "having a winning team" is not profitable before picking their favorite Vin Scully moments, and sharing what those moments tell us about Scully's titanic life, career, and impact. Then, they attempt to make sense of the news and discourse surrounding Fernando Tatis Jr.'s 80-game suspension for PEDs. Finally, they answer some listeners questions about their luck as fans, the pitchers they'd want to see most, and their most unshakable trad baseball takes.

Links:

Juan Soto is good...but what does Salesforce think?

Tipping Pitches Patreon

The Worst Festival In The World (feat. Evan Drellich)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Thu, 04 Aug 2022 09:00:00 GMT

Bobby is joined by Jordan Shusterman, one half of Céspedes Family BBQ, to serve a 10-course meal on the MLB trade deadline. Then, Alex and Bobby invite on Athletic national reporter Evan Drellich to talk about how he ended up immersed in the business of baseball, what it was like covering the CBA negotiations, why the international draft failed, what’s next in the Senate committee’s investigation into MLB’s anti-trust exemption*, Rob Manfred’s effectiveness as commissioner, and more.

*Note: this episode was record prior to Manfred’s 17-page response to the committee’s inquiry, and, as such, does not cover this development.

Links:

Follow Evan on Twitter @EvanDrellich

MLB’s misguided secrecy around the international draft negotiations

Tipping Pitches Patreon

Five For Five For Five

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 19:08:00 GMT

This week, Bobby and Alex commemorate the fifth anniversary of the show by each making five predictions about the next five years of baseball. Lots of fives! Thanks to everyone for making it all possible.

Links:
Sign up for the Tipping Pitches Patreon

The Dark Knight Rejects the Premise

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Tue, 26 Jul 2022 17:15:39 GMT

Alex and Bobby discuss major leaguers’ opinions on what striking out the side actually means, then go over some takeaways from All-Star weekend including a Juan Soto derby conspiracy theory and how we talk about the game’s stars, pick apart Rob Manfred’s dismissal of the idea that minor leaguers are underpaid, and answer listener questions about coping, dowries, hometown discounts, and more.

Links:
Major leaguers define “striking out the side”
Rob Manfred rejects the premise of unlivable minor league wages
Sign up for the Tipping Pitches Patreon

Songs featured in this episode:
Ariana Grande — “Side to Side” • Pool Kids — “That’s Physics, Baby” • Booker T & the M.G.'s — "Green Onions"

O Captain! My Captain! (feat. Randy Wilkins)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 09:19:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex talk about an ill-planned graphic on Fox Sports’s Yankees/Red Sox matchup, then discuss the settlement in Senne v. MLB and what it means in the fight for better minor league pay, as well as Juan Soto v. Nationals and how a prospective buyer muddies the conversation. Then they bring on filmmaker Randy Wilkins to talk about his ESPN Derek Jeter docuseries “The Captain” and what it was like telling the story of a favorite player of his, how it changed his perception of Jeter as a human, literally just what Alex Rodriguez is like, and much more.

Follow Randy on Twitter @pamsson and watch the premiere of “The Captain” on ESPN on July 18.

Links:

Fox Sports’s strange 9/11 tribute

MLB settles minor league pay lawsuit for $185 million

Stars and Strikes (feat. UNITE HERE Local 11)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 09:27:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby talk for far too long about Alex’s encounter with John Fisher at a recent A’s game, then probe Rob Manfred’s professed desire for expansion teams. Then they talk with Maria Hernandez and Laura Ortiz from UNITE HERE Local 11 about the strike authorization vote among concessions workers at Dodger Stadium and their struggles to negotiate a fair contract. Finally, they answer some listener questions about the grammar of team nicknames, Hall of Fame cases among young stars, and stats that track fans.
Links:
Dodger Stadium concession workers threaten to strike MLB All-Star Game
Rob Manfred doesn’t hate baseball, and other claims
Tipping Pitches on Patreon
Get Tipping Pitches merchandise

Under the Banner Of MLB

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Tue, 28 Jun 2022 09:40:00 GMT

On this episode, Bobby and Alex focus entirely on the letter from the Senate Judiciary Committee to Harry Marino and Advocate for Minor Leaguers, attempting to answer the questions that the four senators pose about MLB’s antitrust exemption and how it impacts minor leaguers.

Links:

Anti-Trust Issues

A League Built On Trust (feat. Jim Quinn)

The Minor League Theory of Value (feat. Harry Marino)

Waving For The Anthem

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 27 Jun 2022 08:47:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby discuss the news that five teams aren’t paying their players in extended spring training and whether we can expect to see change anytime soon. Then they answer listener questions about preferred ballpark food, weaponizing dugout snacks, the best time of day for a game, proper wave timing, Phoebe Bridgers, and more.

Links:

Minor leaguers lament lack of pay in extended spring training

Mark Canha on Pride Night and using his platform

RIP To Your Revenue Sharing Check But I’m Built Different

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 20 Jun 2022 09:00:01 GMT

Alex and Bobby start with a nominal Bad Take Dramatic Reading (but really more of a Weird Take Dramatic Reading) about Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman. Then, they discuss the whispers that other MLB owners are starting to express frustration at the Oakland Athletics use of their revenue sharing checks, before reacting to the news that the Mets met with Harry Marino, Executive Director of Advocates For Minor Leaguers. Finally, they react to Rob Manfred’s quotes summarizing the topics of the owners’ meetings.

Links:

Trouble in Oakland, according to Jon Heyman

Mets meet with Advocates For Minor Leaguers

DOJ asks federal court to limit antitrust exemption

Songs featured in this episode:

Taylor Swift — “Coney “Island • Billie Holiday — “All of Me” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

The Dog Whistles Are Coming From Inside the House

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 13 Jun 2022 08:54:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex discuss Don Mattingly’s sense of style, then look at what’s been trending up and down in their eyes over the course of the season, including the questionable existence of the CBA, myriad ump shows, Buck Showalter, Aaron Judge walk-year mode, and more. Then they try to make sense of the turmoil among the Angelos family in Baltimore, and answer a couple listener questions about a missed Extremely Online Baseball moment and what to do when you’re fed up with your team.

Links:

Rays pitchers reject pride patch

Angelos family feud looks over Orioles

How the Rangers responded to the Uvalde tragedy

Stick It To Sports

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 06 Jun 2022 09:01:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby banter about the best moments in baseball Twitter history, then briefly check in on Mike Trout’s commisionership before discussing Chris Woodward’s explicitly apolitical comments on the wake of Uvalde, as well as Ron DeSantis pulling funding for a new Rays player development complex. Then they answer listener questions about baseball’s true golden age and whether lineup construction really makes a difference.

Links:

Ron DeSantis vetoes funding for new Rays training facility

Intentional Walk-Up Songs (feat. Steve Sladkowski)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 30 May 2022 09:07:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex discuss questionable algorithm-generated sports predictions, then give an update on corruption in Anaheim, try to make sense of Tommy Pham and Joc Pederson’s fantasy football dust-up, and take stock of Gabe Kapler’s national anthem half-protest. Then they bring on PUP guitarist Steve Sladkowski to talk about the parallels between a touring musician and the minor leagues, why baseball fans like punk music, the cravenness inherent to baseball ownership, the state of walk-up songs in baseball, and more.
Links:
Follow Steve Sladkowski on Twitter
Listen to The Unraveling of PUPTheBand
“What Are The Odds?” On Effectively Wild
Gabe Kapler’s blog post about the national anthem
Tipping Pitches on Patreon
Get Tipping Pitches merchandise

Paradise Over Pavement

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 23 May 2022 08:40:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby review Taylor Swift’s NYU commencement speech and reminisce on their own graduation memories, then frame Josh Donaldson’s comment towards Tim Anderson within the broader cultural divide facing MLB, as well as try and parse through the corruption charges casting a shadow over the Angels Stadium deal in Anaheim. Then they answer some listener questions about the stigma of the the starter-to-reliever pipeline, prime real estate when going to a ballpark, which umpires are best suited to throw a game, and more.

Links:

Buy Tipping Pitches merch

Tipping Pitches, now on YouTube

NFTee-Ball

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 16 May 2022 14:39:45 GMT

Bobby and Alex trade prospective “get off my lawn” takes they’ll hold in future years, then take stock of the settlement in Senne v. MLB and how it might play into the future minor league economic system, discuss the recent ill-fated ventures into cryptocurrency around the league, and determine which players are certified Cool and decidedly Uncool.

Links:

Get your Tipping Pitches merch

Senne v. MLB comes to a settlement

MLB partners with Sorare for NFT game

Nationals announce an ill-timed Terra partnership

Songs featured in this episode:

Nelly — "Heart of a Champion" • My Chemical Romance — “The Foundations of Decay” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Mr. Rodriguez, More Content Please!

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 09 May 2022 09:49:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex discuss Bill James’s illiteracy regarding team relocations, then review the debut episode of Joe West’s podcast and analyze which NL East team Olivia Rodrigo pulls for. Then they dissect the labor implications of a dead ball and what it says about MLB’s competency, as well as give their takes about Alex Rodriguez’s bizarre commissioner wishlist. Finally, they answer some questions about ballpark traditions, rooting interests within your division, and reception to the newly-launched Patreon.

Links:

Tipping Pitches merch store

Revenge of the Grift

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 02 May 2022 09:00:06 GMT

Alex and Bobby announce the official launch of the Tipping Pitches Patreon, revealing the perks of each tier. Then, they try to find resolution with the Trevor Bauer decision and break down the reporting surrounding the Yankees Letter. They wrap things up with an unforced meltdown from a baseball executive and handouts to billionaires from New York to Atlanta.

Links:

Subscribe to the Tipping Pitches Patreon

Songs featured in this episode:

Pedro the Lion — “Options” • Camera Obscura — "Let's Get Out of This Country" • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

2 Geneva 2 Conventions

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 25 Apr 2022 09:00:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex discuss the despair among Oakland A’s fans and the torture architect making a bid for Nashville baseball, then speed through some topics from around the league, including Miguel Cabrera’s milestone, a surprise parachuting in Washington D.C., just the literally size of sponsored jersey patches, Charlie Blackmon’s gambling deal, and more.

Links:

Reds fans with bags on their heads

Where Ya Gonna Go?

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 18 Apr 2022 09:19:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby rejoice over news of Cowboy Joe West’s new podcast, then pick apart Phil Castellini’s comments to disgruntled Reds fans, the Pirates’ apparent lack of financial woes, and Dave Kaval’s bold claims about the future payroll of the Oakland A’s, wrapping it up with some ideas for some new NFTs for MLB’s most shining moments.

Links:

Phil Castellini’s comments on 700WLW

Phil Castellini doubles down

The Pirates’ payroll is covered by gate receipts

Dave Kaval says the A’s just need a new stadium to start spending

Shakeia Taylor on how MLB can actually honor Jackie Robinson’s legacy

What's In the Box?

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 09:28:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby discuss Rob Manfred’s generous gift to players on Opening Day and a rest stop encounter in Delaware, then break down the news that the Lerner family is exploring a sale of the Washington Nationals, as well as the Baltimore Orioles receiving a whopping $1.2 billion in public funds from the state of Maryland. Then, they run down some takeaways from Opening Weekend, including the arrival of Steven Kwan and Hunter Greene, a downright unfair perfect game in Japan, the Rays’ attendance accounting hack, and more. Finally, they tackle listener questions about a bizarrely-made case to nationalize baseball, the actual mechanics of nationalizing the sport, walk up songs in Washington D.C. and a big team in a small stadium.

Links:
Could Fans Own A Team?

The Tipping Pitches playlist (thanks listener Britt for maintaining!)

The 2022 All-GIF Draft

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 09:34:00 GMT

Another season, another year of a storied Tipping Pitches tradition: the All-GIF Draft. Bobby and Alex preview the season by taking a look at which players will produce the best GIFs this year, bringing on Bradford William Davis, Stephen Hesson, Jake Mintz, Jordan Shusterman, Clinton Yates, Meg Rowley, and Shakeia Taylor as fellow evaluators. Long necks, tight pants, can't lose.Links:Follow Bradford @BWDBWDBWDFollow Stephen @TangoGolfKilo & Batting Around @BattinAroundFollow Cespedes Family BBQ @CespedesBBQFollow Clinton @clintonyatesFollow Meg @megrowlerFollow Shakeia @curlyfro

The 2022 Tipping Pitches Banned Topics

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Thu, 31 Mar 2022 19:47:21 GMT

Bobby and Alex talk about one journalist’s coverage of the Astros and wonder whether Tipping Pitches’ second act will manifest itself in defense of service time manipulation, then discuss Oneil Cruz, Hunter Greene, and the varying logics behind prospect promotions. Then, they decide on a handful of “banned” topics in 2022. Finally, they answer a few listener questions about preferred rooting interests in 2022, stealing entertainment ideas from other sports, and whether the Guardians’ tactical retreat from competitiveness is worse than that of teams like the A’s.

Links:
Hat Trick Circa 1911 https://pod.link/1265588219/episode/bf1d88b191bfad51fa46d45d6fdc0641

Songs featured in this episode:
oso oso — "pensacola" • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Need A Trench Coat?

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 21 Mar 2022 09:52:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby attempt to parse Phil Mushnick’s sprawling metaphor for New York sports teams, discuss the dizzying flurry of player movement in the last week and what it has revealed about some teams, a labor win for minor leaguers last week, then answer listener questions about their playing days, advertisements on uniforms, the nonexistence of the Phillies’ defense, how their consumption of the game has changed over time, and more.

Links:

Judge rules MLB violated wage law with minor leaguers

Wilco — “Sunken Treasure” • Hitoshi Sato — “Say Goodbye” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

This Is All The Fans’ Fault

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 14 Mar 2022 09:00:00 GMT

With the added perspective three days of a CBA has brought, Alex and Bobby gather to discuss the true culprit behind MLB’s lockout: that’s right, it’s you, the fan. They also discuss MLB’s latest cash grab at the expense of baseball’s accessibility, before answering a slew of listener questions about the CBA and Taylor Swift.

Songs featured in this episode:

Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Emergency New CBA Just Dropped Pod

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Fri, 11 Mar 2022 19:00:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby get together hours after the news of a new CBA between MLB and the MLBPA to discuss the end of the lockout, their instant reactions to some of the key points in the agreement, what this means about player-owner relations moving forward, and more. Baseball’s back, baby!

Songs featured in this episode:

Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

MLB Is In the No-Deal Zone

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 16:44:11 GMT

Bobby and Alex bask in the glorious prose of Bob Nightengale’s accidental poem and give Derek Jeter his due as a spurned former owner, then recap a whirlwind of a week in labor talks, including MLB’s astute weaponizing of the media, Rob Manfred’s press conference, the movement in the players’ latest offer, the concept of bad faith negotiating, and much more.

Songs featured in this episode:

The Beatles — "For No One" • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

For Sale: Opening Day, Never Played

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 28 Feb 2022 10:00:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby talk about unionizing the fans and getting in on labor negotiations. Then they review the week in CBA nonstarters and remark on the apparent tone shift among fans and media ahead of the league’s self-imposed deadline. Finally, they answer a few questions about minor leaguer NIL rules, the MLBPA’s strategies, baseball road trips, and more.

The Minor League Theory of Value (feat. Harry Marino)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 10:09:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex talk Bill de Blasio’s desperate plea for a resolution in MLB’s ongoing labor battle, then turn their attention to the Tyler Skaggs & Eric Kay case and discuss the broader implications the saddening tale may have on the sport. Then they bring on Harry Marino, executive director at Advocates For Minor Leaguers, to talk about the plan for housing in the minors, the complicated nature of pushing for better pay, getting players to open up, what’s coming up for the organization, and more. Plus, a few listener questions on the A’s quest for a stadium, conflicted fandom, shooting for the moon, baseball’s comparatively intense labor front, and the sport’s potential point of no return.

Links:

Advocates For Minor Leaguers

Tipping Pitches merch

Owners Just Wanna Have Fun

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 14 Feb 2022 10:18:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex fantasize about players who they’d love to see juicing, then dive into the latest in MLB showing their behinds, including Rob Manfred’s apparent contempt for baseball fans and the league’s refusal to compensate minor leaguers for spring training. They round things out with listener voicemails about high socks and low socks, the conflicting labor interests of players owning teams, and the possibility of optimism.

Links:

MLB won’t pay minor leaguers for spring training

Mediator? I Barely Know Her

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 07 Feb 2022 10:41:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby bid adieu to Cowboy Joe West’s time as an umpire, which thankfully means more time for him in the recording studio. Then they dive into the latest news on the bargaining front, including why owners want a mediator and why players rightfully rejected it, what this maneuver says about the state of negotiations, how the owners underestimated players coming into the offseason, the players’ united front on social media, and much more. Then they shift their attention to Brian Flores’s lawsuit against the NFL for discriminatory hiring practices, and reflect on baseball’s own problems when it comes to diversity in managerial positions. Finally, a few listener questions on junk food, finding an apartment, what’s been on the TV for Alex and Bobby lately, and the prospect of a Tipping Pitches live show.
Links:
Shakeia Taylor on addressing MLB’s pipeline for managers of color
Rhiannon Walker on the state of the Black manager in MLB

Demystifying the Modern Baseball Owner (feat. Rob Mains) [From January 2021]

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 31 Jan 2022 10:00:00 GMT

In this episode (originally aired in January, 2021), Alex and Bobby were joined by Baseball Prospectus writer Rob Mains to discuss the modern baseball owner — how they make their money, bend public will, wield political influence, skew bottom lines, and more. If you're a new listener, please enjoy this old episode. If you've already heard it, we'll be back with a brand new episode next week, after Bobby's road trip is complete!

Long Live the Players' League (feat. Emma Baccellieri)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Thu, 20 Jan 2022 10:02:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby wade into the discourse about whose fault a potential delay to the season would be, and whether or not fans have any right to to feel entitled to the 2022 season starting on time. Then, they're joined by Emma Baccellieri of Sports Illustrated to discuss her piece on The Players' League, an 1890 National League spinoff that was run like a co-op amongst professional baseball players.

Read Emma's Players' League story here

The Least Terrible Owner Draft (feat. Céspedes Family BBQ)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 17 Jan 2022 10:00:00 GMT

Follow Céspedes Family BBQ on Twitter at @CespedesBBQ.

Songs featured in this episode:

H.E.R. — "Do To Me" • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

How We Tell the Stories of the Negro Leagues (feat. Andrea Williams)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 10 Jan 2022 10:00:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby banter about a potential ARod-Cast for Sunday Night Baseball, and then give their not-so-surprised reactions to MLB Network letting Ken Rosenthal go. Then, they bring on Andrea Williams, author of “Baseball’s Leading Lady: Effa Manley and the Rise and Fall of the Negro Leagues,” to discuss her interest in Manley and the impetus for writing a children’s book about her, reevaluating Branch Rickey’s legacy, the lasting impact of the dearth of Black executives in 20th century baseball, the ongoing recognition of the Negro Leagues by MLB, and much more.

Follow Andrea on Twitter at @AndreaWillWrite.

Links:

Jackie Robinson and the death of the Negro Leagues

The erasure of baseball’s Black executives and managers

Buy “Baseball’s Leading Lady”

ESPN to consider an ARod-Cast for Sunday Night Baseball

MLB Network declines to bring back Ken Rosenthal

Songs featured in this episode:

The B-52’s — “Give Me Back My Man” • Melba Moore — “Standing Right Here” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

The 2022 State of Labor in Baseball (feat. Michael Baumann)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 02:22:47 GMT

To ring in the New Year, Bobby and Alex bring back Michael Baumann, staff writer at The Ringer, for their third annual State of Labor in Baseball, where they survey baseball’s current labor landscape and examine the key dynamics that will define the sport's coming years. Amid the ongoing lockout, they look at whether the current stalemate tracks with where they thought things would be going, which issues are most important to the current fight, the position the players find themselves in and how it differs from past CBA negotiations, how the plight of amateur and minor league players plays into the ongoing tug-of-war (or doesn’t), whether this current pace of exploitation is sustainable for the sport, and much more.

Follow Michael on Twitter at @MichaelBaumann.

Links:

Buy a Tipping Pitches t-shirt

Songs featured in this episode:

Clarence Carter — "Slip Away" • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

The National Ballparks Service

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 27 Dec 2021 10:09:00 GMT

Coming up on the end of 2021, Alex and Bobby take a moment to reflect on the past year and dig into why it feels harder than ever to separate baseball as a business from baseball as a form of entertainment. Of course, they then go on to break down — surprise — the recent lawsuit over MLB’s anti-trust exemption. Finally, they dig into the mailbag for some listener questions about publicly supporting your team during the lockout, the current sports media landscape, most & least important fights at the CBA table, what a dream future for baseball looks like, and much more.

Links:
Former minor league teams sue MLB over antitrust exemption

The differences in youth development in soccer and baseball, feat. Ryan O'Hanlon

How Media Distorts Sports Labor Fights (feat. Adam Johnson)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 20 Dec 2021 10:00:00 GMT

This week, Bobby and Alex finally discuss the Business Insider report that MLB knowingly used two baseballs — that performed very differently — for the entirety of the 2021 season, without informing players, teams, or fans. They, they're joined by Citations Needed co-host Adam Johnson to discuss the way the media industry covers lockouts, strikes, and the labor landscape of professional sports in the United States. Follow Adam and Citations Needed on Twitter. Read Adam's Substack at thecolumn.substack.com.

Links:

Bradford Williams Davis's Report on the Two Baseballs

Listen to us on Working People or HORSE

Buy some Tipping Pitches Merch!

Songs featured in this episode:

Little Richard — “Miss Ann” • The Promise Ring — “Strictly Television” • Cymbals Eat Guitars — “Chambers” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

The CBA ABCs: Revenue Sharing (feat. Nathaniel Grow)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 13 Dec 2021 10:00:00 GMT

With the recent expiration of Major League Baseball’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, Alex and Bobby are taking some time to break down key concepts that will be on the table in the coming weeks and months and examine what’s at stake for each side.

To round out the series, they bring on Nathaniel Grow, associate professor of business law and ethics at Indiana University, to take a look at baseball’s opaque revenue sharing system, parsing out how the system works for or against certain owners, what sets it apart from other sports’ models, how MLB’s antitrust-exempt status play into this and other CBA fault lines, what potential recourse the players have if they really want a fight, and much more.

Follow Nathaniel Grow on Twitter at @NathanielGrow

Links:

The CBA ABCs: Salary Arbitration (feat. Jerry Blevins & Kevin Goldstein)

The CBA ABCs: Competitive Balance Tax (feat. Maury Brown and Lindsey Adler)

Contextualize these discussions with our CBA crash course

Songs featured in this episode:

Title Fight — “Mrahc” • Jennifer Lara — “I Am In Love” • The Bitter Tears — “Bachelors Say” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

The CBA ABCs: Competitive Balance Tax (feat. Maury Brown and Lindsey Adler)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 06 Dec 2021 10:00:00 GMT

Now that Major League Baseball’s Collective Bargaining Agreement has expired, Alex and Bobby are taking some time to break down key concepts that will be on the table in the coming weeks and months and examine what’s at stake for each side.

This week, they do a deep dive on the competitive balance tax, looking at its initial aims to address parity and how its purpose has been twisted by both small and big market teams since its inception in 1997. First they talk with Maury Brown, senior contributor at Forbes, about how teams’ attitude towards the CBT has changed over the last two decades and what rising revenues across the league have done to undercut the measure. Then they bring on Lindsey Adler, Yankees beat writer for The Athletic, to talk about covering a team that has self-imposed-but-CBT-influenced limits on its spending and why they don’t exactly set baseball’s financial market anymore.

Follow Maury Brown on Twitter at @bizballmaury
Follow Lindsey Adler on Twitter at @lindseyadler

Links:
The CBA ABCs: Salary Arbitration (feat. Jerry Blevins & Kevin Goldstein)
Contextualize these discussions with our CBA crash course

Songs featured in this episode:
Paul McCartney and the Wings — "Let Me Roll It" • The Beatles — "One After 909" • Tommy Tucker — "Hi-Heel Sneakers" • The Strokes — "Modern Age" • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

The CBA ABCs: Salary Arbitration (feat. Jerry Blevins & Kevin Goldstein)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 10:18:00 GMT

With the imminent expiration of Major League Baseball’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, Alex and Bobby are taking some time to break down key concepts that will be on the table in the coming weeks and months and examine what’s at stake for each side.

This week, they look at salary arbitration, tracing its roots back to the end of the reserve clause and outlining its occasionally-squishy boundaries. They talk with former reliever Jerry Blevins about his personal experience with the arbitration process and how players navigate the system. They also bring on Kevin Goldstein, current FanGraphs writer and former Houston Astros executive, to demystify the financial approach that organizations take to arbitration and the role that player evaluation has in it.

Follow Jerry Blevins on Twitter @jerryblevins

Follow Kevin Goldstein on Twitter @Kevin_Goldstein

If The Industry Could Speak

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 10:27:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex banter about the Rays doing Rays things with a generational talent, then break down the new plan to provide minor leaguers with housing and why it’s a bittersweet victory. Then, a close reading of Rob Manfred’s comments about the state of CBA negotiations.

Links:

Jeff Passan’s roundup of Rob Manfred’s comments (https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/32661677/commissioner-rob-manfred-says-lockout-move-mlb-labor-talks-forward)

'Tis the Damn Offseason (Bobby and Alex's Version)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 15 Nov 2021 10:00:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex chronicle the latest in CBA negotiation news, including an outlandish proposal to replace salary arbitration with a payment system based on FanGraphs Wins Above Replacement. Then, they discuss Scott Boras, and whether his annual comments at the GM Meetings align with MLBPA interests or not. Finally, they finish by answering listener questions about the Athletics' impending tear down and — what else? — Red (Taylor's Version).

Links:

Evan Drellich on the latest MLB proposal ($)

Songs featured in this episode:

Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

The #200 Mailbag: Brawls, Caffeine, Hot Dogs, Star Wars, and Taylor Swift

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 08 Nov 2021 10:00:00 GMT

For their 200th episode, Alex and Bobby open up the mailbag and spend an episode taking listener questions about baseball and far beyond, including a baseball podcaster brawl, deadly caffeine consumption, Star Wars characters in bed, all things Taylor Swift, secondary podcast ideas, episode music choices, and much more. Thanks to those who submitted questions, and to everyone for listening!

Songs featured in this episode:

Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Which Side Are You On?

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Tue, 02 Nov 2021 09:13:37 GMT

Bobby and Alex talk Jon Heyman’s growing sentience, then take stock of the World Series so far, examining what has made it enjoyable — or not — to watch. Then they discuss the looming likelihood of a strike, assessing what they think a potential work stoppage will look like and where the power balance stands right now. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features the pitfalls of Steve Cohen’s poster’s mentality, and the Oakland A’s continuing their calculated retreat from Oakland.

Links:

Robert Blum on the possibility of a lockout

Steve Cohen’s tweet is brought into the courtroom

Steve Cohen in talks to bring a casino to Queens

Joe Biden tells the Pope a Satchel Paige story

Songs featured in this episode:

Brad stank — "Watering the Garden" • J. Rawls — "That Very First Day - Instrumental" • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

What Does Rob Manfred Want Me to Feel?

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Tue, 26 Oct 2021 09:50:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby check in on Bob Nightengale’s latest exploits, then discuss how they ~feel~ about a Houston-Atlanta World Series, what makes these teams hard to root for, the complexity of the Dodgers’ exit, and more. They also take listener messages about rooting for the Astros as a Dodger fan, Kevin Millar the scab, and what a devoted Tipping Pitches listener is called. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features TBS’s love for singles and chops, and a dystopian commercial for a self-driving(?) truck.

Links:

Ryan Helsley & Rob Manfred on the tomahawk chop

Levi Weaver on the Rangers’ resistance to LGBTQ+ acceptance

Donate to GLAAD

A Return To Normalcy (feat. Josh Gondelman)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Wed, 20 Oct 2021 09:00:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby react to the news that MLB plans to provide housing for all its minor leaguers starting in 2022, wonder what that will look like in practice, and theorize how that will affect the continued organizing effort among minor leaguers. Then, they’re joined by Josh Gondelman, comedian and producer of Desus & Mero, to make a humble case for why the remaining non-partisan baseball fans should throw their support behind the…gasp…Boston Red Sox. Finally, this week’s Three Up, Three Down features an existential look at advertising, Carlos Correa apologia, and one more slap in the face to A’s fans.

Links:

Jeff Passan on MiLB housing

MLB Cutting the Cord?

Buy Tipping Pitches Merch!

Songs featured in this episode:

Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Turn Around and No Peeking!

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 09:54:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby debate the merits of rally towels, then break down the last week in baseball, including a mighty Astros showing again the White Sox, the endless cycle of Rays “resources” discourse, the exceptional balance between the Giants and Dodgers, and more. They also listen to some voicemails about just, like, enjoying things, the virtues of losing your voice, and the difference between Thom Brennaman and Jim Kaat’s offenses. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features a modest proposal from Tony La Russa and One Weird Trick That Made the Red Sox Likable.

The 2021 Playoffs: The Musical

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Sat, 09 Oct 2021 09:04:00 GMT

In this abbreviated episode, Bobby and Alex break down the first few games of the playoffs, including a confusing Broadway-themed postseason promo, what it takes to be good in October these days, the heyday of the quick hook, Jim Kaat’s amazingly racist remark about Yoán Moncada, the Astros leveling up every October, and more. They’ll be back on Wednesday for a full episode.
Links:
MLB Network’s Broadway promo

Politics Liberal, Baseball Conservative

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 04 Oct 2021 09:09:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby discuss the anti-climactic end to the regular season and what they want to see out of the playoff vs. what they actually expect to happen. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features Congresspeople procrastinating, a dress down of rabid praise of the Rays, and a tapping of the “it’s not your money” sign.

Links:

Giants concessions workers reach tentative contract agreement

FiveThirtyEight polls congresspeople on, just like, baseball

Cards on the Table

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 09:17:00 GMT

In this episode, Bobby and Alex discuss recent developments around the #FairBall protest, and check in on the chances of a work stoppage this off-season. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features a eurostep-off, Kevin Kiermaier’s recovery of a Blue Jays scouting card, the Oakland A’s season ticket scam, the resurgence of Cardinal Devil Magic, and more.

Links:

The Rays will advertise the Montreal plan this postseason

The Dodgers’ costume flight

Shut Up, I’m Calculating Win Probability

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 20 Sep 2021 09:25:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby discuss the stance taken by Phillies and Mets minor leaguers against unfair wages and living conditions this past week, and what it suggests about how the conversation has shifted. Then they run through some listener questions about ethical consumption under baseball, alumni pride for Dayton Moore, what baseball players have in common with elementary school kids, and how we frame contract discussions. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features predatory lending for teenagers and lessons in probability.

Links:

Mets & Phillies minor leaguers protest unfair pay

Pay No Attention to the Investment Firm Behind the Predatory Loans!

Mike Elk on Roberto Clemente and Curt Flood

The Royals explore new stadium options

The Dumbest Baseball Things of 2021 (feat. Batting Around)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 09:34:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex are joined by Lauren Walker, Jane Ost, and Stephen Hesson of Batting Around to talk about the weirdest and dumbest things that happened on and off the field this season, including Javy Báez magic, All-Star Game meltdowns, pine tar checks, *gestures at Tony La Russa*, and more. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features lessons on toughness and plenty of #content from the Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Links:

Hyun Jin Ryu’s Korean fried chicken parties

What is Aaron Boone actually saying about Derek Jeter?

Hunter Renfroe claims MLB has stopped mandating COVID tests

Win In a Walkoff

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Tue, 07 Sep 2021 16:46:18 GMT

Alex and Bobby talk with Ted Waechter, organizer with UNITE HERE Local 2, about the recent strike vote among Oracle Park concessions workers and what they’re demanding from the Giants. Then they try to break down MLB’s proposed changes to service time and arbitration, and look at how the rise of streaming spells danger for regional sports networks — and the teams that profit off them. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features experiments in the Atlantic League and minor league baseball’s encounter with climate change.

Links:
Giants concessions workers vote in favor of a strike
A closer look at the concessions workers’ demands
MLB proposes changes to service time
MLB’s struggles with direct-to-consumer streaming ($)
Atlantic League mound experiment pushes players to the brink
Who erased MLB pitcher Devin Williams' tribute to Black Lives Matter?

Songs featured in this episode:
Strawbs — “Part Of The Union” • Pete Seeger — “Solidarity Forever” • Time Zone — “World Destruction” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Mistrust the Process

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 30 Aug 2021 09:00:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex talk about advice columns, the side of baseball’s rags to riches stories that doesn’t get discussed, and what the Orioles show us about the state of tanking in baseball. Then they answer listener voicemails about a player’s union eligibility, Statcast’s strange deployment, and the decline of custom shirseys. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features one broadcaster’s introduction to NFTs and rule bending for yellow bats.

Links:

The substitute teacher who can throw 100

Ken Rosenthal on the Orioles’ extreme tanking ($)

Topps loses its grip on the sports trading card industry

Mike Shannon learns about NFTs

Shake Shohei Ohtani’s hand in Oshu City

Songs featured in this episode:

Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Bet The House (feat. Craig Calcaterra)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 23 Aug 2021 09:44:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby discuss the Dodgers City Connect jerseys (and whether they mailed them in), before being joined by Craig Calcaterra to talk about having a full baseball season back, MLB's big bet on gambling, the upcoming labor fight, unionizing the minor leagues, and more.

Follow Craig on Twitter and subscribe to his newsletter, Cup of Coffee.

Links:

Buy your own "Unionize the Minors" shirt

Read Shakeia Taylor on Marcus Stroman

All Tied Up In Monopolies

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 16 Aug 2021 09:00:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby banter about their superstitions while playing — or watching — baseball. Then they share thoughts on the Field of Dreams game and what actually made it special, as well as Buster Olney’s reporting on the Angels’ supposed limited financial options for extending Shohei Ohtani. They field some voicemails about bullpen catchers, MLB The Show, and separating the owner from the players, and end on a Three Up, Three Down that features an accidental endorsement of a Trea Turner extension and baseball under climate change.

Links:

Can the Angels keep Shohei Ohtani? https://www.espn.com/mlb/insider/story/_/id/31997589/can-angels-keep-shohei-ohtani-payroll-crisis-looms-los-angeles

The Phillie Phanatic shakes up Hollywood https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/phillie-phanatic-1234996044/

Minor league baseball in the shadow of wildfires https://theathletic.com/2766126/2021/08/13/this-is-going-to-get-worse-smoke-pollution-concerns-in-reno-bring-focus-to-a-growing-obstacle-for-baseball/

Songs featured in this episode:

Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

This Is The Bad Place

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Tue, 10 Aug 2021 09:52:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex toast to four years of the podcast by discussing — what else — an article about minor league housing, what the potential partnership between MLB and Barstool Sports says about the league’s priorities, and shenanigans at the trade deadline. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features the Mets’ Kumar Rocker gaffe and whether 31 mph pitches are good or not.

Links:

Billy Ripken on velocity through the years

Britt Ghiroli chronicles minor league living conditions

Buy a Unionize the Minors t-shirt

At The Drop of a Hat (feat. Benjamin Christensen & James Holas)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Wed, 28 Jul 2021 09:01:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex decide to dive deeper into the furor around some recent New Era hat drops and try to break down how the fitted cap community differs from the average baseball fan. To do that, they turn to Benjamin Christensen, a community events & engagement manager at Hat Club, and James Holas, a former basketball blogger and recent fitted cap convert, to talk about the fitted cap trend and the market for it, the process of hat design, what brings them joy about their collections — and their takes on some of those New Era caps.

Follow Benjamin on Twitter @shakabrodie.

Follow James on Twitter @snottiedrippen.

Links:

Custom Fitted Hats Have Become Must-Have Collectors’ Items. Here’s How.

Avant Guardians

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 09:09:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby talk about the soon-to-be Cleveland Guardians and probe how genuine this transition has felt, check in on a pivotal vote to keep the A’s in Oakland, and read about — shocker! — minor leaguers in poor living conditions. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features electronic pitch signs and the freakin’ K-zone.

Links:

Tom Hanks’s relationship to Cleveland

Joon Lee on minor league player treatment in the Angels’ system

MLB testing electronic sign devices

The return of Thom Brennaman

The All-Star Game’s economic boom that wasn’t

Buy Tipping Pitches merch

John Fisher’s Daddy Issues

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 19 Jul 2021 09:19:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby banter about the All-Star Break festivities and Pete Alonso’s Home Run Derby prowess. Then they discuss the impasse in the Oakland A’s ballpark negotiations and John Fisher’s vision for his legacy, as well as player comments about priorities in this round of CBA negotiations. They take some listener calls about the Derby format, minor league team shuffling, and a run-scoring rule change. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features Good Guy Shohei Ohtani and All-Star opt-out #discourse.

Links:

Who Is John Fisher?
MLB All-Star talk labor priorities ($)
Won’t MLB All-Stars think of Joel Sherman’s feelings?
Will Craig on the move to the KBO
Colnessa continue to be couple goals

The Phillies and Vaccines

Fiscal Cliff Notes

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 09:00:00 GMT

This week, Bobby and Alex examine a Pro Publica that uncovers the ways sports owners weaponize their franchises to avoid paying taxes (spoiler alert: it's as frustrating as it sounds!). This week’s Three Up, Three Down features a disappointing Ronald Acuña Jr. injury, Max Muncy and Max Muncy, the Cubs, and emo Lance Lynn.

Links:

ProPublica's Report on Billionaire Sports Owners

Shakeia Taylor's Bauer Thread

Songs featured in this episode:

Pete Rock — “Smooth Sailing” • Louyah — “I Used To Care” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

The Grey Divide Continues

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 28 Jun 2021 09:32:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby get some stock tips courtesy of a Ross Stripling column, explore what the Supreme Court’s ruling against the NCAA could mean for baseball’s anti-trust exemption, and answer some voicemails on the All-Star Game jerseys, concessions prices, and gambling at the park. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features Fernando Tatis Jr. as baseball’s must-watch TV and Scott Boras’s words of wisdom.

Links:

Ross Stripling on stocks and baseball

Baseball America on the Supreme Court’s ruling

Faye Webster on Acuña

Scott Boras’s foreign substances statement

A Complete Game With Jerry Blevins

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 21 Jun 2021 09:40:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex welcome on former relief pitcher and current dad Jerry Blevins to talk about being a union guy, memorable mound visits, foreign substances, his experience in the minor leagues, locker room movies, and more in a series of nine(-ish) questions. Jerry’s first complete game!

Follow Jerry on Twitter at @jerryblevins.

Links:

Buy a “Steal Bases, Not Wages” shirt

Listen to 'Shea Anything,' where Jerry appears every other week, wherever you get podcasts.

Collective Bargaining Disagreements

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 09:48:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby chat about the worst billionaire who could own a baseball team, and why it’s Elon Musk. Then they break down Pete Alonso’s ball manipulation theory and look at how it impacts the upcoming CBA expiration, as well as what issues could be on the table. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features a radicalized Mets broadcast booth and some law 101.

Links:

Five and Dive talks service time manipulation

The MLBPA's $500 million grievance

The Diamondbacks City Connect jerseys

Talkin' Glue (Foreign Substances Podcast)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 09:57:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex banter about their potential submissions for Alex Rodriguez’s contest to win $96,000. Then they talk about foreign substances and why the discourse around it is already exhausting, as well as Bob Brenly’s comment about Marcus Stroman’s durag and Jon Duplantier’s courageous response. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features split opinions on the City Connect jerseys, and unanimous approval of Olivia Rodrigo’s “SOUR.”
Links:
MLB sued for moving All-Star Game
What the A’s are feeding their minor leaguers
Tyler Glasnow, chess wizard
Jon Duplantier on Bob Brenly’s comment

Hat Trick Circa 1911

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Sat, 29 May 2021 09:07:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby talk about New Era’s ill-advised local market caps and Javier Báez forcing the miscue of the century. Then they talk about Mike Shildt and MLB’s mailed-in campaign against foreign substances, as well as Keith Olbermann's insistence on yelling at clouds. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features Dave Kaval’s (in)ability to read the room, and the White Sox’s dedication to unforced errors.

Buy a Tipping Pitches t-shirt here.

Links:
Mike Shildt’s postgame presser
White Sox face backlash amid lounge renaming
AP’s odd betting partnership
The New York Times is interested in the Athletic
The Javy Play

Democrats want to make college athletes employees

Joey Votto, amateur broadcaster

Old Dog, New Tricks

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 24 May 2021 09:18:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex dive far too deep into the Tony La Russa/Yermín Mercedes saga and then check in on the stadium stalemate in Oakland. Then they listen to a couple voicemails about players you dislike on your favorite team and Jim Crane’s real estate portfolio. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features real live in-person baseball and Stephen A. Smith’s take on Shohei Ohtani.

Links:

Nick Castellanos gets an assist from a fan

A camera dedicated to Shohei Ohtani

Stephen A. Smith is unimpressed

Oakland City Council’s letter to the A’s

Rooted In Fantasyland (feat. Alex Coffey)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Thu, 13 May 2021 09:00:00 GMT

Mid-week special! Alex and Bobby talk about the Houston Astros providing housing for players and give quick reactions to the Oakland A’s ballpark ultimatum. Then they bring on Alex Coffey, A’s beat writer for The Athletic, to break down how negotiations got to this moment, how Rob Manfred’s shadow looms over this all, and what the outcome for the A’s — and the city — might look like. Finally, they wrap with some voicemails about interpreter mound visits, the Liberty Media Braves, and a rule to break baseball.

Follow Alex Coffey on Twitter at @byalexcoffey.

Links:
The A’s had a Manfred favor in their pocket ($)
A’s to begin exploring other location options
Tipping Pitches merch!

Songs featured in this episode:
Mild High Club — “Rollercoaster Baby” • Hospital Bracelet — “Feral Rat Anthem” • Gum Country — “Tennis (I Feel OK)” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Working Class Power Hitters

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 10 May 2021 09:29:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex talk Kevin McCarthy’s ramblings on the All-Star Game move, the return of minor league baseball, an unceremonious halt to Albert Pujols’s career, and #RatcoonGate in New York. Then they take some calls on franchises half-heartedly tanking and the prospect of real labor solidarity in baseball. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features John Means and the necessary evil of the dropped third strike rule.

Links:

The Tipping Pitches Store (code: AROD)

More Than Baseball’s opening day thread

Kevin McCarthy whines about MLB

The MLBPA on the PRO Act

Arizona passes public tax to fund Chase Field renovations

Bet On It (feat. Kyle Bandujo)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 03 May 2021 07:50:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby banter about Rob Manfred and pace of play vs. betting, and listen to a couple voicemails about some downtrodden teams. Then they bring on Kyle Bandujo, host of “Big Screen Sports” and “From Phenom to Farm,” to talk about the realities that come with being drafted, how the past year has impacted minor leaguers, mental health as a prospect, and more. Finally, a Three Up, Three Down featuring the duality of Bally Sports and maximum weird baseball rules.

Follow Kyle on Twitter at @kylebandujo.

Links:
Listen to “From Phenom to the Farm”
Kyle on aiding mental health in baseball
Craig Goldstein on Manfred’s comments
The story of Drew Robinson (CW)

Miguel Cabrera, vaccination ambassador

Songs featured in this episode:

Vampire Weekend — "Harmony Hall" • Madonna — "Express Yourself" • Taylor Swift — “Out of the Woods” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

The Theory of Everything Perfect (feat. Shaker Samman)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 26 Apr 2021 09:00:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby break down A-Rod’s takes on social media, electronics, spreadsheet, and more. Then they bring on incoming associate editor at Baseball Prospectus Shaker Samman to unfold his theory of consecutive perfect games, as well as what the Super League can tell us about baseball (and vice versa). Finally, a Three Up, Three Down featuring the anomaly of Jacob deGrom and a rather expensive ballpark.

Follow Shaker on Twitter at @ShakerSamman.

Links:

A-Rod talks to Bob Nightengale

How the Super League fell apart

Joon Lee on women in baseball

The A’s release financial terms on their ballpark project

Putting the ballpark project into context

Songs featured in this episode:

Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Mound Over Matter

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 10:00:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby discuss conspiracy theories about the end of Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez’s relationship, the thrill of the Dodgers and Padres, and the experiment of moving back the mound. Then they bring on Mike Schubert for a preview of his upcoming project. Finally, some listener voicemails and a packed Three Up, Three Down.

Follow Mike on Twitter at @Schubes17.

Links:

Support Modern Muckraker
Read Dear Jackie by Shakeia Taylor
Everyone on Joey Votto

Songs featured in this episode:

The Pointer Sisters — “I’m So Excited” • Julianna Zachariou — "church st." • The Byrds — “You Ain’t Going Nowhere” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Anti-Trust Issues

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 12 Apr 2021 09:00:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex talk Alex Rodriguez finally getting his sports team, MLB’s timely investigation of pitchers using foreign substances, what would change if the league’s anti-trust exemption was actually stripped away, and host families in a pandemic. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features the corporatization of Field of Dreams, and Dusty Baker’s inherited walk-of-shame.

Links:

What MLB’s anti-trust exemption means

The history of anti-trust in baseball

Songs featured in this episode:

Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

All That Jazz

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 05 Apr 2021 10:00:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby ring in the new season by talking about a hypothetical Red Sox losing streak and COVID cases abound on the Nationals. Then they discuss Francisco Lindor’s extension with the Mets and how it fits into baseball financial landscape, as well as MLB’s decision to pull this year’s All-Star Game from Atlanta. The return of Three Up, Three Down features the electrifying young star on the Marlins and statistical literacy on broadcasts.

Links:

The Bally Sports scorebug on Reddit

Jazz Chisholm on personality in baseball

An over-the-top tribute from the White Sox

Songs featured in this episode:

A Tribe Called Quest — “Jazz (We Got)” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

The 2021 MLB All-GIF Draft, Part 2

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 08:46:00 GMT

Part 1 featured the obvious — Tatis, Lindor, even Bau*r. But part 2 is where the depth of this year's draft really starts to show. Tune in to hear Jake Mintz, Jordan Shusterman, Meg Rowley, and Randy Wilkins round out the rest of the 2021 All-GIF draft.

Read a blog post (featuring highlight GIFs for every selection) here.

The 2021 MLB All-GIF Draft, Part 1

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 29 Mar 2021 09:40:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex ring in the start of a new MLB season the only way they know how: drafting the most GIF-able players to watch this year. They bring on a series of guests to draft against and discuss Fernando Tatis Jr., Francisco Lindor, Shohei Ohtani, and more — with a few surprises. This episode features the first eight picks with Shakeia Taylor, Bradford William Davis, Hannah Keyser, and Clinton Yates. Part two will be out Tuesday, March 31.

Links:

The 2021 MLB All-GIF Draft, annotated
Last year’s draft

If Ginny Was Commish... (feat. Ginny Searle)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 22 Mar 2021 09:00:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby talk MLB’s plan to disrupt the sport with “innovation” and “technology,” and the prospect of NFTs of ground balls. In the final installment of their “If I Were Commish” season preview series, they talk to Ginny Searle of Baseball Prospectus about team owner accountability, expansion, plans for Mr. Met, and more.

Links:

Follow Ginny on Twitter

MLB’s plans for innovation this year

A primer on NFT’s in the NBA

Songs featured in this episode:

Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

If Randy Was Commish... (feat. Randy Wilkins)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 09:00:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex grieve for A-Rod and J-Lo’s relationship, and discuss the rationale behind some of the rule changes being tested in the minors this year. Then they bring on filmmaker and writer Randy Wilkins for the second installment of their season preview series. They talk abolishing the draft, the burden of blackouts, Ken Griffey Jr. vs. the world, and much more.

Links:
Follow Randy on Twitter
Check out Randy’s website
MLB is testing new rule changes
Joe Biden chats with J-Rod

Songs featured in this episode:
Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

If River Was Commish... (feat. River Butcher)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 09:53:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby chat about can openers and listen to a couple voicemails about the Giants and Cleveland. Then they bring on comedian and friend of the pod River Butcher for the first in a series of episodes asking: If you were commissioner, what would you do in your first 100 days? This episode discusses gender equality in baseball and military overexposure.

Links:

Follow River on Twitter

Listen to Three Swings

Listen to “Pull Yourself Up By Your Bootleg”

Brynn Tannehill on 'Factually! with Adam Conover'

F.C. Rancho Cucamonga (feat. Ryan O’Hanlon)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 10:00:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex talk about why A-Rod’s new SPAC is the hot stock to grab, and how Kevin Mather’s comments were far from an anomaly. Then they chat with Ryan O’Hanlon, soccer writer and editor, about how European soccer’s youth development pipeline compares to youth baseball stateside, the benefits and drawbacks of club-driven development, the quirk of fan ownership, a conveyor belt of Tr*vor B*uers, and much more.

Links:

Follow Ryan on Twitter

Read No Grass In The Clouds

The full Kevin Mather transcript

Bradford Davis on the ubiquity of Kevin Mather

Songs featured in this episode:

Booker T & the M.G.’s — "Green Onions”

Tipping Pitches: A Baseball Podcast

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Fri, 26 Feb 2021 11:00:00 GMT

Welcome to Tipping Pitches — the baseball podcast trying to nationalize our national pastime. Available anywhere you get your podcasts. Follow us on Twitter @tipping_pitches. Email us at tippingpitchespod@gmail.com. Tell us why you hate your team's owner at 785-422-5881.

Tim Tebow Transfers the Torch to Tatis

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 22 Feb 2021 10:00:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby chat about — what else? — Fernando Tatis Jr.’s payday and what it says about the San Diego Padres, the financial health of the league, and so-called “small markets.” Then, they get into some Open Season voicemails about Bob Nightengale’s best source, Jerry Reinsdorf’s personal debts, coping with toxic players, and the time we almost lost the Minnesota Twins. Finally, they give one final, heartfelt send-off to Tim Tebow in a Power-Hour finale.

Call into Open Season at: 785-422-5881

Songs featured in this episode:

Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Arbitration Nation

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Tue, 16 Feb 2021 10:10:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby banter about vaccinations and the looming reality of in-person baseball games. Then they talk about Jack Flaherty’s arbitration case with the Cardinals and why fans should care about labor battles in the sport, as well as the history erased with the renaming of the minor league divisions. Finally, more voicemails for Open Season, Clayton Kershaw’s takes on tanking, and the latest in MLB romances.

Links:

Clayton Kershaw on tanking

Songs featured in this episode:

Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

No Critical Thinking, Just Vibes (feat. Jen Ramos)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 10:00:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby kick off the pod with the first edition of ‘Open Season,’ answering listener voicemails on the utter mismanagement of the Cubs, the joy of being able to root for Sean Doolittle, and the broken public trust between ownership and fans. Then, they’re joined by Jen Ramos of the Baseball Prospectus R&D department to discuss, among other things, Bob Nightengale, Kim Ng, Jared Porter and Mickey Callaway.

Follow Jen on Twitter.

Links:

Sean Doolittle grateful for his Nats tenure.

Songs featured in this episode:

Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

The Big Short Porch (feat. Mike Schubert)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 01 Feb 2021 09:57:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex talk about Nolan Arenado and the concept of “onerous contracts,” as well as Steve Cohen, GameStop, and the freaking stock market, baby. Then they bring on Mike Schubert, podcaster extraordinaire at Multitude Productions and obnoxious Yankees fan, to talk the Bronx Bombers as they exist in 2021, the team’s facial hair policy, the high bar their fans set, hot dogs, and more. Finally, they discuss Marcus Semien’s departure from the Oakland A’s, and Ken Griffey, Jr.’s move to the Commissioner’s Office.

Leave us a voicemail for Open Season by calling ‪(785) 422-5881‬.

Follow Mike on Twitter.

Links:

Ben Clemens on the Nolan Arenado trade

Ken Rosenthal on the Oakland A’s finances ($)

Andrew Yang taking BP

Alex Rodriguez and the Legal Definition of Racketeering

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 25 Jan 2021 10:02:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby reflect on the legacy of Hank Aaron and wonder whether it’s possible for him to be...underrated? Then they dive into some free agent news — hello, Toronto Blue Jays! — and probe the Baltimore Orioles in their quest to screw over their players. Then they talk about Jared Porter and what comes after his firing (cw: sexual harassment), as well as Ken Rosenthal’s backwards column about Trevor Bauer. Finally, Alex Rodriguez sees rackets some teers and bezzles some ment.

Links:

ESPN’s story on Jared Porter

A-Rod hit with lawsuit

Songs featured in this episode:

Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

The 2021 State of Labor in Baseball (feat. Michael Baumann)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 11:00:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex bring on Michael Baumann, staff writer at the Ringer, for their annual look at the state of labor in baseball. Their conversation includes how the landscape has shifted over the last year, what the frigid free agent market means for players, breaking down Rob Manfred’s call for 162 games in 2021, what to expect with the CBA expiring at the end of the year, and much more.

Follow Michael on Twitter.

Links:

So You Want to Own a Baseball Team (feat. Rob Mains)

A Labor of Love (feat. Michael Baumann), 2019

Songs featured in this episode:

Paramore — "Where the Lines Overlap" • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Francisco Lindor or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Baseball

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Tue, 12 Jan 2021 10:00:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby discuss the Mets trading for Francisco Lindor, the Padres pushing in all their chips, and the Cubs’s manufactured window. Then they chat about their defining moments as baseball fans and how they give context to the way they think about the sport, including a perfect game, an inauspicious debut, a veteran’s return, and more.

Songs featured in this episode:

Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

So You Want to Own a Baseball Team (feat. Rob Mains)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 10:07:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex kick off the new year by bringing on Rob Mains, writer at Baseball Prospectus, to talk about the business of baseball from an owner’s perspective, how teams actually make (and lose) money, what’s changed about owners in the last 50 years, and much more.

Follow Rob on Twitter @Cran_Boy .

Links:

Baseball teams and rent seeking

Why teams aren’t dependent on cash flow

Once More, With Feeling

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 28 Dec 2020 11:00:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby take a look back on their favorite memories from 2020, including an impassioned debate on jerseys vs. shirseys, an investigation into whether fans could own a baseball team, Sean Doolittle’s Star Wars rankings, a critical look at baseball’s most pointless traditions, and plenty of wonderful guests. Thanks to everyone who followed along this year, and look out for bigger, better, brighter bullshit in the new year!

Links:

Listen to every Tipping Pitches episode

Songs featured in this episode:
Bartees Strange — “Boomer” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

The Negro Leagues Have Always Been Valid (feat. Clinton Yates)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Tue, 22 Dec 2020 10:13:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex discuss the Cleveland baseball team’s decision to drop their team name...eventually, and weigh in on the bubbling debate over the length of the 2021 season. Then they bring on Clinton Yates, columnist at the Undefeated and panelist on ESPN’s Around the Horn, to talk about MLB bringing the Negro Leagues under their umbrella, who owns the concept of baseball, the lessons that MLB can’t seem to learn, and more.

Follow @clintonyates on Twitter.

Links:

Why the Negro Leagues doesn’t need MLB’s approval

Gifts, Grifts, and Taylor Swift

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 14 Dec 2020 10:00:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby run through a collection of items from the baseball world this past week, including but not limited to: the best (read: worst) gifts that the MLB shop has to offer, new faces in front offices, Giancarlo Stanton’s contract, insurance lawsuits, Taylor Swift’s new album, and more. It’s the offseason!

Links:

Giancarlo Stanton’s contract is hurting the Yankees, supposedly

MLB is suing its insurance providers

Songs featured in this episode:

Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Redemption for Josh Gibson (feat. Sean Gibson)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 07 Dec 2020 10:21:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex look at the best and worst references to baseball players in rap songs (shout out to Action Bronson). Then they bring on Sean Gibson, executive director of the Josh Gibson Foundation and Josh Gibson’s great-grandson, to discuss the campaign to rename the MVP award after the Negro League legend, what redemption looks like for an untold history, and more.

Links:

The Josh Gibson Foundation

JG20MVP Campaign

The case for the Josh Gibson MVP Award

Rap Genius’s baseball references

Ken Griffey Jr. is a rapper too

Baseball Will Be Okay (feat. Collin McHugh)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 30 Nov 2020 10:28:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby talk about the Tampa Bay Rays’ desire for “financial” “flexibility,” MLB’s long and winding history of championship trophies, and Shohei Ohtani getting in his feels. Then they bring on free agent pitcher Collin McHugh to discuss what it’s like being at the bargaining table with MLB, what baseball in 2021 will look like, the prospect of minor league unionization, and much more.
Links:
Follow Collin on Twitter
Listen to the Twelve Six Podcast
Shohei Ohtani talks a difficult season
The Rays consider some winter cleaning
Scott Boras’s reservoir quote

The Book of Theo

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 23 Nov 2020 09:58:00 GMT

In this abbreviated episode, Alex and Bobby talk about Robinson Canó’s PED suspension and how his legacy came undone, what Theo Epstein’s departure from the Cubs means for baseball, and why the World Series champions are laying off employees. Back next week!
Links:
Dodgers are laying off employees

Weeks Where Decades Happen

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 10:19:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex open with a discussion about Kim Ng’s historic hiring and what it means for baseball’s landscape. Then they tackle a lineup of news items from the past two weeks, including Tony LaRussa’s DUI, Jeff Luhnow suing the Astros, Cleveland’s commitment to mediocrity, Awards SZN, and more.

Links:

Read Marc Carig and Lindsey Adler on the hiring of Kim Ng ($).
Jeff Luhnow is suing the Astros

The Concept of Baseball (feat. River Butcher)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 02 Nov 2020 10:28:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby are joined by writer and comedian River Butcher to discuss the Los Angeles Dodgers and their World Series title, the arc of River's fandom, separating the concept of baseball from the product of baseball, alternate histories in the sport, and much more. Alex and Bobby also chat about Joe Kelly bursting Rob Manfred’s bubble, a terminally-online Steve Cohen, and Jon Lester’s bar tab.
Links:

THE OKRA PROJECT

THE LOVELAND FOUNDATION

Listen to Three Swings
Unionize the Minors t-shirts
Jon Lester runs up a bar tab

So Things Got Weird Fast

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Thu, 29 Oct 2020 09:35:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby talk about the Los Angeles Dodgers winning the World Series, and dissect the timeline of events that immediately followed, including Justin Turner testing positive for COVID-19 and Rob Manfred’s sea of boos. They discuss the Rays and what their postseason showing means for the #sabermetrics #movement, and attempt to determine what qualifies as a “championship drought.” Then they turn their attention to Tony LaRussa and wonder how on Earth he’s the guy for the White Sox, and forecast what’s sure to be a dreary offseason.

Links:

Albert Burneko on why it's not Justin Turner's fault

Stephen A. Smith is mad about owners

Jen Ramos on the Dodgers and their priorities

Moneyball: Endgame

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 19 Oct 2020 09:00:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby take a last look at the NLCS and the wild game that ended it before moving on to preview the World Series, how the Dodgers and Rays match up against each other, and what to expect from the ~narrative~ around the teams. Then they give a final sendoff to Billy Beane as he sets his sights on European soccer, and explore the mark he’s left on the game — for better or for worse. This week’s Three Up, Three down features a fond farewell to the Astros and some tight, tight pants.
Links:

Billy Beane's next steps

Ben Sasse? More like...

The greatest catch you will ever see

Let It Flow (feat. Jess Scarane)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 12 Oct 2020 10:00:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex are joined by Jess Scarane, former candidate for Senate in Delaware, who gives her five observations from the week in playoff baseball. They talk the bracket format, a laundry list of rule changes, the return of hair flow, some guy named Randy on the Rays, what it’s like watching games without fans, and much more.

Follow Jess on Twitter.

Songs featured in this episode:

Voxtrot — "The Start of Something" • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

The Week in Empty Calories

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 05 Oct 2020 09:43:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby review the first week of playoff baseball, including Fernando Tatis Jr.’s dramatic October entrance, a not-quite-fraudulent Oakland A’s squad, baseball through the eyes of Alex Rodriguez, and much more. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features Bob Gibson and thoughts on in-game interviews.

Links:

Mariah Carey on Derek Jeter between the sheets

The Season That Didn’t Matter (But Did Matter — But Definitely Didn’t Matter)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 10:00:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex attempt to recap and grapple with a 60-game season that didn’t feel all that important during, doesn’t feel all that important now, and won’t feel all that important during the playoffs. What does it mean for a season to matter, or be good? Then, they’re briefly joined by Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman of Céspedes Family BBQ to recount the time the Wilpons put Michael Conforto on a commercial flight back to New York…from his very first All-Star Game. Finally, this week’s Three Up, Three Down features Barry Zito’s country ear worm, the Mets trading for Nolan Arenado, and a premonition of the worst offseason in baseball history.

Links:

Unionize the Minors T-Shirt

Songs featured in this episode:

Nina Simone — "I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free” • Mannarino — "Me So' Mbriacato" • Barry Zito — “Ballpark Kids” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Two Chords, the Truth, and Cowboy Joe

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 21 Sep 2020 10:00:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex give some quick reactions to the spoken word album of major league umpire and country artist Cowboy Joe West. Then they discuss what expanded playoffs forever might look like, why fans might be allowed back into stadiums this fall, and what Josh Donaldson was thinking as he rounded the bases last week. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features Derek Jeter’s $29 million Airbnb and baseball under wildfires.

Links:

A deep dive on blowouts

Derek Jeter’s waterfront fortress

Unionize the Minors t-shirt

Songs featured in this episode:

Diet Cig — "Thriving" • Oso Oso — "dig (II)" • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Podcast To Be Named Later (feat. Marc Normandin)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 14 Sep 2020 13:35:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby talk troubles with MLB.tv, Joe West’s political affiliations, and Alex Rodriguez facing public rejection. Then they bring on Marc Normandin to talk Publication To Be Named Later, creating a media organization from the ground up, how players could do the same but with baseball, and more. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features a washed-up Justin Timberlake and a nightmare-inducing Rat Leon.

Follow Marc on Twitter.

Links:
Support Publication To Be Named Later
The Legacy of the Negro Leagues with Shakeia Taylor
Taylor Trammell: Baseball Is Not Black Enough

Songs featured in this episode:
Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

The Insider Trade Deadline

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 07 Sep 2020 13:17:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex break down a billionaire’s purchase of a certain New York baseball team, get fired up about gatekeeping in baseball journalism, and scrutinize the baseball trade deadline in typical fashion. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features tweeter’s remorse from Boston and Mariah Carey in New York.
Links:
Rob Manfred talks tattoos
Mariah Carey sings of Derek Jeter
Songs featured in this episode:
Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

The Manfred Cinematic Universe (feat. Shakeia Taylor)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 31 Aug 2020 10:00:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby talk with writer and burgeoning third co-host Shakeia Taylor about the genesis of her letter to Jackie Robinson, being anti-racist as good PR, Rob Manfred as baseball’s comic book villain, and much more. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features a rant against “magic plays” on “special nights” and the Mets continuing to out-Mets themselves.

Links:

Dear Jackie,

Songs featured in this episode:

NNAMDÏ — “Gimme Gimme” • I’m Glad It’s You — “Ordinary Pain

Swing States (feat. Jess Scarane)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Thu, 27 Aug 2020 09:00:00 GMT

In this midweek bonus episode, Bobby and Alex talk with Jess Scarane, Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in Delaware, about the ethics of swinging 3-0, minor league unionization efforts, baseball fandom on the campaign trail, and much more. Plus, a brief discussion on this week’s protests in baseball and how they fit into the larger conversation around police brutality.

Follow Jess on Twitter.

Same Story, Different Day (feat. Jen Ramos)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 24 Aug 2020 09:23:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby wax poetic about the virtues of swinging 3-0, and the New York Mets as this week’s victims of coronavirus. Then they talk with Jen Ramos of Baseball Prospectus about Thom Brennaman and baseball’s shifting response to bigotry, the strangest league in the minors, and more.

Follow Jen on Twitter here.

Songs featured in this episode:

Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

In The Thick Of It

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 17 Aug 2020 09:16:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex try to take in Zach Plesac’s chaotic explanation for breaking COVID protocols, fret about the wellbeing of the Cardinals, and hold their breaths for the Reds. Then, a discussion of how Major League Baseball is engaging with the 100th anniversary of the Negro Leagues, and what it means to pit Ronald Acuña Jr. and Juan Soto against each other. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features a relatable Stephen Strasburg and Mookie Betts doing Mookie Betts things.

Links:

Zach Plesac has something to say...we think

The first Black player in the majors wasn’t who you think

The Reds are trying to have fans this year, sure

Songs featured in this episode:

Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Gone Fishin' (feat. Jeremy Taché)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 10 Aug 2020 09:06:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby talk about the blasphemy of being unable to buy a Fernando Tatís Jr. jersey online, discuss the merits of jerseys vs. shirseys, and wonder how the hell an adult human accidentally does the Nazi salute…twice. Then they bring on Jeremy Taché to talk about the Miami Marlins, their roller coaster of a season, the two factions of Miami sports fandom, and more. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features some choice words for Nick Swisher and the allure of the stolen base.
Follow Jeremy on Twitter here.
Links:
Ozzie Guillen goes in on Nick Swisher

It Is Not Manageable

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 03 Aug 2020 10:00:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex discuss the three year anniversary of the podcast, and in doing so, revisit a bad take from…themselves! Honesty is the policy on Tipping Pitches. Then, they discuss the last week in Rob Manfred dumpster fires, before debuting a revamped ‘Three Up, Three Down’ segment for the 2020 baseball season — or whatever is left of it, anyway.

Songs featured in this episode:

Tei Shi — "Matando" • T-Connection — “Do What You Wanna Do" • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions

This Is How It’s Going To Be (feat. Craig Goldstein)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 14:08:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex talk about what “normal” looks like in baseball amid a global pandemic, the swift co-opting of the Black Lives Matter messaging, and how some world class procrastination led to bizarre playoffs and a team left in limbo. Then they bring on Craig Goldstein, editor-in-chief of Baseball Prospectus, to talk failures in broadcasting, fake fans, and whether this all feels real.

Follow Craig on Twitter.

Songs featured in this episode:

Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

The 10 Most GIF Worthy Players In Baseball

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 09:16:00 GMT

The 2020 All-GIF Draft is here — and this year it got a tuneup. Alex and Bobby join forces to draft against a rotating cast of guests including Shakeia Taylor, Hannah Keyser, Meg Rowley, Jake Mintz, and Jordan Shusterman. Mainstays like Francisco Lindor and Yasiel Puig were quick off the board again, but the picks included some fresh faces and new names.

Follow Shakeia, Hannah, Meg, and Céspedes Family BBQ on Twitter.

Read the 2020 All-GIF Draft Breakdown and see the cream of the crop GIFs here.

What Would Trout Do? (feat. Fabian Ardaya)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 09:28:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex debate the legitimacy of Joe West’s COVID-19 conspiracy theory, do a Bad Take Dramatic Reading of a column chastising players who opt out of the season, and yell about blackouts. Then they bring on Fabian Ardaya, Angels beat writer for the Athletic, to discuss the #vibe among players in summer camp right now, how these circumstances have changed the meaning of media access, what a shortened season could mean for the Angels, and more.

Follow Fabian on Twitter here.

Links:

Buy a “Unionize the Minors” t-shirt

The Zone Lives in the Moment (feat. Joon Lee)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Sun, 05 Jul 2020 14:01:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby talk about Alex Rodriguez’s favorite ways in which pitchers tip their pitches — ranked, of course. They talk Rob Manfred’s admission of guilt, and a sobering message from Ian Desmond. Then they bring on ESPN.com staff writer Joon Lee to talk about the Ivy League to front office pipeline, MLB’s diversity reckoning, and Joon’s burgeoning influencer career.

Follow Joon on Twitter here.

Links:

Joon on the homogeneity of front offices

A thoughtful message from Ian Desmond

Alex Rodriguez talks tipping pitches

Songs featured in this episode:

Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Koshien Certified (feat. Ema Ryan Yamazaki)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Thu, 02 Jul 2020 21:42:00 GMT

In this bonus episode, Alex and Bobby talk to Ema Ryan Yamazaki, director of the recently-released documentary “Koshien: Japan’s Field of Dreams.” They talk about the the process of filming high school baseball in Japan, the internal culture struggle between old and new, gender roles on and off the field, and much more.

Follow Ema on Twitter at @emaexplorations.

What’s the Worst That Could Happen?

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 29 Jun 2020 13:26:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex talk about the confirmed return of Major League Baseball in 2020, and wonder what responsible coverage of and engagement with the sport will look like. Then they try to parse through some of the out-of-the-blue rule changes for this season and their ramifications, including wet rags, wet butts, and Rob Manfred’s embodiment of both George Bush AND Barack Obama.

Read Hannah Keyser, from 2017, on extra innings rule changes.

Songs featured in this episode:

Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

When and Where (and How and Why)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 22 Jun 2020 10:00:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby discuss Marco Rubio’s budding friendship with Rob Manfred, and read an incredibly inspired column on why swearing might lead to the end of baseball as we know it. Then they talk about the week in negotiations between MLB and the MLBPA, and wonder about what the last few months of acrimony can tell us about what the sport’s future might look like.

Follow the full MLB labor negotiations here.

The Beatles — “Here, There, Everywhere” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Baseball, In A Vacuum (feat. Micah Johnson)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 15 Jun 2020 08:52:00 GMT

After taking a couple weeks off, Alex and Bobby return to discuss how baseball is engaging with the social unrest around police brutality. They bring on Micah Johnson, former major league second baseman, to talk about the 2015 Orioles-White Sox game played in front of no fans due to protests in Baltimore, what it was like being in that atmosphere, and how baseball’s relationship with activism has shifted since then. Then they do a deep dive into protests and politics in baseball history, and probe why those stories seem few and far between.

Here are the places we’ve donated to over the last few weeks, which we encourage you to consider doing if you’re able.

Links:

Follow Micah Johnson on Twitter

Kwame Opam on what the 2015 fan-less game symbolizes

Rhiannon Walker on Ted Williams

Sam Nahem played a little-known role in integration

Traditions, What Are They Good For?

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Tue, 26 May 2020 09:04:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby talk about absurdity that went into creating the Nationals' World Series ring and whether Baby Shark deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. They also talk about the precedent that it sets to let broadcasts pipe fake crowd noise into broadcasts, and why we're having the player vs. owner conversation all wrong. Finally, they take a look at some of baseball's oldest traditions, ruminate on their origins, and decide whether to give them the boot.

Links:

The math (???) behind the National's ring

The origins of "around the horn"

The Masked Player

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 18 May 2020 21:15:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby talk about Barry Zito’s appearance on The Masked Singer and singing prowess among major leagues. Then they talk the plan to bring back Major League Baseball in July and the myriad ways in which it could go wrong.

Links:

Buy a "Unionize the Minors" t-shirt!

Could Fans Own a Team?

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 11 May 2020 10:00:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex talk about their experiences watching the KBO, Scott Boras’s misunderstanding of 9/11, and whether baseball in 2020 makes sense. Then, they explore the idea of publicly-owned baseball teams, the precedent for such a concept and what it would look like in practice.

Links:

Ben Clemens on watching baseball in Korean

Dave Zirin on the Green Bay Packers

Ben Burgis on Public Ownership of Sports Teams

MLB’s 80-game plan

Billion Dollar Baby

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Tue, 05 May 2020 10:00:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby talk in-depth about Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez’s bid to buy the Mets, the biotech investor interested in partnering with them, and what a billion dollar sale means for fans — if anything. Then they discuss MLB’s plans to play baseball again this season and whether Rob Manfred is capable of seeing more than six feet in front of him.

Links:

Jeff Passan on MLB’s plans for baseball in 2020

Yasiel Puig on TikTok

Songs featured in this episode:

Oso Oso — “reindeer games” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Take Me Out To The Movies (feat. Kyle Bandujo)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Fri, 01 May 2020 10:00:00 GMT

~ This episode originally aired on Big Screen Sports. ~

It’s movie week at Tipping Pitches! In this quasi-bonus episode, Alex and Bobby talk with Kyle Bandujo of Big Screen Sports about which fictional baseball games they would have wanted to see in person. The discussion includes big moments from Bill Durham, A League Of Their Own, Angels in the Outfield, and more.

Follow Kyle Bandujo at @kylebandujo and Big Screen Sports at @Big_ScreenSport.

Songs featured in this episode:

Beastie Boys — " Super Disco Breakin'" • Wu Tang Clan — "Protect Ya Neck" • Booker T & The M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Trailer: Tipping Pitches

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Fri, 01 May 2020 04:17:16 GMT

Sitting for the anthem. Standing for the bat flips. A weekly baseball podcast trying to nationalize our national pastime. Hosted by Alex Bazeley and Bobby Wagner. Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts ⚾️

The Baseball Documentaries We Deserve (feat. Kyle Bandujo)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 09:21:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex talk Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez’s prospective bid to buy the New York Mets, and whether it would mean anything. Then, they bring on Kyle Bandujo from Big Screen Sports to talk about what baseball documentaries they’d like to see made, including a dive into Montreal Expos history and a look at youth baseball both here and abroad.

Follow Kyle on Twitter here.

Vote For Pedro (feat. Sean Doolittle)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 15:22:37 GMT

Follow Sean on Twitter at @whatwouldDOOdo.

Links:

Songs featured in this episode:

Jamiroquai — "Canned Heat" • Booker T. & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

The Moments Before The Moment (2015 ALDS Game 5, Blue Jays vs. Rangers)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 13 Apr 2020 09:06:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby rewatch game 5 of the 2015 ALDS between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Texas Rangers, a game which featured an hour long inning, multiple close readings of the rule book, and the bat flip heard ‘round the world. Plus: Rob Manfred is literally about to risk it all, and the story of the pitcher struck by lighting.

Links:

Advocates for Minor Leaguers

A Little Roller Up Along First (1986 World Series Game 6, Mets vs. Red Sox)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 13:51:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex watch Game 6 of the 1986 World Series, an absolutely bonkers game often reduced to an unfortunate error, and discuss how the game lives on in our minds today. Then they talk with Matt Paré and Ty Kelly, two former players fighting for fair pay in the minors with their new organization Advocates for Minor Leaguers.

Follow @HipHip_Pare, @tykelly11 and @milbadvocates on Twitter.

Links:

Buy a Tipping Pitches shirt

Songs featured in this episode:

Booker T. & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

My, Oh My (1995 ALDS Game 5, Yankees vs. Mariners)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 30 Mar 2020 13:00:00 GMT

Alex and Bobby watch Game 5 of the 1995 ALDS featuring the Mariners and the Yankees, and talk about what was possibly the greatest game of all time? Plus: the story of the Brooklyn Dodger who hijacked the first commercial airplane in US history.

Links:

Watch Game 5

Tipping Pitches Classics

Songs featured in this episode:

Booker T. & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Party Like It’s 1991 (1991 World Series Game 7, Braves vs. Twins)

tippingpitchespod@gmail.com (Alex Bazeley & Bobby Wagner) — Mon, 23 Mar 2020 09:00:00 GMT

Bobby and Alex kick off Tipping Pitches Classics with a rewatch of Game 7 of the 1991 World Series featuring the Braves and the Twins, and talk about how the game resonates today. Then they chat with Jeremy Wolf, Executive Director of More Than Baseball, about supporting minor leaguers and trying to bolster the game from the ground up.

Follow More Than Baseball on Twitter.

Links:

More Than Baseball