Podcasts about Baseball Prospectus

In new remarks for this week's baseball, history, and politics reissue, we consider the heat dome hovering over half the country and wonder what it means for baseball. Then we revisit the offensively potent but frequently discarded outfielder Roy Cullenbine and take a visit to interwar Washington for a mostly non-baseball story of political corruption. The Infinite Inning is a journey to the past to understand the present using baseball as our time machine. Baseball, America's brighter mirror, often reflects, anticipates, and even mocks the stories we tell ourselves about our world today. Baseball Prospectus's Steven Goldman discusses the game's present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect history, politics, stats, and frequent Casey Stengel quotations. Along the way, we'll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can't get anybody out? 

On Episode 976 of Hittin' Season, powered by WHYY, John Stolnis of The Good Phight, Justin Klugh from Baseball Prospectus and SABR's Editor of the Baseball Research Journal, Liz Roscher, recap the Phillies' emphatic series win over the Mets this weekend. Is this now officially a two-team race in the NL East? Did the Phils make a statement with their two blowout wins? Also, John, Justin and Liz talk about which Phillies are deserving of an All Star nod.

Emotional trades happen, and the Cardinals—anticipating the exile of Rafael Devers from Boston—made one with a future Hall of Famer (who eventually wound up in Boston). Then a Cardinals pitcher is kidnapped—or was he?—and the host questions whether he once witnessed an example of the same on the mean streets of New Jersey.  The Infinite Inning is a journey to the past to understand the present using baseball as our time machine. America's brighter mirror, baseball reflects, anticipates, and even mocks the stories we tell ourselves about our world today. Baseball Prospectus's Steven Goldman shares his obsessions: history from inside and outside of the game, politics, stats, and Casey Stengel quotations. Along the way, we'll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can't get anybody out? 

In new remarks for this week's baseball, history, and politics reissue, notes from the 1500s on kings and princes vs. the mob and what that might tell us about the Rafael Devers trade. Then we revisit two acts of resistance: Tom Seaver and John Lennon have an indirect team-up to remind us of our own power, and the wrong president shows up at the World Series.The Infinite Inning is a journey to the past to understand the present using baseball as our time machine. Baseball, America's brighter mirror, often reflects, anticipates, and even mocks the stories we tell ourselves about our world today. Baseball Prospectus's Steven Goldman discusses the game's present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect history, politics, stats, and frequent Casey Stengel quotations. Along the way, we'll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can't get anybody out? 

On Episode 973 of Hittin' Season, powered by WHYY in Philadelphia, The Good Phight's John Stolnis, Justin Klugh of Baseball Prospectus and Liz Roscher from SABR's Baseball Research Journal react to the Phillies' sudden winning streak after Monday's 5-2 win over the Marlins. Pitching heroes, bats that are now hot and Orion Kerkering the new closer? Plus, a spirited debate over AI in baseball and the Rafael Devers trade!

A 1980s designated hitter is traded to the National League, a fish-needs-a-bicycle baseball moment reminiscent of recent US diplomacy, and a 20-game winner who pitched as Theodore Roosevelt charged up San Juan Hill throws it all away in favor of good diction. The Infinite Inning is a journey to the past to understand the present using baseball as our time machine. America's brighter mirror, baseball reflects, anticipates, and even mocks the stories we tell ourselves about our world today. Baseball Prospectus's Steven Goldman shares his obsessions: history from inside and outside of the game, politics, stats, and Casey Stengel quotations. Along the way, we'll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can't get anybody out? 

In new remarks for this week's baseball and history reprise, we argue about bunts, kites, and kings—why would anyone wish for any of them? Kites are okay, of course, but the other two are problematic. We then revisit the Brooklyn Dodgers with Jackie Robinson asked to comment on a fallen Hall of Famer who had once been his teammate, then jump back to the days before World War II, when the America First Committee wanted to take over a baseball stadium for one of their isolationist/anti-Semitic rallies. The Infinite Inning is a journey to the past to understand the present using baseball as our time machine. Baseball, America's brighter mirror, often reflects, anticipates, and even mocks the stories we tell ourselves about our world today. Baseball Prospectus's Steven Goldman discusses the game's present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect history, politics, stats, and frequent Casey Stengel quotations. Along the way, we'll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can't get anybody out? 

There are very few general managers in the Hall of Fame, but that doesn't mean your local team executive doesn't know what he's doing—it's just that there are only so many obvious choices to make in any baseball season whether your name sounds something like “Ranch Bickey” or “Cryin' Rashman.” Then, following a quick stop with Babe Ruth and a close-mouthed Lou Gehrig, we visit Cleveland Indians camp in 1938 for a manager who was too insensitive to handle a troubled catcher—and his drawer full of shirts. The Infinite Inning is a journey to the past to understand the present using baseball as our time machine. America's brighter mirror, baseball reflects, anticipates, and even mocks the stories we tell ourselves about our world today. Baseball Prospectus's Steven Goldman shares his obsessions: history from inside and outside of the game, politics, stats, and Casey Stengel quotations. Along the way, we'll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can't get anybody out? 

In early February 2021 it seemed as if the danger of internally-inflicted fascism might be over, and so we looked at an occasion when Lou Gehrig was confronted with the same kind of movement and had a visceral reaction. Plus a lighter tale of a semi-pro pitcher who injured himself in an unusual way. We also revisit some of Twins executive Kevin Goldstein's comments on the Colorado Rockies from this episode. In this episode's new introduction: The naivety of some of this episode's comments about the dangers of Trumpism and a close encounter with 1000-game reliever LaTroy Hawkins. The Infinite Inning is a journey to the past to understand the present using baseball as our time machine. Baseball, America's brighter mirror, often reflects, anticipates, and even mocks the stories we tell ourselves about our world today. Baseball Prospectus's Steven Goldman discusses the game's present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect history, politics, stats, and frequent Casey Stengel quotations. Along the way, we'll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can't get anybody out? 

We take another trip around a past sun with the Brooklyn Dodgers, wondering about the origins of Uncle Robbie's pronounced facial scar and then question a couple of old stories involving his lack of education: Were umpires really policing his spelling? Then, after a brief pause to ponder the nature of unrequited love, we rejoin the pennant-winning 1941 Dodgers for a future Hall of Fame shortstop with the yips and the unfairly derided first baseman who tried to calm him. The Infinite Inning is a journey to the past to understand the present using baseball as our time machine. America's brighter mirror, baseball reflects, anticipates, and even mocks the stories we tell ourselves about our world today. Baseball Prospectus's Steven Goldman shares his obsessions: history from inside and outside of the game, politics, stats, and Casey Stengel quotations. Along the way, we'll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can't get anybody out? 

We return to the program's first year for two of our more fun baseball profiles, both featuring Brooklyn Dodgers—one from the 19th century, one from the 1940s, and both a little uncomfortable. In a new introduction, we explore different modes of parenting and a form of relationship for which we lack the right word. The Infinite Inning is a journey to the past to understand the present using baseball as our time machine. Baseball, America's brighter mirror, often reflects, anticipates, and even mocks the stories we tell ourselves about our world today. Baseball Prospectus's Steven Goldman discusses the game's present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect history, politics, stats, and frequent Casey Stengel quotations. Along the way, we'll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can't get anybody out? 

On Episode 966 of Hittin' Season, John Stolnis of The Good Phight, Liz Roscher, Editor of SABR's Baseball Research Journal and Baseball Prospectus' Justin Klugh gather together to discuss the many high points of the Phillies' 6-1 road trip. How much does it matter the level of competition wasn't great? Also, they preview this week's series against the Braves in Philly. Is Atlanta any good?

Infinite Inning 332: Women at the Park and Dictators in the Dugout The Chicago Cubs push hard on Ladies Day promotions, but a few object claiming that women don't know the game of baseball Then baseball managers as autocrats compared to the real thing, and why confusing one for the other is a very dangerous idea, featuring Ossie Vitt and the Crybaby Cleveland team, Stengel vs. Spahn, McGraw vs. Groh, Buchanan vs. emancipation, and everyone vs. “virtue signaling.” The Infinite Inning is a journey to the past to understand the present using baseball as our time machine. America's brighter mirror, baseball reflects, anticipates, and even mocks the stories we tell ourselves about our world today. Baseball Prospectus's Steven Goldman shares his obsessions: history from inside and outside of the game, politics, stats, and Casey Stengel quotations. Along the way, we'll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can't get anybody out? 

Before we revisit episode 13 and it's discussion of the O'Connell-Dolan scandal, starring a player and a coach lately sprung off the banned list by Rob Manfred, we have a new introduction discussing Joe Biden's cancer diagnosis, the death of Franklin Roosevelt, Derek Jeter's refusal to move off of shortstop, and we give one more encore to the most perceptive thing Grantland Rice every wrote.The Infinite Inning is a journey to the past to understand the present using baseball as our time machine. Baseball, America's brighter mirror, often reflects, anticipates, and even mocks the stories we tell ourselves about our world today. Baseball Prospectus's Steven Goldman discusses the game's present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect history, politics, stats, and frequent Casey Stengel quotations. Along the way, we'll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can't get anybody out? 

On Episode 963 of Hittin' Season, powered by WHYY in Philadelphia, John Stolnis from The Good Phight, SABR's Liz Roscher and Justin Klugh of Baseball Prospectus talk about Mick Abel's eye-opening MLB debut against the Pirates Sunday, and Jose Alvarado's shocking 80-game PED suspension that bars him from the 2025 postseason. Oh, and the Phils swept the Pirates, too.

The secret to managers' success is revealed and dispensed with, in a hypothetical version of 1976, George Steinbrenner gifts Reggie Jackson with a plane, Hal Chase isn't off the list because he was never on the list, a pre-Orioles pitcher becomes ill indeed, and baserunners are obstructed in 1928 and 2025, with differing outcomes suggesting the ways baseball can be like a sloppily-written document. (Snare Drum Buzz Roll, then Tada by TheRandomSoundByte2637)The Infinite Inning is a journey to the past to understand the present using baseball as our time machine. Baseball, America's brighter mirror, often reflects, anticipates, and even mocks the stories we tell ourselves about our world today. Baseball Prospectus's Steven Goldman discusses the game's present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect history, politics, stats, and frequent Casey Stengel quotations. Along the way, we'll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can't get anybody out? 

In this return to one of this baseball podcast's earliest episodes, we discover two utility infielders, the Yankees' Wayne Tolleson and, well, nobody's Snooks Dowd (he was a Tigers, A's, and Dodgers reject) who weren't where they were supposed to be—or maybe they were exactly where they were supposed to be, but those in authority had a different opinion. This episode features a new introduction reflecting on how these lost players relate to some of the displaced people of our own times.The Infinite Inning is a journey to the past to understand the present using baseball as our time machine. Baseball, America's brighter mirror, often reflects, anticipates, and even mocks the stories we tell ourselves about our world today. Baseball Prospectus's Steven Goldman discusses the game's present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect history, politics, stats, and frequent Casey Stengel quotations. Along the way, we'll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can't get anybody out? 

Tom is joined by Matt Trueblood of Northside Baseball and Baseball Prospectus.Matt gives us his first impressions of Cade Horton. They break down the challenge of adding a front-line starter. Wonder if adding a "guy" in the pen for Craig Counsell to trust is the move. Discuss Ben Brown's best role.

On Episode 960 of Hittin' Season, powered by WHYY, John Stolnis of The Good Phight, Liz Roscher of the Baseball Research Journal and Baseball Prospectus' Justin Klugh hand out grades for different areas of the Phillies through the first quarter of the season, talk about the incredible run by the starting rotation, an improving offense and bullpen, the worst Phils seasons of their lifetimes, and whether Boston star Rafael Devers is right in telling the Red Sox he refuses to change positions again.

In Episode 458, Patrick, Jeffrey, and Craig submit this podcast for your consideration and then discuss five mostly baseball topics.1. Who Wants to Walk With Elias: The Orioles continue to sputter. Is there anyway out of this hole, or is it time to be deadline sellers?2. Sorry We Missed You: Philadelphia Phillies: The Phillies are the exact same team having the exact same season.3. Around the Horn: Leody finds a new home (not the Vatican), and the usual injury round up.4. What to Watch: Division leaders in interesting series and the one for you processheads.5. Baseball Prospectus is a statistics website, right?Five and Dive is listener-supported, you can join our Patreon at patreon.com/fiveanddive. If you want to get in contact with the show, the e-mail address is fiveanddive@baseballprospectus.com.                                          Our theme tune is by Jawn Stockton. You can listen to him on Spotify and Apple Music  Spotify: http://bit.ly/JawnStockton_SpotifyApple Music: http://bit.ly/JawnStockton_AM

For the show's first reissue, we return to an episode from almost precisely five years ago which compares players who wouldn't follow rules and inspired their clubs not to follow rules back, a subject framed by our once and possibly future public health crisis. We then turn to one of the great baseball stories, the misbegotten career of Don Padgett, who Branch Rickey tried to squeeze into a catcher's mask. This episode features a new introduction and occasional other interruptions.The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman discusses the game's present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they'll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can't get anybody out?

On Episode 957 of Hittin' Season, powered by WHYY in Philadelphia, hosts John Stolnis of The Good Phight, Baseball Prospectus' Justin Klugh and Liz Roscher of the Baseball Research Journal discuss the Phillies' weekend series win over the Diamondbacks, improvement from the offense, Max Kepler, Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper, shaky defense and how to fix MLB's moronic extra innings rule.

We consider the legacy of the great Venezuelan players who have graced the game going back to Alex Carrasquel in 1939, constructing an all-star team of players from that beleaguered nation. What can any one of them tell us about Venezuelans as a whole? Hint: it's the same thing that a highway serial killer can tell us about your best friend's gramma. Then we return to the strange, inebriated world of Shufflin' Phil Douglas. Did he betray not just the game and himself, but his wife as well?The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman discusses the game's present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they'll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can't get anybody out?

We begin with two players who would have been crowded off of modern rosters, and also couldn't have made the 1970s Oakland A's due to the owner's insistence on carrying two pinch-runners at once. Then we travel to Philadelphia and visit two pitchers seemingly on parallel tracks, one who might pitch forever as the other confronts a life-threatening illness.The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman discusses the game's present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they'll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can't get anybody out?

We visit the high-flying world of Florida real estate speculation 100 years ago with the volatile manager of the New York Giants John J. McGraw. When the bubble burst, would it be a case of murder? The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman discusses the game's present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they'll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can't get anybody out?(Two Drum Improv_1_Jan_2019_3.mp3 by Glen_Hoban -- https://freesound.org/s/457500/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 conga stabz beat 88 bpm by simmys_recycle_bin -- https://freesound.org/s/757340/ -- License: Attribution 4.0) 

We examine the Los Angeles Angels' hot start in light of the 1987 Milwaukee Brewers' hot start and what happened afterwards, and stumble across a writer saying inappropriate things about Spike Owen and Teddy Higuera. Then we talk about the tragic loss of Octavio Dotel, “The Pitt,” and Philadelphia's 1903 “Black Saturday.” Trigger Warning: There's nothing graphic about any of the above, but we do talk a bit about more than one tragic building collapse. It's tasteful, it's respectful and, we hope, totally not exploitative, but thinking about it too much still might be troubling. The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman discusses the game's present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they'll try to solve

Eno and DVR discuss the Twins' contemplation of a six-man rotation to potentially incorporate David Festa and Zebby Matthews into their starting mix, the Brewers' heavy use of fastballs for third season in a row and why (beyond a rash of injuries) they might have been interested in Quinn Priester. Plus, they look at early playing time splits from job battles and expected platoons, and answer mailbag questions about Steinbrenner Field in the summer, Tony Gonsolin's pre-injury drop-off, Justin Verlander's first few starts as a Giant, and a few intriguing names to monitor on the waiver wire this weekend. Rundown 2:37 Twins Considering a Six-Man Rotation 6:07 Brewers Leading the League in Fastballs, Again Curt Hogg's Story at the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel ($): https://bit.ly/brewersfb 15:08 What Did the Brewers See in Quinn Priester? Mario Delgado Genzor's Piece at Baseball Prospectus ($): https://bit.ly/BPPriester 20:42 Early Playing Time Splits 32:38 Summer Expectations for Steinbrenner Field 40:10 Tony Gonsolin's Pre-Injury Slide, Expectations for 2025 43:15 What Are You Seeing with Justin Verlander? 46:21 Prospect of the Week, 2025 Debut! 51:50 Other Weekend Waiver Targets to Consider Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social Follow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.social e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris Producer: Brian Smith Executive Producer: Derek VanRiper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR discuss the Twins' contemplation of a six-man rotation to potentially incorporate David Festa and Zebby Matthews into their starting mix, the Brewers' heavy use of fastballs for third season in a row and why (beyond a rash of injuries) they might have been interested in Quinn Priester. Plus, they look at early playing time splits from job battles and expected platoons, and answer mailbag questions about Steinbrenner Field in the summer, Tony Gonsolin's pre-injury drop-off, Justin Verlander's first few starts as a Giant, and a few intriguing names to monitor on the waiver wire this weekend.Rundown2:37 Twins Considering a Six-Man Rotation6:07 Brewers Leading the League in Fastballs, AgainCurt Hogg's Story at the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel ($): https://bit.ly/brewersfb15:08 What Did the Brewers See in Quinn Priester?Mario Delgado Genzor's Piece at Baseball Prospectus ($): https://bit.ly/BPPriester20:42 Early Playing Time Splits32:38 Summer Expectations for Steinbrenner Field40:10 Tony Gonsolin's Pre-Injury Slide, Expectations for 202543:15 What Are You Seeing with Justin Verlander?46:21 Prospect of the Week, 2025 Debut!51:50 Other Weekend Waiver Targets to ConsiderFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Episode 945 of Hittin' Season, The Good Phight's John Stolnis and Justin Klugh from Baseball Prospectus recap the Phillies' series victory over the previously unbeaten Los Angeles Dodgers. Why the Phils proved they are every bit the equal of the Dodgers over the weekend, with full breakdowns of each game! Plus, a quick look ahead to this week's series in Atlanta, and John & Justin try to help a Phillies fan keep his young child from being indoctrinated by his wife into becoming a Mets fan.

Infinite Inning 324: The Way We Live Now (Again) In a largely improvised episode we reexperience current events through the lens of Joe DiMaggio's 1941 hitting streak, counting the days while the war stays away, while once again a government effort requires us to rally ‘round Jackie Robinson—and Abraham Lincoln too, and we do so while checking in on the better brand of shortstops offered by the Negro Leagues' Newark Eagles and Philadelphia Stars (and shame Connie Mack one more time). The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman discusses the game's present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they'll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can't get anybody out?

We debate whether a victim of the First World War and the 1918 influenza pandemic was the heretofore unidentifiable Greatest Lost Prospect, we make a quick stop to compare takes on the 1915 World Series to Social Darwinism, and rediscover a dirty owners' trick after a pitcher gathers up all his many girlfriends and drives into a wall. The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman discusses the game's present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they'll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can't get anybody out?

A pitcher reaching a breaking point with his creator sends us scurrying back to the Old Testament for guidance, and then we unpack the stories behind Steve's Baseball Prospectus column this week, a reaction to the Department of Defense labeling Jackie Robinson as “deisports.” Should you wish to read the column, it's available free (no paywall) at BP. Trigger Warning: There are extensive discussions of slavery, and a brief one of rape, in the second part of the show. There is also perhaps one mild cussword in here. It's nothing you haven't heard the current president say repeatedly. The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman discusses the game's present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they'll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can't get anybody out?

Some developments out of Phillies camp this week: They've got a new backup catcher, Brandon Marsh will be the everyday centerfielder, and Ranger Suarez has a stiff back. Justin Klugh and Liz Roscher break it all down. Then, Craig Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus shares his Phillies takes.

On Episode 936 of Hittin' Season, John Stolnis of The Good Phight, Justin Klugh from Baseball Prospectus and Liz Roscher answer 10 pressing questions about the #Phillies with less than 10 days until Opening Day. Powered by WHYY & BillyPenn.com!

Casey Stengel (our mascot, hero, and deity) steals a couple of uniforms and feels bad about it, and then a successful manager of the Red Sox is fired under dubious circumstances, and then virtually everyone in the story catches tuberculosis. Trigger Warning: There are a couple of fleeting mentions of self-harm in the second act of the show. The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman discusses the game's present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they'll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can't get anybody out?

On Episode 933 of Hittin' Season, John Stolnis of The Good Phight is joined by The Athletic's Jayson Stark as he discusses his article on whether the trend line for the 2025 Phillies is on the way up, or on the way down. What will their legacy be if they don't win a World Series? And will J.T. Realmuto or Kyle Schwarber sign a contract extension this spring? Also, Justin Klugh from Baseball Prospectus and Liz Roscher appear on the roundtable to discuss Jayson's article, the spate of injuries to the Mets and Braves, and our level of concern over Matt Strahm's shoulder soreness. Powered by WHYY & BillyPenn.com!

A sportswriter faces his own irrelevance on the morning after Pearl Harbor and finds a way back to baseball, and then a pitcher loses it and reignites a brawl that had already ended—featuring more future Hall of Famers than wound up in the Hall of Fame. Yes, it all makes sense in the end. The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman discusses the game's present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they'll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can't get anybody out?

The way we live today prompts a tale of two future Hall of Famers inflicting pain on one another, yet another Hall of Famer, Phil Rizzuto, suffers pain and the host does too, and finally a story of a catcher who decided to engage with a world of corruption and paid a high price.The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman discusses the game's present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they'll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can't get anybody out?

On Episode 927 of Hittin' Season, John Stolnis of The Good Phight and Justin Klugh from Baseball Prospectus chat about the first few games of the Phillies' spring training schedule, a new-look lineup they would have debuted on Monday, prospects opening eyes in camp, and how the Phils will fill out their bench in the wake of Weston Wilson's oblique injury.

A minor leaguer gets involved with the wrong woman, but who does she get involved with in the aftermath? And why did the pitcher throw the inkstand? Tigger Warning: There is one mild cussword early on, but one supposes there are a few adult matters related to sexuality that come up in passing. You might want to say “La la la” over that if the kids are around. The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman discusses the game's present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they'll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can't get anybody out?

Eno and DVR continue their 2025 Team Previews Series in the AL Central. Can the Guardians continue to avoid projected decline after flipping Josh Naylor to the D-backs this winter? Will the Royals and Tigers follow-up their impressive runs to the postseason with a return trip to the playoffs? Can the Twins deliver on their status as the team with the highest projected win total in the division? And, while the short-term outlook is still cloudy for the White Sox, will the long-term picture come into focus over the course of the season? Rundown 1:01 2025 Cleveland Guardians Preview 18:48 2025 Kansas City Royals Preview 31:16 2025 Detroit Tigers Preview 47:50 2025 Minnesota Twins Preview 1:03:32 2025 Chicago White Sox Preview 1:11:40 A Selection of Sleepers From the AL Central Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social Follow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.social e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Note: Win Total Projections for the episode are from Baseball Prospectus' PECTOA system at the time of the recording. Support BP -- they do great work! Current PECOTA Projections: https://www.baseballprospectus.com/standings/ Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris Producer Brian Smith Executive Producer: Derek VanRiper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR continue their 2025 Team Previews Series in the AL Central. Can the Guardians continue to avoid projected decline after flipping Josh Naylor to the D-backs this winter? Will the Royals and Tigers follow-up their impressive runs to the postseason with a return trip to the playoffs? Can the Twins deliver on their status as the team with the highest projected win total in the division? And, while the short-term outlook is still cloudy for the White Sox, will the long-term picture come into focus over the course of the season?Rundown1:01 2025 Cleveland Guardians Preview18:48 2025 Kansas City Royals Preview31:16 2025 Detroit Tigers Preview47:50 2025 Minnesota Twins Preview1:03:32 2025 Chicago White Sox Preview1:11:40 A Selection of Sleepers From the AL CentralFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsNote: Win Total Projections for the episode are from Baseball Prospectus' PECTOA system at the time of the recording. Support BP -- they do great work!Current PECOTA Projections: https://www.baseballprospectus.com/standings/Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisProducer Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR return to their 2025 Team Previews Series in the NL Central. Can the Brewers continue to exceed projections? Who will emerge from the Cardinals' position player group to take on everyday roles as they try to identify their current core? Are the Cubs deserving of frontrunner status from 2025 projections? Will the Reds surprise us with better starting pitching than expected, but less production from their lineup? And, will the Pirates find enough steady bats to support their young aces?Rundown3:44 2025 Milwaukee Brewers Preview26:43 2025 St. Louis Cardinals Preview42:06 2025 Chicago Cubs Preview53:34 2025 Cincinnati Reds Preview1:05:40 2025 Pittsburgh Pirates Preview1:18:13 A Selection of Sleepers From the NL CentralFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsNote: Win Total Projections for the episode are from Baseball Prospectus' PECTOA system at the time of the recording. Support BP -- they do great work!Current PECOTA Projections: https://www.baseballprospectus.com/standings/Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisProducer Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR return to their 2025 Team Previews Series in the NL Central. Can the Brewers continue to exceed projections? Who will emerge from the Cardinals' position player group to take on everyday roles as they try to identify their current core? Are the Cubs deserving of frontrunner status from 2025 projections? Will the Reds surprise us with better starting pitching than expected, but less production from their lineup? And, will the Pirates find enough steady bats to support their young aces? Rundown 3:44 2025 Milwaukee Brewers Preview 26:43 2025 St. Louis Cardinals Preview 42:06 2025 Chicago Cubs Preview 53:34 2025 Cincinnati Reds Preview 1:05:40 2025 Pittsburgh Pirates Preview 1:18:13 A Selection of Sleepers From the NL Central Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social Follow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.social e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Note: Win Total Projections for the episode are from Baseball Prospectus' PECTOA system at the time of the recording. Support BP -- they do great work! Current PECOTA Projections: https://www.baseballprospectus.com/standings/ Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris Producer Brian Smith Executive Producer: Derek VanRiper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Infinite Inning 317: You Can't Be There If You're Already Here The show must go on, and so we begin with Dodgers Hall of Fame manager Walt Alston, the overreach of the man he replaced, Chuck Dressen (and Mrs. Dressen too) and what Walt did to make ends meet, then pause for some ruminations on The Way We Live Now, then visit Opening Day at Yankee Stadium in 1957 for home-run heroics by a forgotten player, bad play-by-play, and a dire song choice. Tigger Warning: There is a machine gun fired about 18 minutes into the episode. There is also one cussword at around the 20-minute mark. Cauterize your ears if necessary. (LightMachineGun2.wav by SuperPhat. 8bit-scream.wav by DeltaCode. R21-09-Man Screams.wav, R28-45-Woman Screams in Rumbling Space.wav by craigsmith. ) The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman discusses the game's present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they'll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can't get anybody out?

Eno and DVR continue their 2025 Team Preview series in the America League West! Is the Astros' control of the division finally winding down? Are the Rangers primed for another deep October run with a healthier roster in 2025? Can the Mariners hit enough to support their elite rotation? Can the A's close the gap on the three teams ahead of them, and have the Angels improved enough to do the same after a disappointing 2024?Rundown2:26 2025 Houston Astros Preview14:15 2025 Texas Rangers Preview32:15 2025 Seattle Mariners Preview44:05 2025 Sacramento Athletics Preview59:32 2025 ‘Los Angeles' Angels of Anaheim Preview1:12:17 A Selection of Sleepers From the AL WestFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsNote: Win Total Projections for the episode are from Baseball Prospectus' PECTOA system at the time of the recording. Support BP -- they do great work!Current PECOTA Projections: https://www.baseballprospectus.com/standings/Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisProducer Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR continue their 2025 Team Preview series in the America League West! Is the Astros' control of the division finally winding down? Are the Rangers primed for another deep October run with a healthier roster in 2025? Can the Mariners hit enough to support their elite rotation? Can the A's close the gap on the three teams ahead of them, and have the Angels improved enough to do the same after a disappointing 2024? Rundown 2:26 2025 Houston Astros Preview 14:15 2025 Texas Rangers Preview 32:15 2025 Seattle Mariners Preview 44:05 2025 Sacramento Athletics Preview 59:32 2025 ‘Los Angeles' Angels of Anaheim Preview 1:12:17 A Selection of Sleepers From the AL West Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social Follow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.social e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Note: Win Total Projections for the episode are from Baseball Prospectus' PECTOA system at the time of the recording. Support BP -- they do great work!Current PECOTA Projections: https://www.baseballprospectus.com/standings/ Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris Producer Brian Smith Executive Producer: Derek VanRiper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR begin their 2025 Team Preview series in the National League West! How much have the Dodgers improved following their World Series title in 2024? Do the Padres need another late winter trade to keep pace with the other NL playoff teams? Will the D-backs find their way back to October after a busy offseason? Can the Giants exceed expectations in Year 1 of the Buster Posey Era? And, are the Rockies better than some of the projections suggest?Rundown1:55 2025 Los Angeles Dodgers Preview17:15 2025 San Diego Padres Preview29:54 2025 Arizona Diamondbacks Preview43:31 2025 San Francisco Giants Preview56:51 2025 Colorado Rockies Preview1:07:08 A Selection of Sleepers From the NL WestFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsNote: Win Total Projections for the episode are from Baseball Prospectus' PECTOA system at the time of the recording. Support BP -- they do great work!Current PECOTA Projections: https://www.baseballprospectus.com/standings/Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisProducer Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR begin their 2025 Team Preview series in the National League West! How much have the Dodgers improved following their World Series title in 2024? Do the Padres need another late winter trade to keep pace with the other NL playoff teams? Will the D-backs find their way back to October after a busy offseason? Can the Giants exceed expectations in Year 1 of the Buster Posey Era? And, are the Rockies better than some of the projections suggest? Rundown 1:55 2025 Los Angeles Dodgers Preview 17:15 2025 San Diego Padres Preview 29:54 2025 Arizona Diamondbacks Preview 43:31 2025 San Francisco Giants Preview 56:51 2025 Colorado Rockies Preview 1:07:08 A Selection of Sleepers From the NL West Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social Follow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.social e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Note: Win Total Projections for the episode are from Baseball Prospectus' PECTOA system at the time of the recording. Support BP -- they do great work!Current PECOTA Projections: https://www.baseballprospectus.com/standings/ Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris Producer Brian Smith Executive Producer: Derek VanRiper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Mets re-signing Pete Alonso, the Twins signing Harrison Bader, and the compressed standings in the newly released FanGraphs and Baseball Prospectus playoff odds. Then they preview the 2025 Tampa Bay Rays (31:35) with MLB.com's Adam Berry, and the 2025 Milwaukee Brewers (1:09:55) with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's […]