Baltimorons

A pregame show of sorts for Game 3 of the 2014 ALDS. We discuss, among other things, the historical illusions of Delmon Young, the Ned Yost debate, and why baseball is somehow better than participatory democracy, despite being way less participatory.

In light of 2014's division triumph, we ponder the legacy of the last AL East champion Orioles, which leads to a fairly damning assessment of the 1997 editions of your humble hosts. PLUS: the odd phenomenon of being congratulated by friends and acquaintances for the Orioles' success, and the correct way to feel about Jetermania.

Let's be realistic - none of us was thinking about anything (baseball-related or otherwise) this week besides the O's clinching the AL East. For episode 107, we decided to liveblog our emotions as we watched the Birds pulverize the Jays to capture the 2014 division crown. This episode is messy, a little weird, and full of guest appearances that keep the train on the rails just when you think it's...

Ben Masten joins us to offer an actual Yankee fan's perspective on the Derek Jeter Farewell Roadshow, as well as the Bombers' potentially bleak outlook going forward. He also explains why he has not yet found a wife on MLB Singles Powered By Match Dot Com. The Andy Van Slyke Franchise Report talks JJ Hardy, WAR, and Ray Rice. PLUS: Alan receives a mysterious visit from an old friend.

Rosters have expanded, which means it's time to update the official 2014 Oriole nickname list. Plus: the Jake Fox Franchise Report looks at Chris Davis's inability to beat the shift, Jonathan Schoop's opaque future, and Buck Showalter's lineup juggling.

As in "Macha" and "Ubal." We talk about their respective extinctions, the role of luck in the O's success over the last 3 seasons, and check in with Andy Livingston (Impose Magazine) about the positively repulsive state of the sporting union.

As the trade deadline barrels towards us at top speed, we look at the Orioles options for improvement on an already very-good team, and also applaud Major League Baseball for its stance on net neutrality...which is a weird thing to find ourselves doing.

Gauging the bluster of the tradwinds, marveling at the idiocy of the Yankees' Chase Headley acquisition, lamenting Tony Dungy's remarks (and their subsequent distortion), and some Orioles-themed slam poetry.

Sam and Alan enjoy some bourbon as they answer your questions on the Orioles midseason status, opportunities for the second half, and the team's connection to particle physics.

In the 100th episode of Baltimorons, we celebrate the top 100 reasons to be an Orioles fan.

In which we prove that Travis Ishikawa is a warlock, check in on a live broadcast of the rubber match in a 3-game set between the Modesto Moon Pirates and the Afton Oracles, discuss Alan's Portugal-induced heartbreak, and oh yeah, some baseball stuff.

Ted Berg (USA Today) joins us to talk about tempering maturity expectations for the Manny Machados of the world, Alan recalls a famous tariff of yesteryear, and tears are shed for Matt Wieters. PLUS: the triumphant return of the Baltimorons Culture Corner.

Alan is too busy being excited about soccer to allow for any baseball talk, but Sam manages to squeeze in an exciting announcement regarding our next live broadcast.

Alan celebrates the legacy of Woody Guthrie, guest writer Jen Adams makes a generous contribution to human punderstanding, and Dan Duquette stops by to share a review of "Bull Durham."

Alan calls out the American moment with particular urgency, the Sendy Rleal Franchise Report looks at All-Star Game voting with a dubious eyebrow-raise, our geusts Paul and Jake from Ballometrics endeavor to bring the sabrmetric ruckus to the basketball court, and the harrowing future of advanced statistcal analysis rears its hideous head.

The Martin Luther Franchise Report has important information regarding your Friday night plans this week.

Alan ruminates on the connection between baseball and Hindu mythology, and our lawyer advises us of some new content guidelines in the wake of last week's podcast crackdown by A Certain Professional Sports Organization. We also chat with sportswriter and self-described "recovering lawyer" Wendy Thurm, who has some sharp insights on said crackdown (unlike our lawyer, who mostly communicates via tex...

Legendary sportswriter Pat Jordan joins us to talk about his recent Buck Showalter profile in Sports on Earth, Tim Nguyen talks about his bold quest to crowdsource the funds to purchase the Clippers from Donald Sterling, Alan reveals the strong influence of the occult in professional baseball, and a truly awful fish pun.

We remember the glory days of Randy Milligan, try to convince Alan that he should care about the National League, viciously beat the corpse of the Donald Sterling horse (including commentary from an actual Clippers fan), and talk to Padraic Lillis, the artistic director of the Farm Theater (thefarmtheater.org).

The Melvin Mora Franchise Report reminds us of its namesake's remarkable contributions during his 10-year tenure in Baltimore, and also covers the Orioles current third base woes, not to mention Cuba's role on the global stage. Sam and Alan also bid a fond farewell to one of the three Mets fans they know, and crack open the Hootenanny Studios Time Capsule for a Seventh Inning Sketch from a couple...

The Morons celebrate the proud legacy of Buddy Groom, salute the welcome certainty of the 90 foot distance between the bases, help Ben Masten create an MLB Singles (powered by Match.com) profile, and announce our first-ever corporate sponsor.

Sam and Alan attempt to process the various ups and downs of the first week of the 2014 season, and play a recording from Peter Angelos's secret audio diary.

Our annual tradition continues! The Morons bring you a complete list of convenient and hilarious nicknames for each player on the Orioles 25 man roster. The discussion is moderated by our friend Jen, whose loyalties, it turns out, are for sale. Plus, a special edition of the Seventh Inning Sketch from Old Time Family Baseball's Michael Clair.

Sam and Alan explain baseball to a skeptical friend, review the latest literary works of particular relevance to All-Weather Fans, and marvel at the ongoing idiocy of Dan Snyder.

The Morons check in from a moving rental car in sunny Sarasota, sharing their observations about America's most pendulous state as well as the youngsters fighting for roster spots in Orioles camp.