Passion for the Pastime

Beat Writer of the Chicago White Sox for MLB.com, Scott Merkin, rejoins the show to give a status update on the Southside of Chicago. From White Sox being hit with big injuries to leading the AL Central at the 50 game mark, there is no shortage of topics on the Southside in 2021.

On this episode we are joined by Chris Rose of NFL Network and The Chris Rose Rotation podcast and formerly of Intentional Talk on MLB Network. His Indians were no hit twice so we will dive into the the reason for so many no hitters in MLB early in the season and if that takes away from the achievement now. Also we get into the NFL Draft and Trey Lance heading to the Bay. Also making headlines on...

On this episode of the podcast we are talking Reds baseball with Cincinnati Reds beat writer for The Athletic, C. Trent Rosecrans. Live from Chattanooga, Trent dives into Hunter Greene outlook and when Reds fans can expect to see him at Great American Ballpark. As for the Reds major league team, what is the reason for the change in power numbers? What is going on with Luis Castillo and was the sev...

On this episode we are joined by Senior Writer of The Athletic, Ken Rosenthal, to talk about the latest baseball news. Ken discusses the Yankees trading Mike Tauchman to the Giants in exchange for Wandy Peralta and the Giants outlook after the hot start and if it could last. Also, Ken Rosenthal gives his thoughts on Trevor Bauers accusations of Tatis Jr sign-stealing during their showdown this pas...

On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by sportswriter for the Los Angeles Times, Mike DiGiovanna. We will be discussing the Dodgers- Padres series and exactly what was the biggest takeaway from the seven matchups between the two clubs so far this season. Mike also gives his thoughts on the whole Tatis-Bauer exchange during the weekend as well as other top stories in the NL West, including...

Now we head over to the Bronx to talk pinstripes baseball with Kristie Ackert as we discuss the Yankees slow start to the season. Is there a legitimate cause for concern in New York with their lack of offense and what can the Yankees do to turn things around if they want to compete in the East?

We welcome back Oakland Athletics Beat writer for Mlb.com, Martín Gallegos to talk about the recent hot streak going on in Oakland. What has changed from the beginning of the season when the fan base was giving up on them and what has gotten into Jed Lowrie? With Jackie Robinson day being celebrated, Martin explains what Jackie means to him and talks about Tony Kemp's mission along with the Player...

This episode we are joined by someone who has been around the game for a while and in a big way. Former president of the Florida/Miami Marlins, David Samson joins the show to talk about the latest headlines across baseball. One being replay in baseball, we will get his thoughts on replay and what he thinks should be done to improve replay. We also discuss AJ Hinch's return to Houston as well as hi...

Joined by NBC San Diego's very own and co-host of "On Friar" Podcast, Derek Togerson talks about the devastating Tatis Injury and how the Padres should adjust, and what the worst-case scenario looks like in San Diego.

The first weekend of the season is in the books and what a way to end it than with the Angel's two way star taking on World Series hopefuls Chicago White Sox. Joined by Angels beat writer Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register, we discuss Shohei Ohtani, Jared Walsh and the upcoming series with the Astros.

What a memorable Opening Day for many reasons, but I don't think I've ever seen a SNOW game. Detroit Tigers beat writer for The Athletic, Cody Stavenhagen joins the show to talk all about it. And of course, leave it to Miggy to hit the first home run of the 2021 season in the snow and end up sliding at second base. Another storyline in Detroit, is AJ Hinch gets his first win as a manager following...

On Passion for the Pastime, baseball runs deep and on this episode, we speak with someone who lived through the Golden Age of baseball, Marty Lurie of KNBR 104.5 and 680 The Sports leader. Marty relives the glory days and remembers his best memories of the game we all love. Also Marty discusses the changes in gameplay and rule changes. We couldn't let Marty go without talking Giants baseball and t...

The title defense begins in LA and we are joined by beat writer of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register to help look at the Dodgers entering the regular season. Is there a real concern for Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler due to their performances in the spring? Will Dustin May crack the rotation and stay there? What about the closer position? Can the Dodgers rely...

Back to the dessert we go as we talk with Arizona Diamondbacks beat writer for The Athletic, Zach Buchanan. Zac Gallen injury news and with the Gallen injury, who steps into the Opening Day role for the D-Backs. Also a look at Edward Escobar trying to have a bounce back campaign in 2021.

We now travel to DC, to the home of the 2019 World Series Champions, Washington Nationals. We are joined by the beat writer for the Nats for MASN Sports and co-host of Nats Chat podcast, Mark Zuckerman. A beat writer who has been with the team from the beginning talks about Max Scherzer's mentality going into his final year on contract with the Nats. Also some big additions to the lineup with Kyle...

On this episode of the podcast, I am joined by beat writer for the St. Louis Cardinals Zachary Silver of Mlb.com. Who will bat clean up? Will Arenado hit before or after Goldschmidt? How does Arenado affect Nolan Gorman's timetable? How good will Dylan Carlson be in year 2? Zach Silver discusses and also provides injury news for the Cardinals pitching rotation and who could be next in line should...

Fantasy sports is a big deal for hard-core sports fans and it is the time of spring to start looking at fantasy baseball. Justin Hughes of Baseball 365 joins the show to discuss Fantasy values of NL pitchers who have new teams in 2021 as well as Nolan Arenado's outlook in first season not calling Coors Field home.

Welcome back to another episode of the podcast. We are joined by host of KNBR 104.5 & 680 "Leadoff Spot", Adam Copeland. As the season nears so does the anticipation to see the new look NL West and hopefully fans will be in person to see it unfold. Are the Padres a legitimate force in the West and have the Giants found their Fernando Tatis Jr? All this and more on this episode of Passion for the P...

What is your favorite ballpark food? Well we will speak with Rich Dubroff of Baltimorebaseball.com and find out what are his favorites and the best food found at Camden yards. On the baseball side of things, the feel good story baseball needs with Trey Mancini returning to the field after his battle with cancer. When will Rutschman debut with the Orioles? Will both Harvey and Hernandez make the st...

Now we will travel to the desert to talk Giants baseball with non-other than Kerry Crowley of Bay Area News Group. The Giants added pitching depth ahead of the 2021 season but does that mean the pitching will be better than 2020? What is going on with Brandon Belt? Will Posey be a Giant past 2021? What is the timetable for the Giants star prospects? Who is going to be the closer on Opening Day? Ke...

As everyone drools over the Braves and Mets this off-season, remember that there is a team in Philadelphia. The Phillies may be one of the most overlooked team in the division but don't be shocked if they are hanging around or even taking the division lead come September. We speak with Phillies beat writer of The Athletic, Matt Gelb to talk about the team everyone is not talking about. Details on...

As spring training gets underway a lot of excitement is generated in the baseball community. Expectations are high, questions need answers that have been on everyone's minds since the end of the regular season. It is no different for the Los Angeles Angels. We speak with beat writer for the Angels, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com to discuss those questions fans may have to start off the 2021 season. Ho...

We are coming up on a month since we lost the late, the great, Hank Aaron. I am speaking with Rob Parker of Fox Sports 1 about what Hanks legacy will be? How he felt watching Aaron break Ruth's record and what Hank Aaron meant to Rob and so many others. Also we dive into some recent Hall Of Fame talk and if Bonds and others will ever get into the Hall.

You cant get ready for the season without mentioning the defending World Series Champions, Los Angeles Dodgers. We are joined this episode by senior writer of The Athletic, Andy McCullough to discuss the Dodgers and much more. Was the 2020 world series legitimate? Dodger add Bauer to win now, but how will that effect the Dodgers future plans? Who is the Dodgers biggest threat? Tune in to find out...

As we get closer to Opening day excitement is building. The expectation in the Central is that the White Sox could run away with it, but the Twins have something to say about that. This episode we speak with the Minnesota Twins best writer of The Athletic, Dan Hayes. Thumbs up or down for 7 inning double headers?? What will the changes to the ball do to baseball and to the Twins? What will Maeda l...