Baltimorons

Relive the O's delicious 11-3 victory over Oakland with Sam and Alan - and recall how unlikely said victory was looking in the early-going. Other topics discussed: why the Orioles can't hit junkballers, whether Matt Wieters is a lost cause, what we should order for lunch, how much longer we can put up with Jonesy's slump, the color pink, and much much more.

Ben Masten joins us to talk about the Yankees offseason, and the generally cavalier attitude towards starting pitching in the American League East. Plus: why urrbody so angry?

Sure sure, hooray Chris Davis, yahoo, whatever. Who in the name of Blue-Eyed-Jimmy-Palmer is going to PITCH, dammit?!

Kicking off 2016 by getting fired up about a number of topics, including (but not limited to): "The Big Short," HOF balloting, druncles, #FeelingTheBern (or #NotFeelingTheBern), and stadium funding. So, a pretty typical episode, really. 

We ponder the implications of the Winter Meetings, the Republican Party, and the deleterious effect that each has on our sanity at this, the most wonderful time of the year.

In which the dastardly Nick Markovich challenges us to The Game of Games of Games, which involves Orioles trivia and disgusting jelly beans.

In which we return from a prolonged hiatus to discover a harrowing set of offseason quandaries and a heartfelt plea from a Mets fan to throw our loyalties to his cause.

As the Orioles wrestle with the decision to buy or sell at the deadline, we examine the pros and cons of both approaches. Plus: Ben Adams (Slate) on baseball's rapidly-evolving media strategy.

A wide-ranging conversation with Charlie Hoppes (of the dearly-departed Orioles Spastics podcast), covering the latest developments in Charlie's sleepwear, Charlie's thoughts on Game of Thrones, Charlie's dating life, and the Orioles midseason prognosis.

The Morons resume the road, with a sincere apology (and explanation) from Sam for the prolonged delay. Dave McKenna (Deadspin) joins us to explain why Peter Angelos didn't do as good a deed as he was given credit for after the Freddie Gray protests. PLUS: Shakespeare presages the latest Bundy Troubles.

Craig Calcaterra (NBC's Hardball Talk) joins us to talk about baseball's stodgy corporate culture, how to be a fresh voice in an increasingly stale media environment, and why the Expos are the In-N-Out Burger of baseball. Find Craig on Twitter @craigcalcaterra.

The Ryan Webb Franchise Report investigates the Chris Davis's rapidly-deteriorating ability to make contact, the rash of recent injuries, and offers praise to the city of Tampa Bay for its Baltimore impression. Sarah Estrella laments the demise of McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket. PLUS: essayist Matt Fried bids a fond farewell to the Cliff Lee Era in Philadelphia.

We're joined by Travis Waldron (Think Progress) to consider the multitude of issues raised by the week's events in Baltimore, and to wonder how we, baseball in general, and America can do better.

At long last! The much-anticipated 2015 Nickname Show, complete with overcomplicated puns and lots of giggling. Every player on the current 40-man roster gets a nickname, except weirdos like Oliver Drake, because really?

Alan files a remote report from the nether regions of North Carolina on the experience of missing out on all the #OpeningWeek #Excitement. 

Sam and Alan lament the murky future of Matt Wieters but celebrate the burgeoning expanding around concussions in the NFL. Chris Luther joins us to bravely attempt to make wrestling sound interesting. PLUS: Henry Urrutia gets sexy.

The ideas are even more dangerous than usual this week, as Mina Kimes (ESPN The Magazine) joins us to advocate for government regulation of the professional sports leagues, and explains why that will NOT end up turning them all into Time Warner Cable. Plus: the Larry Bigbie Franchise Report tries to figure out, among other things, whether or not this is finally the Year of Machado.

The Nelson Cruz Franchise Report considers the legacies of Tom Brady and Craig Biggio, Mike Petriello (Fangraphs, Mike Sciosia's Tragic Illness) joins us to talk about the Orioles possibly-shrewd acquisition of Travis Snider, and Ben Masten casts Sam in the greatest role he's ever played: Alex Rodriguez's PR flunky Wheedly Smedlap.

Sam shares some fond memories of Ben McDonald in a special edition episode.

As the Dan Duquette Departure Drama fades (hopefully) into the rear-view mirror, Sam and Alan endeavor to pick up the pieces and look ahead with just two weeks left before pitchers and catchers report.

We consider our emotions, as well as those of Charlie Hoppes, late of the Orioles Spastics podcast. Plus: Dan sings!

A hearty salute to umpire Dale Scott, who recently declared himself "out at home." A requiem for Nick Markakis. Some undeserved bragging about our subtle understanding of the current Orioles roster, and a rare in-studio visit from Dan Duquette.

Sam and Alan invite noted baseball expert Nick Markovich to Hootenanny Studios for a spirited discussion on the game's many imperfections.

Sam and Alan debate the emotional highs and lows of the 2014 season, urge calm about the Chris Davis situation, and wonder why America is better at voting for MLB All-Stars than it is at electing congressional representatives and presidents.

On our last audio liveblog, we chronicled the gradual unfolding of the single greatest moment at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in 17 years: the clinching of the AL East by the 2014 O's.  Somewhere at the other end of the spectrum lies...whatever this is.