Bat Flips And Nerds

John, Russell and Rob round up the first half of the season with some harsh words for the Minnesota Twins, the LA Dodgers and the treatment of Minor Leaguers, but garlands for the SF Giants, Trey Mancini and bae himself, Shohei Ohtani. But not before a quick gallop through the trade deadline, a new name in Cleveland and the loveliness of Olympic baseball!

A special guest episode as Ben is joined by Felix White of Maccabees and Tailenders fame to talk his new book, falling in love with the New York Mets and what cricket can learn from baseball (and vice versa).

Ben and Russell team up for a two-man spin through the week's All-Star festivities, from Shohei Ohtani's eye-popping performances just about everywhere to Charlie Freeman's adorable cameos. There's also the usual two good, two bad chat, some MLB draft reviews and are the Mariners going to be buyers?!

Russell talked with @Razzball and @PitcherList writer @EverywhereBlair about the history of baseball in Japan. They covered the origins of NPB, Shohei, the Olympics and that some of what you might know and maybe read recently about Japanese baseball and players is likely wrong.

Darius and Russell are joined by a mystery man who has no place on a baseball podcast. It's Tom Pringle. They talk about the sticky baseballs, Bobby Bonilla, Eric Hosmer, the San Francisco Giants, the All-Star Game and what Russell's stat lab might look like. You can tell Tom is back, can't you? (Tom swears once, just sh*t...not really explicit is it?)

John, Rob and Ben are in our rotation this week. Regrettably they are back on the topic of rubbing balls. In happier news they have plenty to say about the history making Diamondbacks, the mega fun Toronto Blue Jays, lovely lil Frankie Lindor, Mr Magic Joey Votto, plus a factoid that may put you off Jacob deGrom for life.

It's weekly round-up time and the nerds are left unsupervised! Russell and Darius discuss the planned enforcement of foreign substance rules, the Cubs' City Connect scrubs, Jarred Kelenic's demotion, before embarking on a bumper round of 2 Good 2 Bad featuring Jake Bauers, Luke Williams, Bill James, and more.

Former Mets minor leaguer and Director of Outreach for More than Baseball, the non-profit which supports the wellbeing and conditions of minor league baseball players, joins us to explain the work of the organisation, the need for structural change within baseball and what fans can do to both support current players, and campaign for justice for these baseball professionals. You can find out more...

Matt Joyce! John, Darius and Rob chat about the scourge of sticky stuff and take a Will Craig inspired deep dive into the NL Central; they also have time to big up the Palm Beach Cardinals, Joey Votto and the Tauch, and to pour scorn on the Rays, the As and the poor old Orioles. Whilst you're here, head over to https://obviousshirts.com/collections/boog and grab a shirt to support our great pal Bo...

Former Twins and Blue Jays slugger and self styled 'Indy Ball Hall of Famer' Chris Colabello joins John to chat about his long route to the bigs, the magical 2015 Toronto Blue Jays, growing up in Italy and representing the Azzurri internationally, and his ongoing quest to correct the PED injustice which ended his career and continues to jeopardise others.

Darius, Rob and Ben band together to review a groundhog week of baseball action as Tony La Russa grabbed the headlines (again) and pitchers threw no hitters (again). There was also talk of the weirdest statistical hitting line ever, the greatest manager tantrum in a long time and - of course - the San Francisco Giants have now been struck by the Darius curse...

Chicago White Sox ace Lucas Giolito joins John to chat about his season so far, remodelling his pitching arsenal and how he wants to continuously improve, the vibe in the White Sox clubhouse and his desire to use his platform for good.

John, Darius and Russell tackle the week in MLB, including big thumbs up for the New York Yankees, Patrick Mazeika and the amazing Drew Robinson, but also thumbs down for rubbish outfield defence, pitchers hitting and the Oakland Athletics laying a massive egg.

The brilliant Keith Law, national baseball writer for The Athletic, prospect and draft savant, all round good egg and author of the best selling books 'Smart Baseball' and 'The Inside Game' joins John to discuss: - Being back at the ballpark - The 2020 draft, and his No. 1 pick 'sleeper' - His new book, The Inside Game - Albert Pujols and Tony LaRussa - Not sticking to sports. This is a fun one!

Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr Wade Allen Miley.

In an unprecedented development, big baseball news breaks before the pod instead of immediately after it. Ben, Russell and Darius react to the Angels designating Albert Pujols for assignment and take a look back at the highlights of his stellar career. They also tip the cap to John Means and his imperfect game, before another round of 2 Good 2 Bad, featuring Tony La Russa, Robbie Ray, and Mike Tro...

John, Ben and Rob are joined by Jon Mackenzie of Absolute Bunts for this week's MLB Roundup. They cover the Rockies firing of Jeff Bridich, gambling in baseball and the incredible Jacob DeGrom before offering 'Two Bad, Two Good' garlands to the Dbacks, Phillies, Cubs, Astros, Byron Buxton, and that kid who robbed Kole Calhoun - you'll have to listen to find out which way. We also have a word or tw...

How has this taken us 5 years to do? Darius, Russell and John carry out BFN's first ever bat flip draft. To keep it competitive, and get some expert help, they're joined by host MLB on FOX's Flippin' Bats podcast, and former pro ballplayer, Ben Verlander. Do you agree with the guys' picks? We bet we found you a new favourite flip...

Darius, Russell and Ben join forces to overreact to the Yankees poor start to the season, reflect on whether no-hitters are still exciting and run through 2 Good 2 Bad with shoutouts for Bieber, Kazmar, Segura and Chisholm...

It's our second weekly roundup show! Ben, Rob, Russell and Darius debate MLB's mound-moving experiment in the Atlantic League and the merits of recent pitcher dominance, laud Freddie Freeman, Byron Buxton and Yadier Molina, while lamenting headhunting and replay review.

Tom is joined by MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince and Statman extraordinaire, Russell Eassom to begin the life of the greatest baseball stat every created. People in 100 years from now will ask "Where were you when you first heard about PISS?" Or..you know, they won't know what you're talking about and no one will ever say that.

Former Big League pitcher turned Mets analyst and all round good egg, Nelson Figueroa Jr, joins John for an awesome chat covering: - The Amazins' chances for 2021 - Nelson's life-long romance with the Mets, and his enduring place in their history - How he ended up making his Shea debut for their bitter rivals, the Phillies - His globe-trotting exploits as a hired gun winner in Taiwan, Mexico and t...

John, Rob and Russell are back with our first weekly MLB show of the season. They spare praise for MLB's All-Star Game move, Shohei Ohtani, Akil Baddoo and Jazz Chisholm, but scorn the number of fun players already hit by injury, the handling of the Nick Castellanos situation and the utterly honking Miami Marlins.

The newest member of baseball's no-hitter club - Tim Melville of the CPBL Uni-Lions - joins us fresh off his 142 pitch history maker on Good Friday. We talk about his route to the Majors with the Reds, Twins, Padres and Rockies; growing up in the Royals system alongside their World Series winning team; his incredible 2019 which started clearing tables in a BBQ restaurant and ended in the Rockies r...

It's Opening Day! John, Rob and Darius consider their team's prospects for the upcoming season, consider which spring performances they're actually buying, and look ahead to some potential 2021 storylines.