Passion for the Pastime

Talking about Giants baseball, past & present with NBC Sports Bay Area Analyst and San Francisco Giants World Series Champion, George Kontos. We remember the legend of Buster Posey, discuss the importance of the catcher position for the 2022 Giants as well as how well the Giants stack up against some of the top teams in the NL, Padres and Mets, who are coming to town on the next homestand.

On the 75th Anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in 1947, we remember a man who sacrificed so much for those who would follow and sparked a movement that would change the country forever. We are also reminded, of how far we have come but also how much further we need to go. Joined by KNBR's Adam Copeland to discuss Jackie Robinson Day and remember the man who made everything w...

The wild wild NL West did not disappoint last year and the same might be said for the 2022 season. The heavy favorite to win it all, Los Angeles Dodgers against a San Francisco Giants team that is asked to prove that 107 wins a year ago wasn't a fluke. Then you have the Padres with their pitching depth and the added piece of manager Bob Melvin who will be looking to flip the script of the Padres i...

The Machine is back in St. Louis! St. Louis Cardinals beat writer for The Athletic, Katie Woo, talks Pujols reunion & what it could look like for his final season.

Welcome back to another episode of Passion for the Pastime. Carlos Correa signed with the Twins in a deal that took the baseball world by surprise. Minnesota Twins beat writer for The Athletic, Dan Hayes, breaks down the Twins Offseason moves and what moves the Twins still need to make in order to make this offseason a bigger success than it already is.

Talking Giants Baseball with the voice of the San Francisco Giants pre-game, Marty Lurie as we look at big questions for the Giants heading into the start of Spring Training. How will the Giants utilize the DH now in the National league? With the loss of Buster Posey behind the plate, is Joey Bart ready to command the pitching staff and how do the Giants supplement the loss of his bat in the lineu...

MLB's lockout is now over! Welcoming back to the podcast Oakland A's beat writer for MLB.com, Martin Gallegos as we talk about the return to baseball and what may be in store in free agency, and what the plan may be for the Oakland A's as we near the 2022 season. 

The MLB Lockout continues: Lockout Update and what happens when baseball returns?

Welcome back to Passion for the Pastime, after a long lay off, we are back with Hot Stove Talk. Where will some key free agents end up this offseason. Hall of Fame ballot drama for players first years on the ballot and the looming question for players entering their final year of eligibility. Also some time has past since the World Series and the retirement of Buster Posey, some reaction as we get...

It's the most wonderful time of the year Baseball fans! October baseball is upon us, we didn't get the chaos from the AL Wild Card, but we have the next best thing. The Rivalry continues as the Yankees travel to Boston to take on the Red Sox. We all know these two teams get up to play in their elimination game history. We are joined by Kristie Ackert, Yankees beat writer for New York Daily News,(1...

On this final episode of the 2021 regular season, we will look at the NL West division race as well as the crazy scenario that could unfold in the AL Wild Card, with four teams, Red Sox, Yankees, Blue Jays and Mariners, fighting for two spots. Also lets get into the MVP talk. Who do you have? Vlad Jr or Shohei? Harper, Soto, Tatis or other? Should the MVP go to the best player on a winning team or...

On this episode of the podcast we are joined once again by San Francisco Giants beat writer for Bay Area News Group, Kerry Crowley. Following a tough series against the Brew Crew, the Giants are in first no more. Kerry and I talk Giants baseball and what troubles may lie ahead with injuries, the starting rotation and more.

On this episode of Passion for the Pastime, I am joined by national reporter for Mlb.com, Jesse Sanchez. We discuss the influence Latin players have in MLB today and its rich history. Jesse Sanchez also provides some insight into the Top 50 international players list.

On today's episode, Derek Togerson of NBC San Diego helps shed some light on the curre t situation with the Padres after relieving Rothschild from his role as pitching coach and what the potential fallout could be.

Ahead of the weekend series we spoke with beat writer of the Pirates for The Athletic, Rob Biertempfel. After Fraizer, who are the next guys who are traded.

On this Saturday edition of Passion for the Pastime Podcast, we are joined by ESPN inside for MLB and Host of the Baseball Tonight podcast, Buster Olney. Buster will help guide us through the chaos of what is the trade deadline. First, we discuss the Nelson Cruz trade and what the fallout will be for the AL East. Speaking of the AL East, we get into what the #Yankees plans are going into the week...

We are joined once again by Oakland Athletics beat writer for MLB.com, Martin Gallegos. A lot has gone down in the week leading up to the trade deadline, and a trade wasn't the reason why. Oakland city council had their vote on the new stadium plans for the baseball club and the result isn't what it seems. Martin explains what the vote represents and what it means moving forward. Also included is...

We head on over to the Bronx to talk Yankees baseball with New York Yankees beat writer for the New York Daily News, Kristie Ackert. An injury update on Luis Severino and Corey Kluber. The burning question is whether or not the Yankees will buy or sell. If they buy, what position or player are the Yankees looking to add? If they sell, who is on the move? Will Aaron Judge remain a Yankee in the nea...

On this episode we are joined by beat writer of the St. Louis Cardinals for The Athletic, Katie Woo, to discuss the trade deadline for the Cardinals and what the plan of attack is for the second half of the season. Also discusses whether or not there should be concern of a departure from Nolan Arenado and much more.

The second half starts now and its crunch time. Minnesota Twins beat writer for The Athletic, Dan Hayes joins the show and provides some insight into what the Twins may do going into the Trade Deadline, as the Twins seem to be the team that can tip the balance in the race for the division and beyond.

Nationals beat writer for MASNsports.com, Mark Zuckerman joins the show to discuss the hard decisions the Nationals have entering the All-Star Break. After having a strong finish to the month of June, are the Nationals remind people what was done in 2019, but is that enough to keep the team together? 

Dodgers beat writer for the Orange County Register, Bill Plunkett joins the show from DC to talk Dodgers baseball as the race in the NL West heats up

On this episode we will stay with the orange and black but this time with a focus on the minor leagues. The perfect person to help us do that is Play-by-Play broadcaster for the San Jose Giants, Joe Ritzo. We discuss the new world of broadcasting due to Covid, Duane Kuiper's impact on Joe as a broadcaster. We also get to talking about Marco Luciano and the depth of the minor league system and much...

On this episode of Passion for the Pastime, we speak with Kerry Crowley of Bay Area News Group to talk 2021 Giants Baseball. Also included is a discussion about Duane Kuiper and what he means to Kerry as well as a funny story he has with Kuip. Also, we will talk about the greatness of the 2021 Giants, including Crawford's record-breaking night and possible trades at the deadline. It's all orange a...

We are going north of the border to speak with the beat writer of the Toronto Blue Jays, Sportsnet's very own and Co-Host of At the Letters podcast, Ben Nicholson-Smith. We will be catching up with what has changed since we last spoke including the great signing of Marcus Semien, George Springer's health, and Vlad Jr emerging as one of the elites in the game today. Plenty to talk about with Ben on...