The Baseball Aficionado

This week on The Baseball Aficionado Podcast:  Is the Dominican media at war with Albert Pujols? Santos breaks down the backlash from Dominican journalists—including Franklin Mirabal—following the 2026 World Baseball Classic, Pujols' criticism of the media, and his appearance with Héctor "Playmaker" Torres.  Steve Cohen speaks out. The Mets owner admits there were issues between Juan Sot...

Has the 2026 MLB season been a total bore? With disappointing years from teams like the Mets and Astros, few signature moments, and a lack of must-watch storylines — has this season felt strangely forgettable?  🇩🇴 Do Dominicans fully appreciate the greatness of Albert Pujols? Santos discusses the legacy of one of the greatest Latino players ever and whether he truly gets the respect he deserv...

Santos kicks things off with a shocking headline: former MLB All-Star Alexei Ramírez, now 44, has tested positive for PEDs during the World Baseball Classic. What does this mean for the integrity of the tournament and how does MLB handle a situation like this on the international stage?  Then we shift to the managerial carousel surrounding Alex Cora. With his future uncertain, Santos breaks d...

Santos breaks down what Francisco Lindor’s injury means for the New York Mets and why it exposes their lack of leadership and identity. He also explains why he “hates” what Juan Soto has brought to the Mets culture—not the talent, but the shift in clubhouse energy. Plus, Santos goes off on the Boston Red Sox, making it clear the blame isn’t on Alex Cora—it’s ownership and a front office that may n...

DID YOU KNOW? 🤯 Aroldis Chapman 🇨🇺 isn’t just throwing heat — he’s putting up Hall of Fame-level numbers. Chapman owns a 39.7% K rate and 1,300+ career strikeouts (1334)… That’s MORE than both Billy Wagner and Lee Smith — two of the most respected closers ever, with Smith already in Cooperstown. 💭 So the question is… Is Chapman building a Hall of Fame resume, or does he still have more to prove?...

In this episode, Santos dives into some of the biggest early-season storylines shaking up the baseball world 👇  First, a deep look at the growing spotlight on Francisco Lindor 🇵🇷 and Juan Soto 🇩🇴 in Queens. From Lindor’s slow start and costly on-field miscues to the speculation surrounding his dynamic with Soto — is there real tension, or just early-season noise? More importantly… can two su...

Santos breaks down a historic and controversial 2026 World Baseball Classic. 🇻🇪 Venezuela wins its first-ever WBC title, led by MVP Maikel García—but his postgame comments taking a subtle shot at República Dominicana spark debate across the baseball world. 🇩🇴🇺🇸 Who was the bigger disappointment—Dominican Republic or Team USA? One fell short early, the other failed on the biggest stage. 🇵🇷 Is Puert...

The drama of the World Baseball Classic continues as Santos breaks down the biggest storylines of the tournament so far.  🇮🇹 Italy’s Stunning Run  Is Italy the biggest surprise of the WBC, and can they keep their momentum going?  🇲🇽 México Eliminated Early  Mexico entered the tournament with high expectations but is already out. One of the biggest disappointments of the Classic...

Santos The Baseball Aficionado breaks down his early projections for the 2026 World Baseball Classic — and some powerhouse nations might not like what’s coming. Is 🇵🇷 Puerto Rico national baseball team built for a deeper run than people expect?  Will 🇻🇪 Venezuela national baseball team have enough pitching to survive the grind?  Can 🇰🇷 South Korea national baseball team reassert itself o...

On this episode of The Baseball Aficionado Podcast, Santos is joined by Yusseff Díaz of Pelota Cubana to break down baseball’s biggest storylines heading into 2026.   Tony Clark steps down — is an MLB lockout inevitable? And does the game need a salary cap?  Can the Netherlands shake up Group D and take down República Dominicana or Venezuela?  🇲🇽 Is México a legitimate threat to win...

This World Baseball Classic edition of The Baseball Aficionado Podcast features special guest — A’s Beat Writer, journalist, and analyst Henry Morales — for a deep dive into the biggest storylines heading into 2026.  We break down Team Cuba’s realistic chances to advance and whether this is their least talented WBC roster ever. We analyze Team Puerto Rico’s outlook without Lindor, Báez, and C...

 🚨 NEW EPISODE — SANTOS BREAKS IT ALL DOWN 🇵🇷⚾️  Santos of The Baseball Aficionado dives deep into the controversy shaking the 2026 World Baseball Classic…  What does Team Puerto Rico look like without Francisco Lindor, Carlos Correa, and Javier Báez? Three franchise shortstops. Three leaders. Three of the island’s biggest global stars — all out due to the ongoing insurance issues...

🎙️ The Baseball Aficionado Podcast — Latinos in the WBC: Who’s In, Who’s Out?  On this episode of The Baseball Aficionado, Santos is joined by Yusseff Díaz of Pelota Cubana for a deep, timely conversation surrounding Latino participation in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.  As rosters begin to take shape, major questions are emerging:  Which Latino stars are committed to the WBC—and...

🎙️ NEW EPISODE — The Baseball Aficionado Podcast ⚾🔥 Santos links up with Willy Báez of Bodega Sports for a real baseball conversation you don’t want to miss.  🤔 Does nobody want Eugenio Suárez, Framber Valdez, or Luis Arráez?  🏆 Who are the future Latino Hall of Famers we’re not talking about enough?  🧢 Are the Yankees really good enough with just Cody Bellinger? Follow The Bas...

🎙️ The Baseball Aficionado Podcast – All-Time Latino Teams: AL West + Hot Stove Heat In this episode of The Baseball Aficionado Podcast, Santos is joined by Willy Báez of Bodega Sports for another deep-dive into baseball history, culture, and today’s biggest storylines. ⚾ All-Time Latino Teams: AL West Division We break down the greatest Latino players to ever suit up for the AL West, building an...

In this brand-new episode, Santos The Baseball Aficionado teams up once again with the homie Willy Báez of Bodega Sports to dive deep into the American League Central and build all-time Latino lineups for every franchise in the division. From Cleveland to Chicago to Detroit, Minnesota, and Kansas City—we’re putting history under the microscope and giving Latino legends their flowers. Who makes the...

In this episode, Santos and Willy Báez of Bodega Sports kick off a brand-new series celebrating Latino excellence across Major League Baseball history. The duo dives deep into the American League East, building their all-time all-Latino rosters for the Yankees, Orioles, Rays, Blue Jays, and Red Sox. From Dominican powerhouses and Puerto Rican legends to underrated Venezuelan stars, the conversatio...

In this episode of The Baseball Aficionado Podcast, Santos is joined by WFAN host Al Cintron for a powerful and wide-ranging conversation. Together, they dive into the importance of Latino representation in sports talk radio and media, shining a light on voices that too often get overlooked. The two break down the state of the 2025 New York Mets, recalling the ugly history of racist Mets fans towa...

On this episode, Santos is joined by Willy Baez of Bodega Sports for a loaded conversation on everything happening in the game right now. They break down: • MLB Playoff Odds : Which teams are trending up and which are fading fast. • Award Picks : Their Cy Young and MVP selections for both the American and National Leagues. • Controversy Around Mark Teixeira : From aligning himself with President T...

In this jam-packed episode of The Baseball Aficionado Podcast , Santos and Willy of Bodega Sports break down the biggest storylines from the 2025 MLB Trade Deadline. The San Diego Padres are the undisputed winners after a bold push for October glory—Santos says it’s now or never in San Diego. Meanwhile, the Houston Astros make waves with the emotional return of Carlos Correa, and Santos boldly pre...

Santos and Willy Báez of Bodega Sports have a draft to form teams based on who were the best Latino MLB players during the month of June. Who will have the better team? All-Star game snubs, Is Juan Soto disliked by the Mets fans? Did Vladimir Guerrero Jr and Javier Báez deserve to start for the AL in the All-Star game? Ranger Suárez and Framber Valdez not All-Star worthy? The Luis Ortiz gambling s...

Willy Baez of Bodega Sports joins Santos to recap what was the MLB month of May. Is Jeremy Peña back? Devers redemption? Will the Boston Red Sox Chaos spell the end for Alex Cora? Who were the best Latinos per position during the month of May? Edwin Díaz vs Emmanuel Clase. Willy and Santos disagree on Julio Rodríguez, Why is second base so weak this season? (Besides Ketel Marte), Carlos Rodon rise...

Santos and Willy Baez of Bodega Sports talk give their versions of the MLB All-Quarter Century team as well as All Latino versions of the rosters as well. Did Pedro Martínez deserve to be on Jayson Stark's all-quarter century team? Was Yadier Molina really the best catcher of the 2000's? Was José Altuve really better than Robinson Canó? Johan Santana and Félix Hernández deserve more consideration...

Santos and Willy Báez of Bodega Sports recap the month of April in MLB. Who were the best Latino players at each position? Is it time to worry about Juan Soto yet? José Ramirez joins Beltrán as only switch hitters with 250 HR/ 250 Stolen Bases. Is Javy Báez back? Has México surpassed Puerto Rico in MLB talent? Early 2026 World Baseball Classic thoughts. Follow The Baseball Aficionado on Social med...

Santos speaks with Flobo Boyce of The Black Baseball Mixtape about his New York Mets Fandom, his time covering the team, etc. Flobo shares his thoughts on the state of Black Baseball, his favorite all-time Latino Baseball players, why he roots for the Chicago White Sox and Mets. Frank Thomas and Albert Belle get some love and more. Follow The Baseball Aficionado on Social media: IG: @thebaseballaf...