The Book of Joe with Joe Maddon & Tom Verducci

Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci  dive into the stories of baseball this season including another milestone for Shohei Ohtani.  Tom looks at the surprising feat of Royals outfielder Tyler Tolbert. Kyle Schwarber tells Tom how he struggles with 'catcher's brain' versus his 'hitter's brain'.  31 year old Matt Seelinger makes his MLB debut with the Mets, but it didn't go as planned.  P...

Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci  discuss the struggles of the Mets this season and problems with the team that may not be apparent. Joe wants to know why league stats are so mediocre while new methods of teaching with analytics are supposed to be so much better. Tom points out the shocking turnover with managers in MLB.  Tom asks Joe about the current state of the Angels and what elements of...

Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci welcome Guardians 2B Travis Bazzana to discuss All-Star voting and his amazing rookie season.  Tom puts this season into perspective with how Travis' numbers stack up historically.  Travis recalls playing cricket and baseball simultaneously while growing up.  Tom wonders why Travis' numbers have improved since coming up from the minors. Travis talks about...

Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci discuss the possibility of the Angels trading Mike Trout and what kind of deal it would take.  Joe explains the Angels approach to making moves like this and what was learned from how they handled Shohei Ohtani.  Which teams know it's time to start making deals? Tom gives one team he believes is ready!  Plus, after seeing a game last just 112 minutes..how...

Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci discuss how the Yankees move forward without Aaron Judge for at least a couple of months.  Tom reveals what he learned from a conversation with manager Aaron Boone. As a former catcher, Joe comments on the current state of catchers and the surprising batting averages around MLB.  Plus, players have to adapt to the game as they get older.  But how has anal...

Welcome to June baseball and it's time for Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci to look at how offense has changed this season.  The impact of ABS on pitching, hitting, and the umpires can't be denied and Tom shares the surprising evidence.  What is the biggest struggle of the Yankees this season and can they fix it? Tom and Joe reveal their biggest pet peeves in baseball before highlighting one...

Joe Maddon  and Tom Verducci  look at hitting in May and an unexpected result from the addition of the pitch clock.  Tom gives his thoughts on 'combined' no-hitters and different ways the feat can happen.  Meanwhile, Joe explains what he's seeing with Kyle Schwarber.  We hear the latest example of 'analytics' gone too far.  Plus, how about players try something n...

The Rays have the best record in baseball but are close to the bottom of the league in home runs?  Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci examine the differences in the AL East and the resurgence of the 'bunt'. Joe explains when he had players swing away on a 3-0 count.  How many pitches does a pitcher really need?  Tom notes Shohei Ohtani's growth as a pitcher.   Plus, a warning tha...

The baseball season is at the quarter pole and hosts Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci point out the surprises we've seen.  What will sort itself out and what is a real issue?  Tom points out a possible hitting 'slump' for Shohei Ohtani and how it affects the Dodgers.  Plus, we honor the legacy of 2x World Series Champion and 4x Manager of the Year Bobby Cox. The Book of Joe Podcast is a...

Hosts Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci highlight Joe's road trip from Tampa to PA before diving into some May baseball!  The Tigers are facing some hurdles with the suspensions of AJ Hinch and Framber Valdez and surgery for Tarik Skubal.  Tom explains the Dodgers' plan for Shohei Ohtani and the impact it's having on his outings.  Plus, what happens when you're the SECOND person to make h...

Hosts Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci begin with the Red Sox parting ways with Alex Cora.  Tom explains what led to the decision and the moves that played a big part.  What are Cora's options moving forward with a couple other teams possibly looking for change? Tom notes a growing trend in the league that is adding time and a different strategy for pitchers.   Plus, we honor the pa...

Hosts Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci begin with a look at the turnaround of the Rays and their stadium improvements.  Tom points out the slow starts from the biggest spending teams, while the lowest payrolls are doing well!  Hitting has been off and Joe explains the adjustments that need to be made.  While thinking of the most dominating pitchers that we've actually seen, Tom could be...

Hosts Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci look at the slow start of the Mets and wonder if there are bigger issues at play.  Joe points out how time together can help smooth out a lot of issues.  Twins manager Derek Shelton talked about what he learned from a year being in the media that he now uses in the dugout.  Joe reveals his approach to dealing with the media as a manager.  Plus,...

Hosts Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci know it's early in the season, but how many 'good' teams have ever had terrible starts?  The Red Sox stumbled out of the gate, but can they turn it around? Tom notes the incident with Wilson Contreras and the Brewers and what happens next. Tropicana Field is open once again and Joe recalls his time in Tampa and the stadium.  We're starting to see injurie...

Hosts Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci dive into the use of the ABS system, which has already had a tremendous impact.  How does Joe think the use of the system changes as the game moves forward?  Tom reveals where the most success comes from with challenges.  How does this affect catchers and their influence on pitching? The Yankees have had an amazing start to the season.  Tom not...

Hosts Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci discuss Opening Day and the need for teams to get off to a good start!  What is the biggest thing a team will see in the first few weeks of the season?  Joe reveals the team he thinks can most challenge the Dodgers in the NL.  Tom talks about the players who will benefit from a solid performance in the WBC.  Following a memorable Babe Ruth stor...

Hosts Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci discuss Venezuela's win over USA in the World Baseball Classic.  Joe points out the passion from Venezuela and the huge role baseball plays in their country and culture.  Tom asks about USA's hitting and what happened through the tournament. We offer kudos for the showing from Team Italy!  Plus, could there be MORE changes coming to baseball? The Bo...

Hosts Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci have been impressed with the games from the World Baseball Classic!  Tom explains how he's been very impressed with the DR lineup and the one breakout star from the Classic.  The Phillies extend Jesus Luzardo and Joe explains why he thinks it was perfect timing.  Tom is impressed with the Phils lineup and has a surprising comp for Kyle Schwarber. Pl...

Hosts Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci the difference between Spring Training and the World Baseball Classic.  What makes it so popular and great for baseball?  Tom notes the growing popularity of the event as it starts its 6th year.  Konnor Griffin has been impressive in Spring Training.  Tom gives some impressive comps that has Joe excited about Griffin as a player.  Legendar...

Hosts Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci open with Arte Moreno saying winning isn't in the top 5 of the needs of the Angels. Joe explains what he believes the owner meant in the statement for the fans of the LA Angels. Hall of Famer Bill Mazeroski passed away and Tom asks where Maz's home run in the 1960 World Series ranks amongst all-time hits.  Plus, will a coming rule change cause a safety issue...

Hosts Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci open with the future of Nick Castellanos with the Padres.  Tom looks at what's ahead for Mike Trout this season while Joe suggests a plan for the team to follow for success.  It's time for the ABS system in baseball and Tom explains how teams are preparing to use it.  After being at Dodgers camp, Tom talks about the team and Shohei Ohtani's start to...

Hosts Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci give their recap of the Super Bowl and how Sam Darnold blossomed into the QB he was supposed to be.  What did Joe think about the commercials this year? Tigers lefty Tarik Skubal wins a record arbitration case, but should he have been treated better by Detroit?  Heading into Spring Training, Tom is wondering about the plan in Boston for the Red Sox while...

Hosts Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci welcome author Danny Funt , who wrote the book, Everybody Loses: The Tumultuous Rise of American Sports Gambling , which explores the growth of gambling and social acceptance in sports.  Danny discusses the mixed messages being sent and methods used to create habits which now has fans gambling on their phones throughout a game.  How did gambling go...

Hosts Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci starts with the Seahawks/Patriots Super Bowl and the time commitment it takes for the head coaches.  Tom also thinks there's no sport that relies on a single player more than teams do with a quarterback.   Cody Bellinger stays with the Yankees  and Jose Ramirez reworked his deal with the Guardians.  Tom asks if the MacKenzie Gore deal make...

Hosts Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci recap 'Cubs Convention 2026' celebrating the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Cubs World Series.  Joe touches on the some of the conversations he had and how the team coming back together was such a special event.  Tom notes the connection this team had with Cubs fans after ending the long drought in Chicago.   Turning to contracts and deals being...