Tipping Pitches

Alex and Bobby react to the news that MLB plans to provide housing for all its minor leaguers starting in 2022, wonder what that will look like in practice, and theorize how that will affect the continued organizing effort among minor leaguers. Then, they’re joined by Josh Gondelman, comedian and producer of Desus & Mero, to make a humble case for why the remaining non-partisan baseball fans s...

Alex and Bobby debate the merits of rally towels, then break down the last week in baseball, including a mighty Astros showing again the White Sox, the endless cycle of Rays “resources” discourse, the exceptional balance between the Giants and Dodgers, and more. They also listen to some voicemails about just, like, enjoying things, the virtues of losing your voice, and the difference between Thom...

In this abbreviated episode, Bobby and Alex break down the first few games of the playoffs, including a confusing Broadway-themed postseason promo, what it takes to be good in October these days, the heyday of the quick hook, Jim Kaat’s amazingly racist remark about Yoán Moncada, the Astros leveling up every October, and more. They’ll be back on Wednesday for a full episode. Links: MLB Network’s B...

Alex and Bobby discuss the anti-climactic end to the regular season and what they want to see out of the playoff vs. what they actually expect to happen. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features Congresspeople procrastinating, a dress down of rabid praise of the Rays, and a tapping of the “it’s not your money” sign. Links: Giants concessions workers reach tentative contract agreement FiveThirtyEi...

In this episode, Bobby and Alex discuss recent developments around the #FairBall protest, and check in on the chances of a work stoppage this off-season. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features a eurostep-off, Kevin Kiermaier’s recovery of a Blue Jays scouting card, the Oakland A’s season ticket scam, the resurgence of Cardinal Devil Magic, and more. Links: The Rays will advertise the Montreal p...

Alex and Bobby discuss the stance taken by Phillies and Mets minor leaguers against unfair wages and living conditions this past week, and what it suggests about how the conversation has shifted. Then they run through some listener questions about ethical consumption under baseball, alumni pride for Dayton Moore, what baseball players have in common with elementary school kids, and how we frame co...

Bobby and Alex are joined by Lauren Walker, Jane Ost, and Stephen Hesson of Batting Around to talk about the weirdest and dumbest things that happened on and off the field this season, including Javy Báez magic, All-Star Game meltdowns, pine tar checks, *gestures at Tony La Russa*, and more. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features lessons on toughness and plenty of #content from the Hall of Fame...

Alex and Bobby talk with Ted Waechter, organizer with UNITE HERE Local 2, about the recent strike vote among Oracle Park concessions workers and what they’re demanding from the Giants. Then they try to break down MLB’s proposed changes to service time and arbitration, and look at how the rise of streaming spells danger for regional sports networks — and the teams that profit off them. This week’s...

Bobby and Alex talk about advice columns, the side of baseball’s rags to riches stories that doesn’t get discussed, and what the Orioles show us about the state of tanking in baseball. Then they answer listener voicemails about a player’s union eligibility, Statcast’s strange deployment, and the decline of custom shirseys. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features one broadcaster’s introduction to...

Alex and Bobby discuss the Dodgers City Connect jerseys (and whether they mailed them in), before being joined by Craig Calcaterra to talk about having a full baseball season back, MLB's big bet on gambling, the upcoming labor fight, unionizing the minor leagues, and more. Follow Craig on Twitter and subscribe to his newsletter, Cup of Coffee . Links:  Buy your own "Unionize the Minors&qu...

Alex and Bobby banter about their superstitions while playing — or watching — baseball. Then they share thoughts on the Field of Dreams game and what actually made it special, as well as Buster Olney’s reporting on the Angels’ supposed limited financial options for extending Shohei Ohtani. They field some voicemails about bullpen catchers, MLB The Show, and separating the owner from the players, a...

Bobby and Alex toast to four years of the podcast by discussing — what else — an article about minor league housing, what the potential partnership between MLB and Barstool Sports says about the league’s priorities, and shenanigans at the trade deadline. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features the Mets’ Kumar Rocker gaffe and whether 31 mph pitches are good or not. Links: Billy Ripken on velocit...

Bobby and Alex decide to dive deeper into the furor around some recent New Era hat drops and try to break down how the fitted cap community differs from the average baseball fan. To do that, they turn to Benjamin Christensen, a community events & engagement manager at Hat Club, and James Holas, a former basketball blogger and recent fitted cap convert, to talk about the fitted cap trend and th...

Alex and Bobby talk about the soon-to-be Cleveland Guardians and probe how genuine this transition has felt, check in on a pivotal vote to keep the A’s in Oakland, and read about — shocker! — minor leaguers in poor living conditions. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features electronic pitch signs and the freakin’ K-zone. Links: Tom Hanks’s relationship to Cleveland Joon Lee on minor league player...

Alex and Bobby banter about the All-Star Break festivities and Pete Alonso’s Home Run Derby prowess. Then they discuss the impasse in the Oakland A’s ballpark negotiations and John Fisher’s vision for his legacy, as well as player comments about priorities in this round of CBA negotiations. They take some listener calls about the Derby format, minor league team shuffling, and a run-scoring rule ch...

This week, Bobby and Alex examine a Pro Publica that uncovers the ways sports owners weaponize their franchises to avoid paying taxes (spoiler alert: it's as frustrating as it sounds!). This week’s Three Up, Three Down features a disappointing Ronald Acuña Jr. injury, Max Muncy and Max Muncy, the Cubs, and emo Lance Lynn. Links: ProPublica's Report on Billionaire Sports Owners Shakeia Taylor's Bau...

Alex and Bobby get some stock tips courtesy of a Ross Stripling column, explore what the Supreme Court’s ruling against the NCAA could mean for baseball’s anti-trust exemption, and answer some voicemails on the All-Star Game jerseys, concessions prices, and gambling at the park. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features Fernando Tatis Jr. as baseball’s must-watch TV and Scott Boras’s words of wisd...

Bobby and Alex welcome on former relief pitcher and current dad Jerry Blevins to talk about being a union guy, memorable mound visits, foreign substances, his experience in the minor leagues, locker room movies, and more in a series of nine(-ish) questions. Jerry’s first complete game! Follow Jerry on Twitter at @jerryblevins . Links: Buy a “Steal Bases, Not Wages” shirt Listen to 'Shea Anythi...

Alex and Bobby chat about the worst billionaire who could own a baseball team, and why it’s Elon Musk. Then they break down Pete Alonso’s ball manipulation theory and look at how it impacts the upcoming CBA expiration, as well as what issues could be on the table. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features a radicalized Mets broadcast booth and some law 101. Links: Five and Dive talks service time...

Bobby and Alex banter about their potential submissions for Alex Rodriguez’s contest to win $96,000. Then they talk about foreign substances and why the discourse around it is already exhausting, as well as Bob Brenly’s comment about Marcus Stroman’s durag and Jon Duplantier’s courageous response. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features split opinions on the City Connect jerseys, and unanimous a...

Alex and Bobby talk about New Era’s ill-advised local market caps and Javier Báez forcing the miscue of the century. Then they talk about Mike Shildt and MLB’s mailed-in campaign against foreign substances, as well as Keith Olbermann's insistence on yelling at clouds. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features Dave Kaval’s (in)ability to read the room, and the White Sox’s dedication to unforced...

Bobby and Alex dive far too deep into the Tony La Russa/Yermín Mercedes saga and then check in on the stadium stalemate in Oakland. Then they listen to a couple voicemails about players you dislike on your favorite team and Jim Crane’s real estate portfolio. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features real live in-person baseball and Stephen A. Smith’s take on Shohei Ohtani. Links: Nick Castellanos...

Mid-week special! Alex and Bobby talk about the Houston Astros providing housing for players and give quick reactions to the Oakland A’s ballpark ultimatum. Then they bring on Alex Coffey, A’s beat writer for The Athletic, to break down how negotiations got to this moment, how Rob Manfred’s shadow looms over this all, and what the outcome for the A’s — and the city — might look like. Finally, they...

Bobby and Alex talk Kevin McCarthy’s ramblings on the All-Star Game move, the return of minor league baseball, an unceremonious halt to Albert Pujols’s career, and #RatcoonGate in New York. Then they take some calls on franchises half-heartedly tanking and the prospect of real labor solidarity in baseball. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features John Means and the necessary evil of the dropped t...

Alex and Bobby banter about Rob Manfred and pace of play vs. betting, and listen to a couple voicemails about some downtrodden teams. Then they bring on Kyle Bandujo, host of “Big Screen Sports” and “From Phenom to Farm,” to talk about the realities that come with being drafted, how the past year has impacted minor leaguers, mental health as a prospect, and more. Finally, a Three Up, Three Down fe...