Tipping Pitches

Alex and Bobby break down A-Rod’s takes on social media, electronics, spreadsheet, and more. Then they bring on incoming associate editor at Baseball Prospectus Shaker Samman to unfold his theory of consecutive perfect games, as well as what the Super League can tell us about baseball (and vice versa). Finally, a Three Up, Three Down featuring the anomaly of Jacob deGrom and a rather expensive bal...

Alex and Bobby discuss conspiracy theories about the end of Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez’s relationship, the thrill of the Dodgers and Padres, and the experiment of moving back the mound. Then they bring on Mike Schubert for a preview of his upcoming project. Finally, some listener voicemails and a packed Three Up, Three Down. Follow Mike on Twitter at @Schubes17 . Links: Support Modern Muckr...

Bobby and Alex talk Alex Rodriguez finally getting his sports team, MLB’s timely investigation of pitchers using foreign substances, what would change if the league’s anti-trust exemption was actually stripped away, and host families in a pandemic. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features the corporatization of Field of Dreams, and Dusty Baker’s inherited walk-of-shame. Links: What MLB’s anti-tru...

Alex and Bobby ring in the new season by talking about a hypothetical Red Sox losing streak and COVID cases abound on the Nationals. Then they discuss Francisco Lindor’s extension with the Mets and how it fits into baseball financial landscape, as well as MLB’s decision to pull this year’s All-Star Game from Atlanta. The return of Three Up, Three Down features the electrifying young star on the Ma...

Part 1 featured the obvious — Tatis, Lindor, even Bau*r. But part 2 is where the depth of this year's draft really starts to show. Tune in to hear Jake Mintz, Jordan Shusterman, Meg Rowley, and Randy Wilkins round out the rest of the 2021 All-GIF draft. Read a blog post (featuring highlight GIFs for every selection) here .

Bobby and Alex ring in the start of a new MLB season the only way they know how: drafting the most GIF-able players to watch this year. They bring on a series of guests to draft against and discuss Fernando Tatis Jr., Francisco Lindor, Shohei Ohtani, and more — with a few surprises. This episode features the first eight picks with Shakeia Taylor, Bradford William Davis, Hannah Keyser, and Clinton...

Alex and Bobby talk MLB’s plan to disrupt the sport with “innovation” and “technology,” and the prospect of NFTs of ground balls. In the final installment of their “If I Were Commish” season preview series, they talk to Ginny Searle of Baseball Prospectus about team owner accountability, expansion, plans for Mr. Met, and more. Links: Follow Ginny on Twitter MLB’s plans for innovation this year A p...

Bobby and Alex grieve for A-Rod and J-Lo’s relationship, and discuss the rationale behind some of the rule changes being tested in the minors this year. Then they bring on filmmaker and writer Randy Wilkins for the second installment of their season preview series. They talk abolishing the draft, the burden of blackouts, Ken Griffey Jr. vs. the world, and much more. Links: Follow Randy on Twitter...

Alex and Bobby chat about can openers and listen to a couple voicemails about the Giants and Cleveland. Then they bring on comedian and friend of the pod River Butcher for the first in a series of episodes asking: If you were commissioner, what would you do in your first 100 days? This episode discusses gender equality in baseball and military overexposure. Links: Follow River on Twitter Listen to...

Bobby and Alex talk about why A-Rod’s new SPAC is the hot stock to grab, and how Kevin Mather’s comments were far from an anomaly. Then they chat with Ryan O’Hanlon, soccer writer and editor, about how European soccer’s youth development pipeline compares to youth baseball stateside, the benefits and drawbacks of club-driven development, the quirk of fan ownership, a conveyor belt of Tr*vor B*uers...

Welcome to Tipping Pitches — the baseball podcast trying to nationalize our national pastime. Available anywhere you get your podcasts. Follow us on Twitter @tipping_pitches . Email us at tippingpitchespod@gmail.com. Tell us why you hate your team's owner at 785-422-5881.

Alex and Bobby chat about — what else?  — Fernando Tatis Jr.’s payday and what it says about the San Diego Padres, the financial health of the league, and so-called “small markets.” Then, they get into some Open Season voicemails about Bob Nightengale’s best source, Jerry Reinsdorf’s personal debts, coping with toxic players, and the time we almost lost the Minnesota Twins. Finally, they give one...

Alex and Bobby banter about vaccinations and the looming reality of in-person baseball games. Then they talk about Jack Flaherty’s arbitration case with the Cardinals and why fans should care about labor battles in the sport, as well as the history erased with the renaming of the minor league divisions. Finally, more voicemails for Open Season, Clayton Kershaw’s takes on tanking, and the latest in...

Alex and Bobby kick off the pod with the first edition of ‘Open Season,’ answering listener voicemails on the utter mismanagement of the Cubs, the joy of being able to root for Sean Doolittle, and the broken public trust between ownership and fans. Then, they’re joined by Jen Ramos of the Baseball Prospectus R&D department to discuss, among other things, Bob Nightengale, Kim Ng, Jared Porter a...

Bobby and Alex talk about Nolan Arenado and the concept of “onerous contracts,” as well as Steve Cohen, GameStop, and the freaking stock market, baby. Then they bring on Mike Schubert, podcaster extraordinaire at Multitude Productions and obnoxious Yankees fan, to talk the Bronx Bombers as they exist in 2021, the team’s facial hair policy, the high bar their fans set, hot dogs, and more. Finally,...

Alex and Bobby reflect on the legacy of Hank Aaron and wonder whether it’s possible for him to be...underrated? Then they dive into some free agent news — hello, Toronto Blue Jays! — and probe the Baltimore Orioles in their quest to screw over their players. Then they talk about Jared Porter and what comes after his firing (cw: sexual harassment), as well as Ken Rosenthal’s backwards column about...

Bobby and Alex bring on Michael Baumann, staff writer at the Ringer, for their annual look at the state of labor in baseball. Their conversation includes how the landscape has shifted over the last year, what the frigid free agent market means for players, breaking down Rob Manfred’s call for 162 games in 2021, what to expect with the CBA expiring at the end of the year, and much more. Follow Mich...

Alex and Bobby discuss the Mets trading for Francisco Lindor, the Padres pushing in all their chips, and the Cubs’s manufactured window. Then they chat about their defining moments as baseball fans and how they give context to the way they think about the sport, including a perfect game, an inauspicious debut, a veteran’s return, and more. Songs featured in this episode: Booker T & the M.G.’s...

Bobby and Alex kick off the new year by bringing on Rob Mains, writer at Baseball Prospectus, to talk about the business of baseball from an owner’s perspective, how teams actually make (and lose) money, what’s changed about owners in the last 50 years, and much more. Follow Rob on Twitter @Cran_Boy . Links: Baseball teams and rent seeking Why teams aren’t dependent on cash flow

Alex and Bobby take a look back on their favorite memories from 2020, including an impassioned debate on jerseys vs. shirseys, an investigation into whether fans could own a baseball team, Sean Doolittle’s Star Wars rankings, a critical look at baseball’s most pointless traditions, and plenty of wonderful guests. Thanks to everyone who followed along this year, and look out for bigger, better, bri...

Bobby and Alex discuss the Cleveland baseball team’s decision to drop their team name...eventually, and weigh in on the bubbling debate over the length of the 2021 season. Then they bring on Clinton Yates, columnist at the Undefeated and panelist on ESPN’s Around the Horn, to talk about MLB bringing the Negro Leagues under their umbrella, who owns the concept of baseball, the lessons that MLB can’...

Alex and Bobby run through a collection of items from the baseball world this past week, including but not limited to: the best (read: worst) gifts that the MLB shop has to offer, new faces in front offices, Giancarlo Stanton’s contract, insurance lawsuits, Taylor Swift’s new album, and more. It’s the offseason! Links: Giancarlo Stanton’s contract is hurting the Yankees, supposedly  MLB is suing i...

Bobby and Alex look at the best and worst references to baseball players in rap songs (shout out to Action Bronson). Then they bring on Sean Gibson, executive director of the Josh Gibson Foundation and Josh Gibson’s great-grandson, to discuss the campaign to rename the MVP award after the Negro League legend, what redemption looks like for an untold history, and more. Links: The Josh Gibson Founda...

Alex and Bobby talk about the Tampa Bay Rays’ desire for “financial” “flexibility,” MLB’s long and winding history of championship trophies, and Shohei Ohtani getting in his feels. Then they bring on free agent pitcher Collin McHugh to discuss what it’s like being at the bargaining table with MLB, what baseball in 2021 will look like, the prospect of minor league unionization, and much more. Links...

In this abbreviated episode, Alex and Bobby talk about Robinson Canó’s PED suspension and how his legacy came undone, what Theo Epstein’s departure from the Cubs means for baseball, and why the World Series champions are laying off employees. Back next week! Links: Dodgers are laying off employees