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We didn't watch the ASG or the Home Run Derby. And we're ok with that. In this episode we look at the teams that have surprised positively and negatively.  Only 60 games to go and yet we talk about this being the beginning of the 2nd half of the season. The All-Star Game is too late in the season now. 

Olympic Baseball is like Olympic Soccer. World Cup soccer is way cooler and World Baseball Classic is way cooler than Olympic baseball. Could that change?  

If your team stinks like the Mets and Rockies, how do you still be a fan with two and a half months to go?

Thanks again to Mercury Maid for the Intro & Outro music. Check them out on Spotify or Apple Music!  

Please subscribe to our podcast and thanks for listening! If you can give us 4 or 5 star rating that means a lot. And if you have a suggestion for an episode please drop us a line via email at [email protected].  You can also follow us on X @markkolier or visit the Almost Cooperstown Facebook page or YouTube channel.  And please tell your friends to check us out!

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One of our stories of the week is that #redsox Willson Contreras did something last week that only 35 players have done in MLB history. He got tossed from back to back games vs. #Nationals.  Another is about the baseball flying further in June than it has since good 'ol 2019. 

All-Star game rosters are in. Big yawn? Dodgers and Rays are hot, Yankees and Mets are not. 

Thanks again to Mercury Maid for the Intro & Outro music. Check them out on Spotify or Apple Music!  

Please subscribe to our podcast and thanks for listening! If you can give us 4 or 5 star rating that means a lot. And if you have a suggestion for an episode please drop us a line via email at [email protected].  You can also follow us on X @almostcoop or visit the Almost Cooperstown Facebook page or YouTube channel.  And please tell your friends to check us out!

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College baseball may become even more important if MLB owners get their way.  Changing draft rules is a big part of the first offer from the owners. The players (MLBPA) laughed it off as they should have. We talk about what it means and what it will lead to. 

Bunting is back in 2026. Well at least since the universal DH era began. 

Will Tarik Skubal be a Detroit #Tigers pitcher after the trade deadline?

Thanks again to Mercury Maid for the Intro & Outro music. Check them out on Spotify or Apple Music!  

Please subscribe to our podcast and thanks for listening! If you can give us 4 or 5 star rating that means a lot. And if you have a suggestion for an episode please drop us a line via email at [email protected].  You can also follow us on X @almostcoop or visit the Almost Cooperstown Facebook page or YouTube channel.  And please tell your friends to check us out!

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Tim Brown is the author of three baseball books and his latest book "Nolan" The Singular Life of an American Original" goes deeper with the HOF legend than any other. Tim spent time in Alvin, TX, which is Nolan Ryan's home town. There are so many great stories!  Thanks for listening and watching! 

Thanks again to Mercury Maid for the Intro & Outro music. Check them out on Spotify or Apple Music!  

Please subscribe to our podcast and thanks for listening! If you can give us 4 or 5 star rating that means a lot. And if you have a suggestion for an episode please drop us a line via email at [email protected].  You can also follow us on X @almostcoop or visit the Almost Cooperstown Facebook page or YouTube channel.  And please tell your friends to check us out!

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Shohei Ohtani is on his way to his 5th MVP (in six seasons). He has the lowest ERA and highest OPS+ in the NL - not even HOFer Babe Ruth did that in the same season! 

We talk about the rash of injuries to stars including Jose Ramirez, Ronald Acuna Jr., and Spencer Strider. Jacob Misiorowski pitched a game for the ages and Mark tells you why when it comes to pitcher game score. 

Ground balls are more deadly to hitters today as hitting the ball in the air means everything!  Gordon tells you what that's all about. 

Thanks again to Mercury Maid for the Intro & Outro music. Check them out on Spotify or Apple Music!  

Please subscribe to our podcast and thanks for listening! If you can give us 4 or 5 star rating that means a lot. And if you have a suggestion for an episode please drop us a line via email at [email protected].  You can also follow us on X @almostcoop or visit the Almost Cooperstown Facebook page or YouTube channel.  And please tell your friends to check us out!

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It's hard to believe that both Mike Trout and Aaron Judge are 34. How can that be? It seems like Trout has been around much longer - and that's actually the case. We talk about this in our stories of the week along with the latest injury reports, player news, and everything that happened in MLB last week. All in less than 30 minutes! 

Thanks again to Mercury Maid for the Intro & Outro music. Check them out on Spotify or Apple Music!  

Please subscribe to our podcast and thanks for listening! If you can give us 4 or 5 star rating that means a lot. And if you have a suggestion for an episode please drop us a line via email at [email protected].  You can also follow us on X @almostcoop or visit the Almost Cooperstown Facebook page or YouTube channel.  And please tell your friends to check us out!

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We look at run differentials that reveal the good teams (Braves, Dodgers, Yankees, Brewers), and all the other teams.  The AL is weaker this season and that's no surprise. Should #brewers trade for Tarik Skubal? Mark and Gordon don't see eye-to-eye on this one.  

Will #dodgers Shohei win the NL Cy Young award?  Cristopher Sanchez of the #phillies as a 44.2 inning scoreless streak.  And then there's #padres Mason Miller. 

Catch up on all the hot news from last week in under 30 minutes! 

Thanks again to Mercury Maid for the Intro & Outro music. Check them out on Spotify or Apple Music!  

Please subscribe to our podcast and thanks for listening! If you can give us 4 or 5 star rating that means a lot. And if you have a suggestion for an episode please drop us a line via email at [email protected].  You can also follow us on X @almostcoop or visit the Almost Cooperstown Facebook page or YouTube channel.  And please tell your friends to check us out!

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Our top stories of the week are revealed as are the prospects for players and  @MLB teams after 1/3 of 2026 season has been played. Shohei of course leads the pack given that he pitches (amazingly) AND hits amazingly.  #tigers are sinking as are #mets #redsox & #astros.  What's up with #cubs?  
Can the #athletics remain in first place?  We talk about where things are right now!

Thanks again to Mercury Maid for the Intro & Outro music. Check them out on Spotify or Apple Music!  

Please subscribe to our podcast and thanks for listening! If you can give us 4 or 5 star rating that means a lot. And if you have a suggestion for an episode please drop us a line via email at [email protected].  You can also follow us on X @almostcoop or visit the Almost Cooperstown Facebook page or YouTube channel.  And please tell your friends to check us out!

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#Brewers Jacob Misiorowski is tied for the MLB lead w 80 strikeouts. #dodgers Blake Snell is injured. Again. #Rays continue to excel. #guardians still the only AL Central team over .500 as well as the #athletics. Baseball is soaring high and we are appealing to baseball club owners and players to reach a deal in the new CBA before the 2027 season

We discuss the league leading hitters and pitchers with about 1/3 of the 2026 season to be played by Memorial Day! 

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Rob Fitts loves Japanese baseball and has been writing about it for years. His 10 books on baseball in Japan cover many aspects of the sport in the Land of the Rising Sun. Dr. Fitts joined Gordon and Mark to talk about his 2025 book "In the Japanese Ballpark" which is a series of vignettes covering aspects of what goes on during a NPB game. From players, to managers, to umpires, owners, fans, even beer girls, Fitts has a great feel for how to tell the story and explain Japanese baseball to fans outside of Japan. 

It's a great and engaging read and you can pick up your copy wherever you buy your books!

Thanks again to Mercury Maid for the Intro & Outro music. Check them out on Spotify or Apple Music!  

Please subscribe to our podcast and thanks for listening! If you can give us 4 or 5 star rating that means a lot. And if you have a suggestion for an episode please drop us a line via email at [email protected].  You can also follow us on X @almostcoop or visit the Almost Cooperstown Facebook page or YouTube channel.  And please tell your friends to check us out!

www.almostcooperstown.com