Baseball Connection

It was a good year on the South Side of Chicago. The White Sox played great baseball all season and won the AL Central quite handily. They were eliminated in the ALDS by the Astros but there's plenty more left in the tank for this team. Talent isn't an issue at the moment - they just need to keep getting better as they have been doing already.

Melky Cabrera has announced his retirement from baseball. After 15 MLB seasons, with his last appearance being in 2019, Melky hangs up his cleats with a World Series Ring and an All-Star Game MVP. Something must have been in the Yankees' water in 2009.... Despite the ongoing lockout, Seiya Suzuki is set to come to the Major Leagues this season. All this (and more) on today's episode.

After a rough couple months to begin the 2021 season, the Yankees looked like a lost cause. They turned things around over the summer and made key moves at the deadline which jolted the team. Anthony Rizzo and Joey Gallo came over and breathed life into the Yankees' season. Gerrit Cole figured out how to pitch without sticky stuff and finished with great numbers. The Yankees ran into a hot Red Sox team in the Wild Card game and made an early playoff exit. How can they get back to the World Series?

After 16 MLB seasons, Jon Lester has announced his retirement. Lester is going out on his own terms and puts an end to a wonderful career. His storybook journey involved beating cancer, throwing a no-hitter, winning 3 World Series, and ending a 108-year championship drought. Rachel Balkovec has been hired as the next manager of the Yankees' Low-A affiliate. She will be the first woman to ever manage an affiliate team. All this on today's episode.

Deep into the 2021 season, the Cardinals were down but now out. A late-season surge launched them into the playoffs as they ripped off 17 straight wins to secure a Wild Card berth. The Dodgers ended their season but there is a lot of fuel to carry the Cardinals forward in 2022. Tyler O'Neill has blossomed, Adam Wainwright has remained elite despite his age, Harrison Bader is the defensive CF in baseball, and much more. All this (and more) on today's episode.

The Blue Jays had a strong season but were caught in the midst of a tough division. As such, they missed the playoffs but it was a good season in Toronto overall. Vlad blossomed into an MVP-caliber player, Marcus Semien and Robbie Ray secured bags, and the Blue Jays boasted one of the scariest lineups in baseball. They've lost Semien and Ray to free agency, but don't expect the Blue Jays to take a step back. They will be good. All this on today's episode.

So close yet so far. The Mariners were on the cusp of ending their 20-year playoff drought as they fought up until the last day of the 2021 season. Nobody expected much from them but they somehow racked up 90 wins and shocked the baseball world. Did they overachieve? All this (and more) on today's episode.

The A's hoped to continue their playoff streak in 2021 but that came to an abrupt end. They had a solid year overall thanks to consistent pitching but they weren't particularly great in any one area. Now having gone through a managerial change this winter, 2022 will be a new challenge for Oakland. They'll need a bounce-back from Matt Chapman, though. All this (and more) on today's episode.

The Reds had a fun roller coaster ride of a season. They made a brief playoff push and finished with a winning record. From a trio hitters who put up midseason fights for MVP (Votto, Winker, Castellanos) to the NL Rookie of the Year (Jonathan India) showcasing an on-base and power combination, their lineup was strong. Wade Miley's no-hitter was the pitching performance of the season. Where does Cincinnati go from here?

The Phillies finished with a winning record for the first time since 2011. Phenomenal seasons from Bryce Harper (NL MVP) and Zach Wheeler paced them from start to finish, but there is still plenty of work to be done. The Phillies need a legitimate closer, leadoff hitter, and more lineup protection for Harper. All this on today's episode.