Baseball Isn’t Boring

Joey Votto would seem to have a pretty good shot at making the Hall of Fame, which is one of the reasons it's worth it to soak in every chance we get to see him play. But it seemed particularly fitting to recognize Votto today considering he is coming off a night in which he not only returned to action for the first time this season, but came up with a homer and go-ahead single for the red-hot Reds to punctuate the occasion. Bradfo sits down with Votto to have a very real conversation about why this game is so great.

Former National League batting champ Charlie Blackmon joins Bradfo to talk about exactly how difficult it is to ultimately become a big league baseball player, offering lessons he learned along the way. And within the conversation the pair talk about the incredible feats of Luis Arraez and what he's doing right now. To add to that conversation, Bradfo talks with Red Sox hitting coach Pete Fatse, who coached him the minors. It's a great podcast to learn from.

In the midst of Bradfo's sitdown with Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley, another pitching great, David Cone, came by to catch Eck. Within the conversation Cone offered his perspective on what Eckersley meant to him as a player and as a broadcaster. To listen to the entire Eckersley podcast, click here.

In his latest MLB Power Rankings, Producer Evan spices things up again with four new teams in the Top 10. The list is full of clubs that nobody ever saw coming, including the absolutely red-hot Cincinnati Reds. Discuss among yourselves ...

It was another wild weekend in Major League Baseball, with the Reds winning eight straight - and Elly De La Cruz continuing to prove he might be the world's fastest man - the Giants taking their seventh in a row and the Phillies staying red-hot by extending their win streak to six. The Red Sox also have now won four in a row after sweeping the Yankees at Fenway Park, which was the site of another momentous occasion: The return of Hall of Famer and former broadcaster Dennis Eckersley. In his first interview leaving the game of baseball - and the broadcast booth - and moving across the country, Eck sits down with Bradfo to talk about his decision, his life and his view of the state of baseball. David Cone also makes a surprise cameo. It's a great way to kick off the week.

In his weekly 'Betting Isn't Boring' podcast, Jonathan Papelbon had an interesting take when asked who he would pick for American League MVP, Shohei Ohtani or the field. Spoiler: It involves Babe Ruth ... on and off the field. To listen to the entire Papelbon podcast, click here.

It's that time again, where Jonathan Papelbon makes you some money. Pap joins Bradfo to make some bold predictions, including the proclamations that the Phillies will be in the World Series and the Mets won't make the playoffs. The former All-Star closer also states he would rather watch Shohei Ohtani than Babe Ruth. It's another wild ride with Pap.

One of the most anticipated returns from injury in the coming month will be Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story. Not Red Sox second baseman. Not Red Sox designated hitter. Red Sox shortstop. It's an identification Story wants to make perfectly clear, which is exactly what he does when sitting down with Bradfo to talk about his journey back from elbow surgery and his future at an old position. Bradfo also catches up with Colorado's Brenton Doyle and Connor Seabold to ask the simple question: Is Elly De La Cruz truly the fastest player in baseball ... or even the world?

The eyes of baseball have turned to Oakland, not only because the once-lowly A's have started winning bunches of ballgames, but also due to the chaos that has ensued over the team's impending move to Las Vegas. Columnist Jason Mastrodonato of the San Jose Mercury-News joined Bradfo to offer the what's what when it came to the buzz around the A's, taking us deep inside the vibe that came and went with Tuesday's reverse boycott. Passion isn't hard to find in the Bay Area these days.

Daniel Bard has certainly inspired plenty of athletes with his battle back from the condition known as the "Yips". But it was one sports writer, Julian McWilliams of the Boston Globe, who truly could appreciate the presence of Bard. It was an admiration that was punctuated with McWilliams -whose own college and pro baseball career was ended by the Yips - meeting up with the Rockies reliever to talk about the journeys and challenges both faced during their baseball journeys.