Baseball Isn’t Boring

The highly-anticipated WBC Central podcast is officially here, with World Baseball Classic expert Shawn Spradling (@shawn_spradling) getting behind the mic to kick off what will be fascinating conversation, debate and endless entertainment all the way through to the tournament's final game. Shawn offers insight you can't find anywhere else, with the podcast serving as his latest springboard to a wave of WBC educating and informing. Let's talk some WBC!

Bradfo, Coop and MassLive's Chris Cotillo are joined by the newest member of the Baseball Isn't Boring podcast family, Shawn Spradling (@Shawn_Spradling). Shawn is the host of 'WBC Central' a podcast under the BIB umbrella that dominates all World Baseball Classic conversation. He calls in to talk how the WBC is going to offer an update on all the what's what when it comes to the tournament before the launch of his own show. With just more than a month away, it's a conversation that you are going to want to soak in.

Rich Hill has faced hundreds upon hundreds of major league hitters over his career. But there is one - who is currently still playing - the lefty pitcher identifies as the best he has ever come across. And, spoiler, it isn't Mike Trout (who he struck out the one time he faced him). Hill joins Bradfo to talk about why some hitters are tougher to get out than others, which hitters present the biggest nightmares, and offers a very pointed take when it comes to the problems Major League Baseball continues to have when it comes to the actual baseball.

It's one thing to run down the baseline, sprint over to cover first or even try and steal a base, but when it comes to using your legs as a baseball player usually 26.2 miles don't enter into the equation. Well, Ryan Dempster and Brock Holt are attempting to break the mold by running this year's Boston Marathon. Dempster and Holt joined Bradfo to offer their motivations behind taking on such a challenge, how they currently feel about the endeavor, and what might be in store for each. And, of course, there are some great stories along the way.

He has mesmerized David Letterman, Major League Baseball players, and virtually anybody who grew up loving to imitate their baseball-playing heroes. He is Gar Ryness, known to those in baseball circles as "Batting Stance Guy". Gar is routinely called upon by big league clubs to entertain both the players and their fans. This time he is bringing smiles to the faces of podcast listeners everywhere thanks to a sit-down with Bradfo. The pair look back at how the guy who simply imitates batting stances became so popular, landing on the Letterman show while writing books and holding court for the rich and famous. They also take a look at the modern-day batting stances, and who is helping make a name for themselves thanks to Gar and his uncanny ability to mirror anyone holding a baseball bat. It's a long one, but a fun one.

Chess. It's a game that some would suggest requires the same kind of patience, discipline and strategy as baseball. If any two people knew how much that might be true it would be Joey Votto and Garrett Whitlock. The Reds star and Red Sox pitcher join Bradfo for a fascinating discussion on the game both players have dove head-first into, with Votto taking his experiences with his own chess community to social media for everyone to enjoy. There is also some good Hall of Fame talk. It's a podcast you won't soon forget.

Both David Ortiz and Billy Wagner join Bradfo to reflect on the importance of the Baseball Hall of Fame. For Ortiz, it is a conversation on what has happened. For Wagner, it's the dreaming of what might be. It is a perfect way to get ready for the big announcement.

Christian Arroyo was a first-round pick. He made the majors at the age of 22 years old. A year later he though he had his big chance with his hometown team in Tampa. That didn't work out. Next up was Cleveland. That didn't work out. Next up was the Red Sox. He still hasn't got his big opportunity to start ... until now. Arroyo is currently slotted as the Red Sox second baseman due in part to Trevor Story's injury. The 27-year-old sits down with Bradfo to discuss the lessons he has learned - and others can learn - from going through his kind of roller coaster of a career. This is oftentimes what being a baseball player is all about.

Bradfo caught up with Red Sox bench coach Ramon Vazquez to discuss the challenges these new MLB rules are going to present for those in the dugout, and the players trying to learn the ways of this new world in spring training. (Can you believe they aren't using them in the WBC?) Vazquez presents some previously not-talked-about issues the new rules might present. It's all part of Monday morning's Baseball Isn't Boring episode that not only included Vazquez, but also the front office perspective regarding this new landscape thanks to Bradfo's sit-down with Red Sox GM Brian O'Halloran. To listen to the full episode, click here.

The upcoming 2023 season is going to be unlike any that we have seen, thanks in large part to a flurry of significant rule changes that has impacted how MLB teams are doing things both in the front office and in the dugout. Offering unique perspective on how things are changing are Red Sox general manager Brian O'Halloran and his team's new bench coach Ramon Vazquez. Are teams looking at players differently? Why the WBC is going to make life difficult. And just what exactly 2023 Major League Baseball is going to look like. The two interviews with Bradfo offer some valuable insight heading into the start of baseball.