Baseball Isn’t Boring

You think you knew social media and Major League Baseball? Forget about it. The dynamic with how teams and players approach the likes of Instagram and TikTok has changed significantly over the past few years, landing in a place that demands more creativity and participation. Nobody has done a better job with social media this offseason than the Pittsburgh Pirates, which is why Bradfo sat down with a member of their social media team, Kaitlyn Kaufhold, to discuss exactly what is going on with social media and the world of baseball.

It's not every day you get a chance to experience the mentoring of a 13-year major league veteran with a new up-and-coming teammate. But that's exactly what this podcast delivered, with new Pirate Rich Hill meeting 23-year-old Mike Burrows, one of Pittsburgh's top pitching prospects for the first time. What transpired was the kind of advice and guidance that is usually reserved for the secrecy of the clubhouse or out on the baseball field. Burrows ultimately might even teach Hill how to maximize his Instagram account. It's a behind-the-curtain look into how knowledge is passed down.

Perhaps the least boring team to follow in recent days has been the Baltimore Orioles. While ranking after ranking came out proclaiming the O's farm system to be the be-all, end-all, and soaking in all the optimism that comes with following one of the emerging contenders in the American League, along came some chaos induced by Orioles CEO John Angelos. Bradfo is joined by Eric Arditti of 'Barstool Are Dee Tee' (@editti22) to pick through all the recent happenings, while doing a pretty good of getting listeners fired up for a very real American League East contender. Orioles fans, get ready for your heart rate to jump a bit after listening to Eric.

Boog Sciambi is among the best at what he does ... broadcasting. He also happens to be the television voice of the Chicago Cubs. So with both of those things in mind, Bradfo sits down with Sciambi to discuss perhaps the mot talked about Major League team over the past week - the Cubs - and what exactly broadcasting a baseball game looks like these days. For those who are curious about what is transpiring in Chicago, and how getting behind a microphone might be different today than a few years ago, this is the podcast for your.

In his first interview since announcing his retirement, pitcher Josh Lindblom joined Bradfo to reveal his thoughts behind the decision to hang up his cleats at just 35 years old and what led to the social media post announcing the choice. Lindblom offers fascinating insight into how his career evolved and lessons that can be learned from a career that went from second-round pick, to key parts of significant trades, to heading to Korea, to becoming a league MVP, and, finally, re-entering the new world of Major League Baseball. It's a great look into the intricacies that go into living the life as a professional pitcher.

So, you think the excitement of free agency in Major League Baseball is done? Think again. Baseball Isn't Boring free agent correspondent Ed Hand joins Bradfo to pick through what is left on the free agent market. Ed also constructs an entire team out of the remaining free agents. (Spoiler: He wants Don Mattingly to manage it.) You are going to be the smartest baseball fan on your block after listening to this.

The guy who is the straw that stir the drinks when it comes to all World Baseball Classic - Shawn Spradling (@shawn_spradling) - joins Bradfo to discuss everything you need to know about the upcoming tournament. Included in the conversation is Shawn's power ranking when it comes to which country's fan base is the most passionate. Spoiler: It's Japan. To listen to the full-length conversation/podcast, click here.

Shawn 'The WBC Guy' Spradling has established himself as the preeminent World Baseball Classic this year, helping everyone soak in every bit of news and analysis regarding the upcoming tournament via his social media account. How is the Czech Republic fielding a team? What could go wrong for Team USA? Just how passionate are the Japanese fans? Why is there no merchandise to buy less than two months out? All those questions are answered by Shawn in his sit-down with Bradfo, power-ranking both the teams and the fan bases along the way. This is the podcast to listen to for to get your WBC juices flowing.

Daniel Bard's journey - from young flamethrower, to victim of the Yips, to retirement, to out-of-nowhere closer for the Rockies - has been well-documented. But now the tale has gotten even better. Bard has been identified as one of the best of the best in the United States, having been named to Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. Bard joined Bradfo to discuss the behind-the-scenes doings that came with landing on the heralded squad, how is viewing the upcoming tournament, along with looking back at how he and the game has changed since the 37-year-old first came into the big leagues. Bard is one of the best closers in the majors, and one of the best players when it comes to podcasting.

Bradfo is joined by former closer Billy Wagner, who finds himself on the cusp of becoming a Hall of Famer. Wagner offers an honest take on how he views the Hall of Fame voting while reflecting on a career that will go down as one of the greatest of all-time among all relief pitchers. His insight into how bullpens are used now is fascinating, with the lefty weaving in stories from his playing days. And then there was also that time he met Jonathan Papelbon for the first time. That was something. As we inch closer to the Hall of Fame announcement, this is a podcast you are going to want to listen to.