Baseball Tonight with Buster Olney

Jeff Passan joins Buster to discuss the official start of the lockout, the forever fight over money, the poor working relationship between the players and owners, the importance of message discipline, each side's soft underbelly and how much spending will occur when the labor situation is resolved. Then, Hembo stops by to discuss his research on the middle class dilemma, his favorite free agent signing and his least favorite signing. Later, Buster and Tim Kurkjian suspend reality and hit on all the major signings from the last week.

Jesse Rogers joins Buster to discuss the intrigue around this year’s Hall of Fame ballot, how they think voters will treat David Ortíz, if Curt Schilling will make it in, the expectation that there will be a lock out, how a lockout would crush the middle class of players, Carlos Correa contract predictions from executives, the biggest names that are likely to be traded this offseason and keeping an eye on the Rangers. Later, Sarah Langs plays The Numbers Game with notes on the Comeback Player of the Year, Noah Syndergaard and Guerrero family MVP votes.

Karl Ravech joins Buster to discuss Cleveland’s official transition to the Guardians name, Bryce Harper winning a second MVP and growing into the face of the franchise, Freddie Freeman’s contract talks with the Braves, José Berríos signing for 7-years with the Blue Jays, the Angels grabbing Noah Syndergaard for one year, Justin Verlander returning to the Astros, Eduardo Rodríguez heading to Detroit, their advice for new Mets GM Billy Eppler, and Rob Manfred’s lockout comments.

Karl Ravech and Buster discuss their feelings about the labor situation, Justin Verlander throwing 96 mph at his workout, the Dodgers not extending a qualifying offer to Clayton Kershaw and signing Andrew Heaney, if Craig Kimbrel will be on the White Sox next season, and what surprised them about the awards list. Then, Hembo stops by to talk about how he’s handling his offseason sadness, if the Braves are serious contenders in 2022, Kershaw possibility being underrated this free agency, the Cubs picking up Wade Miley off waivers and J.T. Realmuto.

Jeff Passan joins Buster to discuss their personal recovery time following the postseason, Buster Posey’s retirement and if he’s a Hall of Famer, the dearth of catchers in the Hall, Jeff’s rainbow of a bruise he received after catching for his son, the time someone confused Buster with Posey, and the progress — or lack thereof — of labor talks between the union and the league. Later, Todd Radom closes the podcast with his connection to late-commissioner Bart Giamatti and the final quiz of the season. Finally, an annual tradition to end the daily podcast for the 2021 season: A reading of “The Green Fields of the Mind” by Giamatti.

David Schoenfield joins Buster to discuss the Atlanta Braves winning the World Series, Jorge Soler earning the World Series MVP, Freddie Freeman affecting how other teams used their bullpens, Alex Anthopoulos making all-time great trade deadline moves, Max Fried being due for a good outing and baseball lifer Brian Snitker finally winning the big one. Then, Hembo stops by to talk about the Braves out-homering the Astros by a wide margin, the Atlanta’s bullpen, the innings discrepancy between relievers and starters, if Freeman is a Hall of Famer, and late endings to World Series games. Later, Sarah Langs on the Braves clinching on the road, Atlanta acquiring its NLCS and World Series MVPs at the trade deadline, and the chances of a Braves repeat.

Dan Shulman joins Buster to discuss the last time a team rallied from 3-1 down in the World Series, why the Braves still have the upper hand, Luis Garcia as a wild card and what to watch while Max Fried is pitching. Then, Tony Gwynn Jr. stops by to share Barry Bonds stories and explain why he thinks Bonds should go into the Hall of Fame. Later, Sarah Langs on her favorite Bonds stat, Freddie Freeman, the Astros’ two-out offense and the last time a rookie started in the World Series on three games rest.

Tim Kurkjian joins Buster to discuss Tim’s now-nixed travel plans he made after Adam Duvall’s grand slam in the first inning of Game 5, the resiliency of the Astros, Brian Snitker waiting too long to call the bullpen, fears of Atlanta’s bullpen being worn out, how the Braves won Game 4 and Atlanta needing a big outing from Max Fried in Game 6. Plus, the guys remember Red Sox player and broadcaster Jerry Remy. Then, Sarah Langs stops by to talk about Dusty Baker’s lineup changes, Alex Bregman breaking through, first inning grand slams and the success of teams with a 3-1 lead in the World Series.

Karl Ravech joins Buster to discuss the Padres hiring Bob Melvin, if the A’s organization is happy to shed Melvin’s contract, the Mets watching traffic zoom by, the potential for a rainout throwing the World Series into complete disarray and the inevitability of Atlanta changing its name. Then, Sarah Langs plays The Numbers Game with notes on the Astros’ offense thriving, the ballparks where the Braves have played home World Series games and Atlanta’s home losing streak in the Fall Classic. Later, Todd Radom stops by to weigh in on PETA’s insistence that cows are offended by the term bullpen and to administer the weekly quiz.

Chris Singleton and Buster discuss the Astros’ Game 2 victory, the uncertainty when looking at the rest of the series, the buzz in Atlanta surrounding the Braves, Dusty Baker plugging in Jose Siri, José Urquidy pounding the strike zone, a two-part performance for Max Fried, why Brian Snitker didn’t pull Fried after a rough start, if Kyle Wright can be a difference maker and José Altuve. Then, Sarah Langs plays The Numbers Game with notes on rookie pitchers matching up, the importance of winning Game 3 and early runs in this series.