Gratitude -  Thank you to Canadians, including Mat Germain, for their contributions during hurricanes and wildfires in Florida and California.

• Excitement for upcoming 2025 Baseball Season
• Spring Training dates: Pitchers and Catchers Report: February 12, 2025.
• Truck Day: February 3, 2025 (celebrated by teams like the Boston Red Sox).
• Collegiate Baseball Opening Days, Division I: February 14, 2025, Division II: January 31, 2025.

Rays Prospects and Player Analysis

• Junior Caminero: Graduated from prospect status in 2024, no longer a rookie.
• Carson Williams - best defensive prospect in minor league baseball (MLB executives' poll). Willaims combines elite defense and power but still developing his hitting.
• Chandler Simpson - Stole 104 bases in 2024, known for speed and strong hitting.
• Xavier Isaac - Emerging as a power hitter, possibly a future left fielder.

Rays' System Outlook

• Prospects like Williams, Simpson, and Isaac could fill critical positions
• Pipeline of elite outfielders for the first time since the late 2000s
• Strategic trades opened opportunities for younger players to rise

Drew Rasmussen Update

• Signed a two-year extension with the Rays
• Career ERA is consistently below 3.00, with a steady WHIP (~1.04)
• Limited innings pitched due to past injuries, including two Tommy John surgeries.
• Contract reflects his dual potential as a reliever or starting pitcher, with incentives ranging from $8M to $20M in 2026

Team Strength and Roster Decisions

• The Future of Brandon Lowe and Yandy Díaz
• Developing infield and outfield talent reflects a strategy for long-term success.
• Expect a transformative 2025 season with young talent stepping up

 Fixing the Trop is it worth it?

Ex-Rays – where are they now

• Charlie Morton – Orioles replacing Corbin Burnes
• Blake Snell  - Dodgers
• Nathaniel Lowe traded to the Nationals
• Amed Rosario to Nationals
• Tommy Pham?

Cincinnati Reds  & the Tito Effect

• Gavin Lux traded from Dodgers to the Reds
• Tony Tito Francona now managing the Cincinnati Reds
• Tito & Kevin Cash have always built strong connections with their teams
• Elly De La Cruz amazing talent may grow under Tito

 Waiting for another big trade for the Rays 

Thanks to Mat Germain for bringing his knowledge, wit and wisdom to the show. You can catch more of Mat on BlueSky @matgermain.bsky.social

Mark can be found on BlueSky at @baseballbizondeck.bsky.social & and at  http://www.baseballbizondeck.com

BaseballBiz is on iheartradio, Stitcher, Apple, and Spotify

 Special thanks to XTaKeRuX for the music “Rocking Forward

• Mark Corbett introduces Brandon Noe who has been organizing the Goofy Gobbler Awards for the past five years.
• Brandon reflects on how the awards started as a joke but have now grown into a prestigious tradition.
• The Goofy Gobblers aim to bring fun and humor to the sport, poking fun at various baseball-related antics.
• You can find Brandon on Twitter @SportsBlitzPod.

Award 1: Grandpa Politics

• Winner: Tampa Bay Rays & Pinellas County
• Reasoning: Brandon jokes that this award goes to the duo for their contentious stadium discussions, with the Rays' leadership and political maneuvering creating tension when unity was needed.
• Mark's Take: Mark agrees the award is fitting, emphasizing the constant political wrangling around stadium deals in baseball.

Award 2: You Brought Them Award

• Winner: Ice Cube & Fat Joe
• Reasoning: The duo performed pre-game music for every home opener during the World Series, but their performance seemed awkward, failing to connect with the fans. Most reactions were of indifference or mild confusion.
• Mark suggests a rap battle between Ice Cube and Fat Joe might have been a better way to engage fans. He also humorously suggests an old-school battle between Mick Jagger and Steven Tyler.

Award 3: Dry Turkey Award

• Winner: Toronto Blue Jays
• Reasoning: The Blue Jays had high expectations, especially after chasing Shohei Ohtani, but failed to deliver. Key players like Matt Chapman were lost, and there were no major improvements to the team. Brandon suggests they might face another rebuild soon, highlighting their underwhelming performance despite their talent.
• Mark agrees, pointing out the Blue Jays' inability to live up to their potential, especially with players like Biggio and Teoscar Hernandez leaving for other teams.

Award 4: Drunkle Award

• Winner: Jenny Kavanaugh, Oakland A's Lead Announcer
• Reasoning: This award goes to Kavanaugh for multiple awkward moments in her first year as the A’s lead announcer, including a famous “Hey Siri, it’s not your night” comment right before a game-tying homer. She also misjudged a fly ball as having a “chance” to go out of the stadium.
• Mark's Take: Mark empathizes with Kavanaugh, acknowledging how tough it is to be in her position and encourages her to improve in her second year.

Closing Thoughts:

• Brandon continues to reflect on the season's quirky moments, adding humor and unique perspectives to the world of baseball.
• Mark wraps up the discussion, offering thanks to Brandon for his work on the Goofy Gobbler Awards.

Links & References:

• Follow Brandon on Twitter @SportsBlitzPod
• Episodes available on all major podcast platforms
• Just a reminder you can find Mark at @baseballbizondeck.bsky.social
• Special thank s to XTaKeRuX for the music “Rocking Forward
• Website: www.baseballbizondeck.com

• Early days studying architecture and design in Mississippi & New York
• Janet Marie Smith’s work with Fenway, Dodgers Stadium, Camden Yards, Ed Smith ballpark
• Janet Marie has been recognized by Cooperstown Hall of Fame in the Diamond Dreams exhibit
• Breakdown of 3 genres of baseball parks
• Renovations at Dodgers Stadium
• Camden Yards is the vision of Larry Lucchino – intimacy of an Old-fashioned ballpark 
• Governor’s support of the Orioles after losing the football team to Indianapolis
• Working within restrictions & a tether 
  • Preservation & Environmental impact 
  • Controversy of keeping the old warehouse on Eutaw Street
  • Ballparks are not uniform with fixed architecture and field measurements
• Challenge of upgrading Fenway in Dodgers Stadium 
• 3 Drivers to any project, The Schedule, The Design & the Scope of the project
• Stagger work on projects so that team may return to their home field each year
• Expansion of MLB teams with Montreal, Salt Lake & others
• Dodger Stadium expansion of the clubhouse this offseason – adding square footage that will include accommodating 
  • batting cages
  •  women
  • mental health
  • nutrition 
• Ballpark Changes
  • Perry Barber, Umpire 
  • Accommodations for women in the game
  • 2000 – 2005 construction included umpire rooms for men and women to dress in separate areas and have a common room to meet
  • PNC Park & others were built to give that room to women umpires were not used as women have not been brought up into MLB. Some of that room has been repurposed to Mascots, etc.
• Advancement of Women in Baseball across several different disciplines, Finance, Legal, Public Relations, Ticketing, Nutrition, Mental Health
• Janet Marie - sometimes best ideas come from people with background outside off sports
• Frank Robinson – ultimate insider – secret weapon on development on Camden Yards
• Larry Lucchino posits – How can the 2 smallest parks pull the greatest number of fans to the field
• Women in the game today, Catie Griggs, President of Business Operations, Baltimore Orioles as well as Kim Ng former GM of the Marlins
• Celebrating Toni Stone 

You have been listening to a Women in Baseball edition of BaseballBiz On Deck, with special guest, Janet Marie Smith, Senior Vice President of Planning and Development for the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

 Special Thanks to Gianna Daniece & Rick Vaughn for making this episode possible.

Thank you all for listening and remember , you can find Mark at @baseballbizondeck.bsky.social You may also find Baseball Biz on Deck, on iHeart, Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, and at baseball biz on deck.com.

• Caleb Durbin – more like Dustin Pedroia or Jon Berti style of player?
• Durbin is Electric
• What can we expect from the Blue Jays in the AL East
• Blue Jays pitching is getting older but not as dominant in past years
• What do they have for pitching in the minors 
• Willy Adames encourages Corbin Burnes to join the Giants rotations
• Free Agents at large – Tommy Pham, Charlie Morton, Kirby Yates, Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, 
• Many older pitchers may wait until mid-season until they sign like Roger Clemens
• Other pitchers still as free agents include Patrick Burnes, Jose Quintana, Sean Manaea
• Tampa Bay Rays need more experienced leaders for their team – Charlie Morton & Jason Heyward
• Wizard of Oz, Rob Manfred came to Tampa Bay
• George Steinbrenner Field – Yankees Spring Training 
• Stu Sternberg strategy for the future of the TB Rays ballpark 
• Pinellas County Commissioner Chris Latvala loves MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred
• Will MLB pay the cost overruns for the new Rays Stadium and find a new owner for the Tampa Bay Rays
• George M. Steinbrenner Field – 2025 Home Field for Tampa Bay Rays
• How will a healthy Brandon Lowe, Josh Lowe & Jonathan Aranda impact the 2025 season
• Janet Marie Smith, VP of Planning & Development – Fenway, Camden Yards & Dodgers Stadium
• Christmas Lobster Dinner with Mat’s family – plus breakfast Creamed Lobster with Scrambled Eggs
• Strawberry Pretzel Dessert Dish Christmas favorite with Mark’s family
• Curt Flood’s Christmas Eve letter to Bowie Kuhn – precursor to Free Agency
• Ted Lindsay – linchpin of the players union in Canada – another courageous player who fought for the rights of all players
• Curt Flood issue with Cardinals and they did not want to pay his salary
• Flood collected the first hit in a major league game in Canada. 
• General Hospital has nothing on Major League Baseball
• Comparing Nolan Arenado’s & Curt Flood’s experience with the Cardinals
• Christmas wishes – no blackouts of ballgames
• Remember to thank those who serve us both near and far away
• Reminder to serve others who are in need or people who do not have someone to celebrate the holydays with.

Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas. Ho, Ho, Ho,

Just a reminder you can find Mat at  M-A-T-G-E-R-M-A-I-N dot bsky social. That’s @matgermain.bsky.social  or Mark at @baseballbizondeck.bsky.social

• The Scott Boras Effect & Player Disadvantages
• Juan Soto's Big Contract and the 
• Gambling Industry Influence on Salaries
• Why Soto Chose the Mets
• Steve Cohen's Impact on the Mets and MLB
• Mark shares a conversation with Lou Schiff about Steve Cohen's ownership, with Lou wishing Cohen owned every MLB team for his commitment to winning and willingness to spend money.
• Mat reflects on how Cohen’s approach contrasts with other owners, driving the Mets to become true championship contenders.
• The Blue Jays and Their Missteps
• Blue Jays for focusing on signing Juan Soto instead of solidifying their system by locking down Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and building a competitive roster.
• Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s potential departure, especially if the Jays don’t show more commitment to winning.
• Will White Sox be sold to a Montreal-based ownership group
• Vladdy Guerrero Jr. could find a home with the Angels
• MLB Spring Training and player signings
• The influence of gambling on MLB contracts
• The rivalry between the Mets and Yankees
• Steve Cohen’s impact on the Mets' financial commitment
• The Blue Jays' struggles to build a competitive team
• Potential future for Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
• Blue Jays never have exceeded the luxury tax
• Should have forgottend Soto and signed Max Fried & Willy Adames
• Will Bo Bichette & Vlad Jr stick around
• Blue Jays pitchers are aging
• $23 million a year
• Should have considered Ketel Martinez and saved 7 million more to 2nd baseman Andrés Giménez
• Will Vladdy Jr continue to stay with the Blue Jays
• Montreal baseball expanded franchise – could that be a future home for Vladdy
• Red Sox & No Soto – decisions to be made – Rafael Devers
• The Rangers have a deep roster including Nate Eovaldi
• Peek over the fence with Rule 5
• Orioles brought in Gary Sanchez & Tyler O’Neill
• Will Orioles bring back Teoscar Hernandez to their young team
• Trevor Rogers the best LHP for the Blue Jays
• AL East – what it will look like in 2025
• Shane McClanahan will be returning to the Tampa Bay Rays
• How Rule 5 gives a lot of players into the show who otherwise may not rise up on their current team
• Anthony Santander was lifted up years ago on Rule 5
• If you return a player you took from Rule 5 then original team must pay you 50K to get them back
• Rays in Rule 5
• Bring in the Hammer – Dan Hammer from the Orioles & Jake Brentz
• Rays are committed to keeping open spaces for the guys that they may bring back up including Carson Williams, Chandle Simpson, Ahmed Rosario
• Seiya Suzuki could anchor the Rays outfield - $19 million a year
• The Return of Tony Francona – now with the Cincinnati Reds
•  
• 46: - Caitlin Clark – WNBA – Basketball Card – more than annual salary
• Dr. Leslie Heaphy, IWBC, on the Cooperstown, Hall of Fame Eras committee
• Expansion teams by 2030? 
•  Montreal already vetted by MLB – Would Stephen Bronfman show same commitment as a Steve Cohen
• Montreal government is spending $870 million on a new roof for their stadium – should they buy an existing franchise or be part of the expansion – maybe White Sox or A’s
• Montreal, Salt Lake City, Nashville
• The Angels – Ron Washington – supports and builds his players and holds them accountable
• Ron wants hungry players that are teachable
• Bring us a healthy season for Mike Trout
• Just a reminder you can find Mat at  M-A-T-G-E-R-M-A-I-N dot bsky social. That’s @matgermain.bsky.social  or Mark at @baseballbizondeck.bsky.social
• Special thank s to XTaKeRuX for the music “Rocking Forward

• Rays Stadium - John Fisher money & motivation in Vegas with the A's satire
• Tradition vs. Modernization in Baseball
• Golden Bat rule challenges the traditions of baseball. MLB becomes the Savannah Bananas 
• Field Dimensions and Fairness in Baseball: large market edge
• Other Ideas from Fans for changes: 
  • Fans from the stands being selected to play an inning or take an at-bat.
  • Pitchers being required to hit but allowed to use aluminum bats.
  • A proposal for teams to have two women on the roster.
• Incentivizing Team Performance
• Rob Manfred’s Legacy: “just a piece of metal.” lack of passion for the game & impact of his leadership.
• Juan Soto impact with smaller markets
• Team Building and Free Agency: the importance of star players committing to smaller market teams and how it could shape their legacy.
• Historical Winter Meetings: 1988 and 2014 meetings, and how teams like the Texas Rangers & Los Angeles Dodgers made significant trades and acquisitions
• Competitive Balance in MLB: Blake Snell signing with the Dodgers.
• Juan Soto’s impending free agency and potential destinations.
• Freddie Freeman and his impact with the Dodgers vs. the Rays.
• Historical Trades: Texas Rangers (1988), Dodgers (2014).
• Rob Manfred’s will he retire as commissioner by 2030
• Incentivizing Competitive Balance: Would penalties for losses help improve the competitiveness of MLB?
• Can small-market teams make an impact by signing stars
• Teams spending Floors & Ceilings needed as large-market teams outspending smaller-market teams and creating an uneven playing field. 
• Fixing the MLB System:  fix the financial imbalance—not as a bargaining chip with players, but as a necessary step to protect the integrity of the league. 
• The Importance of Retaining Star Players:
• A Call for League Balance: where all teams have a fair shot at retaining star talent and competing. 
• Merging MiLB with NCAA would increase exposure and viewership.
• Savannah Bananas Influence on MLB
• Stadium Drama with Oakland A's & the Tampa Bay Rays
• Frustration felt by Rays fans, taxpayers, and the local community.
• Therapy needed for fans to "heal" from years of stadium uncertainty.
• Women in Baseball
  • Isla Borders, Meggie Meidlinger, and Kelsie Whitmore, women who have had professional baseball careers
  • potential of women playing in MLB when demonstrating elite skills, citing examples from other sports like hockey.
  • Rachel Balkovec (player development with the Marlins) 
  • Veronica Alvarez (coach for the USAWNT) pioneers in coaching roles.
• The Future of Women’s Professional Baseball 
  • Potential for a professional women’s baseball league and the challenges women might face in breaking into MLB.
  • The idea of merging smaller women’s leagues for greater comparisons to the early days of the NFL.
• Winter Meetings and the Rule 5 Draft
  • Big contract signings will be discussed and trades are expected.
  • The Rule 5 Draft will also provide insight into team strategies.
  • Juan Soto potentially commanding a $600 million deal

Just a reminder you can find Mat at  M-A-T-G-E-R-M-A-I-N dot bsky social. That’s @matgermain.bsky.social  or Mark at @baseballbizondeck.bsky.social

Special thank s to XTaKeRuX for the music “Rocking Forward

Happy Thanksgiving from BaseballBiz On Deck

• All primed up for the Rays Prospects List
• Mat's conversation with Baseball America, J.J. Cooper
• Blake Snell - $185 million 5-year contract with the Dodgers
• MLB - 10 teams that can afford to compete remaining 20 must struggle
• Ohtani timeline of wealth
• Billionaires who seek funding for stadium
• Rays Stadium challenges with Brian Auld, Pinellas County & Cisty of St. Pete
• Yankees Steinbrenner stadium new stadium
• Genesis Cabrera to Mets
•  Trip to Vegas
• 2 Franchises playing in minor league stadiums - A's & Rays
• White Sox needs to maximize the value of Garrett Crochet, Louis Robert
• White Sox need to flip the attitude – perhaps new faces will infuse the team
• Alex Anthopolous trades & signings in Montreal built talent
• White Sox need to have a complete overhaul of their system
• The A’s were building in  2024 with Brett Rooke and their Catchers 
• Mark tired of hearing about if and when on the stadium
• Hurricane changed the stadium circumstances
• Ken Hagan on bringing the Rays to Ybor – we need to talk with Tampa developer Darryl Shaw
• Traffic to St Pete compared to Tampa
• Baseball America – Top 10 Tampa Bay Rays prospects
• How do they measure grades of top prospects – Carson Williams
• Comparison of Williams & Taylor Walls as a shortstop
• imagine if Taylor Walls merged with Junior Caminero
• Lookout for Brayden Taylor
• Where will Xavier Isaac and Tre’ Morgan be playing 
• Baseball America gave Tre’ Morgan an 80 grade for fielding
• Gary Gill Hale pitcher grade – a closer could become a starter like Blake Snell in time
• Encourage fans to subscribe to Baseball America for more insights to the game
• Mat keeps us positive as Rays fans
• Love affair between the Rays & the City of Tampa
• Roller Coaster ride of the Rays stadium issue – what will MLB learn
• Mat Germain on Blue Sky - @matgermain.bsky.social 
• Mat’s Blue Sky Starter Packs for Rays Fans

Just a reminder you can find Mat at  M-A-T-G-E-R-M-A-I-N dot bsky social. That’s @matgermain.bsky.social  or Mark at @baseballbizondeck.bsky.social

Special thank s to XTaKeRuX for the music “Rocking Forward

• USAWNT Baseball Player – Beth Greenwood - Women in Baseball
• Player Development Coach 
• Won the Championship with the Comets at the AmericanGirlsBaseball.org
• Path to the USAWNT Baseball team
• Making the 40 player team with Ila Borders, Meggie Meidlinger, Tamara Holmes
• Competition to make it to the final roster becomes more challenging year after year
• Catchers the Managers of tomorrow
• Al Lopez, historic catcher/manager at Tampa Baseball Museum
• Catchers like Veronica Alvarez who took the tough job when others deferred in youth baseball
• Facing the hard throwing pitchers
• Making adjustments – getting tighter and tighter to the plate 
• Beth working with Player Development in Phillies program / Jersey Shore Blue Claws
• What is Player Development – Helping Players to advance to the big leagues through game planning, nutrition, 
• Excitement for development of a Women’s Professional Baseball League 
• Professional League will give women a full-time job to focus on being an athlete and will increase the level of play 
• Many women who play baseball need an alternate source for income. Some who have become architects, coaches & firefighters like Veronica Alvarez, Tamara Holmes, Valerie Perez
• Womens Professional Baseball League, Kat Williams & Leslie Heaphy 
• Jason Varitek of Boston Red Sox was Beth’s baseball favorite catcher as a youngster
• Later Beth later looked to USAWNT players for favorite players
• Rachel Balkovec – wore a lot of hats to advance in baseball strength coach, batting coach, manager of Tampa Tarpons, now director of Player Development for the Marlins
• While working with the Threshers, a Phillies affiliate Beth met Rachel Balkovec
• Benches emptied between Threshers & Tarpons – a lot of emotion
• Baseball Travel what a calendar year looks like
• Beth is playing at Roy Hobbs tournament this week in Fort Myers Florida
• A fly on the wall in the 40’s & 50’s listen to AAGPBL players
• Maybelle Blair, Shirley Burkovich are some of the AAGPBL legends that Beth has met
• Future of Women’s Professional Baseball League
• Look into the future with Michael Goodmon toward a Women’s League
• Hope that all Women’s baseball groups can come together to make a league happen
• Beth remembers playing in 2011 with Baseball for All girls teams & tournament
• Greenwood’s performance with the Comets at AGB, Durham
• Beth recounts 7th inning of tournament Bases loaded, full count, payoff pitch, foul tip into Beth’s glove 
• Roy Hobbs tournament this weekend in Fort Myers - https://royhobbs.com/world-series/schedules/women-team

References:
Beth catches for the Comets in this championship game - https://www.mlb.com/video/agb-peaches-vs-agb-comets-138730  - check out at 2:23 timestamp for top of 7th.
Third Annual All-American Women’s Baseball Classic Results - https://americangirlsbaseball.org/third-annual-all-american-womens-baseball-classic/ 

Mark is on BlueSky at @baseballbizondeck.bsky.social & and at  http://www.baseballbizondeck.com

Special thanks to XTaKeRuX for the music “Rocking Forward"

#WIBW #AAGPBL 

• Hurricane Brain in Tampa Bay
• Pinellas County Commission vote to not vote on Rays stadium bond
• Where does the county funds come from to build a new stadium
• Timeline of approval of Rays deal with both the City of St Pete & Pinellas county
• County Bed Tax – can only be used for tourism – cannot be used for renourishing the beaches
• Timelines & Delays are not helped by Stu’s antagonistic communications
• Commissioner Brian Scott – shows disappointment with Stu & Tampa Bay Times’ headlines “End of the stadium deal?
• Reflect Reds Castellini & White Sox Reinsdorf poor communications
• When Billionaires speak people listen
• Need Erik Neander to negotiate
• MLB teams as a tax haven
• Quebec govt putting on a $875 million roof for their stadium
• Other options for Rays – Montreal, Nashville &
• County Commissioners Brian Scott & Kathleen Peters – Rays stadium investment will be a generational & transformative action for the future
• “reeks of corporate selfishness” a commissioner’s remarks of Rays recent media tactic
• Is it Rays strategy to motivate commissioners to vote no & give Stu option to move Rays
• What if MLB Commissioner, Rob Manfred, visited Tampa Bay and brokered a deal with Rays & Yankees at Steinbrenner Field, add 5,000 site
• Pinellas fields not suitable for the Rays to hold their 2025 season
• Blue Jays 2020 @ Sahlen field
• Jose Siri traded to New York Mets, for reliever Eric Orze
• Will Chandler Simpson a roster spot
• Could Dylan Carlson replace Siri
• Willie Adames – ex-Ray – declines Brewers qualifying offer
• Could Willy land with Dodgers or Tigers – what about Javy Baez
• Angels should release Francisco Lindor bring in Adames – Eeyore to Tigger move
• Bret Phillips now a pitcher and a future as a broadcaster
• BallySports - FanDuel – Diamond Team Broadcasting
• Utah Jazz - unique model, broadcasts local games live and is still profitable
• Perth Heat – Australian Baseball League – Tampa Bay Rays
• Eyes on Angel Mateo
• Post-season viewing & reading Beyond baseball:
• Mat:  It’s not all about Batman – The Penguin & the Marvelous Miss Maisel
• Mark: Ila Borders book – Making my Pitch &  watching Saint of Second Chances
• Roki Sasaki in the Rays future?
• What would Rays rotation look like with Sasaki
• How will stadium issues impact Free Agents attraction to the Tampa Bay Rays
• Reflect on Nate Eovaldi & Wilson Ramos signings as players who came to the Rays as they needed to rebuild their value
• Expect the Rays to be aggressive in possibly bringing on Danny Jansen or Kyle Higashioka – revenge on the Yankees
• Rays will show that they are ready to compete in 2025 if they keep Brandon Lowe, Yandy Diaz, Jeffrey Springs & Pete Fairbanks
• Ken Hagan on WDAE – talks about the City of Tampa’s early offer to keep the Rays

Thanks to Mat Germain for bringing his knowledge, wit and wisdom to the show. You can catch more of Mat on BlueSky @matgermain.bsky.social

Mark can be found on BlueSky at @baseballbizondeck.bsky.social & and at  http://www.baseballbizondeck.com

BaseballBiz is on iheartradio, Stitcher, Apple, and Spotify

Special thanks to XTaKeRuX for the music “Rocking Forward

 World Series Game 5 Expectations

•  Dodgers’ unexpected struggle to close out the series, 
• Freddie Freeman's impact: Mat highlights Freeman’s impressive streak with six home runs across six World Series games, 
• Yankees’ Comeback Attempt: Anthony Volpe energized the Yankees, k
• Ohtani's Injury and Resilience with arm  - Mat reflects on Ohtani’s ability to play while injured, likening his resilience to legends like Vlad Guerrero.
• Aaron Judge's Struggles and Adjustments
• Dodgers’ Pressure and Rotation Challenges
•  Future Outlook Yankees' 2025 Roster Outlook & 
  • Payroll
  • Young Talent on the Horizon
• Future of AL East Competition - The Orioles as Potential Favorites
• Tension for the Dodgers in Game 5 
• Dodgers' Pitching Woes and World Series Strategy:
• Pitching Staff Injuries:  Tyler Glasnow, Tony Gonsolin, and Clayton Kershaw.
• Three-Pitcher Strategy: 
• Brent Honeywell's Dedication: commitment to helping Mookie Betts out of a slump, highlighting the dedication and team spirit essential in high-stakes playoff moments.
• Mookie Betts Post-Game Focus: he downplays fan drama to focus on the team’s performance.
• Fan Behavior and Stadium Etiquette
• Impact on Future Fans: Both hosts reflect on the importance of modeling good behavior to foster a respectful stadium environment.
• World Series Sweeps: 21 World Series have ended in sweeps, with the Yankees involved in over half of these.
• Fun with Baseball Stats: 
• Pre-Game and Post-Game Performances:
• Ice Cube and Fat Joe Performances: Is it worth the ticket. Does this attract a younger audience?
•  Babyface - National Anthem Performances and Commentary
• Memorable Moments and Player Challenges
•  Shohei Ohtani’s underwhelming playoff performance and Mat’s admiration for Kike Hernández’s underrated postseason consistency. 
• Documentary: See Her, Be Her
• WPBL Women’s Baseball Progress and New Leagues
•  Baseball for All, a women’s baseball organization led by Justine Siegal, and the development of the Women’s Professional Baseball League (WPBL) slated for a 2026 launch. Mat and Mark discuss the potential for growth and visibility of women’s sports
• Mat on Funding and Broadcasting Women’s Baseball
• National Exposure and Strategic Marketing of Women in Baseball
• Upcoming Events: Arizona Fall League & Australian Baseball League
• Game 5 starting with Shohei Ohtani’s recent first-pitch pop-out in good spirits.
  
  
• Thanks to Mat Germain for bringing his knowledge, wit and wisdom to the show. You can catch more of Mat on Twitter x.com @Mat_Germain_   
   Mark can be found on Twitter x.com  @TheBaseballBiz & and at  http://www.baseballbizondeck.com
  Subscribe, follow and rate the show. Thank you.
  BaseballBiz is on iheartradio, Stitcher, Apple, and Spotify
  Special thanks to XTaKeRuX for the music “Rocking Forward"