BaseballBiz On Deck

• Women's Baseball World Cup: 6 elite women's baseball teams (Mexico, Venezuela, Canada, Japan, China Taipei, USA) competed at the World Cup in Thunder Bay, Ontario, August 2024.
• USA vs Japan: Japan's 39-game winning streak (since 2012) ended when Team USA defeated them in extra innings, with Meggie Meidlinger pitching the final 2 1/3 innings to seal the victory.
• Meggie's Experience: Meggie shares her pride in representing the USA, how the team of 20 athletes worked together, and her personal experiences in the high-stakes game against Japan.
• Teamwork & Preparation: Meggie emphasizes the intense preparation, roles, and teamwork necessary to face top-tier international teams, describing it as fitting together like a puzzle.
• Pitching as a Closer: The mental intensity of a closer was discussed, with Meggie drawing parallels to the mindset of MLB pitcher Pete Fairbanks of the Tampa Bay Rays.
• Tournament Achievements: Team USA brought home silver, moving from a 4th to 2nd world ranking. Meggie also highlights individual accomplishments within the team, including awards for Best RBI and Best Win/Loss Average.
• Future Goals: Now that the World Cup is over, the players are transitioning into the off-season, focusing on personal development and training for the next round of competitions.
• Notable Quotes: Every time I get to represent USA across my chest is an absolute honor." - Meggie Meidlinger
• Personal Projects: Beyond baseball, Meggie continues her work in architecture and missionary work in Uganda through the organization Baseball at Heart, which promotes girls' baseball.
  https://www.instagram.com/baseball_at_heart/
• Baseball in Uganda: Meggie discusses her involvement with Baseball at Heart, a girls' baseball organization in Uganda, and the positive impact they are making. Listeners can support the organization via Instagram https://www.instagram.com/baseball_at_heart/.
• @MLBDevelops Initiatives: Meggie highlights her participation in MLB’s programs like GRIT, EDI, Trailblazer Series, and Breakthrough aimed at identifying and developing young female baseball talent in the U.S.
• Trailblazing Women in Baseball: Making waves including Olivia Pichardo at Brown University and Kelsie Whitmore with the Oakland Ballers.
• Remembering Mamie "Peanut" Johnson: Meggie shares her cherished memories of meeting Mamie Peanut Johnson, one of the first women to play in the Negro Leagues. They discuss her trailblazing legacy and what it meant to be a female pitcher in a male-dominated sport.
• ·The All-American Girls Tournament: Looking ahead to the upcoming  tournament in Durham, NC, Mark and Meggie talk about the growth of the tournament, the talent on display, and their hopes for the future of women's baseball.
• ·Baseball History: The episode also explores legendary players like Jackie Robinson and the overlooked history of women in baseball, including stories like Jackie Mitchell, who famously struck out Babe Ruth.
• Shu Shu Wirth project, a standout player from the Blue Sox, who stole 89 bases in one season and left a lasting mark on the game.
• Giving Back to the Game: with Baseball at Heart 
• Learn more on Facebook about Baseball at Heart

All-American Women’s Baseball Classic being held in Durham, October 11-13

Several of the players will be from the WBSC women baseball champions will be there to play. 
Special thanks to XTaKeRuX for the music “Rocking Forward"&l

Mat_Germain_ & Mark at BaseballBiz On Deck take a look at the closing of 2024 season and the future of the Rays.
Tampa Bay facing hurricane Helene strong winds, storm surges – stay safe
2019 Rays won 96 games and spent 60 million
2024 Rays exceed $100 million and they don’t make the playoffs
Rays strategy to spend less and perform better has been proven
Winning streak was needed
Missing LH Bats
Jonathan Aranda, shining star at the end of the season for Rays. His hitting abilities can make a difference for the Rays future

Rays are pleased with Siri defensively & hope for more consistency at bat

Siri is a good value for $1 million – but keep your eyes open on who may be coming up through the Rays Minor League 

Bowling Green Hot Rods won their league championship

Chandler Simpson – 103 Stolen bases with the Montgomery Biscuits

Minor League love to Mike Birling & Durham Bulls organization for hosting the All-American Women’s Baseball Classic October 11 – 14th

WBSC – Women’s Baseball World Cup Championship. Japan won the Gold, The US won the Silver and Canada the Bronze.

Canadian, Sena Catterall won 3 WBSC Individual awards  - Most Stolen Bases (6), Most Runs Scored (9), and Best Defensive Player

MLB Wild Card Standings who has Clinched a spot for the post-season,
National League Division winners include the Brewers & Phillies. Dodgers are leading the West with 94 wins. Top NL Wild Card contenders include: Padres, Mets, Diamondbacks. The Atlanta Braves nipping away with 1 game back behind the D-backs

American League Division winners include the Astros & Guardians with the Yankees as the likely AL East division champs.  The Baltimore Orioles have clenched a playoff spot with the Tigers, Royals and maybe the Twins & Royals as potential playoff teams.
Cinderella Stories?  - The Tigers are looking good and what about those Mets
X-Rays still likely in contention from the Brewers, Matt Arnold, Willie Adames & Jake Bauers, Tobias Meyers, Hobie Milner & Tyler Black
What will 2025 look hold for the Catching position

Logan Driscoll’s potential for the future  - 

A look back at past catchers & injuries with Wilson Ramos, Travis d’Arnaud & Mike Zunino

Kenny Piper has a lot of power and gets a lot of key hits in clutch situations

Dominic Keegan  - could he become an option – maybe starting at AAA for 2025

How will Catcher’s framing skills be impacted by an electronic strike zone

Maybe the catcher will become a 2nd DH position

Pitchcom, collisions at the plate, electronic strike zones may change catching position to a Utility Player

Shohei Ohtani – can a DH Offense only player be a MVP winner. Will the 50 home runs / 50 stolen bases be enough for Ohtani to win the MVP.

Even Babe Ruth could not overcome what Ohtani has been achieving

Who could be other AL MVP considerations – Aaron Judge, Bobby Witt Jr., Gunnar Henderson

“The Ohtani” award

Ohtani will want to return to the mound.

Thanks to the Rays Minor Leaguers including the Bowling Green Hot Rods 

Build MLB popularity by putting all team levels under 1 roof 

Australian Baseball League

A gift the Rays with a 6-man rotation

Mat would like to see a real team leader on the team and recommend Pete Alonso. What a difference it would make for the Rays’s franchise.

Arizona Fall League will see Xavier Isaac & Tre Morgan from the Rays

All-American Women’s Baseball Classic being held in Durham, October 11-13

Several of the players will be from the WBSC women baseball champions will be there to play
 You can find Mat on Twitter x.com @Mat_Germain_   

Special thanks to XTaKeRuX for the music “Rocking Forward"

• Philip Wrigley, Cubs executive, begins a Women’s Softball League. 
• Wrigley would be 1 of 3 executives, including Branch Rickey, to launch the AAGPBL
• Joe Boland, South Bend Tribune Sports Editor & AAGPBL legendary pitcher Jean Faut
• Arthur Meyerhoff invites Merrie to dig through the basement files & letters in the Wrigley Building for her research.
• Merrie completes AAGPBL thesis after 4 years of research in 1976
• June “Lefty” Peppas – 1st base & pitcher for the Kalamazoo Lassies asks to print & circulate Merrie Fidler’s thesis amongst other AAGPBL players
• Peppas prepares the first national AAGBPL reunion in Chicago, July 1982. Reunions begin to spread across the U.S.
• Petition Cooperstown Baseball Hall of Fame to have AAGBPL – Fall of 1988 HOF launches AAGBPL
• Documentary of league –  Kelly Candaele & Kim Wilson  “A League of Their Own” PBS documentary 
• Penny Marshall, Yankees fan, directs a “A League Of Their Own” movie – highest grossing baseball movie in history.
• Movie inspires many - Little League allowing young girls to play baseball
• Former AAGPBL Sue Zipay, is starting a new League of Their Own with tournament in Sarasota, Nov. 17th – 19th
• Fall 1942, US War Department notifies major league baseball owners that in 1943 there may not be a baseball season due to man power needed for the war. 
• Wrigley responds to War Dept news & creates the AAGPBL
• League moves to overhand pitching in 1948 
• Tampa Baseball Museum 
• Shu-Shu Wirth – Ybor native makes it to the AAGPBL – South Bend Blue Sox
• Shu-Shu bridged the language gap between Cuban players & AAGBPL Managers
• Players for teams were selected at a league level prior to each season
• Loaning players to other teams
• Dodgers Spring Training in 1947 moves to Havana Cuba as they brought Jackie Robinson onto the team
• Branch Rickey was one of 3 trustees to begin the AAGBPL and set it up as a non-profit league
• Cuban promoter had developed girls teams in Havana
• AAGBPL were drawing 15,000+ crowds for their Havana games
• Shortstop Shu-Shu Wirth spoke Spanish & helped communicate with players & coaches
• Exhibition games a good tool for scouting & recruiting new players on the road. 
• Ruth Davis, bat girl for the Blue Sox, shares impact of AAGPBL on how the women in the league broadened her horizons for careers as she watched players succeed off-field.
• Merrie’s visit to Cooperstown and the AAGPBL Reunion in Syracuse, New York
• Post League many players continued as athletes in other professional sports including tennis,  golf & professional bowling. 
• Jean Faut became a successful professional bowler

Merrie’s book
  “The Origins & History of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League”
 
 All-American Women’s Baseball Classic in Sarasota - November 17 – 19, 2023
https://americangirlsbaseball.org/all-american-womans-baseball-classic/ 

Past Tournament Video Highlights
BaseballBiz On Deck is at www.baseballbizondeck.com & on iheartradio, Apple & Google podcasts
Twitter: @TheBaseballBiz
Special thanks to XTaKeRuX for the music "Rocking Forward" 

9/11 – Thank you to all of the first responders who have given of themselves daily then & now

RaysUp Wild Card Standings is there any reason to look at these – No

Jonny DeLuca showing his stuff, shining & outmuscling Rays teammates Christopher Morel & Dylan Carlson. DeLuca’s numbers batting .435 (10-for-23) over a six-game on-base streak and is slashing .368/.410/.596 (21-for-57) with 2 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR and 7 RBI in his last 16 games…

Junior Caminero – what else will we see from hi

Rays pitching?

DeLuca’s numbers batting .435 (10-for-23) over a 6 game on-base streak & slashing .368/.410/.596 (21-for-57) with 2 doubles, 1 triple, 3 HRs and 7 RBIs in his last 16 games. Premium outfielder for 2025.

Future of Yandy Diaz & Jose Siri

Rays Minor League, Montgomery Biscuits, Chandler Simpson with a strong work ethic has stolen over 100 bases will drive pitchers & catchers nuts – He Will RUN!

Jose Caballero is leading the league in steals. He could continue as a utility player for Tampa Bay. Will Taylor Walls be able to stay in 2025 as Caballero’s talent & results rise.

Which Minor leaguer’s will advance in 2025?

Minor League successes – 
 Bowling Green Hot Rods – 75 & 54 (1st in the SAL South
 The Charleston River Dogs – 69 & 61  (2nd in the CAR South)

Durham Bulls have had several players pulled from their team making it difficult to rise above .500

Some unhappy fans pick up the microscope this season and unfairly look solely at Kevin Cash

Managers stick with players longer than they should

Take a broader view of Kevin Cash and what he did after team took on early injuries. Needed action to take advantage of talented players 

What happened to Austin Shenton – why haven’t we been using him instead of Christopher Morel

What do you do when the family gives you an unwanted gift. Use it or Lose it.

What will Kevin Cash see when he looks back at 2024

Rays have showed a lot of tenacity in the last month against some top teams 

Wild Card is no longer an option – time to find the special players and moments

Taylor Walls had a good game recently including a HR, a base hit and an RBI

Phillies fun fact – Mike Cash, Kevin’s Dad, played for a Phillies minor league team

Facing X-Rays – Jose Alvarado, Diego Castillo,

Top 30 Pitchers since trade deadline Christopher Sanchez, Blake Snell & Tobias Meyers

Phillies Nick Castellanos give Rays payback with a HR the day after HBP from Uceta

Drew Rasmussen – Rays move Drew to multi-inning reliever with lower pitch counts

Jeffrey Springs on 15 day IL

23-year old, Taj Bradley has exceeded 130 innings this season. Still a young man. Look at Blake Snell example of growth with age.

Chicago White Sox and Zach Hample gives an attendance count

Should Chicago keep the White Sox or should this team be moved 

Keep Cubs the sole Chicago team

Mat asks about a Christmas Countdown calendar for the Ray’s to start building the new stadium

April Fools Day?

Future of Rays with the business development

Mat looks to the future –Rays Minors League in Charleston’s Gary Gill Hill & Drew Dowd

Watch minor leagues on MLB TV

Will Curtis Mead return to Australia to play in Adelaide

What will we see in the Fall League in the AFL, Chandler Simpson & Tre Morgan

All-American Women’s Baseball Classic being held in Durham, October 11-13

Several of the players will be from the WBSC women baseball champions will be there to play
 You can find Mat on Twitter x.com @Mat_Germain_   

Special thanks to XTaKeRuX for the music “Rocking Forward"

Lake Mary Little League World Championship:

The Lake Mary team from Florida has won the Little League World Series, overcoming both U.S. and international teams. If you missed the action, it’s worth catching a replay.

Rays Road Trip Recap:

The Tampa Bay Rays return home after a challenging 10-game road trip on the East Coast.

Series breakdown:

Oakland A’s: Split the 4-game series.

LA Dodgers: Lost the series, taking 1 out of 3 games.

Seattle Mariners: Took 1 out of 3 games.

Notable performances included Junior Caminero’s first home run of the season against the Dodgers and Randy Arozarena’s two home runs during the Mariners series.

Key Games and Moments:

Dodgers Series:

Junior Caminero hit a 100 mph pitch from Bobby Miller for his first home run.

Chris Morell’s double and two-run homer highlighted the Rays' offense.

Shohei Ohtani’s grand slam and 40th home run of the season.

A recap of the Dodgers’ golden bobblehead giveaway featuring Ohtani and his dog, Decoy.

Mariners Series:

Managerial change with Scott Servais being replaced by Dan Wilson.

Randy Arozarena’s resurgence against his former team, hitting two home runs.

Logan Gilbert’s standout performance with 10 strikeouts in 6 innings
Jeffrey Springs had 9 strikeouts in 10 innings
Rays pitching cumulative 19 strikeouts

Lake Mary Little League - World Series winners

• Congratulations to SS/2B/CF: Chase Anderson, 12 of Sanford
• P/OF: Christopher Chikodroff, 11, of Orlando
• OF/P/3B: Lathan Norton, 12, of Sanford
• 2B/3B: Hunter Alexander, 12, of Sanford
• SS/3B/P: JJ Feliciano, 12, Longwood
• OF/P: Jacob Bibaud, 12, Lake Mary, FL
• CF/P: Liam Morrisey, 12, Sanford
• P/OF: Luis Calo, 12, Sanford
• C/P/3B: Landon Bono, 12, Lake Mary
• UTIL: Garrett Rohozen, 12, Sanford
• 1B: DeMarcos Mieses, 11, Sanford
• 1B/C/P: Teraj Alexander, 12, Sanford

Rays’ Return to The Trop:

The Rays are back home at Tropicana Field for a 7-game homestand.

Upcoming opponents include the Padres and Twins, crucial matchups as the Rays are currently 6 games back in the AL Wild Card race with 29 games left in the season.

Final Thoughts: With the Rays’ season winding down, every game counts. Mark shares his optimism, reflecting Mat’s belief that a winning streak could still put the Rays back in the Wild Card race.

You can find Mat on Twitter x.com @Mat_Germain_   

 Mark can be found on Twitter x.com  @TheBaseballBiz & 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"
Notes in part from ChatGPT

 Rays' Current Performance:

The team continues to hover around.500 mark

Low attendance figures in Oakland

2020 season with cardboard cutouts in the stands.

Oakland A’s, and how they manage to stay afloat despite low attendance, largely through revenue sharing and TV deals.

Rays’ New Stadium Prospects:

Discussion on the upcoming new stadium for the Rays and its potential economic impact, including year-round restaurants and businesses around the stadium.

Concerns about the promises made by politicians versus what is delivered in the final plan.

Local Politics and the Stadium Deal:

Insights into recent local political developments, including Mayor Ken Welch’s controversial bonuses to city employees who worked on the Rays’ stadium deal, which were later rescinded.

Wild Card Possibilities:

Mat breaks down the Rays’ chances of making it to the Wild Card, comparing the American League to the National League in terms of competition.

The Rays only need to surpass a few teams, and their pitching staff gives them a fighting chance if they can regain some momentum.

Key Players and Performances:

Jose Siri’s fluctuating performance and the importance of maintaining hustle and focus.

Praise for Kevin Cash’s tough decisions to bench Siri to send a message, which paid off in the form of a game-winning run.

Shane Baz’s recent performance & the potential impact of his return to form on the Rays' playoff hopes.

Mat provides a hopeful outlook, suggesting Rays can make it into the playoffs, their strong pitching makes them a dangerous contender.

Dylan Carlson & Uceta bringing new successes to the team

Proposed Six-Inning Minimum for Pitchers:

Six-inning minimum for pitchers raises concerns about potential strain on pitchers’ arms.

The implications of forcing a struggling pitcher to stay in the game when they are clearly not performing well

Mat’s Take on the Rule:

Mat expresses his strong opposition to the six-inning minimum, stating that he might stop watching baseball if such a rule is implemented.

He argues that this rule would favor larger market teams that can afford to pay pitchers who can dominate for six innings and suggests that this is another example of MLB’s interference to favor big-market teams.

Strategic and Health Implications:

Proposed rule would eliminate some of the strategy in baseball and further disconnect the current game from its history.

A better approach to protecting pitchers' arms would be to adopt a six-man rotation, similar to the approach used in Japan, 

Teams may be prioritizing financial savings over player health, by overworking young pitchers and avoiding paying them long-term contracts

Pitchers in Japan are managed differently, often throwing more pitches in non-game situations to strengthen their arms, but only pitching once per week in games.

Mark humorously suggests that MLB could learn from Japan by temporarily suspending a struggling MLB team and replacing them with a Japanese team to teach the other teams how to manage pitchers better.

 You can find Mat on Twitter x.com @Mat_Germain_   

 Mark can be found on Twitter x.com  @TheBaseballBiz & 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"
Notes in part from ChatGPT

• Orioles first team to hit 70 game wins
• AL East – would you prefer to go into the season as Wild Card or division winner
• Momentum v Time-Off before post-season
• Since 1990 – MLB’s winningest team has only won World Series 7 times
• Dodgers 106 wins went 1 in 9 in post-season
• Restructure the post-season?
• O’s had 101 wins in regular season last year
• Teams that have to battle it out with more games seem to work harder 
• Gerritt Cole – pissed with pre-game ceremony that 
• Orioles injuries are insane with pitching, 
•  Felix Bautista is out, Grayson Rodriguez, John Means, Wells, Webb, Cologne, Kyle Bradish all out
• Thank goodness for Corbin Burnes and adding Zach Eflin who is now 3 – 0 for Orioles
• Is Trevor Rogers an answer to pitching?
• AL East teams are suffering a rough 2nd half of the season
• O’s strong Offense compensating with challenging pitching availability
• Tryout time for O’s pitching – Angels in the Outfield 
• Orioles & Yankees trading first place in the League
• Chicago record of 21 games lost in a row matched 1981 Orioles
• Chicago White Sox defeats Yankees – Yankees pitcher was Luis Gil
• White Sox post-game celebration when Eloy Jiminez was traded to O’s
• New ownership group with Orioles – changes from Angelos family
• Baltimore payroll & commitments to next year – 2024 budget   - $101 million
• Anthony Santander – in 60 games has hit 25 Home Runs – gotta keep him, Gunnar Henderson & Adley Rutschman
• Youth of O’s team – Jackson Holliday, Colton Howser, Gunnar Henderson & Coby Mayo
• Anthony Santander – veteran on the team is needed. Aided Colton Howser with his batting
• AL East is the Beast
• Brandon Hyde – how can you be critical – weird moves
• Taylor Walls, Jose Siri & Johnny DeLuca are predictable with hitting
• Rays best in MLB pitching since July but coming up short on Offense
• Blue Jays  Front Office - what would happen without Bichette & Guerrero Jr
• Alejandro Kirk -  great eye - great hitter
• Red Sox quietly climbs up in AL East
• Tampa Bay teams, Bucs, Lightning, Rays up for sale? Mat, Nate & Mark ready to empty their IRA’a
• St. Pete – new stadium for Tampa Bay
• MLB Expansion – Angelos family residence in Nashville, other options 
• $830 million dollars on a roof in Montreal for the Big O – why not wait and build a new stadium for a new MLB team
• Review timing of bringing up players from the farm to the show
• Felix Bautista will not return to Orioles until next year
• Rays have seen returning pitchers, Baz, Springs, Rasmussen, Bradley & Pepiot
• Shane McClanahan return probably not until next year
• Dylan Carson & Chris Morel – new Tampa Bay Rays
• Pine Riders – Orioles, Heston Kjerstad – Rays, Austin Shenton
• “Give me the Runs” – Tampa Bay Rays Manager, Kevin Cash - Drink the Water

Special Thanks to Nate Andrews for sharing knowledge on The Baltimore Orioles
You can find Nate at https://www.fullcountchaos.com or on Twitter @FullCountChaos
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"

• Happy Birthday to Matt Joyce
• Chicago White Sox broke 21 game losing streak – need an “Angels in the Outfield” solution
• WSBC Women’s Baseball World Cup teams, Canada, Japan, USA, Mexico, Venezuela, China Tapei
• USA defeats Japan in the Round Robin breaking a 39-game winning streak going back to 2012
• Japan won Gold championship game against USA 2 days later – winning 7th consecutive gold in this tournament
• RaysUp!
•  Taylor Walls – needs help on offense & defense – time for a minor league reboot
• Junior Caminero – keeping player down in minors until August 26th to keep him at rookie status. Look at Paul Skeine
• Mat proposes an 8 or 7-year system that allows ownership to keep player without a penalty for in oredr to bring great talent up sooner rather than later
• How to encourage young people to play & support the game – example of Tom Brady’s choice for football over baseball
• Organized Soccer does not follow the same model as MLB
• Is Draft Pick Compensation deal working?
• Rob Manfred’s elimination of several minor league teams – probably the right call
• International signings
• Extend DSL & SCL seasons to give players a better opportunity 
• Brothers in Exile documentary -  Livan and Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez
• What can we expect from Chris Morel
• Tampa Bay Rays strong series wins
• Drew Rasmussen returns – has been throwing 99 mph in minor league
• Why do Rays run a 25 man roster when they could have 26 
• X-Rays  performance this week with Tommy Pham at Cardinal
• Media finally taking 2x Cy Young winner, Blake Snell seriously with his recent 9 inning no-hitter
• Willy Adames – hit 2 run Home Runs with the Milwaukee Brewers – will Brewers find the money to keep Willy in Milwaukee.
• Enjoy the players even after they leave the Rays – Randy Arozarena
• Injuries are impacting the divisions – what opportunities will spawn during this time
• Looking for a winning streak to come for the Tampa Bay Rays
• Mat’s selection of pitcher or batter that is under the media radar – 
•  Batter: Colton Ledbetter is starting to show the speed and power of a good player to come – Josh Lowe style
• Pitcher: Owen Wild, a lot of strength & is continuing to improve, control is above average

Congratulations to the entire USA Womens Baseball Team for an exciting tournament and winning the Silver. Team members included:

Anna Kimbrell, Kelsie Whitmore, Jade Gortarez , Meggie Meidlinger Alex Hugo, Kylee Lahners,  Ashton Lansdell, Denae Benites, Jillian Albayati, Jamie Baum, Elise Berger, Niki Eckert, Alana Martinez, Olivia Pichardo, Remi Schaber, Sarah Edwards, Beth Greenwood, Valerie Perez, Naomi Ryan, and London Studer

Coaches: Veronica Alvarez, Reynol Mendoza & assistant coaches Alex Oglesby and Malaika Underwood

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"

• Educator, historian, baseball enthusiast, and advocate of the game
• Highly respected in Tampa's baseball community and known for his contributions, including the Tony Saladino Senior Tournament.
• Tony's Baseball Beginnings:
• Tony fell in love with baseball in Ybor City, inspired by Al Lopez.
•  He played in a recreational league before Little Leagues existed, directed by Andrew Espolita, who also influenced Lou Piniella and Tony La Russa.
• Hillsborough County's Baseball Legacy:
• Hillsborough County boasts over 95 baseball players who made it to Major League Baseball.
• Tony reminisces about the vibrant baseball culture and the facilities like Cuscaden Park in Ybor City.
• Personal Connections and Memorabilia:
• Tony shares personal stories and mementos from his home, including connections to Wade Boggs and the Al Lopez statue project.
• He recounts memories of Al Lopez and the impact of the Al Lopez Field
• Tony Saladino Senior Tournament:
• Founded in honor of Tony's father, the tournament has been running for 44 years.
• The tournament started with 11 teams and now features 42 teams from Hillsborough County.
•  The Saladino family, especially Tony's wife, Bertha, played a crucial role in hosting scouts and supporting the tournament's success.
• Community and Support:
  • The Saladino family provided free admission, programs, and home-cooked meals for scouts 
  • The tournament became a significant scouting event, known nationwide for its hospitality and talent showcase
• Expansion and Collaboration:
  • The Tampa Bay Rays front office proposed moving the Saladino championship game to Tropicana Field 
  • Tony suggested an All-Star game between Hillsborough and Pinellas County instead.
  • The All-Star game continues to strengthen community ties and promote local talent.
• Notable Players and Awards:
  • The tournament has seen many players go on to Major League Baseball, including Doc Gooden and Dave Magadan. 
  • Tony recounts the story of Dave Magadan signing his Alabama scholarship at Tony's home.
• University of Tampa's Success:
  • Tony shares the pride of seeing his grandson, Nico Saladino, play as a shortstop for the University of Tampa (UT)
  • UT victory in the NCAA Division II World Series.
• Legacy and Future:
  • Saladino's son now manages the tournament, continuing the family tradition. 
  • Tony reflects on his lifelong dedication to baseball a
  • His motto: "I'm slowing down, but I'm not stopping."
• Special Thanks to Williams Ross Chernoff's Nomads for the music Makie Elkino
• Show Notes created in part by ChatGPT

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"

From a Canadian campfire, Mat Germain and Mark are still on the team they have not been traded to another sports show.

Blue Jays to Dodgers - Kevin Kiermaier anFd Andrew Freeman meet again in L.A.

Put the tents away the Rays have a home thanks to the Piniellas County Commissioners & 300 million dollars.

Rays & the city of St Pete look to flourish with the new stadium and business development

The intense & fiery Tommy Pham returns to St. Louis. Did eye health end his original stay with the Cardinals

Spectacular performance Jazz Chisolm traded from Miami Marlins to Yankees

Will Juan Soto stick around now that Jazz has joined the team

Cashman – Yankees not many trades in-season – 

Yankees pitching falling apart? Is Luis Gil able to perform in a lengthy season

Orioles & Yankees will probably maintain tight race for first in AL East

Jason Adam trade on high return with San Diego 3 top prospects RHP Dylan Lesko, OF Homer Bush Jr. & C J.D. Gonzalez

Rays have added high-quality trades adding relievers, outfielders

Tampa Bay Front Office is building waves of talent through each level of their system

Rays went on a big shopping spree coupons and all

Pete Bendix, former Rays front office and now Marlins GM was very busy

Between Marlins & Rays they have brought 27 new prospects to Florida 

Xavier Edwards, Vidal Brujan and others are showing promise

Tyler Bell. 66th Rays draft pick decided to sign with U of K

Is there ever a negative impact from the owners when a player defers a contract? Rarely, however, Mat gives example of Eric Lindross in hockey

Rays signed Jack Lyons with an overslot deal for shortstop

“Hands Off my Assets”  trading prospects

Who is in the Rays dugout who will make a difference

Christopher Morel rewards his new team with a 425 dinger at the Trop

Morel’s numbers shine above Randy Arozarena against RHP

Carlson & Morel - new big league talent to Rays

Rays revamping bullpen – Hunter Bigge & arms from the minors

Reflecting on Tyler Glasnow’s first efforts with the Rays

Taylor Walls still experiencing difficulty at the bat

Goodbye, Jason Adam & Randy Arozarena – a few kerfuffles along the way, some more serious than others

USAWNT – USA Women’s National Baseball Team in Thunder Bay playing in World Cup this week

USA Women’s Baseball Team are The Avengers of baseball

20 woman roster diverse with pitchers

Veronica Alvarez coaching a strong and diverse team with a lot of depth 

Top champion teams, USA & Japan, will face off in last Round Robin game – before facing one another in the final championship game. What will be the strategy

6 teams in WSBC Baseball World Cup: Venezuela, China –Tapei, Mexico, Japan, Canada & USA team. #RTEFW #ForGlory

Mat returns to the camp

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
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Special thanks to XTaKeRuX for the music “Rocking Forward"