Bat Flips And Nerds

MLB.com writer, MLB Network contributor, Morning Lineup Podcast host and author of "A Fan's Guide to Baseball Analytics: Why War, Whip, Woba, and Other Advanced Sabermetrics Are Essential to Understanding Modern Baseball", Anthony Castrovince joins Tom to talk all about his time working for MLB.com, Spring Training, the London Series, Anthony's upcoming book and his podcast.

Tom (stupidly) tries to convince Anthony that P.I.S.S. (See episode 146 - Udder Zone Rating) is a worthwhile stat and required to make it into mainstream baseball.

You can buy Anthony's book on Amazon.co.uk - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fans-Guide-Baseball-Analytics-Understanding/dp/1683583442/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=anthony+castrovince&qid=1582747903&sr=8-1

Tom is joined by Out Of The Park (OOTP) Baseball's Chief Operating Officer, Rich Grisham. They talk about how Rich got into OOTP, how he come to work with them, some of the challenges facing the team, where the game goes from here and how they handle scandals such as the Astros banging scheme.

New recruit Rachel Steinberg hits the ground running by asking John, Darius and Rob to chart their baseball autobiographies in five players.

This is a fun one.

Russell talks to Derrick Goold, Cardinals beat writer for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch about the team's efforts to become an international brand, Derrick's love of London, and his participation in a world record.

Justin Mason and Joe Pisapia come on the show to educate Tom and Rob on the ways of Fantasy Baseball.

During the show they discuss Justin's murder basement he's recording from, Joe wanting to fight dudes bigger than him, oh and they chat a bit about Fantasy Baseball.

Joe Pisapia is the author of the excellent Fantasy Baseball Black Book, available here from Amazon - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fantasy-Baseball-Black-Book-2020/dp/1652403280/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1L7FQ6RQCLEQB&keywords=fantasy+baseball+black+book&qid=1581452550&sprefix=fantssy+baseball+black%2Caps%2C169&sr=8-1

Proceeds from the book go to St Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Justin Mason produces The Fantasy Benefit draft guide, again available here from Amazon - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fantasy-Benefit-Baseball-Draft-Guide-ebook/dp/B084LH6RBD/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=Justin+MAson&qid=1581452634&sr=8-4

Brandon Lee and Alex Crisafulli join Russell and Darius to give the American perspective on the upcoming Cubs-Cardinals series in London, from the players to watch on each team to their outlook on the season, and the all-important issue of St Louis pizza.

Tom, John, Russell and special guest Joey Bailey from Four Bases combine to run through the blockbuster Mookie Betts trade that took place last night.

20 minutes in, Tom's computer shits itself and he's gone from the pod. So stick with it, you won't hear his dull Brummie tones after just one third of an hour.

Darius and Russell team up to try and educate two simpletons on the advanced statistics within the game of baseball.

Will John ever accept stats are good, will Tom manage to wrap his head around the concept of comparing yourself against yourself and will Russell accept the amazing new Pringle Immediate Stars System (P.I.S.S).

Find out right now.

Craig Goldstein, Editor-in-Chief of Baseball Prospectus, joins Tom and Darius to discuss the 2020 BP Annual, from how the team of writers is assembled to the process of editing such a complex book.

Bat Flips and Nerds emergency pod.

We don't want to spoil it here, but can the team recover from it?

The gang talk Astros managerial replacements, Dustin Pedroia, more exciting news for the UK baseball community and finally...the news no-one wanted.

Spoiler alert, John is hosting and DOESN'T swear.

Listen now.