Blair & Barker

Blair and Barker catch up with Toronto Blue Jays radio voice Ben Wagner to discuss his visit to the organization’s player development complex in Florida: a “nonstop hub of activity” as minor league players, coaches and members of the front office ramp things up despite the lockout (07:17). Afterwards, Jeff and Kevin call up Red Sox beat reporter Chris Cotillo who spoke about Chris Sale hosting pitchers at his alma mater to train during the lockout and the expectations for the pitching staff and Sale himself coming off of an injury-shortened season (28:59). To end the show, the guys present the latest edition of 'Barker’s Back Leg Bits’ (39:55)!

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker check-in with Toronto Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen on the week that pitchers and catchers were supposed to report to Spring Training (3:52). Former MLBPA Director of Communications Greg Bouris weighs-in on the lockout, the ongoing labour negotiations, and what he believes the players want to ultimately get a deal done (18:37). ESPN Investigative Reporter T.J. Quinn discusses the latest from the trial over the death of Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs where Matt Harvey and other former teammates testified that they received pills from a club employee (39:02).

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.

Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to discuss where he’s working out this offseason, Dante Bichette resigning from his role with the Blue Jays in order to work with him and other players during the lockout, his hitting mechanics, improving defensively at shortstop, and if he’s thinking about a potential contract extension once CBA talks come to an end (5:12). In this week’s edition of 'Barker’s Back Leg Bits’ Jeff asks Kevin Barker about where he would put Bichette in the Blue Jays’ batting order and if anybody famous ever tried to fix his swing.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays pitcher and player representative Ross Stripling to discuss the state of the CBA talks, working with Pete Walker and the tweaks he made in the 2021 season, and the opportunity to work with newly-signed Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman (6:27). With Tom Brady retiring, former Montreal Expos GM talks about Brady’s strengths as a baseball player and wonders what might have been if the NFL’s greatest quarterback changed sports (26:49). This week’s edition of 'Barker’s Back Leg Bits’ Jeff asks Kevin about playing football growing up and if he was ever a consideration over baseball. 

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.

No Bonds, No Clemens, this year’s Hall of Fame induction is all about David Ortiz. Jeff and Kevin weigh-in on the writers decision to omit Bonds, Clemens and others before speaking to two of Ortiz’s Red Sox teammates. Four-time World Series champion Mike Timlin discusses Ortiz’s emergence into a star from when he first arrived to the Red Sox organization and how he always had a plan at the plate (11:43). Afterwards, outfielder Johnny Damon talks about David Ortiz’s clutch performances in the postseason, his popularity with teammates, and the Red Sox “Idiots” turning Cooperstown into Woodstock to celebrate Big Papi’s induction (25:09)!

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.

A deal that could have seen the Tampa Bay Rays split their regular season home games in Montreal is dead. Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss the situation from the viewpoint of all parties in involved: MLB, the Rays organization, and Stephen Bronfman’s Montreal group. Blue Jays outfielder Randal Grichuk discusses how he’s preparing for the lockout and what he thinks his role will be going forward with the club in 2022 (12:59). The voice of the Montreal Expos Dave Van Horne looks back on his legendary career after announcing his retirement and weighs-in with his thoughts on the future of baseball in Montreal (25:39). On This week’s edition of 'Barker’s Back Leg Bits’ Kevin answers questions about: Cody Bellinger, Ryan McMahon, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker comment on Thursday’s session of labour talks between the league and the players. Blue Jays pitcher Alek Manoah reflects on his rookie season, picking the brain of new acquisition Kevin Gausman, and takes the guys inside his offseason routine (10:44). Afterwards, Jeff and Kevin discuss the Atlantic League and the changes they plan on making as part of its partnership with Major League Baseball (28:25).

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss the plans to upgrade Rogers Centre (2:20) before getting into the gift-giving mood for the holiday season! Jeff and Kevin dole out presents tailored to the American League teams (9:51), National League teams (29:39), and the Toronto Blue Jays (42:08). Afterwards, they end the show with another edition of 'Barker's Back Leg Bits!'

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back to 1994, the last time there was a labour stoppage in baseball. The Expos were never the same after the 1994 strike; but could there be positive news on the horizon for baseball fans in Montreal (0:20)? John Romano of the Tampa Bay Times discusses the Rays’ stadium plans, its discussions with local government, and the concept of splitting home games between Florida and Montreal going forward (15:10). Next, Hall of Fame pitcher and former MLBPA representative Tom Glavine joins the show to talk about his role during the 1994 strike, why he suggests players stay off of social media during the lockout, and if he foresees free-agent slugger Freddie Freeman re-signing in Atlanta (33:25). To end the show, Kevin answers listeners’ questions for 'Barker’s Back Leg Bits!' (49:55).

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker return to discuss the interest the Toronto Blue Jays had in signing Corey Seager before he agreed to his ten-year pact with the Texas Rangers, the Mets’ level of interest in Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker, and if a first-time manager is what the Mets need right now (1:00). Next, Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano talks about his offseason and continuing his conditioning without the team’s facilities during the lockout (12:30). To finish, longtime MLB agent Barry Axelrod talks about how an agent’s role is impacted by the lockout, when players start to get antsy about returning to work, and when he ultimately sees the stoppage coming to an end (30:00).

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.