David Roth returns to discuss the intersection of the NFL, MLB, and the joys of postseason baseball, plus tales of emotionally distressed catchers.

WARNING: There is the odd cussword this week, artistically deployed. It’s a David Roth episode.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

“What breaks a contender?” 1911 Edition*Black Mike’s Black Dog*David Roth: A friend of us all*Roth’s remembrance of 9/11*MLB, the NFL, and kabuki patriotism*Roth’s “Getting Used to” the NFL*When leagues tolerate bad franchises*Owners vs. players vs. empathy*Joe DiMaggio slurred in Life*Sports is not your safe space*The 2017 regular season vs. the 2017 playoffs*Jose Reyes, thin mint wafer*For 50 at-bats anyone can be great*Pat Borders, Al Weiss, Nelson Cruz, Cooke Lavagetto, Bill Bevens*Roth’s Ratio*There’s a sucker born every minute (on Twitter)*America is in a rebuilding season*Goodbyes.