Infinite Inning 223: Punko Lobster

David Roth returns to discuss the uplift provided by the new season, Robinson Cano, how the Reds provoke thoughts of the end of history, Pitchcom, and the 1985 arcade came “Gauntlet.” Plus tales: Teams in the 1880s outdraw the present-day A’s and mouthy third baseman Arlie Latham psyches out the Reds’ manager. WARNING: As in all Roth-a-looza episodes, there is the occasional cussword. Please instruct the children in what these words mean so they can follow along. TABLE OF CONTENTSSmall Crowds with Animals in 1886 and 2022*Arlie Latham Distracts with Prophecy*David Roth: The Year-‘Round Shorts Guy*Cruiser*Revert to Factory Settings*The Uplift of Baseball*The Best Part of an In-Season Vacation* “Warrior is About to Die!”*Normal Gossip Prep*“Gauntlet” Redux*The Rent-Seeking Reds*Unreciprocated Support*“Part of the Deal is You’re Going to Try”*This Monopoly*Baseball and the End of History* Robinson Cano: Shakespearian*The Advent of Pitchcom*Goodbyes.The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?