In this episode we weave together baseball culture and the moment we’re living in. From World Baseball Classic roster news to NL West outfield rankings. This episode also spotlights Rod Carew & salutes the good people of Minnesota in a time of adversity. 

World Baseball Classic Preview

Pool A outlook in Puerto Rico featuring: Puerto Rico Canada Panama Cuba Colombia

Team Canada updates:

• Freddie Freeman opts out for rest and recovery
• Josh Naylor steps in as a lineup anchor
• Bo Naylor behind the plate
• Tyler O’Neill Denzel Clarke Owen Caissie highlight the roster 
• Pitching depth  (availability pending)

WBC Stars & Opt-Outs

• Players opting out for health rest or personal reasons:
   Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, Teoscar Hernández, Tommy Edman Andy Pagés
• Dodgers confirmed to play in WBC include:
  • Shohei Ohtani Clayton Kershaw Will Smith (USA)
  • Yoshinobu Yamamoto Seiya Suzuki Munetaka Murakami (Japan)
  • Japan discussed as early tournament favorites

MLB Roster & Team Analysis

NL West Outfield Rankings (Mat’s Take)  

• Padres, Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Giants & Rockies
• Diamondbacks’ young core praised: Corbin Carroll, Blaze Alexander, Ryan Waldschmidt
• Giants’ signing of Harrison Bader: Defensive upgrade after ranking last in OF defense in 2025
• Potential to significantly help pitching in Oracle Park
• Discussion on how defense and athleticism translate to wins

Bigger Than Baseball - Minnesota Immigration & Humanity

• Minnesota culture (“Minnesota Nice”)
• Discussion of immigration narratives vs lived reality

Rod Carew, Panamanian Immigrant - Outstanding service as player & US Marine

• Born in Panama Hall of Famer US Marine Corps veteran
• Career with Minnesota Twins
• American League Batting Title named in his honor 
• Carew becomes a US citizen in 2024
• Baseball as a bridge between cultures and communities

Civic Responsibility & Democracy

• "22 minutes" political comedy perspective - https://www.youtube.com/@22Minutes - worth watching similar to SNL - Saturday Night Live
• Importance of free and fair elections
• People are stepping up
• Concerns over election interference
• Encouragement to stay informed engaged and compassionate
• Call for cooler heads ethical leadership and community support
• Minnesotans are great people and show peaceful response to harsh federal actions against the people living there
• US Administration meeting with Sports Commissioners what does it hold for changes in the future of their sports

Closing Thoughts

Remember that while baseball gives us joy perspective matters. The game doesn’t exist in a vacuum and neither do we. Acts of kindness standing up for others and staying engaged locally and nationally are just as important as wins and losses.

“Try to find the joy in every day amidst all the madness.”

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