This week we discuss the relevance of mascots in professional sports. Do they even have a place anymore and should they persist?

For our This Week In Baseball, we discuss Cy Young reaching 500 wins. This milestone is bonkers and will never be surpassed, but just how unreachable is it?

Our Hall of Famer this week is Cleveland Pitcher Bob Lemon. Was his good stretch good enough to warrant a place in Cooperstown next to his rotation mate?

In our singlular parting shot this week discusses the post-Thomson firing resurgence of the Phillies and if they dug themselves too big a whole to recover this season.

Enjoy our new crop of weekly commercials featuring Barbasol, William Frawley for Major League Baseball, and Rafael Palmeiro for Viagra.

Please join us as we discuss baseball topics and we continue our mission to make The Hall small. We hope you'll enjoy the ride.

Timestamps

This Week In Baseball - 15:07

Hall of Fame Discussion - 29:13

Parting Shot - 45:54

This week we discuss the early season dismissal of Alex Cora and Rob Thomson. Should managers be let go this early and should it included scorched earth for their coaching staff if so?

For our This Week In Baseball, we discuss the incident that caused the sudden retirement of Jim Eisenreich in 1984. What is the line for heckling athletes and how hard would it be to bring oneself back to the game that caused them such stress?

Our Hall of Famer this week is third baseman and final Friend of Frankie Frisch, Freddie Lindstrom. Would this final member of the Triple F club be the only deserving inductee into Cooperstown?

In our singlular parting shot this week discusses the 1996 Phillies and their marvelous cascade into mediocrity and then into the abyss before rising back in the early 2000s.

Enjoy our new crop of weekly commercials featuring Baseball Fever, World Series Baseball 2, and Ryan Klesko for Fox Baseball!

Please join us as we discuss baseball topics and we continue our mission to make The Hall small. We hope you'll enjoy the ride.

Timestamps

This Week In Baseball - 22:14

Hall of Fame Discussion - 38:48

Parting Shot - 54:54

We present to you Part 5 of  "The Smörgåsbord"

This episode we will be reviewing yet another set players that are not in the Baseball Hall of Fame, but were suggested by folks on social media as players who should have their case reviewed. We took a look at each player and gave our thoughts on their case. Do we think any of them were oversights and should be in the HOF? Have a listen won't you? This is our fourth set of players and we will review even more in the future.

Each player can be found at the timestamp below:

Will Clark - 1:44
Roger Maris - 11:17
Bill Freehan - 20:12
Rick Reuschel - 28:40
Mark McGwire - 39:45
Luis Gonzalez - 52:05
Curt Schilling - 1:04:54

This week we discuss the removal of Harry Kalas' name from an establishment in Citizen's Bank Park. Is this a big deal, little deal, or no deal?

For our This Week In Baseball, we discuss the debut and career of pitcher Jim Abbott. Its hard enough being a pitcher in MLB, but how much more respect and admiration does one deserve for doing it with a single hand? A lot!

Our Hall of Famer this week is pitcher Robin Roberts. He did not turn out to be quite the laugher we expected, but are his great seasons in the 1950s enough to warrant his call to Cooperstown?

In our singlular parting shot this week discusses the ABS challenge system and if it is just a continuation of the replay can of worms that can never be closed.

Enjoy our new crop of weekly commercials with all Phillies ads for McDonalds, Levi Jeans, and a gameday promo from 1983!

Please join us as we discuss baseball topics and we continue our mission to make The Hall small. We hope you'll enjoy the ride.

Timestamps

This Week In Baseball - 21:45

Hall of Fame Discussion - 36:36

Parting Shot - 54:57

This week we discuss the second suspension of Jurikson Profar for a banned substance. How can MLB combat these players continuing to skirt the rules and is the system in place the best we can expect?

For our This Week In Baseball, we discuss the lifting of the permanent ban for Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle for being casino greeters. The ban was a contentious one in the first place, but do we understand at least a little bit its purpose and was lifting it the correct decision?

Our Hall of Famer this week is outfielder Earl Averill. He certainly thought a lot of himself as a player, but do we feel that confidence in being in the HOF was justified?

In our singlular parting shot this week discusses thhe elite status of one Bryce Harper and whether or not this is a whole ball of nothing on his part.

Enjoy our new crop of weekly commercials with Starting Lineup figures and Sammy Sosa High Heat Baseball!

Please join us as we discuss baseball topics and we continue our mission to make The Hall small. We hope you'll enjoy the ride.

Timestamps

This Week In Baseball - 17:54

Hall of Fame Discussion - 31:08

Parting Shot - 46:28

This week we discuss the media landscape of Major League Baseball going into the future. What really is the best model for baseball and will the owners and players be able to pick one that works for everyone? For our This Week In Baseball, we discuss the 1901 rule changes heading into the Modern Era of baseball. The rule changes that occurred have been evergreen and have stuck around until today, which really speaks to the lasting power of baseball as a sport.

Our Hall of Famer this week is Second Baseman Billy Herman. This man was a rock solid model of second base consistencey, but was it enough to warrant the Vet's Committee's election of him to the Hall of Fame?

In our singlular parting shot this week discusses the MLBPA and how the result upheaval could lead to problems moving into the upcoming negotiations.

Enjoy our new crop of weekly commercials with NES RBI Baseball, Bell of PA Yellow Pages with Mike Schmidt, and Denny's Hologram Cards with Wally Joyner!

Please join us as we discuss baseball topics and we continue our mission to make The Hall small. We hope you'll enjoy the ride.

Timestamps

This Week In Baseball - 20:33

Hall of Fame Discussion - 32:25

Parting Shot - 47:25

This week we discuss the whether or not a team should allow their players to participate in international competitions. Teams from MLB or other leagues drag their feet on this idea, but should they just allow these players to go compete? For our This Week In Baseball, we discuss the 1920 rule change prohibiting alterations of the baseball. We discuss how effective this change has been, but also how important it is that the change was made at all.

Our Hall of Famer this week is outfielder Ralph Kiner. Kiner certainly was a fantastic player for in a short period of time, but was that enough for us to wholeheartedly endorse his inclusion into Cooperstown?

In our singlular parting shot this week discuss athlete owned restaurants. Some have succeeded, many have not, but what was the secret sauce to that and why do so many athletes go down this path

Enjoy our new crop of weekly commercials Wheaties and Ralph Kiner, Griffey Jr with Ichiro, and Buster Posey for MLB the Show!

Please join us as we discuss baseball topics and we continue our mission to make The Hall small. We hope you'll enjoy the ride.

Timestamps

This Week In Baseball -18:47

Hall of Fame Discussion - 37:53

Parting Shot - 55:49

Once Again, that time of year has arrived, the new Baseball Hall of Fame announcement! This episode is dedicated entirely to discussing the results of the most recent BBWAA Hall of Fame ballot.
We discussed the 2 BBWAA electees in great detail as well as those who fell short or fell off the ballot entirely. Time Stamps for each section are below:

Ichiro: 2:50

C.C. Sabathia: 14:54

Andruw Jones: 13:20

Full Ballot Review and Look Ahead: 21:10

This week we discuss the whether or not a team in the current baseball landscape can construct a winner without a superstar player. We have seen teams do it in the past such as the 1969 Mets or the 1991 Twins, but do we think its possible now or a dream of a bygone era? For our This Week In Baseball, we discuss FDR's 1942 proclamation that baseball should continue during the war. We talk keeping up morale, but also what kind of mood would have happened if baseball had disappeared during such a tumultuous time.

Our Hall of Famer this week is first baseman Jim Bottomley. He surely had a string of good years and holds the record for single game RBI, but was that enough for us to allow him to stay?

In our singlular parting shot this week discuss the life and career of actor Paul Douglas. He starred in only two baseball movies, but he was certainly someone who lived a fascinating life right until the end.

Enjoy our new crop of weekly commercials featuring staying optimistic in little league, opening day baseball hype, and Andrew McCutchen for MLB the Show.

Please join us as we discuss baseball topics and we continue our mission to make The Hall small. We hope you'll enjoy the ride.

Timestamps

This Week In Baseball -22:51

Hall of Fame Discussion - 35:38

Parting Shot -46:47

This week we discuss the Modern Era HOF Committee results for this year. Only one selection for the Hall from the committee, but were we surprised by that selection and should he have been the only one? For our This Week In Baseball, we discuss the standardization of baseball in 1933. It took many years into MLB's existence to make this change and we talk about the difference and the change itself.

Our Hall of Famer this week is pitcher Whitey Ford. Not a laugher as his teammate was in our last discussion, but did we believe him to be a no doubt candidate for the Hall?

In our singlular parting shot this week discuss the the baffling contracts given out with the a likely looming work stoppage next year. Why would teams do this and what will the rammifications of those decisions be?

Enjoy our new crop of weekly commercials all featuring White Ford with Post Cereal, Braniff Airlines, and Campbell's soup!

Please join us as we discuss baseball topics and we continue our mission to make The Hall small. We hope you'll enjoy the ride.

Timestamps

This Week In Baseball - 21:13

Hall of Fame Discussion - 36:26

Parting Shot -52:56