Is the pitch clock creating a better experience? Is CB Bucknor a petty coward? Is Donovan a power threat? Can we find a way to relax a bit about Jordan Walker? NO. NO WE WON'T. Box scores are piling up and Spring Training is fully underway as we begin a new segment breaking down every NL Central team, and try, try, try to not overreact too much to the early results... EXTEND JORDAN WALKER!!! 

Spring training has started and we have a full week of news! It's the podcasts 1 year anniversary! Tyler O'Neill is somehow even more buffed out of his mind, pitchers are bringing in new pitches, and we have our first Best Shape of his Life report. Could it get any better than that? Should baseball change its arbitration system? (YES). Are we super excited that Rolen chose STL as his hat for the HOF? (YES) Are we weirded out by Emo Night at Busch? (YES) Baseball! 

BASEBALL PLAYERS ARE DOING BASEBALL ACTIVITIES. The Cardinals have a sudden abundance of Beef Boys™ and we are ready to see how they do in 2023. How does everyone feel about the Mozeliak trade? Who are we excited about this Spring, and should we believe Oliver Marmol when he says it's an open competition? Will the Cardinals put a TAB logo on their jerseys? Is Bally Sports dead, and why is that a good thing? We're about to have actual box scores to talk about, and it's time to get ready for the 2023 season! 

What should the Cardinals do with Paul DeJong? Can they survive without him? Why does it seem suddenly like he is a very important part of 2023? How has this podcast made it to episode #50? Should we stop doing it? How much more can we complain about Chip Caray? What is going on with Bally Sports? Daniel Shoptaw (@C70) joins this week to discuss these topics and much more as we inch towards the 2023 season!  

Nate & Ben discuss the fact that baseball is starting,SOON, the WBC, Willson Contreras, rooting for TEAM USA USA USA, top prospects lists, being hyped about Walker, Winn, Hence, and Graceffo, the Cardinals mediocre off-season, the new rules, Jazz, how dumb the Rockies are, and much more! 

Nate & Ben discuss theater popcorn, Alamo Drafthouse, Scott Rolen and what hat he should wear, Chip Carey and the problems with hating your own sport, the ZIPS projections and how they project the 2023 Cardinals, The Royals, baseball movies, and much more! 

Talking About Birds is supported on Patreon. Join our Patreon and join our private Discord server! www.patreon.com/talkingaboutbirds. 

Nate & Ben discuss all the various Winter Warm Up interviews, the DeWitts telling everyone they won't spend more money, Mozeliak making a very pedantic point about spending more money, Arenado's decision to stay, Paul DeJong's leg kick, Matt Holliday resigning and the Joe McEwing hire, the WBC, all the exciting no-roster invitees, the bevy of international signings, Tommy Pham's continued revenge tour, and much more! 

Nate & Ben discuss David Lynch films/TV, Jack Flaherty, the Marlins and their depth of great pitching, Jim Bowden and the no good very bad tweet, Edwin Rios/Tyler Naquin, Aaron Goldsmith, Correa (at home with the Twins!), love to Liam Hendriks, and much more! 

Nate & Ben discuss the New Years, TEQUILA!, Bollywood, Lars Nootbaars hot offseason, the pros and cons of bat speed, Drive Line, the Cardinals broadcaster situation, the City Connect jerseys, vexillology, the dumb Braves and their amazing lineup, the Cubs, Rich Hiil (dick mountain), Trevor Bauer (ugh), and much much more! 

Nate & Ben discuss Chris Sale, Correa, Profar, La Stella, and a bunch of other stuff that won't matter as much as BATTLEFIELD BASEBALL. Check out the wiki page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battlefield_Baseball for more info.