The Book of Joe with Joe Maddon & Tom Verducci

Hosts Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci begin their coverage of the 2025 World Series!  The Dodgers are heavily favored, but how can the Blue Jays win 4 games against LA?  How will both teams handle their pitching rosters in this matchup?  Tom notes Shohei Ohtani making history coming into his first World Series and how that carries over against the Blue Jays.  Tom and Joe comment on the Giants hiring Tony Vitello as their new manager.  Plus, we get our World Series picks!

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Hosts Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci are picking their favorite parts of the LCS series we're watching.  The Dodgers have become the team that everyone was expecting all season.  Tom explains what the Brewers need to change and the tough task they're facing.   Joe looks back at his playoff experience and talks about how teams are handling these moments and the players that deliver.  Has Tom changed his opinion on who is the MVP in baseball? Plus, some thoughts on a surprise managerial opening in baseball!

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Hosts Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci start with the Dodgers' 2-0 lead over the Phillies.  This hasn't been about what Philly isn't doing, we're just seeing the Dodgers play up to their potential.  The Cubs could be in trouble as the Brewers are rolling.  Onto the AL, the Blue Jays' bats have come alive against the Yankees.  Tom has a front row seat for the Tigers and Mariners, as the only series that sits tied at 1-1.  We look at the pitching so far in the postseason and how scientific the teaching has become. 

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Hosts Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci are ready for the MLB playoffs and Tom thinks the keyword for the postseason is 'power'.  Joe talks about his philosophy in the playoffs and how some managers change routines or gameplans.  Tom looks at the four teams with byes and how they'll spend the time off.  We discuss every playoff matchup and the managerial matchups we've seen with possibly more to come.

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Hosts Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci eye the last few days of the MLB regular season.  Could this be the tightest MVP race in a long time between Cal Raleigh and Aaron Judge? Who are the hot teams headed into the postseason and which teams have red flags?   Tom notes Shohei Ohtani pitching and his schedule lining up to start Game 1 in the playoffs. What has happened to the Mets down the stretch and what offseason changes could already be in the works? Tom and Joe pick their favorites down the stretch and discuss how to keep a team in playoff form!

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Hosts Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci discuss the final two weeks of the regular season and teams finding their playoff seedings.   How much does home-field advantage and playoff experience matter in the postseason?  Tom points out the young pitchers that are peppered throughout the rosters.  Joe reveals his philosophy going into the playoffs and the messages he would deliver to players.  We note the passing of former player/manager Jim Marshall and his impact on the game of baseball.   Who are your MVP candidates as we come down the stretch? We also react to the breaking news of the passing of Robert Redford.

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Hosts Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci begin with the blatant sign stealing happening in baseball.  Joe explains what teams can do about it and what reactions he's had about dealing with it.  Has the game become too polite? Tom points out how it's affecting the game and the lack of concern from teams stealing calls.  We turn to the Mets collapse and what issues they've faced down the stretch.  Tom also wonders what issues could haunt the Dodgers through September and the postseason. Plus, we note the passing of longtime player/manager Davey Johnson.  Joe recalls some of his memorable moments interacting with Johnson.

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Hosts Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci start with the energy of September putting life into the final stretch.  The Yankees have a losing record against winning teams and the upcoming schedule will challenge them.  We move to the Phillies and an amazing comeback victory on Labor Day.  Joe notes the chemistry of their lineup.  Trea Turner's defense has improved and we look at the rest of the season for Philly.  Tom was amused by the story of a search for a Ferrari once owned by Michael Jordan. What is Joe's all-time favorite dream car?

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Hosts Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci welcome longtime sportswriter and NY Times best-selling author Jane Leavy to discuss her latest book, 'Make Me Commissioner' (available Sept. 9th). Tom looks at some of the ideas and suggestions that Jane has for MLB.  Jane notes the lack of true superstars in the game and the ways that the game needs to draw young fans.  What does the future hold for MLB and how can the game evolve while maintaining its history? Plus, we get 'A Reading from The Book of Joe'!

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Hosts Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci begin with the Cubs addressing the struggles of Kyle Tucker.  Joe talks about the approach a manager takes when handling a talented player in a rough spot.  Tom notes the Yankees and Aaron Judge getting on the same page regarding injuries.  Can there be fan interference without the fan actually touching the ball?  Home run ratios increased during the last postseason, so which teams could that help or hurt this October? Plus, how much concern do you have for the Astros?

The Book of Joe Podcast is a production of iHeart Radio.  

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