The Book of Joe with Joe Maddon & Tom Verducci

Hosts Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci prepare for The Masters with a visit from NBC Golf Analyst John Wood.  Watching baseball work its way through the 'torpedo' bat, John helps us compare golf's head first dive into technology assisting player performance.  We explore how the game has changed through equipment and course construction. Has golf experienced the same increase with injuries that we've seen in baseball?  Moving back to the diamond, which team is the 'fastest' team in MLB right now?  Tom and Joe wrap up with their predictions for The Masters.

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There's a lot of news for the first week of the season!  Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci compare the use of 'torpedo' bats in baseball to a golfer trying different clubs.  Joe explains how a batter finds a bat that works for him and how analytics are once again changing the game.  Tom notes the rough start for Rafael Devers while Joe offers up some drastic changes to turn things around.   Atlanta has also struggled out of the gate and the PED news with Jurickson Profar is an early dagger. 

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Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci welcome every team to the 2025 season!  What trends are we seeing on the field and could it be affecting the integrity of the game?  Tom looks at the changes that teams have made and how it will affect their outcome in 2025.  Joe and Tom compare their picks and share which teams they're a bit skeptical of out of the gate.  Which teams will make it to the World Series?  Plus, we reveal who will win the individual awards when the season is over!

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Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci open the 2025 MLB Season with the Dodgers and Cubs in Tokyo.  LA wins both games, but what can be taken from the series? Tom discusses seeing Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki in action. Joe reveals his approach to opening and planning for a season.  How hard is it to shape your roster and tell someone that their MLB dream is over?

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Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci discuss the danger of pitching injuries in Spring Training.  The first big news coming with Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole needing TJ surgery.  What other pitching stories have we seen this Spring?   Tom shares an idea fom Max Scherzer to try and have pitchers go more often and pitch longer.  Why is Barry Bonds talking about Shohei Ohtani?  Tom honors a couple baseball legends and looks at the impact they're still having on the game.  Plus, we react to Dave Roberts signing his record-setting extension with the Dodgers.

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Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci discuss the decline of middle-class players in the league and the challenges they face as the sport evolves.  How has training in the Spring changed for athletes?  We're surprised Anthony Rizzo still isn't on a team, but what does that say about how rosters are being built?  Joe stresses the importance of a balanced lineup of youth and experience. Tom reflects on 'baseball-lifers' and the impact they had on the sport that can still be seen today!

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Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci discuss Opening Day being around the corner and teams still looking for controlled velocity despite the impact on injuries.  Which teams are the favorites to land former Cy Young pitcher Sandy Alcantara?  We reflect on the team policies of George Steinbrenner and how things are changing with the Yankees updated rules on facial hair.  Plus, Tom remembers the career of knuckleballer Eddie Fisher, who passed away this week.

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Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci discuss Spring Training getting underway and how teams set the right tone.  We'll be watching Mike Trout moving to right field, Shohei Ohtani back on the mound, and Rafael Devers with the Red Sox. Tom explores the potential trade prospects for Vlad Guerrero while touching on the heartbreak felt by Aaron Judge after the Yankees' World Series loss.  When it comes to financial strategy, are you behind the Yankees or the Mets right now? 

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After watching the Eagles win the Super Bowl, Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci discuss the impact of coaching and teaching.  Tom highlights the path of head coach Nick Sirianni and Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio.  Joe explains when he thinks the game turned and when he thought the Eagles were going to win. Turning our attention back to baseball, Tom looks at the timeline for Shohei Ohtani and when we could see him back on the pitching mound.  

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In this episode of 'The Book of Joe' Podcast, Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci discuss how the Chiefs have had so much success with Patrick Mahomes.  Could a team like the Dodgers have similar success year after year?  Tom compares the winning in the NFL against how a team has to win in baseball. In other news, MLB umpire Pat Hoberg was fired after an investigation revealed his connections to gambling.  Joe gives his thoughts on betting being so parallel to sports.  Plus, Tom wants Joe's opinion on the lack of reading in today's schools and society.

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

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