The Keith Law Show

Keith is joined by Mariners outfielder Taylor Trammell to discuss baseball's need for change to attract and retain Black players -- including necessary adjustments at the youth levels and to college scholarships -- and the importance of representation. 

Rundown

1:35 Where is Baseball Failing to Get Black Players On the Field?

7:10 How Limited Scholarships Reduce Interest in Baseball

14:14 What Needs to Change in Little League to Retain Players?

19:55 The Importance of Representation

Read Taylor's piece 'Baseball Is Not Black Enough' at the Players' Tribune: https://www.theplayerstribune.com/articles/baseball-is-not-black-enough-taylor-trammell-mlb

Follow Keith on Twitter: @keithlaw

Follow Taylor on Twitter: @Taytram24

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Keith is joined by Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle to discuss the opportunity that might lead to the end of Billy Beane's time with the A's, the future of the franchise in Oakland, the evolution of Liam Hendriks, the chances of a reunion with pending free agent Marcus Semien, and more. 

Rundown

3:17 The Opportunity that May Lead Billy Beane to Leave the A’s

7:08 Why MLB Might Be Opposed to Public Team Ownership

10:48 The A’s Future in Oakland & Ongoing Stadium Saga

14:11 The Evolution of Liam Hendriks an an Elite Reliever

18:39 Marcus Semien’s Foray Into Free Agency After a Step Back in 2020

21:09 Thoughts on the LCS & World Series

26:13 Appreciating the Rays

Follow Keith on Twitter: @keithlaw

Follow Susan on Twitter: @susanslusser

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Keith is joined by Eric Karabell of ESPN to discuss the "real" portion of the MLB playoffs, vulnerabilities in the Atlanta rotation, the adjustments the Phillies should make after a disappointing 2020, and whether teams should pursue A.J. Hinch and Alex Cora to fill current managerial vacancies. 

Rundown

3:02 The Real Playoffs Have Begun

5:15 Is It Time to Increase Balls in Play?

10:06 How Much Better Are the Dodgers than the Braves?

15:05 Vulnerabilities in the Atlanta Rotation

19:23 What Should the Phillies Do Now?

28:04 Would You Give A.J. Hinch and Alex Cora a Second Chance?

Follow Keith on Twitter: @keithlaw

Follow Eric on Twitter: @karabelleric

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Keith is joined by LaVelle Neal of the Minneapolis Star Tribune to discuss the Twins' early exit from the postseason, Byron Buxton's 2020 power surge, and the decisions facing the front office during the offseason. 

Rundown

3:27 Why Can’t These Twins Win in the Postseason?

8:07 Did the Twins Go to the Bullpen Too Quickly in the Wild Card Round?

11:21 Why Wasn’t Byron Buxton Available for Game 2?

13:37 Buxton’s 2020 Power Surge & Adjustments

16:37 Alex Kirilloff & The Offseason Decision on Eddie Rosario

21:22 Will Nelson Cruz Return?

23:05 Future Plans for Jake Odorizzi & Rich Hill

26:20 What Will the Twins Do Behind the Plate Next Season?

Follow Keith on Twitter: @keithlaw

Follow LaVelle on Twitter: @LaVelleNeal

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Keith is joined by Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic to discuss the unanswered development questions for prospects in 2020, the impressive rise of the Padres, the Dodgers' status as favorites to win the World Series, and what wrong for the D-backs in a disappointing season. 

Rundown

2:44 Unanswered Player Development Questions in 2020

5:02 General Impressions of the West This Season

9:25 San Diego Puts It Together

15:03 Will a Championship in 2020 Will Be Legitimate?

19:58 Are the Dodgers the Clear-Cut Favorites?

23:13 The D-backs Postmortem

Follow Keith on Twitter: @keithlaw

Follow Nick on Twitter: @nickpiecoro

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Keith is joined by The Athletic's Kaitlyn McGrath, who is covering the Blue Jays from Toronto while the team spends the 2020 season temporarily relocated in Buffalo. They discuss the challenges of remote team coverage, the surprising promotion of Alejandro Kirk, the Jays' decision to add players at the trade deadline, and the lack of progress from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in Year 2. 

Rundown
3:25 The Challenge of Covering a Team Remotely
6:23 How Much Has Access Changed This Season?
9:10 A Clear Communication Hierarchy
12:04 Building Rapport & Providing More Detailed Analysis with In-Person Coverage
16:54 Dealing with Limited Information From the Alternate Site
19:10 Alejandro Kirk’s Surprising Leap from High-A to Toronto
25:21 Evaluating the Jays’ Trade Deadline Approach
29:08 Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s Development in Year 2

Follow Keith on Twitter: @keithlaw
Follow Kaitlyn on Twitter: @kaitlyncmcgrath

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Keith is joined by Adnan Virk from MLB Network, DAZN & Host of the Cinephile Podcast to discuss the 2020 playoff races, the most exciting plays in baseball, and films to look forward to in the months ahead.

Rundown
5:50 What Have You Been Watching the Most This Season?
11:26 Feelings About 2020 Rules Changes & Playoff Format
15:19 The Most Exciting Plays (and Pitches) in Baseball
18:58 Most Important Pitcher Skills
21:31 Movies & Returning to Theaters with New Seating Preferences
24:00 Films To Look Forward To
31:27 Check Out Adnan’s Podcast — Cinephile!

Follow Keith on Twitter: @KeithLaw
Follow Adnan on Twitter: @adnansvirk

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Keith is joined by Will Leitch, Founder of Deadspin, Columnist at MLB, Contributing Editor at New York Magazine and co-host of the Grierson & Leitch podcast about the unusual 2020 baseball season, the Cardinals, and going back to a movie theater in a pandemic.

Rundown
4:42 Things Seem to Be Going Pretty Well This Baseball Season
9:46 MLB’s Success with Contact Tracing
15:33 The Challenge of Playing Catch Up with the Cards’ Schedule
21:00 Have You Noticed a Difference in the Quality of Play in 2020?
25:15 Enjoying New Little Quirks About This Season
28:44 Going to a Movie Theater in a Pandemic
36:03 Considerations in Returning to Scouting Games

Follow Keith on Twitter: @keithlaw
Follow Will on Twitter: @williamfleitch

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Keith is joined by Jessica Luther and Kavitha Davidson, authors of the book ‘Loving Sports When They Don’t Love You Back’, to discuss increased athlete activism, how teams, leagues and unions can better handle cases of domestic violence, sexual assault and harassment, misogyny, and signs of progress in younger generations.

Rundown
2:57 Can Increased Athlete Activism Lead to Sustained Change?
9:41 How Can Teams, Leagues & Unions Better Handle Cases of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault & Harassment?
17:22 Fear of Retribution & The Problem with Zero-Tolerance Policies
22:15 Misogyny and The False Claim that ‘Nobody Cares About Women’s Sports’
27:23 Signs of Progress in Younger Generations

Follow Keith on Twitter: @keithlaw
Follow Kavitha on Twitter: @kavithadavidson
Follow Jessica on Twitter: @jessicawluther

Purchase a copy of Jessica and Kavitha’s book from Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/books/loving-sports-when-they-don-t-love-you-back-dilemmas-of-the-modern-fan/9781477313138

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Keith is joined by Orioles pitcher Dillon Tate to discuss his experience growing up playing baseball, the choice of going to college vs. going pro after high school, adjustments he’s made along the way, and more!

Rundown
4:21 Experiences with Direct or Structural Racism in Baseball?
7:11 Pressure to Focus on Pitching at Young Age?
9:43 Learning & Playing at the Urban Youth Academy
11:37 When Was It Clear You Had a Future in Baseball?
13:19 Preference Between Starting Role vs. Relief Role
17:27 Incorporating Statcast Data & Making Adjustments
20:48 Weighing College vs. Pro Offer After High School

Follow Keith on Twitter: @keithlaw

Get 40% off a subscription to The Athletic: theathletic.com/klaw

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