Alex and Bobby take a trip to the Oakland Coliseum for a Bay Bridge Series protest game and report back on what they saw and heard, like “Sell the team” chants, sick Teamsters shirts, and a whole lot of passionate fans. Plus: Steve Cohen semi-open letter alert, and a programming note about the next couple weeks. 

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Songs featured in this episode:

Kool & the Gang — “Celebration” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Alex and Bobby reflect on a fun evening at the Brooklyn Cyclones game, then take stock of Rob Manfred’s legacy as his commissionership is renewed, check in on John Sherman’s quest for a new Royals ballpark and interrogate the concept of the “open letter,” react to the Max Scherzer trade, and celebrate six years of being bummed on July 31.

Links:

Rob Manfred re-elected as MLB commissioner 

John Sherman’s open letter to Royals fans 

Max Scherzer traded to the Rangers 

Ken Rosenthal on Steve Cohen’s investment in the Scherzer trade 

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Songs featured in this episode:

Alabama — “I’m In A Hurry (And Don’t Know Why) • Bobby Brown — “Every Little Step” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

At long last, Alex has selected the team he will switch his allegiances to. That's it! This is a podcast! Here's a podcast! Please listen! Thanks!

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Songs featured in this episode:

[REDACTED] • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

At long last, it's time for Alex to either publicly break up with the Oakland A's and find a new team or renew his vows to the Athletics. In part one of two, we go team-by-team through 20 of the 30 MLB teams to determine where they measure up on Alex's custom made rubric. In part two, we will finish the final 10, consider alternative visions of fandom, and make a final selection.

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Songs featured in this episode:

Whitmer Thomas — “Rigamarole” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Alex and Bobby discuss the ways MLB's Virtual Ballpark could actually supplement fans' experience, but instead serves as an uncanny reflection of the league's diverging interests. Then, they break down what it means for the Atlanta Braves to be officially listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Finally, they share their thoughts on what the 2023 season has brought us at the halfway point.

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Links:

MLB's Virtual All-Star Game Stadium

Braves to split from Liberty Media later this month

Inside the Alabama Baseball Betting Scandal

Rob Manfred's Sportico Guest Essay

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Tipping Pitches merchandise 

Songs featured in this episode:

Dog Ears — “Midnight Sunburn” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Alex and Bobby talk about air quality and MLB’s discouraging response to hazardous climate events, the Royals stalling in contract talks with stadium workers, scouts suing the league over age discrimination, and the Orioles’ heartening Pride Night, then answer listener questions about a Castellini inheritance, Immaculate Grid strategy, Mets players who would risk it all for Mrs. Met, and more. 

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Links:

Royals accused of stalling stadium worker deal 

Stadium workers file federal labor charges against Royals 

Scouts sue MLB over age discrimination 

Scenes from the Orioles’ Pride Night 

Immaculate Grid 

Pepsi Colachup is coming to stadiums for July 4th 

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Songs featured in this episode:

Jimi Hendrix — “Purple Haze” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Bobby and Alex bring on Rowan University professor Debbie Sharnak to discuss MLB’s international presence, including the ways their practices overseas reflect imperialist desires, the U.S.’s long history of baseball as an export, the complicated proposal of an international draft, the impact of talent drain on international communities, the role of baseball academies in the sport’s global influence, and more.

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Two Dominican prospects sue the Angels 

Dodgers establish a “secret” baseball academy in Uganda 

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Songs featured in this episode:

boygenius — "$20" • Sweet Pill — "Sucker Punch" • Green Day — "Longview" • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

In this episode, Alex and Bobby delve into the recent news surrounding the Oakland A's move to Las Vegas, dissect Rob Manfred's comments on the A's relocation efforts and his stance on Pride Nights across the league, and drill down into the implications of the recent spate of layoffs at The Athletic.

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Links:

Manfred on the A's potential move

Manfred's comments on Pride Nights

Bryce Harper's comments on the A's situation

A's stadium deal wins final legislative approval in Nevada

MLB intends to curb team spending on tech

Layoffs at The Athletic

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Songs featured in this episode:

TOPS — “Petals” • Jim Croce — “You Don’t Mess Around With Jim” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

It's here. At long last. Bobby and Alex comb through the recently-released MLB Collective Bargaining Agreement and discuss the parts of it that that stand out beyond the headline items, including sports betting, international play, service time manipulation, grievances, market sizes, uniform regulations, and more. 

Links:

The Collective Bargaining Agreement 

Evan Drellich’s breakdown of the CBA

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Songs featured in this episode:

Daryl Hall and John Oates — "Rich Girl" • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Alex and Bobby touch on Bally Sports making way for blackout-free baseball in San Diego, then welcome on journalist and stadium economics expert Neil deMause to try and dream up the ideal community-integrated ballpark, exploring the history of baseball in urban areas, the long shadow of mallparks, the ruthless efficiency of today’s mixed-used development stadiums, what ethical engagement with surrounding neighborhoods looks like, and much more.
Follow Neil on Twitter @neildemause.

Links:
MLB takes over Padres broadcasts 
CityNerd’s top 10 urbanist ballparks 
Field of Schemes 
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Songs featured in this episode:
Roky Erikson — “Starry Eyes” • The Chicks — Texas Man” • snow ellet — “In Reverie” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”