For their 200th episode, Alex and Bobby open up the mailbag and spend an episode taking listener questions about baseball and far beyond, including a baseball podcaster brawl, deadly caffeine consumption, Star Wars characters in bed, all things Taylor Swift, secondary podcast ideas, episode music choices, and much more. Thanks to those who submitted questions, and to everyone for listening!

Songs featured in this episode:

Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Bobby and Alex talk Jon Heyman’s growing sentience, then take stock of the World Series so far, examining what has made it enjoyable — or not — to watch. Then they discuss the looming likelihood of a strike, assessing what they think a potential work stoppage will look like and where the power balance stands right now. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features the pitfalls of Steve Cohen’s poster’s mentality, and the Oakland A’s continuing their calculated retreat from Oakland.

Links:

Robert Blum on the possibility of a lockout 

Steve Cohen’s tweet is brought into the courtroom 

Steve Cohen in talks to bring a casino to Queens 

Joe Biden tells the Pope a Satchel Paige story 

Songs featured in this episode:

Brad stank — "Watering the Garden" • J. Rawls — "That Very First Day - Instrumental"  • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Alex and Bobby check in on Bob Nightengale’s latest exploits, then discuss how they ~feel~ about a Houston-Atlanta World Series, what makes these teams hard to root for, the complexity of the Dodgers’ exit, and more. They also take listener messages about rooting for the Astros as a Dodger fan, Kevin Millar the scab, and what a devoted Tipping Pitches listener is called. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features TBS’s love for singles and chops, and a dystopian commercial for a self-driving(?) truck.

Links:

Ryan Helsley & Rob Manfred on the tomahawk chop 

Levi Weaver on the Rangers’ resistance to LGBTQ+ acceptance 

Donate to GLAAD 

Alex and Bobby react to the news that MLB plans to provide housing for all its minor leaguers starting in 2022, wonder what that will look like in practice, and theorize how that will affect the continued organizing effort among minor leaguers. Then, they’re joined by Josh Gondelman, comedian and producer of Desus & Mero, to make a humble case for why the remaining non-partisan baseball fans should throw their support behind the…gasp…Boston Red Sox. Finally, this week’s Three Up, Three Down features an existential look at advertising, Carlos Correa apologia, and one more slap in the face to A’s fans.

Links:

Jeff Passan on MiLB housing

MLB Cutting the Cord?

Buy Tipping Pitches Merch!

Songs featured in this episode:

Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Alex and Bobby debate the merits of rally towels, then break down the last week in baseball, including a mighty Astros showing again the White Sox, the endless cycle of Rays “resources” discourse, the exceptional balance between the Giants and Dodgers, and more. They also listen to some voicemails about just, like, enjoying things, the virtues of losing your voice, and the difference between Thom Brennaman and Jim Kaat’s offenses. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features a modest proposal from Tony La Russa and One Weird Trick That Made the Red Sox Likable.

In this abbreviated episode, Bobby and Alex break down the first few games of the playoffs, including a confusing Broadway-themed postseason promo, what it takes to be good in October these days, the heyday of the quick hook, Jim Kaat’s amazingly racist remark about Yoán Moncada, the Astros leveling up every October, and more. They’ll be back on Wednesday for a full episode.
Links:
MLB Network’s Broadway promo

Alex and Bobby discuss the anti-climactic end to the regular season and what they want to see out of the playoff vs. what they actually expect to happen. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features Congresspeople procrastinating, a dress down of rabid praise of the Rays, and a tapping of the “it’s not your money” sign.

Links:

Giants concessions workers reach tentative contract agreement

FiveThirtyEight polls congresspeople on, just like, baseball 

In this episode, Bobby and Alex discuss recent developments around the #FairBall protest, and check in on the chances of a work stoppage this off-season. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features a eurostep-off, Kevin Kiermaier’s recovery of a Blue Jays scouting card, the Oakland A’s season ticket scam, the resurgence of Cardinal Devil Magic, and more.

Links:

The Rays will advertise the Montreal plan this postseason

The Dodgers’ costume flight

Alex and Bobby discuss the stance taken by Phillies and Mets minor leaguers against unfair wages and living conditions this past week, and what it suggests about how the conversation has shifted. Then they run through some listener questions about ethical consumption under baseball, alumni pride for Dayton Moore, what baseball players have in common with elementary school kids, and how we frame contract discussions. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features predatory lending for teenagers and lessons in probability.

Links:

Mets & Phillies minor leaguers protest unfair pay 

Pay No Attention to the Investment Firm Behind the Predatory Loans! 

Mike Elk on Roberto Clemente and Curt Flood

The Royals explore new stadium options 

Bobby and Alex are joined by Lauren Walker, Jane Ost, and Stephen Hesson of Batting Around to talk about the weirdest and dumbest things that happened on and off the field this season, including Javy Báez magic, All-Star Game meltdowns, pine tar checks, *gestures at Tony La Russa*, and more. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features lessons on toughness and plenty of #content from the Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Links:

Hyun Jin Ryu’s Korean fried chicken parties 

What is Aaron Boone actually saying about Derek Jeter? 

Hunter Renfroe claims MLB has stopped mandating COVID tests