Bobby and Alex talk about Nolan Arenado and the concept of “onerous contracts,” as well as Steve Cohen, GameStop, and the freaking stock market, baby. Then they bring on Mike Schubert, podcaster extraordinaire at Multitude Productions and obnoxious Yankees fan, to talk the Bronx Bombers as they exist in 2021, the team’s facial hair policy, the high bar their fans set, hot dogs, and more. Finally, they discuss Marcus Semien’s departure from the Oakland A’s, and Ken Griffey, Jr.’s move to the Commissioner’s Office.

Leave us a voicemail for Open Season by calling ‪(785) 422-5881‬.

Follow Mike on Twitter.

Links:

Ben Clemens on the Nolan Arenado trade

Ken Rosenthal on the Oakland A’s finances ($)

Andrew Yang taking BP

Alex and Bobby reflect on the legacy of Hank Aaron and wonder whether it’s possible for him to be...underrated? Then they dive into some free agent news — hello, Toronto Blue Jays! — and probe the Baltimore Orioles in their quest to screw over their players. Then they talk about Jared Porter and what comes after his firing (cw: sexual harassment), as well as Ken Rosenthal’s backwards column about Trevor Bauer. Finally, Alex Rodriguez sees rackets some teers and bezzles some ment.

Links:

ESPN’s story on Jared Porter

A-Rod hit with lawsuit

Songs featured in this episode:

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

Bobby and Alex bring on Michael Baumann, staff writer at the Ringer, for their annual look at the state of labor in baseball. Their conversation includes how the landscape has shifted over the last year, what the frigid free agent market means for players, breaking down Rob Manfred’s call for 162 games in 2021, what to expect with the CBA expiring at the end of the year, and much more.

Follow Michael on Twitter.

Links:

So You Want to Own a Baseball Team (feat. Rob Mains)

A Labor of Love (feat. Michael Baumann), 2019

Songs featured in this episode:

Paramore — "Where the Lines Overlap" • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Alex and Bobby discuss the Mets trading for Francisco Lindor, the Padres pushing in all their chips, and the Cubs’s manufactured window. Then they chat about their defining moments as baseball fans and how they give context to the way they think about the sport, including a perfect game, an inauspicious debut, a veteran’s return, and more.

Songs featured in this episode:

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

Bobby and Alex kick off the new year by bringing on Rob Mains, writer at Baseball Prospectus, to talk about the business of baseball from an owner’s perspective, how teams actually make (and lose) money, what’s changed about owners in the last 50 years, and much more.

Follow Rob on Twitter @Cran_Boy.

Links:

Baseball teams and rent seeking

Why teams aren’t dependent on cash flow

Alex and Bobby take a look back on their favorite memories from 2020, including an impassioned debate on jerseys vs. shirseys, an investigation into whether fans could own a baseball team, Sean Doolittle’s Star Wars rankings, a critical look at baseball’s most pointless traditions, and plenty of wonderful guests. Thanks to everyone who followed along this year, and look out for bigger, better, brighter bullshit in the new year!

Links:

Listen to every Tipping Pitches episode

Songs featured in this episode:

Bobby and Alex discuss the Cleveland baseball team’s decision to drop their team name...eventually, and weigh in on the bubbling debate over the length of the 2021 season. Then they bring on Clinton Yates, columnist at the Undefeated and panelist on ESPN’s Around the Horn, to talk about MLB bringing the Negro Leagues under their umbrella, who owns the concept of baseball, the lessons that MLB can’t seem to learn, and more.

Follow @clintonyates on Twitter.

Links:

Why the Negro Leagues doesn’t need MLB’s approval 

Alex and Bobby run through a collection of items from the baseball world this past week, including but not limited to: the best (read: worst) gifts that the MLB shop has to offer, new faces in front offices, Giancarlo Stanton’s contract, insurance lawsuits, Taylor Swift’s new album, and more. It’s the offseason!

Links:

Giancarlo Stanton’s contract is hurting the Yankees, supposedly 

MLB is suing its insurance providers

Songs featured in this episode:

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

Bobby and Alex look at the best and worst references to baseball players in rap songs (shout out to Action Bronson). Then they bring on Sean Gibson, executive director of the Josh Gibson Foundation and Josh Gibson’s great-grandson, to discuss the campaign to rename the MVP award after the Negro League legend, what redemption looks like for an untold history, and more.

Links:

The Josh Gibson Foundation

JG20MVP Campaign

The case for the Josh Gibson MVP Award

Rap Genius’s baseball references

Ken Griffey Jr. is a rapper too

Alex and Bobby talk about the Tampa Bay Rays’ desire for “financial” “flexibility,” MLB’s long and winding history of championship trophies, and Shohei Ohtani getting in his feels. Then they bring on free agent pitcher Collin McHugh to discuss what it’s like being at the bargaining table with MLB, what baseball in 2021 will look like, the prospect of minor league unionization, and much more.
Links:
Follow Collin on Twitter
Listen to the Twelve Six Podcast
Shohei Ohtani talks a difficult season
The Rays consider some winter cleaning
Scott Boras’s reservoir quote