This week, Bobby and Alex examine a Pro Publica that uncovers the ways sports owners weaponize their franchises to avoid paying taxes (spoiler alert: it's as frustrating as it sounds!). This week’s Three Up, Three Down features a disappointing Ronald Acuña Jr. injury, Max Muncy and Max Muncy, the Cubs, and emo Lance Lynn.

Links:

ProPublica's Report on Billionaire Sports Owners

Shakeia Taylor's Bauer Thread

Songs featured in this episode:

Pete Rock — “Smooth Sailing” • Louyah — “I Used To Care” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

In this re-heat of a 2019 episode, Bobby and Alex discuss their jealousy for the way that other sports dominate holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, and try to envision how baseball could do the same. What holiday should we choose? Would it turn into tanks rolling across the outfield no matter what? How much should we invoice Rob Manfred for in consulting fees?

Songs featured in this episode:

Vampire Weekend — "Holiday” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Alex and Bobby get some stock tips courtesy of a Ross Stripling column, explore what the Supreme Court’s ruling against the NCAA could mean for baseball’s anti-trust exemption, and answer some voicemails on the All-Star Game jerseys, concessions prices, and gambling at the park. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features Fernando Tatis Jr. as baseball’s must-watch TV and Scott Boras’s words of wisdom.

Links:

Ross Stripling on stocks and baseball

Baseball America on the Supreme Court’s ruling

Faye Webster on Acuña

Scott Boras’s foreign substances statement

Bobby and Alex welcome on former relief pitcher and current dad Jerry Blevins to talk about being a union guy, memorable mound visits, foreign substances, his experience in the minor leagues, locker room movies, and more in a series of nine(-ish) questions. Jerry’s first complete game!

Follow Jerry on Twitter at @jerryblevins.

Links:

Buy a “Steal Bases, Not Wages” shirt

Listen to 'Shea Anything,' where Jerry appears every other week, wherever you get podcasts.

Alex and Bobby chat about the worst billionaire who could own a baseball team, and why it’s Elon Musk. Then they break down Pete Alonso’s ball manipulation theory and look at how it impacts the upcoming CBA expiration, as well as what issues could be on the table. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features a radicalized Mets broadcast booth and some law 101.

Links:

Five and Dive talks service time manipulation

The MLBPA's $500 million grievance

The Diamondbacks City Connect jerseys

Bobby and Alex banter about their potential submissions for Alex Rodriguez’s contest to win $96,000. Then they talk about foreign substances and why the discourse around it is already exhausting, as well as Bob Brenly’s comment about Marcus Stroman’s durag and Jon Duplantier’s courageous response. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features split opinions on the City Connect jerseys, and unanimous approval of Olivia Rodrigo’s “SOUR.”
Links:
MLB sued for moving All-Star Game
What the A’s are feeding their minor leaguers
Tyler Glasnow, chess wizard
Jon Duplantier on Bob Brenly’s comment

Alex and Bobby talk about New Era’s ill-advised local market caps and Javier Báez forcing the miscue of the century. Then they talk about Mike Shildt and MLB’s mailed-in campaign against foreign substances, as well as Keith Olbermann's insistence on yelling at clouds. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features Dave Kaval’s (in)ability to read the room, and the White Sox’s dedication to unforced errors.

Buy a Tipping Pitches t-shirt here.

Links:
Mike Shildt’s postgame presser
White Sox face backlash amid lounge renaming
AP’s odd betting partnership
The New York Times is interested in the Athletic
The Javy Play

Democrats want to make college athletes employees

Joey Votto, amateur broadcaster

Bobby and Alex dive far too deep into the Tony La Russa/Yermín Mercedes saga and then check in on the stadium stalemate in Oakland. Then they listen to a couple voicemails about players you dislike on your favorite team and Jim Crane’s real estate portfolio. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features real live in-person baseball and Stephen A. Smith’s take on Shohei Ohtani.

Links:

Nick Castellanos gets an assist from a fan

A camera dedicated to Shohei Ohtani

Stephen A. Smith is unimpressed

Oakland City Council’s letter to the A’s

Mid-week special! Alex and Bobby talk about the Houston Astros providing housing for players and give quick reactions to the Oakland A’s ballpark ultimatum. Then they bring on Alex Coffey, A’s beat writer for The Athletic, to break down how negotiations got to this moment, how Rob Manfred’s shadow looms over this all, and what the outcome for the A’s — and the city — might look like. Finally, they wrap with some voicemails about interpreter mound visits, the Liberty Media Braves, and a rule to break baseball.

Bobby and Alex talk Kevin McCarthy’s ramblings on the All-Star Game move, the return of minor league baseball, an unceremonious halt to Albert Pujols’s career, and #RatcoonGate in New York. Then they take some calls on franchises half-heartedly tanking and the prospect of real labor solidarity in baseball. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features John Means and the necessary evil of the dropped third strike rule.

Links:

The Tipping Pitches Store (code: AROD)

More Than Baseball’s opening day thread

Kevin McCarthy whines about MLB

The MLBPA on the PRO Act

Arizona passes public tax to fund Chase Field renovations