Alex and Bobby talk troubles with MLB.tv, Joe West’s political affiliations, and Alex Rodriguez facing public rejection. Then they bring on Marc Normandin to talk Publication To Be Named Later, creating a media organization from the ground up, how players could do the same but with baseball, and more. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features a washed-up Justin Timberlake and a nightmare-inducing Rat Leon.

Songs featured in this episode:

Bobby and Alex break down a billionaire’s purchase of a certain New York baseball team, get fired up about gatekeeping in baseball journalism, and scrutinize the baseball trade deadline in typical fashion. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features tweeter’s remorse from Boston and Mariah Carey in New York.

Alex and Bobby talk with writer and burgeoning third co-host Shakeia Taylor about the genesis of her letter to Jackie Robinson, being anti-racist as good PR, Rob Manfred as baseball’s comic book villain, and much more. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features a rant against “magic plays” on “special nights” and the Mets continuing to out-Mets themselves.

Links:

Dear Jackie,

Songs featured in this episode:

NNAMDÏ — “Gimme Gimme” • I’m Glad It’s You — “Ordinary Pain

In this midweek bonus episode, Bobby and Alex talk with Jess Scarane, Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in Delaware, about the ethics of swinging 3-0, minor league unionization efforts, baseball fandom on the campaign trail, and much more. Plus, a brief discussion on this week’s protests in baseball and how they fit into the larger conversation around police brutality.

Follow Jess on Twitter.

Alex and Bobby wax poetic about the virtues of swinging 3-0, and the New York Mets as this week’s victims of coronavirus. Then they talk with Jen Ramos of Baseball Prospectus about Thom Brennaman and baseball’s shifting response to bigotry, the strangest league in the minors, and more.

Follow Jen on Twitter here.

Songs featured in this episode:

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

Bobby and Alex try to take in Zach Plesac’s chaotic explanation for breaking COVID protocols, fret about the wellbeing of the Cardinals, and hold their breaths for the Reds. Then, a discussion of how Major League Baseball is engaging with the 100th anniversary of the Negro Leagues, and what it means to pit Ronald Acuña Jr. and Juan Soto against each other. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features a relatable Stephen Strasburg and Mookie Betts doing Mookie Betts things.

Links:

Zach Plesac has something to say...we think

The first Black player in the majors wasn’t who you think

The Reds are trying to have fans this year, sure

Songs featured in this episode:

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

Alex and Bobby talk about the blasphemy of being unable to buy a Fernando Tatís Jr. jersey online, discuss the merits of jerseys vs. shirseys, and wonder how the hell an adult human accidentally does the Nazi salute…twice. Then they bring on Jeremy Taché to talk about the Miami Marlins, their roller coaster of a season, the two factions of Miami sports fandom, and more. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features some choice words for Nick Swisher and the allure of the stolen base.
Follow Jeremy on Twitter here.
Links:
Ozzie Guillen goes in on Nick Swisher

Bobby and Alex discuss the three year anniversary of the podcast, and in doing so, revisit a bad take from…themselves! Honesty is the policy on Tipping Pitches. Then, they discuss the last week in Rob Manfred dumpster fires, before debuting a revamped ‘Three Up, Three Down’ segment for the 2020 baseball season — or whatever is left of it, anyway.

Songs featured in this episode:

Tei Shi — "Matando" • T-Connection — “Do What You Wanna Do" • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions

Bobby and Alex talk about what “normal” looks like in baseball amid a global pandemic, the swift co-opting of the Black Lives Matter messaging, and how some world class procrastination led to bizarre playoffs and a team left in limbo. Then they bring on Craig Goldstein, editor-in-chief of Baseball Prospectus, to talk failures in broadcasting, fake fans, and whether this all feels real.

Follow Craig on Twitter.

Songs featured in this episode:

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

The 2020 All-GIF Draft is here — and this year it got a tuneup. Alex and Bobby join forces to draft against a rotating cast of guests including Shakeia Taylor, Hannah Keyser, Meg Rowley, Jake Mintz, and Jordan Shusterman. Mainstays like Francisco Lindor and Yasiel Puig were quick off the board again, but the picks included some fresh faces and new names.

Follow Shakeia, Hannah, Meg, and Céspedes Family BBQ on Twitter.

Read the 2020 All-GIF Draft Breakdown and see the cream of the crop GIFs here.