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: Harry Styles — “Canyon Moon” • Teenage Halloween — “Stationary” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Tipping Pitches

Francisco Lindor or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Baseball

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 Songs featured in this episode: Charles Mingus — "II B.S." • Devendra Banhart — "Won't You Come Over"  • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

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

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: Bartees Strange — “Boomer” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Once More, With Feeling

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  Songs featured in this episode: Kali Uchis — "telepatia" • D'Angelo — "Lady"  • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

The Negro Leagues Have Always Been Valid (feat. Clinton Yates)

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: Taylor Swift — “‘tis the damn season” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Gifts, Grifts, and Taylor Swift

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 Songs featured in this episode: Wale — "MVP (Bryce Harper)" • Noname — "Song 33" • Kid Sensation (feat. Ken Griffey) — "The Way I Swing" • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Redemption for Josh Gibson (feat. Sean Gibson)

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 Songs featured in this episode: J. Rawls — "YCP" • Dolly Parton — "9 to 5"  • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Baseball Will Be Okay (feat. Collin McHugh)

In this abbreviated episode, Alex and Bobby talk about Robinson Canó’s PED suspension and how his legacy came undone, what Theo Epstein’s departure from the Cubs means for baseball, and why the World Series champions are laying off employees. Back next week! Links: Dodgers are laying off employees Songs featured in this episode: Mariah Carey — “The Roof (Back In Time)” • The Only Ones — “Another Girl Another Planet” • Booker T & the M.G.'s — "Green Onions"

The Book of Theo

Bobby and Alex open with a discussion about Kim Ng’s historic hiring and what it means for baseball’s landscape. Then they tackle a lineup of news items from the past two weeks, including Tony LaRussa’s DUI, Jeff Luhnow suing the Astros, Cleveland’s commitment to mediocrity, Awards SZN, and more. Links: Read Marc Carig and/or Lindsey Adler on the hiring of Kim Ng ($). Jeff Luhnow is suing the Astros Songs featured in this episode: Lucy Dacus — "Dancing In the Dark" • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Weeks Where Decades Happen

Alex and Bobby are joined by writer and comedian Rhea Butcher to discuss the Los Angeles Dodgers and their World Series title, the arc of Rhea’s fandom, separating the concept of baseball from the product of baseball, alternate histories in the sport, and much more. Alex and Bobby also chat about Joe Kelly bursting Rob Manfred’s bubble, a terminally-online Steve Cohen, and Jon Lester’s bar tab. Follow Rhea on Twitter at @RheaButcher. Links: THE OKRA PROJECT THE LOVELAND FOUNDATION Listen to Three Swings Unionize the Minors t-shirts Jon Lester runs up a bar tab Songs featured in this episode: Thundercat, Ty Dolla $ign, Lil B — “Fair Chance” • John Prine — “That’s The Way The World Goes Round” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

The Concept of Baseball (feat. Rhea Butcher)

Alex and Bobby talk about the Los Angeles Dodgers winning the World Series, and dissect the timeline of events that immediately followed, including Justin Turner testing positive for COVID-19 and Rob Manfred’s sea of boos. They discuss the Rays and what their postseason showing means for the #sabermetrics #movement, and attempt to determine what qualifies as a “championship drought.” Then they turn their attention to Tony LaRussa and wonder how on Earth he’s the guy for the White Sox, and forecast what’s sure to be a dreary offseason. Links: Albert Burneko on why it's not Justin Turner's fault Stephen A. Smith is mad about owners Jen Ramos on the Dodgers and their priorities Songs featured in this episode: R.E.M. — "Losing My Religion • Good Charlotte — "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

So Things Got Weird Fast

Alex and Bobby take a last look at the NLCS and the wild game that ended it before moving on to preview the World Series, how the Dodgers and Rays match up against each other, and what to expect from the ~narrative~ around the teams. Then they give a final sendoff to Billy Beane as he sets his sights on European soccer, and explore the mark he’s left on the game — for better or for worse. This week’s Three Up, Three down features a fond farewell to the Astros and some tight, tight pants. Links: Billy Beane's next steps Ben Sasse? More like... The greatest catch you will ever see Songs featured in this episode: Fall Out Boy — “Thnks Fr Th Mmrs” • Stevie Nicks & Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers — “Stop Dragging My Heart Around”

Moneyball: Endgame

Bobby and Alex are joined by Jess Scarane, former candidate for Senate in Delaware, who gives her five observations from the week in playoff baseball. They talk the bracket format, a laundry list of rule changes, the return of hair flow, some guy named Randy on the Rays, what it’s like watching games without fans, and much more. Follow Jess on Twitter. Songs featured in this episode: Voxtrot — "The Start of Something" • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

Let It Flow (feat. Jess Scarane)

Alex and Bobby review the first week of playoff baseball, including Fernando Tatis Jr.’s dramatic October entrance, a not-quite-fraudulent Oakland A’s squad, baseball through the eyes of Alex Rodriguez, and much more. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features Bob Gibson and thoughts on in-game interviews. Links: Mariah Carey on Derek Jeter between the sheets Songs featured in this episode: The Flaming Lips — “She Don’t Use Jelly” • Ravyn Lenae — “Free Room” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

The Week in Empty Calories

Bobby and Alex attempt to recap and grapple with a 60-game season that didn’t feel all that important during, doesn’t feel all that important now, and won’t feel all that important during the playoffs. What does it mean for a season to matter, or be good? Then, they’re briefly joined by Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman of Céspedes Family BBQ to recount the time the Wilpons put Michael Conforto on a commercial flight back to New York…from his very first All-Star Game. Finally, this week’s Three Up, Three Down features Barry Zito’s country ear worm, the Mets trading for Nolan Arenado, and a premonition of the worst offseason in baseball history. Links: Unionize the Minors T-Shirt Songs featured in this episode: Nina Simone — "I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free” • Mannarino — "Me So' Mbriacato" • Barry Zito — “Ballpark Kids” • Booker T & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”

The Season That Didn’t Matter (But Did Matter — But Definitely Didn’t Matter)

Sitting for the anthem. Standing for the bat flips. A baseball podcast trying to nationalize our national pastime. Hosted by Alex Bazeley and Bobby Wagner

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Tipping Pitches

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