Matt interviews author Eric Vickrey about his new book Season of Shattered Dreams: Postwar Baseball, the Spokane Indians, and a Tragic Bus Crash That Changed Everything. They talk about the bus crash and how that small band of (baseball) brothers touched the lives of some of the greatest players in MLB history.

Season of Shattered Dreams: Postwar Baseball, the Spokane Indians, and a Tragic Bus Crash That Changed Everything - 9781538190722

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Matt and Steve return to talk about the Blue Jays final road games as well as the start of their home stand at the newly-renovated Rogers Centre. It was a bit of a rough go over the last fortnight, coming into Sunday's action below .500. Luckily, the AL East is mostly in the same boat behind the Yankees.

Both Matt & Steve aren't happy with the offence, with Steve focusing especially on George Springer; Matt talks about how un-Gausman-like Gausman has been so far this season; and some rehab updates about Jansen, Romano, and Swanson, as well as some notes on Alek Manoah's progress back to the majors.

A quick update on the Shohei Ohtani gambling controversy, Oakland moving to Sacramento for three years, and a discussion on an increase in pitchers suffering from season-ending arm injuries. Plus: did Taylor Swift's camp have input into the Rogers Centre Reno's?

In personal outcomes, Matt talks about his moving woes and Steve is paralyzed by the paradox of choice.

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Matt and Steve reconvene to talk about the opening weekend for the Toronto Blue Jays (and MLB in general). They talk about the Jays decisive first win of the season (and 5th straight opening day win), Vlad's new spot in the lineup, the Cabrera shoving incident, and other Jays-related stuff. Plus a quick note on Shohei Ohtani's recent statement, Brandon Belt's lack of offers, and some crazy new ballpark food offerings from Seattle and Chicago. Plus: Is "WiFi PTSD" a real thing?

Related links:

• Matt's discussion with Phil Selig about Yariel Rodríguez
• Matt and Steve's 2024 MLB Season Preview from last week

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It's our annual MLB Season Preview! Matt and Steve break down their predictions for the 2024 season. Plus, quick discussion on the Shohei Ohtani scandal, and some brief Jays news and notes. Also - the Giants made probably the best offseason move of the entire MLB.

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Matt & Steve are back to talk about recent Blue Jays news including the signing of Joey Votto to a minor league deal, the re-branding of Tim Mayza, the return of "fun" to the Jays, and injury news. They also talk about recent MLB signings and news, and the upcoming Netflix Expos documentary. Plus: kids are not very good at improv.

Don't forget to listen to Matt's interview with Tim Newby released this past Wednesday!

Music:
"When" by The Wookies (note from Steve: No idea where this came from, but it was in my Apple Music library)

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Matt interviews author and journalist Tim Newby about his upcoming book The Life and Times of Forgotten Baseball Legend Pete Browning: The Original Louisville Slugger. They talk about Pete’s mastoiditis and how it was the root cause of his alcoholism, his basement full of baseball bats and his case for induction to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Later Matt & Tim do a mini preview of the upcoming Baltimore Orioles season and chat about the similarities between jambands and baseball.

https://www.kentuckypress.com/9781985900851/the-original-louisville-slugger

Music: Box Scores - The Baseball Project Whiskey Before Breakfast - Leftover Salmon

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It's been a few weeks so it's time for a marathon episode! Matt and Steve cover many different pieces of news, including the signing of Justin Turner, Vlad's arb case, former Blue Jays signing with other teams, upcoming City Connect jerseys, a possible All-Star Game in Toronto, and Spring Training beards! And hats. Matt is embracing the Blue Jays' new team identity and both Matt and Steve are enjoying the players reporting in to Spring Training.

They also discuss Rob Manfred announcing his planned retirement and the possibility of MLB players participating in the 2028 Olympic games in Los Angeles.

Plus: non-alcoholic beer, walking in Toronto, and jam sessions!

Music:

Electric Dojo - Chill Hill

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The Blue Jays made a bit of noise in the last couple of weeks, signing 26-year-old right-hander Yariel Rodríguez, as well as picking up catcher Brian Serven off waivers from the Cubs. Matt & Steve also mention the two Blue Jays players on Baseball America's Top 100 Prospects list, controversy surrounding age falsification of players from the Dominican Republic, and discuss this year's Hall of Fame ballot results.

Plus, Matt interviewed Phil Selig (https://www.cubadugout.com/) to find out what to expect from Rodríguez with the Blue Jays.

The Athletic: Age fraud on the rise in Dominican Republic, sowing chaos for MLB teams, young players

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Matt and Steve return from the Christmas and New Year's break to talk about the latest MLB news. For the Jays that's some new coach appointments, re-signing Kevin Kiermeyer, and avoiding arbitration for all players - except for Vlad. Lots of signings around the league happened too. In their personal outcomes, Matt talks about music nights, missing marker lids and speeding tickets (three unrelated things), and Steve talks a bit about his 2024 goals.

Music: Brad Sucks - Out of It

Matt's music suggestions:

• Lizzo: Cuz I Love You
• Fruit Bats: A River Running Through Your Heart
• Fruit Bats: Siamese Dream

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Matt and Steve come together for one last episode for 2023 to talk about - primarily - Shohei Ohtani and the LA Dodgers. But they also covered other news around the league, the Blue Jays' "Plan C" after Ohtani and Soto, the Expos 1994 reunion, the Top Prospects Spring Breakout in March 2024, and then talk about end of year lists, gift wrapping, and artistic process. Plus, Matt has a beef with the French translation for "eggnog".

Music: Elvis Presley - Blue Christmas

What if...Tom Brady played baseball?

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