The Baseball Experience: Recent Episodes
Cody Nicholson
Join me on my first episode of my brand new side show - "Mound Visit" - an unfiltered, uncensored MLB rant show. My first topic: Fernando Tatis Jr. just recently hit a grand slam in the 8th inning of a game with his team up 7 runs. Oh by the way, he swung on 3-0. Is this really an unwritten rule? No one else seems to think so. Unfortunately for the Texas Rangers, it seems like they may have done more harm than good. Join me as I explore all the ways this whole situation is just stupid and what both teams, managers and MLB can learn moving forward.
Drake and I sit down to discuss one of baseball's age old debates - the designated hitter! Whether you're a fan of the DH or not, it has now become universal between both leagues ahead of the collective bargaining agreement amidst a season played during a pandemic. Will it be here to stay? Drake and I also share some interesting proposals regarding other changes to MLB. You won't believe what we came up with!
In our finale episode for our 2020 Regular Season package we talk bat flips and brawls. It doesn't get much better. 'Nuff said. Check it out!
Chris and I share a few thoughts regarding statistics. In an era where many statistics are no longer valued, why is it that they continue to appear on current Hall of Fame plaques? Plus, how are statistics fitting into the evaluation of amateur and international talent?
In what other sport can a star player a spend 10+ year career in America and return to his home country for a poetic retirement? I would argue that none can. The international play of baseball gives fans extended ways to enjoy the game from the Little League World Series to the World Baseball Classic.
Chris and I take our discussion to behind the plate - specifically when there's a runner charging down the line. The home plate collision is one of the most iconic plays in all of sports. Has the revised, "Buster Posey rule" been one for the better? We also share some of our favorites. Reach out and tell us some of your favorite home plate collisions.
In our first episode of our 2020 Regular season release package Chris and I focus our discussion on offensive interference, specifically as it pertains to right-handed batters. Why righties? They've been the ones bearing the brunt of the recent surge in OI calls. What can we do to change this, or is the rule good as is?
Ben and I continue our discussion by addressing the national recognition of MLB's stars. Ben provides us with his reason why baseball is better than football and we cap everything off with a little bit of trivia. See how many you can get right!
My guest, Ben Reed, and I discuss the state of the current popularity of baseball. Is the length and pace of play hurting baseball's popularity? What about the "new style" of offense - home runs and strikeouts - and its impact on our interest in watching the game? We discuss these issues and also explore the role technology is going to be playing in garnering interest moving forward as well.
Join me and my good friend, Greg Papp, as we talk about baseball stories. What creates these stories? How will the stories of baseball be written moving forward? And, how do we continue to ensure that the right stories are being written, right now?
After digging through wins above replacement and discussing it on our show I decided that it truly needed its own episode. Nerd out with me on this deep dive of the stat that led the way into the saber metric revolution.
Chris and I discuss one of the worst stats in the game and one of the most divisive defensive topics in the game - THE SHIFT! We wrap up the episode with our personal lists of best defenders.
How does ERA (a classic stat) stack up against the saber metric revolution? Are the pitch clock and moving the mound good ideas to make the game of baseball better?
We tackle our first saber metric stat - WAR - and get into its role when it comes to Hall of Fame voting. I cover my player picks for this year's HOF voting and we discuss the direction steroids may be going with respect to the voting as well.
Chris and I talk about the hottest topic in baseball - the Astros scandal. We're not particularly focused on the news items themselves but rather the place and effects this type of cheating has on the game. Moreover, how is this impacting the HR rate in baseball? And, how should technology be handled in the future?
In our debut episode Chris and I tackle a couple of offseason topics and the poster child for the saber metric stat revolution.