My Week in Baseball: Recent Episodes
Phil Eschtruth Harrison
Get a longtime fan's perspective on MLB with a bit about Fantasy Baseball mixed in. We might also talk about up-and-coming minor leaguers, ballparks, GMs, and the state of the game. Really, anything at all related to baseball.
Cal Raleigh's new home run record for a catcher, Jung Hoo Lee's knees and a once in a lifetime catch, Skubal versus the A's in Sacramento capped off by a Shea Langeliers grand slam, 4 players on one team with the same batting average, a look at Cardinals Hall-of-Famer Lou Brock along with a trivia question featuring a Kansas City Royal--well, sort of--so we can cover Missouri from east to west.
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Nick Kurtz of the Sacramento A’s, who's not known as a top defender, makes an amazing play. Cal Raleigh finds success with two different bats (did you say Torpedo bat?). Who will lead the Red Sox in walks? The answer may surprise you. The All-Star game tie breaker and how to make it better. And, have you ever tried running a marathon during a ball game--well this man has! Lastly, two Cy Young winning pitchers who hold records for their 20 games started.
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Season 3, Episode 9: Tarik Skubal's 200th strikeout and shot at a Cy Young, how to play for both teams in the same game (can you say Danny Jansen?), the Chicago White Sox historic losing streak, and Atlanta's Michael Harris II makes a tremendous catch--is it the best this year, the best ever?!
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Two players with the same name, Aaron Judge and the unusual walk, something unique about Blake Snell’s no-hitter, and a review of the baseball book "The New York Game" by Kevin Baker.
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Season 3, Episode 7: When Aaron Judge breaks up a double play is it interference?, can Steven Kwan still hit .400?, your chance to be an owner of a professional baseball team (the Oakland Ballers), All-Star Game pitchers Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal, rookie pitching great from the past--Mark Fydrich, and a few million dollars worth of stolen baseball cards--including Mickey Mantle!
MyWeekInBaseball.com (MWiB)
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Season 3, Episode 6: Seattle's pitcher Bryan Woo and his amazing start to the 2024 season; another quest to hit .400, this time by Cleveland outfielder Steven Kwan; Toronto's Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and his flying bat trick;
MLB leaders in Wins Above Replacement (WAR) and what it really means; the Oakland A's outfielder Miguel Andujar and something statistically unique. Of course we’ll also have a timely Blimerick (our baseball limerick) and our Blast-from-the-Past featuring the 1974 World Champion Oakland Athletics.
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Season 3, Episode 5: A Mariners' Fan and amazing foul ball luck, the unlucky San Francisco Giants and injuries to new players: center fielder Jung Hoo Lee, and pitcher Blake Snell (yet, again). Pirates rookie pitching sensation Paul Skenes, the history of the major league uniform numbering system, an overview of broadcast rights and why you may not be able to watch your favorite team any more, two-time batting champion, Luis Arraez traded again (this time from Miami to San Diego), the Oakland A's latest ballcap and history of the elephant logo, and our blast-from-the-past featuring former Tiger (and Cardinal and Giant), Mike Laga.
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Season 3, Episode 4: Yankee's Manager Aaron Boone ejected, Rockies catcher Jacob Stallings hits a home run for an out, Rangers Wyatt Langford called out on balls, Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz makes an incredible catch, Tampa's third baseman Isaac Paredes and the trade for Austin Meadows, the worst deal for a player (Yanks pitcher Marcus Stroman), the Oakland A's move to Sacramento while the Oakland B's sign Kelsie Whitmore, and Cincinnati Reds great Barry Larkin. Of course there's also a trivia teaser and a Blimerick (baseball limerick) along the way.
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Season 3, Episode 3: Tigers extension with Colt Keith, a book review of "Why We Love Baseball" by Joe Posnanski, Sandy Koufax's perfect game by Vin Scully in 1956, the 1975 Red Sox and Carl Yastrzemski, the saga of the Oakland A's and Oakland B's (Oakland Ballers), former Tiger star Ray Boone, the 1951 Giants and a sign-stealing scheme including Bobby Thompson, along with 3 crazy runs scoring without a ball in play (Tampa vs. Cleveland in 2023).
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Proof that Ohtani is "real", an update on Shohei's stats and injuries, the Brewers tempt home run fate, Tigers set up a Miggy hotline, a Scherzer / Verlander showdown, and something you will not want to miss: who are the 10 best pitchers in the history of baseball?
Sound effect: DrumRoll.aif by HolyGhostParty -- https://freesound.org/s/71133/ -- License: Attribution 3.0
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Season 2, Episode 12: A no-hitter by former Tiger and recent Philly, Michael Lorenzen; Masataka Yoshida and the ball that vanished in Fenway Park; Miguel Cabrera reaches the top 20 in career hits; the non-trade of Detroit's Eduardo Rodriguez; unexpected consequences of rule changes and how they may eventually affect Cal Ripken Jr's. record of consecutive games played (including Matt Olson's streak); and Bryan Baker, a pitcher who got a "win" without actually getting anyone out.
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Season 2, Episode 11: An interview with Fantasy Baseball enthusiast Morgan Conrad. We talk about the Oakland Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, 2023 All-Star Game, fantasy baseball strategy, great third basemen (Brooks Robinson, Mike Schmidt, Eric Chavez), 1989 Bay Bridge Series (and earthquake); baseball memorabilia, caps, and board games; 2002 A's win 20 in a row, Scott Hatteberg, Dallas Braden's perfect game (2010).
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Season 2, Episode 10: Unexpected standings in the AL East, what Luis Arraez needs to do to finish at .400, Arizona reliever Kevin Ginkel's strange antics with a runner on third, whether the Tigers and Angels will be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline, and a trivia question involving a formerly famed baseball dynasty (the New York Yankees).
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Season 2, Episode 10: Unexpected standings in the AL East, what Luis Arraez needs to do to finish at .400, Arizona reliever Kevin Ginkel's strange antics with a runner on third, whether the Tigers and Angels will be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline, and a trivia question involving a formerly famed baseball dynasty (the New York Yankees).
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Season 2, Episode 9: Domingo German's perfect game, changing the way ERA is calculated, Angels' record-setting slugfest at Coors field, a pitching event known as a "Maddux", Nick Maton and Tigers' question marks at third base, how to turn a single into a double (just ask Matt Vierling), did-you-know facts about Luis Arraez and his on-going quest to hit .400, baseball analogies in a book about Machu Picchu, the unintended consequences of shorter games, and a look back at the 2013 Detroit Tigers.
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Season 2, Episode 8 - In this episode: The latest on Luis Arraez bid for .400, Shohei Ohtani's remarkable season, two Bay area teams with winning streaks, how to play between-the-legs catch, the invisible ball trick, and an unexpected reason the AL Central is so bad.
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Season 2, Episode 7: In this episode - Luis Arraez, George Brett, and the pursuit of hitting .400; Alek Manoah and the ball that wouldn’t go foul; global warming's affect on the game; MLB takes over broadcasting games for the Padres; Vlad Guerrero Jr's quick glove work; and our blast-from-the-past featuring 1970's and 80's infielder Lenny Randall.
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In this episode: Impressions from Oakland and Angels vs. A's game, Acuna's new take on the stolen base, a once-in-a-lifetime game for Division II player Brady Ware, and an unlikely pitcher’s duel in Coors field. We'll also have a timely Blimerick (baseball limerick), and our cap of the day.
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In this episode: Yankees versus Red Sox in the World Series? A radical proposal to shake up baseball's playoff system, whether or not the American and National leagues matter any more, another Shohei Ohtani moment, and a baseball geometry lesson (hint: it's not a diamond). We'll also have a timely Blimerick (baseball limerick), and our tee-shirt of the day.
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In this episode: In an interview with Mark Lowenstein of GreatRuns.com, we talk about his experience growing up as a fan of the Montreal Expos and a legendary season of Strat-O-Matic baseball. We also talk about favorite players from the 1970s and 1980s Expos, the 1981 NL playoffs, MLB rule changes for 2023, our favorite and not-so-favorite ballparks, and we talk about running and a bucket list idea of combining our passions for both baseball and running (you may want to join us), and, of course, a baseball limerick (Blimerick).
Season 2, Episode 3: Opening Day in Oakland and the Coliseum, the upcoming World Baseball Classic and a very humble Shohei Ohtani, Arte Moreno and the LA Angels, in defense of Scott Rolen (the Hall of Fame’s newest member), a look at relievers in the HOF and why Francisco Rodriguez (KRod) and Houston Street got so few votes, changes coming to Detroit’s Comerica Park, and the Tigers signing of gold glover Cesar Hernandez, plus a trivia question about NFL-great Tom Brady.
Season 2, Episode 2: Top Center Fielders, Carlos Correa finally signs a contract, Tigers trade closer Gregory Soto, Red Sox and Dodgers sign each other’s DHs, and a baseball worth more than it’s weight in gold. We’ll also have a timely Blimerick, our Blast from the Past, and a team jersey of the day.
Season 2, Episode 1: Judge & Rizzo to Yanks, Verlander & DeGrom signings, Trea Turner to Phillies, Xander Bogaerts to Padres, Tigers trade Joe Jiménez, Jonathan Schoop and the effect of the shift ban on defense, and a tribute to Gaylord Perry.
Episode 20: Albert Pujols 700th home run, interview with longtime Cardinals and Royals fan, Mark Ebersold. We talk Scott Rolen, George Brett, the pine tar incident, Willie Wilson, U. L. Washington, Dan Quisenberry, Pujols move from Cards to Angels, a visit to Fenway Park, and a baseball limerick (Blimerick).
Kody Clemens' special strikeout and Ohtani autograph; MLB rule changes: pitch clock, shift ban, larger bases; game 5 of the 1968 World Series (Tigers vs. Cardinals); along with a GVSU cap of the day and a Blimerick (baseball limerick) tribute to Kody Clemens.
Part 2 of an interview with longtime Tigers and Red Sox fan Andy Eschtruth; favorite utility player Stan Papi; Al Avila, AJ Hinch and Tigers rebuild; the humidor; Justin Verlander; John Smoltz; Earvin Magic Johnson.
Part 1 of an interview with longtime Tigers and Red Sox fan Andy Eschtruth; the Tufts Jumbos ball team, favorite games, including the Jack Morris no-hitter and the 1984 World Series; radio vs TV and streaming; Ernie Harwell; Alan Trammell, Lou Whitaker, and Justin Verlander; and a special musical tribute to Trammell-Whitaker.
In this episode we’ll discuss: my impressions of the Mariners and Angels, having recently returned from a trip to Seattle including Cal Raleigh, Ty France, Robbie Ray, Shohei Ohtani, and Patrick Sandoval; a Blue Angels fly by; M's reliever Erik Swanson; and comments on the Ghost Runner rule during extra innings; along with our Blast from the Past (Dee Strange-Gordon) and a timely Blimerick (Baseball Limerick).
In this episode we’ll discuss: A's rookie Skye Bolt, qualifications to be considered a rookie, how new Hall-of-Fame inductee David Ortiz ended up in Boston (hint: Twins third baseman Dave Hollins was involved), geeky stats from Baseball Savant, and a look back at Michael Sergio's surprise visit to Shea Stadium.
In this episode we’ll discuss: Victor Robles clowns around after homering off MadBum, Rob Manfred and the tricky question of minor league pay, pitching strategy from 1960's catcher Tom Haller, Royals vs. Jays and 10 players missing in Toronto, Andres Gimenez's brilliant play in the 2022 MLB All-Star Game, and a clever MLB drink cup from Dairy Queen.
Interview (Part 2) with Pacific Coast League fan Ron Bolstad. Topics include: the 1958 Yankees, 3-generations of no-hitters: Virgil Trucks, Jack Morris, Justin Verlander; being a bat boy for the 1953 Chicago Whitesox; the 2012 World Series: Giants vs. Tigers; renaming the PCL to Triple-AAA West; and the Hollywood Stars.
In part 1 of our interview with Pacific Coast League fan Ron Bolstad we'll discuss the Los Angeles Angels and Hollywood Stars of the PCL, announcers Mel Allen and Red Barber, Oregon State Beavers' Baseball, 1958 Dodgers, Sandy Koufax, Warren Spahn, San Francisco's Seal Stadium, Willie Mays, Stan Musial, 1957 All Star Game in St. Louis, a personal letter from August Busch Jr., ballot stuffing by the Cincinnati Reds, and a conversation (of sorts) with Mickey Mantle.
In this episode we’ll discuss: Shohei Ohtani and whether he's so good that it's a problem for fantasy baseball, the infield shift and it's impending ban, a game that got a little bit "squirrelly", Harold Ramirez and the world's most softly hit home run--along with teammate Isaac Paredes' 3-homer game--and, we'll also have a timely Blimerick (baseball limerick), along with Tino Martinez as our blast-from-the-past.
In this episode we’ll discuss: A team with catchers galore (Toronto Bluejays), Tony La Russa and the controversial walk of Trea Turner, the Angels unexpected firing of Joe Maddon, and whether or not position players should pitch in blowouts (like Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina). Of course we'll also have a timely Blimerick (baseball limerick) and our Blast-from-the-Past.
In part 2 of our interview with points league champ Beth Karolewski we’ll discuss fantasy baseball strategy, the 2013 ALCS with Detroit versus Boston. We’ll also have a timely Blimerick (highlighting Rick Porcello), and we’ll talk about former Tiger’s reliever Joel Zumaya and General Manager Dave Dombrowski, along with star Redsox pitcher Chris Sale.
In part 1 of our interview with points league champ Beth Karolewski, we discuss the Redsox, David Ortiz, Jim Rice, the Pawtucket (PawSox) 33-inning game with Wade Boggs and Cal Ripken Jr., fantasy baseball advice, ghost runners on second, Mike Hargrove, and Shohei Ohtani.
In this episode we’ll discuss: The Phillies firing of Joe Girardi, a tribute to Roger Angell, Donn Clendenon and his connection to the Montreal Expos and 1969 Mets, and a clever way to block home plate. Of course we'll also have a timely Blimerick (baseball limerick) and our Blast-from-the-Past.
In this episode we’ll discuss: two stars from the 50s and 60s who were traded for each other (Harvey Kuenn and Rocky Colavito), compare batting averages and their importance in the 1950s to the most recent decade (the 2010s) and have a tribute to the Irish sport of hurling. Of course we'll also have a timely Blimerick (baseball limerick) and our Blast-from-the-Past.
In this episode we’ll discuss: the success rate of closers--both some all-time greats and some not-so-greats, as well as a timely Blimerick (baseball limerick) and our Blast-from-the-Past spotlighting former Redsox reliever Heathcliff Slocumb.
In this episode we’ll discuss: a triple that should not have been, Anthony Rizzo’s big night, an amazing ‘dad’ catch of a foul ball, the meaning of the word ‘squatchee’, how blown saves effect points leagues, a timely Blimerick (baseball limerick) and our Blast-from-the-Past spotlighting former Mariners CF, Mike Cameron.
This special edition of This Week in Baseball is a short episode to focus on the topic of one man’s quest for 3,000 hits and the lengths some teams will go to to stop him. Of course we’ll also have a timely Blimerick (baseball limerick) and one of our newest features, the Cap of the Day.
Today we talk about…
- Kershaw's 7-inning perfection
- Vlad Jr.'s 3-homer night
- Chistian Pache and the single turned homer
- Corey Seager's based-loaded walk
- Miguel Cabrera at the doorstep 3K hits
- Our Blimerick (baseball limerick of the week)
- Blast from the Past and Cap of the Day
In this inaugural episode, you'll learn about:
- Why I started this podcast
- Watching versus listening to a game
- Hear our very first Blimerick (a tribute to Taylor and Tyler Rogers)
- Whether replay is a good thing
- Where Miggy should slot into the Tigers line up