Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley remind their audience to vote, then banter about this year’s selection of qualifying offers and what the Rays declining Charlie Morton’s option for 2021 signifies for the free-agent market (if anything) before answering listener emails about front-office parity and what teams can do to differentiate themselves from each other, and what pitchers could do to diminish the times-through-the-order effect. Then (45:15) Ben talks to former major league Clay Bellinger about getting the call to the big leagues at age 30, winning three World Series rings in his four years in the majors, watching his son Cody Bellinger win a World Series, the similarities between the dynasty Yankees and the kinda-dynasty Dodgers, when he knew Cody was a special player, becoming a firefighter, and more.
Audio intro: Paul McCartney, “Do it Now“
Audio interstitial: Gillian Welch, “Red Clay Halo“
Audio outro: The Psychedelic Furs, “President Gas”
Link to Vote.org
Link to Ben on the concerning offseason
Link to FanGraphs’ free agent rankings
Link to Jay Jaffe on qualifying offers
Link to Ben Clemens on Morton
Link to research on pitch types and the TTO penalty
Link to Ben on bullpenning and the TTO penalty
Link to Ben’s autographed Bellinger ball
Link to Bellinger’s catch in the 2000 World Series
Link to article on Clay watching Cody’s catch
Read More
Discover family-friendly scenic drives around Chicago. From Lake Michigan's shores to Starved Rock, find the…
Master go-karting with expert tips! Learn cornering techniques, improve your performance, and turn your first…
Get practical tips for your next road trip with a list of the most useful…
Add a splash of excitement to your plans with these five thrilling water adventures. From…
Don't let a breakdown ruin your fun vacation. Learn 5 simple ways to handle unexpected…
Austin’s street art scene has changed dramatically since the 2000s. Reflect on the city art’s…