Call to the Pen Podcast on MLB

Baseball Hall of Fame: Who's in? Who's out? Snubs

Mon, 29 Jan 2018 00:00:00 +0000

The Call to the Pen podcast is back! In this episode Michael Pallas is joined by site experts Dave Hill and Benjamin Chase to discuss the BBWAA's recent Baseball Hall of Fame voting. Why was Edgar Martinez left off the ballot? Who's a lock for 2019? Will Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens ever get into the Hall of Fame? Those questions and more will be discussed by the guys this week.

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CttP #10: Paul Goldschmidt MRI Results, Justin Verlander Trade, and more!

Wed, 06 Sep 2017 15:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the tenth episode of the Call to the Pen flagship podcast! New episodes Monday and Wednesday. Today Jon breaks news about Paul Goldschmidt’s elbow injury and MRI, and also breaks down the trade of Justin Verlander to the Houston Astros.

Host and FanSided contributor Jonathan Platek brings the breaking news of the results of Paul Goldschmidt’s MRI, and discusses the possibility of Goldschmidt being shut down to keep his injury from recurring.

Jon also discusses the recent trade sending Justin Verlander from the Tigers to the Houston Astros, who have been desperate for Starting pitching help. Jon also breaks down the trade from the perspective of the Tigers, and discusses the relative value of the three prospects they received in return.

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CttP #9: Chris Sale, Mike Trout MVP Race, Giancarlo Stanton trade?

Mon, 04 Sep 2017 15:30:00 +0000

Welcome to the ninth episode of the Call to the Pen flagship podcast! New episodes Monday and Wednesday. Today Jon discusses the increasingly interesting races for the Wild Card and MVP in the AL, as well as the prospect of the Miami Marlins, with a new ownership group, slashing team salary by trading Giancarlo Stanton.

Host and FanSided contributor Jonathan Platek breaks down the MVP race in the American League (with a splash of NL discussion as well), and asks aloud whether an pitcher can be in serious contention for an MVP award. Jon also points out the continued dark-horse candidacy of Mike Trout for the AL MVP Award, totaling three options for the prize: Jose Altuve, Chris Sale, and Mike Trout.

Jon also discusses the recent news that the new Marlins ownership group, lead by Derek Jeter, are looking to slash player salaries in the coming years, which could foreshadow a Giancarlo Stanton trade to some other contender.

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CttP #8: Aaron Judge struggles, Giancarlo Stanton asterisks, D-Backs threats

Mon, 28 Aug 2017 16:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the eigth episode of the Call to the Pen flagship podcast! New episodes Monday and Wednesday. Today Jon discusses the pointlessness of asterisks in baseball, specifically concerning Giancarlo Stanton and his possibly-historic season mashing home runs, as well as the struggles of Aaron Judge since the All-Star Break, as well as early favorites for sustained postseason success.

Host and FanSided contributor Jonathan Platek today discusses and breaks down the recent struggles of Yankees slugger Aaron Judge. Being beyond the point of a fluke over a handful of games, it is time to break down and decipher just what is causing or enabling the young star’s struggles at the plate, as his power output has finally dipped beyond what can be considered acceptable.

Jon also discusses the use of and call for asterisks any time a player supposedly unaided by performance enhancers (not necessarily of the drug kind) makes a run at history. This time, the crosshairs are set on Giancarlo Stanton, the first “clean” hitter—as many would say—to make a run at a season had by the likes of Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, and Mark McGwire.

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CttP #7: Ichiro not a HoF'er, AL Wild Card Race, Umpire Protest

Wed, 23 Aug 2017 14:30:00 +0000

Welcome to the seventh episode of the Call to the Pen flagship podcast! New episodes Monday and Wednesday. Today we discuss viability of Ichiro’s Hall of Fame candidacy, the AL Wild Card Race, as well as the recent protest by MLB umpires, and the prospect of robotic officiating of the game of baseball.

In today’s episode, host and Call to the Pen contributor Jonathan Platek discusses the qualifications (or not) of Ichiro Suzuki’s bid for the Hall of Fame. Jon discusses whether Ichiro is the “true” Hit King in baseball, breaking down the various cases for or against him and Pete Rose wearing the crown.

Jon also breaks down in detail the AL Wild Card Race, discussing which teams are leading the race, exploring their chances, as well as the chances of some teams that are currently on the outside looking in as we head into September.

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CttP #6: Giancarlo Stanton Trade, True Home Run King?

Wed, 16 Aug 2017 15:30:00 +0000

Welcome to the sixth episode of the Call to the Pen flagship podcast! New episodes Monday and Wednesday. Today we discuss the possibility of a Giancarlo Stanton trade, given he recently cleared waivers, as well as possible hurdles to such a deal given the recent sale of the Marlins to a group lead by Derek Jeter.

In today’s episode, host and Call to the Pen contributor Jonathan Platek discusses the ins and outs of a trade of Giancarlo Stanton by the Miami Marlins to any contending team. Jon breaks down possible suitors for Stanton, as well as possible packages that could be put together for the slugger.

Jon also discusses the concept of a True Home Run King, and decides whether Stantong would be a “true” King should he break the single-season total of Yankees great Roger Maris.

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CttP#5: Bryce Harper Injury, Mike Trout Trade, Astros Frustrated

Mon, 14 Aug 2017 16:30:00 +0000

Welcome to the fifth episode of the Call to the Pen flagship podcast! New episodes Monday and Wednesday. Today we talk about Brycer Harper’s latest injury, a Mike Trout trade, and the Astros getting feisty with their GM over a lack of moves at the deadline.

In today’s episode, host and Call to the Pen contributor Jonathan Platek discusses the possibility of a Mike Trout trade. Also discussed is a column from Brendan Dlubala about the Astros, specifically Josh Reddeck, getting upset with GM Jeff Luhnow about the lack of additions since the trade deadline has come and gone.

Jon also discusses the serious nature of Bryce Harper’s knee injury, and breaks down how the slugger’s intermittent health throughout his career may be a warning sign for general managers looking to give Harper a mammoth free agent contract following the 2018 regular season.

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CttP #4: Mike Trout MVP, Jung Ho Kang DUI, Kluber Dominance

Wed, 09 Aug 2017 10:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the third episode of the Call to the Pen flagship podcast! New episodes Monday and Wednesday.

In today’s episode, host and Call to the Pen contributor Jonathan Platek discusses the possibility of a Mike Trout MVP candidacy. He also discusses an article from Call to the Pen contributor David Hill about the the Pirates Jung Ho Kang perhaps never being allowed back into the United States, and how that paints a bleak future for the Bucs.

There is also a Judge’s Chamber on tap, a segment on loan from the K&P Show, a segment in which Aaron Judge’s recent feats of hitting are on display and discussed.

Jon also discusses the absolute stupidity of Jung Ho Kang’s 3rd DUI, which he received in Korea in the off-season, currently preventing him from entering the United States. Jon also discusses the silliness of painting these kinds of problems—including the events like the Jose Fernandez death—as somehow “sad” or “tragic” for the player, and not their victims or potential victims.

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CttP #3: Justin Verlander Trade, Joe Maddon is a bad manager

Mon, 07 Aug 2017 16:30:00 +0000

Welcome to the third episode of the Call to the Pen flagship podcast! New episodes Monday and Wednesday.

In today’s episode, host and Call to the Pen contributor Jonathan Platek discusses the possibility of a Justin Verlander trade, with the Houston Astros as a possible partner. He also discusses an article from Call to the Pen contributor David Hill about the Brewers moving reliever Josh Hader into the rotation.

Jon also discusses the various managing failures of Cubs manager Joe Maddon, detailing the manager’s woes in 2016, the 2016 postseason as a whole, the 2016 World Series in particular, and his ongoing frustrating and poor decisions in 2017. Jon breaks down exactly why the Cubs lost to the Nationals on Sunday, placing blame for the loss directly at the feet of Maddon.

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CttP #2: Doug Gottlieb's Adrian Beltre steroid allegations, Yu Darvish Trade

Wed, 02 Aug 2017 14:30:00 +0000

Here's what is going on in today's episode:

0:00—6:30: Intro and Scoreboard

6:31—10:35: “Damn Millenials.” Jon explains the need for an abbreviated show today, and explains how cool a ‘mix minus’ can be. Great pod.

10:36—16:36: Jon plays the audio from Doug Gottlieb’s radio show concerning Adrian Beltre and steroid usage, pausing to point out inconsistencies and funny moments.

16:37—26:15: Jon breaks down the various arguments Gottlieb makes about Beltre being in the Hall of Fame. Should suspected steroid users get in? What about positive tests? A case is made that there should be no barrier for entry for steroid users, as they benefited from the modern environment, much like hundreds of other Hall of Fame players from past eras.

26:16—29:00: What’s Hot on Call to the Pen. Jon discusses and teases some great articles from Call to the Pen contributors, the posts are linked below. First up is a column detailing the dominance of the #3 overall selection in the 2017 MLB Draft, MacKenzie Gore. Then is a column discussing the Cardinals’ decision to stand pat at the deadline.

29:01—End: Jon discusses the Yu Darvish trade, surmising that the Dodgers may not have gotten what they thought they would get. This leads to a discussion on who “won” the MLB Trade Deadline, as well as the “trading season” altogether.

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CttP #1: Cabrera, Lucroy Trades, MLB Trade Deadline, Aaron Judge Struggles

Mon, 31 Jul 2017 14:00:00 +0000

In the first episode of the flagship podcast of FanSided's Call to the Pen, host Jonathan Platek previews the MLB Trade Deadline, as well as breaking down the Melky Cabrera and Jonathan Lucroy trades for the White Sox, Royals, Rockies and Rangers, respectively. Jon also discusses the idea of tanking in Major League Baseball as opposed to the NBA and NFL. Then Jon previews some of the great work from Call to the Pen Contributors and does a special segment on the struggles of Aaron Judge.

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