Baseball Isn’t Boring

It is finally here! Opening Day is upon us and Baseball Isn't Boring is all about the celebration that comes with Day 1 of the Major League Baseball season. To catch the true spirit of the day, Bradfo talks to our voice of the people, Courtney Finnicum, who is ready to attend her 23rd White Sox opener with her Dad, who has gone to 50 in a row. Bradfo also catches up with the Pirates' Opening Day starter, Mitch Keller, who offers the excitement from a player's perspective. It's an Opening Day miracle! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We have gone through the offseason. We have gone through the WBC. We have gone through spring training. And now we have the games that actual count in the 2023 season. So, what are the GMs who actually put these teams together thinking at this moment, just moments before their visions become realities? Bradfo sit down with Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom to talk about just that. It's the perfect conversation heading into what all these executives are hoping is a close-to-perfect season. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Baseball Isn't Boring has identified this year's spring training MVP. His name is Matt Olson, and he plays first base for the Atlanta Braves. Bradfo catches up with Olson to talk about what a difference a year makes and his mindset heading into his second season with Atlanta. And just for good measure, Bradfo also talks to Olson's teammate, Austin Riley, another one of the Braves who is living life with a semi-new contract extension. Congratulations to Matt! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With a week passed since one of the most impactful few days we have seen in baseball for some time, our WBC Central host Shawn Spradling reflects on his Top 5 memorable off-the-field moments while covering the tournament's biggest game in Miami. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

So, does it matter if your team gets off to a good start. Well, it certainly helped the Yankees in 2022. The Twins and Angels? Not so much. Bradfo sits down with three people - Alex Cora, Justin Turner and Rocco Baldelli - who all have unique perspectives when it comes to the merits and importance of starting strong. We also give a pat on the back to friend of the podcast, Anthony Volpe, who has made the Yankees after giving us one of the best answers to the question, "Why isn't baseball boring?" It's a great way to storm into the first games of the regular season. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From 'The Boone Podcast' (subscribe here): Host Bret Boone talks to Team Mexico Manager Benji Gil. Gil talks about the intensity of the WBC and why it compares to the College World Series, his favorite part of the tournament, what he would change about it, what Randy Arozarena is like and his parting words for Team Mexico. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A new era is upon at Baseball Isn't Boring. Betting Isn't Boring. Every Friday during the baseball seaso former All-Star closer Jonathan Papelbon will join Bradfo to help make you money by talking the great game of baseball. And it's all now sponsored by our great friends at FanDuel! Heading into Opening Day, Pap makes it very clear what players he feels will be taking home the MVP, Cy Young and Rookie of the Year honors, giving some takes on over-unders for individuals, as well. He also has the no-question-about-it Opening Day win for one team. (Sorry, Astros.) And, on top of it all, we are organizing the 'Pitch of Destiny' where Papelbon will try and throw a baseball 90 mph. Good times. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kenley Jansen can speak on a lot of things. That's what happens when you turn in the kind of potentially-Hall of Fame-worthy career he has. And one of the things the Red Sox closer can wax poetic about with anybody is basketball. Players. Teams. You name it. It's why Bradfo sat down with Jansen and MLB.com's Ian Browne to talk hoop, and what baseball might be able to learn from that game and fan base. There is also some rule changes talk. We're talking hoops with Kenley! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Was Japan's win over Team USA in the finals of the WBC the greatest game of all-time? That's a tough one. But a strong case could be made that this showdown - that ended with perhaps the two best baseball players in the world, Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout, facing off with each other - was one of the most impactful games for this sport. Bradfo makes that case, with WBC expert Shawn Spradling weighing in from Miami. And to top it off, we had one of the many voices of players who were forever impacted by their WBC experience - Red Sox pitching prospect Rio Gomez - offer a powerful perspective. What a ride! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Here we go! The launching pad for the 2023 Major League Baseball season has been the World Baseball Classic and thanks to the Team Japan walk-off Monday night we have ignition. Bradfo reflects on the culmination of the WBC chaos before sitting down with Phillies outfielder Brandon Marsh. Marsh is an excellent representative for the Baseball Isn't Boring campaign, as he shows when talking the new world of baseball heading into the upcoming season. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Joe Kelly wrote a book. "A Damn Near Perfect Game: Reclaiming America's Pastime" is gettin get reaction and reviews since being released a few weeks ago, and now you can hear how it all came together. Joe joins his co-author, Bradfo, to talk about the journey - including Joe chasing down Rob Manfred to give him a book. The podcast also touches on Joe's pointed thoughts on the WBC and his recent revelation when it came to throwing a potentially difference-making pitch. If you want to know what it is like to be a big league player and author at the same time, listen to this. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The debates are flying throughout baseball. Most recently, there has been the arguments for and against the World Baseball Classic after Edwin Diaz's injury. Bradfo has his thoughts on the matter, as he voices at the outset of this podcast. And then there are the rule changes. Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo joins Bradfo to offer a well thought out perspective of where baseball is at with these new rules and why they may or may not work. It's the kind of conversation that should be important with less than two weeks until the regular season. And, to top things off, Mets manager Buck Showalter weighs in. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There has been another notable contract extension in Major League Baseball, this one belonging to Arizona's Corbin Carroll. So, how did it come about? Diamondbacks GM joins Bradfo to give an inside look into the thought process to giving Carroll his eight-year, $111 million deal. Hazen also offers perspective when it came to how he built the 2023 Diamondbacks, while revealing the fittest GMs in baseball. There are good Dustin Pedroia stories, as well. And, of course, the debate regarding ketchup-flavored potato chips rages on. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There have been a ton of winners during the World Baseball Classic, including the great game of baseball, itself. But one player who isn't even playing in the tournament that is reaping the rewards of these few week is top Mets prospect Brett Baty. The former first-round pick is tearing up the Grapefruit League while getting plenty of playing time thanks to the absence of regular third baseman Eduardo Escobar. Bradfo sits down with Baty to get to know the third baseman a bit better, while also catching up with The Athletic's Tim Britton to find out what's what when it comes to Baty's spot on the Mets' roster. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What is it like to be a top prospect in major league spring training? We have answers. Bradfo catches up with perhaps the top two shortstop prospects in all of baseball - Anthony Volpe of the Yankees, and the Red Sox' Marcelo Mayer - to get their feelings on being dropped in among big leaguers. Bradfo also gets the perspective of someone who went through that life before, Chris Sale. The Commissioner, Rob Manfred, also drops by. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Shawn Spradling is boots on the ground in Arizona for Baseball Isn't Boring, soaking in the WBC chaos. Shawn reports on all the goings-on from Phoenix, while checking in on the rest of the tournament. We also get a reminder of how popular this round of the tournament is compared all the previous ones thanks to some analysis by Red Sox manager - and former Team Puerto Rico GM - Alex Cora. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the exact one-year anniversary of the Major League Baseball lockout ending, Commissioner Rob Manfred joined Bradfo for an exclusive interview to reflect on how it ended and what has happened since. He also gives his reason for baseball not being boring. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The WBC has officially kicked off and we already have a super team on the bubble of getting past pool play. Shawn dives into all the games and what to make of some of the surprise performances from sleeper teams. Is Cuba on their way out, or has scheduling just made things look bleak? Tune in with Shawn and find out what's the latest with the World Baseball Classic. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Baseball Isn't Boring Pitch Clock Correspondent Rich Hill joins Bradfo to offer unprecedented insight into what is going on with Major League Baseball's new initiatives, most notably all the drama behind the pitch clock. The games are quicker. Great. But Hill warns of issues that are popping up throughout these spring training games. You are going to be a smarter baseball fan after listening. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The horns. The flags. The dugout celebrations. The bat flips. The fist pumps. It's World Baseball Classic time which means only one thing: March baseball looks a little different. But can all of this enthusiasm carry over to a big league season? Bradfo sit down with Marcus Stroman (Team Puerto Rico) and Mike Lowell to discuss where baseball is at when it comes to showing the kind of personality the tournament is about to deliver us. You are going to find two more pointed perspectives. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chris Sale is heading into spring training as one of the most interesting storylines in all of Major League Baseball. So when Bradfo sat down with the pitcher there was plenty to talk about. New rules. Changes in the game. How close he came to quitting. How he views his current existence. The perspective gained from the last 900 days. It's all there, and it's brutally honest. You're going to want to listen. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There is no better person to catch up this time of year than Sam Dykstra of MLB Pipeline. That's why Bradfo sits down with him to pick through the what's what when it comes to what prospects should be on our radar heading into the 2023 season. The guy identify their picks for Rookie of the Year, while also talking about the changing dynamic when it comes to teams' acceptance of young stars. You are going to be a smarter baseball fan after listening to this. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the pomp and circumstance of the World Baseball Classic kicking off, all eyes will be on the entertainment and flair the players are bringing to the field. A big part of that equation will be their footwear, which is an element the players are starving to show off. Two guys who are deep into the creativity when it comes to what they put on their feet are Miami's Jazz Chisholm and Trevor Story of the Red Sox. The pair join Bradfo to discuss the process that goes into crafting their cleats and why it is all so important to the future of the game. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bradfo and ESPN's Buster Olney team up again for a deep dive into what's going on in the magical world of Major League Baseball. The pair dissect the landscape of spring training with the new rules supplying plenty of shock and awe, while also taking a look at how some teams are setting themselves up for a surprise or two. And then there is Buster's shocking Shohei Ohtani take! It's a great way to finish off your week. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Shawn sits down with one of the biggest names in National Baseball coverage to talk a little bit about the growing international coverage of baseball. From the culture expanding and evolving on a global stage to just growing baseball within a new demographic, the two talk about all the positive repercussions this year's tournament can have on the sport. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Don Orsillo has broadcasted some of the biggest spots in baseball in the last two decades. But in those moments it's always the instances that humanized the game that has left the biggest impact on his viewership. Dive into this conversation between Bradfo and Don on the mentorship and history of Orsillo's career in the booth. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

WBC Central Podcast. Episode 7! I'm Shawn Spradling. I do a full breakdown of Pool B in the World Baseball Classic. I also cover: - New MLB rules are NOT in the WBC - Dominic Hamel, Puerto Rico's Game 3 starter - Tommy Edman is in Korea - Alejandro Kirk is out - Robinson Cano is Dominican Republic's captain MY SOCIALS: - Twitter: https://twitter.com/Shawn_Spradling - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shawnspradling - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawn.sprad... - WBC Central Podcast (Baseball Isn't Boring): https://open.spotify.com/show/09tpq9A... Time Stamps: 0:00 - Intro 0:38 - News & Notes 5:00 - WBC Pool B Breakdown 5:15 - Australia 15:33 - Czech Republic 23:00 - China 31:35 - Korea 41:00 - Japan 57:03 - Predictions To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

So many are hearing from the pitchers and batters when it comes to living this new life with Major League Baseball's pitch clock. But what about the catchers? They are the ones who have to manage the game on the fly, captaining a ship that is flying faster than ever. Bradfo sits down with Mike Zunino of the Guardians, Reese McGuire of the Red Sox, and the Dodgers' Will Smith to discuss this new world of baseball. We even get a few more reasons why baseball isn't boring along the way. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Shawn sits down with Marek of North Greenville University and now WBC Team Czech Republic. The collegiate athlete is one of a handful of pioneer ballplayers from the European country participating in the tournament next month. We dive into his history with baseball and how that led him to the ultimate stage representing his Nation against some of the most talented individuals to play the game. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Padres keep making splashes, the most recent one coming Sunday when it was reported Manny Machado had agreed to a 11-year contract extension. One man who will continue to have a front row seat to all the San Diego craziness is the team's television announcer Don Orsillo. Bradfo sits down with Orsillo to not only talk Padres, but also the state of broadcasting, as well as remembering the excellence of his former partner, the late Jerry Remy. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Houston Astros' Double-A affiliate phenom, Derek West, will be setting out for the WBC to represent the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Shawn sits down with the pitcher to talk about growing up in the United States while keeping up with his family's Dutch heritage and traditions and how that connection led him to play for the Kingdom of the Netherlands in this year's World Baseball Classic. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bradfo sits down with Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts just prior to playing his first game with his new team. Bogaerts opens up about the path that led him to San Diego, including the twists and turns in his negotiations with the Red Sox and how touch 2022 was to navigate. It's an honest and open Xander Bogaerts. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We've given you the rosters but now it's time to evaluate each Pool. Shawn jumps into the first Pool, Pool A, in Taiwan when the tournament kicks off to see who has the strongest lineups and pitching staffs. Italy, Panama, Taipei, China, and the Netherlands will have an uphill battle against pool juggernauts, Cuba. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto is ready to build off a memorable 2022 season, and he is willing to use the Baseball Isn't Boring podcast with Bradfo has his catapult. Dipoto dives into the Julio Rodriguez extension, the difference in constructing this Mariners club and how he views former top prospect Jarred Kelenic. There is also the great ketchup-flavored potato chip debate while reminiscing about his three-month stint with the Red Sox in 2015. It's one of the most exciting podcasts you can listen to about one of the MLB's most exciting teams. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It was the Twins' turn to talk baseball on the latest Baseball Isn't Boring podcast, with Bradfo catching up with three interesting members of the Minnesota club - Joey Gallo, Alex Kirilloff and Joe Ryan. The group talks about different facets of the current game, with Gallo diving into how 2023 might look different for him and the rest of MLB, Kirilloff offering perspective on players being willing to show their personalities a bit more, and Ryan taking us inside the art of a modern day pitcher trying to evolve. Take our word for it, you don't have to be a Twins fan to appreciate these conversations. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The rosters for the World Baseball Classic are starting to take their final form as last-minute injury concerns knock off high-profile players as they enter Spring Training. To get you more intimate with each team before the tournament kicks off. Shawn rattles through each team and some of their key players along with each player he believes deserves your undivided attention when the first pitch is thrown. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The MVP of the Dominican Winter League World Series - and man who is nicknamed 'Aquaman' - Jorge Alfaro joins Bradfo to talk about becoming a celebrity this offseason, his decision to join the Red Sox and play in the World Baseball Classic, along with his quest to meet the actor who portrayed Aquaman, Jason Momoa. He was, after all, Baseball Isn't Boring's adopted free agent pick-to-click (thanks in part to free agent correspondent Ed Hand). To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One year ago, baseball was supposed to be on its deathbed. The sport was in the heart of a lockout, with sports fans ready to turn their back on the great game. But here were are, with spring training not only ready to kick off with as much enthusiasm as ever, but also with MLB feeling like the last 365 days may have allowed for its biggest step forward perception-wise in years. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic and FoxSports joins Bradfo to reflect on how baseball pushed aside that uncomfortable narrative from last February to finally start showing the personality and foresight it had been lacking for years. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

All of a sudden, older pitchers are being accepted more than every in the world of Major League Baseball. Case in point: Yu Darvish signing a six-year deal at the age of 36 years old. Bradfo sits down with San Francisco Giants Director of Pitching Brian Bannister to explore why teams are all of a sudden valuing guys in their late 30's and early 40's, and when this shift actually happened. Bannister goes on to explain where we are in the evolution of pitching, and how throwing hard isn't the be-all, end-all anymore. He also offers an absolute classic David Ortiz story. If you like pitching, this is the podcast you should listen to. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Shawn hosts Team Israel's young buck, Josh Wolf, to talk about how he ended up playing for the country and what it means to be competing against some of the game's biggest names so early in his career. Israel has a deep resource pool as far as coaching and personnel go, but the real question is how they will survive pool play. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Once again, Jonathan Papelbon and Bradfo are out to prove that not only isn't baseball boring, but betting on baseball isn't boring. It's why the two teamed up one again, this time to go through which teams are the best bets in each division. Along the way they formulate the 'Pitch of Destiny' where Papelbon sets the over/under on throwing a fastball at 89.9 mph. We also get to the bottom of exactly what percentage of players are in the best shapes of their lives. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Shawn has some good news and some bad news. With Pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training this week, some big-name players have dropped out of the WBC. The good news is that it means a new batch of professional ballplayers with an opportunity of representing their country on the world stage. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the football season officially in the rearview mirror, it's time for baseball to step into the spotlight. That's why was a perfect time for one of the game's best personalities, Jake Burger of the White Sox, to join Bradfo on the podcast. The guys talk about the controversial spring training hats, who Joe Kelly helped turn Burger's season around, the important discussion involving mental health among professional baseball players and if Burger - like 90 percent of the players showing up to spring training - is in the best shape of his life. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the heart of Super Bowl week, baseball took over thanks to Coop joining Joe Kelly in dominating Radio Row to talk about the book, "A Damn Near Perfect Game: Reclaiming America's Pastime". Bradfo was joined by Coop to offer a first-hand account of what he encountered in Phoenix. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Director and writer for El Extrabase, Daniel Alvares-Montes talks to Shawn about the strength of the Venezuelan roster and how they'll match up in pool play during the World Baseball Classic. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bradfo jumped on MLB Network Radio with Jenny Cavnar to take a deep dive into the forthcoming best-selling book "A Damn Near Perfect Game: Reclaiming America's Pastime" while also picking apart what to expect with the Red Sox. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Should they play. Shouldn't they play. It's always a tough decision for players and teams every time the World Baseball Classic comes around, with this year being no exception. One of the more noteworthy case this season has been Ji-Man Choi, who wanted to play for South Korea but the Pirates steered him away from the roster. Pittsburgh Ben Cherington joined Bradfo to discuss that dynamic along with how he views balancing getting ready for the 2023 season and playing in the WBC. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Shawn Spradling jumps on a live stream for the World Baseball Classic's roster announcement to give his thoughts on how each team is shaping up. Along the way, he brings on other voices covering the tournament and a few players to get their thoughts and gauge their excitement as the WBC draws near. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the heart of football's biggest week, leading into the big game, Baseball Isn't Boring took over in Phoenix. BIB Ambassador Joe Kelly - with Coop by his side - dove head-first into Radio Row to talk about the great game of baseball and the soon-to-be-released book "A Damn Near Perfect Game: Reclaiming America's Pastime". Equipped with a brand new Baseball Isn't Boring red t-shirt, a book and plenty of opinions, Kelly went from station to station to do what we do - just talk about all that this game offers. It was the perfect reminder for the football folks that baseball is right around the corner. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pirates general manager Ben Cherington is the latest executive to jump aboard the Baseball Isn't Boring express, joining Bradfo to reflect on key parts of his path while offering insight into such current issues as the Bryan Reynolds and Ji-Man Choi situations. It's the kind of perspective that will make you appreciate where Cherington came from and where he and his Pittsburgh organization is going. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices