Meet at the Mitt: A Seattle Mariners podcast

0:00-14:15: Amanda Lane Cumming is here to discuss her spectacular “War, Pandemic, and Seattle Baseball in 1918” three-part series. But first, we introduce Amanda and the things that make her baseball heart sing. Listen closely to this part for some juicy cocktail gossip. 14:20-29:20: What inspired Amanda to research a 100-year-old pandemic and the way that affected baseball? This is the part where you learn a library’s worth of information about shipyard baseball teams. As one of America’s shipyard hubs, Seattle was heavily involved in World War I baseball as a morale-building activity. Kate and Amanda also have a thoughtful discussion about history and the things we learn, or don’t learn, from it. It’s also finally time to examine Daddy Warbucks and his fetishization of orphan culture. 29:25-40:55: Which, shall we say, icky organization sponsored one of these offshoot baseball teams? Which current Midwestern MLB team used to have a much different, much bleaker, name? After the big reveal, Amanda shares some of the things she had to cut from the published versions of her stories. Spoiler alert: Babe Ruth is involved! 41:00-48:55: Not necessarily baseball related, but during WWI, the fervor of America’s anti-German stances led to several German items getting a name change. That and more as Amanda explains the process behind her extensive research and the challenges she ran into. 49:00-59:27: Now that Amanda has all this glorious information in her head, and has published so much of it so cohesively, what’s next for the “War, Pandemic, and Seattle Baseball in 1918” series? Finally, some lessons we can all learn from the early 20th century. Music: “My Brain is Hanging Upside Down” by The Ramones // “In For the Kill” by Shamir Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kate, Joe, and Mikey examine the trade return for Austin Nola and his reliever buddies, talk about the future of the franchise, look at how the Mariners are set up in 2021 and beyond, and make some very immature jokes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

0:00-12:25: John is gone so we’ve called upon the indelible Mikey Ajeto to take his spot! Mikey joins Matthew and Kate to discuss the Mariners’ recent turnaround and dig into possible trades. But first, let’s dump on the Angels! They’re really bad! One of the worst teams in the league, as it turns out! 12:30-32:55: Kate breaks down some of the reasons why Evan White’s hitting has improved lately. We also shower Austin Nola with the All-Star hype he deserves before going down the trade rabbit hole. How would we feel about the M’s trading Nola? What about Taijuan Walker and the bullpen guys? 33:00-44:55: How has Taylor Williams been so effective? Let Mikey, our pitching analytics expert, explain. We also mentally prepare for the possibility that Kyle Seager, father figure for the entire Pacific Northwest, could get traded. The most interesting part of this discussion, of course, is that there are already so many good third basemen across the league. Five dollars to anyone who has some dirt on Las Vegas’ totally legal sounding Bonanza High School. Should the Mariners try to build the whole team out of Kyles? 45:00-53:53: A eulogy for Daniel Vogelbach, who is not dead, just in Toronto now. Also, after literal years of putting up with audio issues, we are in the market for a new website or recording software to record and edit the podcast! If you have any experience with this, please suggest some good ones in the comments below. Ideally, we’d love a service that lets us edit each person’s vocal track individually, let guests call in via telephone, and adjust audio levels for individual stretches of the conversation. Thank you kindly. Music: “Freelance” by Toro y Moi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

0:00-30:00: We’re…a third of the way through the season? None of the Mariners have contracted the ‘roni, but strangeness still dominates this whole year. How do we fell about the way MLB, and specifically its players, have handled all this? Please refrain from getting horny at the team hotel. A good chunk of our happiness comes from being extremely correct. We’ve also reached a Zen state from watching inconsequential bullpen guys. This is part of the Tao of Mariners. 30:10-43:35: What is really the goal of this season? How does having a perennially on fire bullpen actually help the Mariners? Then we get lost talking about J.P. Crawford for an extended period of time. 43:40-57:15: We now move to the negative parts of this season, which go by the name White, Evan. He is, sadly, approaching a dangerous zone. Can someone check to see if Mallex Smith’s bat has a barrel? Sending either of them to the alternate site will do more harm than good though. Let people struggle without bullying them online or trying to diagnose things from your couch. 57:20-1:20:20: Ending, as always, with listener questions. This week’s batch is about Vogey and Mallex, the lack of minor leagues, and what the hell is happening in Tacoma? Find out which player Kate is secretly worried about. Music: “Moby Octopad” by Yo La Tengo // “Heatstroke” by Calvin Harris ft. Young Thug, Ariana Grande, Pharrell Williams Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kate and John are joined by Mariners RHP prospect Jarod Bayless from his current training grounds in Dallas, TX. The 33rd round pick from 2019 out of Dallas Baptist University by way of San Jacinto CC is an enthusiastic adopter of the many technological assets available to baseball players these days, and he breaks down the various ways in which devices like Rapsodo, Trackman/Hawkeye, Motus, and others specifically help him develop. Bayless has chronicled his development - and struggles - on his Instagram page (@JarodThrows), offering a great training resource for those interested in pushing themselves from borderline talents towards big league potential pitchers. Music: "Daniel, You're Still a Child" - Declan McKenna / "Space Cadet" - Metro Boomin (ft. Gunna) Editor’s Note: We originally recorded this with Jarod back in late July, before the season began. Due to bizarre audio issues that required heroic efforts from the developers at Cast, this episode comes to you at last. That said, a brief chunk of this episode was excised to fix a recording issue, so this may have moments of slight audio confusion, however we HOPE it may all be just fine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

0:00-27:20: Matthew is back from some extreme chillin’ in Idaho and is now Idahosting this podcast again, restoring balance in the universe. While Matthew was gone, the Mariners played roughly 10 percent of the season, so he’s got some catching up to do! We’ve gathered some headlines from that period, and it’s up to John and Kate to fill him in on what happened. After getting updates on Kyle Lewis, we start talking neck. Then it’s on to Joey Gerber and his first MLB game against a man who debuted before his fourth birthday. 27:25-39:50: A direct plea to Rob Manfred and an appreciation of Rebelution, a band that J.P. Crawford apparently loves? Our last headline centers on Yusei Kikuchi and his recent masterful performance against Oakland. 39:55-1:11:06: Time for listener questions! Which player does Kate already anoint as a dark horse MVP candidate? Is there any chance for trades during this loopy, hard to figure season? The only thing that derails our intellectual, stimulating conversation is the news that Kyle Seager’s middle name is DUERR. As per usual, the conversation steers toward Dylan Moore’s confounding ass, DMX quotes, and Puerto Rican hip power. Music: “Still D.R.E.” by Dr. Dre feat. Snoop Dogg // “Masterpiece” by Big Thief Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The games at the big league level count at last, so John, Kate, and Joe take a look at how the Mariners prospects - hello Evan White and Kyle Lewis - are doing in their everyday roles. It's a listener mailbag episode, with questions on what the outfield will look like if Lewis turns into something like the player he's playing like right now, how to handle the pitching vs. hitting quality and development discrepancy in the Tacoma alternate site, and how Seattle's farm stacks up against the rest of their division. Music: "Space Cadet" by Metro Boomin' / "Mindmaker" by Lost Cousins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

0:00-31:30: We truly cannot believe we made it. Get in here, y’all. We’re gonna try to do a season real quick. We’re gathered here today to share three things that we’re excited to watch this year. Kate kicks us off with an awfully specific thing relating to Marco Gonzales. Then we talk some DEFENSE! Remember that the Mariners will be without infield wizard Perry Hill, at least in person, as the 68-year-old coach has opted to stay home. We’ll also have the wonderful joy of a balletic first baseman scooping and stretching for all 60 games. 32:00-49:15: Which starter’s pitch mix is getting John all riled up? Hint: it’s a guy who is, at least on a physical plane, embracing his new life on the west coast. What part of Kyle Lewis’ game is worthy of your number crunching? If any of you off the top of your head know what Jake Stahl is famous for, give yourself a pat on the back. 49:20-1:03:05: This could be an emotional season. Lots of things happening during these unprecedented times, folks! Somewhere in here the term “midnight breakfast” gets dropped for the first time in podcast history, surely. Matthew’s final pick involves inarguably the worst unit of the team. Henry Rowengarter gets a shout out too because we stay on topic around here. 1:03:10-1:29:00: Gather ‘round for listener questions. Check out Ben Gamel doing his absolute best to mimic everything Christian Yelich does, which ties into our first question. We end, naturally, by taking one wardrobe item from each Mariner and combining it on one body. We can’t wait to be mad about the Mariners with you again. Music: “Bodysnatchers” by Radiohead // “Foreplay” by Jalen Santoy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

0:00-20:55: We have an actual player for the Seattle Mariners on the show! Joey Gerber, who is currently at Summer Camp with the team, calls in from the team hotel. What’s it like to have your entire life distilled into a baseball stadium and a hotel? Who’s in charge? Are the feds watching? We also learn what players Joey has gravitated to and how they’re passing the time. Joey shares his excitement to be in a temperate climate after growing up in the Midwest and spending last season between Modesto and Arkansas. 21:00-36:25: Joey has what scouts and writers love to call a “funky delivery”. Where did that come from? Being from a cold-weather area in an overlooked part of the country, how did Joey end up making a name for himself in baseball? Now that he’s here, what’s the approach to camp and seeing live hitting again? 36:30-49:55: What sort of dark magic had to happen for a dude from a town called Maple Grove to end up with the Mariners? Is there anything from back home that Joey wants to bring here, or vice versa? Who’s impressed Joey at camp so far? 50:00-1:26:00: Saying goodbye to Joey Gerber and hello to listener questions! Thank you to everyone who sent us things to talk about. We cover potential Mariner MVP’s, Cy Young, and Rookie of the Years while also re-casting The Breakfast Club with guys from Seattle’s roster. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the season suddenly on, the TMBM crew scrambles to gather their thoughts. We discuss the draft, now further in hindsight, an eye-popping showcase for next year's high school studs, and of course the Mariners prospects-heavy taxi squad schemes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Note: At around the midpoint (30 minutes in) John’s audio quality drops off for some reason. It’s only a mild difference but he does get quieter, apologies for the inconvenience. 0:00-14:00: So they’re gonna do this baseball thing. Matthew, Kate, and John share their trepidation for the logistics of the MLB season in the throes of a resurgence (did we ever halt the first surgence?) of COVID-19 nationwide, and somehow end up talking about cup stacking and waveboards for a while. 14:00-28:00: We dig into the temporary (or not) rule changes. Universal DHs, runners on second in extra innings, no spitting, altered ILs, and of course, the wet rag. Whose ass is going to be soaking wet for us, the viewer? 28:00-End: Questions! What is an ideal shortened Mariners season in our eyes? Is there any way MLB doesn’t royally screw this up and get a ton of people sick? How should the Mariners handle their prospects? Where is Yasiel Puig at anyways? How will a trade deadline (and trade market) work or develop, and will it impact any of the potential short-term players on Seattle’s roster? Plus, who will have the most creative “safe” celebrations? Music: “Just” by Mark Ronson & Alex Greenwald (Radiohead cover) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

0:00-19:55: Ryan Rowland-Smith is here! The former Mariner pitcher and current Mariner analyst has his own podcast now, and he recently created an animation to go with it. What else has Ryan been up to during the lockdown? What does he miss the most about the rhythms of an MLB season? He mentions how unfortunate it is that many of the Mariners’ young pitchers’ development will be thrown off by this prolonged break. Find out which type of player Ryan thinks you should “never pick high up in drafts”. Of course, given that we are a serious baseball podcast, we also get into a conversation about the everyday hustles of Newcastle, Australia. 20:00-32:30: Ryan re-lives his first American experiences, which came in the lush meadows of Arizona. What would he do differently if he were a prospect today? This leads to some stories about how the Mariners ran their organization when Ryan was coming up through the ranks. Bill Bavasi, cover your ears. 32:35-47:25: It’s time to find out what was really happening in 2010. Were Chone Figgins and Casey Kotchman as toxic as we thought? (Spoiler alert: yes.) They didn’t even enjoy FanFest! Ryan also pulls the curtain back on those conversations that players have while shagging balls at batting practice. Which organization that he went to after leaving the Mariners had the most impressive player development system? 47:30-58:00: What is the state of baseball in Australia? Who are some of the kids Ryan is developing with his NxtGen Baseball program that we should know about? 58:05-1:39:00: Let’s remember some of Ryan Rowland Smith’s highest highs and lowest lows from a wild MLB career. Who does he remember having success against? Who does he remember having…not success against? What seemed to happen every time he pitched to Derek Jeter? We also get into Ryan’s experience on American Ninja Warrior an end with his definitive Jack Zduriencik story. Music: “This Is How We Do It” by Montell Jordan // “Charity” by Courtney Barnett Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

0:00-10:00: Dave Sims, the voice of the Mariners, joins Matthew to talk about life as a Black man in baseball and share some of his thoughts on the Black Lives Matter movement. How do we get more Black people – and people from other underrepresented groups – in the broadcast booth? What about getting more Black kids into baseball, and eventually into the majors? Enacting an entire culture shift is a daunting task, but it’s the only option for both baseball and society at large. 10:05-21:05: What’s it like for Dave to travel around the league and typically be the only Black person in the room? When he meets people from outside of the sports world, what is their reaction to finding out Dave works in baseball? Breaking news: BLACK PEOPLE LIKE BASEBALL TOO, and as Dave says, “We’re sick and tired of being sick and tired.” 21:10-26:35: The Mariners have the largest population of Black players in the league. What has Dave’s experience with that group been like? How do we make sure this doesn’t become a one-off situation? 27:05-44:45: How did Dave, an East Coaster for life, end up in Seattle in the first place? How was it taking over for Dave Niehaus, and how did the community react at first? Which booth on the road is his favorite to call a game from? Which cities does he describe as having “good people, bad ballpark”? Where does Mike Trout rank among all the great athletes Dave has seen across the multiple sports he covers? What’s Dave’s favorite call from his 14 years of covering Mariner games? 44:50-51:37: Whenever MLB begins again, what should we expect from the Seattle Mariners? How would he feel about the legitimacy of a shortened season? At the end of the day, we just need to see these guys on the field again. Music: “Computer Love” by Zapp & Roger // “Broken Clocks” by SZA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All three of John, Kate, and Joe link our podcast-creation-stones once more to cover a highly educated crop of Mariners draftees with minimal pizzazz on the surface. We came into this recording with dissatisfaction in our hearts, but worked our way to a better place. Have a listen! Music: “Sister Surround” by Soundtrack to Our Lives / “CHANCES” by KAYTRANADA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kate and Joe talk about the Mariners sixth-round pick Emerson Hancock as well as review the first day of the draft as a whole. They also discuss Day Two strategies and targets, and how the Mariners might address the gaps in their system. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to draft week, where the slots do matter and nobody knows what's going on. John, Kate, and Joe join forces all the same to offer our last thoughts before things go down this Wednesday and Thursday. The topics of conversation include... Why is Emerson Hancock sliding in so many projections? And do we still want him if he's there at No. 6? Nick Gonzales or Max Meyer? Which of the top names could possibly slip to Seattle? What compels someone to go from Roswell, GA, to Roswell, NM? How do teams value organizational fit in a draft with so much talent? Who would we like most for Seattle at No. 6 and No. 43? And much more. Check out lookoutlanding.com for all our draft coverage, including Joe's final mock draft, with a big 'ol surprise at No. 10. Music: "Kin II" by Midnight Survivor / "CHANCES" by KAYTRANADA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

0:00-11:45: A lovely reunion conversation is immediately interrupted by Kate updating us on her mobile, liquor-slurping neighbors. As per usual, this portends another conversation that has absolutely nothing to do with the intended purposes of this podcast. Before getting back on track, Matthew addresses the recent events in America and implores you to do what you can. 11:50-24:45: We get into MLB’s proposed plans for getting the season going. This includes some talk about timelines, player payment, and locations. All of this stumbles into open suggestions for how certain teams can recreate the environment of their home parks. This is the part where we’re contractually obligated to wonder if the Mariners could sneak into the playoffs and subsequently start an unbearable discussion about whether it counts. 24:50-49:55: Digging into listener questions! Thank you as always to those who submitted, we know it’s been a while since we spoke to you directly. Questions cover topics like how players will come out of this physically, the upcoming draft, and Dan Altavilla’s swelling derrière. 50:00-1:04:00: The part you’ve all been waiting for, infrastructure and Fourth of July “salad” debates! Thank you as always for listening to this beautifully weird show. Music: “Americans” by Janelle Monáe // “Ultralight Beam” by Kanye West (Chance the Rapper verse) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Among many other things, this was a grim few weeks for baseball in the United States. The Mariners cut 44 minor leaguers, including several players with longer tenures in the organization than anyone not named Seager. John, Joe, and Kate talk through a number of players whose careers in Seattle's affiliation came to an end this week, with a focus on the implications for the minor leagues going forward, what the Arizona Fall League may look like, and how independent baseball will be increasingly worth everyone's time. At around the 35:00 minute mark, the discussion turns to the draft. Georgia RHP Emerson Hancock has been mocked to the Mariners a couple times now, representing a surprising shift for one of the premier arms in the pool. We go into what's precipitated that perceived slip and whether we'd be on board if he's still available at No. 6 (you can hear Kate screaming 'YES'!!!! without the headphones). Afterwards, we turn our focus beyond the first round and each talk through a few names at every pick - 43, 64, 78, 107, and 137, who could be available and would fit our desires and Seattle's needs, to provide some "ones to watch" for next week's draft. If you have questions, next week's podcast will drop on Tuesday as a prep episode for the Wednesday and Thursday draft. Music: "The Space Program" - A Tribe Called Quest / "CHANCES" - KAYTRANADA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

0:00-28:10: Mourning a Memorial Day without baseball before welcoming Mariner legend Bucky Jacobsen to the show! Bucky breaks down the origins of his name and how he went from the smallest kid in his school to a hulking MLB slugger. Which earthly process does Bucky’s career most resemble, and how did it come out of eastern Oregon? He also shares a story about his athletic career in the aquatic world. 29:15-43:55: Let’s dig in to Bucky’s career, starting with the day he got called up in 2004. You might not remember which beloved Mariner got released to make room for big #33. You definitely don’t remember what happened in his first game, which was a disaster for the Mariners but memorable for Bucky, especially because of a pregame ritual that ticked off the second baseman. 44:00-55:55: What changes has Bucky noticed in baseball culture today compared to when he played? Which future Hall of Famer did Bucky describe as having a “dump truck ass” when they crossed paths in the Venezuelan winter ball? This leads to some talk about the Mariners’ current crop of prospects and how they might progress. 56:00-1:20:00: Time for trivia! We ask Bucky if he knows the only Mariner to hit more home runs than him in less than 180 plate appearances. Can he name every pitcher he homered off? Finally, we end with an Ichiro story. Music: “What’s Golden” by Jurassic 5 // “Knuck If You Buck” by Crime Mob Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kate, Joe, and John tackle MLB's most recent proposals for how teams might handle the shortened season, and how minor league baseball and prospects may be impacted. With a taxi squad proposal involving 30 active players and 20 taxi squad "reserves", teams will be digging into their prospect pools for big league action this year if games take place. What might that roster look like for the Mariners? And are there players who might be better or worse suited for such an arrangement? We also discuss the news of the day, with the Oakland Athletics and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim laying off and/or furloughing much of their scouting and player development groups. After this podcast was recording, the Athletics informed their minor leaguers they would cease paying them, but would not release them from their contracts, beginning June 1. We discuss how these circumstances may have lengthy ramifications for some teams, the AL West in particular, and how that will likely bleed into the MLB Draft as well. Music: "Wrecking Ball" - Bruce Springsteen / "CHANCES" - KAYTRANADA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

0:00-12:25: Gabey Lucas, a writer and editor for UW Dawg Pound and local comedian, joins the show to chat about the Mariners and all that surrounds this team. What has she been watching to fill the sports void? Korean baseball? Cornhole? Who’s been the biggest winner of quarantine? After exchanging pleasantries, Matthew and Gabey talk about SB Nation’s Dorktown documentary about the Mariners. 12:30-29:55: What are some of the similarities between the Mariners and UW football, or Seattle sports at large? It certainly doesn’t seem like a coincidence that a lot of the city’s sports history mirrors its dreary sensibility. As Mariner fans, the losing obviously hovers over a lot of our collective experience, but how often do you really think about the sustained failure? We also wonder how much sucking creates apathy in the players, as well as how Seattle’s personality as a city could be a turnoff for southern players. 30:00-45:35: Some Braden Bishop UW x Mariners crossover content! When will the Mariners have their next local kid make it with the big club? Why do we expect athletes to care about their job, and their employer, more than common folk? 45:40-1:08:00: How did Gabey get mixed up with the Mariners anyway? Which player’s name did Gabey utter as one of her first words? Who is her guy that wasn’t actually good at baseball? We end with a much-deserved appreciation of the changeup as a concept. Music: “Solitude is Bliss” by Tame Impala // “Heart of Glass” by Blondie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's mock draft day on TMBM, and we're so excited to bring you a heaping serving of 2020 prognostication. John, Kate, and Joe have divvied up all 30 teams and make their selections, serpentine style, to give a sense of who might go where, and who that might leave available for the Seattle Mariners at picks No. 6, 43, 64, and 78. We go in order from No. 1 thru No. 43 on air, as well as including our selections at No. 64 and No. 78, but the full draft, with explanations, can be found in the episode article on Lookout Landing dot com. Whether you're a Mariners fan or not, let us know if you'd be happy with how things shake out! Music: "Things Can Only Get Better" - Howard Jones / "You Got It (The Right Stuff)" - New Kids On The Block Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the grisliest work behind us, John, Kate, and Joe look into the cheerier tidings of more recent drafts, hoping to get a sense of what's gone wrong and right, and what we might expect from the Mariners in the 2020 Draft. We talk extensively about pitching development, and how Seattle's knack for it in recent years has been encouraging. Conversely, we address the way Seattle's drafts in recent years have directly led to the dearth of middle infield depth in the system, and how their preference for college talent in the top of the draft has become conspicuous. Kate claims the 2018 draft class is shaping up to be the defining one of Dipoto's tenure. We talk about 3B/2B Joe Rizzo, who has a magnifying glass on him for many of the reasons listed above. Plus, plenty of discussion on who Seattle might take with their options BEYOND the first pick. Colt Keith fans make some noise. Music: "Ken II" by Midnight Survivor / "CHANCES" by KAYTRANADA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

0:00-23:00: Emily Nemens, author of the recently-released book The Cactus League, graces the hallowed air waves of the Lookout Landing podcast. Emily grew up in Seattle as a Mariners fan, but also a fan of baseball in general, which led to the publication of this book! As book tours are illegal right now, we try to replicate that through the power of podcasting. Our conversation starts with a general conversation about the book and the characters involved before delving into some of the process behind it. She also shares a story of her real life experiences at Spring Training, featuring none other than George Steinbrenner. 23:05-34:35: Was there any moment in particular that made Emily want to write a baseball book? What sort of memory association will come with releasing a book during a global pandemic? What was the hardest part of writing The Cactus League? 34:40-56:50: Emily reads an excerpt from the book, which details an on-the-field moment between a pitcher and catcher. We end our conversation by talking about, what else, the Mariners. Like several past guests, Emily has left Seattle and had to adjust her fandom to the eastern time zone. How has the Mariners being bad re-shaped her brain, and does she think it affected the book at all? Music: “Can’t Keep Checking My Phone” by Unknown Mortal Orchestra // “All for You” by Janet Jackson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John, Kate, and Joe coalesce to discuss something far less appealing than the upcoming draft: Seattle Mariners drafts of the past. Specifically, looking at the waning years of the Jack Zduriencik regime, and what happened with the 2013, 2014, and 2015 drafts. Plenty went wrong, obviously, but many of the picks made sense at the time, and only with the benefit of hindsight can we piece together how truly awry things went. Together, we try to put ourselves in the mindset of those drafts, and draw connections between the decisions made then and what might lie ahead in the 2020 draft. A healthy discussion on player development, communication, and what we all want to see next from the Dipoto regime lies within. Music: "The Tune Up" - Stalley / "CHANCES" - KAYTRANADA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

0:00-7:25: Matthew drops a fire intro before teeing up his guest, Lookout Landing staffer Grant Bronsdon. The fellas are joined together, separately, to draft teams of Glue Guys. This is essentially the direct opposite of the last draft they did, in which they tried to create the best possible teams in Mariner history out of individual players’ seasons. For this one, the only players who are eligible are ones who were not very good. If you were worth 3.0 Wins Above Replacement, sorry, you’re disqualified. This draft was inspired by Matthew’s world-changing article from last week. 7:30-29:55: With the first pick, Matthew perhaps falls victim to recency bias. Grant responds by taking someone from the 2001 team, but probably not who you think! After Matthew makes his second pick, a quick Internet search reveals a hilarious story about him. After a defensive specialist and a superstar on the come up get picked, Grant grabs the first pitcher and Matthew takes a cartoonish slugger. 30:00-39:40: Grant responds with a glue guy slugger of his own, who is also one of the best players in franchise history, because Mariners. This leads to a world of discovery at the next pick, when a Mariner legend from the early days is snatched up, causing two people who were not born at the time of his playing career to find out that he was a…free spirit. Then, a wild relief pitcher appears! 39:45-59:20: Matthew intentionally makes things harder on Grant by drafting a guy at his second position so Grant can have him at his first. We also accidentally go out of order because neither of our brains work anymore. The next bullpen pick sparks a conversation about relievers who received MVP votes, and then. 59:25-1:14:50: Grant takes to the skies for his final pick while Matthew identifies the keys to the game. Then, we go over some honorable mentions and recap our selections before disappearing into our quarantine caves again. Music: “The Ballad of Me and My Brain” by The 1975 // “Fetch the Bolt Cutters” by Fiona Apple Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kate and Joe are joined by MLB.com's Jim Callis to talk the MLB draft and the current state of the Mariners farm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joe and John are thrilled to be joined by Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com and MLB Pipeline, who has covered prospects, the minor leagues, and the MLB Draft there since 1999. 0:00 - 14:00 - How does a prospects writer’s role change when suddenly the baseball has all disappeared? Mayo details how his work has changed (and how it hasn’t) during the COVID-19 shutdown. We also go into the ways that prospect coverage has changed since he began, dating back to the earliest drafts Mayo covered. Conference calls have given way to online drafts, and now a fully televised event that demands live coverage and analysis. Mayo also discusses how the growth of visibility for, and fan interest in, prospects has altered and impacted his work. 14:00 - 40:00 - The discussion turns to the Mariners in particular. What does the progression of prospects like Jarred Kelenic, Julio Rodriguez, Logan Gilbert, and Evan White look like for someone who has spent decades seeing top prospects come and go? Expanding on a series the MLB Pipeline team has been undertaking looking for the most hyped prospects at shortstop this century, and discussing whether some of the current top prospects could become their team’s best player at that position, John and Joe quiz Mayo on if the best player in franchise history at any position could be in Seattle’s farm right now. While we had to really rack our brains for the best players in CF and RF in organizational history, there was plenty of interest as to if Evan White or Cal Raleigh might clear the (rather low) bar ahead of them. Mayo also offers an evenhanded assessment as to why Mariners fans might reasonably be gun-shy of prospects, but still believe enough to buy in on the current crop of players and player development. 40:00 - End - We finish off with draft talk, as the biggest milestone for the game inches closer. While it’s unclear still if the draft will feature five or 10 rounds, Mayo outlines how teams and prospective draftees may be inclined to approach it. Leaning on MLB Pipeline’s newly released Top 150 draft prospect list, Mayo talks through some players he’s been particularly impressed by, including a few who Seattle could target at No. 6 overall. While the class is generally viewed as one of the stronger in recent memory, Mayo notes it leans college-heavy, and doesn’t have the same quality depth at every position. Last but not least, we put him on the clock: who is he taking first if he’s got Seattle’s draft card this summer? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Corey Brock, the Mariners’ beat writer for The Athletic, joins the podcast to talk about the team’s past, present, and future. 0:00-23:55: Before we start, Corey checks in with John to make sure he has stockpiled all of Cooperstown’s best beers while quarantined. Recently, Corey published a story on Mario Mendoza, leading us to wonder how many other pieces he’s got in the chamber. Another pertinent question: are the replays of old Mariner playoff games getting old? While we’re remembering great moments in Mariner history, Corey recalls the days when fans were given weapons upon entering the Kingdome. 24:00-40:00: Where was Corey on the day that baseball stopped? Has he talked to anyone in the organization about their thoughts on the situation, or their strategies for staying in shape? Who will be at the greatest disadvantage when baseball resumes? Will the Mariners ever get to unleash their swarm of quad-A utility guys? 41:00-46:50: Corey devoted many words to Mike Cameron this offseason. Cammy is also Matthew’s favorite player, so naturally we had to talk about that. 46:55-1:04:00: Listener questions! Corey describes his time around the Mariners’ facility in the Dominican Republic. What is it like to bask in Julio Rodriguez’s glow? Who are some free agents the Mariners could add when they’re ready to make a go at it? What does all of this mean for the Astros? (Please don’t let the Astros skate by un-booed.) Music: “Here I Am (Come and Take Me)” by Al Green // “Yours & Mine” by Lucy Dacus Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

0:00-9:40: Matthew is joined by film producers Aditya Sood and Chris Miller to reflect on the paths that brought them from the suburbs of Seattle to Hollywood and how the Mariners figure in that equation. Both guys left the Seattle area for college and, upon ending up in Southern California, found themselves with tickets for a Mariners-Angels game in Anaheim on September 11, 2001. 9:45-31:05: How did Chris, a Lake Stevens native, and Aditya, a Bellevue native, end up meeting each other back in 1982? Why were they so into the Mariners at a time when they were the American League’s doormat? Aditya holds a certain Leslie Nielsen movie as one of the culprits. Chris sees an opportunity to merge his movie prop knowledge with his dislike of the Angels, and he takes it. What was it like trying to make it in the entertainment industry while the Mariners were simultaneously becoming the most entertaining team in the league? 31:10-48:05: Why are the Mariners always so good at doing the opposite of what they’re supposed to do? Why is Little Big League the best baseball movie of the ‘90s? Chris shares a delightful story about Lookout Landing having a tangible effect on the movie Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Aditya tells a tale of the Mariners and TiVo getting him in trouble with Warner Bros. What does a convertible and a Wal-Mart VCR have to do with Aditya and Chris’ fandom? 48:10-1:02:30: When did the devotion start to fade? Everyone takes a step back from their childhood obsessions eventually, but when was it for Aditya and Chris? For the finale, Chris remembers the time he threw a ceremonial first pitch to Rickie Weeks. Music: “Ain’t That Easy” by D’Angelo and The Vanguard // “Nearer My God” by Foxing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the top. Joe, John, and Kate convene at last at the summit of the system to rain critique and praise on Seattle’s best hopes for the future. The top five are all that remain, and we dive deep on the crème de la crème. Kate laments missing out on her planned summer project: following RHP George Kirby with the same hawkish eye she laid upon fellow top-fiver RHP Logan Gilbert a year ago. Joe notes that high floors needn’t come without strong ceilings, which epitomizes both pitchers, as well as 1B Evan White. Discussion of White spurs reminiscence of, and contrition for, draft day in 2017, when White’s selection drew more grumbles than cheers from all three of us. Can he break the Mariners’ lengthy first base curse? Next, Joe and Kate explain how OF Jarred Kelenic narrowly edged out OF Julio Rodríguez for the top spot on our list, and we all debate whether we would want to see either or both players signed to long-term extensions. We go into depth on just what makes these now-well-known names so exciting, and what could hold them back from reaching their star potential. Also, Kate refers to following prospects as “Road To The Show, but with real people”, if you wanted confirmation video games can rot even the sharpest of brains. All that and more in our top prospects finale! Music: On Top - Flume / CHANCES - KAYTRANADA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

0:00-16:50: Matthew and Kate, aka Quarantina Fey and Amy Loner, describe their typical quarantine outfits and encourage you to do whatever your heart desires and stay away from activities that are supposed to be fun but feel like work. They also debate if Seattle’s current run of nice weather is good or bad for quarantining? 16:55-37:30: Diving into our Twitter questions, which provides a natural jumping off point for Kate to talk about her first foray into video games. Matthew only knows about video games that are at least six years old. Which player did Kate take the most joy in striking out while playing The Show? After this spirited discussion, we answer one of the best Mariner questions we’ve ever received. 37:35-50:35: What are the actual Mariners up to? You can check out minor league sidearm pitcher Jack Anderson on Instagram for some woodworking content. Isn’t it wild how clocks don’t exist anymore and all we have is our stomachs telling us that it’s time to eat again? Which novelty toy that was popular in the ‘70s did Matthew miss out on because Bartellls ran out? We also come out as an anti-sourdough starter podcast. 50:40-1:03:00: Remember, you can always do nothing, as long as nothing means “listening to the Lookout Landing podcast”. Or watch the Casey Anthony documentary. Who cares, none of this will feel real a year from now, just like we’ll all laugh hysterically at this god-awful plan MLB devised to save the season. Music: “Where’d All the Time Go?” by Dr. Dog // “Soundtrack 2 My Life” by Kid Cudi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John and Joe are joined by Baseball America's lead MLB Draft writer and National Writer, Carlos Collazo. Collazo lends his depth of knowledge to discussion on how the vastly condensed five-round draft, with the potential of 10 rounds at most, will impact MLB and the Mariners in particular. Collazo and the hosts address the developmental merits against the big picture drawbacks of MLB's plans to contract MiLB affiliations, and how that plan seems all the more likely with a shortened draft and disrupted season already in place. Turning to cheerier topics, the three discuss opinions on a few of the players best suited for the Mariners when they pick at No. 6 this year, including LHP Reid Detmers, LHP Garrett Crochet, RHP Max Meyer, OF Zac Veen, and OF Garrett Mitchell. For those interested in the nuances of putting together scouting reports, there's also a discussion on the usefulness of player comps in translating scouting to a wider audience vs. the dangers of portraying something narrowly applicable or merely possible as a likely outcome. Music: South of the River - Tom Misch / CHANGES - KAYTRANADA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

0:00-17:40: Matthew is joined by Nick Stillman, his former colleague at both Lookout Landing and Short Relief. They begin by talking about how normal and not weird their lives have been during this global pandemic. Just kidding! Did I fool you? Do you still remember how humor works? Is society still there? Are you high right now? Do you ever get nervous? 17:45-26:25: How on Earth do we fill the void left by baseball’s absence? Which food is most like watching the Mariners? What happens if, after all of this, the Mariners are just super good? 26:30-47:35: Are we ready to watch old Mariner games again? Matthew already treated himself to this one. What makes for a good Mariner re-watch anyway? What did we think this season was going to look like before the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19 ruined our lives? Nick had high hopes for this group at least being a fun team to hang out with. Where are we at now, in terms of optimism for having a season? Luckily, podcasts are an essential business. 47:40-1:06:00: Why is Nick Stillman a fan of the Seattle Mariners? There’s some real romantic stuff in here, folks. A good conclusion from this portion of the show: nerds are always right. Matthew also shares a story about the 2014 Marlins teaching him how much he loves baseball. Music: “Hurry on Home” by Sleater-Kinney // “i” by Kendrick Lamar Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're into the big fish now. John, Joe, and Kate start things off with a discussion of the then-rumored, now fleshed out draft alterations, and how the dramatic changes are likely a sign of some permanent long-term alterations. Afterwards, they dive into the top-10. Joe and Kate debate which of Justus Sheffield and Justin Dunn are more well-suited for the rotation and which might be the Mariners next high-leverage reliever/closer. Kate talks about her brief view of a Brandon Williamson bullpen before spring training was shuttered, and how Noelvi Marte has enticed folks already with his potential. John talks about how the shortened season may throw Kyle Lewis back into flux, but that his brief emergence was something Mariners fans hadn't had in years. Music: Sister Surround - The Soundtrack of Our Lives / CHANGES - KAYTRANADA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

0:00-17:00: Rony! Roni! Roné! That’s all there is going on right now. With the virus ruining all of our lives, we wonder aloud when we’ll see baseball again. We can look to other countries for guidance, I guess. Will baseball finally, at long last, decide to get weird? 17:10-25:55: As the season would have opened this week, we swap some favorite Opening Day memories, which as per yoojh, leads to a conversation about Matthew’s degenerate past. One of his favorite dirtbag memories is leaving school to watch this game. 26:00-42:20: Take a moment to relax if you can, y’all. Then get into these coronavirus-baseball questions with us. It doesn’t take long for us to talk about REGRETS. 42:25-51:00: Naturally, things shift toward cannibalism? The question is simple: what Mariner would you eat in a time of crisis? Kate also finds a way to talk about Dylan Moore, one of her many unmatched skills. If we agree not to eat baseball players, what is the best quarantine snack? Where does Pirates of the Caribbean land in the 2000s canon? 51:05-1:06:00: Let’s make a mecha-pitcher! Let’s also talk about good baseball players to follow on social media, and what highlight videos we’ve been watching to replace live sports. Here’s 33 minutes of the 2016 Mariners. Music: “Fresh Air” by Future // “Goodbye” by Best Coast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John, Joe, and Kate get back together to talk through players 20-11 on the Top-30 list. A few of the 2019 draftees break into the list, as well as the cream of the bullpen crop. Kate waxes poetic about the importance of Cal Raleigh, and we dive deep on what Seattle is doing differently this time to bring about a different result than they did with Mike Zunino's development. Distinctions are drawn on Joe Rizzo/Austin Shenton and Braden Bishop/Jake Fraley, and everyone flaunts the rules of every restriction John tries to put in place. Plus, everyone picks a favorite between three of the most enigmatic arms in the system - Isaiah Campbell, Juan Then, and Sam Carlson. Music: "CHANGES" by KAYTRANADA / "Wildfire" by Mandolin Orange Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lookout Landing's three main prospect writers assemble, as John Trupin hosts Kate Preusser and Joe Doyle to break down prospects 30-21 on the LL Top-50 list for 2020. The focus for this group is a set of several relievers among the best in the system, as well as a couple undersized starters and a trio of similarly small position players. Can Ljay Newsome and Devin Sweet stick in the rotation? Is the closer of the future in this group? Is there a path to the bigs for Joe Rizzo? What exactly makes Jonatan Clase so exciting? Are young relievers more valuable to MLB's decision makers than we are prone to give them credit for? Did Kate pick the wrong time to go to Spring Training? All those questions answered and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

0:00-21:55: Podcasting in the age of ‘roni. We’re talking to Michael Ajeto, newest hire at Lookout Landing, about his debut article for the site. Mikey wrote about Justus Sheffield, who was making some changes in Spring Training before they shut down the whole operation. Listen to Mikey break down why Sheffield’s fastball has struggled, what spin rate has to do with it, and how he’s trying to work around these issues. 22:00-42:15: Moving forward (whenever the heck that is), what will it take for Sheffield to be a legitimate MLB starting pitcher? With so much data at our fingertips now, what are good ways to actually evaluate pitchers? Who are some of our favorite pitchers to watch (hypothetically speaking, of course)? The boys reminisce over Mike Leake’s almost perfect game. 42:20-46:55: What stood out in the tiny amount of Spring Training action we saw? Matthew praises the concept of longform content, especially during a time when people are in desperate need of entertainment. 47:00-1:04:00 Mikey walks us through his journey as a Mariners fan. This 2001 game against the Giants gets its first shine on the podcast. When did we realize that nobody has any idea when sports are coming back? Stay strong and stay safe, everyone. Music: “Solo” by Frank Ocean // “Calm Down aka I Should Not Be Alone” by Ezra Furman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

0:00-16:55: This episode begins with two decidedly non-experts, Matthew and guest Joe Veyera, talking about the coronavirus and how it will affect the podcast universe. Matthew then asks Joe how his fandom has evolved with age, particularly as the team fades into national irrelevance. What does one look to when winning is removed from the equation? How can we reasonably measure success in 2020? Matthew reminds the class that it’s important to have fun, whatever that means for you. 17:00-28:20: Say it with us, folks: AT LEAST WE’RE NOT THE KNICKS! Joe brags about being a Seattle lifer and a gift he received in 1996. The podcast duo identifies the path toward redemption, and it goes through Kernkraft 400. This conversation between two children of the mid-90s moves to how weird it is to both see the Mariners play the villains in a movie, and not having any real memories of Griffey. Matthew ends this segment with one of his trademark cross-sport comparisons. 28:25-42:25: Getting real deep on the passage of time and how its coincidental relationship with baseball has impacted our lives. Love the imperfections in life, people. This portends a wonderful story about Joe sorta kinda befriending a former Mariner bullpen catcher. 42:30-48:00: A person’s Mariner fandom doesn’t become fully whole until they fall head-over-heels for a guy that wouldn’t crack a roster for half the teams in the league. This does not apply, however, to Dae-Ho Lee, who famously did nothing wrong. 48:05-1:01:30: Getting Joe’s thoughts on the creation of the Maple Grove. If you want to hear a longer conversation about that, check out our episode with Hilary Kirby, co-founder of the grove. We wrap it up with conversations of royalty, resurgence, rugrats, and re-builds. Music: “WHateva U Want” by ScHoolboy Q (featuring Candice Pillay) // “Fallingwater” by Maggie Rogers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the debut of Lookout Landing's first ever prospects and minor leagues-focused podcast, host John Trupin and Managing Editor Kate Preusser kick things off talking about Lookout Landing's top prospects list. Episode one goes in depth on the 50-30 range, as well as some of the guys outside that group, detailing how the rankings came together, what players have the opportunity to make the greatest jump towards MLB impact, and why some guys have slipped. Music: CHANGES by KAYTRANADA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

0:00-14:45: A very rare in-person podcast recording! Matthew and Eric Sanford actually sit in the same room and talk to each other, eliminating the need for pesky computers and other audio trappings. Eric is about to embark for Spring Training and boy does he have some opinions. Listen up if you want to get educated before making a trip of your own, and also stick around for a glorious Dae-Ho Lee story which makes Eric sound like a Grade-A lurker! 14:50-24:55: The do’s and don’ts of seeking an autograph as an adult. If you want a more in-depth, written version of this, click here. How to manipulate your children into liking the same things as you. What sort of things should you do in Arizona when you’re not at a baseball field? If you like fusion restaurants where Guy Fieri has crushed a snickerdoodle, well, of course you like that. Eric will tell you where that place is. Also, if you’re interested in playing some Wiffle ball or just marveling at our stats, check out our league website. 25:00-35:10: What’s the strategy for actually going to a Spring Training game? Did the online community of Mariner fans actually force the team to abandon the trident hat? Finally, listeners, we have a request! If you have a good nickname for the Jarred Kelenic and Julio Rodriguez combo, let us know in the comments. 35:15-50:40: Getting into the reasons why Eric is a Mariner fan. Part of it involves watching pure domination as a six-year-old, but in an abbreviated fashion. The fellas then bond over having their respective dads pull them out of school to attend baseball games, and the 1997 Mariners, who Matthew doesn’t remember at all but can Google. 50:45-1:04:21: Ending with a story about Northwood Elementary School and a good ol’ fashioned chat about what the Seattle Mariners and Lookout Landing mean to us. Music: “Sock It 2 Me” by Missy Elliott & Da Brat // “Never Said” by Liz Phair Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

0:00-11:25: Spring Training has sprung! Surely we set a world record for quickest conversation about T-Pain and Yankee Doodle in the history of podcasts. Kate flexes about knowing Julio Rodriguez. What did seeing Julio and Jarred in Mariner uniforms do to our collective spirit? John gets existential about the concept of “mattering”. 11:30-32:45: Who is about to ether the Cactus League? Where will the rugrats open their respective seasons? Matthew remains admirably silent while the adults talk. Kate pulls the curtain back a little bit on Noelvi Marte. Who is the best Mariner friendship in this, our post-Marco & Wade universe? What reality show is responsible for last year’s Arkansas Travelers becoming even closer? Why is Julio so bad at Operation? 32:50-46:55: Who is the odd man out in Seattle’s great utility man battle? Now that the Mariners have an actually respected farm system with a decent player development system, which depth guys in the minors could make a jump soon? What parts of the farm will be most barren in 2020? In our most important story: where on earth is Connor Sadzeck? 47:00-1:02:24: What up with GAS CAMP? Finally, Matthew re-enters the chat to help the gang pitch some Mariner commercials. Highlights include Back to the Future, cooking shows, and Just Got Paid Marco. Of course, each of us take turns tomahawk wham-bam-slam dunking on the Houston Astros. Music: “I’m Sprung” by T-Pain // “New For You” by Hinds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

0:00-9:45: Welcoming local musician Tomo Nakayama to the show! This is a momentous occasion, as pitchers and catchers have finally reported to Spring Training and one of them is Mariner legend Taijuan Walker. While Tomo admittedly took 2019 off from a baseball fan perspective, him and Matthew are both ready to lower their expectations again and immerse themselves in 2020. Then, we talk about Tomo’s upbringing, which started in Japan and came to Bellevue in the late 1980s. The rest, as they say, is history, just like Edgar Martinez’s mustache. 9:50-36:05: Who were Tomo’s guys growing up? What are his memories of the ’95 season? Talking about the familial aspect of former players becoming broadcasters and talking heads. Is it fair to have real animosity for players who chose to leave Seattle? We don’t know, but it is fair for Tomo to share his hilarious story about meeting A-Rod in person. He then talks about watching Ichiro streak across the sky and sharing an elevator with Dave Niehaus. 36:10-45:25: Having sports figures as heroes, and how to explain that to people who have no idea what you’re talking about. What of baseball’s supposed demise? How much credence should we be giving that? For Matthew, an avenue toward greater enjoyment of the game comes from other teams’ broadcast luminaries. 45:30-59:45: Finding parallels between baseball and music, and the way that Tomo consumes them. In his mind, the starting lineup is a lot like a set list. Sadly, the ending veers into Jack Z territory before getting dreamy about finally having “our guys”. Music: “Get to Know You” by Tomo Nakayama // “No One’s Easy to Love” by Sharon Van Etten Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

0:00-17:15: First question, what goin on? Second question, how do we sneak John into the Mariners’ bullpen? This portends what is, no joke, probably the most in-depth discussion on the Mariners’ bullpen that anyone has had in months. Small steps, mankind, things of that nature…Read more about Yoshihisa Hirano from this titan of online reporting. 17:20-20:40: Please, Mariners, please, at the very least, give us some fun. Maybe that means Zac Grotz breakdancing on the mound. Goodbye to Reggie McClain. We hardly knew ye. Hello to Yoshihisa Hirano, who is wearing a single digit number. 20:45-35:35: What will the outfield look like as Mitch Haniger remains shelved? Do the Mariners have a third straight Opening Day upset in store? Matthew proposes a revolutionary approach to lineup management. John mentions one of the utility men that Seattle has run through the Dylan Moore-Shawn O’Malley car wash in hopes that some of their stuff seeps in. Allow us to introduce you to José “El Loco” Siri. What do we expect from Nick Margevicius? 35:40-48:55: Where does the Mariners’ shipwreck end up? A top-five draft pick would be nice, but so would having working eyesight by the end of the season, and those things are working directly against each other. Kate and John talk about getting mad online because of prospect rankings. Which young buck do we expect to get their antlers? 49:00-1:02:44: Do we get any fun comedy this season? Does the Mariners Quad-A squad make it out of Minute Maid alive? It’s not the Lookout Landing podcast without someone pulling up from 35 feet with a vocal impression. Kate talks a long, hard look at Scott Servais and we debate the morality of hacking other SB Nation team sites. Music: “Pretty Ugly” by Tierra Whack // “Your Dog” by Soccer Mommy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

0:00-15:00: 100 episodes, countless laughs, infinite bad takes, they’ve all led to this moment. Just please don’t actually go back and count, we’ve probably made several counting mistakes. For this very enormous episode, we’ve decided to not talk about baseball at all. Instead, we answer all of your random, non-sports questions from Twitter. First up: when is it too late to say Happy New Year? John and Matthew then wax poetic about their favorite high school teachers. 15:05-26:50: Matthew defends two dirtbag California bands. Which Adam Sandler vehicle gets John the most conflictedly excited? Kate espouses a certain fast food chain’s breakfast menu. 26:55-40:20: We talk pets! Good, bad, annoying, alive, and those no longer with us. Stick around to find out which avian creature John considers his favorite animal. 40:25-1:01:00: Which one of us is trying to leave Earth for a new life on Mars? Then, somehow, we get into Kate speaking Latin and some philosophical musings. What happens to Mariner fans when we start to have good, happy expectations seep in? How has the crushing weight of failure affected our approach to blogging? What would life be like if the Mariners had the Dodgers’ level of regular season success? Support us this season as the Mariners gear up for another bad time! We end by previewing some upcoming content, which we promise will be about baseball. Music: “Passing Out Pieces” by Mac DeMarco // “Glowed Up” by Kaytranada & Anderson .Paak Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

0:00-12:25: Jeva Lange, a culture critic for The Week, joins the show to discuss her Mariner journey! Jeva grew up on the Eastside but lives in New York City and, in her own words, is an avid Mariner fan but also a bit detached. This means, unfortunately, that a huge part of her Mariner experience is watching them at Yankee Stadium. Pro tip from a New Yorker: Citi Field > Yankee Stadium. What was her reaction to seeing James Paxton in pinstripes all over town? How does she cope with having a boyfriend that actively roots for the Oakland Athletics? 12:30-29:05: How to explain the Mariners to non-sports people. Claiming bragging rights on prolonged suffering. Matthew and Jeva discuss things that can take your mind off of sports and also the ways those can backfire. However, we will always have the luxury of falling asleep to Mariner games, especially those of us on the east coast. How do we feel Twitter has shaped our approach to baseball? What about keeping score? A brief chat on the art of doing things by yourself. 29:10-41:25: We’re talking uniforms, baby! Get ready to have someone say something you disagree with. Despite being a self-proclaimed superstitious person, Jeva is still a proud trident hat wearer. How does being a critic affect Jeva’s outlook on a 162-game season? Which current Mariner does Jeva have a truly insane story about? 41:30-47:47: How we feeling with another fresh season just months away? Find out who Jeva’s favorite player on the roster is and what baseball-related item she bought on her trip to Japan last year. If you’re planning a trip to see the Mariners in New York or Spring Training this year, look for Jeva! Music: “Bike Dream” by Rostam // “Us” by Regina Spektor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

0:00-12:00: Kate’s feeling ill right now, and she doesn’t mean ill like really cool and awesome she means like she’s coming down with a sickness. Luckily, Starbucks (not one of our sponsors…yet), is here to help. John sort of Kramers his way in here around the five-minute mark and we shoot the breeze about the Mariners' relatively boring offseason. If you wanted Kendall Graveman and Carl Edwards Jr. buzz, you came to the right place. Matthew then makes a shocking confession about furniture. 12:05-25:55: Will Kyle Seager be traded before the season? A Twitter user asks us what kind of midseason moves we could see from the Mariners this year. 26:00-44:50: The Astros, they cheated! This is no longer an industry secret! Let’s make fun of them! Making sure we’re on the same page about Mike Fiers being good and A.J. Hinch being a good guy in performative ways only. Asking former college baseball player John Trupin how much sign stealing actually helps. Appreciating Tom Lawless and wondering what could have been had the Mariners done better against the 2014 Astros. 44:55-1:05:15: How much blood will spill on the streets of Houston? Matthew opines that this entire scandal is actually good for baseball. John tries to go inside the mind of an Astros fan. Let’s hope Yordan Álvarez isn’t spending his offseason preparing for battle, because that man is quite large. Are these punishments actually going to do anything? Do we feel the Astros got what they deserved? 1:05:20: The world premiere of Before He Cheats (Houston Astros Remix). Music: “Protect Ya Neck” by Wu-Tang Clan // “Before He Cheats (Houston Astros Remix)” by Matthew Roberson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

0:00-18:15: Jordan Shusterman aka half of Cespedes Family BBQ aka Gringo Mr. Worldwide aka Yung Mariners Fan aka Mango White Claw joins the show! As the Astros keep pantsing themselves in public, we laugh at the fact that nobody has ever come close to embarrassing themselves quite like our Seattle Mariners. When unearthing Jordan’s fandom, we discover that he is maybe a bad decision-maker. Not in terms of how he got there, which was partially due to this beautiful publication, but because he went out of his way to support the M’s while growing up on the east coast. Shout out Jeff Sullivan and Trayvon Robinson. 18:20-33:55: Becoming true to the blue while also developing an online presence. Matthew references some of his best work from the teen posting days. Who is Jordan’s favorite bad Mariner? What was it like to meet James Jones in 2015? What about being at All-Star Media Day with Justin Smoak? How the Mariners mirror life in Seattle and also invoke Natasha Bedingfield. How is this crop of prospects different than the ones that let us down in the past? 34:00-48:25: How do we (try to) avoid the defeatist vibes? Is there a way to evaluate Jerry Dipoto without letting the failures of last regimes color your judgment? Justice for Robinson Canó, who should be remembered as a vision of hope and not a bastion of failure. Being a Mariners fan gets so wrapped up in what they don’t do that we must remember all the things that they did, can, and will do. 48:30-1:10:18: What will a Mariners postseason run do to our well-being? Matthew unleashes a bold take about his preferred outcome should they lose a playoff game in the near future. We then both decide that just making the playoffs will sate our sports needs. How do people that root for other teams manage actual expectations? Ending with expectations for the 2020 team and coming to grips with our uncertain, prospect-reliant future. Goodbye, Tommy and Wade. You were so, so good at being available. Jordan ends by previewing some of his upcoming Mariners content! Music: “Time to Pretend” by MGMT // “Little Trouble” by Better Oblivion Community Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

0:00-16:25: Welcoming Nat Baird to the show for his first appearance on the Lookout Landing podcast! Nat is the newest hire and also probably the coolest person on staff, as he gets to travel the world with his rock climbing school. As a teenager, Nat has also never inhabited the planet at the same time as a Mariner playoff game. He still managed to become a fan though, partially due to his own mishaps. 16:30-25:35: Surprise! We’re a rock climbing, Seahawks, and Utah Jazz podcast now. What “were” the Mariners when Nat first became aware of them in *gulp* the mid-2000s? Kate then explains what Seattle felt like as a baseball town, even though Nat wasn’t alive and Matthew could barely read at the time. 25:40-43:15: Why won’t Brodie van Wagenen add Matthew to his LinkedIn network? He’s been on TV after all. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbzLEkRty1Q&feature=youtu.be Never sleep on the A’s and never talk about the Mariners as a sure thing. Is it a sure thing that they’ll be better than the Orioles? Who is Nat’s favorite prospect? 43:20-49:00: Let’s make some predictions. Nat, who has been the least beaten down by modern life, is the most optimistic of the bunch. In looking around the league, we wonder who is even on the Tigers and what are the Angels going to do with their pitching? 49:10-1:08:13: Questions from our staff, since none of you answered our plea on Twitter. What’s the worst thing we’ve eaten at the stadium, and which Mariner would we choose for a game of badminton? Nat ends by explaining why Jarred Kelenic would be a bad climber, and we wrap by guessing which Mariner is likeliest to drive a Tesla. Music: “The Jump Off” by Lil’ Kim // “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices