In Episode 34, Brock & Ben discuss the surprising starts – both good and bad – of the teams in the American League East, assessing the sustainability of strong Aprils for the Red Sox and Yankees and whether the struggling Rays and Blue Jays can turn it around. The guys then turn their attention to quick-starters Colorado, Pittsburgh and Kansas City, wondering if any of them can exceed expectations of general mediocrity this season.
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In Episode 31, Yankees fan Digger Lauter returns to the podcast to help Brock & Ben preview the American League East. The guys kick off the show by discussing the rash of recent big dollar extensions before closing out divisional previews with a belated look at the AL East.
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In Episode 30, Brock & Ben take a look at the Vegas odds for teams winning the pennant and the World Series and discuss what it means for the 2013 season. The guys then turn their attention to the National League East, breaking down the division and predicting its playoff chances.
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In Episode 27, Brock & Ben are joined by international Citizen of the Diaspora Glen Tsurudome to talk Japanese baseball. The guys discuss the latest World Baseball Classic action before turning their attention to Japan. Glen illuminates the Japanese perspective on baseball, the World Baseball Classic and the relationship between Major League Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball. The guys then identify Japanese players to watch, both in the 2013 WBC Championship Round and as potential cross-overs to MLB. The conversation closes with Glen discussing the identity conflict the WBC raises for a Japanese American, particularly when Japan and the USA meet head-to-head.
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In Episode 24, Brock & Ben turn their attention to the upcoming World Baseball Classic. After briefly discussing the Curtis Granderson injury and what it means for the Yankees in 2013 and beyond, it’s 100% WBC! The guys provide a brief primer of the history, rules and format of the tournament, then break down the rosters pool by pool. To wrap up, Brock & Ben put their reputations on the line, predicting the 2013 World Baseball Classic from the First Round to the Championship game.
For more on the World Baseball Classic, check out the WBC’s website.
Special thanks goes to Yahoo! Sports’ Big League Stew. Their team-by-team WBC previews were indispensable in preparing us for this episode.
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In Episode 17, Brock & Dan discuss Dan throwing out the first pitch before a Triple A Las Vegas 51′s game, then turn their attention to the July 31st non-waiver trade deadline, specifically:
- The Miami Marlins’ mini-fire sale and whether the new era of baseball in South Florida is already over
- The Hanley Ramirez and Anibal Sanchez/Omar Infante trades and how they grade out for the teams involved
- The Cole Hamels contract, what it means for the Philadelphia Phillies and whether the aging Phillies have one more run in them
- The Zack Greinke trade and how it impacts the tight race in the AL West
- What moves the Texas Rangers and Oakland A’s might make before the deadline to counter the Angels’ acquisition of Greinke
- Whether the St. Louis Cardinals will make a move before Tuesday and if so, for what
and
- If and where the remaining names on the trade block – Ryan Dempster, Matt Garza, Josh Johnson, James Shields, Cliff Lee, Francisco Liriano, Chase Headly, Hunter Pence – will move
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In Episode 15, the Diaspora returns. Brock and Dan apologize for their extended absence, then turn their attention to the first month of the season, including:
- Albert Pujols’ struggles and whether they are cause for concern
- The Los Angeles Angels’ slow start and whether they remain in the AL playoff picture
- The view from St. Louis on Pujols’ slow start and whether Cardinals fans feel like they dodged a bullet by not signing him
- The difficult Aprils of Adam Wainwright, Tim Lincecum and Josh Johnson and the level of concern associated with each pitcher’s struggles
The guys then discuss their impressions of ballparks they have recently visited, including Marlins Park, Tropicana Field, Nationals Park and Camden Yards before wrapping the podcast with an update on the Oakland A’s stadium situation
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In Episode 14, Brock and Dan record in person – a first for The Baseball Diaspora Podcast! The guys cover baseball’s multiple opening days and discuss insights from the young 2012 season, including:
- Brock and Dan’s attendance at Opening Night at the new Marlins Park in Miami and their impressions of the new stadium
- The Miami Marlins and whether the team’s lack of offense two games in is cause for concern
- The St. Louis Cardinals and if their early success portends good things in 2012
- Yoenis Cespedes, his power and defense, and what he means for baseball in Oakland during the rebuild
- Tim Lincecum’s troubling first start and whether it points to greater concerns for the San Francisco Giants this season
- The Tampa Bay Rays and the New York Yankees and how tight the race for the AL East may become this year
- The “year of the pitcher” trope and whether 2012 projects to continue in the tradition of the last two as more pitching-dominated
- The Dodgers sale, the rise of regional TV revenue and what the new baseball economic landscape means for fans
- The Great Dodger Panic of 2012 – how the Joey Votto and Matt Cain extensions impact the Cincinnati Reds and San Francisco Giants, respectively, and what these contracts mean for baseball generally
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In Episode 11, Brock & Dan are joined by Mets fan and Citizen of the Diaspora Mike Connors, who helps the guys break down the NL East. After Mike regales the guys with stories of his epic baseball road trips, the three discuss:
- The financial woes of New York Mets ownership and whether fans can hope for a resolution soon
- The Mets offseason and whether the team will be better than last season
- David Wright and whether he will still be a Met by season’s end
- Johan Santana’s recovery and what to expect from him this season
- R.A. Dickey and Mets fans appreciation for him
- The Mets abandoning black in their uniforms and returning to the classic blue and orange only
- The Philadelphia Phillies and if age, injuries and bad contracts will keep them out of the playoffs this season
- The Atlanta Braves and whether injuries will continue to hold them back or if their young talent will rise to the top
- The Miami Marlins and how their big offseason positions them in the division
- First impressions of the new Marlins Ballpark based on Dan’s visit there for Tuesday night’s exhibition between a Marlins’ split squad and the University of Miami baseball team
- The Washington Nationals and if they are ready to take the next step and become a contender in a tough division
- Whether the Marlins or the Nationals are more likely to make the playoffs in 2012
- How the additional Wild Card impacts the NL East and whether we can expect to see 3 NL East teams in the 2012 postseason
and
- Predictions for who will win the NL East and NL Wild Card(s)
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It’s episode 2 of The Baseball Diaspora Podcast. Brock and Dan break down baseball’s Winter Meetings, discussing:
- Albert Pujols leaving the Cardinals for the Angels
- The A’s kicking off their fire sale by trading Trevor Cahill
- How the Marlins’ moves last week position them to contend in the NL East
- How the Giants failed to significantly upgrade their roster for 2012
- Ryan Braun’s positive PED test
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