Game 4 of the 2020 World Series will go down as one of the most exciting games in history. It was like a Heavyweight championship fight with two greats trading blows for the entire fight. Can the Dodgers take back the momentum stolen by the Rays in an improbable way in the bottom of the 9th in Game 4? Are the Rays primed to keep their winning ways and knock out Kershaw early? The experts pick the Dodgers, but the Rays are making this one very memorable.
The first episode of "The Backstop Show" on our new Zoom platform. Check out the video of the episode on YouTube--Here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liCsfuI8bPQ
Lots of surprises from League Championship series in both leagues as the Rays look unbeatable with their awesome staff, stellar defense and timely hitting. Can the Astros come back from a 0-3 start? Can the Mighty Dodgers come back from their 0-2?
Managers firings are happening and we discuss some of the candidates being interviewed for the White Sox opening including the Angels Tony LaRussa. This should be an interesting off season. Plus, we discuss the passing of another MLB legend, Joe Morgan.
With the new playoff system in place, we have already seen casualties from the structure. The upcoming free agent market looks bleak, who is in the driver's seat and who may be forced to retire. Several baseball legends passed recently including Sweet Lou Johnson, Ron Perranowski, Jay Johnstone and Bob Gibson. More discussions about our favorite love and hate players like Mookie Betts, Yaz3, Trout and of course Ty Cobb. A little music tribute to start and end the show--RIP EVH
On this episode, the conversation touches on the AL and NL season awards. Lots of discussion about the notion that Mike Trout gets graded at a different level than other players, Cy Young looks close in both leagues plus leagues have several good candidates for manager of the year, plus more from Doc's mystery mailbag.
There is a tight race for the playoffs with a total of 16 teams getting a shot to win the World Series. How important is team chemistry in this shortened season, we shall soon find out. Is Mookie Betts the answer the Dodgers have been seeking to finally win it all? Listen to the waterboy story on this episode. Zack Greinke is showing HOF numbers but will he get the votes he needs. Covid is not over and it may effect 2021 Spring Training plus more from Doc's Mystery Mail Bag.
The play-off picture is starting to build itself out with some real surprises plus a number of teams are on the bubble to just make the play-offs. Are the new rules like making the pitchers face three batters and the extra inning man on 2B really moving games along quicker or is the opposite happening. There is major parody amongst MLB pitchers with the top having extraordinary numbers but the bottom having dismal numbers. The Angels and Dodgers going in different directions. Plus our favorite players to cheer for and rag like Yaz3, Trout and Ty Cobb. Plus more from Doc's Mail Bag.
In this episode, the guys touch on the 2020 surprise players and teams. Can they maintain this level for another 3 weeks? Who's going to be hot when the time is right? Will there be a spoiler team who dashes the dreams of the Dodger's fans? Listen to the discussion about the newest type of MLB coach, the Hitting Strategist. The MLB Bubble is being talked about and there are a few scenarios that could be quite interesting. There's talk about changing the name of the MVP award, is that a good idea? Plus more Doc's Mystery Mail Bag.
What a crazy day August 31st 2020 was as it was MLBโs trade deadline date. Listen to who won and why. The Padres look like a new favorite to compete against the mighty Dodgers. The Dodgers trade a solid starter and get no one back to help in 2020. Thatโs how good they are. More discussions about the social injustice issues plaguing our country. The play off picture is begin to shape up, who will be the surprise of the season? Plus more from Docโs Mystery Mail Bag.
White Sox pitcher, Lucas Giolito, throws the first No Hitter of 2020 and does it in fine fashion. Consider this same pitcher had the worst ERA in baseball last year for a starting pitcher. The odds of getting to the play-offs came out so find out where your team sits at the halfway point. Reds announcer, Thom Brennaman, made an inappropriate comment and has been suspended. All three chimed in about the shift and the consequences from it. Great ideas to modify it. Great trivia question about Wes Parker and more from Doc's Mystery Mail Bag.
Fernando Tatis Jr hit a grand slam on a 3-0 count and was blasted by the Rangers Manager for breaking an "Unwritten Rule". Listen to how the Backstop breaks down these rules and their relevance to the shortened 2020 season. Where's Puig going to end up? What players should be in the Hall but not there. Breakdown of the Dodgers, Angels, Padres and even a discussion on the terrible conditions millions of homeless suffer in SoCal. Trevor Bauer is doing great things for baseball on and off the field. Jim Palmer has a unique fact in his stats that seems impossible plus more from Doc's Mystery Mailbag.
Consider yourself VERY lucky to be alive right now. Despite all the craziness that 2020 has brought to our lives, we get see Mike Trout simply dominate day in and day out. Listen as the guys discuss the notion that Trout is actually the G.O.A.T.! One thing to remember, keep the jokes off the field or you just might incite a brawl. The A's and Asstros scuffle over an alleged "Mom" diss. And the instigator got a 20 game suspension--that's 1/3 of the season! Also more great trivia questions from our listeners and more from Doc's Mystery Mail Bag.
The 2020 season is about 10 games in and there are already some surprises both good and bad. Teams that are exceeding expectations, players who are going off and players who are struggling big time. Plus, Covid is still on the top of everyoneโs mindsโwill it derail the season? Can the players follow protocol? Plus more great questions from Docโs Mystery Mail Bag.
This episode was recorded during the Joe Kelly head hunting game on July 28, 2020 and the guys were able to get first takes of what was going on. The Marlins Covid situation is very concerning, can it bring down the league? Ohtani with no outs in his 2020 pitching debut--was it mental? Joe Madden thinks so. And much more including Doc's Mystery Mail Bag. Keep the questions coming!!
Baseball starts this week and this show is filled with the childlike excitement from the hosts, Benny, Lenny & Campy. Lots of discussions about the contingencies and the taxi squad to pivot in case of more cases. Also, great questions from Doc's Mystery Mail Bag.
The season is almost here but many players have been tested positive or opted out, will this impact certain teams? Puig is finally singed by an MLB team. The Atlanta Braves, who lost some key hitters to opting out or being sick, pick up arguably the top position player in the 2020 free agency market. Can he become a role model for the young Latin players on the Braves or a distraction like he was accused of with the Dodgers. Covid-19 is still preventing spikes in cases all over the country. Will this cause issues as the season starts? Plus great trivia questions from our listeners and more questions from the newly named "Doc's Mystery Mail Bag" as only Eric knows the questions and Campy and Benny have to answer off the cuff.
As Spring Training 2.0 begins, does it already show signs of cutting the season short? Several players are sick with covid and several others have opted out, will this lead to a drastic move my the owners or the players association? The political divisiveness is so thick its affecting baseball and other sports, can the season be spared or will tensions flare up too high to continue? So many questions to try to answer, it's actually sad that sides in all areas of sports and politics have dug in and not willing to budge from their stances. Can sports survive without fans? Can fans survive without games and seasons? Interesting and unprecedented times for sure. Plus more from Doc's Mail Bag.
We've got BASEBALL! Just announced as we recorded this episode, there will be a 60 game season beginning 7/24. This is the same amount of games played by NCAA Baseball so what does that mean for stats? Can someone hit 30 HRs? McGwire hit 32 at USC in 60 games in 1984. Will someone hit over .400 in this shortened season? It's VERY possible. Will the shortened season help some teams and hurt some teams? The analysis focuses on adjusting from a marathon 162 game season to more like a 10K race with 60 games. Then the discussion turned to the new MLB Documentary called, "Junior" detailing the career of Ken Griffey, Jr. Hear the inside scoop on Junior and how the documentary portrayed him a bit differently than reality. Plus more discussion about the diversity in the clubhouse and how that helps players better understand what it's like growing up in a different state, culture, or even country. And more great listener questions in Doc's Mail Bag.
In an attempt to get the 2020 season started, Commissioner Manfred and MLBPA's Tony Clark met in PHX to discuss a framework to get the players back on the field. Manfred and the owners have created a divide that may be insurmountable--or can there be a deal struck to save the season? Discussion of the legacies of the all the former MLB Commissioners. Interesting topic! Plus more great questions from "Doc's Mail Bag".
This episode was recorded during the 2020 MLB draft with Benny keep the updates flowing. The 1:1 is an ASU Sun Devil. The Angels get a quality LHP. Campy tells of his draft story in 1988 getting picked in the 3rd round and answers the question, what that what you dreamed about? Plus more from Doc's Mail Bag.
The owners and players cannot seem to agree on a financial plan to get the 2020 season started, they better hurry up as we enter June very soon. Who were the toughest pitchers to hit or had the nastiest pitches. Comments on the expansion drafts of the past and potentially the future. Plus more GREAT questions from the listeners.