The show starts with some quick thoughtss on the passing of Tim Wakefield. Wake deserves his own episode. I have an idea in mind that will take a bit of time to put toghter, but keep an eye out. Hats off to NESN for the job they did honoring Wake while live on the air. I also lose my mind over a particular social media interaction... Then I give a full report card on the 2023 Red Sox, grading every player to appear this season. This sets the stage for the upcoming offseason preview episode with my plan to fix this team.
Beverage of the week Tullamore DEW - An outstanding table whiskey that is smooth enough to enjoy neat. A 375ml bottle is under $20.
Another year, another year with a losing record, another year in last place. An awful day for Red Sox fans on the field, and off the field with Curt Schilling sharing (with or without permission) that Tim Wakefield is battling brain cancer, while Tim's wife Stacy has been battling pancreatic cancer.... Also discussed is where the Red Sox GM search is at and if it will be much of a search at all. If you are a Red Sox fan than needs a reason to smile today. Boston Fans Bid Kid Adieu and Ted Williams hitting .406 in 1941.
The day we weren’t sure would ever come has arrived. As critical as I’ve been of the job Chaim Bloom has done as CBO of the Red Sox, this doesn’t feel like a day to celebrate. It really is another organizational failure.
I break down the Bloom tenure, where he went wrong, and where ownership left him out to dry. Following that is a conversation with Cousin Adam.
Off the Pike Chaim Bloom is out
Kiley McDaniel ($) Why Red Sox parted ways with Chaim Bloom and Who has the most talent locked in? Ranking all 30 MLB cores
The midway point was a couple weeks ago to be pedantic. Anyway, the all star break is a great time to asses the first half and look ahead. I also break down Red Sox All Star snubs and the improvement of the Red Sox system.
Beverage of the Week: Four Roses Bourbon
The Sox are hot! I feel like I should be happier about it. I explain why. I also take a look at how the Red Sox have gone on this heater, who the key contributors have been, and will it continue. More critically, does this run vailidate the moves and the vision of Chaim Bloom? Listen to find out!
Beverage of the week: Beukenhorst Classic
“Tito: The Terry Francona Story” on MLB Network
After last week's debacle against the Rays, the Red Sox rode their luck to go 5-2 in games against the Angels and Twins. After not having a starter so much as throw a pitch in the 6th inning, the Red Sox had not one, not two, but three starters complete six innings and allow under three earned runs! That is a quality start kids. Hell, two of them even finished seven innings! I talk about Casas and Yoshida's struggles, and an encouraging start to the season from Jarren Duran.
Around the league I break down the A's imminent move to Las Vegas, Max Scherzer's sticky stuff ejection, and the Diamondback DFAing Madison Bumgarner.
The Rays started the season 13 in a row as the Red Sox lose their 13th in a row at Tropicana Field. Just a complete debacle. The product really has been disgraceful. I saw through the sweep of the Tigers last weekend, and the past four games this team was exposed.
Fenway on Fire blog: Duvall injury a killer
Tomase: Chaim Bloom Era has hit a new low with Sox' current product
Beverage of the day: Backbeat Brewing Company Background Vocals
After starting this podcast in the offseason, I didn't realize until the season started that I had put no thought into how I wanted to format the show during the season. I do a very high-level recap of the first six games, share my take aways, look at the MLB landscape and look ahead. This week's beverage of the week is Beach Hair from Naukabout Brewery
After recording 1:20 of audio on Monday that turned out to be inaudible, the season preview pod is here just in time for Opening Day! I start with an overview of the last few spots on the Red Sox roster, and review an excellent piece from Ben Lindbergh of The Ringer: The Forgotten History of MLB’s Pitch Clock...
Then I go team-by-team, division-by-division previewing the upcoming season. Stay to the end for my 25 minute Red Sox preview. I didn't save best for last, I went in order of last year's standings.
After a thrilling World Baseball Classic, I talk about the tournament as a while, break down the Japanese players I can't wait to see in MLB, break down Team USA and what I want them to do in 2026. I also talk about what changes I would make for 2026. Masataka Yoshida had a great tournament and arguably should have been MVP... Nike robbed us of green jerseys on St Patrick's Day because Nike sucks... Brian Bello is back and looking great. Tanner Houck is still here and looks like trash. Speaking of trash performances, Ryan Brasier and Kaleb Ort are prime DFA candiates... Quick injury update... I review my first fantasy baseball draft and share some of my fantasy baseball tips.
Sean McAdam ($) BSJ Completed Q&A: McAdam on Red Sox/MLB, 03.21.23 & Red Sox Notebook: Dalbec appears to have edge in battle for utility infielder spot
Christopher Smith: Red Sox injuries: Updates on Justin Turner, James Paxton, Connor Wong
Picks of the week:
Phillies best MLB Record +1400
Division Winner six team parlay: Cleveland, Toronto, St. Louis, Philadelphia, San Diego, and Seattle +54932
Beverage of the week: Sullivan's Maltings Irish Ale
The World Baseball Classic has been such a great tournament, and I was so fired up about the final I had to record the first ever Fenway on Fire BONUS Episode! Can Team USA with it's prolific lineup carry whichever middling starting pitcher takes the ball? Will the Yu Darvish from the 2017 World Series show up for Japan, or will he defeat the US like in the 2009 WBC? I also gush just a little about Masataka Yoshida and Roki Sasaki.
With apologies to John Henry, Fenway on Fire is back! This week we briefly get up to speed. I share my love of the World Baseball Classic and disdain for the soft American starting pitchers who don't want to pitch in it. I also catch up on the Red Sox injury situation and the state of the starting rotation; not great! With legal mobile betting in Massachusetts, I share some MLB and WBC picks.
A shorter, more off the cuff show this week as I get back in the swing.
I don't do blind optimism, but there are some reasons for Red Sox fans to be CAUTIOUSLY optimistic. The AAA arms we have seen so far in spring training at least have high floors to go with higher ceilings than what we saw last June. Maybe Jarren Duran and Bobby Dalbec can use the opposite field against big league starters; they are certainly strong enough... I also briefly touch on the shifting economics of MLB.
Beverage of the week Cowtown Brewing High Brau
Coco Crisp on Baseball Reference
What I wrote about Frank McCourt's Dodgers: Part 1 and Part 2
Let's discuss how the World Series is superior to the Super Bowl in every way! The halftime show put me to sleep literally this year instead of figuratively like every other year. Is 2023 a bridge year? I talk about why a bridge year is the best we can hope for. I also revisit the original bridge year of 2010, and the prospects Theo Epstein was trying to bridge to. I also talk about why 2023 is a new era in baseball; a new era we were overdue for.
Theo Epstein confident that MLB rule changes will make baseball much more exciting in 2023
Beverage of the week: Guinness Extra Stout
Happy belated Truck Day! Will the new, balanced schedule help the Red Sox make the playoffs? Here's a hint: no. Jayson Stark ($) with everything you need to know about the new schedule. Do the Red Sox have enough "Character Guys"? I also react to Keith Law ($) and Kiley McDaniel's ($) farm system rankings. Law himself says on his own website these rankings are just an opinion.
Then I take a deep dive into the Red Sox rotation. I break down every candidate for the rotation in order on how much confidence I have in them. Sorry James Paxton, at least The Big Maple is a cool nickname.
Jake & Amanda Deikman's Gut it Out Foundation
Beverage of the week Party at the Moontower from Wildbloom Beer.