Episodes

Breakfast with 2 friends from Brooklyn, Joe Torre & Sandy Koufax, they unlocked what was different in the game today – That’s the story Positive Vibe w/Rays new owners , Cosgrove, Zalupski & Babby No rule for “Caring about what you buy” Too much inventory - 165 games Build love in the game w/ Little League Empty seats in playoff games The Pitch Clock the most significant change in the game Bananas have exposed a central problem – Fans Feel Alienated A $4 million dollar solution for the C...

Mat and analyst Mark dive into a big week for Tampa Bay baseball fans as the Rays transition to new ownership and the future of the franchise begins to take shape. Pumpkin spice & postseason baseball: Reflecting on Stu Sternberg’s era: Dropping the “Devil” & building consistent winning seasons. Iconic Rays moments: Evan Longoria’s homer, Brosseau vs. Chapman, Arozarena’s postseason magic. Sternberg’s legacy— building success on a budget & supports local causes Meet the new leadership: Spotli...

 🎉 Lou Schiff’s Big News - Lou Schiff welcoming a new family member!Mark & Mat share their excitement and well wishes for the Schiff family.  📚 Lou’s Book: Hall of Fame Players Who Became Lawyers Discussion on Lou’s latest book featuring Hall of Famers like Tony La Russa who also pursued law. Which current MLB players might make good lawyers or judges Mat nominates Aaron Judge 🧑‍⚖️ Mark suggests Pete Fairbanks ⚾  ⚖️ CBA & Player Issues Mat breaks down upcoming CBA challenges. Salary cap...

Rays Season Wrap-Up RaysUp Rays fall out of playoff contention but improve draft positionPhillies clinch NL East; Brewers, Dodgers, Blue Jays all in tight division racesGlass-half-full outlook as younger players gain valuable experience under pressureSpotlight on Montgomery Biscuits in the Southern League playoffsHomer Bush Jr., Ledbetter, Brody Hopkins, Will Simpson, and TJ NicholsRays and Brewers’ player development approaches Rays’ history of sending prospects to Australia’s Perth Hea...

Season Perspective ShiftReflects on changing expectations — from World Series hopes to just aiming for .500. The Rays’ season to running with a persistent side stitch: fatigue, inconsistency, and frustration. Hitting Development ConcernsRays’ persistent issue developing hitters in the minors. Lack of homegrown impact bats compared to players like Yandy Díaz and Junior Caminero (both acquired from Cleveland). Call for a full review of the hitting development pipeline from A-ball through AAA. ...

BaseballBiz On Deck – Rays & Junior Caminero Rising Rays rebound to reach .500, winning 8 of last 10 gamesMariners series pivotal in reigniting playoff hopesRoster shakeups pay dividends:Carson Williams’ call-up sparks momentum Tristan Gray contributes key hits Josh Lowe heating up after strugglesJunior Caminero shines:Hits 40th HR of the season, joins elite Rays companyReaches 100 RBIs milestoneEmerging as the face and future cornerstone of the team Pitching & Team Per...

Reflection on Tony Saladino – Tampa Baseball icon Tampa Bay Rays Youth movement: Carson Williams – first MLB home run, strong defensive presence, potential long-term answer at shortstop Ian Seymour – lefty starter showing promise Everson Pereira – solid defense, working into outfield rotation Brian Van Belle – strong Durham performance, early success in MLB debut Junior Caminero – chasing 50+ home runs at age 21, comparisons to Evan Longoria’s early career stats Chandler Simpson – speed th...

Mark welcomes guest Mike Baluja, who Mark calls, Mr. West Tampa” Baluja businessman, songwriter, and baseball historian. Conversation centers on the Little League World Series and the rich baseball history of West Tampa. The Alessi Bakers baseball team & Joe Magadan The rise and changes of West Tampa Little League since the 1960s. Community roots in immigrant cigar families and neighborhood culture. Legendary players from the area, including Lou Piniella, Tony La Russa, Tino Martinez, Luis...

Wild Florida weather playing baseball during Hurricane season. Shane McClanahan injury – look back at his original early playoff usage, and comparisons to Mark Prior’s career. Pitching depth – AAA arms, Forrest Whitley & Brian Van Belle, as possible support for the Rays’ future. Late season debuts can create high-stakes stress for pitchers. Little League World Series - Lake Mary, FL’s recent run, and the emotional intensity for young athletes. LLWS Youth Baseball - Maria Pepe & standout pla...

Tampa Bay Rays turning on a dime Rays now 4.5 spots out of the Wild Card Swapping spots with the Angels Shane Baz & Mike Trout face off Rays getting momentum – Chris Morel after 6 SO’s hits a Home Run Junior Caminero 2 Home Runs Griffin Jax bases bases loaded & then strikes out 3 Will Jax be a future Rays closer Shane Baz started strong September is a critical month for the Tampa Bay Rays – time to get hot Taj Bradley in AAA Twins Adrian Houser, initial outing not spectacular Rays are...

Griffin Jax comes on Taj Bradley traded Twins are Kryptonite to Rays during Trade Deadlines Fans should be ecstatic - keeping Brandon Lowe, Pete Fairbanks & Yandy Diaz Rays gave up 3 pieces for a catcher Expected Tristan Gray was going to be called up Dealing Jose Cabaellero to the Yankees not happy to see his speed moving to New York Love for the Yankees not magnified games with Yankees lost 3 in 4 game series 4 players pulled from the game 3 from injuries & one sent to Yankees dugout ...

Danny Jansen moves but still sits on the bench for one last game to back up Thaiss Imagine marketing promotion if Taylor Walls performed as catcher backup after Jansen’s move Will Rays continue to pay Fairbanks $6 million next year if they cannot find a suitable trade? Would the Rangers pick up Tracking Jhoan Duran Johnny DeLuca returns with some outstanding outfield catches Outstanding Outfielders across the league include Juan Soto, Aaron Judge & Mookie Betts, Jorge Soler Beasts in the ...

Carson Mead - Hot in AAA lets see what you can do – Future 30/30 guy Moving Taylor Walls to Shortstop and would be very attractive to other teams Chandler Simpson, Jake Mangum & Carson Williams speed “Speed doesn't slump” - John Gibbons Rays picking taller players – Glasnow, Snell Taller pitchers “don’t have as much lag between the push and the landing.” 22 picks of 2025 Rays Draft picks, none or under 6’ 2” including a 6’ 5” catcher Tall catchers with rocket arms can throw from their kne...

Ryan Woodward, founder of Women in Baseball Week & Women’s Baseball Heritage Trail Increasing awareness of Women’s Baseball St. Louis Cardinals became the first MLB team to participate publicly in Women in Baseball Week. Honoring Rockford Peach, Sue Parsons-Zipay of the AAGPBL Sue continued to promote girls & women in baseball through the American Girls Baseball (AGB) & the All-American Women’s Baseball Classic Exciting Era for Women’s Baseball Growth across platforms: Athletes Un...

All-Star game Junior Caminero came in 2nd to Cal Raleigh in Home Run Derby 2025 All Star game was entertaining Clayton Kershaw mic’ed up on the mound Let’s mic up the 3rd & 1st base coaches for every game 3 Rays at the game, Drew Rasmussen, Jonathan Aranda & Junior Caminero Rasmussen history of 3x arm injuries & he continues to play a great game ABS system with Tarik Skubal pitching to Manny Machado How will we see ABS being used in the future The last taboo & MLB rule crossing may be t...

Greta Langhenry, President & Co-Founder of Level Ump Growth with women in sports Loss of Sue Zipay, AAAGPBL, All-Girls Baseball, All Women’s Tournament, Rockford Peach Sue also made sure that her tournament had all women officiating the All Women’s Baseball Tournament Greta’s love of the game Bridging generations of the love of the game with her Dad Only girl on the baseball team Was told she could no longer play baseball then softball was the only alternative Liked softball, but it’s a d...

Rays facing the Detroit Tigers Jake Mangum has Joey Wendle energy and commitment Arozarena & Siri had a lackadaisical approach & sometimes spotty Mangum, Chandler Simpson & Meisner showing up with strong rookie performances Veterans energized by the rookie players 22 year-old, Junior Caminero hit 22 Home Runs 6th & 7th hitters hitting above 300 Rays are Strong defensively How aggressive will the Rays be at MLB Trade Deadline Where will the Rays add Shane McClanahan on the horizon, play...

AL East Tightens up at the top, Yankees, Blue Jays & Rays Quiz: Which Living Legend has 1,000 wins as a player & 1,800 plus wins Tony Ciccarello, a West Tampa native with deep baseball roots, talks about the role of baseball in the West Tampa community, where it’s woven into the local culture and heritage. Excitement of Baseball in Tampa with the Rays Growing Up with Baseball: baseball was integral to his upbringing, with influences from his father and community leaders "Baseball Was My Life...

Rays continue to win series: Mets, Tigers, & a strong start against the Royals. Cincinnati Reds’ Chase Burns strikes out the Yankees' top batters in the first inning. Chandler Simpson is back in the majors, though his defensive growth remains key 2021 Rays roster that won 100 games - who remains Contrasts between veterans like Clayton Kershaw & players who never make it to free agency. Impact of MLB Cutting Minor League Teams Manfred’s reduction from 160 to 120 minor league team...

New ownership of the Tampa Bay Rays on the horizon Florida Developer, Patrick Zalupski – Jacksonville Real Estate Developer, Dream Finders Homes Ken Babby - Founder & CEO, Fast Forward Sports Group & Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp – Triple A team for the Miami Marlins & the Akron RubberDucks – Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians an informed and experienced mind to the ownership & front office 2 business guys from New York invested in 2 teams yea...

Saving the World 1 person at a time Fires in Canada – Canada Firefighters from Australia & the US aiding Canada as the fires in Manitoba continue. Alli Schroder, 2-time World Cup bronze medalist with Team Canada is a wildfire firefighter Tampa Hurricanes and FEMA director does not recognize that Hurricane season Exciting Times in Tampa – Evan Longoria inducted into the Sports Club of Tampa Hall of Fame Lou Piniella award goes to baseball executive & historian Rick Vaughn at Legacy Event in...

Amazing performances by Zach Little & Taj Bradley Taylor Walls Fiery exchange with Umpire Ha-Seong Kim struggling in Minors Chandler Simpson goes down & Jake Mangum returns to Rays lineup Love those Lowe & Lowe boys Houston Astros with Hunter Brown Baseball America, – Top 100 review Cooper Kinney, Theo Gillen, AL East – Yankees World Series path for the Tampa Bay Rays Pitching depth Potential trades with D-Backs Gambling – McCullers Jr & Liam Hendricks Past Baseball Legends who were...

Kevin Boles, Montgomery Biscuits Manager has a 25 year career in baseball First game as manager with 2 special players; Adrian Gonzalez & Miguel Cabrera John Boles, Kevin’s dad a great mentor Boston Red Sox in Pawtucket the “31st major league team” a great place to see the future of players working up to the major league team How to balance Player Development while Developing Winners today Advice to players “Don’t Be a Front Runner in Your Own Career” Look at failures as an opportun...

Tamara Holmes, Veronica Alvarez, Malaika Underwood & Alex Oglesby, Champions of the USAWNT Women's Baseball team, discuss the increase in bullying & pushing out of young girls in baseball Talking groups with young players at MLBDevelops Trailblazers uncovered more on how young girls are being pushed off teams & encountering bullying Climate of bullying is getting worse Malaika Underwood recounts that when she was a child playing baseball her team did not care if she was a girl or ...