Thinking Baseball

Ep. 20 - Fantasy Baseball

Chatting with special guest Adam Painter of the Inglorious Batters podcast about fantasy baseball's affect on analytics, fandom, and how we interact with other fans of the game. Thinking Baseball Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/3262824150657645] Variety Sports Network YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@vsnbaseball]

Ep. 19 - The Spring Training Experience

Looking at baseball's Spring Training. Josh's personal experience in the Cactus League, favorite ballparks, and more. Variety Sports Network Baseball YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@vsnbaseball] Thinking Baseball Facebook Community [https://www.facebook.com/groups/3262824150657645]

Ep. 18 - Expansion and Realignment

Welcome to Thinking Baseball, the new iteration of Caught in a Pickle! A production of Variety Sports Network. On today’s episode, we’re talking realignment. Expansion is coming to Major League Baseball, and with it have been some crazy ideas out there about what could happen when it does. Hi Jim Bowden! Where do the expansion teams get placed? What divisions do they join? Do divisions get realigned altogether? What are playoffs going to look like? Featuring Suzy Fulton from Back That Astros Up and Josh Edwards from 7th Inning Stretch. Thinking Baseball Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/thinkingbaseball] Sponsored by: Row 1 Brand - Code: VSP15 for 15% off any item in the art gallery, Code: VSN20 for 20% off any watch  Seat Geek - Code: VSN for $20 off your first purchase at Seat Geek    In The Clutch - Code: VARIETYSPORTS for 10 % off anything from In The Clutch   BetUS - Use the link https://bit.ly/BetUS-Variety_Sports_ [https://bit.ly/BetUS-Variety_Sports_?fbclid=IwAR3TUjWq1fSLg6rpBrJC4YnRIf-_6_lhpD-1KUy9HJUT5xcHV1r8QDbtGLI] for 125% bonus Triple A’s Treats - Code VSN for 10% off order

Ep. 17 - Baseball's Freedom of Expression

This week it was announced who would be gracing the cover for the video game MLB The Show. There’s always a lot of hype and buildup to this now. Fans guessing or making their picks. Kind of how it used to be for the cover of Sports Illustrated, or a Wheaties box. Well, it was announced that Jazz Chisholm is getting the honor this year and I couldn’t help notice a few things when I saw the cover. I was brought up in the old school world of baseball where the extent of self expression was whether or not you wore batting gloves or if you wore your socks high. Baseball now, influenced by its young superstars and social media revolution, seems to be embracing this new wave of freedom of expression. And, if I’m honest with myself and look at both my new school and old school feelings objectively, I’m kinda here for it.

Ep. 16 - Friday the 13th: Superstition in Baseball

Friday the 13th came and went this last week and with it superstition took center stage. 13 is unlucky. Don’t open an umbrella inside. Don’t walk under a ladder. Don’t cross paths with a black cat. Whatever it is, superstitions are as old as humanity itself.  Obviously that human psychology shows itself into the game of baseball. Don’t talk to a pitcher when he has a no hitter going. Don’t step on the foul lines. But it seems with the influx of youth into today’s game, these superstitions are starting to lose their power over baseball minds. So, as we always do here, let’s compare notes between old school and new school and see what we can do about some of these baseball superstitions. Variety Sports Network YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@varietysportsnetwork] Caught in a Pickle Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/3262824150657645] BetUS Special Offer [https://bit.ly/BetUS-Variety_Sports_]