Correction - The Dodgers will open the 2024 season in South Korea vs. the Padres.   

Have you noticed that MLB dugouts are getting crowded? With all the coaches old and new beyond the manager?  Bench coaches have not been a regular thing in baseball history but they are now and have been since the late 1980s.  We discuss coaches, The HOF Contemporary Committee and Ford Frick Award votes AND talk about baseball winter meetings. We do wish we were there!

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Site founder Tim Dierkes joins host Darragh McDonald to discuss what isn't happening with Shohei Ohtani and what they think about the process playing out secretly and Jerry Dipoto and the Mariners deciding to bet against Jarred Kelenic in order to dump salary.

Listener question topics include what the Dodgers' plan B will be if they miss out on Ohtani, if rising player contracts will lead to higher prices charged to fans, and whether anyone from MLBTR attends the Winter Meetings.

The Gents start the final sports show of the year by asking themselves, "Why are the sports fans?" with the pair surrendering that they are not as big as fans of Pat McAfee (2:10). With fluffing on how McAfee was celebrated for College GameDay, the Gents have their gripes with the College Playoff being decided with the snub of Florida State University (13:30). The very first time in the tournament's history that an undefeated school was not selected as the final four schools that will compete, a true travesty that impacts the integrity of the CFP. TV eases the tension by educating EstoBro and the listening audience about the NBA In-Season Tournament (35:25) which is in the final stages and will be decided this week in Las Vegas for the title. EstoBro is excited over MLB's Winter Meetings (51:45) taking place this week and all eyes are on superstar Shohei Ohtani and where he will be playing baseball in the upcoming season. The Gents also give some attention to the current NHL season, why the San Francisco 49ers are a true playoff contender, and the Los Angeles Rams celebrating One Piece in their stadium over the weekend (71:30).

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Matt Pauley broadcasts live from Day 2 of the MLB Winter Meetings in Nashville and recaps the day’s events. Still no major splash across the league just yet, but we found out the Cardinals will be picking seventh in next year’s draft as announced at today’s Draft Lottery. Matt is joined by Cardinals writer for FirstAlert4.com Brenden Schaeffer and Forbes senior contributor Maury Brown to elaborate on the meetings thus far and the future of regional sports broadcasting after Bally Sports’ parent company Diamond Sports Group files for bankruptcy. Matt wraps up the hour featuring Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol’s comments on the recent pitching additions and how they benefit the 2024 club.

Sports Open Line with Matt Pauley airs weeknights 6-8PM CT on KMOX barring any Cardinals, Billikens, or NFL games. Join the show by calling or texting (314) 436-7900 or by tweeting to Matt @MattPauleyOnAir. Listen live at 1120AM, 98.7FM, or on the free Audacy app.

The Book of Joe Podcast with hosts Tom Verducci and Joe Maddon are ready for the 2023 Winter Meetings in Nashville.  Shohei Ohtani is talking to the Blue Jays and Joe thinks the international feel to Toronto and a great ballpark could make this a good fit.  Joe explains what he thinks will be important to Ohtani for his next team.  Tom looks back at the career of newly named Hall of Famer Jim Leyland, with both sharing their favorite stories.  We wrap up with Joe and Tom having differing opinions on 19 year old Brewers OF Jackson Chourio signing an $82 million deal before having any major league experience.  

The Book of Joe Podcast is a production of iHeart Radio.

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The Book of Joe Podcast with hosts Tom Verducci and Joe Maddon are ready for the 2023 Winter Meetings in Nashville.  Shohei Ohtani is talking to the Blue Jays and Joe thinks the international feel to Toronto and a great ballpark could make this a good fit.  Joe explains what he thinks will be important to Ohtani for his next team.  Tom looks back at the career of newly named Hall of Famer Jim Leyland, with both sharing their favorite stories.  We wrap up with Joe and Tom having differing opinions on 19 year old Brewers OF Jackson Chourio signing an $82 million deal before having any major league experience.  

The Book of Joe Podcast is a production of iHeart Radio.

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Step into an exclusive conversation with John Mozeliak, the President of Baseball Operations for the St. Louis Cardinals. Mozeliak offers a deep dive into the Cardinals' offseason moves, spotlighting the strategic signings of Lance Lynn, Kyle Gibson, and Sonny Gray. Explore Mozeliak's insights on fortifying the team's pitching roster, elevating clubhouse dynamics, and navigating the ever-evolving trade market. 

Tom Ackerman brings the latest updates from the sports world on a Sunday morning. Starting with the College Football Playoff scenario, the conversation revolves around the potential playoff contenders and the controversy surrounding team selections. Analyzing the situation, Tom emphasizes the significance of conference champions, advocating for Florida State's inclusion based on their undefeated record and ACC title, contrasting the committee's potential favoritism towards Texas. Shifting gears to college basketball, Tom addresses SLU's recent struggles, highlighting defensive weaknesses and injuries affecting the team's performance

The Book of Joe Podcast begins with hosts Tom Verducci and World Series Champion Joe Maddon discussing bench coaches and what they can bring to a team.  Joe looks back to his days of being a bench coach then moving onto what he needed from the coaches he added to his teams.  Tom asks how Willson Contreras will fit with the Cardinals before eyeing the rest of the free agent market.  When it comes to catchers, find out why Joe tried to eliminate 'going with your gut' during a game and never feared being wrong.  We 'Pick a  Page' from the Book of Joe and reveal the lesson from page 131, which hits very close to home for Joe.  Wrapping up, Tom has a challenge for our audience.

The Book of Joe Podcast is a production of iHeart Radio.

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Book of Joe Podcast begins with hosts Tom Verducci and World Series Champion Joe Maddon discussing bench coaches and what they can bring to a team.  Joe looks back to his days of being a bench coach then moving onto what he needed from the coaches he added to his teams.  Tom asks how Willson Contreras will fit with the Cardinals before eyeing the rest of the free agent market.  When it comes to catchers, find out why Joe tried to eliminate 'going with your gut' during a game and never feared being wrong.  We 'Pick a  Page' from the Book of Joe and reveal the lesson from page 131, which hits very close to home for Joe.  Wrapping up, Tom has a challenge for our audience.

The Book of Joe Podcast is a production of iHeart Radio.

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MLB:
✓Winter meetings are underway
✓Degrom head to the Rangers for 5 yrs $185 million with a 6th year option that pushes the deal to $222 million. Good deal or over paid?
✓Fred McGriff elected to the HOF
✓Verlander to the Mets 2 years $86 million 
✓Would you rather have Verlander at $43 mil per or Degrom at $37 mil?
✓Trea Turner to Phillies 11 years for $300 mil.

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The fellas check in at the start of the winter meetings to run through the four major acquisitions the M's have made so far, preview the rest of the offseason, and, most importantly, bash Mariners Twitter. 

Note - This podcast was recorded minutes before Mitch Haniger signed with the San Francisco Giants.

The Book of Joe Podcast begins with hosts Tom Verducci and World Series Champion Joe Maddon discussing the Winter Meetings getting underway in San Diego.  We learn what Dusty Baker did after winning the World Series and the motivation behind him.  Joe relives his journey of starting in baseball to winning a championship. Turning to the Winter Meetings, find out what happens throughout the day and how teams target players they're interested in.  The Mets sign Justin Verlander and will have to deal with the competitive relationship between Verlander and Max Scherzer. We have the MLB Hall of Fame Class for 2023 and Joe couldn't be happier for Fred McGriff getting the call.  Tom addresses the future of steroid users getting into the Hall of Fame with Joe bringing a team's perspective to the discussion. We wrap up with a 'Pick a Page' reading from the Book of Joe. Joe picks page 70...find out what story it is!

The Book of Joe Podcast is a production of iHeart Radio.

#fsr

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Book of Joe Podcast begins with hosts Tom Verducci and World Series Champion Joe Maddon discussing the Winter Meetings getting underway in San Diego.  We learn what Dusty Baker did after winning the World Series and the motivation behind him.  Joe relives his journey of starting in baseball to winning a championship. Turning to the Winter Meetings, find out what happens throughout the day and how teams target players they're interested in.  The Mets sign Justin Verlander and will have to deal with the competitive relationship between Verlander and Max Scherzer. We have the MLB Hall of Fame Class for 2023 and Joe couldn't be happier for Fred McGriff getting the call.  Tom addresses the future of steroid users getting into the Hall of Fame with Joe bringing a team's perspective to the discussion. We wrap up with a 'Pick a Page' reading from the Book of Joe. Joe picks page 70...find out what story it is!

The Book of Joe Podcast is a production of iHeart Radio.

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Doggie talks MLB Free Agency as Justin Verlander signs with the Mets & Trea Turner with the Phillies.  

The Book of Joe Podcast begins with Hosts Tom Verducci and World Series Champion Joe Maddon welcoming legendary musician Max Weinberg to the show.  We've been talking about 'Glue Guys' and how important they are in keeping a team together.  Max explores the importance of having chemistry in a band or team and the hurdles it can bring.  Max was inducted into the NJ Hall of Fame and discusses some of the special moments of his ceremony.  As in sports, being on stage is all about being nimble and adjusting to what's in front of you.  No matter the obstacle, Max tells us what it takes to keep the music going.  Max compares holding his drumsticks to an MLB player holding his bat and how he had to learn new grips to play more relaxed. Max takes us through his journey of trying out for Little League, auditioning for Bruce Springsteen, and being named as the leader of The Tonight Show Band.  Max reveals that Bruce is a big baseball fan and gives us a scouting report on The Boss playing shortstop!

The Book of Joe Podcast is a production of iHeart Radio.

#fsr

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Book of Joe Podcast begins with Hosts Tom Verducci and World Series Champion Joe Maddon welcoming legendary musician Max Weinberg to the show.  We've been talking about 'Glue Guys' and how important they are in keeping a team together.  Max explores the importance of having chemistry in a band or team and the hurdles it can bring.  Max was inducted into the NJ Hall of Fame and discusses some of the special moments of his ceremony.  As in sports, being on stage is all about being nimble and adjusting to what's in front of you.  No matter the obstacle, Max tells us what it takes to keep the music going.  Max compares holding his drumsticks to an MLB player holding his bat and how he had to learn new grips to play more relaxed. Max takes us through his journey of trying out for Little League, auditioning for Bruce Springsteen, and being named as the leader of The Tonight Show Band.  Max reveals that Bruce is a big baseball fan and gives us a scouting report on The Boss playing shortstop!

The Book of Joe Podcast is a production of iHeart Radio.

#fsr

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’re wondering who the Blue Jays should target this winter, this is the episode for you. Shi Davidi joins Ben for a discussion about which players the Jays should pursue, from high-end free agents (12:03) to mid-tier difference makers (24:59) to ideal trade candidates (48:08).

This episode is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Shi David.

Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca

Audio Credits: Sportsnet

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates. 

After a tough ending, what’s next for the Blue Jays? Shi Davidi joins Ben to discuss the status of John Schneider (08:47), the lessons we can and can’t learn from the 2022 playoffs (21:48) and how the Jays will approach their needs this winter (36:33).

This episode is produced Christian Ryan and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Shi Davidi in Arden Zwelling’s absence.

Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca

Audio Credits: Sportsnet

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.