Flippin' Bats with Ben Verlander

Latest Episodes:

JOHN SMOLTZ INTERVIEW - 8X ALL-STAR + CY YOUNG WINNER + HALL OF FAME PITCHER Jun 07, 2022

Show notes

Ben welcomes in one of the most prolific pitchers in MLB History - 8x All-Star, Cy Young winner, 1995 World Series champion and Hall of Fame inductee, John Smoltz ! Smoltz talks about his early years in the big leagues, how he worked on the mental side of the game, best stories from those 90's Atlanta Braves teams, becoming a dominant closer after Tommy John surgery, favorite Bobby Cox ejections, best pranks Greg Maddux pulled, his thoughts on Shohei Ohtani and his transition to the broadcast booth!

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WEEKLY RECAP: NEW YORK REIGNS SUPREME + PHILLIES CHANGEUP + OHTANI/DEGROM COMPARISON Jun 06, 2022

Show notes

Ben Verlander gives you everything you need to know in the week of MLB! Ben starts in Philadelphia, where the Phillies have been 3-0 since firing Manager Joe Girardi, the Angels in free fall after losing 11-games in a row, umpires showing up players and why changes need to be made, finally, New York baseball is all the way back with the Yankees and Mets both holding commanding leads in the AL/NL East!

Next up Ben goes through his weekly Power Rankings and gives you his Top-10 teams after another full week of baseball in the books!

After Ben crowns his top team in the Power Rankings, it's time for This Week in Ohtani news; Ohtani tipping his pitches in NY last week, Ohtani's comparison to ace SP Jacob deGrom from HOF pitcher John Smoltz and Shohei Ohtani Sunday keeps rolling!

Following Power Rankings, Ben gives you the first ever 'Team of the Month' and his 'Player of the Month'!

Finally, Ben wraps up the episode by highlighting the incredible exchange between a family and Joey Votto!

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OHTANI TIPPING PITCHES + PHILLIES STRUGGLES + JOSE RAMIREZ APPRECIATION Jun 02, 2022

Show notes

Ben Verlander goes LIVE for his Thursday Happy Hour show! Joined by Producer Conrad, Ben starts by giving you his mid-week update; Ohtani has another bad outing in New York - was he tipping his pitches, what the Phillies can do to turn around their season joined by MLB on FOX analyst Jordan Shusterman, new developments in the Joc Pederson saga and why people really need to recognize the amazing play of Cleveland Guardians 3rd Baseman Jose Ramirez! Ben dives into some MLB trivia (make sure to play along) before diving into his Top-5 Switch Hitters in '22 and his 'Team of the Week' highlighting the best players in MLB at every position!

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TY FRANCE INTERVIEW - SEATTLE MARINERS STELLAR 1ST BASEMAN Jun 01, 2022

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Ben welcomes in one of the best young players in MLB - Seattle Mariners 1st Baseman, Ty France! Ty breaks down his fantastic college where he played under MLB Hall of Fame inductee Tony Gwynn, becoming an elite hitter at every level he played at, stories of working his way through the minors, explains his funny 'called up' story to the big leagues, his trade from San Diego to Seattle, playing alongside Mariners young superstar Julio Rodríguez, why he loves playing in Seattle and MUCH more!

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WEEKLY RECAP: OHTANI STILL MVP FAVORITE + RED SOX SURGE + SUPERSTARS STEPPING UP May 30, 2022

Show notes

Ben Verlander gives you everything you need to know in the week of MLB! Ben starts by breaking down the Tommy Pham / Joc Pederson incident that happened late last week, then details how the Boston Red Sox have finally got going and one of the hottest offenses in MLB, following goes through the league and highlights superstars that have finally made a big impact in May and why the Atlanta Braves need to wake up if they want to make the playoffs in '22!

Next up Ben goes through his weekly Power Rankings and gives you his Top-10 teams after another full week of baseball in the books!

After Ben crowns his top team in the Power Rankings, it's time for This Week in Ohtani news; why Sunday has become Ohtani's day, his career 150+ Home Runs between Japan and MLB, reasons why Ohtani is still the betting favorite for AL MVP and more Ohtani fun on the field!

Following Power Rankings, Ben lists his top 5 rookies in '22.

Finally, Ben wraps up the episode by highlighting the incredible exchange between a young fan and George Springer!

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A.J. PIERZYNSKI - CROSSTOWN CLASSIC PREVIEW CUBS AT WHITE SOX May 28, 2022

Show notes

Ben is joined by 2005 World Series Champion with the Chicago White Sox and current MLB Analyst on FS1, A.J. Pierzynski! A.J. talks about some of his career achievements, great stories from his playing days, what the White Sox need to get over the hump this season and a FULL preview of this weekend's Crosstown Classic between the Cubs @ White Sox on FS1!

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MOOKIE BETTS RESURGENCE + YANKEES INJURY CONCERNS + TOP-5 PLAYERS UNDER 25 May 26, 2022

Show notes

Ben Verlander goes LIVE for his Thursday Happy Hour show! Joined by Producer Conrad, Ben starts by giving you his mid-week update; the resurgence of former MVP Mookie Betts in this dangerous Dodgers lineup and why the New York Mets are no longer going to 'Met' another year away before bringing on New York Yankees writer from MLB.com, Bryan Hoch, to give insight into these recent injuries and the overall vibe in the first place Yankees clubhouse! Ben dives into some MLB trivia (make sure to play along before diving into his Top-5 players Under 25 and his 'Team of the Week' highlighting the best players in MLB at every position!

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SALVADOR PEREZ INTERVIEW - 7X ALL-STAR, 5X GOLD GLOVE CATCHER, 2015 WORLD SERIES CHAMPION/MVP May 25, 2022

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Ben welcomes in 7X All-Star, 5x Gold Glove Catcher and 2015 World Series Champion/MVP, Salvador Perez! Salvy talks about his early playing days in Venezuela, the impact his mother has had on him, how he became an elite everyday Catcher, the importance of off the field work and defense from the catcher position, stories from the Kansas City Royals special 2015 World Series Championship season, favorite All-Star Game experiences, the new PitchCom system and MUCH more!

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WEEKLY RECAP: DODGERS PUTTING IT TOGETHER + TOP 5 PITCHERS IN '22 + OHTANI CONSISTENT EXCELLENCE May 23, 2022

Show notes

Ben Verlander gives you everything you need to know in the week of MLB! Ben starts by looking at the Dodgers - who have the one of the best records in baseball and still haven't hit their potential, then dives into the injury plagued Detroit Tigers, following a look at young superstars who are giving their small market fan bases hope for the future, finally, Ben officially starts the 'Justin Verlander for Cy Young' campaign!

Next up Ben goes through his weekly Power Rankings and gives you his Top-10 teams after another full week of baseball in the books!

After Ben crowns his top team in the Power Rankings, it's time for This Week in Ohtani news; his bat is starting to heat up, becoming a consistently great player on the mound, why Ohtani's work behind the scenes needs more credit and should Ohtani grow a mustache!

Following Power Rankings, Ben lists his top 5 best pitchers in '22.

Finally, Ben wraps up the episode by giving praise to ever impressive Mike Trout.

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JUAN SOTO TRADE RUMORS + SCHERZER INJURY UPDATE + SAVANNAH BANANAS OWNER JESSE COLE May 19, 2022

Show notes

Ben Verlander goes LIVE for his Thursday Happy Hour show! Joined by Producer Conrad, Ben starts by giving you his mid-week update; The impact of Max Scherzer and his new injury sidelining him for 6-8 weeks, the legend of Juan Soto and new rumors that he could be traded - what that package could look like and which teams would be a great fit, then joined by the Owner of the Savannah Bananas, Jesse Cole! Ben also looks at Ohtani's pitching performance last night and why his outings have still been extremely impressive! Ben then jumps into MLB Trivia before diving into his 'Team of the Week' highlighting the best players in MLB at every position and finishing the show by answering ALL of your fan questions!

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