The Infinite Inning

Infinite Inning 307: The Tornado Yet to Come Nov 16, 2024

Two players are cursed with high expectations and both have their moments, but one becomes best known for sitting down and the other finds you can’t succeed if your best tool is a razor blade. Then we consider why Sam Rice finished just short of 3,000 hits and its implications for the near future.
TRIGGER WARNING: The second half of this episode contains a discussion of suicide and the loss of a child.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman discusses the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 306: The Pitcher Who Refused to Go Home Nov 09, 2024

After the week we’ve had, we’re all once again in the Infinite Inning, but is there a way out? Follow along the winding path as a Yankees ace puts his head through a windshield, toxic soup is eaten, a Negro Leagues catcher suffers an awful fate, a manager gets a duck, and a pitcher plays the William Tell Overture on the harmonica but fails to record a single strikeout, and somehow all of this tells us something about where to go from here.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman discusses the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 305: Herbs from Beneath the Gallows Nov 02, 2024

An election-eve episode that begins with two notable World Series gaffes and the players who weren’t blamed and those who were, and what that says about us as a society. We then turn to contingency and its effect in history—how much of what happens to us is the result of wisdom, and how much is luck?—as exemplified by one move that Connie Mack didn’t make, and one that he did.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman discusses the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 304: Bad, Ruthless Men LIVE Oct 26, 2024

First, some brief thoughts on the passing of the great Fernando Valenzuela and Fernandomania as a contrast to the great upheavals of 1200 BC. Then join Steve at the Morristown Festival of Books for a conversation with author Kevin Baker about The New York Game: Baseball and the Rise of a New City.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman discusses the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 303: The Chain of Baseball Oct 19, 2024

This week, stories of fathers, sons, and brothers playing baseball, one an ancestor of the current Yankees manager who witnessed a strange Phil Rizzuto baserunning blunder, and three brothers who ran a baseball school, but only two of them were major leaguers.
Join Steve October 19 at the Morristown, NJ Festival of Books for a baseball panel starring Kevin Baker and Andy Martino! This week’s Baseball Prospectus column, featuring Honest John Anderson: Spare the Goat.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman discusses the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 302: Be Someone for the United States Oct 12, 2024

Luis Tiant’s passing provokes an exploration of both his and his father’s immigrant story and dovetails with a sequel to our discussion of Pete Rose’s passing in which four very early Negro Leagues greats—two in the Hall of Fame, two out—ask to be fairly measured against history.
Join Steve at the Morristown, NJ Festival of Books on October 19!
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman discusses the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 301: Bad Baby - Last Thoughts on the Pete Rose Saga Oct 05, 2024

There is no such thing as a bad baby, but there is such a thing as a bad man. The passing of Pete Rose brings on thoughts of Darryl Strawberry’s peak and rapid fall, ice cream sundaes served in batting helmets, and the responsibility of the audience to separate art, artist, and shrine. Then take a quick tour of the best third basemen not yet in the Hall of Fame and why they and Pete Rose stand as equals before the Cooperstown Gate.
Join Steve October 19 at the Morristown, NJ Festival of Books for a baseball panel starring Kevin Baker and Andy Martino!
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman discusses the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 300: I See My Light Come Shining Sep 28, 2024

This anniversary episode brings a fresh look at some of the themes that have obsessed us since the show began back in 2017, specifically humanity, empathy, and the replacement level. We revisit Joe McCarthy and Slim Jones’ pain and the former’s Hall of Fame induction, Heinie Mueller’s basepath errors, Oscar Grimes’ fielding miscues, Theodore Roosevelt’s “Fear God and Take Your Own Part” and how it contrasts to the current demonization of a helpless minority, another Cuban great who never got to play in the US, and it all comes full circle at the end.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman discusses the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 299: The Mystery of the Lively Turtle Sep 21, 2024

A list of New York-centric baseball nicknames in Kevin Baker’s The New York Game sends us down a rabbit hole a hundred years deep in which we consider dozens of players and stories before being stopped by a mystery: Who—and why—was “The Lively Turtle?”
Join Steve for a baseball panel at the Morristown Festival of Books, October 19!
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman discusses the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 298: Mp-Wah-Pwah-Fwat Do Yez Mane Sep 14, 2024

A 19th-century player is intentionally hit so many times he forces a crazy rules change, and then we consider one of the Negro Leagues greats in light of recent racist rumors about pets in danger.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven discusses the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 297: You Take Your Chances Sep 07, 2024

Two tales of Frank Chance, who may have been the Cubs’ Peerless Leader but had a pathological compulsion to sacrifice his brain on the altar of baseball—and this after he had saved himself and a Cubs pennant from extortionist threats—or did he? Also includes too effusive an appreciation of San Diego.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman discusses the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 296: Sixto Lezcano was One Once Aug 23, 2024

We explore what put the “Solon” in Sacramento, plus the Man of 1,000 Baseball Caps returns! We enjoy a visit with original Infinite Inning rotation member Cliff Corcoran for the usual wide-ranging discussion of hats and a variety of 2024 baseball topics!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
What is a Solon? *Cliff Corcoran: “I Prefer the Ones Without Guests”*Ghosting Guests and Baseball Cards*Jorge Posada vs. Yadier Molina*Rejection and Mike Scioscia*Distance and Objectivity*Brett Phillips: Athlete*Running ‘Em Out*Qualifying for the Marathon*19th Century Senators Toque Caps (Mike Easler/Cliff Johnson)*Authentic Browns Caps, Authentic Reds Caps*Upside-Down NY*The Astros Ride Again*SlumpyTeams ™*The White Sox Clean Out the Coaches’ Room*“Major League Coach”*The Giants*Gabe Kapler’s One Big Year*MVP: Judge vs. Witt*The DH Argument/Judge Finds the Ledge*Hard Scoreboards, Power Boxes, Drains, and Chicken-Wire Fences*Progress in Trout-Medicine*Wounded Mantle, Injured Maris*Rickey’s Hammies*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman discusses the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 295: Way Down Upon the Muddy Ruel and Other Songs of Relaxed Living Aug 17, 2024

Various reflections of the Orange Confidence Man extended universe, the 2024 White Sox, and other frauds, featuring an exploration of what happens when you knock the opposing pitcher out in the first, featuring visits with Babe Ruth, Jimmy Carter, and other legendarily temperamental figures.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman discusses the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 294: The Ballad of Bill Terry & John & Yoko Aug 03, 2024

The meaning of a sign in a manager’s office is considered and interlinked with one of the final Beatles singles and a Pulitzer Prize-winning play, and “The Fall and Forgiveness of Lyn Lary, 1931 and 1940,” concludes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman discuses the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 293: The Pitcher Who Was at Sea Before and After He Joined the Navy Jul 27, 2024

Infinite Inning 293: The Pitcher Who Was at Sea Before and After He Joined the Navy
One of baseball’s all-time punchlines turns out to deserve his status, but not for the reason we thought. Plus, “The Fall and Forgiveness of Lyn Lary, 1931 and 1940,” continues as Lyn grows closer to Lou Gehrig following one of the greatest baserunning gaffes of all time.
Trigger warning: Mention of Suicide.
Steven Goldman discusses the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 292: One for Dad Jul 20, 2024

Infinite Inning 292: One for Dad On a solemn occasion, the last home run in Senators II history is recalled—did it really happen? Plus part one of a hypothetical visit to a transitional time for the Yankees and a very different take on Lou Gehrig in, “The Fall and Forgiveness of Lyn Lary, 1931 and 1940.”
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman discusses the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 291: On the Road to Samarkand Jul 07, 2024

Benjamin Franklin’s warning, the course of empire, and the 1965 Yankees, Joe DiMaggio versus Casey Stengel versus the Detroit Tigers and the Red Sox, how to solve an abundance of outfielders and a lack of first basemen, and much more.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman discusses the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 290: If Death Be Not Proud Jun 29, 2024

Jimmie Foxx versus Cass Elliot in a battle of unfairly judged passings.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman discusses the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 289: Snappy Answers to Stupid Questions Jun 22, 2024

In 1951 a Hall of Fame sportswriter reacts to the advent of Willie Mays in a spectacularly stupid way and we are on the spot with a stern rebuke and a bit of historical background to that moment. Then we look at not the stars of the Negro Leagues, but a pitcher who was at the opposite end of the spectrum—his pitching made the stars possible—and he in turn prompts a visit to the Minnesota Twins of the early 1980s, as well as a spectacularly angry Kirk Gibson doing Kirk Gibson things.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman discusses the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 288: The Drunken Why Jun 08, 2024

A Negro Leagues great with a odd nickname opts out of education and into baseball, and we revisit the day that Philadelphia fans booed not Santa Claus but the President of the United States.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman discusses the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 287: Even the Losers Jun 01, 2024

Two stories begin in different times and places, but both converge on the same great player and the same great lesson. Starring a plethora of Hall of Famers, among them some of the greatest Yankees of all time, a third baseman better remembered today than he was in his time, and a pitcher who had just one great, strange day, but who lived happily ever after in all the ways that count.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman discusses the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 286: One Bad Day is Just One Bad Day May 25, 2024

Tiny Bonham and William Shakespeare revisited, Steve Trout, Don Mattingly, 20-run losses, and dealing with loss.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman discusses the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 284: Truth, Justice, and Some Baggage May 18, 2024

A pitcher who only got one chance, an antisocial Hall of Famer who got many, and the one time he didn’t fight, the Max Kepler Ass-Ad (Lucky Larry) and Reggie for Panasonic, and the submarine pitcher killed by an aspect or two of the American Way.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman discusses the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 283A: Charlie's Legs, a Covid Mini-Episode May 04, 2024

Due to a case of Covid, we have a mini-episode this week in which the pandemic is ruminated upon and a catcher of ancient days bungles the dismount.

Infinite Inning 283: The Way We Go Mad Today Apr 27, 2024

A cluster of insanity among 19th century players with Louisville, starring a Gladiator and a Chicken, with resonance to the present day. Plus we visit a forgotten MVP-level season authored by Silent George Stone, pause for a what-if moment with Whitey Herzog as Rockies manager, and so much more.
Gibberish by Timbre, Metrostock99, JohnLaVine333, Vtrmrll, Djgriffin, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Casual Observer. Bell by Nlux.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman discusses the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 282: Committed to Glaring Mistakes Apr 20, 2024

For very personal but with luck very premature reasons, we ask whether the great Giants manager John McGraw ever made peace with his father and explore the confused timeline of his passing before briefly discussing a badly failed prospect from the extremely early Yankees, with stops along the way.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman discusses the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 281: Night of the Ambulance Horse Apr 13, 2024

Christy Mathewson pitches one of his worst best games and John McGraw gets ejected, though probably not because of his umbrella; Gene Woodling smokes a pipe while playing for the Mets; and does complete conformity make for better ballplayers, with or without their choice of peanut butter?
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman discusses the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out? NOW IN ITS SEVENTH YEAR!

Infinite Inning 280: Romancing the Cobbian Poodle Apr 06, 2024

A Yankees player’s marriage goes wrong faster than he could steal bases and Judge Landis makes a category error.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman discusses the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 279: Murder in My Heart for the Ump Mar 30, 2024

A return engagement for Pepper Martin in which he loses his cool in a big way and we consider an obscure reliever… With a cameo from the late M*A*S*H star McLean Stevenson?
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman discusses the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 278: Delia's Gone Mar 23, 2024

Young Ruth Nollard meets the wrong baseball player in 1900, and we realize that in some ways very little has changed, plus a number of famous players come to the border and some try to turn them away.
Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussion of stalking, possible sexual assault, and murder.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman discusses the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 277: No Boxers, No Briefs, No Mercy Mar 16, 2024

In which the hazards of playing baseball without first properly girding one’s loins is investigated through the person of Pepper Martin, with other plentiful stops along the trail.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 276: The One With the Anatomical Impossibility Mar 09, 2024

The host is sick, Dizzy Dean is overweight, and an umpire threatens to do the impossible to a rookie second baseman.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 275: Saving Mr. Williams Mar 02, 2024

A pitcher has a dominant game despite accusations that his balls are greasy, and then we go to the immediate postwar period to discuss the early days of the Cold War, its relationship to the current election, and what should be the fundamental goal of all governments: Keep Ted Williams on the field.
Sources for this Episode include: In the Time of the Americans (David Fromkin); The United States and the Origins of the Cold War (John Lewis Gaddis); Strategies of Containment (Gaddis); The Cold War: A New History (Gaddis); A Covenant with Power (Lloyd C. Gardner); The Wise Men (Walter Isaacson and Evan Thomas); America, Russia, and the Cold War (Walter LaFeber); The Origins of the Cold War (Thomas G. Paterson and Robert J. McMahon, eds).
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 274: Who Looks Out for the Lookouts? Feb 24, 2024

This week, a lighthearted look at a Hall of Famer who spent four games demolishing one of Casey Stengel’s early teams and then an extended discussion of a catcher and a pitcher who both had off-the-field habits that rendered them (or should have) unfit to play.
Trigger Warning: There is an extended discussion of domestic violence and sexual assault, in sometimes graphic terms, in this episode. “Crazy Horse Intro” by Groan Aderic-Agi.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 273: All the Three-Fingered Young Dudes Feb 17, 2024

In which a veteran pitcher gets the last strikeout of his career in a meaningless inning and yet the moment is somehow triumphal—or tragic, depending on your point of view—and several pitchers with missing fingers make an appearance but not all of them experience equal success.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 272: The Schiappacasse Files Feb 10, 2024

A forgotten left-handed great goes to Augusta and finds three other players in search of a destiny, but none of them gets precisely what he wants, and the Red Sox bring back a managerial great to turn things around—but does he?
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 271: Pigeon of the American Mind Feb 03, 2024

A shortstop has two wives (but finds time to invent the padded glove), a .330-hitting outfielder is driven off because of his tan, and a Native American pitcher wills himself to begin again—but not until cutting up with America’s most ubiquitous bird.
TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains a brief discussion of suicide.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 270: The HOBE Factor Jan 27, 2024

This week a discussion of sadism as a way to pass the time with two tales from the early 20th century, one involving a violent Red Sox second baseman and the other an obnoxious Yankees shortstop named after the wrong condiment, plus more rioting fans, players who studied dentistry for no reason, a manager who got ejected for wearing a mask (not Bobby Valentine) and a personal encounter with Morgo the Globulous.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 269: Between the Fire and Us Jan 20, 2024

Kate Claxton’s Six Rules for Staying Young versus Satchel Paige’s, plus the changing nature of public danger; more on fighting in baseball, with some 1924 ejections; more on Ed Kontechy, the “Bohemian Chocolate-Dropper,” and what that means (plus “enrober-strokers?”); umpires versus photographers in Cincinnati; have you ever tried Kipling, the biggest tomato, so much more!
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 268: A Broom of Twigs as Are We All Jan 13, 2024

Infinite Inning 268: A Broom of Twigs as Are We All Casey Stengel, Winston Churchill, the 1962 Mets, Lavengro, what a besom is, Theodore Roosevelt, the Reverend Dr. Russell M. Brougher, the efficacy of prayer, Ed Konetchy, infidelity and early marriages, early chocolate beverages, Hernan Cortes, polyamory in the early 20th century Phillies ownership suite, managed by a dentist, dear old dad, Bobo Newsom, Shanty Hogan, Dadaism, the Marx Brothers, and the Beatles, Bob’s dad and the 1940 World Series, The Man from C.I.N.C.I.N.N.A.T.I., Pronoun: Bobo, peat-bog mummies and their offspring, Targaryens and Habsburgs, Dad and Bing, Dad and Rickey Henderson, Rickey and postseason shares, ancient Dodgers first basemen with tragic ends, Tim Jordan, Jake Daubert, Del Bissonette, the Chalmers Award, the Vincent Van Gogh exit, Lefty Gomez’s last words, and goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 267: We Talk About Bruno Jan 06, 2024

A World War II hero battles his way back to the mound and is given both rough and tender treatment by Ted Williams, a discussion of the Black Sox and the 14th Amendment, and the wildest pitching day in history fails to end a career.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 266: Ukulele at a Gunfight Dec 30, 2023

The last episode of 2023! A pitcher undergoes a questionable treatment on his arm and loses a unique oral talent, a utility infielder gets drunk, violent, and convicted, and a clarification about Jackie Robinson’s political mission to San Francisco.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 265 Sing As We Go? I Prefer Not To Dec 23, 2023

Famous last words, including Casey Stengel’s, a shortstop who liked semi-pro leagues better than the majors (and desperately needed a dermatologist), and an argument about moral relativism which ends in a pyramid of skulls.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 264: The One Without Peckinpaugh Nov 14, 2023

No Peckinpaughs were hurt in the recording of this episode, but we do visit the 1925 World Series, where Babe Ruth makes a dad joke that tempts fate, check in on a pitcher who may or may not have been a war correspondent, consider the greatest double-play combinations of all time, and question when getting to be a major league manager is less of an opportunity than it first appears, starring the Angels and what might have been the worst clubhouse of all time.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 263: Grunting at the Guesser Oct 07, 2023

In which a rookie’s arrogance (mildly) tests Earl Weaver and a pitcher nicknamed “Bucher Boy” prompts a mass ejection event.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 262: It's Not That We Don't Want You Sep 12, 2023

We begin with a player whose bid for a major league roster spot was deflected by fish-on-human violence and whose sense of humor was deflected by something more tragic, then we turn to Jose Urias’s second arrest for domestic violence and take a tour through player misbehavior both inside and outside the institution of marriage.
Transition music by ERH and Klankbeeld.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 261: A Torkelson Torkels Whatever He Does Aug 15, 2023

Could there have been a Tigers first baseman more ill-fated than Spencer Torkelson? Yes, by far, especially when his manager thought he couldn’t play and his own trainer tried to bake him. Plus, an early player gets in touch with his inner divinity and faces fatal consequences—but always dresses the part.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 260: Uncle John's Band Gave Me a Rash Jul 23, 2023

A wide-ranging episode in which we cover the greatest pitching staffs of all time, Ted Lyons, Al Lopez, Tony Cuccinello, an underachieving White Sox team, and a first baseman named Supply.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 259: The War Within Joe Dugan and Other Tales of Quitting Jun 30, 2023

The namesake of a Hall of Fame pitcher and pioneer of the game opts not to become a player but turns into a star nonetheless, while a third baseman who wasn’t a star (but was sometimes celebrated as one) tries to find a way to live with himself—and Philadelphia fans.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 258: Only Harmless Rebellions Jun 02, 2023

The Yankees stash one of the game’s founding generation in their press box and a traded player gets sweet revenge against the manager who dissed him, possibly with his buttocks. Plus, players object to nun costumes, look like babies, and are blocked by famous Pittsburgh outfielders.
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The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 257: In Immensity One Lonelier Than You May 14, 2023

Two tales of players punished by time and sundry other flaws. First, Jimmy Dykes loses his legs, then Hall of Famer Al Simmons loses his career, his wife, his life, and his final bottle. Plus: A brief complaint about the present Yankees.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 256: Welcome the Bear Inside Apr 30, 2023

A brief history of Popup John, original Yankee, and his run-in with Ring Lardner, while another great writer explains a crusade against injustice in terms of a pitcher’s love-life. Plus the usual sidelights and digressions, from Luis Arraez to falsely-accused exhibitionist baseball writers.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 255: After Jackie Robinson Day What Apr 21, 2023

The annual arrival of Jackie Robinson Day brings tales of an early series between Rube Foster’s Giants and Ty Cobb’s Tigers, one that proved a point without changing anything, while a Hall of Fame pitcher levels a strange accusation against the National League regarding Robinson receiving preferential treatment—but even if it were true, would it have been wrong? Plus notes on the abandonment of A’s history and more. The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind.
Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 254: The War Between the Cubs and Other Stories Apr 14, 2023

Losing Pitcher Mulcahy loses one more game for his country, a discussion of a fictional crossdressing firefighter of 1930 and objections thereto, and two Chicago Cubs come to blows over their grandpas’ participation in the Civil War.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 253: Let's Gooooo Apr 01, 2023

Branch Rickey confronts his mortality and misses the date, players rally in slow motion, and the Dodgers pitch a prospect’s arm off, but not before he was part of a minor-league tiff that anticipated pitch-clock violations.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 252: Thanksgiving in March (The Unpopular Dad) Mar 18, 2023

Infinite Inning 252: Thanksgiving in March (The Unpopular Dad) In an odd bit of timing, this week the Infinite Inning presents two stories about birds, one about a manager and an all-time great slugger who both got into the turkey business—maybe not together but sequentially—and another who tried to leverage his chickens into avoiding a pay-cut… and the whole thing is secretly about parenting. Who knew?
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 251: Not That Rainbow Mar 03, 2023

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Eleven Bites*Scooter and Where to Find Grover Cleveland When He’s Dead*The Children of Greater Boston Want Twinkies*Vice-President in the Clubhouse*All Alone on the Mound*Grantland Rice and “To Any Athlete” Redux*Stephen Strasburg’s Surgery*“I’m An Outfielder Now”*Ed Morris Callback/“Poker Face” Crossover*The Lonesome Death of Deerfoot Milan*The Lonesome Photographs of Lewis Hine*Early Wynn 299 vs Early Wynn 300*Distance and Enchantment*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 250 Baseballs Keep Falling on My Head Feb 09, 2023

“The $100,000 Muff” as a state of being and the tale of a shortstop who tried to play only when he felt up to it.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Casey Stengel’s Imitation of Fred Snodgrass in America*A Very Simple But Important Note About the Hazardous Nature of an Open Drawbridge*Ray Chapman vs. Charlie Hollocher*How Many Shortstops Have Hit .340?*The Phantom Stomachache*Playing Through Pain*Going Home and the Sad Finish*The Hopeful Ending*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 249: The Great Shortstops of Europe Feb 02, 2023

An episode about having generosity for broken infielders, both the capable and relatively incapable, the healthy but unproductive and the productive but slain by inanimate objects.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Meet Linus*Meet Linus’s Watercooler*A Listener Makes a Complaint*Frameworks and Platforms*The Great Nations of Europe*George Stovey’s 1.13-ERA Season*What is This Show About, and Who Gets to Decide?*The Greatest Shortstop in Browns History*The Anti-Greatest Shortstop in Anyone’s History*Undersized in the 20th Century*McGraw Thwarted, Bresnahan Cursed*Cleveland Regrets*The Switch-Hitter Gambit*Inky Strange and Other Prospects*Enter the Steelers and Other Saving Throws*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 248 The Infinite Honey-Boy Jan 16, 2023

In which the player called “Honey-Boy” is traded by the Cubs to great derision and a rebuild movement is compared to the art of long-term self-deception.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
All the Lies That Are My Life: A Story by Harlan Ellison and/or Self-Deception by a Dead-End Manager*You Don’t Belong Here*The Challenge-Trade*An Odd Swap of Catchers*My Outfield for Your Outfield*All the Lies That Are Your Rebuild*A’s Center Fielders in 2022*Esteury vs. Estuary*Zen and the Art of Dode, or Vice-Versa*The Etymology of Dode*Honey-Boy*Burning Ballparks and Fatal Catches*Live Ashes*Haunted Hospital Beds*Cleveland Fire Rescue!*Cy versus Dode*Cubs in Center*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 247: The Shinners Factor Jan 01, 2023

A tale for New Year’s Eve: A Giants prospect wins a job but fails to cope with harsh fate. Plus the usual asides and digressions, including Satchel Paige’s Six Rules for Staying Young, with commentary.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Satchel Paige’s Six Rules for Staying Young, with Commentary*The Shinners Factor*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 246: Casey and the Lost Umpire Dec 25, 2022

A solo because-it’s-Christmas episode in which Casey Stengel stages a protest but it’s the umpire who pays the ultimate price.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Intro: A Branch Rickey Christmas*The Reserve Clause, Player Choice, Happiness, and “Richard Corey”*Is Steve Cohen a Rational Actor?*Casey Stengel sulks in Pittsburgh*The Yellow Telegram*Saranac Lake*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 245: The Day The Umpires Heard "Ahooga!" Dec 18, 2022

A solo episode dashes from umpires stranded on foggy seas to a Savage pitcher who received multiple Purple Hearts—and somehow conquered his control while doing so—and reflects on what his story warns us about our own times.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Day the Umps Heard “Ahooga!”*Burt Uniform Tops and Burnt YouTubers*Old Starting Rotations and Starting Pitcher Tandems, Starring Justin Verlander et al*Angels Priorities*The Ancient 2005 Yankees*“I’ll Bonk Alone”*Cosplaying Fascism*Bob Savage, High School Pitcher (?), Major Leaguer, War Hero*Fred McGriff Misread*The Only Two Reasons to Have an Elder Rotation*Attenuated Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 244: It Won't Be The Turkey Who Gets You Nov 24, 2022

Cliff Corcoran returns to discuss the new Hall of Fame ballot, negative associations with certain players and even uniforms, the disparate interpretations possible when reading a key “Peanuts” strip, and more. Plus tales: A pitcher with a problem pitches a no-hitter and then things get weird—and potentially fatal.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A Spirited Thanksgiving*Intergalactic Union Day*It Wasn’t the Alcohol that Killed Him*Cliff Corcoran*Hollywood Stars Hats and the Holocaust*Here’s the World War I Flying Ace*Escapism of Different Kinds*The Gertrude Question Two Ways*The New Hall of Fame Ballot*Carlos Beltran*The Triumph of WAR*The Bernie Williams Discontents*The Carole King Digression*Brian Cashman and Jacoby Ellsbury*Nick Senzel Was Not One of Them*Skipped “The Sound of Music”*“Gone with the Wind”/“The Best Years of Our Lives”*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the

Infinite Inning 243: World Series Oops Nov 17, 2022

A solo episode features a controversial managerial decision that might have lost the 1935 World Series for the Cubs and a look at a moment in baseball and the rest of the nation on August 14 of that year that hints at where we are now.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A World Series Inflection Point, 1935*Best Lefties in Cubs History?*Jolly Cholly Visits a Chinese Restaurant*Mr. Rogers on the Interstate*Unresolved Traffic Bottlenecks*Woodrow Wilson at Versailles*Blue Tribe vs. Green Tribe*August 14, 1935 in Baseball* A Litany of Phelpses*Blondy Ryan vs. Michael Harris et al*Ducky Schofield ‘60*Lynching ‘35*The Social Security Act*Insecurity*Sam Leslie Leaves the Game and Possibly Everything Else*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 242: Hell-Bent to the Balls Nov 01, 2022

David Roth returns to discuss the postseason thus far, remember bad Braves teams and worse shortstops, wonder at the complacency of the AL Central, and be psychically assaulted by “Citizens for Sanity.” Plus tales: The Reds’ revival in, and the Yankees aftermath, of the 1976 World Series, and the story of Liz Funk, an outfielder who came up with the wrong team at the wrong time.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Anti-Complacency and the 1976 World Series*The Ballad of Liz Funk, Man in the Wrong Place*David Roth: Random Ron Gant Reference*Which Leads Inevitably to Alfredo Griffin*The Guardians Were Cheap*The Byron Buxton Conundrum*Every AL Central Team is Annoying In It’s Own Way*Rooting for Dusty/Joe Maddon, Numbers, and Nerds*The Wrong Pizza Hut*Once Again: George Steinbrenner’s Shrimp Scambi*Aaron Judge and Jacob deGrom’s Pizza Hut(s)*“Stop the Insanity”*Cheesy Cheddar Biscuits*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 241: Where Did All the Cool Whip Go Oct 20, 2022

Author Patrick Montgomery discusses his book, THE BASEBALL MIRACLE OF THE SPLENDID 6 AND TOWNY TOWNSEND, the story of a Virginia youth coach who produced more than his share of future major leaguers. Plus tales: The quest for the postseason “Cementhead” via Charles Schulz and one of the most impatient hitters of all time—and a dirty player to boot.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Peanuts Baseball and “Cementhead”*A “Thanks for the Memory” Digression*Thanks for the Impatience: The Whitey Alpermann Story*Patrick Montgomery: What was the “miracle” of the Splendid Six?*Don’t Call Him “Marvin”*The Career-Ending Incident*The No-Cut Policy*Amateur Baseball in the Tidewater Region*Towny: The Missing Years*How Was All This Travel-Ball Paid For?*Coaches Double-Dipping*Cuddyer, B.J. Upton, et al*Who Ate All the Cool Whip?*Towny’s Method*Tidewater*Swing and Miss With the Splendid Six*The Stubbornness of Mark Reynolds*Changing Attitudes Towards Batter Strikeouts*In the Coast Guard*The Movie!*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 240: Holiday at the Polo Grounds Oct 09, 2022

Lincoln Mitchell (San Francisco Year Zero) returns to talk the future of both San Francisco and the San Francisco Giants as well as the war against Ukraine. Plus tales: The clouded conception of a Negro Leaguer and the distorted memory of a crucial Giants-Reds game that turns out not to have been all that crucial, but is still certain to meet your expectorations.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Herb Souell’s Mom*The Day the Giants Didn’t Win the Pennant*Lincoln Mitchell: To Rent or Buy in San Francisco*How Do the Giants Rebuild?*The Potential of a Mediocre Champion*Thyroid Estrada*Regression on the Farm*“1920 and ‘22”*Putinconfusion*The Great Illusion*Aaron Judge to San Francisco?*Dodgers Gear at the Giants Game*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 239: The Bullpen Catchers of Classic Hollywood Sep 24, 2022

Craig Calcaterra (Cup of Coffee, Everything is Broken) returns to adjudicate the AL MVP race, the pitch-clock, the value of managers, and more. Plus tales: The attitudes and abilities of Carl Hubbell and Babe Ruth compared and contrasted over a matter of road selection and how Hubbell always knew where he kept his plow.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Carl Hubbell, the Avatar of Yes, and Choosing the Best Road Home*Hubbell’s Bad Inning and a Waiting Plow*Craig Calcaterra: Second Series/Downton Abbey Spoilers?*The Bullpen Catchers of Classic Hollywood*Tournament vs. Pennant Race*Sad Trombone Champion*Postseason Previews*Pitch Clock: Mark Harris Objects*The Dead Time in ‘69*The Purist’s Version Devalued*The Pitch Clock Works*The Once and Future Ted*The Spontaneous Spectator*Judge vs. Ohtani*Because Andruw Jones Didn’t Go to Medical School*Take a Letter to Tony*Managers and Contingency*The Vibe-Setters*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 238: To Deny The Umpire's Truth is a Sin Sep 12, 2022

Rob Neyer returns to discuss his contributions to Dale Scott’s memoir THE UMPIRE IS OUT and sundry other matters. Plus tales: A reserve catcher meets a grizzly end and a ballplayer is punished for going to his family’s aid.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Short, Sad Ballad of Frank Grube*“Lifestyles”*100-Walk Trios*Rocky Gonna Fly Now (Into the Stands)*Rob Neyer: A worthy subject*Keeping the Voice*Working with Dale Scott*Jack Morris/No Scores Settled*When Umps Learned to Confer*Why Was It Done This Way?*When the Umpires Resigned*The Late Arrival of Instant Replay*The Automated Strike Zone*Closeted*Growing Up in a Homophobic Culture*An Umpire Comes Out*Progress on Tolerance and Retrograde Movement*What Does the Commissioner of the West Coast League Do?*The Yankees’ Disastrous Stretch-Run*Goodbyes.
Read BASEBALL'S BRIEF LIVES: PLAYER STORIES INSPIRED BY THE INFINITE INNING, now available from Amazon!
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 237: Lightning Bolts From Clear Blue Skies Sep 04, 2022

Eric Stephen (True Blue L.A.) returns to discuss the amazing, weird season of dominance being had by the Dodgers. Plus Tales: An outfielder stands in center field when God presses the “Smite” button and the origin of one of the more unusual player names is explained.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Trigger Warning: Beware the Teddy Bears*Lightning Bolts Out of Clear Blue Skies*Ray Caldwell, Ray Fisher, Russ Ford: Distinguishing the Scuffers*The Tragic End of Andy Strong*Approximation of an Instagram Couple on the Edge of a Volcano*Walt Bond and Danny Thompson*The Charms of Garms*The Debs of Garms*Eric Stephen: How are They Doing This? Volume*No Offdays in the Postseason*Parsing Craig Kimbrel’s Season*The Difficulty and Emotional Aspects of the Postseason*Meet the New Kenley, Same as the Old Kenley*Freddie Freeman’s Blues*Will Cody Bellinger Receive a Contract?*Joey Gallo’s Blues*Max Muncy’s Blues*Gallo vs. Outman*Pedro Guerrero Memories*Dodger Stadium Mixed-Up Confusion*Waiting for a 50-Double Dodger/The Johnny Frederick Type*Are the Dodgers Aging?*How Little We Know, Gavin Lux*Jacob deGrom: Hall of Famer?*Goodbyes.
TRIGGER WARNING: A child is in jeopardy in the first segment of this episode.
Outdoor ambience by javetakami, footsteps (stones) and boiling water by Inspector J of Freesound. Gasp and fall by SkyRaeVoicing, woman screaming by Supercolio.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 236: Sailing the Sea of Baseball's Brief Lives Aug 22, 2022

Cliff Corcoran takes over the interview to interrogate Steve on BASEBALL’S BRIEF LIVES: PLAYER STORIES INSPIRED BY THE INFINITE INNING. Plus tales: Teams that played .700 ball and then faltered (that is, just the 2022 Yankees) and false hope from a prospect, starring Dodgers phenom-for-a-moment Cal Abrams—a tale that twisted in the telling as questions of performance were tangled with accusations of Antisemitism.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Yankees Defenestrate*The Slow Rise and Quick Fall of Cal Abrams, Dodgers Phenom*Cliff Corcoran: Success Has Many Fathers*Dead Player Origins*In Baseball There’s a Story Everywhere You Look for It*The Rumors of Obi-Wan’s Death*The Bill James Influence*Gil McDougald and Horace Clarke*Tell McGraw—What?*Statcast and Derek Jeter’s Private Anatomy*Infallible*Empathy for Those Without Plaque*The Rick Ferrell Comment*Posthumous Recognition*Reconciling Pre-Integration Baseball*Goodbyes.
Glass breaking effect by Inspector J of Freesound.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 235 No Beatwriters in the Wedding Party Aug 14, 2022

Chris Cotillo (Mass Live) discusses the Red Sox’ incomprehensible season, the beatwriter as a young man, and how to work the pregame clubhouse. Plus Tales: Lessons from a Game-Ending Caught Stealing, Starring the Babe, and a Negro Leagues great goes to Mexico and wins a triple crown.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Masters of the Game-Ending Caught Stealing, Starring Babe Ruth and the 2022 Yankees*The Small Sample Classic, with Matt Carpenter and Wild Bill Wright*Chris Cotillo: Trade-Deadline Covid*First to Last and Last to First in Boston*Back to the Mookie Betts Trade*The Jarren Duran Blues*Where Have You Gone, J.D. Martinez?*Pitching Plans, or Lack Thereof, with Garrett Whitlock*Cotillo Origins*“You Can’t Just Be a Newbreaker”*Beyond the Endorphin Hit*Churn Burnout*Hotshot Kid at the Meetings*Checking Your Fandom*World Series Wedding*How Do You Work the Pregame Clubhouse?*Chaim Bloom and the Small-Market Approach*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 234: Innovators and Hypocrites Aug 07, 2022

Mark Armour and Daniel Levitt discuss their new book INTENTIONAL BALK: BASEBALL’s LONG AND SORDID HISTORY OF INNOVATION AND CHEATING. Plus tales: The Dodgers’ Uncle Robbie is a hypocrite about weight and one of the greatest Yankees managers does the right thing after an uncharacteristic blow-up.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Uncle Robbie Fat-Shames a Pitcher and We Learn a New Vocabulary Word*The Start of Joe Page and the End of Joe McCarthy*Mark Armour and Daniel Levitt: Is Cheating a Matter of Perspective?*Who Are the Sociopaths in Your Neighborhood?*Individual Cheating vs. Conspiratorial Cheating*William Shakespeare’s Barry Bonds*Restorative versus Enhancing Drugs*Community Standards and Speeding on the Highway*Don’t Touch My Armpits/Billy Martin vs. Gaylord Perry*PEDs and Baseball Gerontology*Shohei Ohtani Jr. vs. Shohei Ohtani III*Roster Shenanigans and the Trading Deadline*The Inevitable Pine Tar Game*Why Did It Take So Long for Baseball to Ban Electric Sign-Stealing?*Book Collaboration*The Coming Shift Ban*Goodbyes.
Horse Whinny, Close, A.wav" by InspectorJ of Freesound.org.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 233 Smells Like Hot Yogurt Jul 30, 2022

Chats are back! David Roth returns to ask existential questions about Juan Soto, the billionaire class, and if the average person can develop Steve Blass’s disease. Plus tales: A reserve catcher has a fateful meeting with a man who brought dignity to a bodily function and several current players conjure a classic tale from the beginning of the 20th century due to their lack of vaccination.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Reds Catcher and a Man Named Sneeze*Cardinals with White Feathers*1902, WHIT*David Roth: A Random Invocation of William Saroyan*Steve Sax, Steve Blass, and Someone Else Named Steve*Being Normal is Hard*Gore Vidal on Em-Dashes*Category Error at Fenway Park*It’s “The Time of Your Life”*Radical Despairing Empathy*Interrogating Nick Castellanos and Kindness to Joey Gallo (and Mackey Sasser)*Dick Young and Dave Egan*Ted Williams and Spider-Man*Sympathy for Horace Clarke*Andrew McCutchen and “Furries”*The Mets on the Brink*Who Mourns for the Nationals?*Are Americas Billionaires Depressed?*Full Circle to the Red Sox/You Can’t Win a World Series as a Cynic*The Temperature on the Field (And Everywhere Else)*Goodbyes.
WARNING: On Roth week, we swear. Hide the sheep and console the shepherd.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 232: My Boyhood Pal Marilyn Monroe Jul 21, 2022

Infinite Inning 232: My Boyhood Pal, Marilyn Monroe
One more (really) solo episode as we gear up for the Baseball’s Brief Lives, the Infinite Inning book: The son of a Hall of Famer makes a very famous friend and gets grief for it, a great but mostly forgotten player tries to kill another future Hall of Famer with kindness, and more about Cap Anson and his underage bride.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Joe D Goes to the Movies*Joe D Gets Married, Hangs with the Boys*Joe D’s Son and New Girlfriend Bond*An Overwrought Invocation of Shakespeare*Cap Anson, the Future Virginia Anson, and Elon Musk’s Dad*All-Star Emeritus Spots*Tommy Holmes, Captive of Fate*Holmes vs. Henry Aaron*They Were Right About the Titanic*A Lopsided Trade Thwarted and a Walk-Off Homer Against Warren Spahn*Gil Hodges and the Hall of Fame*Alternative-Universe Gil Hodges and the Hall of Fame*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 231: The Courtship of Adrian & Virginia Jul 08, 2022

A final solo episode before a return to guests features discussions of a manager realizing he was in over his head after just one game and a Hall of Famer meets his wife—in a way that would land him in jail today.
TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains discussions of abortion, murder, consent, and child abuse, among other things.
THE INFINITE INNING BOOK: Baseball’s Brief Lives: Player Stories Inspired by the Infinite Inning Podcast, is coming in August!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Overwhelmed/The Rangers’ Four Managers of 1977/Lucchesi in Pain/Stanky’s Retreat/Your Happy Place/Johnny Mize’s Coded Wheaties Ad*Cap Anson’s Courtship*The Social Purity Movement*What Anson Was and Was Not Responsible For*King Listeria IV*The Age of Consent as of the 1880s*The Works of Alice Duer Miller*The Ephemeral Nature of Values*A Marriage on Long Island*A Death in Boston*Cap Anson Rides Again*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 230: The One with Lute Jun 25, 2022

One more solo episode inspired, as always, by current events in which the right player is suspended for what he didn’t do but what everyone understood he intended and a player attempts to start a fan uprising.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Brawl that No One Saw*Luke/Lute/Daniel Boone’s Strange Ejection*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 229: The Benign Uncle Jun 15, 2022

Another solo episode as your host continues to recover from whatever is wrong with him THIS week! (Even his doctors mock him). This week: Tales of two catchers, one of whom was the best uncle baseball ever had, the other a longtime manager who had a moment of unusual frankness after making a trade.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Uncle Robbie Phones May Phone it In but He Knows His Meats*Steve O’Neill versus the Yankees*Umpires versus Fans*Steve O’Neill versus Uncle Robbie*Steve O’Neill versus Mad Monk Meyer*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 228: A Great Boy for Baseball Jun 04, 2022

A solo episode in which sad past and sorry present collide in the spring of 1927, when even as Babe Ruth and the Yankees were setting records there was evil abroad in Michigan. Then we journey to 1947 and the moment Ben Chapman tried to derail Jackie Robinson and consider Josh Donaldson’s interaction with Tim Anderson as well.
TRIGGER WARNING: A great deal of harm comes to children in this week’s first segment, which reflects on the recent massacre of innocents in Texas as well as previous incidents of recent years.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Mass Murder in a Michigan Town*The Infinite Inning Book is Coming*A Brief Thought about Shane McClanahan*The Gene Hackman Solution*A Moment with Roger Angell (A-S-D-R-U-B-A-L)*Robinson and Chapman and Donaldson and Anderson*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 227: Playing the Sorrow Corner May 20, 2022

Author Dan Good discusses a tragic player and Playing Through the Pain: Ken Caminiti and the Steroids Confession that Changed Baseball Forever. Plus tales: Casey Stengel wonders who you can ask for advice when trying to win a fifth pennant, a 20-game winner goes to the bullpen, and a disgruntled player’s momentary embrace of racism.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Casey Wonders Who You Can Ask for Instructions When You’re Trying to Do Something New*Billy Cox’s Momentary Embrace of Evil and Its Echoes Today*Dan Good: What We Ask of Players*Two Kinds of Addiction*Healing and Vanity*Why He Was Worse Away from the Astrodome?*Was Caminiti Tested for Drugs of Abuse?*Did Ken’s Friends Give Up on Him?*Ken and Craig Biggio*Ken and Younger Players*Ken and Tony Gwynn*Finding the Real Caminiti*Contrasting Two Interviews*The Effects of Using*How Did the Family Respond to the Book?*Did Ken Enjoy Baseball?*When Ken Returned to San Diego*Haunted by the Ghost*He Made It Look Hard*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 226: Willets Point After Dark May 14, 2022

Jesse Spector dishes on his new book/podcast/newsletter endeavor, Willets Pen, praises Buck Showalter, and considers the ins and outs of rally sex. Plus tales: A catcher drinks, knits, and recovers while another deserts his team at the worst possible moment.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Rollie Hemsley Serves Drinks and Sandwiches*Buddy Rosar’s Police Academy Dream*Jesse Spector: On the COVID IL*What is Willets Pen?*It is Not a Newsletter, But There’s a Newsletter and an Excuse to Go Off on a Lengthy Screed About Dave Kingman*“Metsing”*Mets Bandwagon ‘86*Willets Pod*The Bit About Food Erotica*The Bit About Contrasting Mets Action with Marital Action (“Rally Sex”)*When You Pretend You are Affecting the Game (Yankees at Blue Jays, 1987)*Every Day for a Year (With Max Scherzer?)*Sex and Poor Middle Relief*The Tommy Hutton Call of Dave Winfield’s Grand Slam*The Mets Mystique*The Schmoozer Predicts*Buck Showalter Rides Again*Relitigating the 1995 ALDS*The Little Dynasty that Didn’t Happen*A Brief Word on New York Broadcasters*Goodbyes.
Warning: There is no graphic language in this episode aside from a couple of cusswords, but the subject of martial relations is briefly discussed. Hide your maiden aunt.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 225: Real Heavy Idealism May 06, 2022

Cliff Corcoran returns to talk about the new dead-ball, pitchers fielding, and the arrival of Kelsie Whitmore in the Atlantic League, plus takes: An umpire provokes the women in the stands and a 25-run game goes down painlessly.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Ladies of Macon Rise Up*The PlayerStories Book is Coming*A Simple Point About a 25-Run Game*Cliff Corcoran: Lee Guetterman Memories*Pitchers Fielding*Players With Partial Tools*Buttplunger!”*Gold Glove Pitchers*Christy Mathewson Cameo/The [Redacted] Cubs Game/Ted Williams and Yogi Berra/Wade Boggs and Dave Righetti*Low Offense 2022 and Marcus Semien*What MLB Had Warned the Hitters?*Retraining Muscle-Memory*Kelsie Whitmore, Pioneer*Slow Throwin’*Seven of Eight Skills*A Sample of One is Not Enough (WMLB?)*Babe Ruth’s Warning*Kelsie and Harold*Women in Baseball and Justice Alito*Limitations on Opportunity*Goodbyes.
Windchime effect by InspectorJ, rhythm by Spartalien, crowd noises by Craig Smith.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 224 Pippen, Heberdick, and Prospects Apr 30, 2022

Jeffrey Paternostro returns for a premature look at prospects’ progress. Plus tales: A pitcher takes the wrong lesson from adversity and a Red Sox third baseman’s home run underscores present-day offensive woes.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Change Your Way, George Earnshaw (Guest-Starring Lou Gehrig and Connie Mack)* Spirit Ballplayers, Last Entry*Jim Tabor Hits a Solo Shot of Note and Other Home Runs in an Age of Low Offense*Jeffrey Paternostro: Draggy Balls*You Can’t Flip a Switch on Offese*A Moment on Jhoan Duran*The Hardest Jump*Hit-Tool Projection*Francisco Alvarez*Should Grayson Rodriguez Be Up?*On Corbin Carroll*Anthony Volpe and All the Oswalds Except Oswald the Lucky Rabbit*When Do They Start Throwing Sliders? Matt den Dekker, Robert Stratton, Eric Patterson and Other Low-Contact Prospects of Yesteryear*The Hit-Only Model*Positives of the Showcase Circuit?*Bobby Dalbec vs. Triston Casas*Nolan Gorman*Position Players in the Brewers System?*Jasson Dominguez*The Ethics of Ranking Unknown Teens*Robert Stratton Encore*Why Can’t Phillies and Mariners Prospects?*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 223: Punko Lobster Apr 24, 2022

David Roth returns to discuss the uplift provided by the new season, Robinson Cano, how the Reds provoke thoughts of the end of history, Pitchcom, and the 1985 arcade came “Gauntlet.” Plus tales: Teams in the 1880s outdraw the present-day A’s and mouthy third baseman Arlie Latham psyches out the Reds’ manager.
WARNING: As in all Roth-a-looza episodes, there is the occasional cussword. Please instruct the children in what these words mean so they can follow along.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Small Crowds with Animals in 1886 and 2022*Arlie Latham Distracts with Prophecy*David Roth: The Year-‘Round Shorts Guy*Cruiser*Revert to Factory Settings*The Uplift of Baseball*The Best Part of an In-Season Vacation* “Warrior is About to Die!”*Normal Gossip Prep*“Gauntlet” Redux*The Rent-Seeking Reds*Unreciprocated Support*“Part of the Deal is You’re Going to Try”*This Monopoly*Baseball and the End of History* Robinson Cano: Shakespearian*The Advent of Pitchcom*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 222: People Want to Watch This Game? Apr 16, 2022

Thomas W. Gilbert discusses HOW BASEBALL HAPPENED, the story of the game’s earliest years. Plus tales: The value of a famous hitting coach to a light-hitting shortstop is debatable and the real meaning of Jackie Robinson Day.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Bucky Dent Hits a Homer with a Little Help from His Coach (Not THAT Homer)*Why Do We Observe Jackie Robinson Day? (And Why “Camelot” is Such a Downer)*Thomas W. Gilbert: A Stealth History*A Broad-Based Social Movement*Cricket and the Civil War Pause*The Rising Middle-Class*An Urban Game*R.I.P. Abner Doubleday*Evacuation Day*The Ah-Ha! Moment?*Spooked by Spectators*Fear of Gambling*Trolley Dodgers*Volunteer Fire Companies and Civil War Volunteers*Move the Dodgers Back to Brooklyn!*Brooklyn Invents the Farm System*Fans Crashed the Party*Baseball Follows the Railroad*Waves of Epidemic Disease*Miasmatists*The Brief Story of Jim Creighton*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 221: Sports and Our Missing Legos Apr 10, 2022

Craig Calcaterra returns to discuss his new book RETHINKING FANDOM, plus tales: A visit to the home of one of the earliest baseball games for a deadly attack and the story of two rookies who couldn’t hang on—in more ways than one.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Murder at Elysian Fields*Spirit Ballplayers III*Awards Predictions, Top Rookies, and the Llama*The Gary Scott Story Outlined*Thake’s Epilogue*Craig Calcaterra: RETHINKING FANDOM*The Sports-Industrial Complex*When It’s About Frustration, Ohio State Edition*The Decadence of Immersive Fandom*The Impermanence of Our Highs and Lows*Steve’s 1996 World Series Story*Being a Fairweather Fan*Re Constantinople (not Istanbul)*Vin Scully Under the Desk*The Stadium Dodge*And Housing?*Trading Down Cities*Move the Rays to Brooklyn!*The Pirates Extend a Player?*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 220: Fire at the Match Factory Apr 03, 2022

A solo episode about service-time manipulation, entropy, destroyed pitching prospects, “Don’t Say Gay,” and Will Smith’s slap versus the on-field variety.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A Brief Invocation of John Candelaria*Oneil Cruz Can Keep the Rain Off of You*Pie Traynor Debunked*Entropy is All and Everything and I Couldn’t Possibly Be Better*Spirit Ballplayers II*Who Killed Russ Bauers?*“Say It With a Slap” and the “Don’t Say Gay” Bill*Lee Grissom vs. Al Todd*Impulse Control*Frank Robinson vs. Eddie Mathews*Al Cowens, Avenger*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 219: The Ballad of Red-Butt Harry Mar 26, 2022

Cliff Corcoran returns to dissect all the moves of March, plus tales: Gender uncertainty on a barnstorming team, a rowdy crowd in Chicago is given way too much leeway to attack a player, and the odd career of the pitcher who began the ruckus.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Vaccines and Bloomer Girls*A Quick Note on Bleeding Dodger Blue*Your Spirit Ballplayer 1.0*Don Buford and Bart Johnson: The Ballad of Red-Butt Harry*Cliff Corcoran: We Have Baseball Now*Everyone but Michael Conforto*Rooting for Tyler Clippard and Other Elder Relievers*Rangers, Mets, and Twins*Pham?*The Yankees Skip Shortstoppalooza*Valuing Isiah Kiner-Falefa*The DJ LeMahieu Problem*Eugenio Suarez’s Last Month and the Reds-Mariners Deal*A Debate About Jesse Winker*Is There a Shortage of Center Fielders? Starring the Phillies*Should Brian Reynolds and Cedric Mullins be Traded?*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 218: It Worked, But Never Do It Again (New Edit with Improved Audio) Mar 19, 2022

Infinite Inning 218: It Worked, But Never Do It Again
Jesse Spector returns to discuss the competitive balance landscape, which still has all the old hills and valleys. Plus tales as reaction to the new CBA: A very slow player makes an ill-advised attempt to swipe home plate and a member of the Gashouse Gang exaggerates his prowess. NEW EDIT WITH IMPROVED AUDIO!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Zeke’s Run*More on the Pittsburgh H*The Man Who Didn’t Break Up Four No-Hitters (Maybe)*Jesse Spector: Brittney Griner and Competitive Balance*Draft Lottery*If I’m a Pirates Fan*The Baltimore Orioles 1983-Present*A Perfect Analogy*Batting Kyle Farmer Fourth*Are Owners Really Necessary Part 9000*Are There Too Many Teams?*Baseball in Florida and other Places*The Home Viewing Experience and Self-Defense at the Movies*Alienated (and Outside)*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 217: There's No Reason Why We Shouldn't (Burgers, Rice, and Pudding) Mar 11, 2022

Craig Goldstein (Baseball Prospectus) talks about BASEBALL PROSPECTUS 2022, owner vs. player morality, and the best comps for Juan Soto. Plus tales: A pitcher expresses insecurity right on the mound—or does he? The trap of zero-sum thinking, and an obscure player who was as good a hitter, in his way, as Mike Piazza.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Pink Hawley is Looking for a Friend*Baseball, Politics, “Evil Incarnate,” and Zero-Sum Thinking*The Rapidly Oncoming Fate of Fred Carroll*Craig Goldstein: Harder to Reconcile, But We’ll Be Back*The KBO Again?*When to Go For Snacks*The Players’ Ideas are Better*The Economic Model Needs to Change/The Unspoken Agreement*The Kershaw Conundrum*BP 2022*PECOTA Confidence*Mike Trout and Juan Soto Comps*Manfred’s Longer Pandemic*Relishing a Higher Bar*Goodbyes.
("Wind Chime, Tolling, A.wav" and "Wind Chimes, A.wav" by InspectorJ (www.jshaw.co.uk) of Freesound.org.)
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 216: Are Owners Truly Necessary? Mar 03, 2022

Solo episode! Tales of ancient battles between owners and the players, none of which make the owners look good. Casey Stengel goes to Washington and, well, criticizes the owners. And a one-year wonder makes an impulsive decision that costs him a World Series ring.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Mr. Stengel Goes to Washington*Are Owners Truly Necessary?*The Rapid Rise and Fall of the Players League*The Lockout and Human Cupidity*Neville Chamberlain and the Homer in the Gloaming*The Ballad of Johnny Rizzo*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 215: Here They Are and So Are We Feb 23, 2022

Alex Belth and Emily Shapiro return to discuss HERE I ARE: ANATOMY OF A MARRIAGE. Plus tales: Miller Huggins comes to the wrong conclusion and a second baseman who would sooner fight than order a veggie lover’s pizza.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Miller Huggins’ Last Mistake (Plus Spittin’ Bill and Larry Hart)*A Brief Baseball Note from Ogden Nash*Raw Meat Bill and Davey Crockett Times Two Too*Alex Belth and Emily Shapiro: Audible Origins*The Awkwardness of Spending Time in Conversation With Yourself*An Illness Coming-Out Party (But Not an Illness Memoir)*Free Money Cards!*The Embarrassment of Confronting Yourself*Limerence, Attraction, and Infatuation*Silence Over Soup*Mutual Interests vs. Mutual Empathy*How to Argue*Surviving Couples Therapy*Working On Your Smile*Not Just Luck and the Babies Argument*Anger, Helpless Anger*Tools and Modalities*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 214: Of Sidearmers and Salad Bars Feb 09, 2022

Cliff Corcoran (The Cycle newsletter) returns to talk about lockout priorities. Plus tales: Marking the passing of a side-arm pitcher who got less respect than he deserved and a catcher throws it all away on one swing—but not the kind you’re thinking of.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Requiem for a Sidearmer*Joe Rue and Greek George*Cliff Corcoran: Ripcord Porkerban vs. the Roc*Ray Harryhausen and Modern Special Effects*The alternate reading of “Raiders of the Lost Ark”*Life Under Lockout*”Break the Union!” One More Time*The Last Negotiation: Salad Bar*Mindless Speculation on the Owners’ Mindset*Hi-Ho the Corporate Life*Non-Core Issues*Ending the Blackouts*Laziness with the Remote Control*Maybe a Hot Soup*The Potential Draft Lottery*Service-Time Manipulation*That ONE Writer*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 213: Take a Prospect Leave a Prospect Feb 02, 2022

Prospectmeister Jeffrey Paternostro returns to discuss the Baseball Prospectus 2022 Top-101 Prospects rankings. Plus tales: The 66th-best hitter for average of all time has a cough; a Hall of Fame pitcher messes up his marriage, demonstrating that even people with plaques are as complicated as anybody else.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
David Ortiz to the Hall*The 66th-Best Hitter for Average of All Time is Not in the Hall of Fame*Lefty, June, and the Perfect Murder*Jeffrey Paternostro: Top 11s are Better than Top 10s*Who is the Top Prospect in Baseball? Adley Rutschman vs. Bobby Witt Jr.*Matt Wieters Memories*Catcher Stagnation*Ranking 11 Catchers*Drafting Second Basemen*Seattle Mariners: Player vs. Team*Supplemental Help*Teams with Few Prospects or Punishments*Burger on Second*Kumar Rocker?*Jo Adell and Angels Player Development*Sleepers*“You Want to Be Right”*My OBP Sweetheart*Goodbyes.
Links:
The BP Top 101: https://www.baseballprospectus.com/prospects/article/72047/2022-prospects-the-top-101/
“The Poison Years” by Steven Goldman: https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/72225/you-could-look-it-up-poison-years/
Brother, Can You Spare a Podcast? Episode 1: https://www.spreaker.com/show/brother-can-you-spare-a-podcast
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 212: Vainglorious Unvaccinated Dullards & Co Jan 22, 2022

David Roth on Topps and The Athletic being sold, why baseball color commentors curdle after two years, the Mets’ moves, and more. Plus tales: “Pride of the Yankees” departs from reality and strikes a chord; an All-Star is captured at the moment of his release.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Lou Gehrig, “Pride of the Yankees,” and Me*The Ballad of Jim Ray Hart and His DFA Photograph*David Roth: Mickey Rooney in Van Halen*Topps Sold*“A Long Position on Phil Plantier”*Two Business Idiots on The Athletic Sale*Baseball Cards as Bookmarks Etc*Louis Bromfield and Booth Tarkington*Death of the AV Club*John Madden and the Art of Enthusiasm*When “Damn Yankees” Tells a Deep Dark Truth*Buck Showalter Goes to Queen*The Forever Rebuild and Its Hazard*The 2022 Mets are Not the 1927 Yankees*Jeff McNeil Chill Out?*The Steinbrenner Retcon*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 211: The War in '72 & The Bill James Handbook '22 Jan 13, 2022

Mark Simon of Sports Info Solutions returns to discuss the Bill James Handbook 2022, plus tales: The media fails the players when the owners push them into striking 50 years ago.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Media on Baseball Strike ‘72*Folly at the Half-Century Mark*Players vs. Owners vs. Themselves ‘72*Mark Simon: A Hazy Shade of Baseball*Why is Carlos Correa a Great Defensive Shortstop?*A Girthy Tome*Too Much Information?*Book Layout Likened to the Shift*The Home-Run Robberies Table*Defense (Derek Jeter AGAIN?)*Diagnosing a Defensive Slump*Penalized by the Shift or by Bad Defense?*Ohtani vs. Ruth*How Hard Did the Old-Timers Throw?*Voting on the Cover-Model*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 210: Joe McCarthy's Lonely Hearts Club Dec 31, 2021

Our annual holiday historical fiction sees straitlaced Yankees manager taking on the greatest challene of this career: Romance. Plus a brief true tale in which Mama Gehrig is found to be a citizen just like any other American.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Mama Gehrig Goes to Court*Intermission: The Pinch-Hitter is Banned (Happy, Healthy New Year)*Story: “Joe McCarthy: Advisor to the Lonely Heart”*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 209: Not Too Far to Go Dec 24, 2021

Ian Coss of "Forever is a Long Time" talks marriage, divorce, and facing your doubts by looking at the past. Plus tales: Managers are hired/quickly fired and a catcher's career ends too soon.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Buck Showalter, Billy Herman, and the Fallacy of Managers*The DeLancey Story*Ian Coss: A Thoughtful Show*Ignorance is a Kind of Shield*It Could Happen to You*Change is the Enemy but Change is Good*The Part That Everyone Asks About*Grandmother’s Adventures in Love and War/”The Work of the Devil”*A Paradox of Marriage*The Burden of Empathy*The Absent Ex*Unexplored Depths of Shallow*Love Songs of a Well-Worn Relationship*The Compounding Nature of Lies*A Brief Note on Gamelan Music*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 208: Dystopia in Your Mailbox Dec 18, 2021

Craig Calcaterra returns to baseball’s lockout, teenage drunkenness, and division of labor in marriage. Plus tales: Ralph Houk’s prophecy/Jim Bouton’s waltz and Babe Ruth sacrifices his socks for the greater good.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Fate, Ralph Houk, and Bobby Murcer*Babe Ruth in the Snow*Craig Calcaterra: Dessert Wine*Raymond Chandler’s Evenings*1990 Gut*Cash-Laden Ships that Have Sailed*The Strange Love of the Atlanta Braves*Not Really a Baseball Company Anymore?*Rentiers*Drive-Up Surf ‘n’ Turf and the Team Budget*The Tablecloth Trick*Kept Males*Competitive Owners vs. Tanking Owners*Baseball vs. Netflix*Dystopia in Your Inbox (Gambling Cometh)*Life Lessons from the High Rollers*Betting in the Stands*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 207: The No No and Yes Yes Show Dec 11, 2021

A solo episode with an owner-player conflict that anticipates the tenor of the current lockout (with some amazing stats) and the question of which Harry Frazee show really killed the Red Sox is taken on (A: None, or maybe all of them)! Plus excuses for being tardy.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The New Babe Ruth Holds Out*Please Excuse My Son’s Absence From Class*The Old Babe Ruth is Sold, But Not for the Reason You Think (In Honor of Stephen Sondheim)*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 206: Killer at the Polo Grounds and Other Tales Nov 24, 2021

Cliff Corcoran talks hot stove baseball and ice cream in plastic batting helmets. Plus tales: The thief who just had to go to the Dodgers-Giants game and current Hall of Fame candidate/long-neglected pitcher Cannonball Dick Redding and his times.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Killer at the Polo Grounds*Cannonball Dick Redding’s America*Cliff Corcoran: The Browns’ Brownie’s Brownie Sundae*Carvel and the Ground Round*Staring at Big-Little Books and the Impenetrability of Nostalgia*Proust’s Baseball Cards*The Braves as Championship Team*Do You Miss Starting Pitchers?*Rules Changes Around Pitchers*Danny Murtaugh, Un-Manager*A Pitching Rules Proposal*Pitch Counts and Long Innings*Joey Gathright vs. Felix Pie and the Not-Stove League*Playing the Texas Rangers Speculation Game*Some Hot Stove and Sonny & Cher Talk*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 205: The Body of an American Scout Nov 11, 2021

Lincoln Michel talks his science-fiction/noir/baseball novel THE BODY SCOUT. Plus tales: An umpire does something unforgivable to a great pitcher and the players vs. teams in the Hall of Fame.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Dolf Luque, Bill Klem, and the Very Bad Word*Buster Posey and the Hall of Fame*Lincoln Michael: An Idea on Every Page*Context and Electric Forks*It Would Happen to the Mets*Philosophical Neanderthals*Science Fiction, Body, Horror, and PED-Era Baseball Taken to the Logical Extreme*Ham Fighters vs. Ham-Fighters*Animating Play-by-Play (and Sex)*Plot!*Apocalyptic Realism*Short Story Market ‘21*Rounded Characters in Science-Fiction?*Asimov vs. Bradbury*Will there be a Body Scout Sequel?*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 204: Prejudices Chapter One-Million Oct 31, 2021

Gabrielle Starr (Fansided) discusses the Red Sox fall out of the playoffs, the hazards of being a female in sports online, and rails against analytics. Plus tales: Charlie Morton isn’t the first pitcher throw with a broken leg and the tomahawk chop is once again placed in its sad and objectionable context.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Bobo Newsom and Charlie Morton*The Tomahawk Chop Revisited*Gabrielle Starr: Fenway Park Downfall*Yankees and Red Sox Fans* Fans Cross the Line*“I’m Wrong Because of My Gender”*A-Rod at the Game*Kiké Hernandez*Manager vs. Front Office*Analytics and the Tesla Analogy*“Braining People Out of Baseball”*Gambling Content*The Red Sox and Family*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 203: Why Are Those People in the Outfield Oct 20, 2021

Hall of Fame senior curator Tom Shieber, co-author of Picturing America’s Pastime, talks about great images of the game as art and as documentary. Plus tales: Bobby Grich feels provoked and responds in kind, the Phillies achieve “a truly elite system” with mixed results.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Bobby Grich Method of Anger Management*When the Phillies Actually Rebuilt*Tom Shieber: You’ll Believe Johnny Bench Can Fly!*Inferring Biography from Photos*Preservation (and Lew Fonseca)*No Buzz Arlett Bat*The Secret Casey Stengel Photo*How is PICTURING AMERICA’S PASTIME Different?*The Conlon Photos*Strangeness at the All-American Girls Game (What Are These People Doing in the Outfield?) and Other Hard-to-Explain Artefacts*Remember the Baseball Team of the Maine*Posed Versus Candid Images (Ichiro and Blyleven)*The Secret Baseball Artefacts in Old Films (Baseball Movies vs. Baseball in Movies)*Frank Chance vs. Satan*The Help Desk*What’s Left to Be Discovered?*Babe Ruth at a Typewriter/Uncle Robbie on a Bicycle*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 202: Groucho Mans the Turnstiles Oct 12, 2021

Dan Taylor discusses Lights, Camera, Fastball, his new history of the Hollywood Stars baseball team. Plus tales of great Giants catchers of the distant past and George Steinbrenner fires a third-base coach because of a controversial playoff send.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Buck Ewing Would Like a Word With You*George Steinbrenner’s Postseason Tantrum ‘80* Dan Taylor: The Hollywood Stars and the Studio Stars*Co-Starring William Frawley, Spencer Tracy, and More!*Respect for Joe E. Brown*Harry Ruby on the Field*Bob Cobb: More Than Just His Salad*The Stars Ally with Branch Rickey*The Virtues of Manager Fred Haney (in the Men’s Room?)*The Tragedy of Carlos Bernier*The Stars and Integration*Bobby Bragan and Jackie Robinson*Bragan and the Consecutive Pinch-Hitters*The Minor Leagues Today*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 201: Now We Can Solve All Our Differences Oct 04, 2021

Mike Ferrin, Kevin Goldstein, and Steven Goldman, once the hosts of Baseball Prospectus Radio on SiriusXM, reunite to discuss that Chicago vibe, awkward interviews, and debate just how the San Francisco Giants are doing it. Plus tales: A fringe player gets on the wrong train and the longest winning streak of all time amounts to nothing.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Fats Dantonio Story*The Big Streak*Mike Ferrin and Kevin Goldstein: Bob in Crisis*Two Eddie Vedder Stories?*Why is Chicago?*Cubs Attendance vs. White Sox Fans (“Trixies and Chads”)*That Wrong Billy Interview*The Sad Gene Lamont Interview*Should Players Have to Talk to the Media?*Mike Zunino, Third-Overall Pick*Reverse-Engineering the San Francisco Giants*Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and the Border*Will We Have Labor Peace?*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 200: The 200th Right Downtown Sep 24, 2021

Cliff Corcoran, David Roth, Jesse Spector with a rare collective sighting as the starting rotation reflects on four years of episodes, 20-plus years of writing about baseball, managers who aged before our eyes, Javier Baez, and so much more. Plus tales of a manager making that one fatal mistake and Tris Speaker gets a heart.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Babe Ruth Doesn’t Quite End Two Careers with One Hit*Tris Speaker, His Mom, and Healing Old Wounds*Cliff Corcoran, David Roth, Jesse Spector: Lantern Flies in the Phillies Dugout*Keeping it Fresh*Baltimore Orioles Reggie Jackson is a Dirty Lie!*Red Sox, COVID, Stick to Sports*100,000 in the Stands*Rangers at Orioles; Please Help Us*The Lee Elia Rant*The Chris Davis Contract and After*The Mets vs. Their Own Prospects*Wilford Brimley Managers*The Time Steve Met Billy Martin*The Big Finish to the 2021 Season*The Javier Baez Conundrum*Steve Kemp Alert!*Goodbyes.
WARNING: This episode has a few more swear-words than usual. Please undertake evasive action if your battleship is easily dented.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 199A: The Tools of Ignorance Sep 13, 2021

A new hour-long mini-episode features yet another John McGraw insult, a discussion of vaccine mandates, Holocaust analogies, and the logical fallacy of hasty generalization both in and out of baseball (Babe Ruth has two legs and plays baseball and Isan Diaz has two legs and plays baseball, so they must be exactly the same), and a tale of catching great Ernie Lombardi mouthing off to his boss with predictable consequences. Guests resume next week!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part 1, in which Charles Ebbets is Insulted*Hasty Generalizations, Distortions, Vaccines, the Holocaust, and Why Various Players Are Not Fish*Ernie Lombardi Says Exactly What He Thinks of His Boss*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 199: The Just Tra-La-La Show Sep 04, 2021

A medically-necessary solo episode has a lesson about keeping your eye on the ball rather than your fingers on the banjo, some Zen advice from Casey Stengel, and the tale of a busted prospect who could have used some Zen of his own.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Pirates Try to Sing Their Way to a Pennant*Just Tra-La-La (Yankees and Mets versions)*Sympathy for Roy Parmelee*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 198: August is Your Last Chance Aug 22, 2021

David Roth returns to discuss the Mets’ fall from the pennant race, the Baltimore Orioles’ complete absence therefrom, and the 1982 Yankees vs. the Afghanistan withdrawal. Plus tales: A pitcher who did everything right and yet everything went wrong and the Orioles compared to the Mary Celeste.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Book of Koob*Rebuilding vs. Tanking vs. Not Giving a Damn*David Roth: Maine is Another Country/Misplaced Darwinian Struggle*The Ad You Don’t Want to Hear/Grammar-Policing Derek Jeter*The Mets in Freefall*deGrom’s Detachable Torso and Zack Wheeler*Mets Crazy-Board*The 1982 Yankees vs. the Afghanistan Forever-War*The Cat-Food Analogy*Managing to Feel Like You’re Managing*The Orioles’ Losing Streak (Measured in Years)*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 197: There's a Payphone in the Lobby Aug 15, 2021

Craig Goldstein (Baseball Prospectus) returns to talk Dodgers, diving for balls, and salary caps. Plus tales: A short shortstop fails to measure up and Roy Campanella asks the wrong team for a job.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Tommy Macmillan and the Non-Magical Manger*Campy’s Plea to the Phillies*Craig Goldstein: Baseball is Everything it Touches*The Trea Turner: Time-Traveler?*Cool Papa Calls In/Joe DiMaggio Didn’t Dive*Seager vs. Turner?*Once More Unto Cody Bellinger*Betts to Second/Tatis to the Outfield*Goldstein on Sprint-Speed*Is the ‘Playoff Chase’ Over?*James and Chaim*The Orioles and ‘Competitive Balance’”*The Barstool Flirtation*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 196: Here Until We're Somewhere Else Aug 06, 2021

Cliff Corcoran returns to talk trading deadline and Olympic-mandated underwear worn as outwear. Plus tales: A player loses half of what he’s got below the waist and another loses everything, period, on two hellish plane-flights.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Schang!*Cool Papa Bell and Roy Parnell*Proper Comportment for Airline Passengers, 1935 and 2021*Cliff Corcoran: The Busiest Trading Deadline in History*The Trevor Story Story*Juan Samuel Tingles*Eugenio Suarez at Sea/Kyle Farmer at WAR*Women’s Olympic Beach Volleyball Uniforms*How Does Anyone Survive the Olympics?*What’s Up with the Rays?*No First Baseman to Boston/Schwarber vs. the Green Monster?*The When/As/If of Chris Sale*The Blue Jays Stay In*A Brief Look at the Phillies*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 195: Acts of Pure Baseball Jul 31, 2021

Jesse Spector returns to talk everything from Olympic softball to Australian-rules football with a great deal of trade deadline chatter in-between. Plus tales of a player whose bat-control skills got him punched in the face and some Negro Leaguers recall one time they struck back.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Twenty-Seven Foul Balls Equals One Punch*Revenge on Bobo*Jesse Spector: Olympic Ennui*Softball, Carl Mays, Dan Quisenberry*Watching for the Joy of It*Trade Deadline for the Unvaccinated/State of the Yankees*Joey Gallo for Another Year*Jason Derulo?*The Children are Awaiting on You All to Awaken and See*What if You Bring a Gun to a Genocide?*Kendall Graveman Revisited*“Too Much Analytics!”*The Interchangeable Rays*Back to the White Flag Trade*Amoral Drafting (Logan Mailloux) and Empathy*An Australian Grace Note*Goodbyes.

Infinite Inning 194: Hierarchy of Values Jul 22, 2021

Warrior for the Underdog Sheryl Ring returns to discuss Trevor Bauer, the limits of consent, and why it’s so difficult to escape an abusive situation. Plus tales of a Yankees-Braves trade that nearly happened but didn’t and we look at the lessons of a shooting outside the Nationals game.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Roberto Kelly for Jeff Blauser*Shooting at the Nats Game*Sheryl Ring: Eviction Moratorium*Collapse in Florida*Trevor Bauer: Power and Control*It’s So Very Hard to Leave*On Consent*The Difference Between Sex and an MMA Match*Should the Yankees Trade at the Deadline?*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 193: Hit By an RPG Once Again Jul 13, 2021

Craig Calcaterra returns to talk All-Star Game Ennui, Enjoyable MLB 2021 surprises and disappointments, Richard Donner’s “Superman,” and much more. Plus tales of bad knees and collapsing teams in both baseball and the larger world.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Mourning Ronald Acuna’s Knee and Other Things as Well*The Orioles, the Astros, and the Danger of Deferred Maintenance*Craig Calcaterra: “Swell” and “Superman: The Movie”*The All-Star Game Blahs*Are We Over Validation by Authority Figures?*The Rural Purge*When Good Teams Go Bad It’s Wonderful*The Giants, “The A-Team,” and a Team That Can’t Repeat*Aged Tigers*The 2021 Yankees*Kevin Maas Syndrome*Ruth Kapelis on Trevor Bauer*On Consent*What Kind of Person?*The Morals Clause*”The Goose Man”*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 192: A Series of Non-Setbacks Jul 03, 2021

David Roth returns to discuss the upcoming trading deadline, climate change, and Mets injury-setbacks that aren’t setbacks. Plus the Yankees’ disappointing season provokes a remembrance of George Steinbrenner’s cruelty and generosity and (TRIGGER WARNING) Trevor Bauer is discussed in the context of a great old baseball horror story.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Some of George Steinbrenner’s Greatest Hits*George Steinbrenner and the Vets’ Reunion at Yankee Stadium*Trevor Bauer and “Foul Play”*David Roth: “Cool”*A Brief Orson Welles Digression*The Great Sweating Players of Our Time*“It Sure Holds the Heat!”*Portland, ME Accents versus Delco, Baked Beans and Brown Bread*Vaccination is a Competitive Advantage*COVID and the College World Series*Anthony Rizzo, Jason Heyward and Unproductive Agency*The [Twins?] Vaccine Lottery*“The Italian Doctors”*Trade Value of the Unvaccinated*deGrom deDiagnosed*Travails of Francisco Lindor*Not Everyone Can Trade for Starling Marte*The Vogelbach Incident*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 191: Tears at the Impromptu Airport Parade Jun 23, 2021

Cliff Corcoran returns to talk sticky stuff and celebrate the Negro Leagues, plus tales of players having catastrophic organ failure on the field and reacting to some of the game’s longest losing streaks.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
When Your Organs Fail Mid-Pitch and Other Digressions*Nazi Losing Streaks Never End (with the Arizona Diamondbacks)*Cliff Corcoran: No team in a sombrero*A “Bring It On” Reference on the Infinite Inning?*The Cheaters (Waiving the White Shirt)*There’s a Bathroom on the Right*Aaron Judge and Non-Incriminating Home-Road Splits*The Ethics of A.J. Hinch*Juneteenth, the Negro Leagues, and Baseball-Reference*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 190: Lame Cakes and Sticky Stuff Jun 14, 2021

Jesse Spector returns to talk grip-enhanced cheating and “snack cakes,” plus tales of Satchel Paige under attack by a man imitating a pig and John McGraw hit below the belt.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Piersall, Paige, and the Walk-Off Grand Slam*The Church of B’Grobus*McGraw, Crossfire, and an Accusation*Jesse Spector: Hostess vs. Drakes*Gerrit Cole, Spider-Grip, Et Al*Jacob deGrom in the Age of the Inquisition*“Sticky Stuff is Central to Both”*The Disappointing Yankees*The Post-Farm System Era?*Rewind Johneshwy*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 189: We All Have Groin Problems Jun 05, 2021

Mike Bates and Bill Parker (This Week in Baseball History) talk about the baseball stories you keep and a Twins team you might want to return to the store: Plus tales of unscarred players and damaged veterans meeting on a train, dairy-splashed homers, Lou Gehrig at Coney Island, and games called for wardrobe failures.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Braves Ashamed on the Train*Dairy Homer*Lou Gehrig Day Thoughts*The First Baseman Has No Pants, the Catcher Has No Shoes*Bates & Parker: Turn a Baseball Saying into a Pop Song*Avoiding the Obvious Story*How to Talk About Marty Bergen*Bill Bergen and the Shallow Talent Pool*The One You Take With You: Big Ed Delahanty*The Twins’ Collapse*The Byron Buxton Conundrum*Miguel Sano and Max Kepler*The Rob Refsnyder Revolution*All the Injuries*Twins Pitching: Worst in the Majors*Books on Low Shelves*Can the Twins Rebound?*What From Today Will Baseball Historians be Talking About in 20 Years?*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 188: Hot Takes, Dodger Blues, and Past Relationships May 30, 2021

Eric Stephen returns to talk about the Dodgers’ up and down season and what it’s like to cover the team from inside a Zoom window. Plus tales: The most and least hits in a game put into perspective and the relationship between an intense third baseman and a crooner remembered.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
When You’re Cold, You’re Cold*The Ballad of Hoak and Corey*Eric Stephen: The Risk of Hot Takes*Post-COVID Back in the Ballpark*The Postgame Zoom Session*Depleted Dodgers Depth*Why Not David Price?/A Greg Cadaret Mention*Injuries, Injuries, Injuries and Massive Bullpens*Informational Deficiencies of Topps Cards/Brett Butler*The Magic of Max Muncy*Angels Culture*The Many Mysteries of Albert Pujols*Trevor Bauer in Blue*“Be More Like Trevor Bauer”*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 187: The Ballpark Village People May 22, 2021

Craig Calcaterra returns to talk ballpark villages, elevator test shafts, and Robert Culp: Guest-Star. Plus tales of relationships that went wrong or never happened with the sharp-tongued outfielder Bibb Falk and Reds relievers in the Summer of Love.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Bibb Falk Alone*McCool, Davidson, and a Gun*Craig Calcaterra: The Greatest American Hero, Bob Culp, and “Columbo”*The Low Maturity Level of Old-Time Television*The Oakland Coliseum Site Dismissed*The MGM Analogy*An Island in Oakland (or Vice-Versa)*Public Subsidies in Development*Food Deserts and Ballpark Villages*The Germania Test Shaft*The McDonald’s Analogy*Why Are the Pirates?*The Disney World Ratio*Is it a Flat Season?*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 186: All the World's a Baseball Diamond May 13, 2021

Frank Guridy discusses THE SPORTS REVOLUTION: HOW TEXAS CHANGED THE CULTURE OF AMERICAN ATHLETICS. The arrival of the Texas Rangers, the rise of the Astrodome, the origins of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and much more! Plus tales: An outfielder participates in a rundown but doesn’t run into a tree, and a true bigot is inspired to great heights of rhetoric by a stolen base.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Don’t Die on Third!*Hi Myers and the Well-Placed Tree*Frank Guridy: Racist Rangers?*The White Sox Break the Color Line*The Texas Sports Revolution*The Cheap Cowboys*Loving the Astrodome*Carpetbaggin’ Bob Short*Darrell Royal, Pro-Segregation Coach*Texas in the Civil Rights Era*Welcome to the Dallas Cowboys, Cheerleaders*The Wink*Academic Job Losses in the Pandemic*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 185: Who Loves the Sun? May 06, 2021

Amanda Smith (Disaster Girls podcast, Le Renard Argente) returns to cope with the pandemic, discuss emotional distance in disaster films, dating while living a public life, and the Dodgers’ up-and-down start. Plus tales: The Braves stake a hat on a pair of rookie outfielders and a third baseman for not being famous tells a story of his own.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Schulmerich, Worthington, and Seize the Day*Harry Eisenstadt’s Sand Crab Yarn (and Roman Quinn Too)*Amanda Smith: Transition to Unemployment*Introverts, Extroverts, and the Pandemic*Flamingo Evolution*The Really Crafty Cows*Human-Neanderthal Relations*Maneating-Tiger Movie*Insomnia Cure: STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE*Lambert the Sheepish Queen Singer*ELEPHANT WALK*Why Are Disaster Films Cathartic?*Not Engaging with CONTAGION during a pandemic*Korean Baseball Knows How to Have Fun*“Young Lady Looking for Self-Expression”* “Stupid and Hilarious” in Dating*Are You Over Kenley Jansen?*Ballplayers and Writers Age Quickly*Deep Thoughts with Cody Bellinger*No One Applauds the Los Angeles Sunset*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 184: He is the Crater Apr 28, 2021

Cliff Corcoran (The Cycle newsletter) returns to run down the state of the early season, plus tales: Death stalks the Polo Grounds and Gallen and Bumgarner meet Dizzy and Paul.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Multiple Fatalities at the Polo Grounds*Dizzy but Not Daffy*Cliff Corcoran: Rougned Odor and the Yankees*Low Offensive Levels/The Strikeout Rate*A Strikeout Was Just Another Out*How We Watch Now*Fix Baseball (No Forks)*Dodgers v. Padres*Dodgers Depth-Magic*Padres Appreciation Society*Joba Chamberlain/Dinelson Lamet*Lightning Round: Is It Real? Red Sox*Royals*A’s*Mariners*Mets*Phillies*Brewers*Giants*Buster Posey for the Hall of Fame?*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 183: The 15 versus the 85 Apr 20, 2021

David Roth returns to talk baseball and social responsibility during our still-ongoing pandemic. Plus tales: Pee Wee Reese undeflected and Casey Stengel taunts a cross-eyed pitcher (and throws up his breakfast).
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Pee Wee Reese’s Journey*Casey and the 1922 Tour of Japan*David Roth: Owning a Zamboni*Baseball-is-Back Euphoria*Pow! Bullpen Management*The Clubhouse 15 Percent Has the 85 Percent Hostage*Tailgating Analogy*Andrelton Simmons Will Not Explain Himself*Super-Aggrieved on Social*Immediate Feedback*The Michael Conforto Game*It’s Not Yet Real (Salvador Perez Fluke Stats)*Nimmo Revelations*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 182: The First Fine Careless Rapture Apr 12, 2021

Luke Epplin, author of OUR TEAM: The Epic Story of Four Men and the World Series that Changed Baseball, talks about three key players and one owner who made the 1948 Cleveland team the unique creation it was. Plus tales: No-hitters don’t influence the future and a Casey Stengel rule is applied to Domingo German.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Joe Musgrove, No-Hitters, and Fate*Mike Marshall, Casey Stengel, Domingo German*Luke Epplin: Why 1948?*The Browns and Eddie Gaedel Project*Veeck, Paige, Doby, and Feller*Veeck’s Highs and Lows*Veeck’s Leg*Veeck on the Make (Steve Cohen)*Feller and Paige in Their Times*Feller’s Racial Blinders*When Feller Intentionally Pitched His Arm Off*Finding Larry Doby*Doby and Segregation*Bill McKechnie Cameo*The First Fine Careless Rapture*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 181: No Reconciliation, But Truth Apr 07, 2021

Andrew Maraniss, author of Singled Out: The True Story of Glenn Burke, discusses the abuse heaped on the majors’ first openly gay player. Plus tales of a Pacific Coast League trainer who was singled out in a different way, plus two murders and Major League Baseball’s moving the All-Star Game out of Georgia.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Fate Hunts a Trainer*MLB and Voting While Black in Georgia*Andrew Maraniss: Sports, Social Justice, and Perry Wallace*Glenn Burke: No Resolution*Bad Timing*What Does Who You Sleep With Have to Do With How You Can Hit?*What if Burke Had Been a Better Player?*Burke: Oppositional and Beloved*The Second High Five*Burke vs. Lasorda*Burke the Athlete*Glenn and Spunky*Al Campanis: It Wasn’t Just “Nightline”*Burke, Billy Martin, and the Dying A’s*Did Baseball Do Enough to Help?*Dusty Baker: Great Guy*“Owing”*Have the Dodgers Changed? A Possible Example*Coming Attractions: Inaugural Ballers*Lenn Sakata Mention Alert*Goodbyes.
("Ambience, Night Wildlife, A.wav" by InspectorJ (www.jshaw.co.uk) of Freesound.org.)
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 180: Champions of the Heart Mar 29, 2021

Jesse Spector returns for a super-sized episode! The third annual Infinite Inning Opening Day song! Ted Williams says never let anyone change your swing! Is Miguel Andujar doing this old-time Dodger’s career swan dive? Will the 2021 Tigers be more fun to watch than the 2021 Red Sox? These and other questions await within!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Carl Yastrzemski, Ted Williams, the Bad Science Teacher, and the Ordeal of Self-Determination*The Third Annual Infinite Inning Opening Day Song: Champions of the Heart*Miguel Andujar and Billy Grabarkewitz*Jesse Spector: Beards and Haircuts*Violins for Cleveland*Sunderland/Red Sox*How Long Will Mets Ownership Be Hot To Trot?*Colorado Rockies Dysfunction*The Ian Desmond Follies*The Yankees After 2003*A Full Season of Devil Williams and Other Delights*Dead as a Doornail Teams*Goodbyes*Encore: Opening Day Songs 2019 and 2020, The American Game and Opening Day.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 179: The Giants and Their Crabs Mar 22, 2021

Lincoln Mitchell returns to discuss his new book “The Giants and Their City: Major League Baseball in San Francisco, 1976-1992,” a tome redolent with cold Candlestick nights and hot Crazy Crab days. Plus tales: Casey Stengel uses some overly esoteric signs, rookies have short-lived breakouts, and more.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Blinking Lights and Spitting Signs*Harl! The Musical*Lincoln Mitchell: Why the Giants So Bad Between Willie Mays and Barry Bonds?*How a Farm System Dies*Will Clark and Robbie Thompson Arrive*Vida Blue vs. Cruel Fate*Can the Bay Area Support Two Teams?*Why Did Four Ballpark Ballot Initiatives Fail?*And Then the Earthquake*Fay Vincent Tries to Make Things Worse*Al Rosen and Kevin Mitchell*What If: The Tampa Bay Giants?*The Counterintuitive Crazy Crab*Summer at Candlestick Park Was Winter Everywhere Else*What if the Giants Had Moved?*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 178: Duster, Candor, Regrets Mar 15, 2021

Craig Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus returns to discuss Baseball Prospectus 2021, highlight some of the best comments, and debate the best approach to writing about players: Plus tales: Did Duster Mails do in one season what other players do in 20? And should a manager be fired for being too blunt with the boss? The Cubs did it.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Duster Mails: All-Time Great in One Season*Manager Fired for Candor*Craig Goldstein: The 26th or the 28th Annual*BP in the Pandemic*Sticking to Sports During the Plague*The Baseball Prospectus Annual*The Seranthony Dominguez and Evan Marshall Comments*Songs from “The Simpsons” and Other Changes*The Dodgers Won (Will There Ever Be Another Party?)*When Your Team is Too Late to Win*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 177: Flaws of the Patient Approach Mar 08, 2021

Matthew Trueblood (Baseball Prospectus, Penning Bull newsletter) talks about the Twins, the Mariners, disparate batting styles, and using the Cubs as a self-diagnostic. Plus Rogers Hornsby is mean to Duster Mails and Duster Mails is mean to himself.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
When Cruelty was the Point for Rogers Hornsby*Don’t Run Yourself Down, Duster Mails*Matthew Trueblood: Taking Notice of Player Quirks*Tim Anderson and Non-Conformity*Constructing Trevor Bauer*Willie Wilson as Object Lesson and Why Banjo Hitters Can No Longer Play*The Sammy Sosa: Persona Non-Grata*Power Rankings in the Winter*Kevin Mather-Induced Disillusionment*Should the Cubs Extend Javier Baez?*Lone Ranger Trivia*Luis Arraez and His Knees*Schwarber vs. Pederson*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 176: The Malefactors of Baseball Mar 01, 2021

Cliff Corcoran returns to talk some actual my-first-baseman-is-better-than-yours with regards to the AL East, free agent Jackie Bradley, Jr, and Juan Soto’s defensive capabilities. Plus, ex-Mariner Kevin Mather steps in it and the Herculex Body Battery cures all!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Herculex Body Battery Sees All, Cures All*Pie in the Sky When You Die in Seattle*Cliff Corcoran: The comprehensive Cycle*Spencer Torkelson’s Freshman Dorm Moment*“Don’t Know How to Smile,” Starring Charlie Morton*What if the Phillies Didn’t Try to Fix Their Bullpen?*Will the Nationals be Competitive*Juan Soto’s Glove*How to Value Jackie Bradley, Jr.*Bret Gardner vs. Aaron Hicks vs. Bradley*A Glance Towards Kevin Mathers*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 175: The Silent John Titus Comedy Hour Feb 22, 2021

Solo-mini-diet episode in which there are stories of people getting hit, both in the sort of fun baseball way and also the sad other kind. Also, a look at San Diego Padres scolds.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Art Fletcher, Oil-Man (Not that Kind)*The Price of Ice in Pittsburgh*Odubel Herrera/Joe Giradi/Sherry Magee*Let Fernando Tatis, Jr Play (For What He’s Worth)!*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 174: The Cronin Principal Feb 14, 2021

Mark Armour (Joe Cronin: A Life in Baseball, and Paths to Glory: How Great Teams Got That Way, SABR Board President) talks about the Hall of Fame shortstop, MLB’s retroactive changes to the Negro League’s standing, and great baseball history books. Plus tales of Lou Gehrig, Eleanor Gehrig, and milkfat.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Eleanor’s Bracelet and Ival’s Two Pounds of Butter*Eleanor Gehrig Alone*Mark Armour: The SABR Bio Project*The Missing Biographies*Why Joe Cronin?*A Portly Shortstop on His Knees*Segregation Apologist*Cronin Was in the Mainstream*The Revised Status of the Negro Leagues*What’s It Like Being on the SABR Board?*The Greying of SABR*The Greatest Baseball History Books/Bill James’ Strengths*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 173: Be Mad at Me If You Want Feb 07, 2021

Kevin Goldstein returns! Plus, tales of a pitcher who shouldn’t and Lou Gehrig: Great American.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A Day in the Life of the Zion Hill… Billies*Lou Gehrig Knew*Kevin Goldstein: The best restaurants in San Pedro de Macoris*The Moment You Found Out*Carlos Correa Claps Back*The Email*The Best Way to Understand What the Rockies Are Doing*Billion-Dollar Franchises*Racism in the Dominican Republic*Evaluating Teenage Players in the Dominican*“These Kids Are My Heroes”*Make-Up Digs*Evil Platoon Left Fielder*Tools Players and Short Guys*Personal Cheeseballs*Goodbyes.
WARNING: There are a few cusswords in this episode. Shelter your parrot lest he be corrupted.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 172: Accentuate the Positive, Eliminate the Pomposity Jan 30, 2021

Will Leitch returns to deflate the hero narrative in sports. Plus tales: Phil Niekro is prematurely dismissed and Home Run Baker runs all the way home.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Phil Niekro and Positive Uncertainty*Home Run Baker Goes Home (Then Goes Home Again)*Will Leitch: Family Man*Not Judging the Pandemic Risk-Takers*History Has Its Eyes on Tom Verducci*Clemens and Bonds Retconned*Henry Aaron “Ignored” Racism/The Sanctification of Aaron*A Convention in Cleveland/Escapism*The Wrong “Grierson & Leitch” Episode*“The Great Waltz”*How Lucky*Gilkey, Lankford, and Brian Jordan*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 171: The Good Balboni and the Angry Dad Jan 23, 2021

David Roth returns to talk about the Lindor trade, wet presidents, Bip Roberts, and the odor of old cigarettes. Plus Don Sutton doesn’t quite get caught, the Cardinals make a really bad hire, 1970s version, and reflections on Henry Aaron.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Doug Harvey Makes a Bad Call on Don Sutton But Derives the Right Lesson*Henry Aaron, Briefly*The Rapp Experiment in St. Louis*David Roth: Cigarettes Covered in Butter*Jim Leyland in the Dugout/Smokers at the Diner/Masks at Walmart*A Bip Roberts Mention?/Angry Before Breakfast*Bip Roberts : Joe Biden*Millard Fillmore’s Last Words*Living in Orson Welles’ New Jersey*Friends Don’t Tell Friends About the 1982 Mets*Bruce Bochy/Bruce Bochte Confusion*The Mets Do the Right Thing (and the Astros Did Not)*Wet Ex-President/Wet Ex-Astros*Sociopathy Cannot Be a Universal Value*Starving the Minor Leagues, Starving the People*The Downside of Competitive Imbalance*Forgot Joey Lucchesi and Other Mets Pitchers*“Mortgaging the Future”*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 170: Little Angry Men Jan 16, 2021

Cliff Corcoran returns to remember Phil Niekro and Tommy Lasorda, discuss disappointing offseason moves in Cleveland and Chicago, and debate the best way to paint old ballplayers. Plus tales of a president on horseback and a first baseman blocked by Pete Rose.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
How’s the Mule?*Don’t Inhale in the Clubhouse*Cliff Corcoran: Negro Leagues Baseball Cards*Strata of Players*Against Photo-Realistic Painting?*Gustave Courbet’s Female Genitalia and Norman Rockwell’s Nixon*Realism in Walter Johnson Undergarments*A Newsletter is Born*Cleveland By Any Other Name (Spiders Memories)*Cy Young’s Waistline*Reviling the Francisco Lindor Trade*The Outfielder-less Cleveland Club*Willing Suspension of Disbelief: Cleveland*Premature Pennant Peak/Do the Cubs Have an Excuse?*On Phil Niekro*Polka Party!*On Tommy Lasorda*Little Angry Men*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 169: Day of the Locust Jan 09, 2021

Jesse Spector returns to mourn the events of January 6 and talk a little baseball as well. Plus relevant tales: Casey Stengel starts a riot and the Francisco Lindor trade is compared to a national-scale bait and switch.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Why Casey was Suspended*Day of the Locust*Jesse Spector: Just Another Day in Democracy*The Space Shuttle Disaster and Tom Green Movies as Pandemic Masks and a Gateway to QAnon*Office Hot Tub and Working From Home*Explaining Trump to Kids/Civics Class/Sore Loser at “Candyland”*Athletes of Color Note the Contradiction/The Baseballness of Everything*Rickey and Robinson*Racists in the Stands*Jesse Gets Letters*The Antifa Who Was Thursday*What is the Job of Sports Media on the Worst Day in American History?*Oblique References to a Certain Pitcher*The Cold Stove League/DH or No DH?*The Mike Easler Trade*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 168 Happy New Year and Farewell, Wee Willie Keeler Dec 31, 2020

A special New Year’s episode features tales of something gaining on an umpire during a World Series game and relates the strangely happy last moments of Wee Willie Keeler, with some stops along the way.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Abner Dalrymple Remembers*A Question for the Leadership*Wee Willie Keeler Greets the New Year and Then Departs*New Year's Wishes*Instrumental Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 167: The Last Temptation of Babe Ruth Dec 22, 2020

A special holiday episode features a possibly-fictional tale of Babe Ruth’s moment of reckoning after the difficult, out-of-control season of 1922, plus notes on herd immunity featuring Gee Walker, Max West, and Casey Stengel.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Mississippi Field Recordings*Dr. Alexander’s Prescription*A Quick Look at Gee Walker Hurting Himself, Max West Getting Hurt, And Casey Stengel’s Prescription For Speed As Ways Of Ending The Pandemic*The Last Temptation of Babe Ruth: A Story in Three Acts*Act I*Act II*Act III*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 166: Who Comped Ted Williams? Dec 11, 2020

Dan Szymborski (FanGraphs, ZiPs) returns to talk 2021 projections, mock the Rockies, and speculate about Norwegian cheeses. Plus tales: Lefty Gove has some earned sarcasm and a second baseman named Pep strikes out (a lot).
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Lefty Grove’s Snappy Answers to Stupid Comments*A Note on the Passing Dick Allen*Personal Note: A Death in the Family/Your Rights vs. Mine*Lem-Pep and the Five Ks*Dan Szymborski: ZiPS, the Actuarial Tables, and the Old Ty Cobb Joke*The Question No One Asked Wade Boggs*Those Vexing Rockies*The Inevitable Ian Desmond First Guess (Luke Voit, Thick First Baseman)*OBP in a Hitter’s Park*The Dahl Non-Tender/If the Rockies Had Randy Arozarena*Maikel Franco’s ZiPs Comps and Other Non-Indicators of Destiny*The Archetype of the Quad-A Catcher*The Ted Williams Comp*All Great Players Are Different*Doug Newstrom? Ron Coomer?*Ronald Acuna and Jose Canseco*Editors/“Braveheart” and Unforced Errors in Historical Fiction*Too-Granular Questions About Projections*Will Smith (The Catcher) Projections and Willful Changes to Playing Style*2021 Error Bars*FanGraphs Health Check*Against Cincinnati Chili*Cheeses*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 165: Walloping He Takes (Tis Brutal) Dec 01, 2020

Mike Ferrin (MLB Network Radio, Arizona Diamondbacks, Everything is Broken podcast) returns to talk the art of broadcasting in a pandemic, plus tales of a stranger ballpark and an unusual incentive and a pitcher is tortured for mysterious reasons.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Phillies’ Barrel of Biloxi Shrimp*Bill Terry Tortures a Pitcher*Mike Ferin: Love and Guilt*Red vs. Blue and Stats vs. Scouts*Nobody Loves Bunting More Than Announcers Do*The Blake Snell Overkill*“After Year of Brewers Financial Losses”*Flashback to Spring Training*Building Trust at the Ballpark*Hypothetical Bad Burrito*Broadcasting For a Bad Team/Making it Fun*Has D’Backs Spending Matched the Market?*Beware Small Samples, Part 1,933*A Brief, Frivolous Star Wars Moment*Not Just Showing Up to Cash a Check (Dylan and Berry)*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 164: Useful vs Interesting Artificial Limbs Nov 22, 2020

Mark Simon, co-author of the Bill James Handbook 2020 talks stats, projections, the Hall of Fame, and the new Mets ownership. Plus tales: Both the Roman Empire and the Cardinals Empire falls and Kim Ng vs. Jay Kirke.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Kim Ng, Jay Kirke: The Patriarchy Was Inhuman*Wally Berger vs. Mike Trout*The Cardinals Dynasty Falls*Mark Simon: Rookies of the Year (Luis Robert vs. Kyle Lewis)*Fielding Awards in a Small-Sample Season*Bill James’ New Batter Game Scores*No One Knows How Many Editions of the Bill James Handbook There Have Been*A Teddy Bear of a Book*Missing OPS+ and WAR vs. Win Shares*The Private Bill James*Bill and Mark on Hall of Fame Standards/Progress and a Call-Back to the Keltner Test*Jack Morris’s Strat Card*The 70s Yankees Missing from the Hall of Fame*Willie Randolph and Dale Murphy: It’s Better If You Die*2021 Projections: Randy Arozarena, Jazz Chisholm, Georgia, Pennsylvania*
Welcoming Steve Cohen*Turning Over the Front Office*A Brief Pujols Complaint*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 163: Tradwick Chomp, Apricot Ida Amin, and Other Characters Nov 08, 2020

Grant Brisbee returns to discuss Justin Turner, the championship afterglow, spoonerized baseball names, and more. Plus an election reaction, 12 quick tales of players, Saturday morning reminisces, and the happy story of a Hall of Fame manager.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Election Reaction/Twelve Sources of Baseball Distraction*Top 10 Presidential Failures*The Peace of McCarthy*Grant Brisbee: Baseball Spoonerisms*The Justin Turner Asterisk*Money and Depth*The Decline of the RSN*How Long Does the Championship High Last?*Rare Metaphor Helmet*The Giants: A Tough Year for the Gotts*Welcoming Alyssa Nakken*The Mike Yastrzemski Miracle and the Weird Giants Anti-Outfielder Machine*From SB Nation to The Athletic*Will the Giants Rebuild?*The Return of Buster Posey*Goodbyes.
WARNING: A single profanity regarding illegal/immoral acts with goats. Hide the goats.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 162 :Whitey Ford and the Non-Delegation Doctrine Oct 29, 2020

Scott Lemieux returns to talk about the presidential election, reforming the Supreme Court, the greatness of Joe Morgan, and the controversial usage of Whitey Ford. Plus: Tales of Pittsburgh Pirates teams (and local banana factories) gone wrong.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Pittsburgh Banana Company Has a Bad Day*Babe Adams Gives His Answer*Scott Lemieux: Traditions vs. Rules*“Originalism”/“Court-Packing”*Bipartisanship is Just Another Word for Nothing Left to Lose*Infinite Supreme Court*Non-Delegation Doctrine*Breaking the Feedback Loop*The Marketplace of Ideas*Truth and Reconciliation*The Lost Hall of Famers of 2020 and Joe Morgan*Casey Stengel and Whitey Ford*The 1960 World Series Revisited*Time for a Backyard Bunker?*Goodbyes.
WARNING: There are one or two cusswords herein. Your dog will not be corrupted if it overhears.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 161: The Rays vs Steely Dan Oct 19, 2020

David Roth returns to discuss the sale of the Mets, postseason aesthetics, and the launch of The Defector. Plus a Reds outfielder with way too much swing and miss in his game, Rogers Hornsby’s time versus Joe Morgan’s, and how a failed White Sox rebuild relates to both.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Rolando’s Room*Joe Morgan in His Time/Johnny Evers Loses a Job*David Roth: America’s Boyfriend Meets Bob Mould*Concertgoing*“Never Talking to You”*Live Reads*The Mets are Sold*Working for “Albert”*Going Out a “Winner”*Jacob deGrom vs. Craig Swan*Dodging the A-Rod Bullet*In the Best Interests of Baseball*Mystifying the Obvious (Election Talk)*Turning Off That Voice*Why We Needed Domestic Propaganda Posters in WWII*Laser-Focused on the Present *“But Her Emails”*Presidents on Speed*The Aesthetics of the 2020 Playoffs*Were the Yankees the Good Guys? Are the Rays Steely Dan?*Launching Defector*”The Office” Cliché*Goodbyes.
WARNING: As with most Roth episodes, there’s some extra-cussin’. Spare the children!
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 160: Farewell to the Dodos Oct 09, 2020

A rare solo episode features 3.5 tales of brawls, zoos, and recently-departed greats of the game, plus a brief explanation of why mask-wearing is controversial.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Babe Ruth Has a Cold*Notes/ Jay Johnstone/China’s Fault*Bob Feller Gave Names to All the Animals*A Home Run in Boston (Casey Stengel Rides Again)*Bob Gibson vs. Tom Seaver*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 159: The Banality of Meh Sep 30, 2020

Craig Calcaterra returns to discuss “the newsletter lifestyle,” review the 2020 “season,” and explain the banality of meh. Plus: Tales of Casey Stengel shopping, Connie Mack building fences, and a Cubs shortstop provokes a theory of depression and elation.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Casey Stengel Buys a Tie*Ballparks Go Condo and the Shibe Park Spite Fence*Broadway Bill (Absolutely Bill’s Mood)*Craig Calcaterra: The Newsletter Lifestyle*People Won’t Hate-Pay*Cat Content in the Newsletter and Groin Pulls*The Blogosphere Without the Bad Parts*Getty Images A La Carte*Role to Resist/Saving Throw*The 2020 MLB “Episode” in Retrospect*The San Diego Padres and Real Estate Porn*Wall to Wall Cussin’*Trading Fernando Tatis Due to a Downturn in the Rental Market*Mike Ferrin’s Rule of Perception*The Banality of Meh*The 1000 Deaths of the Pittsburgh Pirates*You Won’t Know When Things Go Bad*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 158 The Satchel Paige Don't Look Back Award and Other Prizes Sep 22, 2020

Cliff Corcoran returns to try to figure out who deserves which awards out of this crazy attenuated season in a disaster of a year, plus tales of players and people neglected in their post-career years and a requiem for the lost pennant races of the future.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Man in the Green Uniform*Ron Gardenhire*1980 in the AL East*Cliff Corcoran: Negro Leagues Caps*Inconclusion, the Negro Leagues, the All-American Girls*No Astros Caps*Gilmour Field at the Movies (“Bodyguard”) and “Bimbo” Cartoons*Arte Moreno Gets His Way in Anaheim/The Yankee Stadium*Awards Watch*Fluke Seasons of 2020*Qualified Regulars Under .200*Mike Yastrzemski*Mike Trout in the Field*Abreu vs. Anderson*Awards and Narrative*”The Willem Dafoe Most Valuable Veteran Award*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 157: Apologies to Eddie Sep 15, 2020

Jesse Spector returns to debate which players are overrated and remember Tom Seaver, plus Big Ed Walsh fails to parent and Ed Whitson is betrayed by Yankees fans.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Big Ed’s Kids*Failing Ed Whitson*Jesse Spector: Tom Seaver: The Yankees Years*The Serious Seaver*Aroldis Chapman vs. the Rays*Twitter Homerism*“J. Guerra”*Mike Clevinger: Persona Non Grata*Most Overrated Players*“Jeter Wouldn’t Have Had That”*Is Yadier Molina a Hall of Famer?*Andy Pettitte Career vs. Peak*Still More Yadier (and Ted Simmons’ Worst Year)*“Specious is the Wrong Word”*Bo Knows Overrated*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 156: Left Behind On the Beach Sep 04, 2020

Ginny Searle (Baseball Prospectus) discusses the aftermath of the Thom Brenneman slur and gives a scholar’s insight into Shakespeare. Plus racially-motivated violence in the Negro Leagues and the PCL, with a voyage into one of the great nicknames.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Consequences of Being Boojum Wilson*A Fight in Oakland: “Here’s My Chance”*Ginny Searle: What Can Be Done to Make Baseball a More Welcoming Space for LGBT People?*“I Wouldn’t Say It’s a Lifestyle, I’d Say It’s My Life”*Empathy*Is Jackie Robinson an Inapt Comparison?*Why is Homophobia the Last Socially-Acceptable Prejudice?*There’s More Than One Way to Be Male or Female*That Kissing Scene in Ball Four*“Love and Theft”*What Has Been Good About the 2020 Season?*Fake Crowd Noise*Shakespeare Can Make You Feel Dumb*The Most Confusing Sentence in Shakespeare*Editing Mistakes and Jo Adell in Right*Some Old Texas Rangers Who Didn’t Quite Work Out*Midlife-Crisis Sonnets?*Shakespeare Wants to Have Your Babies (or Vice-Versa)*“Who Gets to Speak?”*“Romeo + Juliet?”*Is There Hope for Understanding?*Goodybyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 155A: Seaver Stories From the Infinite Inning Vault Sep 03, 2020

A look back at Tom Seaver stories we have told over the years on the occasion of the great man’s passing.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Rest in Peace Number 41*From Episode 23: Tom Seaver’s Prayer for Peace*Tom Seaver at Twilight*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 155: In Combat With Famous Bigots Aug 26, 2020

Paul Dickson returns to discuss The Rise of the GI Army, an increasingly hard-to-imagine moment when the country overcame resistance and demagoguery to pull together. Plus a tale of two terrible first basemen going to war and a reply to Thom Brennaman.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Mahan, Sturm, and the Lost Players of 2040*Thom Brennaman: “Bye Bye Blackbird”*Paul Dickson: A Timely Recollection (An Army in Yankee Stadium)*Charles Lindbergh and the Isolationist Gang (And Their Enemies)*The War After the War Before*“The Veterans of Future Wars”*Bipartisanship in a Time of Crisis*General George Marshall: Hall of Famer*The CCC Saves the World*Discovering Eisenhower and Scouting Patton*Marshall and the Plattsburg Movement*Grenville Clark*The Struggle for a Desegregated American Military (The Double V)*Robeson and Robinson*Did Patton Cheat During War Games?*A Peacetime Draft and Wearing Your Mask*Playing Politics with Safety*We Could Do That But We Can’t Do This*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 154 North Atlantic Salmon-Fishing Erotica Aug 17, 2020

This one has everything: David Roth, the Defector, a mysterious player with a name that suggests a large animal with a slack colon, a rumored Mickey Mantle trade of 1958, the Mets, and more.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Frank Lane’s Hypothetical Mickey Mantle Trade and the Media*Three Announcements Invoking Craig Calcaterra*New Baseball Song: “The American Game”*Bevos and Hippos (Oh My)*David Roth: “Jeopardy” Category: Bad Royals Trades, All Thing Gabriel Byrne, and other Trivia*What is The Defector?*Freelancing is a Drag*The Vanishing Internet*The Defector Elevator Pitch/A Blogging Fresca*How Can a Website Have a Broad-Based Appeal When Fox Exists?*The Walt Disney Formulation and Ursine Copulation Coverage*How Will the Nation React to College Football Being Cancelled? (The “Sham of Amateurism”)*…And the MLB Model*The Marlins and the Cardinals*Are We Enjoying the 2020 Season?/Low Offense*Andres Gimenez: Blogger-Sized*Marcus Stroman Opts Out*Have All Teams Become the Mets?*Summing Up the Cespedes Era*Albert Pujols and the Long, Long Contract*Goodbyes.
Warning: One or two cusswords and mature animal subject discussed. Hide the hippos.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 153: Sour Cherry Baseball Aug 07, 2020

Cliff Corcoran returns to discuss actual baseball, plus tales of pandemics past, vanished players, and cheering home runs through the valley of death, 1945.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Seventy-Five Years of Home Runs and Questions*Shad Rhem*Cliff Corcoran: Branded Masks*First Baseman-Leadoff Hitters*Cubs 2020 Lineup*Slow Leadoff Men (Part 1000)*The Blue and the Gold of Milwaukee*Expansion is Contingent*The Brooklyn Super-Bus, Sour Cherry Jelly, and Aphasia*For the Love of Baseball Cutouts*One More Ride for the White Elephants/What’s an Athletic, Anyway?*A Dozen Relievers*The Season You Skip*Cubs Fever, Catch It*The Nationals Struggle Early*Causality Problems*A Very Brief Nod to the Marlins, Phillies, Cardinals, Et Al*Moral Hazard in Baseball Coverage*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 152 Rod Carew Reflects Jul 25, 2020

Hall of Famer Rod Carew discusses his career and his life both before and after baseball. Plus tales of a future Hall of Famer demoralized by the Dodgers and Carew encountering racist gamesmanship in civil rights-era Florida.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A Dodger Says Uncle*Rod Carew and the Poisoned Handshake*Rod Carew: Hall of Famer in the Pandemic*A Private Player in the Public Eye/A Father’s Promise*It’s All for the Best*Are All the Greatest Hitters Obsessed?/The Number-One Tool*Free-Swinging but High-Contact*Is Being a Great Hitter About Intelligence or Memory?*“Super-Loner?”*Rod and Reggie*Against the Shift/How to Hit Nolan Ryan*Childhood Abuse and Putting the Anger Aside*Meeting Jackie Robinson*Vs. Mariano Rivera*When the Brewers Swept the Knee*The Steal of Home Year and After*Billy Martin in Minnesota*Could Gene Mauch Manage Today?*Carew and Griffith*Leaving the Twins*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 151 Change Can Be Joyful Jul 17, 2020

Sociologist Dr. Jennifer Earl discusses how the Internet has changed the way we come together to change the world. Plus an old-time catcher celebrates the good old days that never were and Lefty Gomez is tortured into gaining weight.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Piggybacking on Christy Mathewson’s Rep*Lefty Gomez Has a Weight Problem*Jennifer Earl: Life in Arizona*Remote versus In-Person Teaching*Optimized Teaching*Life Before vs During the Internet (One Approach to the Scientific Method)*Starting a Movement Online*“Bowling Alone” and Movements Without Money*Flash Activism/A Sports Example*Boaty McBoatface and Harry Potter Fandom*J.K. Rowling Confronts Harry’s Autonomy and “Pro-Sumption”*The Positive and Negative of Affiliation*“The Karens”*Too Much Optimism on Police Reform?*The Evolving Consensus on Protest*Fake Social Movements*The (Now-Rescinded) ICE Order*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 150 Which American Dream? Jul 08, 2020

Eric Nusbaum, author of Stealing Home: Los Angeles, the Dodgers, and the Lives Caught In Between discusses the long tug-of-war over Chavez Ravine, who had it, who lost it, and who was to blame—featuring a cast of thousands. Plus Cap Anson situated in his times (meet the old times/same as the new times) and one more look at Addie Joss’s passing.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Ten Men Out of the Hall Revisited (Don’t Cry for Cap Anson)*Addie Joss and John Keats Revisited (On First Looking Into Joss’s Cerebellum)*Eric Nusbaum: A Widescreen Approach to History*Santa Anna’s Chewing Gum and Hitler’s Bathtub*The Human Vultures of Chavez Ravine*Immoral Egg Metaphors vs Society’s Need to Build*How Can a Private Ballpark Be a Public Good?*A Hypothetical Sewage-Treatment Plant*The Great Frank Wilkinson and the FBI*“Slum Clearance” and Public Housing*Private Real Estate vs. Chavez Ravine*The People of Palo Verde vs. the City of Los Angeles vs. the American Dream*Little Wrigley Field*The Death of the Red Cars*Research Addiction*Walter O’Malley’s Monument to Himself*O’Malley Was Not a Villain*The Part of the Story Still to be Told*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 149 Hey, Barney, Play Ball! Jun 30, 2020

Craig Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus returns to discuss the MLB reopening, how the “legitimacy” question is misapplied to this season, and repudiates greeting cards. Plus: Tales of a Native American ace who overlooked the many slurs he heard and an owner who tried to retaliate against a manager and got burnt—but maybe he should have been heard.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chief Bender Copes*Wear Your Mask*“Hey, Barney!”*Craig Goldstein: Hating Hallmark Holidays*Special Pleading for MLB Restart*Player Health and Safety in 2020*“Legitimacy” and the Ship of Theseus*Postseason Legitimacy*Reverting to the Pre-Draft System*The Grievance*The Lifespan of an Owner*Will Baseball Be “Irreparably Damaged?”*Baseball-Free Prospectus?*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 148: The Deficiencies of the Closer Mentality in Everyday Living Jun 20, 2020

Jesse Spector returns to discuss the non-return of baseball, an old baseball arcade game, and his decision to join the revived Deadspin. Plus: Tales of an early Cuban star who might have been a very young revolutionary and the poison dispensed by the most evil Red Sox player/manager/executive of all time.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Brief, Laudatory Career of Armando Marsans*Earl Wilson’s Cryptic Reply*Jesse Spector: Back in the Saddle Again*The “Baseball Owes Us” Crowd (Vs. Jayson Stark)*MLB’s Mysterious Covid-19 Plans*The Closer Mentality in Everyday Life*Stark vs. Gammons*“You Need” vs. “I Want”*Old Nintento Sports Games and “World Series: The Season”*Old-Time Coin-Up Baseball Games*Bigotry at the Bowling Alley/The Curse of a Strong Memory*The Revived Deadspin*When It Ends, It Ends: That’s a Freeing Thing*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 147 The 600 Women Jun 03, 2020

Writer/artist Anika Orrock discusses The Incredible Women of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, plus tales of a catcher who would not ask forgiveness and an interaction between a policeman and four African American soldiers in New York in the interregnum between Jackie Robinson’s signing and his debut.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
John Roseboro’s Pledge*Between Jackie Robinson and the Deep Blue Sea: Freeport, New York, 1946*Anika Orrock: In the Pandemic Book Club*A Book that Operates on Two Levels: Approaching the Art*When the Words Come Through to You*Some of the Best Cartoons in History*Illustration vs. Photographs*The Simplistic Complexity of Peanuts*The AAGPBL and Baseball vs. Softball*WAVES, WACS, and WASPS (plus the WNBA)*Women’s Sports Can Be Its Own Thing*The “Paranoia of Masculinity” in WWII*The Joy of the AAGPBL, and the Loss of It*“A League of Their Own”*“No Pants-Wearing Softballers”/“A Secret Love” documentary*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 146: My Travels with Coffee May 27, 2020

Brad Balukjian, author of The Wax Pack: On the Open Road in Search of Baseball’s Afterlife discusses his cross-country journey to find players, great and obscure, of the 1980s and find out how they’re doing. Also bugs. Plus: Tales of ballplayers breaking curfew and a player really harmed by a Branch Rickey brainstorm.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Shufflin’ Phil and the Inevitability of the Broken Curfew*The Don Padgett Story*Brad Balukjian: Mutant insects and ballplayers*Lamarck is Vindicated? (Epigenetics)*The Now-Impossible Road Trip*The Cards You Didn’t Pull*“Life-WAR”*Even the Best Athletes Get Nervous*Ballplayers Have Damaged Families Too*The Personal vs. Heroic Approach*The Brad “Character”*Baseball, OCD, and the Instinctive Buddhism of the Old Timers*“Coffee Was My Companion”*A Visit with Don Carman*Clearing Up the Garry Templeton Incident*Dating an Entomologist*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 145: Procrustes Mustardo and Wander Manchego for the Win May 19, 2020

David Roth returns for a very “There is No Sports, Rudolph” special episode, discussing KBO baseball, the non-sale of the New York Mets, bad Mariners draft picks, old “chase” baseball cards, and dissects the current political scene. Plus tales of a pitcher who correctly counted his number of groins and a deadly panic at Yankee Stadium.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Pitcher Who Only Had One*Death at the Stadium*David Roth: Quarantine Beards and Keith Hernandez Ads*Remembering Some Guys in a Pandemic*Selling the Mets/Keeping SNY*“Joe Biden Made Me Sign Eduardo Nunez”/Tanking*A Manny Ramirez Digression*Short-Printing Topps and Greg Swindell Collectibles*KBO as an MLB-Substitute*Extreme There-Is-No-Baseball-Chat (Late-Night WPIX in New York in the 1980s and Goodfellas )*Back to the Mets: All the Apes Are Interns*Are the Mets a Small-Market Team?*A Moment With the Mariners*The Political World: The Emperor’s New Clothes was Wrong*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 144 Pitching to Contact in a Pandemic May 08, 2020

Cliff Corcoran returns and makes a game attempt to stick to sports and hates on The Sandlot, plus tales of ballpark fighting words of 1910 and bigotry and bacteria in early baseball.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Ballpark Fighting Words 1910-Style With the Giants*Blue Stockings, Bigotry, and Bacteria*Cliff Corcoran: The Puppy is Not Ill*I Want a Pony/A Toddler with Sharp Teeth*Are Cats In It For Themselves?*Pandemics Above Replacement Level*Sticking to Sports: The Best Major League Player Performances of 2020: Trout vs. Scherzer*Didi Gregorius Heckler at the Crowd-Mic*Baseball Fans Failing at Averages/Getting the Game Back*Baseball at the Movies: Is Any Baseball Film as Good as the Best Films in General?*The first Rocky Movie*The Joe E. Brown Baseball Trilogy and Other Cliché Baseball Films (Cliff Hates The Sandlot)*Imagining a Robert Altman Baseball Film*The Disappointment of 42*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 143: The Baseballness of Everything May 01, 2020

Scott Lemieux of Lawyers, Guns, and Money talks remote learning, finds many baseball examples to illustrate our current reality, and reminds us just how bad “neutral” umpiring used to be. Plus: Mookie Betts, true Red Sox affection, and a hypothetical trade involving an asteroid, and a Dodgers pitcher feels his oats.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Mookie Betts Trade Can Have No Winners*Johnny Allen Bravado*Scott Lemieux: How is Remote Learning Going?*Rushing the Professor*“No One Could Have Expected!*Mitch McConnell in History (and in a Fantasy League)*Steve’s “Too Mean” Story*The 1890s Orioles, PEDs, and “Civility”*Accountability Immunity*The Ideological Floor*Medicare For All and Hostage-Taking*Stats vs. Scouting in Political Science*The Fallacy of Historic Baseball Platoons/Ball-Strike Calls in the 80s and 90s*So Where Will It All End?*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 142: Field the Tough Hops Apr 21, 2020

Craig Calcaterra (Hardball Talk) returns to talk about the shape of things in baseball now, in the hypothetical future when the game returns, and in a random 1984 Rangers-Tigers game. Plus: Tales of managers killing pitchers from the 1940s, 80s, and 90s and Joe McCarthy of the Yankees promulgates a rule that has applications to the present.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
You had just ONE job (Pitcher-Killing Managers, Among Other Things)*The “Don Buddin Era” and Not Alibiing the Tough Hops*Craig Calcaterra: A Saturday Night Live thing*Larry David’s Baseball Bookshelf*Bad Baseball is Better Than No Baseball*The Collapse/Collapsing of the Minor Leagues*Does Major League Baseball Have an Obligation to Take Care of Its Indirect Workers?*What Will We Learn to Do Without?*Great Uncle Harry and the 1984 Tigers*That Ron Guidry Game*Remembering the 1984 Texas Rangers and Dave Stewart*Continuing to Obsess About Opposite-Field Hitting in 1977* “Clunky” McGillicuddy is Born*Second-Guessing the 1984 Draft*What Form Will the Season Takes, If There’s a Season?*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 141: Bris Lord Uncut and the Robot Ham Apr 13, 2020

DB Firstman discusses the secrets of their new book Hall of Name: Baseball’s Most Magnificent Monikers from The Only Nolan to Van Lingle Mungo and More, plus a look at Bobby Bonds’ strikeouts inspired by Mark Reynolds’ retirement and the nonsensical death-story of Christy Mathewson, AKA gas doesn’t give you bacteria, but bacteria might give you gas.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Bobby Bonds: Time Traveler*The Momentary Meanness of Christy Mathewson, the Myth of His Demise, and How It’s Like What Some of Us Are Doing Now*DB Firstman: Lemon Jell-O*“Gwodz” is a Bad Scrabble Draw*Saltalamacchia: Letters vs. Walks*Razor Shines and Narciso Elvira*“Boshers” vs. “BO-sheers” vs. “Batman”*Is Language Math? (And More Scrabble)*Ossee Schrecongost, Orvie Overall, and not-Cannonball Titcomb*The Only Nolan*Kee-Kee or Cuy-Cuy?*Rabbit Maranville?*Bris Lord Uncut*The Plasticity of Younger Minds*Quinton McCracken, Milton Bradley*Nap Who?*Don’t Annoy the Balfour*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinte Inning 140: That's Just What the Devil Wants Apr 05, 2020

Brendan Kuty (NJ.Com, the Star-Ledger) discusses his coronavirus-motivated drive home from spring training and tries to explain Aaron Judge’s injuries. Plus, a classic baseball story told accurately (for once) and the Giants make a narrow escape from some justifiably-enraged Phillies fans.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Classic Bird Story*The Giants Attacked in Their Barouches*Brendan Kuty: Home/Unselfish*Painting Rainbows*Pay-What-You-Can Restaurant*Coronavirus Deniers on I-95 (State of Idiots)* The Carrier From Florida in Section 49*Sensing a Story*Aaron Judge’s Diagnosis-Free Winter*The Severino Example*Bee-Gees?*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 139: Where Have You Gone, Jo Adell? Mar 29, 2020

Jeff Paternostro (Baseball Prospectus lead prospect writer) returns to look forward to the day baseball returns by looking at the best power prospects in the minors, the Orioles’ no. 1 draft pick from last June, and more. Plus, tales of serious baseball played at unserious times in 1914 and 1941, Germany Schaefer stealing first base, and the obscure record held by a forgotten third baseman.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
They Were All Just Ordinary Days in Baseball*Tony Boeckel’s Unbreakable Record*Jeff Paternostro: Reluctant Social Distancing (With Dogs) and Picky Eaters*Sleeper Prospects for 2020*Cavan Biggio: Player Out of Time*Who is the Best Power Prospect in the Game?*How Projectable Is an Already-Mature Body Anyway?*Adley Rutchsman, Matt Wieters, Robo-Umps and Bad Pitch-Framers*First-Base-to-Catcher-Conversions*A Bobby Bonilla Digression*The Minor League Shutdown*The Value on In-Person Scouting in an Age of Video*A Momentary Haruki Murakami Digression*Where to Go Once We’re Free/Heliot Ramos/Mike Yastrzemski*One Last Prospect: Dylan Carlson*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 138 Bear Down, Bear Down, Bear Down Mar 20, 2020

Emily Nemens discusses the conflicts in and the process of writing her new baseball novel, The Cactus League. Plus Hall of Fame pitcher Waite Hoyt spins a harrowing tale during a rain delay and Joe DiMaggio tries to withstand a “hot condition,” as well all sometimes must.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Surviving Waite Hoyt’s Rain Delay of the Soul*Joe DiMaggio’s Trying Year*Emily Nemens: Players in Spring Training: Dominoes Waiting to Fall*Coordinating a Fictional 40-Man Roster*Jason Goodyear vs. Derek Jeter: It’s Lonely at the Top*How Much Access to Athletes Owe the Public?*Wives and Girlfriends*The Dennis Eckersley Example*Revision!*How to Sell a Baseball Novel*That Spring Training Complete Game*Balancing a Large Cast*Can Short Stories Make a Comeback?*The Unexpected Hawthorne Plug*The Unexpected “The Americanization of Emily” Plug*The Creativity vs. Appropriation Controversy*The Los Angeles Lions, “A Team for a Team’s Sake,” and the Seattle Mariners*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 137 Cutting Off Balls (In a Nice Way) Mar 14, 2020

Mark Simon, co-author of The Fielding Bible V, discusses the latest in defensive evaluation, climbing the ladder at “Baseball Tonight,” and tries to explain Gio Urshela, Paul DeJong, and other mysteries of defense. Plus two New York teams brawl but that’s not the most dangerous thing happening, and why baseball ducked an otherwise deadly disease.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Quarantine the World Series*Why Did Baseball Escape the 1918 Influenza Pandemic?*Mark Simon: Halcyon days at “Baseball Tonight”*Life Begins with Jayson Stark*The Fielding Bible V: What’s New in Evaluating Fielders?*The Joe DiMaggio Easy-Catch Hypothetical*Andrew McCutchen and Positioning*Stats Versus the Eye Test I: Gio Urshela*Stats Versus the Eye Test II: Paul DeJong*Runs on Offense and Runs on Defense (That Matt Kemp Season)*The Schmidt-Bowa Question*A Shawon Dunston Celebration*Keith Hernandez vs. Albert Pujols*Can We Compare Defensive Players Across Time?*Cody Bellinger’s Versatility*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 136 War Criminal in the Booth Mar 04, 2020

Infinite Inning 136: War Criminal in the Booth
Cliff Corcoran returns to discuss the burning issues of the day, including the everybody-gets-a-playoff-spot trial balloon. Plus, a player asks for help after a hurricane and how the 1922 World Series relates to a non-existent musical about the Founding Fathers called “Morris!”
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Tony Fernandez and the Hurricane: What’s Good, Anyway?*Bullet Joe Bush and the Immortal Part of Oneself*Cliff Corcoran: Poofy Baseball Caps of the 1890s*The Baseball Exhibit at the Nixon Library (Ted Bleeping Williams)*The Mookie Betts-Kevin Pillar Blues*Generational Talents Are Unevenly Distributed*The Revised Playoff Plan*“That September Marlins-Pirates Game”*The Three-Batter Rule Could Make Games Longer?*“The Only Balk I’ve Ever Liked”*Are the Yankees Left-Handed Enough?*Goodbyes.
WARNING: There is a shocking amount of swearing for a Cliff episode. Put earmuffs on the cat!
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 135 It's All Duck Sauce and Suffering Feb 24, 2020

David Roth returns to talk the non-sale of the New York Mets, the irrational trade of Mookie Betts, and asks why the president has an old-time Yankees second baseman on his mind. Plus, a tender encounter with a warm Yankee Stadium security guard and why childhood inadequacy can leave one feeling like Juan Samuel.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Face Down in Joe Girardi’s Bouncy Castle*David Roth: The 1961 Yankees vs POTUS (Bobby Richardson Batting Leadoff)*Rudy Has a Ring/Mookie Betts Was Traded*Which of These Marge Schott Crimes Was Worse?*The Mets Non-Sale (Barbarians at the Citi Field Gates)*Rick Porcello: Local Guy/Missing Carlos Beltran*If the Mets Had Mickey Mantle’s Injuries to Manage*“Flexibility”*Cespedes’ Destiny*Whither Yasiel Puig?*“The Cruncher and Racism Show”*Goodbyes.
WARNING: As in all Rothian episodes, there is the occasional bit o’ cussing. Please hide impressionable gerbils.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 134 Rent-to-Own Baseball Teams Feb 09, 2020

Jesse Spector returns for interlocking discussions of the return of Dusty Baker and revisions to the dinosaur room at the museum. Plus, tales of White Sox and Mets sales gone awry and Rickey Henderson and Mookie Betts trades compared.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Wilpons, the Comiskeys, and the Desire to Give Birth to Yourself*Rickey Henderson Gets Traded*Jesse Spector: Tacosaurus*Dusty Baker Rides Again*Billy Martin Should Not Be in the Hall of Fame*The Limits of Cheating*Garry Maddox vs. Juan Lagares*Jesse’s NIMBYs and a Personal Crisis*Youth Homes, Minor League Teams, The Offer of Hope, Exploited Dreams, Dreams No Longer Desired, Fewer Beds and Bases Available*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 133 Always the Most Reasonable Person Feb 01, 2020

Allen Barra (Mickey and Willie; The Last Coach; Yogi Berra: Eternal Yankee; Inventing Wyatt Earp) discusses his friendship with MLBPA head and new Hall of Famer Marvin Miller. Plus, the consequences of immorality in baseball and a couple of highly flawed Giants relationships.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Hal Chase, Roberto Clemente, and “The Good Place”*Managers Hired, Fired, and Hitting Each Other*Allen Barra: Marvin Miller’s Belated Enshrinement*What Was Marvin Miller Like?*Verbal Jujitsu*A Union Man His Whole Life*A Brief Visit to Birmingham*Marvin Miller vs. Bowie Kuhn*Czars Can’t Be Fired*Abraham Lincoln Doesn’t Enter Into It*Disenchanted/Bitter/Betrayed by Reggie*Bobby Thomson Had the Dodgers’ Signs*Ranking the Top Six Wyatt Earp Movies*Consulting for “Tombstone”*”Glory” and the Denigration of African American Soldiers*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 132 The Call of the Trashcan Jan 25, 2020

Marc Normandin returns to talk Astros and Red Sox sign-stealing fallout, plus tales of a player so serene he could sleep in the middle of a ballgame and a Dodgers fan objects to women in the ballpark.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
When Edd Roush Needs a Nap, Edd Roush Takes a Nap*Ladies’ Day (“Dames! Dames! Dames!”)*Marc Normandin: A Brief, Inadvertent “Rise of Skywalker” Chat*Astros and Red Sox Cheating Reactions*The Astros’ Taubmanism and the Price of Hubris*Jeff Luhnow and Management-Consultant Culture*Are the Astros Players Permanently Tainted?*Down with the Hall of Fame Gallery, Up With the Museum*Did the Last Two Postseasons Really Happen?*What is Wrong with the Colorado Rockies?*Are the Red Sox Building Up or Tearing Down?*Let’s Dispense with the Ideas of Managers as Difference-Makers*A.J. Hinch: No Good Men in Sodom*Trevor Bauer is Blocked*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 131 The Ball is Painfully Obviously Juiced Jan 18, 2020

Rob Arthur of Baseball Prospectus discusses the juiced ball, Astros sign-stealing, and the past and future of the human race. Plus John McGraw fights while Boston burns and a pitcher is mocked for his weight.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Walter, not Jumbo*The Brief Story of “Jumbo Jim”*A Fire in Boston*Rob Arthur: Fruit Flies No Matter What*Malthus Was Right? (“Who’s Mathis?” Andy Asked)*WAR (What’s It Good For?)*The Hall of Fame and the Soft Factors*The Ball is Painfully, Obviously Juiced*Juiced Balls vs. Juiced Players*Manfred’s Reasons and Excuses*How Did We Miss the Astros’ Sign-Stealing?*Will the Real Alex Bregman Please Stand Up?*Mike Trout’s Genes vs. Yours*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 130: A Death in the Family Jan 03, 2020

Lincoln Mitchell returns to discuss his new book, San Francisco Year Zero: Political Upheaval, Punk Rock, And A Third-Place Baseball Team, about the surprising 1978 Giants and the way the events of that year, including/especially the assassinations of Harvey Milk and George Moscone, changed the city’s future. Plus: An A’s fan lights a flame and a manager takes his owner with him.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A’s Fans Burnin’ Down the House*Bucky Harris Speaks Frankly *Lincoln Mitchell: The third-place 1978 San Francisco Giants?*The almost-Toronto Giants*Memories of Candlestick Park and other Giants dysfunction*Giants vs. Seals (and Burritos in the Mission)*The Milk and Moscone Assassination and Its Effects*The Potato-Stand Graft*Why Did We Turn to Violence in the 1960s and 1970s?*The Potato Stand Quid Pro Quo and Ukraine (But not the Ukraine)*Phony Beatlemania (The Hippies vs. The Punks)*All the Wasted Giants’ Prospects*Johnny LeMaster: “BOO”*Vida Blue Reappraised*And Jonestown, Too*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 129 From Gene Greene to Gerrit Cole Dec 16, 2019

Craig Goldstein (Baseball Prospectus) returns to discuss the Gerrit Cole signing and the experience of being at the Winter Meetings. Plus 1961 Yankees falsehoods and a Luber-ish Cleveland deal.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
That Lyin’ Yankees Manager*Gene Green Got a Raw Deal*Craig Goldstein: The Red Sox Are In For an Offseason of Tough Looks*The Gerrit Cole Contract*The Nationals Are Irrational (When Do You Actually Spend the Money?)*The Bud Selig Fig-Leaf*George Steinbrenner and the Minority Partners*The Owners are Not Like Us*Fixing Free Agency*What is the Social Contract?*The Royals and Coke*At the Winter Meetings*The Dodgers Miss Anthony Rendon*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 128 Bring on the Yankee Stadium Ghost-Horses Dec 06, 2019

Cliff Corcoran returns to ask, “Who is the Best Pitcher in Baseball?” Plus assorted tales of baseball in 1917 (real men eat raw ice cream?) and a Pirates manager loses his job.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Baseball Unpasteurized*Callahan’s Way*Cliff Corcoran: Dr. Hat*Who Was Buried Beneath Third Base in Yankee Stadium?*Who is “The Best Pitcher in Baseball”*Cy Stood for Cyclone*Dave Stieb and Johan Santana: Greats Who Could Expire at Any Time (Ron Santo)*Santana vs. Koufax*Will the Best Pitcher of the 1950s Please Stand Up?*How About the 1980s?*Oatmeal and Lettuce Leaves* Jacob deGrom in the Santana Basket*Early Wynn and Roberto Clemente*Clayton Kershaw and the Hall*The Jacoby Ellsbury Era and the Britt Burns Trade*The New Inefficiency is Wanting to Be Good*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 127 Sgt Utley's Gonna Help Me Nov 23, 2019

Amanda Smith, cohost of the Disaster Girls podcast and the author of Le Renard Argenté: The Silver Fox at War explains what inspired her to transport a certain Dodgers second baseman to World War II, plus tales of sign-stealing gone awry and a scrap drive that almost ended Warren Spahn’s career before it started.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chuck Dressen Has a Plan For That*Spahn vs. the Rusty Toasters*Amanda Smith: A Book of Tweets?*Cody Bellinger Wins the MVP*The Politics of Fandom/Bad First-Date Tactic*World War II Twitter*Chase Utley Liberates Europe*Sgt. Rock (Is Going to Help Me)*Killing Nazis is Now Political?*It’s Not the Killing, It’s the Justice*Into the Utleyverse*Disaster Girls and 85/34 (1988 Dodgers)*In Defense of Dave Roberts*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 126 Private-Equity Scumbags Nov 14, 2019

David Roth (ex-Deadspin) returns to discuss the demise of Deadspin and the rise of Carlos Beltran.
WARNING: As is true of all Roth episodes, there is quite a bit of cussing. Hide the hamsters.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Harvard Eddie and a Requiem for a Friend*Mookie and Pete*David Roth: Spanf’d Out of a Job*The Value is in Not Sticking to Sports*“It’s Unpleasant, But Maybe They Like It”*The Non-Reactionary Death of Splinter*You Have to Admit It’s a Vivid Insult*The Importance of Editorial Independence*The Pro-Union Argument*The Perversity of Work*Roth on Beltran: Excited/Sorry*Ron Darling’s Handshake*The Future of Deadcast and other Features Let’s Remember Some Potatoes)*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 125 Charlie Banks for the Hall of Fame Nov 05, 2019

Steve Kluger, author of both the novel and the musical The Last Days of Summer, talks about his tale of a neglected Brooklyn boy and a barely-socialized New York Giants third baseman finding each other in a world on the brink of war. Plus a baseball fixing hypothetical and the dismissal of Jackie Mitchell.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Hal Steinbrenner and Derek Jeter’s Impression of Donald Trump in the Ukraine*Jackie Mitchell > Brandon Taubman*Steve Kluger: On the Road with a Show*Seeing Your Characters Come to Life*The Inherent Compression of the Epistolary Baseball Novel*Letters to FDR and JFK*Verisimilitude in Historical Fiction*The Friendly Neighborhood Ballplayer of the 1940s*Discovering Baseball as an Adult (“The Carnage of 1966”)*Ballplayers in the War*Verisimilitude II (Carl Hubbell is Such a Phony and Steve Garvey is Too?)*The Right and Wrong Way to Honor Jackie Robinson*Fear of ”Damn Yankees”*What Makes a Great Player Great?*Adult Language*Goodbyes.

Infinite Inning 124 If I Were Powerful I'd Have a Better Car Oct 26, 2019

Sheryl Ring discusses the backlash to her Addison Russell story and all the ways discrimination affects us in and out of baseball. Plus Jungle Jim Rivera’s case suggests a way to protect the Astros from themselves and another career is lost to war.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Ends Justify the Fleas*One German Bomb Away from Stardom*Sheryl Ring: The Addison Russell Backlash*If I Were Powerful I’d Have a Better Car*Identity Politics in the Jim Crow Era and Jim Crow Laws Today*Red-Lining and Reverse Red-Lining*The Bank Gets Paid Three Times*Sticking to Sports Means Sticking to Everything*We’ve All Seen This Ad*Legalized Discrimination*“The Biology Textbook Mainstream”*They Kill That Which They Don’t Understand*The Oakland A’s vs. Public Housing*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 123 Between Hank Greenberg and God Oct 14, 2019

Jesse Spector returns to talk manager firings, the proper way to build a lineup, and dissect Joe Maddon’s past and future, plus tales of ancient Cardinals grudges and a Detroit Tigers great sets his priorities.
WARNING: Jesse’s dog Youppi arrives about 43 minutes into our discussion. However, Youppi does not swear, so it’s all good.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Dizzy Dean Holds a Lead*Hank Greenberg Plays, Daniel Hudson Does Not, and It’s None of Your Damned Business*Jesse Spector: When Your Child is Not Juan Soto*A Charlie Brown Way to Lose a Hit*Optimized Little League Lineups and Received Baseball Wisdom (Kids ‘n’ Kittle)*Wade Boggs Batting Leadoff*Pinch-Hitting in the First*Legitimizing the Taxi Squad*Eight Managerial Openings (with Babe and Lou Digression)*Using Managers as Human Shields*A Baleful Glance Back at Cleveland, and the Cubs*Boston’s Buyer’s Remorse*The Albert Pujols Problem*Joe Girardi in Repose*The Product Becomes Inconsequential*Pre- and Post-Apocalypse Visions of the Red Sox*The Relentless Death Machine and Other Playoff Apparitions*Asdrubal Brings Ice Cream?*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 122 Where Have You Gone [Player Name Here]? Oct 02, 2019

Craig Goldstein reveals his plans for Baseball Prospectus, mourns King Felix and (preemptively) Clayton Kershaw, and wonders if there’s a wrong way to love your cat. Plus tales of George Steinbrenner and Hal Chase that should sound strangely familiar.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Roy Cohn Client*Hal Chase Asks for a Favor*Craig Goldstein: The Wrong Way to Love Your Cat*The Editor is Dead, Long Live the Editor*The BP Community*Fear of Solipsism*Where Have You Gone?*King Felix and Doc Gooden*Does there Need to Be a Baseball Prospectus?*Baseball is Everything and Everything is Baseball (But Will It Keep the Customers Satisfied?)*The FanGraphs Question*Origin of a Dodgers Fan*When You’ve Married a Braves Fan*The Astros Take All the Marbles?*“Terrible Pedro Baez Performances”*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 121 It Is High, It Is Far, It Is Entropy Sep 23, 2019

Emma Baccellieri (Baseball Prospectus, Deadspin, Sports Illustrated) asks what we’re talking about when we talk about baseball dying, plus Mr. Rivera goes to Washington and ruminations on the Felipe Valazquez case.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A Senators Game in 1925/Mr. Rivera Goes to Washington*The Valazquez Case*Emma Baccellieri: “A Brief History of the Many Times Baseball Has Died”*Doomsaying Never Goes Out of Style*What We Mean When We Talk About Baseball Dying*It is High, It is Far, It is Entropy*Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride and Sandwich Shops*So What Will Be Baseball’s Kryptonite?*Patient Zero of a Shaky Era in Media*The SI Legacy*Unlimited Expense Account*Physics Might Have Been the Steadier Profession*Rubbing Mud is Your Destiny*The NL Cy Young Award Race*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 120: Requiem for a Keppinger Sep 15, 2019

James Yasko (Astros County, Lima Time Time podcast) discusses the Astros’ potential postseason rotation, neck beards, and AP history. Plus Mark Davis compared to Edwin Diaz and Ty Cobb gets a rule changed by NOT hurting an umpire.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Edwin Diaz, Mark Davis, and the Tyranny of Expectations*Ty Cobb Gets a Rule Changed*James Yasko: Neck Beards*An Unabashed Homer*Wade Miley is Tertiary*Carry On, Charlie Morton*Jeff Luhnow, the Killjoy who Brings Joy*Now Pitching, the Pontiff*Three Great Pitchers/World Series Virgins*Gerrit Cole: Dollar Signs on the Mound*The Devil’s Greatest Trick was Convincing Fans to Care About Payroll*Barmes-to-Keppinger-to-Carter*Astros Bandwagon Jumpers*Bandwagoning ’86 Style*Hugs in the Bread Aisle*The Tyler White Pizza Party*Can You Still Be the Cool Trivial Pursuit Teacher?*The Politics of Teaching American History*TV in Class*Remembering 9/11 in School*“Unless One of You Idiots Decides to Check Instagram”*On a Lighter Note, Yordan Alvarez*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 119 Neat Things Within This Weird World Sep 07, 2019

Yes, we went there: Craig Calcaterra joins Steve to discuss the commonalities between affirmative action and Hall of Fame debates, as well as explore the ongoing sense of dislocation provoked by a homer-happy season. Plus, Casey Stengel argues a call and Chuck Klein is star anonymous.
WARNING: One excretory cussword late. If offended, write the management.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Casey Argues a Call*Chuck Klein: Star Anonymous*Craig Calcaterra: Old Jock Strap in a Can and the Home Run Explosion*Peak HoJo*A Discontinuity*The Discontents of Gossage and Rose*Scoring Fatigue*Neat Things Within This Weird World*Feeling Sorry for Pitchers*A Javy Lopez Moment*Affirmative Action Arguments vs. Hall of Fame Arguments*Stats vs. Soft Factors in Baseball Awards (“A Metric-Based Orthodoxy”)*Braves Triumphant With or Without a Right Fielder/Baseball Seasons Can Be Like TV Seasons*A Quick Shout-Out to “The Rockford Files*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 118 Self-Harm Through Catching and Other Lowly Ferrets Aug 30, 2019

Cliff Corcoran (The Athletic) asks whether Francisco Cervelli should still be allowed to catch, defends the 10th-best players in any team’s history, and questions Yankees starting pitching. Plus Joe DiMaggio has enough and players defends themselves against racial epithets.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Joe DiMaggio Retires*Players in the Stands*Cliff Corcoran: The Man of 1,000 Teddy Bears*Francisco Cervelli’s Right to Self-Harm*Alex Jackson is Weird*A Paucity of Historic Pirates Catchers*The Top 10 Yankees Catchers*The Saga of Butch Wynegar*The Last Time a Pirates Pitcher Cracked The Franchise Top 10*Can the Yankees Win the World Series?*A Prediction Which Came True (Groundzilla)*The 1812 Confusion*Goodbyes.

Infinite Inning 117 Baseball Is a Marker of Time Aug 23, 2019

David Roth returns to discuss the Mets’ efforts to save their season, falling in love on a day of tragedy, and the proposed Saturday morning cartoon in which the current president saved the Yankees.
WARNING: As is typical for a David Roth visit, there is somewhat more cussing than is typical for the show. Please caution all minors.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Casey Stengel Escapes!*Sympathy for the Rajah*David Roth: Beards and Birthdays*Exploring “The Yiddish Curver” and other Baseball Card Antiquities*Fred Wilpon’s Sandy Koufax*“Skoonj”*The Mets’ Momentary Rally*Giving Yourself a Chance to Have a Chance*Edwin Diaz (Under a Cloudless Blue Sky)*Sudden Upturns and Downturns*Intimate Moments Deflected*“We Met on September 11, 2001”/Love in a Brita Filter*Living in a Closed Society*Performative Patriotism in the Seventh Inning*Roth in the New Republic (Warning! Politics!)*It’s the End of the Republic As We Know It (And I Feel Nauseous)*Truth, Fiction, Perceptual Impairment, Reggie Jackson*When Trump Saved the Yankees on Saturday Morning Television*The Braves Rally*Let’s Remember Some Wacky Packages*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 116 Sticking It Out Through the Challenges Aug 14, 2019

Emily Waldon (The Athletic) discusses covering the Tigers’ farm system, the team’s short-term future, and the awkwardness of teenaged ballplayers. Plus tales of a missing Phillies outfielder and how the Tigers fell, 1950s style, and why it’s still relevant to us today.
WARNING: A couple of cusswords, one from Casey Stengel, one from Leo Durocher. Blame them.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
One of the Missing*A Very Quick Casey Stengel Tale*Concepts of Racism Today and the Detroit Tigers Yesterday*Emily Waldon: The Joy of Tigers Prospect Coverage*Prospects are People*The Tigers (Not) South of the Border*Do the Tigers Have Enough in the Minors?*Suffering with the Tigers*Asking Female Fans How They Got Interested in Baseball*“He Didn’t Know You Were Gonna Be That Pretty”*Dreams Realized and Dreams Deferred (Informed Outsiders: The First Generation)*Overcoming Shyness and Social Media*Touting Kyle Funkhouser*Jake Rogers, Catcher and Nice Guy*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 115: The One With Mariano Rivera Toyota Aug 05, 2019

Jesse Spector talks trade deadline action, inaction, and consequences as well as details a deer encounter on the Taconic Parkway. Plus, tales of the murderous Danny Shay and Carl Mays’ downfall.
WARNING: There are two cusswords in this one. Cover the dog’s ears lest he be corrupted.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Danny Shay and Clarence Euell*New Patreon Benefit*Carl Mays Falls From Grace*Jesse Spector: Father of the Year Magazine Premium*Down on Charlie Hayes*“Can’t Play in New York”*The Astros Get Zack Greinke*Wade Miley Paranoia*A Possibly Ill-Informed Note on Aaron Judge*What Didn’t Happen at the Deadline (Yankees and Dodgers)*Every Team in Baseball Commented On, Give or Take*Felipe Vazquez, Mariano Rivera, and the Short Shelf-Life of a Closer*Unexpected Empathy for Jim Leyritz/Willfully Ignoring Mariano Rivera’s Politics*Ranger Rick Explains the Circle of Life*Rivera Escapes Another Jam*PTS[Rob]Deer*The Yankees Stand Pat*Clint Frazier Avenged*Inevitably, the Mets*Look Out, Houston*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 114 No World Series, No Thanksgiving Jul 26, 2019

Eric Stephen (SB Nation, True Blue LA) returns to discuss the Dodgers’ drive for their first World Series title since 1988. Plus, tales of a pitcher’s dangerous farewell and the famous Richie Ashburn foul ball story.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Ed Morris’s Going Away Party*Foul Netting and Richie Ashburn*Eric Stephen: Weird Al Encounters*A Great Era in Dodgers History*The Most Valuable Dodger, 2013-2019*Dodgers Scrubs-to-Stars*The Transformation of Hyun-Jin Ryu*Ryumania?*The Failure to Honor Fernando*On Jim Gilliam*Cody Bellinger Evolution*Austin Barnes and Other Frustrating Regulars vs. Promising Prospects Rich Hill, Angry Dad*Baseball Coverage at SB Nation*A Mike Trout Hall of Fame Tidbit*Why We Root Against No-Hitters*The Woeful Dodgers Bullpen*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 113 The Prospect-Ranking Industrial Complex Jul 19, 2019

Jeffrey Paternostro discusses Baseball Prospectus’s midseason top-50 prospects list and his long road to becoming a baseball writer, plus tales of Bill Dickey and Jim Palmer.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Catcher Injures Runner*Lament for the Orioles*Jeff Paternostro: Driving in the Minors*Prospects and Park Effects*What Makes a Prospect Expert? (To the Brian Bannister Moment)*Faux Scouty Shorthand*Whose Prospect List is Best?*The Subjective Part (The Leody Taveras Problem)*The Big Misses (Einertson vs. Gsellman)*The Greening of Player Development*The Rookie Class of 2019*Wander Franco, No. 1 Prospect *Nick Madrigal, Prospect from the Deadball Era*“Have You Ever Seen Him Naked?”*Why Isn’t Plate Judgment the Sixth Tool?*Goodbyes.

Infinite Inning 112 The Championship Huggers of '81 Jul 11, 2019

Jason Turbow (“The Baseball Codes” and “Dynastic, Bombastic, Fantastic”) discusses the 1981 Los Angeles Dodgers as portrayed in his new book “They Bleed Blue.” Plus, forgotten All-Stars remembered and wild pitching appreciated.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Everyone Has a Special Anniversary (Len Barker Makes the All-Star Team)*Dolly Gray Goes Wild*Jason Turbow: Why the 1981 Dodgers?*What the Dodgers Did Right, Not What the Yankees Did Wrong*The Longest-Running Infield*Steve Garvey Against Davey Lopes in the ’81 Strike*Steve Garvey Against the World*Reggie Smith, Unknown Great*Young Dave Stewart*Tommy Lasorda in Retrospect*Wise Words from Dusty’s Dad*Lasorda’s Broken Aces*What Was Fernandomania?*Al Campanis’s Pre-Nightline Racism*”Coconut Snatching” and Pedro Guerrero*The Guerrero/Sax Anecdote*The Sneaky Way to Publish a 300,000-Word MS*Rick Sutcliffe vs. The Frank Sinatra Wall*The Dave Kingman Footnote*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 111: No Visible Bruises Jul 02, 2019

Rachel Louise Snyder discusses No Visible Bruises: What We Don’t Know About Domestic Violence Can Kill Us and how abusers (even athletes) don’t just “snap.” Plus thoughts on the passing of Tyler Skaggs.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Tyler Skaggs*So Much More Than Marty Bergen*Rachel Louise Snyder: Curiosity*A Billion Women*Michelle and Rocky*Threats of Suicide*When Michelle Was Behind the Camera*It’s Not About Anger Management*Beware of Narcissists*Twenty Percent of the Housework*Impulse Love is a Hazard*Why Do Victims Recant? Why Do Victims Stay?*Prosecution Complications/The Rattlesnake*Strangulation and Odubel Herrera*Choking and Strangulation Are Not the Same Thing*Is Rehabilitation Possible?*The Impact Incongruity of Punishment*The Promise of Early Intervention*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 110 Make America Biscuits Again Jun 25, 2019

Cliff Corcoran (The Athletic) talks CC Sabathia in history, Mets mad decision-making, and short benches. Plus, tales of Gorman Thomas being archaically pelted and pre-Machado suspensions.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Gladiatorial Combat in Detroit*That Darn Calloway*The Infinite Punishments of Manny Machado*Cliff Corcoran: The Montgomery Biscuits baseball cap*Sabathia, Greinke, Kershaw, Verlander: Yesterday and Today*Dave Stieb and Other Devalued Aces*The Magic 235*Peak vs. Career: Dale Murphy vs. Harold Baines*The Rays Are Not Going to Montreal*The Expos Got a Raw Deal*The Mets Are Proudly Octogenarian*Geriatric Coaches in History*The Dave Eiland Story*Edwin Encarnacion In, Clint Frazier Out*There Are No Short Benches, There Are Only Short Minds*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 109 Is Vlad Guerrero Jr a Cheese and Other Questions Jun 18, 2019

Rachael McDaniel (FanGraphs, The Hardball Times) returns to discuss her new editorial mission and lays out a philosophy of baseball writing. Plus a tale of Billy Martin’s self-sabotage and Steve bids goodbye to a friend.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Intentional Damage*A Personal Note of Mourning*Rachael McDaniel: Youthful Editor of The Hardball Times*Racist Knitters*Leaving Baseball Prospectus*What Is The Hardball Times?*“All They Really Want is What They Know”*Vladimir Guerrero Jr is like Cheddar Cheese*Writing That Has an Antagonistic Relationship With its Audience*Special Pleading on Behalf of Smokers and the Overweight*Editor’s Envy*This Temporal World of Baseball/“This Could Have Been a Tweet”*The Tommy Thevenow Analogy*Rachael’s Favorite Baseball Writer*What If You’re a Middle-Aged White Guy? (The Middle Feels Like the Beginning Feels Like the End*The Inevitable Blue Jays Question*Goodbyes.

Infinite Inning 108 Feels Like Fan Culture Jun 12, 2019

David Roth (Deadspin) returns to discuss Mets failings, how Jorge Bell became George, and why teams feel the need to add “the one guy who can get the job done.” Plus an argument/tribute to David Ortiz and a pitcher unjustly fined and unjustly accused.
WARNING: There are a few random cusswords in this episode. It’s a RothShow.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A Paean to David Ortiz*Bill Voiselle’s Weight: It’s Not What You Say*David Roth: The Falls at Paterson*An Accidental Ad*The Americanization of Jorge Bell*Sympathy for Clint Frazier*A Very Brief Conversation about Gene Nelson and Mike Griffin (But Not Ken Clay)*Remembering Ivan Calderon*Remembering Chili Davis*Dominic Smith is Doing His Best*Robinson Cano Got Old*Need the Mets Move on From Mickey Callaway*Cespedes’s Last Ride*Good for the Wolves*Don’t Acquire Old Second Basemen*Evaluating Amed Rosario*Mental Processing Speed in Sports*Richie Incognito, Odubel Herrera, and Players Who Need to Go Away But Just Won’t*Goodbyes.

Infinite Inning 107: Washed Clean By the MVP Machine Jun 04, 2019

TABLE OF CONTENTS
If John Wehner Had Broadcast in 1880*Mike Ivie’s Dilemma*Ben Lindbergh: Self-Machined Through Dedicated Practice*A Deeper Understanding of the Game*Can You See Spin Rate with the Naked Eye?*What is THE Essential New Baseball Technology?*Hitting Lags Behind*Paul Waner Dissents*Fly Balls vs. Line Drives*Choking Up*Francisco Lindor, Bill Buckner, and Productive Contact*When Trevor Bauer is Your Pioneer*Excluding the Underprivileged Through Baseball Through Technology*When Not All Teams Care Equally About Progress*Rejecting High Steinbrennerism*Once More Through the Self-Machine*Goodbyes.
THE INFINITE INNING ARCHIVE: All episodes available, popcorn extra.
THE INFINITE INNING FACEBOOK GROUP: Socialize with like-minded people!
SUPPORT THE INFINITE INNING: Visit our Patreon page.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

The Infinite Inning 106: He Didn’t Fall Off a Horse May 28, 2019

WARNING: Baseball’s magic word is said at about 3:30. Notify your congressman.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
“My Kingdom for Jones”*Requiem for Bugs*Jesse Spector: All the Times We Broke Bones Not Falling Off of Horses (Yoenis Cespedes)*The Mighty Vipers Song*Jacob de Grom Isn’t Real (“Who is Yoenis Cespedes?”)*So What if it WAS a Horse? *The Smell of Flushing Bay and Elizabeth, NJ*The Texas Rangers Are Rarely Good but are Often Interesting*Joey Gallo Appreciation Day*The Days of Wine and 40 Home Runs Being Special*Nolan Ryan ’87 and the Win* “Steve Baloney’s ‘WABBA’” and Gio Urshela*Player Performance Variation is the Norm/Dave Kingman [Was/Was Not] Good*Alonso/McNeil*Balls in Play Wanted*Phil Rizzuto is Going Out to Florida Tonight*Do You Value Knowledge You Don’t Have to Earn?*When Did Rizzuto Go Bad?*The Annotated Pine Tar Game*
THE INFINITE INNING ARCHIVE: All episodes available.
INFINITE INNING FACEBOOK GROUP: Socialize with like-minded people!
SUPPORT THE INFINITE INNING: Visit our Patreon page.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Inifinte Inning 105: This Idea of Protecting Women May 21, 2019

TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Weak Spot on the Ballclub*Ian Desmond and Other Tales of the Replacement Level*Diana Moskovitz: Caster Semenya: Struggling to Sum Up a Complex Matter*Testosterone and Michael Phelps’ Arms*Fear of Men (in Women’s Events)*“Penis Panic”*The Complexity of the Human Body*The East German Example*A Strange Apathy Towards Forced Medicating*“You Are Not a Woman”*Should There Be a Women’s Sports Category?*“Tradition!”*Covering Four Hurricanes in One Season*Goodbyes.
THE INFINITE INNING ARCHIVE: All episodes available, popcorn extra.
THE INFINITE INNING FACEBOOK GROUP: Socialize with like-minded people!
SUPPORT THE INFINITE INNING: Visit our Patreon page.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 104:Craig Calcaterra is Mexico-Bound May 13, 2019

TABLE OF CONTENTS
All-Stars in the Naked City*Chicago, 1886: Cap Anson and the Haymarket Eight*Craig Calcaterra: The Social Cubs*Famous For Nothing*“Move to Mexico”*Bat Flip and Unwritten Rules*Dated Ringtones*The Complacent Team of the Year Award (The Cleveland Indians)*Expansion and the Non-Shortage of Pitchers*Nick Markakis 3000, Jack Morris, Bert Blyleven*Hall of Fame Debates, Prospects, and the End of a Long-Running Series*Arguments Make Friends*Goodbyes.
THE INFINITE INNING ARCHIVE: All episodes available, popcorn extra.
THE INFINITE INNING FACEBOOK GROUP: Socialize with like-minded people!
SUPPORT THE INFINITE INNING: Visit our Patreon page.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 103: They Saved Bill James’ Head! May 06, 2019

TABLE OF CONTENTS
The God of Dan Brouthers*We All Get Old, Miguel Cabrera*Sean Forman: Baseball-Reference Changed My Life*What if Roberto Clemente’s Hit Total Needed to Be Revised? (The “Mr. 3000” Scenario)*bWAR and fWAR and Some Other WARs*Old Fielders and Old Fielding Stats*Gratuitous Derek Jeter Time*Protein Folding as Career Prep*Stalking Baseball-Reference*Giant Bill James Head*Win Shares vs. WAR*Adding More Detail to Baseball-Reference*FBref (Soccer)!*Stats That Tell Stories*The Pele Page is Coming*Women’s Sports and Statistical Availability*Integrating FanGraphs and Baseball Prospectus Stats*The Lack of Statcast Availability*BB-Ref Goin’ Mobile*Injury Codes!*Goodbyes.
THE INFINITE INNING ARCHIVE: All episodes available, popcorn extra.
THE INFINITE INNING FACEBOOK GROUP: Socialize with like-minded people!
SUPPORT THE INFINITE INNING: Visit our Patreon page.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 102: A Blue Jays Journey of Personal Discovery Apr 29, 2019

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Bill Dahlen Brings You Flowers*The Infinite Inning Revenge Plot*Scott Sanderson II: A Rejoinder*Andrew Stoeten: It’s Been a Long Time Since 1993*Loyal to the Players, Not to the Team*Calling Up Vladimir Guerrero, Jr.*First- and Second-Guessing Josh Donaldson Decisions*Kevin Pillar Returns*Projecting Guerrero*The Curse of Cito Gaston*The Randal Grichuk Extension*In Praise of Smoak*Up From Drunken Blogging*Growing Up in Public II*Beatwriter Acceptance and Denial (Called Out in the Toronto Sun)*Podcast Behind the Paywall*How Bad is Teoscar Hernandez’s Defense Really?*Goodbyes.
THE INFINITE INNING ARCHIVE: All episodes available, popcorn extra.
THE INFINITE INNING FACEBOOK GROUP: Socialize with like-minded people!
SUPPORT THE INFINITE INNING: Visit our Patreon page.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 101: Growing Up in Public Apr 22, 2019

WARNING: One cussword. Just one. It’s gonna be okay.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
On Butterflies and Baseball Injuries*Scott Sanderson’s Hot Dog*Bill Baer: Curating Hardball Talk*The Hate-Readers*Shy On the Internet*We’re So Sorry, Ryan Howard*The Real Meaning of “Stick to Sports”*The Formerly Anti-Analytic Phillies*Hall of Fame Baseball Writer Contretemps*Beginner’s Mind in Baseball Writing*You Don’t Have to Explain WAR Anymore*Trying is the New Market Inefficiency*Are the 2019 Phillies for Real?*The 1980 Phillies vs. the 2019 Phillies*The Opener and Arbitration (Jeff Innis, Too)*Juan Soto Dreaming*Goodbyes.
THE INFINITE INNING ARCHIVE: All episodes available, popcorn extra.
THE INFINITE INNING FACEBOOK GROUP: Socialize with like-minded people!
SUPPORT THE INFINITE INNING: Visit our Patreon page.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 100: The Million Dollar Quartet Apr 16, 2019

WARNING: When this many guys from New York and New Jersey get together, some swearing is inevitable. It’s just intermittent, so intermittently hide the children.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Eddie’s Opening Day*Opening Day (Featuring Dr. Rick Mohring and Casual Observer)*Big Round Numbers and Leo Durocher on the Radio*Cliff Corcoran, David Roth, Jesse Spector: Tinkers to Evers to I Hate You*Is Florida?*Are the Marlins really worth $1 Billion in the Age of Global Warming?*The Phillies’ Bryce Harper Attendance Bugle*Breaking Free Agency On a Whim*Cleveland Nihilism and Moneyball ambivalence*League Without Pity*Should the Padres Have Signed Manny Machado?*Beards (Keuchel and Kimbrel)*Having Fun with the 2019 Season (Like Hating the Cubs!)*Liberated By/From David Wright*In-Season Happiness vs. Offseason F-ckery*Let’s Remember Some Guys(So Much Rickey)*A Mike Pagliarulo Moment, and Oh, God, Alvaro Espinosa (Where Have All the Bad Players Gone, Long Time Passing?)*Questioning Jeff Mathis/We Love Pat Tabler*Full Circle and Goodbyes to End All Goodbyes.
THE INFINITE INNING ARCHIVE: All episodes available, popcorn extra.
THE INFINITE INNING FACEBOOK GROUP: Socialize with like-minded people!
SUPPORT THE INFINITE INNING: Visit our Patreon page.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman and guests discuss the game forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 099: Why Don’t You Like Me, Butchie? Apr 08, 2019

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Dwight Gooden Without Tears*For Want of Steve Lake, Jody Davis Was Lost*Chris Donnelly: Teams Headed in Opposite Directions*The 1986 Mets Disassembled*Dwight Gooden ‘85*The Depths of High Steinbrennerism*We’re So Sorry, Eddie Lee Whitson*Billy Martin in Rapid Decline*“Why Don’t You Like Me, Butch?”*Mr. Carter Goes to New York*How to Doug Sisk and Influence People*Mr. Henderson Also Goes to New York*Goodbyes.
THE INFINITE INNING ARCHIVE: All episodes available, popcorn extra.
THE INFINITE INNING FACEBOOK GROUP: Socialize with like-minded people!
SUPPORT THE INFINITE INNING: Visit our Patreon page.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 098: Intelligence, Will, and Creativity Mar 22, 2019

TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Last Days of Tony Lazzeri*Tommy John’s First Shoulder Injury*Tyler Kepner: Don’t Fool Yourself; You’d Do This With Your Book Royalties Too*Trout Contract Reax*K: A History of Baseball in Ten Pitches and the 300 Interviews*Zack Greinke Said No*The Sense of Possibility in Pitching*That Johnny Sain X-Ray Question*Archaic Pitches and Colorful Baseball*Sinkers!*Dan Quisenberry and Tug McGraw*Kent Tekulve’s Cap*Ted Williams Was Wrong About Pitchers*Talking With Mike Mussina*The La Lob*Being the National Baseball Writer for the Times*Goodbyes.
THE INFINITE INNING ARCHIVE: All episodes available, popcorn extra.
THE INFINITE INNING FACEBOOK GROUP: Socialize with like-minded people!
SUPPORT THE INFINITE INNING: Visit our Patreon page.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 097: New Westerns and Old Characters Mar 17, 2019

WARNING: There are a few cusswords in this episode. Even Steve utters one! Hide the dog, lest his vocabulary be corrupted!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Advice From Tony Lazzeri*Massacres (and Tony Lazzeri Again)*Tom Breihan: Too Many Super-Hero Films?*Nobody Talks the Way They Talk in Marvel Movies*Captain Marvel vs. The Trolls*Fantasies of Empowerment*The “Watchmen” Perspective as Anti-Entertainment*The Batman Silliness and the Mugger’s Story*Bloodless Violence and the Denazified “Captain America”*Mr. Rodgers Against Super-Heroes*Pause for Baltimore Orioles Cheap Shots That Aren’t So Cheap*I Love Spock Whether He’s Gay or Not*Emotional Storytelling in “Avengers Infinity War”*Characters Without Constituencies*In Defense of The Shadow*Writer Origins, “My Ding-a-Ling,” and “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)” Ties It All Together*Coming Attractions*Goodbyes.
THE INFINITE INNING ARCHIVE: All episodes available, popcorn extra.
THE INFINITE INNING FACEBOOK GROUP: Socialize with like-minded people!
SUPPORT THE INFINITE INNING: Visit our Patreon page.

Infinite Inning 096: Tom Seaver at Twilight and Other Stories Mar 09, 2019

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Noted Emergency Catching Scenarios of the 20th Century*Tom Seaver at Twilight*Cliff Corcoran: Pirates-Skin Pillbox Hat*Twenty-Six-Man Rosters*What of Position Players Pitching?*Matt Carpenter/Shawn Green/Joe Adcock and Thwarted Desires*The Proposed Three-Batter Minimum*The LOOGY Myth*Choosing Relievers for Pitches, Not Handedness*The Joe Girardi Thing*The Proposed All-Star Voting Run-Off*An All-Star Emeritus Roster Spot*Bryce Harper Signs, the Phillies Make Money*Manipulating Service-Time Manipulation*Looking Forward to the National League*Denigrating Cleveland’s Offseason*Goodbyes.
THE INFINITE INNING ARCHIVE: All episodes available, popcorn extra.
THE INFINITE INNING FACEBOOK GROUP: Socialize with like-minded people!
SUPPORT THE INFINITE INNING: Visit our Patreon page.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 095: I Was Somewhat Here, Johnny Damon Mar 02, 2019

Warning: As always when David comes around there is the odd cussword in the air. There is also some dimly frank talk about Robert Kraft’s arrest. Mind the children if you think they’d ask embarrassing questions.
Table of Contents
Hank Aaron and Bowie Kuhn*Bob Gibson and the Man-Mountain*David Roth: Let’s Remember Some Triple-A Journeymen*The Baseball Card Gold Rush*Topps: The Motion Picture*The Frank Bolick Moment*Macho Man Randy Savage and Brad “The Animal” Lesley*Why There Are Unwritten Rules*Why the Patriots are Hated/Why Robert Kraft Was Arrested and Why Should We Care?*Admiring a Dynasty*The Worst Logo in Pro Sports*Birds and Bergs of Florida (Ho! The Common Gallinule!)*The Part About Alligators*Golfing with Alligators*Animals Who Might Want to Eat David Roth*The Moose*Talking Baseball*Team Spending and the Pure Food and Drug Act*The Free Agent Market is Not Okay*Debating Craig Kimbrel*The Braves’ Non-Pursuit of Bryce Harper*Giving the Customer as Little as Possible*A Cheapness That Has Nothing to Do with Money*Look for the Union Label*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

The Infinite Inning 094: A Reasonably Foreseeable Episode Feb 25, 2019

WARNING: There is a brief reference to abortion and rape, for those who might be triggered. There is also one four-letter word about half an hour in.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Don Newcombe and the Ordeal of Reputation*The Ballad of Shanty Hogan*Sheryl Ring: Baseball and the Legal Mind*Koufax and Drysdale Hold Out*Do Stats Permit Each Team Have a Unique System and Breaches of Fiduciary Duty*Breaking Noah Syndergaard*Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth Go Into the Stands*Offerman and Nathans*Fowler’s Knee*Beanballs*The Death of Houdini*The Gene Tierney Case*Baseball as a Way of Surviving*Transgender Origins*Software and Firmware*The Bathroom Bill Deflection*Baseball Doesn’t Love You Back/Coke is a Drink, Baseball is an Experience*Goodbyes.
THE INFINITE INNING ARCHIVE: All episodes available, popcorn extra.
THE INFINITE INNING FACEBOOK GROUP: Socialize with like-minded people!
SUPPORT THE INFINITE INNING: Visit our Patreon page.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 093: Trying, Failing, Learning Feb 17, 2019

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Delay of Game, May 27, 1941 at the Polo Grounds*John McGraw II: Don’t Follow Leaders and Their Sandwiches*Mike Bates: What I Learned After the Wedding*The Obligatory Harper-Machado Minutes: They Symbolic Bid*Let Them Entertain Me*The Twins are Restive*Buxton, Sano, and Kepler*Kiriloff is Coming*Free Agent Courting Relationship Status*Brusdar/Sinistar*Goodbye, Robbie Grossman (Who Could Hang a Name on You?)*Spelunking Jake Cave*The LoMo Segue and the Danger of One-Year Veterans*The Joe Genewich Playing-Through-Injury Anecdote*“This Week in Baseball History” Negro Leagues and Players Series*Rube Foster: Literal Giant*Casey Stengel and the Negro National League*Ray Dandridge and a Speech*Rod Carew vs. Calvin Griffith*Emmett Ashford*Goodbyes.
THE INFINITE INNING ARCHIVE: All episodes available, popcorn extra.
THE INFINITE INNING FACEBOOK GROUP: Socialize with like-minded people!
SUPPORT THE INFINITE INNING: Visit our Patreon page.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

The Infinite Inning 092: The MVP Machine Dreams of Second Chances Feb 08, 2019

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Rusie, Brouthers, and Dahlen Dreaming*John McGraw at Bay*Ben Lindbergh: Too Much Audio Friendship/When You Throw Away Your Question-Shot*“Ballroom Dancing” vs. “The Pound is Sinking” vs. “Your Mother Should Know”*The MLB The Show Non-Cover*The Mystery Machine/The MVP Machine*Dexter Fowler Presses the Spacebar*The Votto Advantage*They Don’t Use VCRs Anymore*Virginia, There Is Such a Thing as Player Development*Archaic Wind-Ups*Fresh Eyes*Batting Follow-Through*The Post-Book Refractory Period*Jill Abramson’s Note-Taking*The Machado- and Harper-ness of Everything (Or Lack Thereof)*Goodbyes.
THE INFINITE INNING ARCHIVE: All episodes available, popcorn extra.
THE INFINITE INNING FACEBOOK GROUP: Socialize with like-minded people!
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The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 091: You Are Who You Root For Feb 02, 2019

TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Quality of Mercy to Rabbits is Not Strained*Shanty Should Have Known Better*Patrick McLellan: I Don’t Need Glasses*The Lima Time Time/Casa Ole Ad/Self-Destructive Personas*Baseball is Unpopular?*Tracking the Last Reliever in the Bullpen*The Astros’ Non-Encore Encore*Is the Astros Lineup Getting Old?*Climbing Carlin’s Ladder*What Level of Engagement Should We Expect From an Entertainer or a Ballplayer?*Craig Biggio: The Declining Years*Jeff Kent: The Disliked Years*Be Careful Who You Root For; You Are Who You Root For*A Dallas Keuchel Prediction*Goodbyes.
THE INFINITE INNING ARCHIVE: All episodes available, popcorn extra.
THE INFINITE INNING FACEBOOK GROUP: Socialize with like-minded people!
SUPPORT THE INFINITE INNING:Visit our Patreon page.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

The Infinite Inning 090: Skippy Roberge and the Soup-Eaters Jan 25, 2019

WARNING: Oh, my, are there cusswords this week. Mr. Normandin is just full of ‘em. Or something. Mind the children.
Table of Contents
Lenny Merullo’s Bad (But Not THAT Bad) Day*Steve’s nomination for the2019 SABR Analytics Conference Research Awards*That Fatal Mets Game*Marc Normandin: You Can’t Edit a Newsletter*A Different Kind of Lefty*Too Young for a Mid-Life Crisis But Too Old to Care*Marc for the Proletariat*Toxic Ballpark Food and Cats Who Pick Pennant Winners*Possibly Dangerous Eating Advice*“I’m not gonna pretend I’m friends with that cow”*Career Origins and Adventures in Editing*The Scoobies Question*The Flooded Baseball Zone*Goodbyes.
THE INFINITE INNING ARCHIVE: All episodes available, popcorn extra.
THE INFINITE INNING FACEBOOK GROUP: Socialize with like-minded people!
SUPPORT THE INFINITE INNING: Visit our Patreon page.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

The Infinite Inning 089: The Cardinals Never Get Enough Credit and the Mets Neve Jan 19, 2019

WARNING: There is one cussword early in the interview segment and one late. We beg your forgiveness.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Hello, My Honey, Hello, My Jay*The Goslin Files*Mike Ferrin: Professional Radio Talk*Lean Questions*Mindfulness*Winning the Interview*Jim Duquette and the Stick Michael Approach*When You’re Just Not in the Mood to Broadcast/The Show Must Go On*Brodie Van Wagenen*The Paul Goldschmidt Trade and the Andrew McCutchen Conundrum*The Shelby Miller Trade and Other Prospect Disappointments*“This Guy’s a 40”*The Duck and the Llama*Eddie Stanky Tries to Get Fired Too*Wilmer Flores Comes to Phoenix*The Return of the Long Reliever*Sports Talk Radio is Negative?*Goodbyes.
THE INFINITE INNING ARCHIVE: All episodes available, popcorn extra.
THE INFINITE INNING FACEBOOK GROUP: Socialize with like-minded people!
SUPPORT THE INFINITE INNING: Visit our Patreon page.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 088: Baseball Willing vs. Baseball Able Jan 11, 2019

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Trevor Bauer Online/Jackie Robinson On a Plane*Tommy Henrich and Earned Good Luck*Craig Calcaterra: The NPR Voice*Steve’s Shameful Vin Scully Secret*The Coming Labor Crisis in Baseball*The Anti-Enthusiasm Cold Stove League*All the Team’s That Aren’t Adding Talent*Bryce Harper-to-the-Rockies Dreaming*Craig’s Car Dealership Metaphor*Bonds and Clemens (and Sosa): The Price*Craig’s Harold Baines Story/Steve’s Jose Guillen Story*Gaylord Perry in Arizona/Bob Costats’s Unsigned Mays Photograph*Goodbyes.
THE INFINITE INNING ARCHIVE: All episodes available, popcorn extra.
THE INFINITE INNING FACEBOOK GROUP: Socialize with like-minded people!
SUPPORT THE INFINITE INNING: Visit our Patreon page.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 087: Towards a Philosophy of Underbills Jan 05, 2019

WARNING: There are a couple of cusswords in this episode, but one of them is about Ted Williams, and he would have appreciated that.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Ted Williams’ False Washington Dawn*Tommy Pham and Jack Fournier*Cliff Corcoran: A Philosophy of Underbills*Return of The Descalse!*Mariano Rivera and Craig Kimbrel*Big Hall-Small Hall and Joe Gantenbein Forever*The Nine Worlds of Harold Baines/In Praise of Argument*The Jurickson Profar Deal*Yasiel Puig to the Reds Etc*Cliff’s Stats Feature*Reds Callback: Jesse Winker*Goodbyes.
THE INFINITE INNING ARCHIVE: All episodes available, popcorn extra.
THE INFINITE INNING FACEBOOK GROUP: Socialize with like-minded people!
SUPPORT THE INFINITE INNING: Visit our Patreon page.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning #86: You Light Up My Splurg Dec 29, 2018

WARNING: There are a couple of cusswords abroad in the land.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Rogers Hornsby’s War With Baseball (Stop it! Cut it out!)*Go See “They Shall Not Grow Old”/The Paths of Glory Lead Only to the Latrine/Hank Gowdy Falls Down*Connie Mack and The Difficulty of Getting Good Takeout in the Suburbs*Goodbyes.
THE INFINITE INNING ARCHIVE: All episodes available, popcorn extra.
THE INFINITE INNING FACEBOOK GROUP: Socialize with like-minded people!
SUPPORT THE INFINITE INNING: Visit our Patreon page.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 085: A Man Can’t Worry and Hit Home Runs Dec 22, 2018

Table of Contents
The Embedded Yankee: An Analogy*Babe Ruth’s Rough Year*Jane Leavy: A New View of the Babe*Felicitous Accidents of Research (Johnny Bassler and the Babe’s Childhood)*The Crimes of Babe Ruth’s Parents Against Babe Ruth*Ruth’s Right-Wing Connection*The Indispensable Christy Walsh*There is No Asterisk!*Fifty-Ounce Bats (What Would Ruth Do Today?)*In Search of the Inner Babe*The Unprecedented Revelation of Claire*Ruth’s Inner Hunger and the Babe at St. Mary’s*After the Cheering Stopped*The Tender Ruth?*Babe Ruth vs. Florence Nightingale for All the Nurses*Why Were the Owners So Angry at Ruth?/Ruth as Divisive Racial Figure*The Great Man Votes*The Romance of Ruth*Goodbyes.
THE INFINITE INNING ARCHIVE: All episodes available, popcorn extra.
THE INFINITE INNING FACEBOOK GROUP: Socialize with like-minded people!
SUPPORT THE INFINITE INNING: Visit our Patreon page.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 084: The Phillies Can't Hurt Me Anymore Dec 14, 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Hans Christian Andersen’s Negro Leagues*Why I Was Not at the Winter Meetings*Bill Lange Goes Home Forever*Liz Roscher: The Winter Meetings Social Ramble Ain’t Restful*Martyrs to Baseball*A Late-Blooming Phillies Fan*Can You Earn Your Angry Fandom?*Pessimistic Mets Fans*“Fair-Weather Fans” and Other Accusations of Inauthenticity*More Fannish Pessimism*The “We Really Suck” Chant*How Do You Explain the Phillies’ Free-fall?*“It Feels Like They Don’t Have a Plan”*Carlos Santana, Andrew McCutchen, Jean Segura and other Phillies*When Freddy Galvis Gets Up Your Butt*Our Owner Wants a New Boat*The Star Wars-Batman Analogy to Killing the Gate*Objectivity and Readers’ Imaginary Boundaries*Steve Comes to a Realization*Goodbyes.
THE INFINITE INNING ARCHIVE: All episodes available, popcorn extra.
THE INFINITE INNING FACEBOOK GROUP: Socialize with like-minded people!
SUPPORT THE INFINITE INNING: Visit our Patreon page.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 083: We Have Suzyn Waldman and Our Values Dec 08, 2018

WARNING: The odd cussword is heard herein. Hide the kids.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Ballad of Kewpie Dick*Stroopwafel Update*Patreon Update*Ty Cobb Chooses a Catcher*Alex Belth: O.G. Baseball Bloggers*The Golden Age of Magazine Writing*The Joy of Microfilm*A Writer’s Fame is Fleeting*Heinz and J. Lardner*Terry Southern, Bruce Jay Friedman, and Helen Lawrenson*The Yankees of Your 20s vs. Those of Your 40s*Emily Shapiro: What is Crohn’s Disease?*Fighting Your Limitations and Growth Experiences*Partnership and a Blurring of Roles (“I Can’t Take Care of Her, I Can Care for Her”)/The San Diego Story*Fainting!*We’re Not Our Bodies*Sharing*Having Nothing in Common*Goodbyes.
THE INFINITE INNING ARCHIVE: All episodes available, popcorn extra.
THE INFINITE INNING FACEBOOK GROUP: Socialize with like-minded people!
SUPPORT THE INFINITE INNING: Visit our Patreon page.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

The Infinite Inning 082: Who Mourns for the Nightlife in Babylon? Dec 02, 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS
You Too Can Have a Duck for a General Manager*I Learned the Truth from Rickey Henderson*Lincoln Mitchell: Baseball and Politics/Your Wife and Your Mistress*Reframing the Dodgers-Giants Move as a Good Thing*Who Mourns for the Nightlife in Babylon?*Yankees Fans Kept Going to the Games*What If One NL Team Had Stayed?*“Sitsee”*The Least Significant Victim of Fascist Aggression*Decentralized Early Major League Baseball*Why Didn’t the Pacific Coast League Become a Third Major League?*If the Dodgers and Giants Had Stayed, When Would Baseball Have Caught Up to the Country?*The Stay-the-Course (But Still Racist) MacPhail Argument Against Integration*Felipe Alou for the Hall of Fame*Is There A Realignment Opportunity in 2018?*Theories of Entropy in Major League Baseball and the United States of America*Did Democracy Fail the Dodgers in New York City?*Putin and Bill Buckner*Goodbyes.
THE INFINITE INNING ARCHIVE: All episodes available, popcorn extra.
THE INFINITE INNING FACEBOOK GROUP: Socialize with like-minded people!
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 081: When the Bass Comes Falling From the Sky Nov 17, 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS
When the Bass Comes Falling From the Sky*Remembering William Goldman and Stan Lee*Meg Rowley: An Argument About Coffee*Full Time at FanGraphs*Empathy for Recalcitrant Writers Who Are Also Plumbers*Loving Baseball During the Apocalyse*The Blown Save in Non-Baseball Environments*The Mixed Bag That Was MLB 2018*Knowing When to Go Off and When to Hang Fire*Lorena Martin vs. the Seattle Mariners*“Baseball is Believably Racist”*When Fandom Wears Away*Live, Laugh, Love, and Learn with the Mike Zunino Trade*When Roger Clemens Wet the Bed*An 89-73 Team Surrenders*Goodbyes.
THE INFINITE INNING ARCHIVE: All episodes available, popcorn extra.
THE INFINITE INNING FACEBOOK GROUP: Socialize with like-minded people!
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 080: The Germans Might Have a World For It Nov 10, 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Willie McCovey and Sparky Schulz, The Brave & The Bold*A Program Note or Two*Jackie Robinson Goes to Cincinnati*Cliff Corcoran: Election Reflection*J.D. Martinez and the AL MVP Vote*Bookie Metts and Mucky Betts*Willie Stargell and Keith Hernandez*Jacob DeGrom NL MVP Disrespect*Blake Snell vs. Justin Verlander*The Aaron Nola Conundrum and The Chris Sale Deprivation*The Phillies’ Defense*Brett Gardner vs. Bryce Harper*Harper, Yankees First Baseman/Will the Yankees Spend?*Much Ado About Andujar*Getting Meta with Daniel Descalso and “The Sopranos”*The “Today’s Game” Hall of Fame Ballot*There is No Word in English for George Steinbrenner*Goodbyes.
THE INFINITE INNING ARCHIVE: All episodes available, popcorn extra.
THE INFINITE INNING FACEBOOK GROUP: Socialize with like-minded people!
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 079: The Punch in the Crotch Revisited Nov 03, 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Hack Wilson Gets Hacked Off*When Babe Ruth Homered for the Giants*Jesse Spector: Jesse Has a Cold/Sharing Hats*Racist Dodgers Fans Against the Special Prosecutor*The President as World Series/Rich Hill Commentator*Were the Red Sox a Historic Team?*When 1988 Failed to Validate the Regular Season*What Boston’s Record Does and Does Not Prove*All Postseason Teams Should Get a Home Game*Cleveland Was Secretly Bad*I Don’t Believe in Relievers (I Just Believe In Me)*Nathan Eovaldi’s Game 3*The Mets Have a New General Manager*Revisiting the Punch in the Crotch*The Vince Coleman Moment*Goodbyes.
THE INFINITE INNING ARCHIVE: All episodes available, popcorn extra.
THE INFINITE INNING FACEBOOK GROUP: Socialize with like-minded people!
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 078: Take a Stat Song and Make It Better Oct 28, 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Casey Stengel vs. the Nazi Warlord*The Secret New York Conspiracy to Destroy the Red Sox*Rob Neyer: Elevator Pitch for a Baseball Book*The Zobrist*What is “Postmodern” baseball?*Who Takes Responsibility?*The Best of All Possible Baseballs is For the Best?*Pay (Or at Least Feed) the Minor Leaguers!*Here Comes the Flood*Well-Known Facts, Whether You Like It or Not*Love on the Sands of Iwo Jima*The End of Carlos Beltran (and Everyone Else)*Relaxed Rob ‘Riting*Goodbyes.
THE INFINITE INNING ARCHIVE: All episodes available, popcorn extra.
THE INFINITE INNING FACEBOOK GROUP: Socialize with like-minded people!
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 077: Meet the New Giants, Same as the Old Giants Oct 20, 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Addie Joss is Defunct*The Phillies Are On the Wire*Grant Brisbee: Tongue Tied*“To Glorgle”*Joe West’s Greatest Ejections*The Greatest Hits Theory of Joe West Fans*Hate Mail (Never Criticize Matt Wieters)*Back On Bullpenning? (No; Still On It)*Life After Team Blogging*Gonna Be in L.A. For Game 6*The San Francisco Giants’ Beard Deficit and Other Problems*Leaving Latin America Alone*For the Love of Homegrown Players*Will Madison Bumgarner Be Traded? (And Bryce Harper?)*Rebuilding for Real Estate*It’s the End of Evan Longoria As We Know Him*World Series Wonderland*Goodbyes.
THE INFINITE INNING ARCHIVE: All episodes available, popcorn extra.
THE INFINITE INNING FACEBOOK GROUP: Socialize with like-minded people!
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 076: Cubs and Tomahawks Oct 12, 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Cubs Buy Sushi*Chop the Chop (in Colorado)*Ryan Davis: Credentialed and Fatigued*A Dynasty Simultaneously Achieved and Denied*Were the Brewers Just Better?*Chili Davis is an Innocent Man!*Do Joe Maddon’s Lineup Changes Hurt Young Players?*In Praise of Tommy La Stella*The Terrance Gore Memorial Roster Spot*If You Swing Enough Times…*Kyle Hendricks, Pitching Detective (Guest-Starring Steve Adkins)*The Jason Heyward Problem*Heyward, Juan Soto, and Ronald Acuna*So Long, Addison Russell*The Force Awakens Russia*Goodbyes.
THE INFINITE INNING ARCHIVE: All episodes available, popcorn extra.
THE INFINITE INNING FACEBOOK GROUP: Socialize with like-minded people!
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 075: A Certain Type of Person, A Certain Type of Life Oct 05, 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Trial of Dizzy Dean*Dizzy Dean Balks*David Roth: Let’s Remember Guys Named Herm*Misplacing Bob Melvin and Maligning Tony Armas*A Quick Look at Dominic Smith*Questions of Confidence and Security in Baseball and Other Areas*And $200,000 in Nationals Tickets*Drunk People Are Boring*The 2018 Postseason*The A’s and the Brewers (1982 Milwaukee Brewers Appearances Appraised and Rick Mahler too)*Steve’s 1988 Story*The Career and Post-Career of Pete Vuckovich*The David Wright Farewell Tour of Iceland*The Entire Mets Rotation is Arb- Eligible (Jason Vargas and Jay Bruce Forever)*Indefinitely Delayed Cespedes Gratification*DeGrom and Arrieta*Postseason Picks and… Gregg Jefferies?*Goodbyes.
THE INFINITE INNING ARCHIVE: All episodes available, popcorn extra.
THE INFINITE INNING FACEBOOK GROUP: Socialize with like-minded people!
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 074: The Flaws Are the Fun of It Sep 29, 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Baltimore Orioles Were Over So Long Ago*McGraw/Chase Redux*Tommy and Roy*Jeff Pearlman: Why is the USFL remembered more fondly than other failed sports leagues?*It’s not the players, it’s the owners*The Strange Owner of the Los Angeles Express and Other Fallacies About the Rich*Did the USFL Need Ban Johnson?*The Dumbest Trade in the History of Mankind*The Villain Arrives (It’s Not a Political Book)*Mexico Will Pay for Doug Flutie?*“Please Bring Your Final Purchases to the Register”*The Move to the Fall*Collusion! (With the NFL)*Young Steve Young*Cigarettes and Cocaine*Dreams Denied*Greg Fields, Football Professional*PEDs (Barry Bonds vs. Sal Fasano)*Bisons/Bills and the Alliance*Goodbyes.
THE INFINITE INNING ARCHIVE: All episodes available, popcorn extra.
THE INFINITE INNING FACEBOOK GROUP: Socialize with like-minded people!
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 073: Eat the Bullpen! Sep 22, 2018

An Addison Russell Problem of Morality*The Pennant Race Decided By a Squeeze Play* Cliff Corcoran: A False Start*Who should be NL MVP?*Ban the Bullpen!*Possibly ignorant analogies from basketball and hockey*Openers and Followers*Shrink the Strikezone!*Mid-Inning Pitching Changes Are the Spawn of Satan*Bring Back Long Relievers*The Poignancy of Taking One For the Team*The 2018 Pennant Races, Such As They Are*It’s All Asdrubal’s Fault*Properly Valuing Defense*Miguel Andujar: Clank! (But Still a Net Positive)*One Last Pass at Shohei Ohtani’s Short-Term Future (Eat the Marshmallow!)*Goodbyes.
THE INFINITE INNING ARCHIVE: All episodes available, popcorn extra.
THE INFINITE INNING FACEBOOK GROUP: Socialize with like-minded people!
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 072: Killed Off By the Killjoys Sep 15, 2018

Baseballs Try to Murder Fritz Ostermueller* Permanent Rainout, September 21, 1938*Stephon Johnson: The New York Amsterdam News/Advocacy Journalism*When Did African Americans Lose Interest in Baseball?*The Buttoned-Down Culture of Baseball*Fisk and Sanders, Showalter and Griffey*Racists on the Rise*“Baseball Needs Another Rickey Henderson”*Dexter Fowler Calumnied*John Kruk: J’Accuse!*Keith Hernandez vs. Dave Parker*The Effect of the Missing African American Teachers*The Financial Barriers to Being a Prospect*Solutions*The Damage of Disavowing Barry Bonds and the Gang (“We Still Enjoyed What We Saw”)*Goodbyes.
THE INFINITE INNING ARCHIVE: All episodes available, popcorn extra.
THE INFINITE INNING FACEBOOK GROUP: Socialize with like-minded people!
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

The Infinite Inning 071: Reluctant Red Sox and Other Oddities Sep 09, 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Wes Ferrell Walks Off*Mediocre White Players/Jimmy Collins’ Unplanned Vacation*Mike Bates and Bill Parker: The historic 2018 season: The Baltimore Orioles and Shohei Ohtani*Rudy Pemberton and Phil Clark*Babe Ruth’s Warning to Ohtani*Who are the Angels?*The Past is More Populous Than the Present*Ski Melillo?*Charlie Hollocher*Elmer Flick and Bill Bergen Too*Gary Gaetti ‘s Awakening*The 2018 Minnesota Twins in Review*The Byron Buxton Conundrum*Joe Mauer in Retrospect*Buy-Low Moves That Didn’t Work*Old Friends*Avenging J.R. Richard and Forgiving Chris Von Der Ahe*Goodbyes.
THE INFINITE INNING ARCHIVE: All episodes available, popcorn extra.
THE INFINITE INNING FACEBOOK GROUP: Socialize with like-minded people!
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 070: A Bit of a Dog Whistle Sep 01, 2018

WARNING: One excretory cussword.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Tony Horton and Dolphin Shows of the Apocalypse*Extinctions and an Apology*Jeff Heath’s Bat*The West Coast is on Fire*The Kendrys Morales Sublimations*Don’t Gamble on Baseball Because the Orioles*Goodbye for Now, Troy Tulowitzki*Fare Thee Well, Josh Donaldson*Do the Blue Jays Need to Bottom Out?*The Thrill of Discovery at Baseball-Reference*Expertise/Finding Jeff Heath*The Intersection of Sharing Knowledge and Sharing Emotion*Misogyny: The Socially-Acceptable Prejudice*Daniel Murphy (“Piazza, New York Catcher”)*What Went Wrong in the 1880s/The Imperialism of Stupid*Goodbyes.

Infinite Inning 069: Holiday Road with Rogers and Andy Aug 24, 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Casey Stengel removes a pitcher*The Babe Ruth Visitors Center*Potential, with Andy Cohen and Rogers Hornsby*Hairstons and Harstons*The Great Gee Walker*Goodbyes.
THE INFINITE INNING ARCHIVE: All episodes available, popcorn extra.
THE INFINITE INNING FACEBOOK GROUP: Socialize with like-minded people!
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 068 Punching Mookie Betts Aug 17, 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS
WARNING: The odd cussword is spoken aloud and sometimes thought in this episode. In addition, there is a discussion of an ancient case of rape and manslaughter in the second segment.
Pea Ridge Day chooses free will*Fatty Arbuckle and Benny Kauff*David Roth: Bodega cats*The one bad review (Your mother-in-law and the Portland Sea Dogs)*Offending Will Pennyfeather*Easy-access basketball and a visit to Revolutionary War Princeton*David dreams “The Terminal” and other digressions*Smoking on camera*Re-signing Jose Bautista, Re-signing Joe Niekro*The Mets have an analytics department?* “Veteran leadership” and Amed Rosario*Should Jacob DeGrom and/or Noah Syndergaard be traded?*The Rick Ankiel Story*Anxiety and muscle memory*Daniel Bard*Hashtag Crazy Relief Pitcher*Punching Mookie Betts*Fun times in baseball (“The Natural” sucks)*Goodbyes.
THE INFINITE INNING ARCHIVE: All episodes available, popcorn extra.
THE INFINITE INNING FACEBOOK GROUP: Socialize with like-minded people!
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

The Infinite Inning 067: This Fandom is Mine Aug 11, 2018

TABLE CONTENTS
Tall Tales of Josh Gibson*Call-In Radio and WAR*Will Leitch: Productivity*Writing while disappointed*Don’t check the numbers*Cutting High School Memories*Why social media?*Cookies from Twitter*Jaded in the press box*“My fandom is mine”*Mike Matheny and Mike Schildt and The Matheny Manifesto*Ranking 900 Woody Harrelson movies*”Star Wars” vs. “Annie Hall.”*Goodbyes.
THE INFINITE INNING ARCHIVE: All episodes available, popcorn extra.
THE INFINITE INNING FACEBOOK GROUP: Socialize with like-minded people!
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 066: They Don't Care About You Aug 04, 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Hartnett, Landis, and Capone*Willie Montanez: Tap-Tap*Jesse Spector: Rockies players like tacos and chess*Pregame non-conversations with Derek Jeter and Paul O’Neill at the old Yankee Stadium*Reconciling with Paul O’Neill’s affiliations*The Trevor Story story*The Dome Over Fenway Park*Why take owner finances on faith?*David Wright and Brandon Webb*The parsimony of the Lerners*Roberto Osuna*A glance askance at Josh Hader et al*The Astros throw Justin Verlander under the bus*The Asdrubal Cabrera trade as a teachable moment*An Asdrubal moment with Roger Angell*A note on Ian Desmond*Goodbyes.
THE INFINITE INNING ARCHIVE: All episodes available, popcorn extra.
THE INFINITE INNING FACEBOOK GROUP: Socialize with like-minded people!
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 065: Listening, Inquiring, and Touching Base at the Deadline Jul 27, 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Ken Hunt’s Half-Season of Glory*Jack Morris/Yoenis Cespedes*More on Luke Heimlich*Cliff Corcoran: Diseases of cattle and ballplayers*The pointlessness of trade coverage*Trades that ripple through history*Revising opinions of the Francisco Mejia trade*The Jesus Montero analogy*Everything wrong with the Indians*Red Sox needs*Moving Salvador Perez*The Billy Hunter digression*Mike Moustakas, lame duck*Why Cole Hamels? And other pitchers*How do you make a package for Jacob DeGrom?*Zack Britton and The Cup We All Race 4*Should the Nationals sell?*The Hall of Fame inductions (Lost in Jack Morrisland)*The missing HOF pitchers of the 1980s*Lou Whitaker, Willie Randolph, and Bobby Grich*Goodbyes.
WARNING: For the second and, it is to be hoped, last time, there is a discussion of Luke Heimlich.
THE INFINITE INNING ARCHIVE: All episodes available, popcorn extra.
THE INFINITE INNING FACEBOOK GROUP: Socialize with like-minded people!
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

The Infinite Inning 064: The Greeks Had a Word For It Jul 21, 2018

Mary Craig (Baseball Prospectus, The Hardball Times podcast) returns to talk Manny Machado, Papa John-style privilege, and the Home Run Derby. Plus, Steve tells stories of a Hall of Famer with a bigger heart than Josh Hader and the Brooklyn Dodgers defeat the America First Committee.
WARNING: Luke Heimlich, an amateur pitcher with a record of child abuse, is discussed extensively during the second half of the show. Also, there is one brief profanity in the first half of the show.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Josh Hader, Arky Vaughan, Jackie Robinson*The Brooklyn Dodgers vs. The America First Committee*Mary Craig: Reading naughty books in the original Greek*Shocking enthusiasm for the Home Run Derby*Bryce Harper doesn’t help the Cubs*The Manny Machado trade and the talent imbalance*Against Commissioner Manfred*Marketing and minor league wages*Look for the union label*Luke Heimlich*Jose Reyes and Bud Norris*The Mary Craig Credo*Brian Cashman on the Supreme Court*The Papa Slam is no more*Goodbyes.

Infinite Inning 063: Watching the Detectives Jul 14, 2018

Steve is joined by Christopher Bonanos, author of Flash: The Making of Weegee the Famous to discuss the photographic great who documented what went on in the naked city, the nighttime New York of the 1930s and 40s, after the ballplayers had put their gloves away for the day. Plus, Tom Seaver is traded as the ‘70s Mets force a big-market team into a small-market suit, and a Dodgers fan gets ribbed with fatal results.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Mets Get Small*Toxic Dodgers Fandom and twin .45s*Christopher Bonanos: Who was Weegee?*“Balcony Seats at a Murder”*The wild New York of the 1930s*The brief, wondrous life of PM*Why doesn’t center-left media thrive?*Photographs that comment on themselves*Social justice Weegee/Misogynistic Weegee*His slow rise and rapid fall*“What success does for a man”*Descent into distortions*“The Critic” (Truthful without being factual)*Darkroom in the trunk?*George Selkirk Signs!*“Their First Murder”*Carrier pigeons at Ebbets Field*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

The Infinite Inning 062: The Great Disposable Ballpark Society Jul 06, 2018

Business of baseball writer Maury Brown (Forbes) joins Steve to talk about the future of labor relations in the game, the shift from television to on-line viewing, the stadium-financing boondoggle, and more, plus tales of Pepper Martin and Joe DiMaggio in distress.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Pepper Martin’s breaking point*Joltin’ Joe’s lack of leverage*Maury Brown: The usual hat talk*Do the players get a cut?*The players and online revenue*The legal landscape of a baseball labor war*Maury Year One (a Bay Area baseball upbringing with the Finley robot rabbit)*Remembering Doug Pappas*Grasping for balance in MLB business coverage*Gimmie Some Truth*The persistence of the ballpark boondoggle*The 2018 attendance slide*Does revenue-sharing create negative incentives?*Is Portland, Oregon a viable major league market*Maury shook you all night long*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

The Infinite Inning 061: Me and My Fancy Stats Jun 29, 2018

Sam Miller (ESPN, Baseball Prospectus, The Only Rule is It Has to Work) joins Steve to talk about joy in baseball, which fun facts matter and which don’t, and how to alienate your colleagues your first day on the baseball beat. Plus, overlapping tales of puppy love and Billy Herman and a remembrance of the late Harlan Ellison.
WARNING: There is one cussword, baseball’s “magic word,” at about the 24-minute mark. Hide the children.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Billy Herman’s first day*Goodbye, Harlan Ellison*Sam Miller: The Only Rule is It Has to Work*A Very Bad Handshake Situation*The Only Rule is You Go to Moscow*The Braves’ all-time first baseman, and does it matter?*Mark Langston’s best season*The Secret Origin of Sam Miller (The Mommy Blogger! Frankie Rodriguez for MVP!)*Inspirational quote: “A lot of people don’t like a lot of people.”*The Shohei Ohtani of Despond*Are we allowed to have distractions in 2018?*How little we know (Jose Bautista version)*Tales of PECOTA and how to say “FRAA”*Goodbyes.

The Infinite Inning 060: The Mini-Episode of Evil Jun 22, 2018

Steve flies solo in an attenuated episode this week which focuses on current events that take place outside of baseball but find their echoes within in it.
WARNING: A disgusting racial epithet concerning African Americans is quoted in the course of this episode in the telling of a historical incident
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The most evil man in baseball history*The black dog and “I Am So Proud”*When they slandered Rickey Henderson*Hunter Strickland and Doyle Alexander*“Give us a little ‘Lambeth Walk’”*The real Jake Powell story and the fake Jake Powell story*Goodbyes.

The Infinite Inning 059: Fear Factor Baseball Jun 15, 2018

Eric Stephen (True Blue LA) returns to explain the strange odyssey of the 2018 Dodgers, plus this year’s Orioles versus your great-grandfather’s Browns, bad fan behavior in 1970s Pittsburgh, and a Yankees tugboat not delivered.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Pirates keep the nickel*The Schleuter-ization of the Orioles*Billy Martin’s tugboat*Eric Stephen: The Dodgers’ child does not resemble the parents*An entire rotation on the DL*Prophetic words from 1973*Dave Roberts’ approach*Cody Bellinger’s slump and recovery*Great postseason slumps*Missing on Dave Winfield and Adrian Beltre*Can you count on a Clayton Kershaw comeback?*The Ross Stripling miracle*The Charles Hudson baseball card reverie*Fear Factor: Baseball*A note on Daniel Descalso*The amazing Max Muncy*The Dodgers and second base at the trading deadline*Whither Alex Verdugo?*The Joc Pederson dilemma*The Matt Kemp renaissance*The power of planning ahead in journalism*Dodgers postseason odds*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

The Infinite Inning #058: Necessary Heresies Jun 09, 2018

Cliff Corcoran (The Athletic) returns to talk baseball, and then is joined by film critic Scott Tobias (The Next Picture Show podcast) to talk about “Solo,” the Star Wars and Marvel franchises, and the curse of the summer movie season. Prior, Steve has two stories of Stan Musial and Red Schoendienst, plus a protest of sorts.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Stan Musial’s kid and mine*Popeye thoughts*Red Shoendienst, Stan Musial, and Trader Frank Lane*Cliff Corcoran: The Montgomery Biscuits cap et al*The integration of the Philadelphia Phillies*Clayton Kershaw in Decline/The Dodgers at .500*The Matt Kemp revival*Scott Tobias: “Solo” and early Star Wars relationships*“Godfather II” references*This is a cynical character?*Disney as franchise-keeper*Anti-auterism*Edgar Wright fantasies*Irrelevant cameo*The “You’ve Got Mail” digression*The hardest time of year for a film critic*Coming attractions*Plugs for “Ricki and the Flash” and the “Mission Impossible” film series*Star Wars vs. Lovecraft*The Cinematography of “Solo”*Will J.J. Abrams undo it all?*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

The Infinite Inning 057: Rebel Without a Draft Jun 02, 2018

Rotation regular Jesse Spector rejoins Steve for a discussion that starts dark and soon gets silly, with Jesse fighting to the death to abolish the June amateur draft. Also features Steve stories on Hank Greenberg, Tyler O’Neill, and Long Tom Winsett.
TRIGGER WARNING: In the Hank Greenberg segment, Greenberg himself is quoted describing anti-Semitic slurs to which he was subjected. There is also a cussword embedded in a quote early on. Hide the children.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
With Great Winsett Power Comes Great Responsibility*Hank Greenberg Demands Respect*Jesse Spector: Hot spots and high school reunions*The Morbidity and Mortality section*How did we get breaking news before the internet?*How many Frans are on the Padres?*Should baseball draft picks be tradeable?*The Albert Pujols Contract*The Stouffer’s example*Yankees drafts of the 2000s*Do the Reds have a plan?*Brackman and Culver*More on tradeable picks*An admittedly strange Delmon Young reference*Marveling over Miguel Andujar*The George Burns argument*The Dodgers will rise, Cleveland’s bullpen, and other 2018 quick hits*Elevator music?*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning 056: The Yogi Berra Redundant Yogi Berra Award May 25, 2018

Deadspin’s David Roth returns like a periodic comet to discuss the joy of Shohei Ohtani, ripping old packs of baseball cards on camera, and debate the state of the baseball and the national anthem. Plus Steve Stories on Joe Cronin managing his way to a walk-off loss and early game-throwing pitcher Jim Devlin.
WARNING: As in all David Roth episodes, there is the occasional cussword. We contritely apologize.
THE INFINITE INNING ARCHIVE: All episodes available, popcorn extra.
THE INFINITE INNING FACEBOOK GROUP: Socialize with like-minded people!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Joe Cronin’s Bad Day: An Inquiry Into Values*The Devlinification of Everything*David Roth: Provocative ad content*The “Let’s Remember Some Guys” show (1981 Fleer Cards and prog rock)*The days before instant gratification*MLB nonchalants the balls*The greying of the Mets*Illegitimate oldies tours*Suspiciously active blobs of mozzarella*Sports and the National Anthem (A Fantasia on a Theme)*The Wonderful, Wonderful World of Shohei Ohtani (You Don’t Comp Pedro)*Goodbyes.

Infinite Inning 055: The Man In The Dugout May 18, 2018

Steve is joined by former major league manager Davey Johnson to discuss his life and adventures as described in his new autobiography, Davey Johnson: My Wild Ride in Baseball and Beyond. This week’s tales include taking the permanent exit from a Babe Ruth-era Yankees game and a Johnson-inspired story of an Orioles no-hitter gone wrong.
THE INFINITE INNING FACEBOOK GROUP can be found here.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Ruthian Fatality*Barber’d and Bauer’d*Davey Johnson: HoJo at short*Hank Bauer*Earl Weaver, batting Mark Belanger second, and small samples*How much pressure are managers under?*Support Our Scholars*Marge Schott for Marriage!*Self-Confidence*Dwight Gooden and Bryce Harper*Managing the clubhouse*The Juan Samuel-Lenny Dykstra trade and who let the dogs out?*Maintaining success*The impossibility of saving Doc Gooden and Darryl Strawberry (and Kevin Mitchell deserves an apology)*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

The Infinite Inning Episode 54: Strangers In The Ballpark May 11, 2018

Steve is joined by Meg Rowley (Fangraphs, The Hardball Times) to discuss some unlikely Mariners success, including James Paxton’s no-hitter, defense-first first base prospects, and the batting-out-of-order rule. Plus SteveStories of the Singing Umpire and a continuation of last week’s discussion about Ty Cobb.
WARNING: Late in the show, there is a cussword uttered in regards to Chuck Knoblauch. It is a quote. More seriously, a racial epithet from a newspaper article printed in 1892 is spoken at approximately 30:07. TRIGGER WARNING: During this discussion of historic racism, there is some mention of sexual assault.
THE INFINITE INNING FACEBOOK GROUP can be found here.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Lord Byron’s Umpire Follies*Cucumbers*Ty Cobb II*The James Paxton no-hitter/no-hitter ennui*Excitement is a positive*People who boo and people who don’t*The batting-out-of-order rule*Can the Mariners continue to contend?*Evan White, Keith Hernandez, and Ichiro’s decline*Rachael McDaniel’s “In the Sun”*Failing to extend the baseball bridge*Osuna-Schneiderman*Favorite spy movies*Goodbyes.

Infinite Inning 053: “Why Would They Wanna Blow Up Disco Music?” And Other Tales May 04, 2018

Steve is joined by major league veteran Greg Pryor to discuss his forthcoming book, The Day the Yankees Made Me Shave: A Baseball Autobiography, and share tales of the game in the 1970s and 80s. Plus, SteveStories on the meaning of 3,000 hits and the way Ty Cobb’s racism is misused.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Paul Waner’s two 3000th hits*Abnormalizing Ty Cobb*Short pants and South Side Hitmen*The Syracuse Mustache Rebellion*“No one ever seemed satisfied with me”*A dark scouting report*The Harry Chappas: Sports Illustrated Cover-Guy Saga*The moral hazard of George Brett injuries*Bottom of the 16th courage*The untimely death of Dick Howser*On strikeouts and “launch-angle stuff”*Disco Demolition Night*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

The Infinite Inning #52: Pain, Lies and Disco Fries Apr 27, 2018

Cliff Corcoran (The Athletic) takes his turn in the rotation to pursue topics within topics, from the widening space between balls in play to a sinister plan to headhunt an 11-year-old girl. Cliff also quotes Dr. Dre, which is a first for this program. SteveStories include Dan Ford’s infamous baserunning mishap and how outfielder Johnny Mostil’s darkest day collides with a Harlan Ellison adage on resiliency.
WARNING: There is an extended discussion of a ballplayer’s long-ago suicide attempt in the second segment. If you are having similar thoughts, the National Suicide Hotline can be reached at 1-800-273-8255.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Disco Dan Learns a Lesson*Johnny Mostil was a Paingod*Cliff Corcoran: Rise of the Silver and Black Caps*The uniforms you never see on throwback days*Uniforms intended to intimidate Johnny Cueto and other people*Discrimination in Durham, NH*The lack of pronoun diversity in baseball*Setting the stage for the female ballplayers*A momentary pause for whale facts and insecurity*The state of 2018 so far*The rising time between balls in play*Advanced analysis has pushed us into making baseball boring?*Batter vs. pitcher strikeouts*More time with Brandon Belt and Luke Appling on a Per-At-Bat Basis than Anyone Desires*Getting 1,000 hits in a single day*Jumping on the Phillies bandwagon?*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning now has a Facebook group! Come one, come all, come as you are, come as Willie Kamm ‘28.

The Infinite Inning #051: The Official Winnebago Of Major League Baseball Apr 20, 2018

Craig Calcaterra (NBC’s Hardball Talk) returns to assess the start of the 2018 season, envision the damage that tanking is doing to the game, and reminisce about some really bad Atlanta Braves teams. Plus, SteveStories about drowned ballparks in Cincinnati and Tampa and a baseball “witch-hunt.”
The Infinite Inning now has a Facebook group! Come one, come all, come as you are, come as Reggie Jackson ’77.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Ballpark in Atlantis*Witch-Hunts and Redlegs*The Infinite Inning has a Facebook group; be good to each other*Craig Calcaterra: The Fifth Column works through baseball*Efficiency thinking*The human side of No-Neck Williams*How d’ya like the 2018 season so far?*The March of the Relief Pitchers*Pitching in a Pinch*Can baseball support expansion? And tanking, too! (The Portland Possibility)*The fan as consumer/In the run we’re all dead*Watching the mid-‘80s Braves on TBS*Omar Freakin’ Moreno*Tommy Pham and Jose Martinez, old men of hope*Maybined and Shucked*In-show surprise: The Braves sign Jose Bautista*The Weirdness of Nick Markakis*Goodbyes.

The Infinite Inning #050: Shoeless Joe Didn't Floss Apr 13, 2018

Jacob Pomrenke, editor of Scandal on the South Side: The 1919 Chicago White Sox and SABR’s Director of Editorial Content joins Steve to explore the relevance of the Black Sox to our time, appreciate and criticize both the book Eight Men Out and its filmed counterpart, and attempt to fix the roles of both Joe Jackson and Buck Weaver in throwing the World Series. In addition, this week Steve offers tales of an unappreciated player from the 1940s and of the world of the Black Sox as seen from a small room with just one exit located in the Washington DC of 1923.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Roy Cullenbine and What Might Seem Like an Inappropriate Comparison to Vincent Van Gogh*“My God, How the Money Rolls In!”*Jacob Pomrenke: Are the Black Sox still relevant?*When all sports were corrupt*Shoeless Joe: Victim or Villain?*The Triples-to-Left Theory of Guilt*Entombed in the Hall of Fame*Illiterate doesn’t mean unintelligent*The most heroic act is failure*The duality of Charles Comiskey*The “Hey, Barney!” Affair*When gamblers were in the stands*Judge Landis’s mandate*Buck Weaver is a man for today*The Lefty Williams Blackmail Myth*John Sayles’ “Eight Men Out”*How the government changed the way baseball players look*SABR in the era of Bowling Alone*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning #049: The Zen Of Pitching To Mike Trout Apr 06, 2018

David Roth returns to talk about competitive balance, over-monitoring mound visits, and the pernicious nature of social media (not back on it, still on it). Meanwhile, Steve tries to turn a nonsensical Jerry Coleman call into something dark and disturbing and rants about outfielders from 1934 to the present day who were damaged, sometimes severely, by unpadded outfield walls.
The Haunting of Bruce Benedict*Hazards in the Outfield, with Billy McKinney, Dustin Fowler, Earle Combs, and Pete Reiser*David Roth: Bartolo Colon rides again*Waiting for R.A. Dickey*The cosmopolitanism of Opening-Day rosters*The Way We Never Were: When baseball was a million white guys named “Pete”*The Taylorizing of baseball*The Applebee’s of Baseball*The consequences of underpaying minor leaguers*Biometrics?*Facebook and other things that should have been obvious*How to follow two sports at once*The downtime in sports*Mound visits*The Jon Rothstein/”This is March” piece*Once more unto The Ratio*The pernicious effect of Twitter*Who we pretend to be*The Zen “Okay” Method of Pitching to Mike Trout*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

The Infinite Inning #048: Deal With Reality Mar 30, 2018

Russell Carleton (Baseball Prospectus, author of The Shift: The Next Evolution in Baseball Thinking) joins Steven to discuss things we don’t have words for, and surprising findings on third-base coaches, the effect of managers, and, of course, the shift.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Day the Sun Shone on Ty Tyson*Reframing the problem of Alex Johnson*Russell Carlton: Man with a Doctorate*You can’t control for Salvador Perez’s knee*Baseball and Arkham Asylum*Fire all the third base coaches*A book about people (with numbers)*The Zach Britton Game that Zach Britton wasn’t in (We Need a Word for That)*Opportunities for communication (a letter from a general manager)*The Bruce Bochy Effect?*“The shift is kind of freakin’ the pitchers out”*“The model of the starting pitcher is a little bit broken”/”Most teams have a 22-man roster”*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

The Infinite Inning #047: Baseball Was His One Consuming Passion Mar 23, 2018

Steve is joined by Marty Appel, author of Casey Stengel: Baseball’s Greatest Character and other books, plus a cautionary tale about time and Bob “Fats” Fothergill and another about all the times Fat Freddie Fitzsimmons failed to duck.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Fats Fothergill, Ronald Acuña and the tyranny of time*Fat Freddie Fitzsimmons, Human Target*Marty Appel: “Give me a good team”*Stengel vs. Joe Torre*Stengel vs. Phil Rizzuto*Stengel vs. Joe DiMaggio*Stengel vs. Mickey Mantle*Mrs. Stengel’s memoir*Stengel vs. The Color Line*Elston Howard’s post-career disappointment*A hypothetical: Stengel vs. George Steinbrenner*Stengel vs. Billy Martin*
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

The Infinite Inning #046: Flattened Fried Testicles And The Pace Of Play Mar 16, 2018

Jesse Spector returns for a wide-ranging episode in which the question of length of game versus pace of play is explored and the MLB FoodFest is dissected with an eye towards finding the missing Rocky Mountain Oysters, and many a personal encounter of strange press box behavior is told. Plus, Steve opens with a tale of the least-supportive teammates ever and a shortstop whose moment passed at an age before most players have gotten started.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Phenomenal Smith: With Friends Like These*Buckshot Brown and the Curse of Potential*Jesse Spector: The risks of unfollowing*How following PA-18 was like watching a ballgame*How Grant Brisbee infects you with imposter syndrome*The baseball beatwriter’s life*An interlude in Tampa*Defunct museums and Halls of Fame or, “How the Baseball Hall of Fame moves from Cooperstown to Times Square”*A moment’s debate of Ty Cobb*Rob Manfred’s plan to end extra-inning games*The Adam Lind example*Debating MLB FoodFest: Rocky Mountain Oysters AWOL*A 10 percent crab menu*Whither SF Giants garlic fries and chocolate sundaes?*Knocking the Chicago Dog and other Chicago dishes*Praising the Marlins (food, that is), Padres fish tacos in absentia, no Boog’s*Flaming Hot Cheetos?*Dodger Dogs vs. Fenway Frank*Cheap franks in the old Yankee Stadium press box*Bronx Bootleg Street Pretzels*Parenting Test: The Diamondbacks Churro Dog*A tale of marital discord and Ben & Jerry’s*Goodbyes.

Infinite Inning #045: An Absence Of Coverage Is Death For Everything Mar 10, 2018

Howard Megdal (Wilpon’s Folly, The Cardinals Way, Summit Hoops, 50 States of Blue) joins Steve for a discussion of New York Mets finances, the way women’s sports is and isn’t covered, and his new political journal focused on providing political news that is now neglected by the major media organs.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Hawkins, Herman, and defeat from the jaws of victory*June 7-8, 1950: Red Sox 49, Browns 8*Howard Megdal: A fundamental curiosity and the art of freelancing*Rejection*The Mets are not a small-market team*A union not advancing is by definition retreating*It’s about what Sandy Alderson can get*Why the Mets won’t trade Yoenis Cespedes*“Show me what’s inaccurate and I’ll be happy to correct it”*The chicken-and-egg coverage of women’s sports*Let’s bring back the AAGPBL*What is 50 States of Blue?*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

The Infinite Inning #044: You’d Do It For Whitey Herzog Mar 02, 2018

Cliff Corcoran parachutes in to save Steve from a scheduling mishap, taking on service-time issues, the New York Yankees’ amazing depth, and sundry other issues. Plus: Steve on taking a train trip into eternity and a super-fan who had to be put in his place by the player he loved.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Brickyard who Wasn’t a Brickyard, Forever Voyaging*The Ballad of Cookie and Jack*Spring training caps and other confusing haberdashery*Talking to your kids about the Parkland tragedy*Arm all the ballplayers!*Service-time manipulation* The Gleyber Torres outlook*Service-time, big round numbers, and anal HOF voting*Ritual Pete Rose Derogation*Brandon Drury’s home/road splits*Humidorgate?*Drury vs. Tyler Wade*The three-man bench and redesigning the roster*Lucas Duda vs. Eric Hosmer*Joe Mauer’s HOF case*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

The Infinite Inning #043: Glad To Be Unhappy? Feb 23, 2018

Baseball Prospectus writer Rachael McDaniel joins Steve to talk about surviving the offseason when baseball is your defense against time spent alone with yourself, plus Steve’s encounter with Chuck Knoblauch and twin tales of a great songwriter and a not-so-great pitcher from 1936.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chuck Knoblauch and the Chicken Française theory*Van Lingle Mungo and Larry Hart*Rachael McDaniel: Baseball Prospectus writer at 20*Baseball as a lens on experience and vice-versa*The Box*Finding baseball again after losing touch*The price of being candid* “Time is limited”/”Hurry up, please, it’s time”*The bird’s nest at the University of British Columbia*We can’t all be STEM kids*Knitting away anxiety*Does a poor postseason negate the enjoyment of the regular season?*Coping when your baseball coping device has been taken away*The aging Blue Jays and the departure of Josh Donaldson*Troy Tulowitzki/Don Mattingly*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

The Infinite Inning #042: What The Wins And Losses Should Look Like Feb 17, 2018

Rob Neyer, the Sage of Portland, joins Steve to preview his new book on the state of baseball, review some classic old ones, and dig into the art of writing for an audience of baseball fans and his controversial stance on the owners versus the players.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
McGraw, Chase, Porter*July 4, 1950 at the Polo Grounds*Rob Neyer: The Father of Us All*Alternative realities: Rob Neyer, pro roofer*The sabermetricians won*Has the low-hanging fruit been picked?*Writing vs. auditioning for a front-office job*Wishing for transparency in prospect reportage*Accountability: Fernando Tatis and Jay Bruce*Previewing Power Ball*Monographs on tuna and shattered authorial dreams*The Neyer/James Guide to Pitchers*Infield shifts of the 1950s*The Sabermetricians vs. the Politicians*The Owners vs. the Players*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

The Infinite Inning #041: The Turtle Who Was Hated By God Feb 12, 2018

Ben Lindbergh (The Ringer, Effectively Wild podcast) makes an emergency relief appearance when a guest bails, and he and Steve dissect a bleak winter landscape.
WARNING: One cussword early on. We contritely apologize.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Turtle Who Was Hated By God*The Johnny Bassler interruption*Metacom and Wahoo*Ben Lindbergh: A podcast in baseball’s worst winter*What if Mike Trout is a woman?*Why buy tickets for the Reds (or anybody)?*Does Jarrod Dyson prove collusion?*Did Bud Selig break baseball and Homestead Camp II*The Tim Raines non-spring training moment*All your predictions are wrong, or will be*Spring really hangs you up the most (unless all the signings finally happen)*Jack Morris and collusion*The last Marlins fan*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

The Infinite Inning 040: An 80-Grade Pituitary Gland Feb 02, 2018

Cliff Corcoran returns to discuss the current scene, including Mark Appel’s break from baseball, the state of the Dodgers’ starting rotation, and gives an important pro-tip about how to adjust your microphone pack (not a metaphor).
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Farewell to Oscar Gamble*Reggie Jackson, Steve Chilcott, and Casey Stengel*Cliff Corcoran: Behind the scenes at the MLB Network*Surprised by Bill James on set*Insulting Ken Rosenthal over OPS*Mark Appel’s career time-out and TINSTAAPP*Are prospect lists too long?*Bryce Harper: A disappointment?*The prospect aging curve*Shohei Ohtani vs prior Japanese players*Will Yu Darvish return to the Dodgers?*A requiem for Julio Urias*Davey Lopes and the Whimsical World of 1970s Dodgers Defense*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning #039: In The Press Box With Radio Ecuador Jan 26, 2018

Did anyone say stick to sports? Baseball’s slowest offseason collides with the national mood when Deadspin’s David Roth returns to break down a case of universal paralysis and, of course, supply his particular brand of Mets ennui.
WARNING: As is typical of a David Roth episode, there is the occasional profanity.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Wayne Garland and Mother-Love*Connie Mack and the Wilpons*David Roth: The thin line between Collusion and Cincinnati, OH*The fantasy of doing more with less*The McCourt Dodgers period as forerunner of the apocalypse*The Astros Way might only work for the Astros (not the Pirates)*Going to the Mets game can be cheaper than going to Shake Shack alone*Doubleheaders and congealed fried chicken*No cheering in the press box (seriously)*The Dead Hand of Adrian Gonzalez*Brandon Nimmo’s true nickname*The Hall of Fame vote (Jim Thome full of love and good will)*Gary Sheffield*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning #038: Kevin Goldstein, Astros Troubleshooter Jan 19, 2018

Steve is joined by Astros Special Assistant Kevin Goldstein to review the championship season and delve into the psychology of a title defense. Plus: Things fall from the sky on shortstops and the Red Sox shoot themselves in the foot.
WARNING: There is one slight profanity in this episode. It quotes the President of the United States and is now in common usage in even the better publications.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Smiting Woody Woodward* Deposing Dom DiMaggio*Kevin Goldstein: The winning moment*Mistakes were made*The Derek Jeter example*Taking credit and blame*What does a special assistant to the general manager do?*The Gerrit Cole trade*Thinking prophylactically*Veterans vs. youth (“I can’t afford to learn about this one just now.”)*Scouting and Chill*Would you sign a player who has sex with goats?*Keeping Carlos Beltran and other positive influences*The Most Important Question About Dallas Keuchel*Losing the prospect focus*Trading your friends*Roster cut-down day*Is the Dominican Republic a “shithole” too?*Ambition achieved?*
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

The Infinite Inning #037: The Deadly Accurate Projections Episode Jan 12, 2018

ESPN baseball analyst and ZiPS projections proprietor Dan Szymborski joins Steve to talk about the art of player projections, plus integration, an awkward moment at the doctor’s office, and World War II deflects Buddy Lewis from both the Hall of Fame and the game itself.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A question of courage: Jackie Robinson, Vic Power, Elston Howard, Panglossian racism*What Buddy Lewis saw*Dan Szymborski: Projections of spring*“Deadly Accurate”*PECOTA PTSD*Advances in projection systems*Projecting Aaron Judge*The useable universe of ballplayers*The Pacific Coast League in the 1920s*Filling in Ted Williams’ war years using retro-projections*Projecting Rafael Palmeiro in 2018*Projecting older players*The Rule of Backup Catchers*Herm Winningham?*Are projection systems making the draft more rational?*“You can always tell an old usenet person”*Sabermetrics won*WAR*A statistician’s education*Inventing ZiPS*Holding projections accountable (and letting them off the hook)*Ryon Healy’s zero WAR projection*Projecting the 2018 Yankees bullpen*Projecting relievers*Projecting Shohei Otani*ZiPS vs. Law*Goodbyes.

Infinite Inning #036: How To Properly Address Derek Jeter Jan 05, 2018

Jesse Spector, recurring cohost/periodic comet, returns to break down the offseason, such as it is, plus we mourn the death of Rob Picciolo, the most impatient player ever, and consider how Red Ruffing’s global war might be like our own.
WARNING: The F-word is deployed right at the outset of the Jesse segment. It’s clean before and after that.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Rob Picciolo’s intentional walk*Red Ruffing’s war*A false start*Dave Winfield dreaming*Two things will happen 11 months from now*“pitchers and catchers”*Jesse’s new podcast, “Locked on Yankees”*Edit your podcasts*The state of AL races, 2018*Free Jose Abreu?*The Cardinals vs. the Cubs*Disputing Marcel Ozuna*How to Respectfully Address Derek Jeter for Hardcore Yankees Fans*A-Rod is a huge dork*Clarifying Ozuna*The Cubs 2018 rotation*Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas*Matt Kemp, defensive liability*Jesse’s Mets/Yankees loyalties*Homerism in all forms*You have to have room to fail in order to grow*Goodbyes.

The Infinite Inning #035: We Are All The 1988 Orioles Dec 29, 2017

A rare (somewhat) shorter solo episode for Steve as baseball leaves the 2017 offseason unfinished and hopes the 2018 segment will bring more action. Tales of Joe McCarthy, Hack Wilson, and the decline of the 1980s Baltimore Orioles as a metaphor for our lives.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Joe McCarthy’s one joke (“Sit Down, You’re Rocking the Boat”—Sammy Davis, Jr.)*Hack Wilson’s worm*Babich!*With apologies to “The Small Assassin”*The New Deal and the 1983 Baltimore Orioles*Fireside Chat” April, 1938*The O’s, Entropy, the Universe, and Everybody Else*The 1988 Orioles 30th Anniversary Tour*The Tippy Martinez Game*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning #034: Christmas With The Baseball Bigamist Dec 22, 2017

Meg Rowley returns to talk about the discontents of the Shohei Ohtani decision and its aftermath, as well as sundry other topics, and somehow it all ends up being related to “Star Wars.” Plus: A ballplayer with more than one family and the last play of Richie Ashburn’s career.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Arthur Irwin, Baseball Bigamist*Feeling like a loser, feeling like a Phillie*Meg Rowley: The Shohei Otani decision*Ed Whitson and Cecilio Guante*The platonic ideal of the Jerry Dipoto Plan*The Dee Gordon trade*Buck Showalter is the Dick Clark of baseball*The Marlins and the Mariners*“We put all this faith in business”*A Charlie Brown Christmas vs. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown*Pre-Christmas Gift Ennui*A Star Wars moment*Otani and Star Wars possessiveness*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning #033: Derek Jeter And A-Rod Have Switched Bodies Dec 15, 2017

Sports on Earth’s Cliff Corcoran returns to break down the winter meetings in our longest episode yet. Bring supplies, be ready for Marlins-bashing.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Ted Williams for Joe DiMaggio*Give Us 18-Player Trades and Bullet Bob Turley*Cliff Corcoran: Let’s Sign All the Relievers, Jiggety-Jig! (Phillies-heavy)*The Marcell Ozuna trade*Burying the Miami Marlins*A Mets digression*The Yankees in the Stanton era*The Chase Headley dump*The Jordan Montgomery precedent*Stephen Piscotty to the A’s*The Shohei Otani signing*The Chuck Berry Digressions*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning #032:Steroids and Netflix And Chill Dec 08, 2017

Mike Bates and Bill Parker, hosts of the This Week in Baseball History podcast, join Steve for a discussion of Cooperstown discontents, plus terminally ill submariners and a Dee Gordon trade reaction.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Russ Christopher, Throwing Underhand in the Infinite Inning*A fight in the bullpen as Seattle acquires Dee Gordon*Mike Bates and Bill Parker: The This Week in Baseball History podcast*Reciting stats on the air*Roy Moore vs. Heinie Zimmerman*The This Week in Baseball remembered*The Monday Night Football theme and “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”*I hate the Hall of Fame (Scott Rolen, Jack Morris, Jim Rice)*Edgar Martinez*The Hall of Fame, Statcast, and glove-first players (Derek Jeter’s prostate)*The Lou Whitaker-free ballot*Jimmy Wynn vs. Steve Garvey*Reggie Smith and Jimmy Wynn in context*The inevitable steroids debate (with a cast of a thousand players)*The first-time players on the ballot: Sentimental picks and long-lived players*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

The Infinite Inning #031: The Highest Form Of Baseball Fandom Nov 30, 2017

Steve is joined by Stacey May Fowles, novelist, essayist, and author of Baseball Life Advice: Loving the Game that Saved Me for a discussion of finding the calm center that lurks behind the turbulent veneer of Toronto Blue Jays fandom. Plus: Dark mutterings on Joe Tinker and Johnny Evers and a warm memory of Yankees great Bobby Murcer.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Tinker to Evers to I Don’t Love You Anymore*Saved at the Ballpark by Bobby Murcer*Stacey May Fowles: A Canadian Thanksgiving*All the battles we lost to Canadians*The relevance and irrelevance of the Toronto Blue Jays*Loving the Game that Saved Me*Pitchers and catchers and scaffolding*Coping with the 2017 Blue Jays*The Highest Form of Being a Baseball Fan*Farewell to Jose Bautista*The Bat-Flip Moment*Baseball assimilation stories*Dioner Navarro, gateway drug*A romantic gesture at old Yankee Stadium*Carlos Correa’s proposal*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

The Infinite Inning #30: Here's Why I Didn't Go To Work Today Nov 22, 2017

In a short Thanksgiving episode—short by Infinite Inning standards, anyway—we visit the soft places of the Infinite Inning, including hypothetical whiskey-pushing gangsters who had it in for the Cardinals, when the pressures of World War II caused New York Giants fans to threaten to riot during a performance of the National Anthem, and the frightening place that is the family dinner table at holiday-time.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Giancarlo Stanton and You Prowl the Unquiet Lands*Steve’s annual Thanksgiving avoidance recital*Here’s Why Flint Rhem Didn’t Go to Work Today*Harry Nilsson: “(Thursday) Here’s Why I Did Not Go to Work Today”*The Giants lose by a national anthem and a blackout*Errol Flynn: “That’s What You Jolly Well Get”*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

The Infinite Inning #029: Brian McCanns All the Way Down Nov 11, 2017

David Roth (Deadspin) returns to take on the World Series, Yuli Gurriel, and Papa John’s.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Lou Whitaker, Walter Briggs, and the Hall of Fame*No one who cares about you would use your kindness against you*David Roth: Falsettos*Farewell to wannabe sportscaster Chris Christie*Roth’s national pizza rankings*Why do we accept bad chains?*Oatmeal for dinner*Cats who eat Dunkin’ Donuts*The Yuli Gurriel World Series incident*Celebrating Yasiel Puig*The Mets hire a new manager*Goodbyes.
WARNING: As is typical for David Roth episodes, there is light intermittent swearing.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

The Infinite Inning #028: When the Shortstop Made the Pitcher Cry Nov 04, 2017

Author Paul Dickson joins Steve to discuss his new book, Leo Durocher: Baseball’s Prodigal Son. Plus, the Dodgers bullpen at Jutland and a note on eternal World Series goat Roger Peckinpaugh.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Jutland*Roger Peckinpaugh’s first World Series*Paul Dickson: How do you write 60 books?*The demise of the slicks*Durocher wasn’t a nice guy, but was he a good guy?*Slapping Babe Ruth*The 1947 suspension*Leo and money*Leo and race*Leo vs. Ernie Banks*Leo vs. Ron Santo*Leo lies about his childhood and Nice Guys Finish Last*Durocher as Branch Rickey’s Prodigal Son*The Dodgers 1943 clubhouse rebellion*Bookies in the dugout*What made Durocher a great manager?*Haunted by Casey and Bill Veeck*The Bonus Army*“Wikipedia conspires against the truth”*Goodbyes.
WARNING: One cussword is said this week. It’s a historical quotation and therefore unavoidable. Please warn the children that adults sometimes say things like this and they’re just sounds.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

The Infinite Inning #027: Effectively Wilderness Oct 27, 2017

Ben Lindbergh (Effectively Wild podcast, The Ringer) returns to not breakdown the postseason, not talk about starting a family, and not talk about all the managers. Actually, we do cover that last one, and some of the others as well. Plus: Fred Merkle vs. the Stoics.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Me and My Friend Fred*Bucky Harris, Gene Mauch, Joe Girardi, and Stuckness*The Wedding Bell Blues*Starting a Family Blues*Not Necessarily a World Series Conversations*Cubs-Indians still lingers*When writers root, fans say “We,” and Will Leitch yelled at Steve*Dusty Baker moves on*Managers who grew on the job/Joe McCarthy vs. Ted Williams*Ron Gardenhire’s compromised second chance and Mickey Callaway’s comprised first*Ron Gardenhire Origin Stories*Brad Ausmus, Joe Girardi, and fireable offenses*Lindbergh on Bullpenning*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

The Infinite Inning 026: Night of the Living Craig Oct 20, 2017

Craig Calcaterra (Hardball Talk) returns to talk postseason baseball and the way flawed memory can distort our memories. Plus: The Marriage of Casey Stengel and manager inaction in the World Series.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
This is How Casey Ran*Owens, Henrich, and Another Casey*Craig Calcaterra: Expansion Dreaming*Derek Jeter’s Marlins Plan of Destruction*MLBPA Accommodationist?*The MLBAM success story*The CC Sabathia Reunion Tour*Mortality? Nah*It was better in our steroidal day*A moment with the Warren Report and The Collusion Period*The past is never dead; it's not even past*Cheap home runs*Batman and the different versions of baseball*1950s baseball was the worse*Bo Jackson: Gen-X Hero*Closers/tie game/road*Goodbyes.

The Infinite Inning 025: Forever, The Binder-Man Oct 13, 2017

Jesse Spector (FanRag and so much more) returns to recap the postseason, argue about home runs, and be barked at by his dog.
WARNING: There’s one mild cussword and Jesse’s dog Youppi makes a sudden, shocking appearance that nearly caused the host to soil his undergarments.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Phlegmatic Lou*Larry McLean Learns Something Too Late*Jesse Spector: Sixteen hours of baseball*Joe Girardi’s Boner*The Redemption Cliché*Girardi vs. his clubhouse*Joe Girardi/Jorge Posada/Austin Romine/Gary Sanchez*Joe Torre’s elocution and Barry Bonds’ ear*Barry Bonds’ head vs. JFK’s head*Girardi’s Boner II*Coffee Joe*Managing the playoffs vs. managing in the regular season*The 1947 World Series, Yogi Berra/Gary Sanchez*Dave Henderson memories*Power in the postseason*O Home Run Be Joyful*Back to the 1980s*VP gestures*Goodbyes.

The Infinite Inning #024: The Sweet and Innocent Before-Times Oct 05, 2017

Cliff Corcoran (Sports on Earth) returns to simultaneously preview and review the early postseason.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Ducky and the Produce Truck*A Manager Wrecks and Arm, 1920 Edition*Cliff Corcoran: From Bud Selig with Love: The mystery of the Brewers’ logo*The Wild-Card play-in games Part 1*Does the postseason truly validate the best team?*Teams are mutable*Finishing the season against your playoff opponent (Red Sox-Astros)*A pause to talk about the tragedy in Las Vegas*Twins vs. Yankees*Closers: Shut up*Bullpenning*Rockies-Diamondbacks*Joe Girardi stats*J.D. Martinez, greatest deadline acquisition ever?*Something purely redundant*The Wild-Card play-in games Part 2*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning #023: Oh Say Can't You See? Sep 28, 2017

Steven is joined by historian Mary Craig (Baseball Prospectus, Beyond the Box Score) to discuss the intersection of sports and politics as we see it and/or refuse to see it today. Along the way, Herbert Hoover doesn’t meet Babe Ruth and Tom Seaver crosses into John Lennon territory.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
War is over if Tom Seaver wants it*Herbert Hoover goes to a ballgame*Mary Craig: John Locke was such a racist (and Martin Heidegger was a Nazi)*Days of Taking a Knee and the Myth of Baseball’s Depoliticization*Baseball’s color line in context*Stick to sports?*Baseball and the National Anthem*Retroactive homogenization*Mr. Maddon goes to Washington*The difference between a team and a political figure*What does a Red Sox cap stand for?*Where do you draw the line on accountability?*The younger generation*The intent of the Framers*How can you stick to sports when you’ve never stuck to sports?*The Joe Maddon mystique*Hannah Arendt and Thucydides show up; can Herodotus be far behind?*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

The Infinite Inning Episode #022: Agents Of Chaos And Hilarity Sep 21, 2017

Marc Normandin of SBNation.com joins Steve to talk postseason baseball, the Boston Red Sox, and the soap opera that is professional wrestling. We also have a more positive encounter with Mickey Cochrane and Phil Rizzuto in the Pacific.
WARNING: There is the odd cussword this week, but we omitted a potential anecdote about Rizzuto’s testicles so it’s all okay.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
More managerial wisdom from Mickey Cochrane*Phil Rizzuto’s war*Marc Normandin: Cheers vs. Frasier*An awkward beginning? (Podcasts, Marc Maron, GLOW)*In the land of professional wrestling*Marc reviews GLOW and Foxcatcher*Actor’s Studio: Dave Bautista vs. The Rock*The Othering*Has 2017 been a good baseball season?*Different opinions of what constitutes fun in October*Win 100 games, finish second*Rooting for a losing team in the playoffs*The San Francisco Giants: What?*The left-handedest Red Sox team since the 1950s*Rick Porcello and the juiced ball*The Doug Fister Moment*Chris Sale’s secret*Slumpy guys: Xander Bogaerts and Mookie Betts*Must criticize Eduardo Nunez*Standing desks and fainting*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning #021 The Day Chris Sale Became A Right-Hander Sep 14, 2017

David Roth returns to discuss the intersection of the NFL, MLB, and the joys of postseason baseball, plus tales of emotionally distressed catchers.
WARNING: There is the odd cussword this week, artistically deployed. It’s a David Roth episode.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
“What breaks a contender?” 1911 Edition*Black Mike’s Black Dog*David Roth: A friend of us all*Roth’s remembrance of 9/11*MLB, the NFL, and kabuki patriotism*Roth’s “Getting Used to” the NFL*When leagues tolerate bad franchises*Owners vs. players vs. empathy*Joe DiMaggio slurred in Life*Sports is not your safe space*The 2017 regular season vs. the 2017 playoffs*Jose Reyes, thin mint wafer*For 50 at-bats anyone can be great*Pat Borders, Al Weiss, Nelson Cruz, Cooke Lavagetto, Bill Bevens*Roth’s Ratio*There’s a sucker born every minute (on Twitter)*America is in a rebuilding season*Goodbyes.

Infinite Inning #020: The Hammer And The Banana Sep 08, 2017

Before Cliff Corcoran of Sports on Earth takes his regular spot in the rotation and turns the conversation to an extended fantasia about beluga whales and other zoo-going experiences, Steve is joined by MLB Ambassador for Inclusion Billy Bean. Also: How Walter Johnson was like incorrectly eating a Stroopwafel.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Walter Johnson vs. Stroopwafels*Billy Bean and Shred Hate*ZooTalk of the Infinite Inning *Is the 2017 baseball season anticlimactic?*The Twins revival*Has Byron Buxton turned the corner?*If Buxton was a 1980s Yankee*How long to great outfield defenders last?*One last check on the Royals*Lorenzo Cain, agent of destruction*And Carlos Santana, too*Teams waste the designated hitter*Why being a DH makes some players more valuable*The tragedy of David Wright*Wright and Mets retired numbers*David Wright among the great third basemen*Stan Hack for the Hall of Fame*National League MVP debate: The Hammer and the Banana*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

The Infinite Inning #019: The Democracy Of Bodies Aug 31, 2017

Meg Rowley of Baseball Prospectus joins Steve to talk the Mariners, her Celebrating Women in Baseball event, and the sandals and possibly-vanished waterfowl of Seattle.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The puzzling Ruben Gomez-Joe Adcock confrontation*Rube Waddell down in the flood*Meg Rowley: Obligatory Game of Thrones discussion*Are there still ducks at the University of Washington?*Birkenstocks!*The Celebrating Women in Baseball Event*The “Not-Bunting” of Ballpark Promotions*The pink aspect and Lenny Dykstra’s pubes*Hourglass Appreciation Night*Not marketing to one aspect of fandom at the expense of another*Social media pushback against women (and little girls?) in baseball*On Pitch, Jackie Robinson, and the possibility of a female ballplayer*Hey, Theo Epstein!*A Salute to Rob Neyer*Is it hard to be objective when it comes to the Mariners?*The Erik Bedard trade*King Felix: The Declining Years and the Pride*Writerly influences*Second Sam Miller mention in two weeks*Bill James is underappreciated as a writer*A couple of grad school dropouts*Goodbyes.
The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?

Infinite Inning #018: Bad Decisions Can Be Rewarded Aug 25, 2017

Steve mentions a rude body part three times! Jesse explains one thing the NHL gets right that baseball gets wrong, the Mets are once again dissed, how to cope with Aroldis Chapman is debated, as is the morality of Bartolo Colon, and Franklin Roosevelt’s braces, George Washington’s spectacles, John Beckwith’s rage, and Allie Reynolds’ bad back are explained.
WARNING: There is a brief discussion towards the end of the show about an adult film playing at a drive-in in 1974. Hilarity ensues.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
John Beckwith, the money-caressing jockey shorts guy, FDR, George Washington, and me* Please excuse Steven for being late/Allie Reynolds’ bad back*Jesse Spector: Praising Sam Miller/Damning ourselves*Jesse is a New Jersey Devils writer and Steve knows nothing about hockey*An intriguing tidbit about the Red Sox clubhouse*Standings and expanded playoffs*The Best Team of the Year Award (Would the Dodgers’ season be a failure if they don’t win the World Series?)*Regular Season depth vs. playoff capability*Are there too many off days in the playoffs?*Luis Tiant’s 1975 World Series*Postseason strategy isn’t wrong; it’s different*The randomness of the 1960 World Series*A game where bad decisions can be rewarded*The Bush-Gallo injury leads to an uncomfortable discussion*Do you have to bring up a player’s transgressions every time you mention them?*Blue Jays fans don’t like Jesse?*The Mets amass some coupons*Are the Mets bad at injury prevention?*Steven Matz’s injury is so secret it can’t be discussed*Wawa, Gilda Radner, and adult films at the Drive-In*Debating Cheers*Comparing childhood baseball injuries*Aroldis Chapman encore*Bartolo Colon’s double life*Derek Jeter, Baseball Operations Man*Goodbyes.

The Infinite Inning #017: The Tip Of The Spear Aug 16, 2017

The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?
This week, Steve is joined by Jim Leeke, author of From the Dugout to the Trenches: Baseball During the Great War, plus the usual preamble involving baseball and current events. Plus: An old song that sounds ominous!
Warning: There is one off-color word about 15 minutes into the show.
No one was replaced by Jackie Robinson*A few terrible, no good, very typical days*Jim Leeke: Baseball and “Preparedness” in 1917*The National League says no*Patriotism in a 1917 context*How World War II swamped the memory of World War I*Was the drilling of ballplayers naïve?*Clark Griffith’s war effort*Even bad people aren’t bad all the time*Why was the American League so eager to quit?*The “Work or Fight” order*Ban Johnson’s gaffe*The “Work or Fight Order” vs. the World War II “Green Light Letter”*The value of entertainment in wartime*The Steel/Steal League and Shoeless Joe Jackson*The mystery of Babe Ruth’s wartime activities*Hank Gowdy, American*An Eddie Grant Memorial*Christy Mathewson and Pete Alexander in the war*The unprecedented brutality of the First World War*The Angl0-American Baseball Project*Baseball in the land of total war*Goodbyes.

Infinite Inning #016: Eight Fly Balls In 100 At-Bats; That's Baseball Aug 09, 2017

After discussions of a personal nature involving Carl Edwards, Jr., the 1912 New York Giants, and imposter syndrome, Steve is joined by Grant Brisbee of SB Nation’s McCovey Chronicles to talk about how the San Francisco Giants got to be so bad, what it’s like hosting a TV show in a down season, and the origins of the Marco Scutaro rainglobe.
Warning: Two cusswords this week. We express deep contrition.
Table of Contents
Carl Edwards Jr. Imposter Syndrome*The 2017 Dodgers and the 1912 Giants*Grant Brisbee: How did the San Francisco Giants end up in last place? *The Giants’ last homegrown outfielder*Launching “Giants Outsiders” in a season in which the Giants are outside*Dramatizing a loss*The postgame show for the 1927 Yankees*Avoiding the turning-40 crisis*The 1997 Giants are responsible for everything*Meeting your idols*Making fun of Guy Fieri, not Rich Aurilia*Regretting saying something critical about Ken Rosenthal*Mid-career TV opportunity, the one that never knocks*Credibility*Staying a fan (Crying for Conor Gillaspie)*The Jaded, Disgruntled Sportswriters Club*Battling social media malaise*Has SB Nation’s mission changed?*The Marco Scutaro rainglobe story*Remaining the informed outsider*Denard Span’s wheels*Locked into Johnny Cueto and other vets*A middle finger for Brandon Belt*Final Jeopardy: Can current Giants management fix this?*Goodbyes. Dave Righetti and Hensley Meulens*

The Infinite Inning #015: Porter Moss' America at The Trading Deadline Aug 02, 2017

Cliff Corcoran of Sports on Earth returns to break down the action at the trading deadline, Steve discusses the sad fate of Porter Moss, the uplifting fate of Harry Heitmann, and the Phillies Phanatic makes a couple of very awkward appearances.
WARNING: There are no cusswords this week. Perhaps an adult-ish matter is discussed, but obliquely, with taste and discretion.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Porter Moss Story*The Worst Start Ever*Cliff Corcoran: The Furry Adventures Clippy Cormorant*Our condolences to Ketel Marte*How the trading deadline is like life*Baseball discourages complacency*The Twins’ illusory competitiveness (The Garcia trades)*Sympathy for the Royals*The Zack Littell riddle (Jurickson Profar, Maikel Franco, and more)*Tyler O’Neill for Marco Gonzalez*The Ballad of Lonny Frey*Do the Astros have enough pitching?*The Cubs’ deadline approach vs. the Astros’*Prospects traded at the deadline often disappoint*The Sonny Gray trade*The fate of Michael Pineda*The Yu Darvish trade*The best Dodgers team of all time?*The Justin Wilson-Alex Avila trade*The Nationals’ bullpen rebuild*Is the Brock-Brogilo trade still the best?*Goodbyes.

The Infinite Inning #014: The Three True Outcomes Approach To Life Jul 26, 2017

The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?
Warning: There is a smattering of cusswords this week. Hiding the children should not be necessary unless they are very sheltered children.
In the opener, Steve talks about addiction and then details one of the origins of the non-waiver trade deadline.
Table of Contents
Darryl Strawberry, Steve Howe, and Tommy Lasorda*Whitey Witt, Jumping Joe Dugan, and the Magic Bottle*David Roth: The End of Vice Sports*Ken Rosenthal and the all-video future* “I can’t say that it’s right or wrong, I just know I can’t control it”*The relationships you forge in the workplace, and sometimes lose*David’s Mike Pelfrey T-shirt*Eighteen Plastic molded Baseball Guys*Losing your industry-leading collection of overweight ballplayer JPGs*Whitey Herzog vs. Bob Horner*The Pirates’ Handsome Boys *Donruss sends the All-Stars to Sears*Writing the back of the baseball card*Bob Walk’s rookie year*Would you believe we talked about Marty Bystrom?*Avant-garde decision-making in 1980s Cleveland*Zack Wheeler’s stress reaction and how bad teams create good teams*The Royals at the deadline one mo’ time*David’s elegy for Chris Christie and us all*Finding new ways to be excited (The Tao of Whit Merrifield)*Jayson Stark, eternal enthusiast*The cat in the baby carriage*Looking ahead to the stretch drive*Goodbyes.

Infinite Inning 013: Punching a Fanbase in the Crotch Jul 19, 2017

Jesse Spector returns as the Infinite Inning begins its own trading deadline negotiations. Episode #13 begins with a personal tale from Steve’s college days and proceeds to one of the most bizarre episodes in baseball history, the O’Connell-Dolan affair during the 1924 National League stretch drive. It’s a scandal that has echoes in a present-day controversy. Jesse enters with sitcoms on his mind, but in short order the subject turns to various trade and pennant race scenarios, Yoenis Cespedes, Daniel Murphy, the Royals, Cubs, and, finally, a near nervous breakdown when Jesse is forced to think of Yankees executive Randy Levine.

Infinite Inning 012 Yes, Virginia, Babe Ruth Had VD Jul 12, 2017

Say your team is done and you’re ready to quit on the season. Should you catch up on summer films? Film critic and podcaster Scott Tobias (The Next Picture Show) catches us up on the good and bad of the summer film season, revisits the experience of co-founding the lauded but ultimately short-lived film site The Dissolve, and advocates for The Brady Bunch Movie (necessary) and Albert Brooks (speaks for himself). In the first segment, Steve revisits controversies involving Greg Bird, Rickey Henderson, and Babe Ruth.

Infinite Inning 011 Bobo and Eric Never Treated It Like a Fan Site Jul 05, 2017

How do you go from unpaid contributor to a key man in a huge media company? And what does Cody Bellinger have to say about it? Steve is joined by Eric Stephen, the longtime auteur of True Blue LA to talk about how he got just such an opportunity and took it all the way from couch-surfing to the Dodgers clubhouse. They also talk Bellinger, Yasiel Puig, Justin Turner, and how the Dodgers are dominating the NL West. This week’s conversation starters include Joe Hauser, Bobo Newsom, Leo Durocher, and ruminations on outright lies.

The Infinite Inning 010 KISS versus the Phantom of Yankee Stadium Jun 28, 2017

We go for the Cliff Corcoran threepeat and a topical episode that encompasses the AL Central race, overly complicated uniform pants, and looks forward to both the All-Star rosters and the trading deadline.

The Infinite Inning 009 The Ben Lindbergh Happy Ball Show Jun 21, 2017

This week, after Steve takes an esoteric approach to segments concerning Amed Rosario and the Congressional ballgame shooting, Ben Lindbergh (The Ringer MLB Podcast, the Effectively Wild podcast) arrives to talk about his investigation of the new rabbit ball, the way home runs are now dominating the game, the insomniac experience of editing Baseball Prospectus, Game of Thrones, and how he forced himself to overcome his natural reserve to become a frequent public speaker and podcast host.

The Infinite Inning 008 How Can You Stick to Sports When Sports is So Slippery? Jun 14, 2017

Steve is joined by Hardball Talk’s Craig Calcaterra for a rollicking discussion of baseball, to stick to sports or not to stick to sports, the psychological benefits of pets, and how to survive making the hardest decision of your life. Steve discusses two controversial ballplayers in Al Simmons and Mike Donlin, the former a denizen of the Infinite Inning, the latter someone who should have been.

Infinite Inning 007 The Bleachers Changed Me Forever Jun 07, 2017

David Roth returns! Steve and David struggle manfully to avoid talking about the Mets, but their allure as a metaphor for the culture as a whole proves too strong to resist. There are also visits to Giants Stadium and the bleachers at old Yankee Stadium, where profane songs are sung to the likes of Rob Deer. Finally, David explains everything. Seriously, everything. Steve begins with two old-time ballplayers who met an early demise, one among the best-loved players in history, the other largely forgotten, and both object lessons in fate.

Infinite Inning 006: Hunter Strickland's Revenge Song May 31, 2017

The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?
The most topical episode of the Infinite Inning’s brief run features visits from veteran baseball writer Jon Heyman and cohost Jesse Spector. With his finger on the pulse of the trade market, Heyman shares his sense of which teams will be adding at the deadline and talks a bit about his method, while Jesse mourns the momentary loss of Mike Trout and deplores head-hunting pitchers, or in Hunter Strickland’s case, butt-hunting. Steve’s intro features a personal encounter with a lost utility infielder and a visit with Snooks Dowd, the fastest player no one wanted.

The Infinite Inning 005 Al Leiter's Favorite Beatles Song May 24, 2017

After Steve opens with Rogers Hornsby envy and a Jeremiad on Chick Gandil, Cliff Corcoran jumps his turn in the rotation to return a week ahead of time. He leads a discussion that ranges widely from Al Leiter’s origins in Toms River, New Jersey to his condemnation of stathead perceptions of pitching to his opinion on “balls.” Along the way, there are segments on Chuck Berry and the Beatles, rising strikeout rates and the death of the squeeze play are deplored, “guts” are measured with wearable devices, and the IQ of hitting is investigated.

The Infinite Inning 004 Seriously, Don't Text While Driving May 17, 2017

This week, Steve is joined by special guest Mike Ferrin, longtime host on SiriusXM’s MLB Network Radio and pre- and post-game host (as well as occasional play-by-play man) for the Arizona Diamondbacks, to talk about managing fan expectations in both of his jobs, and the secret to succeeding in either of those endeavors: Don’t be a jerk. In addition, Grantland Rice appears for the second consecutive week, outfielder Johnny Cooney is compared to faking your way through a term paper, Zack Greinke’s personality is explored, Marty Brennaman is surprisingly defended, Mike admits to tuning out sometimes, Casey Stengel unsurprisingly appears about three times, and old Disney references seem to be occupying Steve’s mind.
Warning: There is exactly one cussword in this episode.

The Infinite Inning 003: Where is the Coat Closet, Shoeless Joe? May 10, 2017

This week, Steve is joined by third regular cohost David Roth of Vice Sports for a wide-ranging discussion that tries to understand just why we watch sports, the responsibility that owners have to their teams’ fans, and how to talk to fantasy players at parties. Guest-starring Satchel Paige, Joe Jackson, Matt Harvey, and Captain America.

The Infinite Inning 002 Have a Nice Day to Be Named Later May 03, 2017

A baseball podcast with an equal focus on the past and present, the Infinite Inning is the misty zone where the quest for understanding never reaches the third out. Featuring Steven Goldman with Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, David Roth, and special guests.

The Infinite Inning - Episode 1 Apr 26, 2017

After a series introduction by Steven Goldman, he and co-host Jesse Spector begin with the business of sportswriting and then graduate to topics ranging from the 2016 World Series as the end of history, Rockies great Neifi Perez, the flaws of Back to the Future Part II, and Eric Thames and his shadowy other, Steve Delabar.

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