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Game 4 of the 2020 World Series will go down as one of the most exciting games in history.  It was like a Heavyweight championship fight with two greats trading blows for the entire fight.  Can the Dodgers take back the momentum stolen by the Rays in an improbable way in the bottom of the 9th in Game 4? Are the Rays primed to keep their winning ways and knock out Kershaw early?  The experts pick the Dodgers, but the Rays are making this one very memorable.

The first episode of "The Backstop Show" on our new Zoom platform.  Check out the video of the episode on YouTube--Here's the link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liCsfuI8bPQ

Lots of surprises from League Championship series in both leagues as the Rays look unbeatable with their awesome staff, stellar defense and timely hitting.  Can the Astros come back from a 0-3 start?  Can the Mighty Dodgers come back from their 0-2?

Managers firings are happening and we discuss some of the candidates being interviewed for the White Sox opening including the Angels Tony LaRussa.  This should be an interesting off season.  Plus, we discuss the passing of another MLB legend, Joe Morgan.

With the new playoff system in place, we have already seen casualties from the structure.  The upcoming free agent market looks bleak, who is in the driver's seat and who may be forced to retire.  Several baseball legends passed recently including Sweet Lou Johnson, Ron Perranowski, Jay Johnstone and Bob Gibson.  More discussions about our favorite love and hate players like Mookie Betts, Yaz3, Trout and of course Ty Cobb.  A little music tribute to start and end the show--RIP EVH 

On this episode, the conversation touches on the AL and NL season awards. Lots of discussion about the notion that Mike Trout gets graded at a different level than other players, Cy Young looks close in both leagues plus leagues have several good candidates for manager of the year, plus more from Doc's mystery mailbag.

There is a tight race for the playoffs with a total of 16 teams getting a shot to win the World Series. How important is team chemistry in this shortened season, we shall soon find out.  Is Mookie Betts the answer the Dodgers have been seeking to finally win it all?  Listen to the waterboy story on this episode.  Zack Greinke is showing HOF numbers but will he get the votes he needs.  Covid is not over and it may effect 2021 Spring Training plus more from Doc's Mystery Mail Bag.

The play-off picture is starting to build itself out with some real surprises plus a number of teams are on the bubble to just make the play-offs.  Are the new rules like making the pitchers face three batters and the extra inning man on 2B really  moving games along quicker or is the opposite happening.  There is major parody amongst MLB pitchers with the top having extraordinary  numbers but the bottom having dismal numbers.  The Angels and Dodgers going in different directions.  Plus our favorite players to cheer for and rag like Yaz3, Trout and Ty Cobb.  Plus more from Doc's Mail Bag.

In this episode, the guys touch on the 2020 surprise players and teams.  Can they maintain this level for another 3 weeks? Who's going to be hot when the time is right?  Will there be a spoiler team who dashes the dreams of the Dodger's fans? Listen to the discussion about the newest type of MLB coach, the Hitting Strategist.  The MLB Bubble is being talked about and there are a few scenarios that could be quite interesting. There's talk about changing the name of the MVP award, is that a good idea? Plus more Doc's Mystery Mail Bag.

What a crazy day August 31st 2020 was as it was MLB’s trade deadline date. Listen to who won and why. The Padres look like a new favorite to compete against the mighty Dodgers. The Dodgers trade a solid starter and get no one back to help in 2020. That’s how good they are. More discussions about the social injustice issues plaguing our country. The play off picture is begin to shape up, who will be the surprise of the season? Plus more from Doc’s Mystery Mail Bag.

White Sox pitcher, Lucas Giolito, throws the first No Hitter of 2020 and does it in fine fashion.  Consider this same pitcher had the worst ERA in baseball last year for a starting pitcher.  The odds of getting to the play-offs came out so find out where your team sits at the halfway point.  Reds announcer, Thom Brennaman, made an inappropriate comment and has been suspended.  All three chimed in about the shift and the consequences from it.  Great ideas to modify it.  Great trivia question about Wes Parker and more from Doc's Mystery Mail Bag.

Fernando Tatis Jr hit a grand slam on a 3-0 count and was blasted by the Rangers Manager for breaking an "Unwritten Rule".  Listen to how the Backstop breaks down these rules and their relevance to the shortened 2020 season.  Where's Puig going to end up? What players should be in the Hall but not there. Breakdown of the Dodgers, Angels, Padres and even a discussion on the terrible conditions millions of homeless suffer in SoCal.  Trevor Bauer is doing great things for baseball on and off the field. Jim Palmer has a unique fact in his stats that seems impossible plus more from Doc's Mystery Mailbag. 

Consider yourself VERY lucky to be alive right now.  Despite all the craziness that 2020 has brought to our lives, we get see Mike Trout simply dominate day in and day out.  Listen as the guys discuss the notion that Trout is actually the G.O.A.T.! One thing to remember, keep the jokes off the field or you just might incite a brawl.  The A's and Asstros scuffle over an alleged "Mom" diss.  And the instigator got a 20 game suspension--that's 1/3 of the season!  Also more great trivia questions from our listeners and more from Doc's Mystery Mail Bag.

The 2020 season is about 10 games in and there are already some surprises both good and bad. Teams that are exceeding expectations, players who are going off and players who are struggling big time. Plus, Covid is still on the top of everyone’s minds—will it derail the season? Can the players follow protocol? Plus more great questions from Doc’s Mystery Mail Bag.

This episode was recorded during the Joe Kelly head hunting game on July 28, 2020 and the guys were able to get first takes of what was going on. The Marlins Covid situation is very concerning, can it bring down the league? Ohtani with no outs in his 2020 pitching debut--was it mental?  Joe Madden thinks so.  And much more including Doc's Mystery Mail Bag.  Keep the questions coming!!

Baseball starts this week and this show is filled with the childlike excitement from the hosts, Benny, Lenny & Campy.  Lots of discussions about the contingencies and the taxi squad to pivot in case of more cases.  Also, great questions from Doc's Mystery Mail Bag.

The season is almost here but many players have been tested positive or opted out, will this impact certain teams?  Puig is finally singed by an MLB team.  The Atlanta Braves, who lost some key hitters to opting out or being sick, pick up arguably the top position player in the 2020 free agency market.  Can he become a role model for the young Latin players on the Braves or a distraction like he was accused of with the Dodgers.  Covid-19 is still preventing spikes in cases all over the country.  Will this cause issues as the season starts?  Plus great trivia questions from our listeners and more questions from the newly named "Doc's Mystery Mail Bag" as only Eric knows the questions and Campy and Benny have to answer off the cuff.  

As Spring Training 2.0 begins, does it already show signs of cutting the season short?  Several players are sick with covid and several others have opted out, will this lead to a drastic move my the owners or the players association?  The political divisiveness is so thick its affecting baseball and other sports, can the season be spared or will tensions flare up too high to continue?  So many questions to try to answer, it's actually sad that sides  in all areas of sports and politics have dug in and not willing to budge from their stances.  Can sports survive without fans?  Can fans survive without games and seasons?  Interesting and unprecedented times for sure.  Plus more from Doc's Mail Bag.

We've got BASEBALL!  Just announced as we recorded this episode, there will be a 60 game season beginning 7/24.  This is the same amount of games played by NCAA Baseball so what does that mean for stats?  Can someone hit 30 HRs?  McGwire hit 32 at USC in 60 games in 1984.  Will someone hit over .400 in this shortened season?  It's VERY possible.  Will the shortened season help some teams and hurt some teams?  The analysis focuses on adjusting from a marathon 162 game season to more like a 10K race with 60 games.  Then the discussion turned to the new MLB Documentary called, "Junior" detailing the career of Ken Griffey, Jr.  Hear the inside scoop on Junior and how the documentary portrayed him a bit differently than reality.  Plus more discussion about the diversity in the clubhouse and how that helps players better understand what it's like growing up in a different state, culture, or even country.  And more great listener questions in Doc's Mail Bag.

In an attempt to get the 2020 season started, Commissioner Manfred and MLBPA's Tony Clark met in PHX to discuss a framework to get the players back on the field.  Manfred and the owners have created a divide that may be insurmountable--or can there be a deal struck to save the season?  Discussion of the legacies of the all the former MLB Commissioners.  Interesting topic!  Plus more great questions from "Doc's Mail Bag".

This episode was recorded during the 2020 MLB draft with Benny keep the updates flowing.  The 1:1 is an ASU Sun Devil.  The Angels get a quality LHP.  Campy tells of his draft story in 1988 getting picked in the 3rd round and answers the question, what that what you dreamed about?  Plus more from Doc's Mail Bag.

The owners and players cannot seem to agree on a financial plan to get the 2020 season started, they better hurry up as we enter June very soon.  Who were the toughest pitchers to hit or had the nastiest pitches.  Comments on the expansion drafts of the past and potentially the future. Plus more GREAT questions from the listeners.

Sometimes its difficult to stay positive that the 2020 season will happen.  Top players are talking about safety and salaries.  MLB has mentioned a few different scenarios but Benny, Lenny & Campy hope they have back up plans including moving to Asia.  GREAT questions from our listeners including trivia questions and a prediction what all three will be doing ten years from now.  

The owners have a plan to play but will the players ratify the deal or walk away from the negotiations?  America needs baseball--just like in World War II & during the aftermath of 9/11--baseball helped us heal.  So, players and owners, please work this out for the sake of America!  Plus, more great questions from Doc's Mail bag including a trivia question that stumped all of us.  

POSITIVITY--The state of maintaining positive thoughts when everything else around you is crashing down.  This is a very important trait for baseball players.  Staying positive and maintaining confidence when things are tough.  This same mindset can be learned by non-baseball players too.  This episode delves deep into the positive thought processes needed to maintain consistent performance on the field and off. Plus more from Doc's Mail Bag.

The certainty of uncertainty is still the vibe in baseball, but there is hope.  New talk about a June Spring Training and early July start.  Multiple options, multiple locations, multiple league alignments--we will wait and see.  Great questions from Doc's Mail Bag as always including some very creative ideas for MLB.  Keep them questions coming!

As we endure no baseball, several different scenarios are being discussed to start the MLB season.  Listen as Benny, Lenny and Campy break down each scenario and its real viability to work.  Also, the top players by team in the 90's, match ups from players from different eras, the economic impact of no baseball, the emotional impact of no baseball and more from Doc's Mail Bag.

If you are in self-quarantine like so many and missing baseball like we are, this show may help get some of your baseball needs met with discussions about the best players from the past eras, discussions on options for the MLB and MiLB seasons, college eligibility changes, the 2020 draft or “drafts”, the 2020 post season options and much more—plus questions from the Doc’s Mailbag.

This podcast was recorded during the Covid-19 pandemic with hysteria at it's apex (WE HOPE!!).  It has all levels of ffected so many in so many ways that no one was prepared for including all levels of baseball and the rest of the sports world.  Listen to the discussion on how the season could be salvaged and the formats that would be the most appealing to the fans.  Does this time for player help some teams with injuries like the Yankees or hurt teams looking to start a World Series legacy like the Dodgers?  Baseball is not back, but we can still talk about it.

What a blast!  Our first guest ever on the show, former Major Leaguer, Jimmy Campanis, Sr., joins in the fun.  Campy and his dad, along with Lenny and Benny take on current topics like the Dodgers chances this year.  Plus, they get into discussions about players from the "Golden Era" of baseball, through the 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's and up through today.  Clemente, Griffey Sr and Jr, the Boones, Mantle, Drysdale, Vin Scully, Jackie Robinson and more.

Why is Puig not signed yet? How can one of the games most exciting players still be on the sideline?  The Backstop has some ideas.  Can the Yankees survive  the injuries of Judge and Stanton? Do these two guys lift so much they've become injury prone?  Who will take the NL East? Trevor Bauer tells a hitter what was coming and GOT HIM OUT! And More From "Doc's Mailbag"

The crack of the bat, the pop of the catcher's glove--these are the sounds of Spring Training and the Backstop dives straight into the first games with discussions on the two LA teams and how stacked their line-ups are in 2020.  The Diamondbacks new pitcher has been moonlighting as a COWBOY!  Too funny!  Can the Dodgers win the last game of the season for its first World Championship since 1988?  Can the Angels make the play-offs for the first time since Trout's rookie season?  And more questions from the listeners in "Doc's Mail Bag".

The ASS-Tros ownership, management and players are showing no real remorse for the cheating scandal and minimizing it's affect on the outcome of the 2017 season. Commissioner Manfred needs to be fired immediately for his mis-handling of the entire case and the PR nightmare he's created by not punishing the players at all. MLB Superstars, like Cody Bellinger and Mike Trout blast the cheaters and the Commissioner's office for not doing enough to ensure this doesn't happen again, The Angels are looking like a contender in the AL West, plus more of your questions in the "Doc's Mail Bag".

The Boston Red Sox announce a new manager, Ron Roenicke, amidst another cheating scandal investigation.  The Astros continue to get hit with collateral damage as a civil law suit is filed by a former MLB pitcher who claims his career was damaged by the electronic cheating.  Discussion on the Angels trade with Joc Petersen that unwinded at the last minute.  What does it mean for their starting pitching rotation?  A new playoff system from MLB?  Can the Dodgers win it all?  But if they don't, does it mean the end for Friedman and Roberts?  Plus more from the Doc's Mailbag.

As the episode began, Benny, Lenny & Campy were talking about the trade rumors with Boston and the Dodgers...and about an hour in it was reported by reliable sources!!!  What a blockbuster move by these two top tier teams.  Hear how the trade makes good sense for all the teams involved.  Then the Dodgers and Angels made a deal moving Joc Peterson to the Angels.  Baseball in SoCal will definitely be exciting in 2020!  Plus, more GREAT questions from the listeners in Doc's Mailbag.

In case you missed it, Kobe Bryant, his daughter and 7 others perished in a helicopter crash in Calabasas CA.  Benny gives a beautiful tribute to a player that meant a lot to him.  Dusty Baker is hired to right the ship in Houston, but how will the players perform under this new direction?  Will there be push back to Dusty's old school style or will they be able to rise above and get back to the World Series.  More evidence of bias voting by the HOF voters as Paul Konerko is now off the ballot for lack of votes yet Konerko has better numbers than Larry Walker and he never played in Colorado.  Plus, Jeff Kent, the All-Time MLB HR leader for second basemen gets just 18% of the vote in his 7th year on the ballot.  This is proof, the HOF voters have their favorites and the vote is 100% subjective.  Plus, more interesting questions and comments from our listeners in "Doc's Mailbag".

Everyone knew Derek Jeter was a lock to get into the HOF on his first vote, but was that due to being a Yankee? His stats? Or his post season heroics?  Plus, why didn't the best hitter in the history of baseball (Barry Bonds) still not get in?  More details emerge in the Astros cheating scandal including what will happen to Alex Cora when the Boston investigation is announced? With free agency in full swing, new teams come out of no where to become divisional contenders like the Twins, White Sox, Mets & Phillies.  Finally, more great mail in Doc's Mailbag from our listeners--thank you for that!!

With new allegations that the Red Sox cheated in 2018, Benny, Lenny and Campy go deep into this major problem that severely jeopardizes baseball's integrity as a sport. Plus we jump into a baseball time machine discussing how some of the old timers would play in future decades.  Then a great debate about the players from the "Steroid Era" including Bonds and Clemens.  Should they get in? Plus more from the "Doc's Mailbag" from our listeners.  

Benny, Lenny & Campy discuss SI.com's prediction for the next 10 World Series Champs--some of the predictions sound CRAZY today, but so did the Astros winning the 2017 World Series in 2015.  More love going out to our favorite player, Mike Trout, as we declared him the ATHLETE of the decade.  No disrespect to Tom Brady and Lebron, but Mike Trout is doing things incomparable in baseball history.  Plus we discuss the announcers we most admire, robot umpires and the "Doctor's Mail Bag" with questions and comments from our listeners.  Send a PM on Twitter to Eric at @DrOfBaseball and it just may get on the show.

As more free agents land long term deals like Anthony Rendon with the Angels and Bumgarner with the D-Backs, the rumors still surround unsigned free agents like Josh Donaldson and others.  Also, the debate on the newly announced All-Decade MLB Team.  Who belonged and who got looked over?  Plus more questions and comments from our listeners from Doc's Mailbag.

Lots of discussion on this show about Cole's historic signing with the Yankees for 9 years/$324MM.  Who's the next big signing or will the rest off the free agency market be slower to pull the trigger.  Where will Rendon, Bumgarner and other top free agent players end up? Plus--The opioid crisis in Baseball causes the league to allow marijuana usage for all players.  The discussion gets deep on this very important topic.

Benny, Lenny and Campy had a lot to talk about on this episode even though it's the off-season.  With the Winter Meetings about to start, Free Agency, is on every fan's mind.  Could there be major shake-ups of baseball tradition, like Bumgarner being a Dodger? Did analytics lose the World Series? Plus, the "Dr. of Baseball", Eric "Lenny" Lenaburg, kicks off the first segment of the "Doc's Mailbag" with Christmas wishes from listeners.  And finally, Part 2 of our opioid crisis discussion.

This episode is filled with inside baseball discussions regarding the LEGAL ways to steal pitchers and how the Astros went too far with technology.  What are the ramifications to the Astros and other MLB teams getting caught?  Also, more discussions on free agency and the upcoming winter meetings.  And then the show got deep at the end with the discussion on another young pro player passes away from "natural" causes in a hotel room.  How does a 23 year old young player who has passed numerous physicals pass away?  

Benny, Lenny and Campy go DEEP into the 2019 free agency market with an analysis of the players who are locks to score big and those who are taking big chances by exercising their options.  Is there free agency collusion like the late 80's? Are the owners driving older players, who stand to make more due to their tenure, out of the game for financial reasons alone?  The Backstop tackles these questions along with discussions on the Managers of the Year, the AL MVP (OBVIOUSLY it's Mike Trout), and also free agency needs for specific teams including the Angels, White Sox, Dodgers, D-Backs and more.

Benny, Lenny and Campy take a deep dive into one of the most exciting World Series in recent memory--the Washington Nationals versus the Houston Astros going seven exciting games.  They also discuss some of the key moves made by the Nats that seemed to be founded in scouting where the Astros moves seemed to be driven by analytics.  Very interesting topic about scouting or analytic or a hybrid of both.  Plus The Backstop touches on the upcoming free agency market with the likes of Garret Cole, Anthony Rendon and more.  

Listen to the premiere episode of the "The Backstop" featuring host, Benny Bam, and co-hosts, Jim Campanis Jr & Eric Lenaburg as they delve into the 2019 World Series, the many new managerial changes and more interesting baseball topics including the free agency market, the Hall of Fame voting system, the Angels, the Dodgers and more.  Enjoy the detailed takes on the various topics from baseball lifers.