Bush League Congregation
By Bush League Congregation
Bush League CongregationFeb 24, 2023
Mike Cather is a lot cooler than us. Pt. 2
Pop back into the second half of our conversation with Mike Cather as he continues to remind us how wild his life has been. All jokes aside, there's just no way better to kick off our third season without him. Finish up this gem then hit us up on the socials to let us know how we're doing. Thanks as always for loving on us. It means a ton.
Love and Dingers!
Mike Cather is a lot cooler than us.
And we're Back!
Time to dust off those headphones kids...the Bush League is back! And in an BIG way. Kicking off this season, the guys have a very special guest to start this year off in Mike Cather. The California kid turned Braves submariner sat down with us to talk about damn near everything. We talked so long, we ended up splitting the episode in half because work is probably still a thing, right? Honestly over the next 2+ hours, Cather walks us through his life before (and after) getting the call to the bigs, what hall of fame dudes are like, and even how he survives working with Chris Carroll.
Love and Dingers!
New Team. Who dis?
The barrage of free agent signings continued this week and the guys are here to break them down and give their (probably wrong) thoughts on the big moves. Free Agents weren't the only guys on the move last week either. This might sound repetitive but it looks like the Oakland Athletics traded their best player...again. Tune in and let us know your thoughts on the offseason so far.
Love and Dingers!
Big Names. Big Money. Big Fred.
Here it comes. Here comes the actual onslaught of free agent signings and trade rumors. It's now Winter Meeting season for the MLB Owners and front offices and it came out of the gates HOT. With big names like Trea Turner and Jacob DeGrom signing big ol' contracts, there's plenty of mess to talk about. We also took a beat to love on the newest Hall of Fame inductee, Fred McGriff. Pop in and let us know what you think and what you hope happens in the coming days.
Love and Dingers!
Hardware Season
Baseball in 2022 is now in the rearview. That means it's it time to weed through some of the most coveted individual awards handed out every year. Gold Gloves, Silver Sluggers, Rookies of the Year, Cy Young, Coach of the Year, and of course the MVPs have all been handed out and the boys have their take on all of them. They even give out a couple of their own but they're not the kind ya want...at all. Aside from this, the guys talk a bit into the Puig situation and the Twins new threads. Listen in and join in on the conversation in the Bush League Backfields Facebook group. Hit that like and subscribe button after throwing us a review. Helps way more than you know.
Love and Dingers.
BLC v. Sam Fyle, Mayor of Hot Take City
Hey yo! This week, Mike and Chris welcome a new guest in Sam Fyle. Not only have the guys known Sam for a long time...they still fight with him daily on the Bush League Backfields. The conversation takes a pretty big step back from the day to day baseball news to talk through some meatier topics around the league. Of course we talk about Pujols hitting 700 and the AL MVP race between Ohtani and Judge. But also, there's a good bit about the rule changes set to hit next season along with some other random small talk to get to know Sam a little better. Let's just say this...dude can talk and he is not shy about saying something wild. Check it out!
Love and Dingers!
Now Where Were We?
Back at it after a few weeks off, the guys dive right into the Fernando Tatis Jr. suspension and the fallout that comes with it. After that we take a bit of time to refocus on the sticky stuff situation from last year and how the rule has aged over the season. The One Liners are back and of course one of them is about Pujols getting to 700. Then to finish up, we all collectively tell Marcell Ozuna how stupid he is acting. From all of us at Bush League, we love you and hope you love this episode. Thanks for the love on the socials...we need it.
Love and Dingers!
The Midsummer Mess and Bizzaro Baseball
When the announcement that the All Star starters for 2022 came out, we felt it best to hash out a couple of the issues we had with those who were picked to start the game. Boy that was a mistake! Turns out CW feels some kind of way about the All Star game and he DID NOT hold back. More than just the All Star game itself, we took some time to talk about the Futures Game as well as the wild west show that looks to be the Home Run Derby X. We also got CW revved up about a crazy argument he had on the Bush League Backfields involving Rickey Henderson and Juan Pierre? It got weird. Listen in while you like, follow, and leave reviews on all your favorite social media spots.
Love and Dingers!
What is it You Say You Do Here?
Because of course we couldn't go much further without having to talk about the Freeman Fiasco again. Now that some heads have rolled, I guess it's time to pick out who is the real villain and our dude Mike does not mince words.
After the drama we take a focused look into some recent manager dismissals and using those examples to dig deeper into what an MLB manager actually does vs. what we perceive them to do.
Also spoilers...Chris definitely might have broken his headset during this episode. Let us know when you think that happened! Don't forget to like, follow, and subscribe. Toss us a little love on the Apple and Spotify reviews too if you're a sweet pea.
And from all of the BLC, enjoy your Fourth of July. Love and Dingers!
Rookie Reinforcements
Hey there party people!
We are back at it this week with a bit of that good baseball lovin'! During the episode we talk into some current injury issues happening with some pretty big names and even prospect some about replacement options as the trade deadline approaches. After that, it's all about the young guns. Three major prospects have arrived and we talk through our thoughts on their outlook from 30,000 feet up. But regardless of what we say; Jeter Downs, Oneil Cruz, and Riley Greene are ready to play.
Listen in and let us know what you think about the Rookie wave that's hitting the MLB this year. And don't forget to like, subscribe, and follow us on all the socials.
Love and Dingers!
Will Bates vs. The Lizard People
Big, big things on the episode this week Bush Leaguers! Our good friend (and data analyst) Will Bates came on and talked through some home run numbers. We asked Will to run some analysis on home run trends over the last few years and to see what things look like from that angle vs. our increasingly conspiratorial view. There seems to be no doubt that something is happening with the baseballs. The question now is why? Beyond that, we talk a bit into the Pham/Pederson drama as well as some troublesome injury trends to big name pitchers. Not only was this week a blast, it was history because Will Bates is now officially our first guest ever and we couldn't have picked a better one. Get it while it's hot and don't forget to like, subscribe, review and share this sucker!
Love and Dingers!
Also, if you're not in our facebook group, Bush League Backfields, fix that...ya weirdo.
Two Birds and a Soap Opera
It is a very fun time to be watching baseball in the St. Louis area. Between the excitement of young talent and last rides for some Hall of Famers, there are good times to be had this year in the ballpark village. In a new focus piece we're going to get more into during the longer days of summer, we talked through some of the more detailed parts of this year's Cardinals team and some of the storylines to follow as the year progresses. After that, there have been some big injury news and notes we need to talk through before doing what we had to from last week's news cycle. The baseball world was hijacked by drama in the form of two dudes named Tim and Josh last week and we need to sift through what happened...whether we like it or not.
Love and Dingers!
Trading Futures
There's just so much baseball happening right now it's hard to keep it straight. So much so that we decided to side step the daily grind and talk about some bigger picture things. In 2019, the Diamondbacks and Marlins made a trade that now looks like could have changed their entire franchise trajectories. If you don't know, don't worry...we'll walk you through it. Then it's time for another unfortunate update into the Trevor Bauer Saga. His suspension has been made official and it's now time to talk through what it means for him in the long run. Beyond that, there's some talk about college, no-hitters, and a VERY uncomfortable stare down. Pop in and let us know you love us with a like, follow, or rating.
Love and Dingers!
Stubby Wrestles a Bear
Every once in a while it's good to compare notes with the pros. We took a look at the power rankings from all major sites to see what common themes are taking hold of the young baseball season. Also there's a bit of a discussion of what makes up the recipe for power rankings despite everyone's slightly differing opinions. After that, it's all about the Mets/Cards afternoon dust up. Apparently New York does not fancy leading baseball in HBPs this year and they used Nolan Arenado's headspace as target practice. It was a mess that fell apart when a bit of wresting broke out. Listen in and let us know what you think.
Love and Dingers!
Hot Take City
It's been two weeks. That's right about time for us to start to say stupid things. Throughout this whole goofball episode we make some pretty bold (and some boring) predictions for what's going to happen this year in baseball. We also take some reflection time on our own teams in New York, Atlanta, and St. Louis before going over some around the league juice. Something about a pitcher not taking a home run trot so kindly rings a bell. Don't forget to like, follow, and share our ridiculous show with your homies.
Love and Dingers!
42
"Maybe tomorrow we'll all wear 42 so they won't tell us apart."
Obviously Jackie Robinson is an American treasure but there's always more to the story. Do you know where the tradition of wearing 42 in honor of him came from? It's pretty rad and it's perfectly baseball. This week we're taking some time to celebrate the legacy of Jackie before jotting around the baseball world. Of course we have our opinions on Kershaw, the Braves breakup, and the gaff in Cincinnati's front office...it's just in our nature. We also talk through some rookie performances before getting really sidetracked on movies while toasting the life of Gilbert Gottfried after his passing.
Love and Dingers.
And Away We Go
Well hello baseball.
The 2022 MLB season is officially underway and it's getting wild, real fast. The guys are fresh from the Atlanta Braves home opener and ready to talk a whole lot of shop. With the relenting wave of news, we're going rapid fire throughout the league to try and highlight the biggest stories and updates in the young season. Somehow we end up talking quite a bit about the Reds which is very weird. Whatever, baseball is back and we really missed it!
Love and Dingers!
The Yearly Guessing Game
With the season coming on quickly next week, it's time we made the usual predictions that will certainly be wrong. We'll go through the major awards like MVP and Cy Young before talking about what teams will pennants into the new 12-team playoff. And of course we'll make highly questionable predictions about which team will win the whole damn thing in 2022. Listen in and tell us how wrong we're going to be.
Love and Dingers!
Free Agents Gone Wild
So about last week. We're really sorry and we missed you too.
This week though. There was just so much movement in the second wave of free agency that we couldn't not cover it. This week the guys take a good look into some of the biggest moves and how it will shape up baseball in the soon coming 2022 MLB season. Well until there's the Yankees. Looks like the Pinstripes are back in the principal's office about 2017 and we're not sure they'll keep it quiet. Kinda like how David Ortiz kept it in regards to the guy who tried to kill him two years ago. Pop in and get you some.
Love and Dingers!
The Real Fantasy Draft
With the way that the lockout keeps morphing into a bigger mess, it's hard to keep talking about it. As of this recording, things are at a stalemate about an out of nowhere international draft issue along with a gigantic financial gap. This conversation is just not fun anymore. So we decided to change that up. This week we did a fantasy draft but not like anything you're thinking. We picked 4 hitters, 2 pitchers, and a manager for each of us but there's one catch. All of the players selected HAVE TO be fictional characters from baseball movies or tv shows. When I say we went deep on this one, we went DEEP! Check it out and let us know who won or who we missed.
Love and Dingers!
Well That Escalated Quickly
Was it planned for us to record hours after Manfred drops a BOMB on MLB fans worldwide? Nope. Were we even going to discuss the lockout today? Not at all. BUT...things change. The MLB is officially canceling the first 2 series of the 2022 season and it could end up being way more. Along with a heapin' helpin' of cursing Bobbo and the collective clown car that is this lockout we take some time to discuss a pretty major rule change in college sports before rapping about a couple badass people around the college diamond. Also big shouts to Ric Flair on his birthday as well as the New York Mets' brand new Director of Major League Operations in Elizabeth Benn. Pop in and listen up homies!
Love and Dingers!
And Now We Wait
After weeks of jumbled arguments and proposals, it looks like the team owners and player's union have gotten absolutely nowhere. So where does that leave us? Honestly in a pretty bad spot because now we get to sit here and reflect. Maybe the game really is changing. Or even worse, what if it already has. This week the guys talk into the universal DH, technology's place in the game, and of course some of the updates around the league in regards to the lockout. Self reflection is a beautiful thing...unless when the millions of fans are standing around waiting and picking apart every flaw the game has.
Love and Dingers!
Addicted to the Game
When the news hit about Jeremy Giambi's death, it shook the baseball world pretty hard. Not just in a way that makes us sad that someone who left their mark on the game was gone either. His suicide leaves all of us around the game wondering what could have led to such a dark ending. The steroid era ushered in some incredible stories and complicated feelings about players that used. Jeremy's story was very much that way. Between his death and the Eric Kay trial happening almost in tandem, we just had to make an episode talking through one of the game's dirtiest secrets. Drugs in sports are pretty prevalent but baseball is a different beast. Take a listen and let us know what you think.
Love and Dingers!
P.S. Whoever you are...you are loved. Don't fight it alone. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline is always a resource. 1-800-273-8255.
Let's Actually Talk About the Hall
This year's Hall of Fame voting is now over and there is a new member joining this summer. Yeah that's right, just one dude. This week, we're going to take a deeper dive into the Hall and how it works. It's time to reevaluate the nearly 100 year old process and see if anything might need to change. After we voted for this year's ballot, our results were dramatically different. But then again, us at Bush League might think of the Hall in a different light than the baseball writers. We'll also touch on a huge update for Trevor Bauer's future before trying to make sense of the bombshell that just dropped about the Dark Knight, Matt Harvey.
Love and Dingers!
Locked Out of Love
And we're back!
The holidays are over and it's finally time to get back in the studio and try to make sense of the mess in the MLB. Back in December, Major League Baseball's collective bargaining agreement expired and the owners struck first, locking out their players while everyone works to resolve labor issues. CW, Chris, and Mike are going to run down each major issue that's keeping the work stoppage in motion. Some lines are all but agreed upon while others are dangerously tied up with jargon and legalese. With pitchers and catchers set to head to spring training this month, it seems all but imminent that games will be delayed in the 2022 season. Will these greedy millionaires work things out in time? Or will baseball fans everywhere have to find something else to do this spring and maybe even into summer?
Love and Dingers!
Not Superstitious but Stitious
What a weird and awesome time for baseball. This week the guys dig into the first 2 games of the World Series (of course) for a bit. Then all sorts of wild and wooly mess about famously odd superstitions in the great game's history...Wendall is a wildman. Also we check in on some coaching changes, good news from Manfred (for a change), and an interesting proposition from PETA? Check it!
Love and Dingers!
Big League Curses
This week the gang takes a look into a pretty long standing Major League tradition...curses. Curses have been around just about as long as the game itself. Some seem legit, others are about snack food. There's even that one that involves a fast food icon. However weird or farfetched, they've left a mark on baseball. So let's get weird.
Love and dingers!
The Hall of Fame
This week we're going to change things up a little bit. Instead of talking about a bunch of news from around the league, Bush League is going to take a deeper dive into a bigger topic in baseball. This one is about the Hall of Fame and it's pretty juicy. The guys definitely don't hold back when it comes to the 2020 inductees, famous snubs, the writers, and possible ways to fix what seems to be a broken system. Turn it on and turn it up!
Love and Dingers!
Well This is Disappointing
This week we take a look at some teams and players that have taken a disappointing turn in 2021. From 2 division leaders who have fallen hard and fast to the some of Baseball's biggest names, we dig through some cautionary issues in the MLB at the moment. We also join the Phillies in praising a baseball legend as Philadelphia retires Roy Halladay's number forever.
Love and Dingers!
The Deadline Episode
This week the guys take some time to wrap their heads around the MLB's wild trade deadline last week and make sense of some of it's biggest trades as well as it's biggest question marks. It was a total mess but damn it was fun to watch!
Love and Dingers!
Back to Business
Now that the All-Star break is behind us, the guys really dig into some meaningful baseball again. We tackle some trade talk, team identities, and a VERY surprising interleague matchup. Check it and show us some love on the socials.
Love and Dingers!
Ohtani Overload
This week the guys are rolling a man down in CW. So of course Chris and Mike take the opportunity to talk a little mess about the neverending Ohtani news cycle including a discussion about some choice words by a famous sports pundant. A special guest pops in for a bit to discuss this and other topics like Yelich and Hank Aaron.
Love and Dingers!
Pitching Things & Hitting Things
This week the guys get into some injury notes on Soroka and Naylor before talking deeper into some more interesting pitching notes. The big piece here is the Home Run Derby. Who are the contestants so far? Is this just going to be the Summer Shohei Show? Will this be the end of a Rockie Story? (I had to on that) Listen in and shout at us!
Love and Dingers!
Sunscreen and A Cast
On this one the guys talk through some topical things like the Yankees woes, DeGrom's brilliance, and the Kyle Lewis injury to start. After that, the guys get in deep on Mike Schildt's big postgame words and the Marcel Ozuna mess.
Love and Dingers!
Massaging the Bench
On this episode, the guys talk through an oddly important Cards/Sox matchup. The pitching matchup alone is a pretty cool story, no lie. After that, there's some discussion about the 2 hottest divisions in baseball. The NL West and AL East have been cutthroat and the guys give some reasons why. Finally we get to the goods...sort of. The Rockies were cheating back in 2018 with a massage gun? Let's talk about it.
Love and Dingers!
Major League Problems
This week the guys dot around on some news and notes before taking a longer look at some big bad trends happening in baseball. Pujols has a new jersey, two potential all-stars suffer big injuries, and a little on Little Vlad highlight are some of pieces on the table this time. Take a peek and let us know what you think.
Love and Dingers!
The Young and The Old
This week we're talking about the Seattle rookie call ups and how they compare to the other big time prospects in baseball right now. After that there's a tussel about Burnes, Cole, and Flaherty before the fists start flying. The guys go 2 on 1 when talking about the recent Albert Pujols release. It got real spicy for a bit. Check it.
Love and Dingers!
Not My Boy, Blue
This week the guys HAVE to address the issues with the way games are being called in the bigs and options on how it can be fixed. The review is a joke and the game's most seasoned umpires are the ones making countless mistakes. Beyond that, the Bush Leaguers take stock of the biggest injuries plaguing baseball along with the consequences that might come with those players' absences.
That's Bush League, Bro!
One-Eyed Nando
This week the boys talk through some early season divison surprises including the inexplicably good Giants and Royals before taking on the evergrowing Padres/Dodgers saga. Other notes include Bumgardner's non-no hitter as well as the Tauchman trade. We also take a look into how the BLC Baseball Card League is rolling along. Check it!
Drink Beer and Hit Dingers, party people.
The Kids Are Alright
Reviewing the Review
This week the guys take a hard look at MLB's broken review system and talks over ways to fix it...or if it's even possible. They also talk into some more rule changes that are being implemented in the minor league system. Fantasy notes and early season storylines also sprinkled in for some flavor. Get you some of that juice.
Love and Dingers!
My Name is Rob
This week the guys break down some questionable early season trades and talk about the new balls in the MLB before going deep. Of course with news like the All Star Game being moved has to be discussed and all three of our Bush Leaguers give their take on the decision by Bobbo Manfred. Now quit clownin' around and take a listen.
Love and Dingers.
Baseball's Odd Couple
This week the guys take a quick look into MVP probabilities, the state of the Yankees, and a bit of a Lindor update before diving into some good old fashioned baseball drama. From teammates to bitter rivals, the story of Bauer and Cole is a mess. The question is...who is to blame? Also, the guys finish this week's episode by revealing their fantasy baseball card rosters.
Lies, Fakes, and A Bird Murder
What happens when a hapless GM is given the checkbook? Who is to blame when you half-ass your way through work? Was that dove a Giants fan?
These are the questions the Bush Leaguers are putting under the microscope this week. It's dramatic, awkward...really anything but boring this week as they talk through pitching injuries, a baseball high holiday, and even the first Bush League Fantasy Baseball draft.
Let's get it!
NL and AL West Preview
The Guys finish up the Divisional Previews with both the NL and AL West teams. After a long look into each team, they give some wildly unexciting predictions into who will take the Pennants into October. Check it!
NL and AL Central Preview
Comin' in Hot! As the season creeps in closer, the boys continue to break down each division...this time focusing on the 10 teams that live in the Centrals. Are there new champs on the rise in the AL Central? Did anyone do enough to take control of the NL Central? Lace 'em up and grab a sixer to find out. After it's over, pop onto Bush League Backfields to let us know what you think the NL and AL Central races will look like.
NL and AL East Previews
...And we're back!
This week the boys break down both the NL and AL East divisions and take a dive into all 10 teams. Grab you some seeds, a beer, and maybe a milk crate to sit on. This one gets juicy Bush Leaguers.
Welcome to the Bush League!
Bullshit, Beer, and a couple Baserunners.
In the very first episode of the Bush League Congregation podcast, the boys take some shots at the bigger topics this spring including rule changes, the (lack of) universal DH, and some way too early award candidates. Let us know what you think.
Welcome to the Bush League, ya bums!