Almost Cooperstown

Major League Baseball awards separate MVPs in the American and National Leagues, but what would happen if there were only one award for the entire sport?The leading candidates present a fascinating contrast.Pete Crow-Armstrong offers elite defense, speed, power and enormous all-around value. Traditional value measurements such as WAR make a compelling case that the Chicago Cubs center fielder has been the most valuable player in baseball.Yordan Alvarez presents a different argument. The Houston Astros slugger may not match Crow-Armstrong’s defensive value, but his bat changes games. Measures such as Win Probability Added give Alvarez credit for delivering in the moments that have most directly affected whether his team wins or loses.That raises a larger question: What should “most valuable” actually mean?Should the award go to the player who accumulates the greatest overall value across hitting, defense and baserunning? Or should greater weight be given to the player whose biggest performances come in the most important moments?In Episode 723 of Almost Cooperstown, Mark and Gordon compare Pete Crow-Armstrong and Yordan Alvarez and consider what WAR, WPA and other measurements reveal—and sometimes fail to reveal—about player value.They also discuss whether clutch performance should influence MVP voting, whether a designated hitter can overcome the value contributed by an elite defensive center fielder and whether one statistic should ever settle an MVP debate.If Major League Baseball selected only one overall MVP, would you vote for PCA or Yordan Alvarez?Almost Cooperstown is a weekly baseball podcast featuring thoughtful conversations about the Baseball Hall of Fame, baseball history, current MLB topics, player comparisons, statistics and the stories that connect today's game with its rich history.Thanks again to Mercury Maid for the Intro & Outro music.Visit AlmostCooperstown.com for original baseball articles, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and follow Almost Cooperstown on YouTube.

With the MLB season entering its final stretch, the standings remain crowded—but does that mean baseball has compelling playoff races or simply too many mediocre teams still in contention?In Episode 722 of Almost Cooperstown, Mark and Gordon Kolier examine the American and National League playoff pictures, the teams building momentum and the supposed contenders beginning to fade. The expanded postseason keeps more fan bases interested deep into August, but it can also create a path to October for teams that have barely played winning baseball.Which clubs are legitimate World Series threats? Which teams are hanging around only because the playoff field has grown? And how much should one strong postseason run erase five months of ordinary regular-season baseball?The discussion also covers the continuing uncertainty surrounding MLB’s next collective bargaining agreement, the owners’ interest in greater payroll controls and whether baseball can avoid another damaging work stoppage before the 2027 season.Plus, Mark and Gordon consider late-season injuries, pitching concerns, surprising performances and the players and teams worth watching as September approaches.Almost Cooperstown is a weekly baseball podcast featuring thoughtful conversations about the Baseball Hall of Fame, baseball history, current MLB topics, player comparisons, statistics and the stories that connect today's game with its rich history.Thanks again to Mercury Maid for the Intro & Outro music.Visit AlmostCooperstown.com for original baseball articles, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and follow Almost Cooperstown on YouTube.

The 2026 Mets have been a mess—but are they actually better positioned for 2027 than their record suggests?Mark and Gordon, two Mets fans who have suffered through the season firsthand, look at what went wrong, why a brutal 12-game losing streak essentially destroyed the season, and why the emergence of young players may give Mets fans legitimate reasons for optimism next year.Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing could be part of a young outfield alongside Juan Soto. Nolan McLean and Christian Scott are emerging as potential rotation anchors. Kodai Senga may have found a new role in the bullpen. And despite plenty of questionable decisions, the Mets may finally be developing enough young talent that free-agent signings can become luxuries rather than necessities.Before getting to the Mets, there’s plenty happening around baseball.The American League wild-card race has become a dogfight, with Toronto making an unexpected charge and several teams packed together in the standings. Cal Raleigh’s dramatic offensive decline is hurting Seattle, while the entire AL West continues to struggle.We also remember Tommy John, who passed away this week. John finished with 288 career wins—the most ever by a pitcher outside the Hall of Fame other than Roger Clemens—and his death immediately renews the debate over whether Cooperstown has waited far too long.There’s also a remarkable MLB debut: Cardinals rookie Joshua Baez homered on the first pitch he saw, then homered again—and again—becoming the first player in Major League history to hit three home runs in his first game.Plus: Paul Skenes’ declining fastball velocity, what 100-mph pitching may be doing to starting pitchers, the sale of the Dodgers, the competitive advantages created by baseball’s revenue structure, Hunter Greene’s injury, and whether Cincinnati should rethink its direction.It’s another week where today’s baseball collides with history, statistics and plenty of opinion on Almost Cooperstown.Almost Cooperstown is a weekly baseball podcast featuring thoughtful conversations about the Baseball Hall of Fame, baseball history, current MLB topics, player comparisons, statistics and the stories that connect today's game with its rich history.Thanks again to Mercury Maid for the Intro & Outro music.Visit AlmostCooperstown.com for original baseball articles, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and follow Almost Cooperstown on YouTube.

With roughly 40 games remaining in the 2026 MLB regular season, the postseason picture is beginning to take shape—but there’s still plenty of time for everything to change.The Boston Red Sox have come roaring back into the American League race after a remarkable stretch of winning baseball. Would you rather be a Red Sox fan right now—or a Dodgers fan? Los Angeles has suddenly hit a rough patch, but is this really cause for concern, or is a veteran championship team simply waiting for October?We look around baseball at the contenders, pretenders and teams hanging onto the edges of the playoff race. The Rays continue to prove us wrong, the Yankees are waiting for reinforcements, and with only about a quarter of the season remaining, one terrible week could effectively end a team's postseason hopes.We also discuss Yankees prospect George Lombard Jr. and the pressure that comes with playing shortstop in New York; the remarkable extra-inning Red Sox-White Sox game that produced scoring in five consecutive innings; and why games like that make a pretty good argument for MLB's regular-season extra-inning rule.Then there's Tommy John. With news about John's health prompting renewed discussion of his Hall of Fame candidacy, we debate a fascinating question: Is his 288-win, 26-year pitching career worthy of Cooperstown on its own—or are people inevitably giving him extra credit because the revolutionary surgery bears his name?Plus, Jacob Wilson sets a Major League record for consecutive errorless games by a shortstop, Matt Olson reaches 900 consecutive games played, and we consider whether Cal Ripken Jr.'s 2,632-game streak may be the most unbreakable record in baseball.Finally, there's actually a reason for optimism about MLB's looming labor confrontation. Every owner lockout in MLB history has ended before costing baseball a regular-season game. Could history—and the enormous amount of money now at stake—make a 2027 work stoppage less likely than many fans fear?We finish with Craig Kimbrel joining his 12th MLB franchise and a Chicago Cubs defense that isn't merely good—it has a chance to rank among the best defensive teams we've ever seen.It's another week of baseball history colliding with the game we're watching right now on Almost Cooperstown.Almost Cooperstown is a weekly baseball podcast featuring thoughtful conversations about the Baseball Hall of Fame, baseball history, current MLB topics, player comparisons, statistics and the stories that connect today's game with its rich history.Thanks again to Mercury Maid for the Intro & Outro music.Visit AlmostCooperstown.com for original baseball articles, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and follow Almost Cooperstown on YouTube.

Episode 719 - With the 2026 MLB Trade Deadline complete, Mark and Gordon break down every major move and ask the biggest question in baseball:Did any contender actually improve enough to beat the Dodgers?The discussion begins with the hypothetical blockbuster acquisition of Tarik Skubal, leading into a broader conversation about the Dodgers' financial advantage, deferred contracts, and whether Major League Baseball is moving closer to a salary cap and salary floor during the next collective bargaining negotiations.The hosts evaluate which organizations improved their World Series chances the most, why the Yankees, Phillies, Cubs and Red Sox may have positioned themselves best, and why several contenders chose much smaller moves despite an aggressive deadline.Topics include: Dodgers' overwhelming World Series outlook  The Tarik Skubal domino effect  Deferred contracts and MLB economics  Whether a salary cap is becoming inevitable  Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs and Phillies deadline grades  Padres' aggressive strategy  Brewers' quiet deadline  Cardinals, Blue Jays and Mets choosing clear organizational directions  American League playoff race  National League contenders  Aaron Judge's injury impact  Spencer Strider's uncertain return  Robbie Ray, Kevin Gausman, Clay Holmes and many other notable moves The episode also highlights the exciting launch of the Women's Professional Baseball League, discussing why women's professional baseball deserves far greater attention and how today's players are building upon the legacy of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.Almost Cooperstown is a weekly baseball podcast featuring thoughtful conversations about the Baseball Hall of Fame, baseball history, current MLB topics, player comparisons, statistics and the stories that connect today's game with its rich history.Thanks again to Mercury Maid for the Intro & Outro music.Visit AlmostCooperstown.com for original baseball articles, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and follow Almost Cooperstown on YouTube.

Carlos Beltrán, Jeff Kent and Andruw Jones are the newest members of the Baseball Hall of Fame. In Episode 718 of Almost Cooperstown, Mark and Gordon discuss the 2026 Hall of Fame class, what each player accomplished during his career, and why each ultimately earned a plaque in Cooperstown.The conversation examines Beltrán's remarkable combination of power, speed and defense, Jeff Kent's legacy as one of baseball's greatest offensive second basemen, and Andruw Jones' extraordinary defensive brilliance in center field. The episode also explores what this Hall of Fame class may say about the evolving standards used to evaluate baseball's greatest players.The discussion then turns to the 2026 Major League Baseball season with the trade deadline approaching. Which teams should be buyers? Which clubs should become sellers? Which players could be on the move, and which potential trades could have the greatest impact on the postseason races during the final third of the season?Almost Cooperstown is a weekly baseball podcast featuring thoughtful conversations about the Baseball Hall of Fame, baseball history, current MLB topics, player comparisons, statistics and the stories that connect today's game with its rich history.Thanks again to Mercury Maid for the Intro & Outro music.Visit AlmostCooperstown.com for original baseball articles, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and follow Almost Cooperstown on YouTube.

We didn't watch the ASG or the Home Run Derby. And we're ok with that. In this episode we look at the teams that have surprised positively and negatively.  Only 60 games to go and yet we talk about this being the beginning of the 2nd half of the season. The All-Star Game is too late in the season now. Olympic Baseball is like Olympic Soccer. World Cup soccer is way cooler and World Baseball Classic is way cooler than Olympic baseball. Could that change?  If your team stinks like the Mets and Rockies, how do you still be a fan with two and a half months to go?Thanks again to Mercury Maid for the Intro & Outro music. Check them out on Spotify or Apple Music!  Please subscribe to our podcast and thanks for listening! If you can give us 4 or 5 star rating that means a lot. And if you have a suggestion for an episode please drop us a line via email at [email protected].  You can also follow us on X @markkolier or visit the Almost Cooperstown Facebook page or YouTube channel.  And please tell your friends to check us out!

One of our stories of the week is that #redsox Willson Contreras did something last week that only 35 players have done in MLB history. He got tossed from back to back games vs. #Nationals.  Another is about the baseball flying further in June than it has since good 'ol 2019. All-Star game rosters are in. Big yawn? Dodgers and Rays are hot, Yankees and Mets are not. Thanks again to Mercury Maid for the Intro & Outro music. Check them out on Spotify or Apple Music!  Please subscribe to our podcast and thanks for listening! If you can give us 4 or 5 star rating that means a lot. And if you have a suggestion for an episode please drop us a line via email at [email protected].  You can also follow us on X @almostcoop or visit the Almost Cooperstown Facebook page or YouTube channel.  And please tell your friends to check us out!

College baseball may become even more important if MLB owners get their way.  Changing draft rules is a big part of the first offer from the owners. The players (MLBPA) laughed it off as they should have. We talk about what it means and what it will lead to. Bunting is back in 2026. Well at least since the universal DH era began. Will Tarik Skubal be a Detroit #Tigers pitcher after the trade deadline?Thanks again to Mercury Maid for the Intro & Outro music. Check them out on Spotify or Apple Music!  Please subscribe to our podcast and thanks for listening! If you can give us 4 or 5 star rating that means a lot. And if you have a suggestion for an episode please drop us a line via email at [email protected].  You can also follow us on X @almostcoop or visit the Almost Cooperstown Facebook page or YouTube channel.  And please tell your friends to check us out!

Tim Brown is the author of three baseball books and his latest book "Nolan" The Singular Life of an American Original" goes deeper with the HOF legend than any other. Tim spent time in Alvin, TX, which is Nolan Ryan's home town. There are so many great stories!  Thanks for listening and watching! Thanks again to Mercury Maid for the Intro & Outro music. Check them out on Spotify or Apple Music!  Please subscribe to our podcast and thanks for listening! If you can give us 4 or 5 star rating that means a lot. And if you have a suggestion for an episode please drop us a line via email at [email protected].  You can also follow us on X @almostcoop or visit the Almost Cooperstown Facebook page or YouTube channel.  And please tell your friends to check us out!

Shohei Ohtani is on his way to his 5th MVP (in six seasons). He has the lowest ERA and highest OPS+ in the NL - not even HOFer Babe Ruth did that in the same season! We talk about the rash of injuries to stars including Jose Ramirez, Ronald Acuna Jr., and Spencer Strider. Jacob Misiorowski pitched a game for the ages and Mark tells you why when it comes to pitcher game score. Ground balls are more deadly to hitters today as hitting the ball in the air means everything!  Gordon tells you what that's all about. Thanks again to Mercury Maid for the Intro & Outro music. Check them out on Spotify or Apple Music!  Please subscribe to our podcast and thanks for listening! If you can give us 4 or 5 star rating that means a lot. And if you have a suggestion for an episode please drop us a line via email at [email protected].  You can also follow us on X @almostcoop or visit the Almost Cooperstown Facebook page or YouTube channel.  And please tell your friends to check us out!

It's hard to believe that both Mike Trout and Aaron Judge are 34. How can that be? It seems like Trout has been around much longer - and that's actually the case. We talk about this in our stories of the week along with the latest injury reports, player news, and everything that happened in MLB last week. All in less than 30 minutes! Thanks again to Mercury Maid for the Intro & Outro music. Check them out on Spotify or Apple Music!  Please subscribe to our podcast and thanks for listening! If you can give us 4 or 5 star rating that means a lot. And if you have a suggestion for an episode please drop us a line via email at [email protected].  You can also follow us on X @almostcoop or visit the Almost Cooperstown Facebook page or YouTube channel.  And please tell your friends to check us out!

We look at run differentials that reveal the good teams (Braves, Dodgers, Yankees, Brewers), and all the other teams.  The AL is weaker this season and that's no surprise. Should #brewers trade for Tarik Skubal? Mark and Gordon don't see eye-to-eye on this one.  Will #dodgers Shohei win the NL Cy Young award?  Cristopher Sanchez of the #phillies as a 44.2 inning scoreless streak.  And then there's #padres Mason Miller. Catch up on all the hot news from last week in under 30 minutes! Thanks again to Mercury Maid for the Intro & Outro music. Check them out on Spotify or Apple Music!  Please subscribe to our podcast and thanks for listening! If you can give us 4 or 5 star rating that means a lot. And if you have a suggestion for an episode please drop us a line via email at [email protected].  You can also follow us on X @almostcoop or visit the Almost Cooperstown Facebook page or YouTube channel.  And please tell your friends to check us out!

Our top stories of the week are revealed as are the prospects for players and  @MLB teams after 1/3 of 2026 season has been played. Shohei of course leads the pack given that he pitches (amazingly) AND hits amazingly.  #tigers are sinking as are #mets #redsox & #astros.  What's up with #cubs?  Can the #athletics remain in first place?  We talk about where things are right now!Thanks again to Mercury Maid for the Intro & Outro music. Check them out on Spotify or Apple Music!  Please subscribe to our podcast and thanks for listening! If you can give us 4 or 5 star rating that means a lot. And if you have a suggestion for an episode please drop us a line via email at [email protected].  You can also follow us on X @almostcoop or visit the Almost Cooperstown Facebook page or YouTube channel.  And please tell your friends to check us out!

#Brewers Jacob Misiorowski is tied for the MLB lead w 80 strikeouts. #dodgers Blake Snell is injured. Again. #Rays continue to excel. #guardians still the only AL Central team over .500 as well as the #athletics. Baseball is soaring high and we are appealing to baseball club owners and players to reach a deal in the new CBA before the 2027 seasonWe discuss the league leading hitters and pitchers with about 1/3 of the 2026 season to be played by Memorial Day! 

Rob Fitts loves Japanese baseball and has been writing about it for years. His 10 books on baseball in Japan cover many aspects of the sport in the Land of the Rising Sun. Dr. Fitts joined Gordon and Mark to talk about his 2025 book "In the Japanese Ballpark" which is a series of vignettes covering aspects of what goes on during a NPB game. From players, to managers, to umpires, owners, fans, even beer girls, Fitts has a great feel for how to tell the story and explain Japanese baseball to fans outside of Japan. It's a great and engaging read and you can pick up your copy wherever you buy your books!Thanks again to Mercury Maid for the Intro & Outro music. Check them out on Spotify or Apple Music!  Please subscribe to our podcast and thanks for listening! If you can give us 4 or 5 star rating that means a lot. And if you have a suggestion for an episode please drop us a line via email at [email protected].  You can also follow us on X @almostcoop or visit the Almost Cooperstown Facebook page or YouTube channel.  And please tell your friends to check us out!

We had intended to drop this episode on Monday the 11th after taking a week off due to some travel. But we recorded Wednesday night the 6th and so here's the latest episode as we want things to be timely!  The teams as of the weekend will have played about a quarter of the season. Does that mean Aaron Judge will hit 60 homers as he has 15 already? Not necessarily but you wouldn't be surprised would you? Framber Valdez did another crazy Framber thing. The bad teams aren't as bad as usual and the good teams not quite as good as they can be after 40 games. Our next episode features  author Rob Fitts who wrote a great book about Japanese baseball. Look for it Monday the 18th. Thanks again to Mercury Maid for the Intro & Outro music. Check them out on Spotify or Apple Music!  Please subscribe to our podcast and thanks for listening! If you can give us 4 or 5 star rating that means a lot. And if you have a suggestion for an episode please drop us a line via email at [email protected].  You can also follow us on X @almostcoop or visit the Almost Cooperstown Facebook page or YouTube channel.  And please tell your friends to check us out!