Baltimorons

Craig Calcaterra (NBC's Hardball Talk) joins us to talk about baseball's stodgy corporate culture, how to be a fresh voice in an increasingly stale media environment, and why the Expos are the In-N-Out Burger of baseball. Find Craig on Twitter @craigcalcaterra.

The Ryan Webb Franchise Report investigates the Chris Davis's rapidly-deteriorating ability to make contact, the rash of recent injuries, and offers praise to the city of Tampa Bay for its Baltimore impression. Sarah Estrella laments the demise of McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket. PLUS: essayist Matt Fried bids a fond farewell to the Cliff Lee Era in Philadelphia.

We're joined by Travis Waldron (Think Progress) to consider the multitude of issues raised by the week's events in Baltimore, and to wonder how we, baseball in general, and America can do better.

At long last! The much-anticipated 2015 Nickname Show, complete with overcomplicated puns and lots of giggling. Every player on the current 40-man roster gets a nickname, except weirdos like Oliver Drake, because really?

Alan files a remote report from the nether regions of North Carolina on the experience of missing out on all the #OpeningWeek #Excitement. 

Sam and Alan lament the murky future of Matt Wieters but celebrate the burgeoning expanding around concussions in the NFL. Chris Luther joins us to bravely attempt to make wrestling sound interesting. PLUS: Henry Urrutia gets sexy.

The ideas are even more dangerous than usual this week, as Mina Kimes (ESPN The Magazine) joins us to advocate for government regulation of the professional sports leagues, and explains why that will NOT end up turning them all into Time Warner Cable. Plus: the Larry Bigbie Franchise Report tries to figure out, among other things, whether or not this is finally the Year of Machado.

The Nelson Cruz Franchise Report considers the legacies of Tom Brady and Craig Biggio, Mike Petriello (Fangraphs, Mike Sciosia's Tragic Illness) joins us to talk about the Orioles possibly-shrewd acquisition of Travis Snider, and Ben Masten casts Sam in the greatest role he's ever played: Alex Rodriguez's PR flunky Wheedly Smedlap.

Sam shares some fond memories of Ben McDonald in a special edition episode.

As the Dan Duquette Departure Drama fades (hopefully) into the rear-view mirror, Sam and Alan endeavor to pick up the pieces and look ahead with just two weeks left before pitchers and catchers report.

We consider our emotions, as well as those of Charlie Hoppes, late of the Orioles Spastics podcast. Plus: Dan sings!

A hearty salute to umpire Dale Scott, who recently declared himself "out at home." A requiem for Nick Markakis. Some undeserved bragging about our subtle understanding of the current Orioles roster, and a rare in-studio visit from Dan Duquette.

Sam and Alan invite noted baseball expert Nick Markovich to Hootenanny Studios for a spirited discussion on the game's many imperfections.

Sam and Alan debate the emotional highs and lows of the 2014 season, urge calm about the Chris Davis situation, and wonder why America is better at voting for MLB All-Stars than it is at electing congressional representatives and presidents.

On our last audio liveblog, we chronicled the gradual unfolding of the single greatest moment at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in 17 years: the clinching of the AL East by the 2014 O's.  Somewhere at the other end of the spectrum lies...whatever this is.

A pregame show of sorts for Game 3 of the 2014 ALDS. We discuss, among other things, the historical illusions of Delmon Young, the Ned Yost debate, and why baseball is somehow better than participatory democracy, despite being way less participatory.

In light of 2014's division triumph, we ponder the legacy of the last AL East champion Orioles, which leads to a fairly damning assessment of the 1997 editions of your humble hosts. PLUS: the odd phenomenon of being congratulated by friends and acquaintances for the Orioles' success, and the correct way to feel about Jetermania.

Let's be realistic - none of us was thinking about anything (baseball-related or otherwise) this week besides the O's clinching the AL East. For episode 107, we decided to liveblog our emotions as we watched the Birds pulverize the Jays to capture the 2014 division crown. This episode is messy, a little weird, and full of guest appearances that keep the train on the rails just when you think it's about to jump the tracks for good. You know, a lot like the 2014 Orioles.

Ben Masten joins us to offer an actual Yankee fan's perspective on the Derek Jeter Farewell Roadshow, as well as the Bombers' potentially bleak outlook going forward. He also explains why he has not yet found a wife on MLB Singles Powered By Match Dot Com. The Andy Van Slyke Franchise Report talks JJ Hardy, WAR, and Ray Rice. PLUS: Alan receives a mysterious visit from an old friend.

Rosters have expanded, which means it's time to update the official 2014 Oriole nickname list. Plus: the Jake Fox Franchise Report looks at Chris Davis's inability to beat the shift, Jonathan Schoop's opaque future, and Buck Showalter's lineup juggling.