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The Brian Lehrer Show

Baseball's Back in New York City

Mar 31, 2025
Deesha Thosar, an MLB writer for Fox Sports, dives into the 2025 season for the Mets and Yankees. She recaps the thrilling start and highlights the Yankees' innovative 'torpedo bats.' The discussion turns to the historic $765 million contract that brought Juan Soto to the Mets, a game-changer for the franchise. As fans gear up for the approaching Subway series, Thosar examines the competitive dynamics and the importance of team chemistry, referencing José Iglesias's departure and its impact on the Mets.
13:40

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The Yankees' early-season success is driven by innovative 'torpedo bats' that enhance power hitting, raising competitive concerns among teams.
  • The Mets' commitment to signing Juan Soto reflects a strategic shift towards investing in talent, though team chemistry remains a key challenge.

Deep dives

Yankees' Strong Start and Innovative Bats

The Yankees began their season with an impressive performance, sweeping the Milwaukee Brewers and setting a franchise record by hitting nine home runs in a single game. This surge in power hitting has been attributed to the use of modified bats, termed 'torpedo bats', which are designed to have more wood at the sweet spot, allowing hitters to make better contact. The innovation, driven by an MIT physicist, has sparked curiosity and concern among other teams, as it appears to provide the Yankees a competitive edge. While some players are embracing these bats, others, like Aaron Judge, are still performing exceptionally well without them, suggesting that the technology may not be universally advantageous.

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