Talkin' Baseball (MLB Podcast)

Mike Leake, Ryan Zimmerman, Joe Ross, and Ian Desmond became the first group of guys to decide to sit out the 2020 season this week for a wide variety of reasons. How big could that list get? Does Shohei Ohtani have the clearest path to the MVP in a shortened 2020? Which NL teams just got the best DHs? How much does Trevor Plouffe hate the Yankees? Talkin' Baseball is BACK baby. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Umpire Dale Scott returns to tell more stories about his many years in the game, while also sharing the story of coming out as the first active, openly gay umpire in MLB. The Oregon-native breaks down his strike-three call, umpire uniforms, and much more with his second go-around on Talkin' Baseball. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Koshien: Japan's Field of Dreams is a documentary airing on ESPN Monday, June 29 about Japan's annual high school tournament. Japanese legends like Masahiro Tanaka, Shohei Ohtani, Hideki Matsui, and Ichiro, among others, have all turned in dominant and historic performances at Koshien. We talked to director Ema Ryan Yamazaki about the history of the tournament, the making of the documentary, the way baseball is beloved in Japan, and the Japanese stars playing in MLB today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

MLB is set to officially implement a 60-game season after the MLBPA voted on Monday to decline the most recent proposal. The fellas wrap their heads around how this all shook out, what could happen with the impending grievance, whether or not some guys will sit out, and other details that could be important for baseball's return in July. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Disco" Neil Walker hopped on to discuss his long-standing relationship with Trevor Plouffe, turning himself into a super utility player, playing for his hometown Pirates, his season with the Yankees in 2018, playing in five Wild Card Games in the last eight years, and so much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The MLBPA delivered a counterproposal to the league Thursday for a 70-game season and it seems like there is real momentum to get this thing done. The guys also answer your voicemails! How would Plouffe fare against himself as a pitcher? Do we like the Mariners' long-term plan? How bad have the negotiations really been for baseball? Leave us a voicemail at 917-426-2796! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The negotiations between MLB and the Players' Association have gone nuclear. There is a growing group of owners that have stated they do not want a season, but the players are good to go. They just want to know when and where they gotta be for as full a season as possible. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We got to look at a different side of the baseball world, chatting with Venika Streeter, Authentics and Retail Sales Manager of the Minnesota Twins, on the process of authentication, her path to her current role, and advise for anybody trying to break into the game professionally. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

AJ Schnack is the director of the upcoming 30 for 30, "Long Gone Summer," about the 1998 home run chase between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa. Schnack sat down with us to discuss how he made the film, the most fun parts of the film, and the merits of inducting steroid guys into the Hall of Fame. Check out the premiere of the film on Sunday night (June 14) at 9 p.m. ET. The guys also discuss the latest counterproposal by the MLBPA that was given to the owners Tuesday night. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

MLB keeps offering the players the same deal in different packaging. Is a 48-game season really on the table? Are they ever going to negotiate in good faith? **This episode was recorded before the MLBPA counter-proposal Tuesday evening** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices