Foul Ball Area

Spring Training Begins

Spring Training is finally here! Tune in to today's episode of the podcast as Trey Lyle and I break down the biggest news from the first week of Spring Training, including Fernando Tatis Jr.'s contract, Albert Pujols potentially retiring and much more!

 

Plus, we get into opening weekend of college baseball and the top 10 players in MLB right now. 

Baseball Across the Commonwealth: Winchester

The latest episode of Baseball Across the Commonwealth takes us back to the Shenandoah Valley to visit the city of Winchester. Winchester is a historic city, with lots of notable sites dating back to before the American Revolution. The city changed hands 72 times during the Civil War, and there are seven major battlefields in the area. 

 

Today, Winchester is home to the Winchester Royals of the Valley Baseball Leauge, as well as numerous activities for baseball fans and beer lovers. We talk with Graham Knight, a board member of the Royals to find out about the baseball in town. Also joining us is Josh Kirby, a Winchester native and host of the Kirby on Sports Podcast, to break down the local attractions. 

Virginia Tech Baseball Season Preview

We are just days away from the beginning of the 2021 NCAA baseball season. Since Trey and I are graduates of Virginia Tech, we decided to put together a season preview for the Hokies. Joining us on this week's episode of the podcast is Cory Van Dyke, baseball beat writer for Tech Sideline. He helps us break down the roster, schedule and everything else you need to know for this VT baseball season.

 

Plus, Mariah returns for the second edition of "So You Don't Like Beer, Huh?" Today we taste and review the Jam Up Boysenberry and Blackberry Dry Hopped Sour from Collective Arts Brewing. 

Trevor Bauer and Marcell Ozuna Finally Sign

A lot has happened since last week's episode of the podcast. Two of the biggest free agents on the market each finally signed contracts this past week. Reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Trevor Bauer signed a 3-year, $102 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. His $40 million salary in 2021 will be the highest in baseball. 

 

LF/DH Marcell Ozuna, who led the National League in home runs in 2020, re-signed with the Atlanta Braves on a 4-year, $64 million deal. While there won't be a DH in the NL in 2021, having Ozuna's bat in the lineup is worth the risk on whatever defense you'll get from him. 

 

Plus, Trey and I touch on which division in MLB will be the most interesting to watch in 2021. Let us know your thoughts!

Arenado Traded, Hall of Fame, and Much More

Trey Lyle is back in the co-host seat for today's episode of the podcast, and that means we have a lot to catch up on. We talk about the big news of Nolan Arenado getting traded to the St. Louis Cardinals, Dustin Pedroia retiring and the Mets receiving some bad publicity. Plus, we have a bit of a debate regarding the 2021 Hall of Fame results. 

 

AND, new this week is a beer tasting segment featuring my fiancee Mariah. As someone who used to not like beer, she hopes to enlighten you all on the many different styles of delicious brews out there. 

Baseball Across the Commonwealth: Vienna, Va.

Our latest episode of Baseball Across the Commonwealth takes us to the Northern Virginia town of Vienna. We talk with James Madison High School head coach Mark Gjorman about his program, the baseball culture in Vienna and some of his favorite things to do around town. 

 

Plus, we chat with representatives of Caboose Brewing, which operates two taprooms in the area. We talk about their beer, how they got started, and what they love about Vienna. Tune in!

Remembering Hank Aaron

The baseball world lost a legend on Friday when Hank Aaron passed away at the age of 86. Aaron played 23 seasons in Major League Baseball, 21 of them for the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves. He was the all-time home run leader at the time of his retirement, hitting 755 career home runs. He was a civil rights leader, businessman and philanthropist. By all accounts, he was a greater man off the field than on it, which is saying something. 

 

To help me remember the life and legacy of this baseball legend, I'm joined this week by Gabe Burns, Braves beat writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 

Baseball Across the Commonwealth: Ol Dominion Beer and Exploration Club

Today's episode of Basaeball Across the Commonwealth looks a little different than usual. Instead of focusing on one city or team, we talk with someone else whose goal is to highlight all that this state has to offer. 

 

Matthew Johnson is starting Ol Dominion Beer and Exploration Club, a company that will connect beer lovers with local craft breweries across the state of Virginia. He also plans on opening up clubhouses around the state, offering local beer to people who are traveling through, and highlighting local activities for out of towners. We sit down with Matthew to talk about his inspiration and goals for the company. 

Yankees Re-sign LeMahieu

The New York Yankees finally did the one thing they had to do this offseason: they re-signed DJ LeMahieu. The 32-year-old infielder led the league in batting average last year, hitting .364. His reward is a six-year, $90 million contract. 

 

As if that's not enough, the Yankees also went out and got two-time Cy Young winning pitcher Corey Kluber on a one-year, $11 million deal. The stove is heating up in the Bronx. 

 

Plus, Trey Lyle and I go through MLB.com's article predicting the next 10 World Series, most of which we don't agree with. 

Baseball Across the Commonwealth: Salem

In the latest edition of our Baseball Across the Commonwealth series, we travel south to Salem, Va., home of the Salem Red Sox. The Red Sox are the Class A Advanced affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, and compete in the historic Carolina League. We get a chance to chat with Salem General Manager Allen Lawrence about the team and what makes their gameday environment special.

 

Plus, even though we weren't able to talk with a local brewery, I give you a rundown of some of the best spots in the area to stop in for a beer. There's plenty of options, so you'll want to make sure to pay attention!