New ownership of the Tampa Bay Rays on the horizon

Florida Developer, Patrick Zalupski – Jacksonville Real Estate Developer,
Dream Finders Homes

Ken Babby - Founder & CEO, Fast Forward Sports Group &
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp – Triple A team for the Miami Marlins & the
Akron RubberDucks – Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians

an informed and experienced mind to the ownership & front office

2 business guys from New York invested in 2 teams years ago

Jeffrey Loria purchased Marlins for $160 million funded in part by selling the Expos for $120 million to MLB Loria built a Marlins stadium and later sells the team for $1.2 billion

Stu Sternberg bought the Rays for $200 million did not build a stadium & is now selling the Rays for $1.7 billion.

Stu’s deal will be more profitable than what Loria got for the Marlins

Tampa Mayor, Jane Castor supportive of Rays in Tampa

Could City of Tampa aid new owners with reduced rates for services & lighter taxes

Naming rights of the new stadium could cover many of the costs

$1.7 billion a smidge more than the Orioles purchase price

2 Expansion teams on the horizon with a $2 billion price tag per team

Will Stu become part of the Montreal Ownership Group

Mat’s "tip of the hat" to Stu

Stu’s Rays won the fifth most games in MLB during his tenure while building 1.5 billion in equity

What will the front office look like without Stu at the helm

Reflect on Anthopoulos after new ownership with the Toronto Blue Jays

Will Erik Neander still govern the team with new ownership

Will the new owners work with St. Pete on the Trop lease

Is Ybor Rays stadium possible see - Developer Darryl Shaw, Tampa Bay Sun unveil Ybor Harbor soccer stadium plan https://bit.ly/40fUn5F

Rangers & Royals new owners have been willing to spend money, how will the new owners spend with the Rays

Part of the Rays value is a strong group of young players in the farm system

How do you transfer Wander Franco’s contract to the new owners with this sale

Junior Caminero - will the new Rays owners develop a strong contract with him.

Will Grit & Glow go to be replaced with Ybor Cigars & Cuban Sandwiches

March to the World Series with new music “Stomps & Claps”

Rays have been strong over the last 25 games

All-Star candidates for the Rays, Jonathan Aranda & Brandon Lowe

will the new owners offer an extended contraction Jonathan Aranda

Rafael Devers traded to the Giants – what does it mean – where is the value

Boston still has Alex Bregman

Red Sox fans on Blue Sky are upset with the Devers move

Boston fans need to reflect on how this trade increases their pitching depth with the 2 new prospects.

Shane Baz & Tyler Glasnow trade example

Devers & Adames teaming up together with the Giants

Rafael Devers trade – Big Papi’s take

How did Alex Cora work with Devers prior to this trade

Coming back, Shane McClanahan, Richie Palacios, Ha-Seong Kim & Nate Lavender

Rob Manfred need Rays deal to go through to start building an MLB expansion

All Rays minor league affiliates are above 500

If you enjoyed this show, go ahead like and subscribe to BaseballBiz On Deck. Also you can find Mat at M-A-T-G-E-R-M-A-I-N dot B Sky social. That's Mat at M-A-T-G-E-R-M-A-I-N dot B, Sky social or Mark at Baseball Biz on Deck dot B Sky Social. You may also find BaseballBiz on Deck, at iHeart Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, and at www.baseballbizOnDeck.com

 Special Thanks to Scott Holmes for the music Stomps & Claps & to Helen Glennon for her shared news discovery with the show

• Saving the World 1 person at a time
• Fires in Canada – Canada
• Firefighters from Australia & the US aiding Canada as the fires in Manitoba continue.
• Alli Schroder, 2-time World Cup bronze medalist with Team Canada is a wildfire firefighter
• Tampa Hurricanes and FEMA director does not recognize that Hurricane season
• Exciting Times in Tampa – Evan Longoria inducted into the Sports Club of Tampa Hall of Fame
• Lou Piniella award goes to baseball executive & historian Rick Vaughn at Legacy Event in Ybor
• Rays v Red Sox pitching match - Zach Littel facing Walker Buehler
• If the Rays make the playoffs where will they play for their home field - George Steinbrenner Field?
• How will hurricane weather hinder repairs at the Trop
• What are the options for postseason – Orlando?
• Extend the lease at the Trop? Why
• Tampa Mayor Jane Castor supporting the Rays - https://bit.ly/3ZrYStJ
• Savannah Bananas popularity grows
• Rodriguez goes on IL
• Shane McClanahan – being seen for nerve issues
• 50 Days until MLB Trade Deadline
• Where do the Rays need help, Closers & Relievers
• Shane Baz – how will the Rays use him in the regular season & not overuse him prior to a postseason
• Trades like the Reds trading Alexis to the Dodgers
• Look to the Braves where they have not made much movement thus far
• Rays could also use a stronger right hitter at bat
• Potential trades could include Oneil Cruz, Tyler Soderstrom
• Taylor Ward with the Angels could be a rental buy
• Terry Francona, Reds Manager, good relation with Kevin Cash
• Homer Bush Jr as a trade for Oneil Cruz
• Ian Seymour steps up from AAA & takes the mound
• Kyle Gibson & Joe Boyle up and coming pitchers in the Rays system
• The A’s Denzel Clark's amazing catch climbing the centerfield wall - a must see
• Clarke’s relationship with the Bo & Josh the Naylor brothers
• Expect to see Clark on Team Canada
• Richie Palacios in the FCL will be returning
• Rays shortstops changes afoot? – Ha-Seong Kim, Junior Caminero or Carson Williams
• Ha-Seong Kim more of a trading chip than a shortstop for the Rays
• Youngsters in the Rays Carson Williams is 21 years old – fans should expect player development
• DJT bringing the National Guard to California
• States Rights good for Red States but not for the Blue states
• Replace all the congress people that are not moving toward a positive solution
• Who has the fortitude
• We need cooler heads to prevail
• Trump renaming forts back to original Confederate names – In baseball will he rename Guardians to Indians
• No Kings Rallies this weekend - https://www.newsweek.com/map-list-cities-protests-trump-june-14-2081284

Just a reminder, if you enjoyed this show, go ahead like and subscribe to BaseballBiz On Deck. Also you can find Mat at M-A-T-G-E-R-M-A-I-N dot B Sky social. That's Mat at M-A-T-G-E-R-M-A-I-N dot B, Sky social or Mark at Baseball Biz on Deck dot B Sky Social. You may also find Baseball Biz on Deck, at iHeart Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, and at baseball biz on deck dot com

Special Thanks to XTaKe-R-U-X for the music Rocking Forward,

• Amazing performances by Zach Little & Taj Bradley
• Taylor Walls Fiery exchange with Umpire
• Ha-Seong Kim struggling in Minors
• Chandler Simpson goes down & Jake Mangum returns to Rays lineup
• Love those Lowe & Lowe boys
• Houston Astros with Hunter Brown
• Baseball America, – Top 100 review
• Cooper Kinney, Theo Gillen,
• AL East – Yankees
• World Series path for the Tampa Bay Rays
• Pitching depth
• Potential trades with D-Backs
• Gambling – McCullers Jr & Liam Hendricks
• Past Baseball Legends who were impacted by bad fan behavior like Hank Aaron
• Many fans feel entitlement in the seats where they feel they can mistreat the players
• Will MLBPA make this type of fan behavior negotiate with a lifetime ban across
• Austin Meadows still experiencing difficulties
• How is Rays looking in AL East
• March to the World Series

Find Mat @matgermain.bsky.social & Mark @baseballbizondeck.bsky.social. You may also find Baseball Biz on Deck, at iHeart Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, and at baseball biz on deck dot com

Special Thanks to XTaKe-R-U-X for the music Rocking Forward,

Kevin Boles, Montgomery Biscuits Manager has a 25 year career in baseball

First game as manager with 2 special players; Adrian Gonzalez & Miguel Cabrera

John Boles, Kevin’s dad a great mentor

Boston Red Sox in Pawtucket the “31st major league team” a great place to see the future of players working up to the major league team

How to balance Player Development while Developing Winners today

Advice to players “Don’t Be a Front Runner in Your Own Career”

Look at failures as an opportunity to learn

Players Need to develop a thick skin & give themselves some credit for coming out of failures

Double-A as a separator, see some older arms along with younger arms.

Time to move players up through minor has been reduced

If you can get into a AAA clubhouse you got a chance

Looking for intelligent, consistent & reliable player like Homer Bush Jr.

Mat notes significant trades that have impacted the Montgomery Biscuits & Rays pipeline - Jackson Baumeister, Ty Cummings, Jacob Waters, Will Simpson, Mathew Etzel, Brody Hopkins

Adjustment period for a player when settling in with a new team

Duncan Davitt commands the zone & utilizes a good mix of pitches & tempo

Cooper Kinney can flat out hit

Brayden Taylor is tough, while struggling at the plate right now he is working ,on adjustments

Kevin would rather see a player struggle in the minors & adjust before they make it to the majors

Paul Rozzelle & the hitting department are doing great things with the players

How has draft decisions for increase of hitters impacted the organization

Hopkins has a chance to be really something

Yoniel Curet has versatility & has a power arm

Stickier balls?

Automated Zones – would improve accuracy of umpire calls. It is hard for umpires to judge 90+ speed pitches

How will the Automated Zone impact the role of the catcher

Veteran pitchers may get a better call than a younger pitcher without Automated Zone

People don’t realize how tough the umpires have behind the plate

Ejections – Kevin is good for 5 a year. Ump asks “don’t you want to get animated”

Kevin’s career goal is about the players “Create the next Chandler Simpson”

Top players that Kevin seen rise through the system – Miguel Cabrera, Xander Bogaerts, Mookie Betts and any players who come up through the minors who excel in the game

RaysUp

Rays return home to George Steinbrenner Field and increase their wins

Rays Outfielders, Misner, Aranda, and Simpson formerly with the Montgomery Biscuits

Steinbrenner Weather metric

Swirling Winds, Day Games & Sun Rays disorienting players fielding fly balls

Gusts of wind 40+ MPH impacting outs caught

Lack of 2nd Tier at Steinbrenner increases wind

Should their be a new Statcast metric on the weather

Rays climb up in the standings to #2 in the AL East

Foul territory expand more ground outside of the foul lines for safety

Roster Crunch Incoming

• Ha-Seong Kim rehabbing and soon returning
• Jake Mangum and Johnny DeLuca waiting in AAA
• Who gets sent down? Walls? Mead?

With so much movement between the majors and AAA, Rays prospects in Montgomery have all the motivation they need. It’s a dog-eat-dog path to the top

Just a reminder, if you enjoyed this show, go ahead like and subscribe to BaseballBiz On Deck. Also you can find Mat at M-A-T-G-E-R-M-A-I-N dot B Sky social. That's Mat at M-A-T-G-E-R-M-A-I-N dot B, Sky social or Mark at Baseball Biz on Deck dot B Sky Social. You may also find Baseball Biz on Deck, at iHeart Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, and at baseball biz on deck dot com

Special Thanks to XTaKe-R-U-X for the music Rocking Forward,

Tamara Holmes, Veronica Alvarez, Malaika Underwood & Alex Oglesby, Champions of the USAWNT Women's Baseball team, discuss the increase in bullying & pushing out of young girls in baseball

Talking groups with young players at MLBDevelops Trailblazers uncovered more on how young girls are being pushed off teams & encountering bullying

Climate of bullying is getting worse

Malaika Underwood recounts that when she was a child playing baseball her team did not care if she was a girl or not. Their main concern was if you were a good player. The bullying & rudeness often came from parents

Veronica Alvarez points how some Moms in the baseball space talk down young girls in baseball. They treat them as lesser than boys. Parents have an opportunity to teach good behavior toward girls & women to their children

Social Media praise of a successful player can increase bullying from the jealousy of others

“Why is she playing instead of my Kid” – overheard by young children builds a prejudice against girls in sports

Encourage players to build friendships with others at the baseball camps & stay in touch to support one another

Kelsie Whitmore & Olivia Pichardo discovered that they had to get stronger facing adversity to advance as girls in baseball at college & professional level

Idea of these girls are a threat to boys & men’s career is insane. They have the same dream, they want to play baseball

Girls may start with baseball in Little League but soon receive the message that they need to play softball.

“We have baseball, you have softball, you don’t belong here”

We need to start creating a pipeline for supporting girls who want to play baseball

Girls are not trying to invade boys baseball it’s just that is the only place for them to play

Baseball & Softball can Co-Exist.

Baseball loses girls to softball due to opportunities

The bullying problem of pushing out girls & women exists beyond baseball,

MLB points to the new softball league as the option for women

“They’re just kids being kids” mentality strengthens the bullying

Girls internalizing negative remarks about them on social media

Girls are expected to be perfect on the field

People need to get back to common decency

Matheny Manifesto – written as instructions to parents from a coach

Travel ball expands number of teams & opinionated parents

Good coaches do not tolerate bad behavior from kids or parents

Youth’s sports main focus needs to be development, it makes them better students & learn life lessons

Co-ed baseball an opportunity for young women & men to play baseball in college

Parents need to set the foundation teaching boys to respect the girls & their equality

Making it normal that women & girls are in the game

Veronica notes how the men on her team respect her as a professional

“Boys play baseball?” Sharing stories of their children learning about baseball & softball

Need to stick up for girls in sports & show respect

Thanks to Tamara Holmes, Veronica Alvarez, Alex Oglesby & Malaika Underwood for discussing the increase of bullying girls & young women in sports & the steps parents, coaches & players can take. Discover more at www.stopbullying.gov

Suggested reading:
The Matheny Manifesto: A Young Manager's Old-School Views on Success in Sports and Life https://bit.ly/3SQWmJC

Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls in Sport A Handbook for Policy Makers and Sports Practitioners https://bit.ly/3SSelzi

• Mat’s World Series Dream
• Mark Thanks the USAWNT players who were on the show to discuss bullying young girls in baseball
• Rays lose Marlins series
• Rays feeling like Super Dave on a Roller Coaster
• Marlins, Cal Quantrill pitches the first Immaculate Inning of the year. 9 pitches – 9 strikes
• Pedro Martinez style Immaculate Inning would include 1 Hit By Pitch
• Rays Offense recently has been lacking with some of the younger players
• Veterans Brandon Lowe & Yandy Diaz have put up more offensively
• Taylor Walls and men left on base LOB
• Curtis Mead offense is firing up – broke out of .98 yesterday with 3 AB’s 2 Hits & 1 HR against the Astros
• Rays had 7 of 9 players with hits against the Astros in Wednesday’s game
• Ben Rortvedt – flatline at bat – who could be Rays 2nd catcher
• Kevin Cash is handcuffed with the lineup he has today
• Elements of a great game – 2 Home Runs back to back with Josh Lowe & Brandon Lowe, Manager ejection with Kevin Cash
• Cash’s ejection as he questions Astros & Umpires long it took for Astros to make an appeal
• Do manager ejections motivate the team players
• Taj Bradley had a solid outing & had good communication with the catcher
• Ryan Pepiot is also showing more promise
• Looking forward to Shane McClanahan & Ha-Seong Kim return to the team. Who will be sent down when they return
• Will there be room for Johnny DeLuca to return to Rays
• FCL Rays rehabbing expect a Roster Crunch with the Rays
• Isaac Paredes returns as an Astro to hit Home Runs against the Rays
• Mat breaks down YOY increase in growing attendance – Mets increase of 289,000 more fans. Detroit Tigers, Dodgers and Athletics follow behind the Mets
• Total of 372,000 more fans this year in attendance across MLB
• City Connect – Wallet Connect - A lot of love and sales for the game including merchandise
• Mat recommends Grit & Glow lighting at the new stadium for Rays
• Rivalry weekend numbers
• Juan Soto and the Yankees show their backs to Soto in the outfield
• Subway Series Streaming - registering as the third (May 17th) and fourth (May 16th) most-watched games ever on MLB.TV.
• merchandise sales increased +45% during Rivalry Weekend
• Tampa Bay Rays Hall of Fame – Evan Longoria will be joining Wade Boggs, Fred McGriff, Don Zimmer, Dave Wills
• Mark would add Erik Neander & Joe Maddon to the Rays Hall of Fame.
• How fans may see players and coaches who move to another team
• Rays are 3 games out of a Wild Card spot
• How many wins will the addition of Shane McClanahan & Ha-Seong Kim
• Orioles traded away so much talent it has hurt their ability to win
• The value of Brandon Hyde beyond the O’s
• A look back at the Liberatore– Arozarena trade

Just a reminder, if you enjoyed this show, go ahead like and subscribe to BaseballBiz On Deck. Also you can find Mat at M-A-T-G-E-R-M-A-I-N dot B Sky social. That's Mat at M-A-T-G-E-R-M-A-I-N dot B, Sky social or Mark at Baseball Biz on Deck dot B Sky Social. You may also find Baseball Biz on Deck, at iHeart Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, and at baseball biz on deck dot com

Special Thanks to XTaKe-R-U-X for the music Rocking Forward,

• Reflecting on show with Dodgers Announcer Tim Neverett
• https://bit.ly/3YNsZLJ
• Firings of Pirates, Derek Shelton & Rockies, Bud Black
• Evan Longoria trade away from the Rays left several fans upset, others saw an opportunity for Evan
• Fans had to realize that with the Rays we should not expect anything permanent
• Evan returns with a 1-day contract with the TB Rays and then retires
• Longoria is a selfless player who has no peer and could bring positive energy & leadership to the team
• Rafael Devers controversy on moving him around and poor communication in the Red Sox organization
• Tanner Hauck 40+ pitch inning – now on the IL
• Mat’s assessment of Pitchers in Dodgers
• Rafael Devers was a deal compared with Vladimer Guererro Jr, 314 million to 500 million
• Rob Manfred visits the Oval Office and pardons Pete Rose #14
• Rose could now potentially be on the path to a Hall of Fame plaque
• Cooperstown should consider plaques for achievement. Telling the story of great players personal shortcomings as well as their great achievement
• Shoeless Joe Jackson fantastic player & the journey with the Black Sox
• Pete Rose one of the Top 20 players to ever play in MLB
• Myriad of great players experiences . . . if you don't tell their stories, they're just gonna die and your sport is worse off for it”
• Pete Rose has a better chance of getting into the Hall of Fame than Barry Bonds
• HOF voting needs to be revamped – Mat’s 5 point solution 1
• Rob Manfred made more folks eligible the dead are no longer a threat to the game - https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-ineligibility-status-after-death-decision
• Chandler Simpson – igniting the energy with a passion and performance that galvanized the Rays – shades of Randy Arozarena
• TSN – Turning point is now as Rays are fighting through series
• Shane McClanahan, Josh Lowe, Joe Boyle ,Casron Williams, Tre Morgan, Jake Mangum looks like they will be returning
• Who will stay who will be traded or sent down
• Christopher Morel – what will bring out the best of him – Ranks 8th on barrell percentage.
• Morel is in the top 25 in bat speed. Morel should be a 200 ISO and above easy. He's sitting at 1 41 right now.
• Electrified version of Taylor Walls – more intense and less zen
• Rays players have to fight for their positions everyday with all of the talent in the organization.
• What will happen with the Rays at MLB Trade Deadline
• Pete Fairbanks is having some difficulties
• Return of Shane McClanahan – bring him back slowly with 2 inning stints – reliever?
• Where is the Rays new home, The Trop,
• Orlando Dreamers – Morgan & Morgan
• Hopeful to see a hanging #3 Evan Longoria banner in the outfield when he retires- The Rays will then take ownership of George Steinbrenner Field
• Can the appeal of St. Pete Beach be a new Spring Training home for the Yankees
• Baseball synchronicity May 14 – Pete Rose Day in Cincinnati - #14 Jersey giveaway while playing the team of Shoeless Joe Jackson
• Great American Ballpark - Cincinnati steamboat smoke stacks on field with 14 bats design reflect Pete Rose in the park.

Find Mat @matgermain.bsky.social & Mark @baseballbizondeck.bsky.social. You may also find Baseball Biz on Deck, at iHeart Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, and at baseball biz on deck dot com

Special Thanks to XTaKe-R-U-X for the music Rocking Forward,

Tim announced his first professional baseball game at the age of 19

Filling out index cards for Chicago Cubs and Montreal Expos draft

First broadcast was with a Pirates minor league and he was paid $25

Tim’s eldest son, worked his way up from single A to AAA baseball announcing and also UNLV football & basketball

Anniversary of Pirates “Take Your Kid to Work Day “ memory with his son

In radio “ Nothing happens until you say it does.” - you are the graphics

Television is more of an analyst position

Tim & Rick Monday keep the conversation organic

TV has more to setup and more people involved in putting the show together

Listening to Andy Freed & Neil Solondz with the Rays

Rick reflects on meeting in the past with kindred spirits of Andy & Bob

Creating visuals with storytelling

Getting the inside track on lineups hours before the game

Marlins manager Clay McCullough former Dodgers coach

Conversations pre game outside of the booth and getting depth to share with the audience

"I can’t wait to get to work every day"

Tim once recorded a game from the top of a bus - recorder slid down from the arc of the top of bus during the game – luckily intact and just needed a little editing

Old Park in Vancouver Pacific Coast League in AAA – A small wooden box with a wooden door & latch and a sawed out space for a window

Thrilled to be any box in any game

Calgary & Anaheim Duck - Close Call Sports with Lindsay who also plays organ for the Ducks

Approach on national assignments for announcing - playing it evenly between the teams

Pitch clock has reduced the amount of time to share stories on radio

Yadier Molina & mound visit restrictions

The game is moving along quicker and it is a crisper game

Pre-pitch clock - had to plan to have filler stories to tell for during longer breaks and mound visits

MLB extra innings Placed Runner – (not a ghost runner)

Tied games in Japanese ball and train transportation

Before MLB Manfred Man there was Softball the Olympic Tiebreaker

2016 Spring Training conversation with Rob Manfred about the need to have umpires with microphones to explain certain calls

Umpires were mic’ed up in Japan long before MLB brought it into the game

How does a younger audience enjoy the game

Many ways to listen or watch a game today via tv, phone & internet

At Bat app - BAM – Baseball Advanced Media – adds more depth to the players

Teoscar Hernandez – sunflower seeds in astroturf to mark his place

MLB has loosened up & allowed players to add some flash to their uniform

Prepa for the show - room temperature water is essential for 2 reasons

Field of Dreams broadcast booth – who is your partner

A drive in the Mojave Desert and a Voice mail from Vin Scully - a treasure that Tim will keep forever

Red Barber & Vince Scully story – broadcasting from the roof of Fenway Park on a cold windy day without a coat

Rain delays are just part of the game all part of the Charm of the Game

The Oddities & details of a game are what make baseball memories

Dryout – game called off with blue skies and not a cloud in sight

Favorite away field – PNC Park in Pittsburgh

Maury Wills & Steve Garvey should be in the Hall of Fame

Steve Garvey - bat boy for the Dodgers during Spring Training in Vero Beach

The depth of preparing for the game that many might know

Find Mat @matgermain.bsky.social & Mark @baseballbizondeck.bsky.social. You may also find Baseball Biz on Deck, at iHeart Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, and at baseball biz on deck dot com

Special Thanks to XTaKe-R-U-X for the music Rocking Forward,