Episodes

  • Baseball Hall of Fame: Who's in? Who's out? Snubs

    Baseball Hall of Fame: Who's in? Who's out? Snubs
    Jan 29 2018
    The Call to the Pen podcast is back! In this episode Michael Pallas is joined by site experts Dave Hill and Benjamin Chase to discuss the BBWAA's recent Baseball Hall of Fame voting. Why was Edgar Martinez left off the ballot? Who's a lock for 2019? Will Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens ever get into the Hall of Fame? Those questions and more will be discussed by the guys this week.
    Show more Show less
    32 mins
  • CttP #10: Paul Goldschmidt MRI Results, Justin Verlander Trade, and more!

    CttP #10: Paul Goldschmidt MRI Results, Justin Verlander Trade, and more!
    Sep 6 2017
    Welcome to the tenth episode of the Call to the Pen flagship podcast! New episodes Monday and Wednesday. Today Jon breaks news about Paul Goldschmidt’s elbow injury and MRI, and also breaks down the trade of Justin Verlander to the Houston Astros.

     

    Host and FanSided contributor Jonathan Platek brings the breaking news of the results of Paul Goldschmidt’s MRI, and discusses the possibility of Goldschmidt being shut down to keep his injury from recurring.



    Jon also discusses the recent trade sending Justin Verlander from the Tigers to the Houston Astros, who have been desperate for Starting pitching help. Jon also breaks down the trade from the perspective of the Tigers, and discusses the relative value of the three prospects they received in return.
    Show more Show less
    42 mins
  • CttP #9: Chris Sale, Mike Trout MVP Race, Giancarlo Stanton trade?

    CttP #9: Chris Sale, Mike Trout MVP Race, Giancarlo Stanton trade?
    Sep 4 2017
    Welcome to the ninth episode of the Call to the Pen flagship podcast! New episodes Monday and Wednesday. Today Jon discusses the increasingly interesting races for the Wild Card and MVP in the AL, as well as the prospect of the Miami Marlins, with a new ownership group, slashing team salary by trading Giancarlo Stanton.

     

    Host and FanSided contributor Jonathan Platek breaks down the MVP race in the American League (with a splash of NL discussion as well), and asks aloud whether an pitcher can be in serious contention for an MVP award. Jon also points out the continued dark-horse candidacy of Mike Trout for the AL MVP Award, totaling three options for the prize: Jose Altuve, Chris Sale, and Mike Trout.



    Jon also discusses the recent news that the new Marlins ownership group, lead by Derek Jeter, are looking to slash player salaries in the coming years, which could foreshadow a Giancarlo Stanton trade to some other contender.
    Show more Show less
    40 mins
  • CttP #8: Aaron Judge struggles, Giancarlo Stanton asterisks, D-Backs threats

    CttP #8: Aaron Judge struggles, Giancarlo Stanton asterisks, D-Backs threats
    Aug 28 2017
    Welcome to the eigth episode of the Call to the Pen flagship podcast! New episodes Monday and Wednesday. Today Jon discusses the pointlessness of asterisks in baseball, specifically concerning Giancarlo Stanton and his possibly-historic season mashing home runs, as well as the struggles of Aaron Judge since the All-Star Break, as well as early favorites for sustained postseason success.

     

    Host and FanSided contributor Jonathan Platek today discusses and breaks down the recent struggles of Yankees slugger Aaron Judge. Being beyond the point of a fluke over a handful of games, it is time to break down and decipher just what is causing or enabling the young star’s struggles at the plate, as his power output has finally dipped beyond what can be considered acceptable.



    Jon also discusses the use of and call for asterisks any time a player supposedly unaided by performance enhancers (not necessarily of the drug kind) makes a run at history. This time, the crosshairs are set on Giancarlo Stanton, the first “clean” hitter—as many would say—to make a run at a season had by the likes of Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, and Mark McGwire.
    Show more Show less
    43 mins
  • CttP #7: Ichiro not a HoF'er, AL Wild Card Race, Umpire Protest

    CttP #7: Ichiro not a HoF'er, AL Wild Card Race, Umpire Protest
    Aug 23 2017
    Welcome to the seventh episode of the Call to the Pen flagship podcast! New episodes Monday and Wednesday. Today we discuss viability of Ichiro’s Hall of Fame candidacy, the AL Wild Card Race, as well as the recent protest by MLB umpires, and the prospect of robotic officiating of the game of baseball.

     

    In today’s episode, host and Call to the Pen contributor Jonathan Platek discusses the qualifications (or not) of Ichiro Suzuki’s bid for the Hall of Fame. Jon discusses whether Ichiro is the “true” Hit King in baseball, breaking down the various cases for or against him and Pete Rose wearing the crown.



    Jon also breaks down in detail the AL Wild Card Race, discussing which teams are leading the race, exploring their chances, as well as the chances of some teams that are currently on the outside looking in as we head into September.
    Show more Show less
    45 mins
  • CttP #6: Giancarlo Stanton Trade, True Home Run King?

    CttP #6: Giancarlo Stanton Trade, True Home Run King?
    Aug 16 2017
    Welcome to the sixth episode of the Call to the Pen flagship podcast! New episodes Monday and Wednesday. Today we discuss the possibility of a Giancarlo Stanton trade, given he recently cleared waivers, as well as possible hurdles to such a deal given the recent sale of the Marlins to a group lead by Derek Jeter.

     

    In today’s episode, host and Call to the Pen contributor Jonathan Platek discusses the ins and outs of a trade of Giancarlo Stanton by the Miami Marlins to any contending team. Jon breaks down possible suitors for Stanton, as well as possible packages that could be put together for the slugger.



    Jon also discusses the concept of a True Home Run King, and decides whether Stantong would be a “true” King should he break the single-season total of Yankees great Roger Maris.
    Show more Show less
    51 mins
  • CttP#5: Bryce Harper Injury, Mike Trout Trade, Astros Frustrated

    CttP#5: Bryce Harper Injury, Mike Trout Trade, Astros Frustrated
    Aug 14 2017
    Welcome to the fifth episode of the Call to the Pen flagship podcast! New episodes Monday and Wednesday. Today we talk about Brycer Harper’s latest injury, a Mike Trout trade, and the Astros getting feisty with their GM over a lack of moves at the deadline.



    In today’s episode, host and Call to the Pen contributor Jonathan Platek discusses the possibility of a Mike Trout trade. Also discussed is a column from Brendan Dlubala about the Astros, specifically Josh Reddeck, getting upset with GM Jeff Luhnow about the lack of additions since the trade deadline has come and gone.



    Jon also discusses the serious nature of Bryce Harper’s knee injury, and breaks down how the slugger’s intermittent health throughout his career may be a warning sign for general managers looking to give Harper a mammoth free agent contract following the 2018 regular season.
    Show more Show less
    45 mins
  • CttP #4: Mike Trout MVP, Jung Ho Kang DUI, Kluber Dominance

    CttP #4: Mike Trout MVP, Jung Ho Kang DUI, Kluber Dominance
    Aug 9 2017
    Welcome to the third episode of the Call to the Pen flagship podcast! New episodes Monday and Wednesday.


    In today’s episode, host and Call to the Pen contributor Jonathan Platek discusses the possibility of a Mike Trout MVP candidacy. He also discusses an article from Call to the Pen contributor David Hill about the the Pirates Jung Ho Kang perhaps never being allowed back into the United States, and how that paints a bleak future for the Bucs.

     

    There is also a Judge’s Chamber on tap, a segment on loan from the K&P Show, a segment in which Aaron Judge’s recent feats of hitting are on display and discussed.



    Jon also discusses the absolute stupidity of Jung Ho Kang’s 3rd DUI, which he received in Korea in the off-season, currently preventing him from entering the United States. Jon also discusses the silliness of painting these kinds of problems—including the events like the Jose Fernandez death—as somehow “sad” or “tragic” for the player, and not their victims or potential victims.
    Show more Show less
    39 mins