Shows
Orthodox ConundrumEffective and Honest Hasbara: Learning How to Do It Right, with Eylon Levy and Rabbi Pesach Wolicki (185)Since Israel’s war against Hamas began following the horrific events of October 7th, one of the singular challenges Israel faces has been explaining its position to the world, or what’s called in Hebrew, hasbara. It’s never easy defending Israel in the media, never mind going on the offensive; with a natural skepticism of everything that Israel does, combined with some obvious latent antisemitism, many often portray Israel as seemingly having nefarious intentions, and regularly violating the rules of war. When that is combined with a common willingness to believe Hamas’s narratives while Israel, as a Western...2023-12-041h 01
Orthodox ConundrumConfrontation 2022: Jewish-Christian Dialogue and Its Questions, with Rabbi Pesach Wolicki (138)Scott and his close friend Rabbi Pesach Wolicki founded a yeshiva, Yesodei HaTorah, over 18 years ago. Yesodei HaTorah was dedicated to skill building in reading Jewish texts, and helping each student develop an independent Torah philosophy. And in 2015, the yeshiva closed down when it didn’t recruit enough students to keep it going. At that point, Scott moved into the podcasting sphere. Pesach, in turn, became deeply involved in Jewish-Christian dialogue. Now, seven and a half years later, Pesach probably spends more of his working day talking to Christians than to Jews - even though he lives in...2022-12-061h 28
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(114) Baseball Rabbi 2021 Trade Deadline Spectacular!This might have been the most exciting trade deadline in years - or ever?- and MLB deserves kudos for actually doing something right for a change. And while most contenders worked to improve their chances at making the postseason or going on a deep playoff run, that doesn't mean that any given team is necessarily better off today than it was last week. (Howdy, Padres! Take a bow, Bosox!) Pesach and Scott look at some of the major buyers, and analyze whether they're playoff bound or more likely destined to watch the playoffs from their living rooms like...2021-08-0347 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(113) The Historic Brewers Defense, the Collapse of the Cubs, the Resurgence of the Reds: Narratives from the NL CentralThe National League Central is so different from the chaotic NL East: each team's actual record is close to where advanced analytics says that the team should be. But the division is full of storylines, and the Baseball Rabbi offers them to you on a silver platter. The Brewers are actually really good, but in ways you might have missed. The Reds are interesting, even as they will likely be "that team" that just misses the playoffs. The Cubs' collapse was predictable because they're not very good; Javier Baez is actually making history, but not in a way that...2021-07-2055 min
The Baseball Rabbi PodcastBaseball Rabbi Classic: Seven Catcher SeasonsThe Baseball Rabbi made lists of the five most memorable seasons for each position, but listing significant catcher seasons poses a unique challenge. What makes catcher different from every other position? How can we compare modern catchers with catchers from before 2008? (Answer: We can't.) Join Pesach and Scott for a deep dive into catchers, starring Johnny Bench, Roy Campanella, Gary Carter, Buster Posey, Carlton Fisk, Joe Mauer, Yogi Berra, and a bunch of guys who didn't make the cut. Plus: Mike Piazza wasn't a cheater, his 1997 was the greatest season ever for a catcher, and it still isn't on...2021-07-1343 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(112) Breaking Baseball with Shohei Ohtani: Checking In on the American League WestIt's been one hundred years, and finally baseball has a Shohei Ohtani... but his uniqueness transcends his ability to be two different players. Pesach and Scott look at what he's doing, why it matters, and what his future might hold. Elsewhere in the American League West, the Houston Astros have a historically good offense, though their ability to succeed in October is not quite as clear. The Seattle Mariners are the luckiest team in baseball (that's an objective reality, not an attempt to insult the team) though the future looks kinda bright... and Texas has a really good pitcher...2021-07-0642 min
The Baseball Rabbi PodcastBaseball Rabbi Classic: The Third Baseman Who Made the Dodgers Leave Brooklyn... Or Something Like ThatPesach and Scott had similar lists of their favorite seasons by shortstops, first basemen, and second basemen, but their lists diverge when it comes to third base. Brett or Brooks? Eddie Mathews or Adrian Beltre? One Mike Schmidt season or two (or three or four or five)? It's all about the strange nature of third base, and how it has changed drastically over the years. Plus: is corking bats akin to taking steroids, and how Eddie Mathews might have changed the course of baseball history (Hello, Milwaukee Red Sox!). Join the Baseball Rabbi team as a Patreon s...2021-06-2951 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(111) The Mets' Rotten Position Player WAR is Good News for New York Fans: Analyzing the NL EastAs the season passes game 70, Pesach and Scott look carefully at what may be MLB's most fascinating division, the National League East. Jacob deGrom may be having the greatest pitching season in history and can lead a strong starting staff to the Promised Land... if only the team could actually hit. (Although Pesach says that the Mets' terrible hitting is actually a hopeful sign.) The Braves can hit but can't pitch, the Nats have to decide by the trading deadline if they're a young up-and-coming team or an old this-ain't-the-future team, and the Marlins have a great pitching staff...2021-06-2351 min
The Baseball Rabbi PodcastBaseball Rabbi Classic: Dynasties that Should Have Happened... But Didn'tWhat teams are the most disappointing of all time? Which teams should have been more memorable, or won more rings, than they actually did? Pesach and Scott each provide a list of the top (or bottom) five non-dynasties of all time (with only one team making both lists). After last week's addition of the current Yankees to the list - this time with mathematical evidence - nothing is more appropriate than talking about other great teams that didn't do what they were supposed to do. Join the Baseball Rabbi team as a Patreon subscriber! Go to https://www...2021-06-1540 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(110) The Yankees Dynasty that Didn't Happen (Yet), Two Wild and Surprising Charts, and Sticky Fingered Cheating PitchersYankee fans often complain about their team's inability to go all the way (2009 was a looong time ago), but that's only part of the story; the bigger issue is that since their last pennant, the Yankees have won more games than any other team, and have watched 13 other teams play in the World Series while they've stayed home. Is it time to change the conventional narrative around the Yankees? Stat guru Moshe Schorr provided some fantastic charts to Pesach and Scott which help analyze this and much more. Plus: the latest in the ongoing attempts of major league pitchers...2021-06-0842 min
The Baseball Rabbi PodcastBaseball Rabbi Classic: The Scandal of the Red Sox Scandal, and Old Men Who Actually Played WellSo the Red Sox were basically innocent, right? Not so fast: die hard Sox fan Scott thinks that Manfred's punishment was a joke and that this is a BIG deal and a bit of a cover-up, whereas Pesach isn't so sure that the commissioner got it wrong. And as a sequel to our presentation of great teenage baseball players, the Baseball Rabbi offers the greatest players in their 40s. Who is the greatest ever (and it's not really close)? Listen in to find out. Join the Baseball Rabbi team as a Patreon subscriber! Go to https://www.pa...2021-06-0141 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(109) The Surging Yankees, The Resilient Red Sox, the Expectedly Surprising Rays, and More AL East NarrativesThe American League East is becoming the most interesting division in baseball, not to mention the most talented, and Pesach and Scott are ready to uncover the storylines and narratives you need to be an educated baseball consumer. What flaws do the Yankees (baseball's best team for the past month) need to fix? What is the secret of the Red Sox success? Why are the Blue Jays the opposite of the Rays? And is there hope for the actually interesting Orioles? Plus: why the Chicago Bears need to thank Babe Ruth for their very existence. Join the B...2021-05-2534 min
The Baseball Rabbi PodcastBaseball Rabbi Classic: The Greatness of Al Kaline, and the Greatest Teenage Seasons in MLB HistoryLISTEN TO THIS CLASSIC EPISODE OF THE BASEBALL RABBI PODCAST! Al Kaline's bWAR was close to 93, making him one of the greatest right fielders in history. But when you look at his career stats, it's a little bit difficult to figure out how his WAR got that high. How can we explain his greatness? And in honor of Kaline's great play as a young Tiger (he won the batting title when he was 20), Pesach and Scott list their favorite teenage seasons of all time. Dr. K, Tony C, Bryce Harper, Juan Soto, Mel Ott and more: listen...2021-05-1842 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(108) Baseball is Broken... But The Baseball Rabbi Will Fix ItMost people who watch baseball realize that something is wrong, but how can we fix the game in a way that won't ruin what makes it unique? Can traditionalists ever make peace with rule changes? And are the problems even solvable? Join Pesach and Scott as they analyze Theo Epstein's recent appearance on the Bill Simmons Podcast, where he asked a key question which, if understood properly, can make all the difference. The Baseball Rabbi is ready to solve baseball, and all you have to do is listen. (And don't miss our important announcement...) Join the Baseball Ra...2021-05-1140 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(107) Bart, Fay, and Bud... And Parity and Sample Size and Corpus ChristiWhen Pesach purchased Bud Selig's memoir, he was ready to spend 336 pages rolling his eyes. Imagine his surprise when he actually (gulp) liked it, thereby completely destroying his own self identity. But that's OK, and he tells Scott that it's actually essential reading for any baseball scholar. They also discuss the increasingly important reality of parity this year, and whether we can expect it to last. And people freaked out over the Baseball Rabbi's making statistical observations last week after just three weeks of baseball. Were they right to be skeptical or were they wrong? Hint: they were wrong...2021-05-0446 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(105) The Baseball Rabbi Interviews Dan SzymborskiPesach and Scott (with an assist from Moshe Schorr) have a terrific conversation with noted Fangraphs scribe Dan Szymborski about projections (remember, he created ZiPS), the upcoming CBA negotiations, rule changes, narratives for the upcoming season, how he got his job (we know, every listener is probably jealous), the differences between fWAR and bWAR, the place of the Negro Leagues in baseball history, his favorite baseball books, and more. Join the Baseball Rabbi team as a Patreon subscriber! Go to https://www.patreon.com/baseballrabbipodcast for bonus episodes, Baseball Rabbi merch, and more!2021-04-211h 19
The Baseball Rabbi PodcastBaseball Rabbi Classic: "I Don't Think People Rise Above; I Think People Fall Down": Talking with Bob Tewksbury(Because of Passover, Pesach and Scott are off this week; they'll be back with the Baseball Rabbi preview of the National League East next week. In the meantime, enjoy this rerelease of the Baseball Rabbi interview with the great Bob Tewksbury.) Bob Tewksbury had a fascinating career, pitching for six teams and becoming the greatest pitcher at preventing walks since the Dead Ball Era. But what he has done since then may be even more fascinating - and Pesach and Scott have lots of questions about his career as a mental skills coordinator for teams like the...2021-03-3046 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(102) The Cleveland Pirates, Ascending White Sox, Good (but Kinda Stuck) Twins and More: Previewing the AL CentralThe AL Central is on the rise! The division is becoming one of baseball's most fascinating, and Pesach and Scott are here to tell you exactly what to look for as the 2021 season inches closer and closer. The White Sox might be a notch below the Twins according to projections, but don't be fooled; Chicago is the real team to watch here. Not that the Twins are bad - they're really good - but they have a big problem. The Royals are creeping back toward temporary respectability (emphasis on temporary: this is the opposite of a youth movement), and...2021-03-2340 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(101) Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here; or, A Fair and Balanced Analysis of The NL CentralWell, the good news is that someone has to come in first place! When Pesach and Scott look at the National League Central, they see the worst team in baseball, plus four more that would likely come in fourth or fifth place in some of MLB's other divisions. That doesn't mean there aren't storylines and narratives, of course, and the Baseball Rabbi is here to deliver them directly to you door. Nolan Arenado of the Cardinals (Pesach's surprise pick for division winners, by the way) is a total base machine, the Brewers actually have decent pitching (but no hitting), t...2021-03-1644 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(100) Don't Say "If" there are Injuries, say "WHEN" there are Injuries: Analyzing the AL WestPesach says that every Major League Baseball season is like a Russian novel, with heroes, villains, storylines, twists, surprises, and the Karamazov brothers (or at least Joe Maddon); and one of the main plotlines will probably take place in the American League West. Will the Angels waste Mike Trout's 30s in the same way they did his 20s, or do they actually have a window open this season? Is Houston still the class of the division? Can the A's continue their annual overachieving ways, or will they fall back to earth? What is the difference between the mediocre Mariners...2021-03-0949 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast99) Where Have You Gone, Pat Listach: Previewing the 2021 NL WestAfter the long offseason break, the Baseball Rabbi is back and grumpier than ever about MLB's strange desire to destroy itself. But before that happens irreversibly, Pesach and Scott joyfully celebrate the National League West and offer storylines and projections - NOT predictions, mind you! - so that you will be an informed baseball consumer. Do the Dodgers have any weaknesses? Can the Padres actually challenge them for division supremacy? Do the Diamondbacks have any exit strategy to prevent them from being stuck in neutral? What are the Giants thinking (an annual question, mind you, that may have no...2021-03-0253 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(98) The Incomparable Henry AaronJoin the Baseball Rabbi for a short tribute to the late Henry Aaron. Can anyone really say anything new about Aaron, one of the five greatest players of all time? Is there a way to offer information that is meaningful, yet hasn't been noted among the thousands of words written in the past week? That's a tough assignment, but Pesach and Scott give it their best shot. Get ready to go beyond the home runs, RBIs, and total bases to see Hank Aaron from a perspective that might be even more impressive. Join the Baseball Rabbi team...2021-01-2826 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(97) "I Don't Think People Rise Above; I Think People Fall Down": Talking with Bob TewksburyBob Tewksbury had a fascinating career, pitching for six teams and becoming the greatest pitcher at preventing walks since the Dead Ball Era. But what he has done since then may be even more fascinating - and Pesach and Scott have lots of questions about his career as a mental skills coordinator for teams like the Red Sox and the Giants. Join the Baseball Rabbi as they discuss Bob's career, his success in helping players like Jon Lester, why David Ortiz was able to play so well in the biggest games, why Joe Torre is his favorite manager ever...2020-12-2245 min
The Baseball Rabbi PodcastBASEBALL RABBI FLASHBACK: The Tragic Career of Dick AllenJoin Pesach and Scott as they look at the greatness of the late Dick Allen (you won't believe those OPS+ numbers) and discuss why he never got the respect that he deserves - even from Bill James. Join the Baseball Rabbi team as a Patreon subscriber! Go to https://www.patreon.com/baseballrabbipodcast for bonus episodes, Baseball Rabbi merch, and more!2020-12-1508 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(96) Remembering the 1969 Miracle Mets with Art ShamskyThe 1969 Mets - a ninth place team in 1968, and a team which had five 100 loss seasons in the previous seven years - shocked the baseball world and won the World Series. Art Shamsky hit .300 for that team, and is dedicated to keeping the memory of the team and its colorful cast of characters alive. He joins Pesach and Scott for a wide-ranging discussion about his experiences and friendships with Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, Pete Rose, Tony Perez and others, as well as about the reason for the '69 Mets' enduring appeal. He also talks about his experience as the...2020-12-0859 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(95) The Luis Tiant 80th Birthday Spectacular!On November 23rd, Luis Tiant turned 80 years old, and what better way to celebrate than to hear from the man himself in conversation with the Baseball Rabbi! Apart from Tiant's stories and insights, Pesach and Scott discuss his Hall of Fame case, using Catfish Hunter as a fascinating foil; how can two pitchers with almost identical stats have a difference in bWAR of about 25 wins, and a smaller but similar difference on Fangraphs? The answer will provide insight into how WAR actually works. Plus: Pesach demonstrates that the Negro Leagues are, if anything, underrated - and what the various...2020-11-241h 06
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(93) The Coolest Semi-Meaningful Brand New Funky MetricThe World Series is taking place at this very moment, and the Baseball Rabbi is back to enlighten you regarding narratives, the broadcast team of Joe Buck and John Smoltz, and everything else you need to be an educated baseball consumer. But the World Series happens (almost) every year; the posting of a new metric on Baseball Reference, cWPA, is a unique occurrence, and it's knocking Scott and Pesach's socks off. Join them as they obsess over what this stat proves, who ends up on the leaderboards, and what tweaks might be necessary in the future. Plus: quantifying where...2020-10-2751 min
Orthodox ConundrumChristian Zionism and the Missionizing Impulse (46)Many Jews have ambivalent feelings about Christian support for Israel. On the one hand, we’re thrilled to have friends and supporters; but on the other hand, at what cost? Is Christian Zionism a ploy to support Israel and, in the process, convert unsuspecting Jews to Christianity? Is the missionizing impulse a key aspect of Christian Zionism? What, exactly, do Christian Zionists really want? To answer these questions, Scott Kahn spoke with John Enarson, a Christian who comes from an Evangelical background, and who is the Christian Relations Director at Cry For Zion. Also joining the conversation is Rabbi Pesach Wo...2020-10-191h 06
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(91) The Underrated Whitey Ford, Casey Stengel, and Tweaking the Standard NarrativeThe late Whitey Ford, who won more games than any other pitcher in Yankee history, is seldom ranked among the very greatest pitchers of all time. Is this fair, or does he deserve more credit? And that famous narrative about manager Stengel's saving Ford for the big games - does that hold water, or is it simply false? Pesach and Scott look at the numbers to uncover the real story. Plus: how Aaron Boone contributed to the Yankees' playoff loss, storylines for the upcoming League Championship Series, and new details in comparing Gibson's best season with those of...2020-10-1250 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(90) The Incomparable Bob Gibson, Yadier Molina in Context, and Playoff StorylinesWith Bob Gibson's passing last Friday, the world lost one of the greatest - and most interesting - players of all time. In this episode, Scott looks at his amazing career, while Pesach argues that his famous 1968 season with its 1.12 ERA might actually be underrated. They also get into a discussion of Yadier Molina's Hall worthiness, with advanced statistics simultaneously bolstering and harming his chances. Plus: Pesach previews Yankees-Rays, and warns people jumping on the Marlins bandwagon that no matter what happens in the playoffs, the team remains awful. Partner with the Baseball Rabbi on Patreon! Go...2020-10-0651 min
The Baseball Rabbi PodcastBaseball Rabbi Classic: The Secret Way to Win the World Series and MVP HypocrisyIn this classic offseason wrap-up episode, Pesach Wolicki suggests that World Series winning teams have something in common that belies the common assumption that winning in the playoffs is a roll of the dice. He also gets passionately annoyed about Jacob deGrom's 5th place showing in the MVP race (but not because Christian Yelich was a bad choice), and asks the voters to get their act together. Also, Scott Kahn discusses the Drew Brees of baseball, and an appreciation of Adrian Beltre.2020-09-2934 min
The Baseball Rabbi PodcastA Field of Dreams for Pitching Nerds: The Baseball Rabbi Interviews Lary Sorensen Part 2 (BONUS EPISODE)Pesach and Scott continue their entertaining and enlightening conversation with former All Star pitcher Lary Sorensen, which began in episode 87. In this Baseball Rabbi bonus episode, Lary talks about spin rate vs. spin efficiency, rifle spin, and his work as Chief Baseball Officer at F5 sports, the creators of the PitchLogic Ball. (And don't miss his explanation of his title, "Chief Baseball Officer.") Lary also talks about teammates like Rickey Henderson, Robin Yount, Paul Molitor, Sal Bando, Bert Blyleven, Dave Kingman, and more.2020-09-2437 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(89) The New Playoff Format: "An Absolute Disaster"Last week Pesach talked about the demise of the Yankees... which aged like month-old milk left in Death Valley. So let's try again: what's the deal with the Yankees? But while Scott and Pesach can laugh at the Yankees, they're extremely irritated at Rob Manfred's plan to maintain this 16-team playoff format into the future. Why will something that is effective in other sports be extraordinarily damaging to baseball? Plus: actual fun in the National League pennant race, and a serious discussion about the relationship between a team's racial attitudes and the city it represents.2020-09-2239 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(88) Diagnosing the Ills of the Yankees and Gary SanchezThe Yankees looked like a team with no weaknesses, a team that might be one of the greatest ever to play. But that was in March; today they look... OK. What went wrong? (No, it's not just injuries.) And what happened to the promise exhibited by Gary Sanchez a few years ago, and what can he do to regain that form? Pesach has a suggestion, so please pass it on when you see Gary. Plus: Scott does a deep dive into the greatest position player season in history, and more on attendance for franchises located in cities without a "...2020-09-1548 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(87) The Blue Jays' One-Year Plan, the Case for Lou Brock, and Substance Abuse in 1980s BaseballThe trade deadline has come and gone, and the Baseball Rabbi Podcast checks out the difference in strategy between teams like the Padres, the Yankees, and the Blue Jays - and Pesach explains why some seemingly similar teams may be playing for 2020, while others are more concerned about the future. Scott and Pesach also interview former Brewer Lary Sorensen about substance abuse in baseball back in the 1980s, and whether things have changed between then and now. (Don't miss Pesach's gentle questioning of Lary's hitting ability.) Plus: Scott makes a new case for the late Lou Brock.2020-09-0856 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(86) The Pirates' Predicament, Playoffs and Parity, Stolen Base Value, and Baseball's Mount RushmoreWith the baseball season more than halfway finished, it's safe to say that the Pittsburgh Pirates are a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad team - and the tragedy is that this was management's choice. Pesach goes off on a rant about the mismanagement of the Pirates, and how this franchise differs from other currently bad MLB teams. The Baseball Rabbi also looks at the "Extreme Team" American League versus the "Everyone Has a Chance" National League, and more on contextual stolen base value (hello, Bert Campaneris!). Plus: Scott talks about the Mount Rushmore of the NFL and Major...2020-09-0155 min
The Baseball Rabbi PodcastBASEBALL RABBI FLASHBACK: Does Baseball Have a Parity Problem... in Comparison With Other Sports?Is there too much disparity between the haves and the have-nots in baseball? And how does MLB compare to other sports in this regard? Listen to this segment from August, 2018, where Scott and Pesach argue about the relative parity in baseball compared to the NBA, NFL, and NHL. (Part two of this discussion will be released next week.)2020-08-2710 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(84) The Two Hall of Fame Pitchers Who Break the MoldLast week, Pesach demonstrated that almost every pitcher gets worse each time through the batting order, and - now that teams have figured this out - starting pitching may never be the same. But does that mean that the great pitchers' duels are a thing of the past? Does that rule hold true even for the greatest pitchers of all time? Who are the exceptions, and what does that teach us about their greatness? Plus: news and notes about the Dodgers, Mets, Indians, A's, Astros, and Rangers. (Scott provides some notes about the Red Sox, too. The theme: the...2020-08-1851 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(83) The End of Pitching As We Know ItIt's a few weeks into the 60 game season, and certain trends seem to be sticking - not the least that hitters can barely hit (as evidenced by an MLB-wide .231 batting average). Are pitchers that much better, or have managers figured out a better way to use them? Join Pesach and Scott for a deep dive into pitching history, and how we may be seeing the beginning of a new pitching template. Or maybe not; perhaps this is unique to 2020 and won't work with a 25 man roster. Whether you're disturbed, excited, curious, or confused, you don't want to miss this d...2020-08-1148 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(81) The Mookie Extension, Expanded Playoffs, News and Notes from Opening Weekend... and Should We Be Mad at the Players?Baseball is back (today, at least), and a fun opening weekend gave Pesach a list of news and notes that just might be storylines for the upcoming season. But Scott is less excited, and thinks that the players should act like Rembrandt (Pesach naturally thinks that this is a bad analogy - whatever it means - and the players are doing just great). Plus: what the Mookie Betts extention means about free agency, why Betts is the greatest outfielder in baseball by far, and thoughts on the expanded playoffs.2020-07-2850 min
The Baseball Rabbi PodcastBASEBALL RABBI FLASHBACK: Cole Hamels and the Steal of the SeasonCole Hamels looked like he was finished in July, 2018. Then he was traded to the Cubs, and he suddenly started pitching like a star. What happened? Who could have possibly predicted this turnaround? Pesach Wolicki, that's who - and you can hear it in this nine minute flashback episode from August, 2018.2020-07-2409 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(79) Baseball from a Player's Perspective: The Baseball Rabbi Interviews Jason KendallAnalytics are wonderful tools to help us understand what happened; but from the perspective of the players on the field, the game is often quite different from what fans are able to measure. With that in mind, Pesach and Scott talk to three-time All-Star catcher Jason Kendall about learning how to call a game, framing, catching foul tips, what makes a good manager, working with CC Sabathia during the greatest stretch of his career, and much more. Download it now, you don't want to miss this one.2020-07-141h 00
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(78) Three Baseball Holidays: Bobby Bonilla Day, Sparky Anderson Ball Day, and Satchel Paige DayBobby Bonilla Day has come and gone, but the Baseball Rabbi isn't in the mood to celebrate the Mets' futility; Pesach and Scott would rather talk about why buying Bonilla out was a smart move for everyone. (Don't worry, there are plenty of other reasons to mock New York's NL club.) More importantly, in honor of the Negro Leagues' centennial, they try to guess (with some help from metrics) where Satchel Paige ranks all time among pitchers. Plus: Sparky Anderson signed a baseball, and in his honor Pesach looks into his managerial career, and slightly less illustrious - but...2020-07-0746 min
The Baseball Rabbi PodcastBASEBALL RABBI FLASHBACK: Max Scherzer, Matt Wieters, and the Skill of Catching Foul TipsIn 2018, Max Scherzer led MLB in strikeouts with 300, he led the National League in strikeouts per nine innings with 12.2, and he also led the NL in strikeout-to-walk ratio with 5.8. After reaching strikeout number 300, Scherzer gave a shout-out to catcher Matt Wieters for being the best at catching foul tips. Scherzer, however, provided no evidence for his claim, and even said that there’s no metric to demonstrate it. So was he right? Can we, in fact, measure it? More to the point, does it even matter? Stat guru Moshe Schorr was on the case, so listen up as Pesach Wo...2020-07-0210 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(77) A Designated Runner on Second, and Greatest Rookie Seasons EverWith the baseball-loving population already frustrated with both players and ownership, MLB decided that it was the perfect time to tamper with tradition in order to shave a few minutes off games that go into extra innings. Scott asks Pesach if this is as stupid as it sounds, or if there's some super secret reasoning that makes it all make sense. (Hint: it doesn't do what it's supposed to - there's a much better solution for that - but it might actually be a lot of fun.) They also discuss the most significant rookie seasons of all time, with...2020-06-3045 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(75) The Baseball Rabbi Interviews Fred LynnBack in the 1970s and early 80s, Red Sox centerfielder Fred Lynn was one of the greatest players in the Major Leagues. He won the MVP and Rookie of the Year in 1975 (and deserved to win the MVP again in 1979), he was an All Star nine years in a row and a starter six times, and he was the ALCS MVP in 1982 even though he was on the losing team (let that sink in). In this special episode, Pesach and Scott talk to Fred Lynn about his three College World Series championships at USC, his thoughts on the 1978 Red...2020-06-1644 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(74) Seven Catcher Seasons: The Betrayal of Montreal, Campanella's Untouchable Record, Bench's OPS, Yogi's Pennants, and Three MoreThe Baseball Rabbi has been making lists of the five most memorable seasons for each position, but listing significant catcher seasons poses a unique challenge. What makes catcher different from every other position? How can we compare modern catchers with catchers from before 2008? (Answer: We can't.) Join Pesach and Scott for a deep dive into catchers, starring Johnny Bench, Roy Campanella, Gary Carter, Buster Posey, Carlton Fisk, Joe Mauer, Yogi Berra, and a bunch of guys who didn't make the cut. Plus: Mike Piazza wasn't a cheater, his 1997 was the greatest season ever for a catcher, and it still...2020-06-0943 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(73) The Third Baseman Who Made the Dodgers Leave Brooklyn... Or Something Like ThatPesach and Scott had similar lists of their favorite seasons by shortstops, first basemen, and second basemen, but their lists diverge when it comes to third base. Brett or Brooks? Eddie Mathews or Adrian Beltre? One Mike Schmidt season or two (or three or four or five)? It's all about the strange nature of third base, and how it has changed drastically over the years. Plus: is corking bats akin to taking steroids, and how Eddie Mathews might have changed the course of baseball history (Hello, Milwaukee Red Sox!).2020-06-0251 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(72) And Here's to You, Jackie Robinson (and Joe Morgan)How great was Jackie Robinson? So great that only Joe Morgan is better. And man, was Joe Morgan good - in choosing the greatest five seasons for a second baseman, you could choose five Morgan seasons and no one could really argue that you're wrong. Join Pesach and Scott for an examination of their favorite second base seasons of all time, which - believe it or not - include two obscure 1973 seasons, three different Morgan seasons, a discussion of how Jackie is underrated, and much more.2020-05-2643 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(71) We Love You, Willie McCovey, But No... And Analyzing Schilling's Claims About PitchingCurt Schilling offered us some of his insights into pitching (yes, that's a name drop), but do the numbers agree with his theories? Pesach, with an assist from Moshe Schorr, checks it out. And on the heels of our greatest shortstop seasons ever episode, Pesach and Scott discuss the greatest first base seasons of all time - and include a not insignificant list of players who didn't make it for reasons of history, villainy, or... well, they just weren't good enough. And how does Scott shoehorn Celtics great Kevin McHale into this episode? Listen in to find out.2020-05-1954 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(70) The Baseball Rabbi Interviews Curt SchillingPesach and Scott have argued that Curt Schilling is a nothing-to-discuss-no-question-about-it Hall of Famer - and on this episode of the podcast, they had the opportunity to tell him that directly. On this episode, Curt Schilling discusses his time on the Phillies, D-Backs, and Red Sox, his thoughts about the mechanics of pitching, how he utilized analytics during his career, the experience of playing with Randy Johnson and Pedro Martinez, how the Nomar trade helped the Sox win in 2004, his heroics in the 2001 playoffs and World Series, what hat he would wear on his HOF plaque, and much more. 2020-05-131h 02
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(69) Shibe Park, the Polo Grounds, and the Greatest Shortstop Seasons of All TimeThey started off by challenging each other to figure out the most significant individual shortstop seasons ever played, but the results were not necessarily what either Pesach or Scott expected. Join the Baseball Rabbi to hear some wild stats - some crazy, some significant, some truly insane - as they search for the greatest seasons ever played by a shortstop. Plus: if you could go back and watch a game in any bygone baseball field, which would it be?2020-05-0552 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(68) The Scandal of the Red Sox Scandal, and Old Men Who Actually Played WellSo the Red Sox are basically innocent, right? Not so fast: die hard Sox fan Scott thinks that Manfred's punishment is a joke and that this is a BIG deal and a bit of a cover-up, whereas Pesach isn't so sure that the commissioner got it wrong. And as a sequel to last week's presentation of great teenage baseball players, the Baseball Rabbi offers the greatest players in their 40s. Who is the greatest ever (and it's not really close)? Listen in to find out.2020-04-2941 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(67) The Greatness of Al Kaline, and the Greatest Teenage Seasons in MLB HistoryAl Kaline's bWAR was close to 93, making him one of the greatest right fielders in history. But when you look at his career stats, it's a little bit difficult to figure out how his WAR got that high. How can we explain his greatness? And in honor of Kaline's great play as a young Tiger (he won the batting title when he was 20), Pesach and Scott list their favorite teenage seasons of all time. Dr. K, Tony C, Bryce Harper, Juan Soto, Mel Ott and more: listen up to see if you agree.2020-04-2142 min
The Baseball Rabbi PodcastBaseball Rabbi Classic: The Greatest Players of All Time Based on WAR by DecadeWhich players had the greatest consecutive ten year stretches, using bWAR as a gauge? Join Pesach and Scott for a discussion about the results of this experiment, the greatness of Willie Mays and Walter Johnson, the relative merits of A-Rod and Pujols, Trout's place on the list, the missing catchers, and much more. (We'll be back next week with a brand new episode about Al Kaline and more.)2020-04-1447 min
The Baseball Rabbi PodcastBaseball Rabbi Classic: Baseball Reference, Fangraphs, and Two Distinct Philosophies of PitchingThe Baseball Rabbi Podcast is constantly invoking WAR - wins above replacement - as the most telling of all advanced baseball stats. But how do we explain the instances where Fangraphs and Baseball Reference calculate drastically different WAR numbers for the same player? Using Tommy John as a test case, Pesach and Scott present the fundamental difference between the two primary means of calculating pitcher WAR, and demonstrate that the distinction reflects a fundamental difference in baseball philosophy. So how good was Jim Palmer, anyway? Listen in to find out.2020-04-0735 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(66) Baseball's Failed Dynasties: Dynasties that Should Have Happened... But Didn'tWhat teams are the most disappointing of all time? Which teams should have been more memorable, or won more rings, than they actually did? Pesach and Scott each provide a list of the top (or bottom) five non-dynasties of all time (with only one team making both lists). With baseball on indefinite hold, nothing is more appropriate than talking about great teams that didn't do what they were supposed to do. You'll probably disagree, so submit your list to our new Facebook discussion group and you might win a t-shirt!2020-04-0140 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(63) The Twins and White Sox Fight for the AL Central, and the Unique Hall of Fame Case of Andruw JonesThe Twins remain the class of the AL Central (who needs pitching, anyway?), but the White Sox - and decidedly not the Indians - may give them a run for their money. The Tigers might improve (keep an eye on Cameron Maybin), while the Royals are undergoing a mysterious, and almost certainly unsuccessful, attempt at rebuilding. Join Pesach and Scott for a look at these and other narratives, as well as their (very different) takes on whether Andruw Jones deserves to make it into the Hall of Fame. PLUS: Play "The Average Game" and win a Baseball Rabbi T-shirt!2020-03-0947 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(61) Congrats to Your New AL West Champs, the Oakland A's... Plus Kevin Brown for Hall of FameDespite the cheating scandal, the Houston Astros look absolutely unbeatable... except that both Pesach and Scott see the Athletics coming in first. Join them for their American League West preview (will Rendon finally push the Angels to 90 wins? Does Texas even have any position players? Is there anything to like about the Mariners?) as well as a discussion about Kevin Brown's Hall of Fame non-candidacy (2.1% of the vote) and why he was better than you remember.2020-02-2550 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(59) The Mookie Trade: A Bad Day for the Sox, a Really Smart Move... or Both?95% of the headlines are merciless: the Red Sox management is either stupid, greedy, or both. But Pesach and Scott see something different going on - and after you listen to the pod, you probably will, too. Join the Baseball Rabbi for a special "Quick Release" episode about all things Mookie.2020-02-0629 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(57) Fresh Evidence in the Houston Astros Cheating Scandal - a Baseball Rabbi ExclusiveThe Houston Astros cheating scandal has been discussed and dissected, but the Baseball Rabbi has new statistical evidence that no one else has revealed. Join Pesach Wolicki as he crunches some numbers that produce something akin to a smoking gun. Plus: more on the Astros' historical legacy and institutional culture, and Scott Kahn (shockingly) explains why the Patriots' Spygate scandal was nothing compared to the Astros' malfeasance.2019-12-0349 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(54) World Series Preview, the Astros' Historic Greatness, the Yankees' Drought, and CC's HatThe World Series matchup that pitching enthusiasts were hoping for is finally here! Join Pesach and Scott for a look at some Series storylines, along with a deeper dive into the Astros' place in baseball history. Plus: the Yankees haven't won a pennant in ten years, even though they have baseball's best regular season record during that time. Is this an aberration, or are they doing something wrong? And what hat should CC Sabathia wear on his Hall of Fame plaque? (Yeah, we'll get into some of the Hall's more dubious decisions in this regard, too.)2019-10-2240 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(51) The Greatest Postseason Pitching Rotations, and Looking Ahead at the Twins and the BravesConventional wisdom states that a team with three great pitchers in its playoff pitching rotation has a enhanced opportunity of winning it all. But is this actually true? Join Pesach and Scott for a look at the playoff teams with the all time greatest front ends of their rotations, and what that meant for their postseason success. The Baseball Rabbi also investigates what made the Twins and the Braves successful this year (be ready for some surprises), and how things look for them heading into the playoffs.2019-09-2440 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(50) A Deeper Dive Into Pedro 1999-2000, Postseason Nuggets About the Astros, Dodgers, and Yankees, and Raffle Winners!Pedro Martinez in 2000 had, quite possibly, the greatest season in the history of pitching - and Pesach and Scott will tell you why. (They'll also show why his 1999 was, according to a different perspective, potentially even better.) They also offer some nuggets on the Astros, Dodgers, and Yankees as they look toward the postseason. And of course, the winners of the signed Nolan Ryan baseball and Baseball Rabbi T-shirts are announced!2019-09-1734 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(49) Whatever Happened to the 2016 Cubs?Anyone looking at the Cubs back in 2016 would have seen an absolute juggernaut: a team that excelled in hitting, pitching, and defense. So why didn't they become a dynasty? Using a brand new metric from stat guru Moshe Schorr, Pesach and Scott analyze the Cubs' greatness and subsequent decline. Plus: we promised no more talking about historic badness, but these Tigers stats are too entertaining to ignore (unless you're from Detroit, in which case we send you our heartfelt apologies).2019-09-1038 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(48) "Beneath the Traditional Numbers": Explaining the Cardinals, Defending the Mets, Denying the Juiced Ball, and MoreIn our last episode, Pesach and Scott were utterly mystified at how the Cardinals keep winning with.. well, basically nothing. But this week, Pesach offers some fascinating numbers that show where St. Louis excels, and why they win in the most boring manner possible. The pod also revisits the Mets' trades at the deadline, and argues that winning the World Series may actually be besides the point. Plus: listener feedback on the home run discussion, and Verlander writes another line on his HOF plaque.2019-09-0342 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(46) A Historic 10-Game Orioles Stretch, Forecasting the Cy Young Winners, and the Marlins' Pathetic AttendanceThe Orioles went 1-9 against the Yankees and Astros in one ten game stretch, but what they accomplished during that span was pretty amazing. (If you're an Orioles fan, it might be more horrifying than amazing, but that's a matter of perspective.) Pesach and Scott also look at the best pitchers in baseball, and argue about who would deserve the Cy Young in each league if the season ended today. Plus: wins vs. quality starts, and how bad is the Marlins' attendance since Derek Jeter took over?2019-08-2037 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(45) Explaining the Turnaround of the MetsThe Mets have been on fire, and Pesach and Scott want to understand why. Apparently, there are some not-so-secret secrets if you look closely that might explain what's actually going on. (Hint: it's all about a new guy on the field.) Plus: beautiful Coors Field, the effect of parking lots on baseball history, and who's having the worse season: 2019 Justin Verlander or 1913 Walter Johnson?2019-08-1337 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(44) Bryce Harper is Scary Good (not a joke), John Means is Good and Lucky, and an Analysis of the Steroid EraBryce Harper's 2019 WAR shows that he's not very good. But Pesach, Scott, and special guest Moshe Schorr share the surprising WPA reality that when it comes to what actually matters in baseball, Harper is in the same league as Yellich, Bellinger, and Trout. They also analyze the Steroid Era, and discuss whether and why it truly mattered. And is John Means, who has a strange combination of encouraging and discouraging stats, due for regression, or is he becoming one of baseball's better pitchers? 2019-08-0636 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(43) The Greatest Players of All Time Based on WAR by Decade, and Trade Deadline NotesWhich players had the greatest consecutive ten year stretches, using bWAR as a gauge? Join Pesach and Scott for a discussion about the results of this experiment, the greatness of Willie Mays and Walter Johnson, the relative merits of A-Rod and Pujols, Trout's place on the list, the missing catchers, and much more. Plus: notes on buyers and sellers at the trade deadline, particularly the Giants, Cardinals, Cubs, and Yankees.2019-07-3047 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(42) The 2019 Hall of Fame Class, Plus Two Exceptional BrewersThe Hall of Fame inducted its new members on Sunday, and the Baseball Rabbi is here to tell you amazing stats you never knew about each one of them. (Except Harold Baines. You already know everything you need to know about him.) Indeed, Pesach and Scott offer new ways of looking at Halladay, Mariano, Edgar, Mussina, and Lee that demonstrate why they made it in. Also: Josh Hader's amazing and weird pitching, and why Christian Yelich might be even better than you thought.2019-07-2338 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(41) Run Differential and the Greatest Teams of All TimeWhat are the greatest teams ever to play Major League Baseball? Pesach says that run differential - both per game and per season - provides part of the answer, but also explains why this alone is likely insufficient. He and Scott also look into whether it's easier to be bad than to be good, and how the answer affects the way we analyze prewar teams. And Scott rants about how the NBA has undermined the concept of rooting for a team, even though he still loves the Celtics. (It's allowed because he somewhat tenuously connects it to baseball.) Listen...2019-07-1639 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(40) Is the All Star Game Stupiid, Disparity in the AL in Historical Context, and 2nd Half PlotlinesPesach hasn't watched an All Star Game since 1983, and he's proud of it. Why does he dislike it so? (Scott is like everyone else: the game is fine, whatever, nice break, who cares.) Once they get past that discussion, they deal with the historically unusual disparity in the American League, the crazy parity in the NL Central, and more storylines to watch in the second half of the season. Will the Angels sneak into the Wild Card? How good is Pete Alonso? And will Starlin Castro reach 3000 hits while amassing a negative career WAR?2019-07-0940 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(39) The Tigers, the Orioles, and the Race for Worst Run Differential of All TimeIt's always nice to see a team with a chance to do something truly historic; and when two teams are racing toward the same goal, the excitement is doubled. Unfortunately for people in Baltimore and Detroit, the race is for the all-time worst run differential. (And you better believe that it matters.) Join Pesach and Scott as they discuss why this stat is important, where the Orioles and Tigers stand historically, and the bizarre reality that this most obvious of metrics is actually pretty hard to find. And you'll learn about some pretty rotten teams along the way!2019-07-0232 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(38) A Lamentation for the Montreal Expos, Hope for the Montreal X-Rays, and Mike Trout at 5000 PAs"Being a Montreal Expos fan is a frustration like no other." With the news of the (very unlikely) possibility of baseball returning to Montreal for half a season annually, Pesach finds some old wounds suddenly reopened, and he shares years of baseball trauma with the Baseball Rabbi audience. Scott also opines why teams relocating is almost inevitably illegitimate (in an obvious attempt to sweet-talk the hordes of St. Louis Browns fans). And Mike Trout reaches 5000 PAs... so what players at 5000 PAs were most similar to him?2019-06-2539 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(37) Baseball's Top Rookies, and the 400 HR Club Ain't What It Used to Be (Here's Looking At You, Edwin)It's been asked regarding Victor Hugo whether a creative genius can also be relatively unintelligent; the baseball equivalent might be whether a member of the 400 home run club can also be a mediocre player. The answer, evidently, is yes (Hi there, Adam Dunn!); but was this always true? Does the same analysis apply to players with 500 HRs? Pesach and Scott also analyze rookies Mike Soroka, Brandon Lowe, and Bryan Reynolds, all of whom are playing great - but maybe, just maybe, not quite as great as their obvious stats suggest. Plus: Hyun-Jin Ryu and how we all saw this...2019-06-1831 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(34) Baseball Reference, Fangraphs, and Two Distinct Philosophies of PitchingThe Baseball Rabbi Podcast is constantly invoking WAR - wins above replacement - as the most telling of all advanced baseball stats. But how do we explain the instances where Fangraphs and Baseball Reference calculate drastically different WAR numbers for the same player? Using Tommy John as a test case, Pesach and Scott present the fundamental difference between the two primary means of calculating pitcher WAR, and demonstrate that the distinction reflects a fundamental difference in baseball philosophy. So how good was Jim Palmer, anyway? Listen in to find out.2019-05-2835 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(33) Adrian Beltre and the Greatest Third Basemen of All-TimeAdrian Beltre is unquestionably a Hall of Famer, one of the greatest players we've ever seen. But where does he rank among all-time third basemen? Is he just a good player who stayed around long enough to compile amazing stats, or is he another Mike Schmidt? Can a player who wasn't an all star until he was 31 be considered greater than Boggs or Brett? Join Pesach and Scott to find out more.2019-05-2131 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(32) Caleb Smith and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad MarlinsThe Nationals, once again, are MLB's strangest team: great pitching, decent hitting, and a rotten record. What's going on? Also, hear Pesach take a bow as his prediction about the Twins seems to be coming true (though he hopes you'll forget about that pesky Red Sox episode two weeks ago), but explains that Minnesota is not quite as good as you thought. And Pesach and Scott answer the question that everyone is wondering: are the Marlins truly as bad as they seem... or are they even worse?2019-05-1435 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(30) Stick a Fork in the WPA-Poor Red Sox; They're Done.There's always next year, right? As the Red Sox join the Orioles around the bottom of the AL East, Pesach Wolicki uses Win Probability Added (WPA) to argue that something is seriously messed up with Boston's starting pitching... but the Reds, with an almost identical record, might start to surprise a lot of people despite last year's pitching disasters. Meanwhile, Scott Kahn investigates the (possibly) tragic career of Dick Allen, who, in a fairer world, might have been Willie Mays.2019-04-3039 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(29) The Historic (and Strange) Red Sox Outfield of the Late '70s, and Line Drive Master Domingo SantanaThe right fielder had the highest career value; the center fielder had the highest peak; but the left fielder is the guy who's in the Hall. Pesach and Scott take a closer look at the fascinating Red Sox outfield of 1975-1980, with a special focus on the great Freddie Lynn and his HOF-deserving-if-he-weren't-injured-so-much career. Plus: more on line drives and BABIP, and Seattle's budding superstar Domingo Santana.2019-04-2428 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(28) Sustaining the Success of the Mets, and a New Look at Baseball's Aging CurveIt's a well-known truism by now that baseball players are getting younger, and the Baseball Rabbi certainly agrees... kind of. According to Pesach Wolicki, baseball's aging curve is a little more complicated than the standard narrative would have you believe, and he and Scott Kahn try to identify the trends, and determine why there's an apparent divergence between hitters and pitchers. All of this, of course, in the service of asserting that the New York Mets are built to last.2019-04-1633 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(27) Strikeouts Are Up, Because Hitters Are Better: Insights and Storylines from Baseball's Opening Two WeeksEveryone knows that stats after eleven games are meaningless... everyone, that is, but the Baseball Rabbi. Join Pesach and Scott as they look at storylines that seem to be developing (Jason Heyward learning how to hit, the Cubs forgetting how to pitch, and the Dodgers continued brilliance as a franchise), and investigate the connection between higher strikeout rates, more walks, the decline of the fastball, and the rise of the slider. Plus a celebration of the incredible opening week of the Boston Red Sox. (By the way, stats this early truly are meaningless, except the stats that are not.)2019-04-1032 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(26) Goodbye to Utley, Mauer, and Ichiro, and Baseball is Meaningless (and that's not a bad thing)With Opening Day behind us, the Baseball Rabbi says farewell to three potential Hall of Famers, and reviews their exceptional (and interesting) careers. Pesach Wolicki also reads a short selection from Bill James on the meaninglessness of baseball, and explains why this parodoxically is the secret source of its greatness. Scott Kahn anticipates whopper seasons from Aaron Nola and Walker Buehler. But above all, the Baseball Rabbi introduces the Ryan Howard Award! Who do you nominate as the next winner?2019-04-0236 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(24) The Great Tom Seaver, MLB Rule Changes, and Meet Your NL East Champion NatsIn the wake of Tom Seaver's announcement that he's retiring from public life, The Baseball Rabbi Podcast looks at his amazing career, and discusses where he ranks among pitchers all time. Pesach and Scott also analyze the new MLB rule changes - some good, some less so - and evaluate the NL East, where the Harper-free Nationals look ready to run away with the division, the Braves will likely tumble, and the Mets and Phillies will be fighting for second place. The Marlins should have more modest goals, like not losing every game. Join podcasting's best double play combo...2019-03-1937 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(23) Break Up the Reds, Other NL Central Projections, and Scott Rolen, Ron Santo, & the Hall's Third Base ProblemThe Baseball Rabbi, in our continuing series about underappreciated Hall of Fame candidates, discusses Scott Rolen, and why he kind of belongs and kind of doesn't. (He's basically Ron Santo, but not quite.) Meanwhile, the NL Central looks fascinating, with five decent teams fighting it out - including a much-improved Reds pitching staff, and a possibly regressing Brewers team that could land anywhere from first to fourth. Cubs and Cardinals - still good. Pittsburgh - not so much, but not bad, either. Listen up to learn more.2019-03-1236 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(17) The Secret Way to Win the World Series and MVP Hypocrisy - Season Wrap-up Part 1In this special offseason wrap-up episode, Pesach Wolicki suggests that World Series winning teams have something in common that belies the common assumption that winning in the playoffs is a roll of the dice. He also gets passionately annoyed about Jacob deGrom's 5th place showing in the MVP race (but not because Christian Yelich was a bad choice), and asks the voters to get their act together. Also, Scott Kahn discusses the Drew Brees of baseball, and an appreciation of Adrian Beltre.2018-11-2233 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(16) Dave Roberts and the Art of Game MismanagementThe Los Angeles Dodgers are talented enough that they won the NL Pennant - despite some serious missteps by Dave Roberts. Pesach Wolicki argues that while major parts of managing are hidden from the public, making it impossible for an outside observer to conclusively judge how the manager is doing, we nonetheless can evaluate his in-game tactics and strategy, where Dave Roberts has a lot to learn from Genius Craig Counsell. Pesach and Scott Kahn also discuss the unusual Brewers roster, the fallacy of judging based solely upon outcomes, and the best autographs in their possession (unfortunately, not Tim...2018-10-2329 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(15) The Ballad of Willie Bloomquist: The Greatest Outlier Season, Overrated Players, and The Yankees' Andujar DilemmaMiguel Andujar might be the league's best rookie - and the Baseball Rabbi suggests trading him ASAP. Why do the Yankees have an Andujar dilemma, and what does that tell us about the changes in MLB over the past ten years? Meanwhile, Rico Petrocelli - or somebody - had the strangest career in baseball history by one very specific yardstick; Pesach Wolicki and Scott Kahn discuss what it is. And in what way is Willie Bloomquist a key component of this conversation? Better listen to find out.2018-10-1731 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(14) Is Catching Foul Tips a Skill? Max Scherzer Thinks SoAfter striking out batter number 300, Max Scherzer gave a shout-out to Matt Wieters for being the best at catching foul tips... but Scherzer provided no evidence for his claim. Is he right? Can we measure it? More to the point, does it even matter? The Baseball Rabbi put stat guru Moshe Schorr on the case (because when Scherzer talks, it's worth paying close attention). Plus: more about pitching in and out of the zone, and the most memorable games we've ever watched. (Also, Pesach Wolicki disses Fenway based on a game he and Scott Kahn attended in 1998.)2018-10-0829 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(13) Was Oakland Actually Mediocre, Snell for Cy and deGrom for MVP (Maybe), and the Villain of '78The Oakland A's surprised everyone by winning 97 games with a relatively miniscule payroll, so is this Moneyball 2.0 - or a mirage? That leads Pesach Wolicki to a further discussion about the AL Central's role in making decent, mediocre, and even bad teams look like world beaters (with one obvious exception). The Baseball Rabbi also talks end of season awards, and Scott Kahn takes a final look back at the unsung villain of game 163 in 1978 - and no, it's not Mike Torrez.2018-10-0436 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(12) The Superstar Rookie Old ManIs Aaron Judge's career going to be like Ryan Howard's or Al Bumbry's? The Baseball Rabbi suggests that Yankee fans better hope for the latter - though history shows that such a positive outcome is very unlikely. Inspired by Joey Wendle, Pesach Wolicki analyzes old rookies, and what history shows about the length of their careers. He also answers Scott Kahn's question about why he likes to trash Lou Brock, who, he claims, might be an even less deserving Hall of Famer than ol' 6-4-3 Jim Rice.2018-09-2030 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(11) How Important Are Stolen Bases, Anyway?When Steve Phillips argued on MLB Radio that the Chicago Cubs don't run enough, the Baseball Rabbi, Pesach Wolicki, picked up the gauntlet and rose to the challenge. Through analysis of the Cubs' current baserunning prowess, Pesach analyzes whether Phillips is right or wrong, and then moves on to a general analysis of the overall value of stolen bases. Plus: The American League Rookie of the Year debate, Scott Kahn offers his Rosh Hashana baseball memories, and why writer Roger Kahn should get a new editor.2018-09-1332 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(10) Gehrig Versus Pujols: Are Today's Players Actually Better? A New Way to Answer an Old QuestionIt's an old parlor game: compare Babe Ruth to Barry Bonds, or Lou Gehrig to Albert Pujols. We can calculate that the older players were generally greater than their peers in a way that modern greats are not; but the Baseball Rabbi, Pesach Wolicki, offers a new way of viewing the entire question which demonstrates that today's players are the best in the history of the game. (Even Johnny Unitas and Julius Erving come up in this discussion...) In addition, Pesach and Scott Kahn analyze the unfair tragedy of the Twins, and derive lessons in team building from, of...2018-09-0535 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(9) Cole Hamels, Target Field, More Baltimore Badness, and a Bizarre Max Scherzer StatAt the trade deadline, the Baseball Rabbi, Pesach Wolicki made a double prediction about Cole Hamels's future on the Cubs, but naturally he's not gloating or anything. On this week's episode, he and Scott Kahn modestly investigate whether Pesach was right or wrong, discuss one of baseball's most beautiful ballparks (though it's no Metrodome), analyze further the historically terrible Baltimore Orioles - are they good at ANYTHING? - and discover a strange but true way of analyzing Max Scherzer's chance to win a postseason award.2018-08-3032 min
The Baseball Rabbi Podcast(8) The Genius of Yankee Pitching Philosophy (No, This is Not Sarcasm)It all started with a casual observation: the New York Yankees rank first in fastball velocity, and last in fastball usage. That sounds like the team doesn't know what it's doing, but the Baseball Rabbi, Pesach Wolicki, jumped into the rabbit hole to find out what's really going on - and the numbers kept getting curiouser and curiouser. To Scott Kahn's everlasting regret, Pesach discovered that the Yankees are expanding the strike zone in a manner as brilliant as it is unexpected. Join us as we uncover the Yankees' organizational pitching philosophy, and discover that they are at the...2018-08-2325 min
The Baseball Rabbi PodcastThe Wild Card Game: Genius Innovation or the Root of All Evil?The New York Yankees might win 100 games in 2018, but are likely to get into the playoffs only if they win a sudden death Wild Card Game. The Cleveland Indians almost certainly will win fewer than 100 games, and they're virtually a lock for a playoff spot. Is this as unfair as it sounds? Join Baseball Rabbi Pesach Wolicki and Scott Kahn for a discussion about the MLB playoff system - both in 2018 and throughout history - in order to answer the pressing question, once and for all, of whether Yankee fans have a serious argument, or are just a bunch...2018-08-1533 min
The Baseball Rabbi PodcastSuperteams: Does Baseball Have a Parity Problem?For the second straight year, it looks as though three Major League teams may win 100 games - something that has happened in consecutive years only once before. The conventional wisdom is that we're in an era of superteams, and that this might be a long-term problem for baseball. But does baseball actually have a parity problem? Pesach Wolicki and Scott Kahn compare MLB with the other major North American professional sports leagues to see which has the most parity, and to determine once and for all if there's a need to address this pressing issue - or whether things...2018-08-0939 min
The Baseball Rabbi PodcastThe Unfathomable Greatness of Andrelton Simmons at the PlateWhen you think of Andrelton Simmons, you probably think of the phenomenal fielder with the so-so bat. But in 2018, Simmons is doing something amazing at the plate which has, quite simply, never been done before. Join the Baseball Rabbi, Pesach Wolicki, and his hearty sidekick Scott Kahn, for a discussion of why Andrelton Simmons is having - in one statistic - the greatest season in the history of baseball. Also: three short follow-ups on the Orioles' badness, the Manny Machado trade, and why the use of the shift doesn't have anything to do with the league's unusually low batting...2018-07-2632 min
The Baseball Rabbi PodcastRevisiting the Winter's Free Agent Class: Collusion, a Depressed Market, or a Strategy for Winning?A lot of sportswriters wondered why so many good free agents remained unsigned in January and February 2018, and ultimately signed for bargain basement prices. Was this a result of bad teams saving money rather than making the right moves to improve? The Baseball Rabbi revisits the issue (even though everyone else stopped talking about it in April), and through careful analysis of the top 50 free agents, proves that the actual story is completely different. Plus: Scott tries to figure out why Boston, the 21st-largest city in the U.S., is considered one of baseball's biggest markets.2018-07-1947 min