Almost Cooperstown
Almost Cooperstown
We're a father and son who love to talk and argue about baseball! Baseball is the professional sport that has the longest history so there is a lot to talk about! We launched Almost Cooperstown noting that baseball contains a long history of players that, for whatever reasons, have been shunned by the electors of the Hall of Fame. Consequently here are many 'Almost' players still waiting their turn for induction. With less than 1.4% of the now more than 23,000 players in the HOF, we feel there should be more players included. In these podcasts we also discuss current seasons & trends. Please send any messages to almostcooperstown@gmail.com. Baseball articles can be found here: https://almostcooperstown.substack.com/publish/posts
Almost Cooperstown

Almost Cooperstown

We're father and son who love to talk and sometimes argue about baseball. We're huge fans not just of the Mets, but of baseball old and current. Since baseball is the professional sport that has the longest history so there is a lot to discuss!

Ask us a question, send us a note, connect and follow. Join us and be a part!

Baseball articles at almostcooperstown.substack.com

Recent

Oct. 12, 2026

Can Taking a Called Third Strike Make You a Better Hitter?

Can the Dodgers win a third consecutive World Series, or will the Brewers, Guardians, or Rays pull off the upset? In Episode 727 of Almost Cooperstown, Mark and Gordon Kolier examine baseball's final four, the role of payroll in building a championship team, and why the Dodgers may be more dangerous than some fans believe. We also discuss MLB's reported proposal to shorten the regular season from 162 to 154 games, expand the Division Series, and introduce opponent selection for higher-seeded p
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Oct. 12, 2026

Can Taking a Called Third Strike Make You a Better Hitter?

We've been taught since Little League that taking a called third strike is one of baseball's cardinal sins. But Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges has challenged that thinking—and his change in approach raises some fascinating questions. In Episode 727 of Almost Cooperstown, we examine the statistics behind called third strikes, walks, and on-base percentage. Plus, remember Carlos Beltrán watching Adam Wainwright's curveball end the 2006 NLCS? Was swinging really the better option?
Oct. 8, 2026

Phillies need to think about breaking up the band #phillies

After being put down by the #braves, Dave Dombrowski & #phillies failed to bring in Alex Cora to manage for 2027. Will they make significant changes or bring back the core for yet another go-around? A short from our podcast this week.
Oct. 5, 2026

The night Yankees Austin Wells became a bonehead

There's an old adage that goes - 'never make the first or the third out at third base'. Something that #yankees Austin Wells now wishes he remembered during game one of the ALDS vs. #Rays. There were two outs at the time BTW. A short from our podcast this week.
Oct. 5, 2026

When Is It Time to Break Up the Band? MLB Teams Facing Big Offseason Decisions

The 2026 MLB regular season is over, the Division Series are underway, and some teams are already facing a difficult question: When is it time to break up the band? Mark and Gordon take a look at several clubs whose familiar cores may have reached a crossroads. The Phillies still have star power, but after another disappointing finish, does bringing back essentially the same group make sense? Houston won its division, but an aging core and questions about the pitching staff create a similar dil
26
Oct. 5, 2026

When Is It Time to Break Up the Band? MLB Teams Facing Big Offseason Decisions

The 2026 MLB regular season is over, the Division Series are underway, and some teams are already facing a difficult question: When is it time to break up the band? Mark and Gordon take a look at several clubs whose familiar cores may have reached a crossroads. The Phillies still have star power, but after another disappointing finish, does bringing back essentially the same group make sense? Houston won its division, but an aging core and questions about the pitching staff create a similar dile

About the Hosts

Mark Kolier Profile Photo
Mark Kolier

Co-founder of Almost Cooperstown podcast and writer of Almost Cooperstown content.

Gordon Kolier