Podcast Audio Episodes

The Milwaukee Brewers are World Series champions for the first time in franchise history! But did their victory reveal a new blueprint for winning in Major League Baseball? In Episode 729, Mark and Gordon return to Almost Cooperstown to examine Milwaukee's dominant postseason, the disappointing performance of the Tampa Bay Rays, and whether the Brewers' combination of contact hitting, defense, pitching, and bullpen depth could challenge baseball's home run-oriented approach. The Brewers hit just 154 home runs during the regular season, ranking 28th in MLB. Yet they won it all. Is this the beginning of a change in baseball strategy, or are the Brewers an exception to the rule? We also discuss: Why Milwaukee's postseason dominance was so impressive. Jacob Misiorowski's extraordinary velocity and the challenge of sustaining success. Aaron Ashby's remarkable scoreless postseason and the difficulty of repeating as champions. Why the Dodgers fell short and whether age and inj…

What do Jackie Robinson's historic debut, baseball's first All-Star Game, Moonlight Graham, the spitball and Dave Winfield's unfortunate encounter with a seagull have in common? They're all part of baseball's remarkable history—and the stories behind them are often more surprising than the events themselves. In Episode 728, Mark and Gordon welcome author Phil Coffin to discuss his book, A Baseball Book of Days: 31 Moments That Transformed the Game. Coffin takes a different approach to basebal...

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? We also discuss the MLB playoffs, the Dodgers' pursuit of a three-peat, and proposed changes to baseball's schedule.

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...

The 2026 MLB regular season is over, and the postseason is here. Mark and Gordon look back at a season filled with surprises before breaking down the Wild Card matchups and making their picks. The White Sox completed a remarkable turnaround and reached the postseason. The Astros won the AL West despite finishing 81-81. Tampa Bay captured the AL East, while the National League playoff field looks considerably more familiar. In Episode 725, we also look at some of the season's notable individua...

Is it ever OK for baseball fans to boo their own players? Mets fans appeared to boo one of their own pitchers this week, leading Mark and Gordon into a discussion about one of baseball's eternal questions: What does a fan owe the players on the home team? Meanwhile, Pete Alonso returned to Citi Field and received a curtain call after hitting a game-tying home run in the ninth inning. We discuss Mets fans, booing, player expectations and fan behavior before turning to the 2026 MLB playoff races. Most of the postseason field is taking shape, but a couple of spots remain in play as the regular season winds down.

If Major League Baseball selected one overall MVP instead of separate American and National League winners, would the award go to Pete Crow-Armstrong or Yordan Alvarez? PCA offers elite defense, speed, power and tremendous all-around value. Alvarez provides one of baseball’s most dangerous bats and has delivered enormous value in high-leverage situations. Mark and Gordon debate what “most valuable” should mean, whether WAR or Win Probability Added tells the more convincing story and how much clutch performance should matter in MVP voting.

Mark and Gordon examine the crowded 2026 MLB playoff races, debate whether the expanded postseason rewards mediocre teams and identify the contenders that could be dangerous in October. They also discuss the salary-cap battle, the threat of a 2027 lockout and the biggest questions heading into September.

The 2026 Mets have been a disaster. But could they actually be setting themselves up for a much better 2027? Mark and Gordon break down what went wrong, why the Mets’ 12-game losing streak effectively sank their season, and why a surprising group of young players may give Mets fans real reasons for optimism. Carson Benge. A.J. Ewing. Nolan McLean. Christian Scott. A suddenly younger roster may finally be giving the Mets something they’ve lacked: inexpensive, homegrown players who can become part of the next good Mets team. Plus: • Tommy John passes away—and his 288 wins reignite the Hall of Fame debate • Joshua Baez hits THREE home runs in his first MLB game • Paul Skenes’ fastball velocity keeps dropping • Are 100-mph starting pitchers simply destined to get hurt? • The Dodgers are sold—and their financial advantages remain • Toronto charges back into the American League wild-card race • Hunter Greene faces another major injury • Can Cincinnati ever take the next s…

Mark and Gordon Kolier discuss the stories of the week in this week in baseball. Highlighting the notable performances including #Yankees George Lombard Jr.'s amazing debut - and the coincidental debut of his younger brother Jacob in single A ball the very same night! MLB's Collective Bargaining Agreement has never had a season end up being shortened due to an owner lockout. Mark and Gordon explain why. Almost Cooperstown is a weekly baseball podcast featuring thoughtful conversations about the Baseball Hall of Fame, baseball history, current MLB topics, player comparisons, statistics and the stories that connect today's game with its rich history. Thanks again to Mercury Maid for the Intro & Outro music. Visit AlmostCooperstown.com for original baseball articles, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and follow Almost Cooperstown on YouTube.

The 2026 MLB Trade Deadline has passed, but one question remains: did anyone actually improve enough to challenge the Los Angeles Dodgers? Mark and Gordon Kolier analyze the biggest trades, evaluate which teams strengthened their World Series chances, and discuss why the Dodgers continue to stand apart from the rest of Major League Baseball. The conversation explores the impact of deferred contracts, the possibility of a future MLB salary cap, and how contenders such as the Yankees, Phillies, Cubs, Red Sox, Padres, and Brewers positioned themselves for the stretch run. The episode also examines the evolving American and National League playoff races before concluding with a look at the inaugural Women's Professional Baseball League and what its launch could mean for the future of the sport.

Send us Fan Mail The Hall of Fame induction ceremony has concluded, and we now celebrate the three newest inductees: Jeff Kent, Carlos Beltran, and Andrew Jones. As fans, especially Met supporters, this weekend brought a unique connection to two of these legends, particularly with Beltran donning a Met cap, a significant moment since Mike Piazza. It's a rarity for players with extensive careers across multiple teams to have such a connection, and it raises interesting discussions around their le...

Send us Fan Mail We didn't watch the ASG or the Home Run Derby. And we're ok with that. In this episode we look at the teams that have surprised positively and negatively. Only 60 games to go and yet we talk about this being the beginning of the 2nd half of the season. The All-Star Game is too late in the season now. Olympic Baseball is like Olympic Soccer. World Cup soccer is way cooler and World Baseball Classic is way cooler than Olympic baseball. Could that change? If...

Send us Fan Mail One of our stories of the week is that #redsox Willson Contreras did something last week that only 35 players have done in MLB history. He got tossed from back to back games vs. #Nationals. Another is about the baseball flying further in June than it has since good 'ol 2019. All-Star game rosters are in. Big yawn? Dodgers and Rays are hot, Yankees and Mets are not. Thanks again to Mercury Maid for the Intro & Outro music. Check them out on Spotify or App...

Send us Fan Mail College baseball may become even more important if MLB owners get their way. Changing draft rules is a big part of the first offer from the owners. The players (MLBPA) laughed it off as they should have. We talk about what it means and what it will lead to. Bunting is back in 2026. Well at least since the universal DH era began. Will Tarik Skubal be a Detroit #Tigers pitcher after the trade deadline? Thanks again to Mercury Maid for the Intro & Outro mus...

Send us Fan Mail Tim Brown is the author of three baseball books and his latest book "Nolan" The Singular Life of an American Original" goes deeper with the HOF legend than any other. Tim spent time in Alvin, TX, which is Nolan Ryan's home town. There are so many great stories! Thanks for listening and watching! Thanks again to Mercury Maid for the Intro & Outro music. Check them out on Spotify or Apple Music! Please subscribe to our podcast and thanks for listening! ...

Send us Fan Mail Shohei Ohtani is on his way to his 5th MVP (in six seasons). He has the lowest ERA and highest OPS+ in the NL - not even HOFer Babe Ruth did that in the same season! We talk about the rash of injuries to stars including Jose Ramirez, Ronald Acuna Jr., and Spencer Strider. Jacob Misiorowski pitched a game for the ages and Mark tells you why when it comes to pitcher game score. Ground balls are more deadly to hitters today as hitting the ball in the air means everyt...

Send us Fan Mail It's hard to believe that both Mike Trout and Aaron Judge are 34. How can that be? It seems like Trout has been around much longer - and that's actually the case. We talk about this in our stories of the week along with the latest injury reports, player news, and everything that happened in MLB last week. All in less than 30 minutes! Thanks again to Mercury Maid for the Intro & Outro music. Check them out on Spotify or Apple Music! Please subscribe to our po...

Send us Fan Mail We look at run differentials that reveal the good teams (Braves, Dodgers, Yankees, Brewers), and all the other teams. The AL is weaker this season and that's no surprise. Should #brewers trade for Tarik Skubal? Mark and Gordon don't see eye-to-eye on this one. Will #dodgers Shohei win the NL Cy Young award? Cristopher Sanchez of the #phillies as a 44.2 inning scoreless streak. And then there's #padres Mason Miller. Catch up on all the hot news f...

Send us Fan Mail Our top stories of the week are revealed as are the prospects for players and @MLB teams after 1/3 of 2026 season has been played. Shohei of course leads the pack given that he pitches (amazingly) AND hits amazingly. #tigers are sinking as are #mets #redsox & #astros. What's up with #cubs? Can the #athletics remain in first place? We talk about where things are right now! Thanks again to Mercury Maid for the Intro & Outro music. Check th...

Send us Fan Mail #Brewers Jacob Misiorowski is tied for the MLB lead w 80 strikeouts. #dodgers Blake Snell is injured. Again. #Rays continue to excel. #guardians still the only AL Central team over .500 as well as the #athletics. Baseball is soaring high and we are appealing to baseball club owners and players to reach a deal in the new CBA before the 2027 season We discuss the league leading hitters and pitchers with about 1/3 of the 2026 season to be played by Memorial Day! Thanks aga...

Send us Fan Mail Rob Fitts loves Japanese baseball and has been writing about it for years. His 10 books on baseball in Japan cover many aspects of the sport in the Land of the Rising Sun. Dr. Fitts joined Gordon and Mark to talk about his 2025 book "In the Japanese Ballpark" which is a series of vignettes covering aspects of what goes on during a NPB game. From players, to managers, to umpires, owners, fans, even beer girls, Fitts has a great feel for how to tell the story and explain Japane...

Send us Fan Mail We had intended to drop this episode on Monday the 11th after taking a week off due to some travel. But we recorded Wednesday night the 6th and so here's the latest episode as we want things to be timely! The teams as of the weekend will have played about a quarter of the season. Does that mean Aaron Judge will hit 60 homers as he has 15 already? Not necessarily but you wouldn't be surprised would you? Framber Valdez did another crazy Framber thing. The bad teams...

Send us Fan Mail #Redsox fired Alex Cora in what has to be the story of the week. #Mets Carlos Mendoza may be next. #Padres Mason Miller continues his unreal season and they also signed Lucas Giolito. #Braves rookie gives up homer on first #MLB pitch then pitches 7 innings for the win. We talk about those stories along with our feature topic - the 7 catchers who finished their careers batting .300. 5 are Hall-of-Famers, one will be, the other will never be. How many can you name?&...