BaseballBiz On Deck

⚾ Playoff Pulse

• Mat disappointment with the Brewers’ and Blue Jays’ postseason struggles.
• Super teams,  like the Dodgers —super teams kill competition and fan excitement.

💰 Money, Mets & Moves

• Met’s payroll vs. performance and how poor pitching investments hurt them.
• Pete Alonso’s opt-out and Scott Boras’ pursuit of a 7-year deal — unrealistic? 
• Expect major roster reshuffling post–World Series 

🧢 The Manager Carou...

Breakfast with 2 friends from Brooklyn, Joe Torre & Sandy Koufax, they unlocked what was different in the game today – That’s the story

• Positive Vibe w/Rays new owners , Cosgrove, Zalupski & Babby 
• No rule for “Caring about what you buy”
• Too much inventory - 165 games
• Build love in the game w/ Little League
• Empty seats in playoff games
• The Pitch Clock the most significant change in the game
• Bananas have exposed a central probl...

Mat and analyst Mark dive into a big week for Tampa Bay baseball fans as the Rays transition to new ownership and the future of the franchise begins to take shape.

• Pumpkin spice & postseason baseball:
• Reflecting on Stu Sternberg’s era: 
  • Dropping the “Devil” & building consistent winning seasons. 
  • Iconic Rays moments: Evan Longoria’s homer, Brosseau vs. Chapman, Arozarena’s postseason magic. 
  • Sternberg’s legacy— building ...

  🎉 Lou Schiff’s Big News - Lou Schiff welcoming a new family member!Mark & Mat share their excitement and well wishes for the Schiff family.

  📚 Lou’s Book: Hall of Fame Players Who Became Lawyers

Discussion on Lou’s latest book featuring Hall of Famers like Tony La Russa who also pursued law.

Which current MLB players might make good lawyers or judges

• Mat nominates Aaron Judge 🧑‍⚖️ 
• Mark suggests Pete Fairbanks ⚾

  ⚖...

Rays Season Wrap-Up RaysUp

• Rays fall out of playoff contention but improve draft position
• Phillies clinch NL East; Brewers, Dodgers, Blue Jays all in tight division races
• Glass-half-full outlook as younger players gain valuable experience under pressure
• Spotlight on Montgomery Biscuits in the Southern League playoffs
• Homer Bush Jr., Ledbetter, Brody Hopkins, Will Simpson, and TJ Nichols
• Rays and Brewers’ player development approaches...

• Season Perspective Shift
  • Reflects on changing expectations — from World Series hopes to just aiming for .500.
  • The Rays’ season to running with a persistent side stitch: fatigue, inconsistency, and frustration.
• Hitting Development Concerns
  • Rays’ persistent issue developing hitters in the minors.
  • Lack of homegrown impact bats compared to players like Yandy Díaz and Junior Caminero (both acquired from Cleveland).
  • Call for a...

BaseballBiz On Deck – Rays & Junior Caminero Rising

• Rays rebound to reach .500, winning 8 of last 10 games
• Mariners series pivotal in reigniting playoff hopes
• Roster shakeups pay dividends:
• Carson Williams’ call-up sparks momentum
•  Tristan Gray contributes key hits
•  Josh Lowe heating up after struggles
• Junior Caminero shines:
• Hits 40th HR of the season, joins elite Rays company
• Reaches 100 RBIs milestone
• Emerging as the face and futu...

• Reflection on Tony Saladino – Tampa Baseball icon
• Tampa Bay Rays Youth movement:
• Carson Williams – first MLB home run, strong defensive presence, potential long-term answer at shortstop
• Ian Seymour – lefty starter showing promise
• Everson Pereira – solid defense, working into outfield rotation
• Brian Van Belle – strong Durham performance, early success in MLB debut
• Junior Caminero – chasing 50+ home runs at age 21, comparisons to Evan ...

• Mark welcomes guest Mike Baluja, who Mark calls, Mr. West Tampa”
• Baluja businessman, songwriter, and baseball historian.
• Conversation centers on the Little League World Series and the rich baseball history of West Tampa.
• The Alessi Bakers baseball team & Joe Magadan
• The rise and changes of West Tampa Little League since the 1960s.
• Community roots in immigrant cigar families and neighborhood culture.
• Legendary players from the are...

• Wild Florida weather playing baseball during Hurricane season.
• Shane McClanahan injury – look back at his original early playoff usage, and comparisons to Mark Prior’s career.
• Pitching depth – AAA arms, Forrest Whitley & Brian Van Belle, as possible support for the Rays’ future.
• Late season debuts can create high-stakes stress for pitchers.
• Little League World Series - Lake Mary, FL’s recent run, and the emotional intensity for...

• Tampa Bay Rays turning on a dime
• Rays now 4.5 spots out of the Wild Card Swapping spots with the Angels
• Shane Baz & Mike Trout face off
• Rays getting momentum – Chris Morel after 6 SO’s hits a Home Run
• Junior Caminero 2 Home Runs
• Griffin Jax bases bases loaded & then strikes out 3 
• Will Jax be a future Rays closer
• Shane Baz started strong
• September is a critical month for the Tampa Bay Rays – time to get hot
• Taj Bradley in AAA Tw...

• Griffin Jax comes on Taj Bradley traded 
• Twins are Kryptonite to Rays during Trade Deadlines
• Fans should be ecstatic - keeping Brandon Lowe, Pete Fairbanks & Yandy Diaz
• Rays gave up 3 pieces for a catcher 
• Expected Tristan Gray was going to be called up 
• Dealing Jose Cabaellero to the Yankees not happy to see his speed moving to New York
• Love for the Yankees not magnified
• games with Yankees lost 3 in 4 game series
• 4 players pulled ...

• Danny Jansen moves but still sits on the bench for one last game to back up Thaiss
• Imagine marketing promotion if Taylor Walls performed as catcher backup after Jansen’s move 
• Will Rays continue to pay Fairbanks $6 million next year if they cannot find a suitable trade?
• Would the Rangers pick up                                                                                                                                          ...

Carson Mead - Hot in AAA lets see what you can do – Future 30/30 guy

Moving Taylor Walls to Shortstop and would be very attractive to other teams

Chandler Simpson, Jake Mangum & Carson Williams speed

“Speed doesn't slump” - John Gibbons

Rays picking taller players – Glasnow, Snell

Taller pitchers “don’t have as much lag between the push and the landing.”

22 picks of 2025 Rays Draft picks, none or under 6’ 2” including a 6’ 5” ca...

Ryan Woodward, founder of Women in Baseball Week & Women’s Baseball Heritage Trail

Increasing awareness of Women’s Baseball

St. Louis Cardinals became the first MLB team to participate publicly in Women in Baseball Week.

Honoring Rockford Peach, Sue Parsons-Zipay of the AAGPBL

Sue continued to promote girls & women in baseball through the American Girls Baseball (AGB) & the All-American Women’s Baseball Classic

Exciting Era ...

• All-Star game
• Junior Caminero came in 2nd to Cal Raleigh in Home Run Derby
• 2025 All Star game was entertaining 
• Clayton Kershaw mic’ed up on the mound
• Let’s mic up the 3rd & 1st base coaches for every game
• 3 Rays at the game, Drew Rasmussen, Jonathan Aranda & Junior Caminero
• Rasmussen history of 3x arm injuries & he continues to play a great game
• ABS system with Tarik Skubal pitching to Manny Machado
• How will we see ABS bei...

• Greta Langhenry, President & Co-Founder of Level Ump
• Growth with women in sports
• Loss of Sue Zipay, AAAGPBL, All-Girls Baseball, All Women’s Tournament, Rockford Peach
• Sue also made sure that her tournament had all women officiating the All Women’s Baseball Tournament
• Greta’s love of the game 
• Bridging generations of the love of the game with her Dad
• Only girl on the baseball team
• Was told she could no longer play baseball then so...

• Rays facing the Detroit Tigers 
• Jake Mangum has Joey Wendle energy and commitment
• Arozarena & Siri had a lackadaisical approach & sometimes spotty
• Mangum, Chandler Simpson & Meisner showing up with strong rookie performances
• Veterans energized by the rookie players
• 22 year-old, Junior Caminero hit 22 Home Runs
• 6th & 7th hitters hitting above 300
• Rays are Strong defensively
• How aggressive will the Rays be at MLB Trade De...

AL East Tightens up at the top, Yankees, Blue Jays & Rays 

Quiz: Which Living Legend has 1,000 wins as a player & 1,800 plus wins 

Tony Ciccarello, a West Tampa native with deep baseball roots, talks about the role of baseball in the West Tampa community, where it’s woven into the local culture and heritage.

• Excitement of Baseball in Tampa with the Rays
• Growing Up with Baseball: baseball was integral to his upbringing, with...