Tip of the Cap to Stu, Congrats to Lou, ABS & new owner on the way

  🎉 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 ⚾

  ⚖️ CBA & Player Issues

• Mat breaks down upcoming CBA challenges.
• Salary cap debate vs. overlooked issues affecting 80% of players.
• Why voices like Fairbanks could bring valuable insight.

  🌟 Roberto Clemente Legacy

• Luis Roberto Clemente visits the Tampa Baseball Museum.
• Little Legends 21, a foundation carrying Roberto Clemente’s legacy of giving back to youth and communities.

  🏟️ The Rays & Stadium Questions

• Rays finish their stint at George Steinbrenner Field on a winning note.
• Players loved the natural grass and healthier play vs. Tropicana Field.
• New ownership sparks hope for a fast-track stadium plan—possible sites in Tampa & St. Pete discussed.

  💰 Stu Sternberg’s Rays Era

• From $200M investment to a $1.7B sale—one of MLB’s biggest ROI stories.
• The ups, downs, and legacy of Sternberg’s ownership:
• Built MLB’s most respected front office.
• Five straight playoff appearances.
• Controversial stadium battles, but lasting respect across baseball.
•  Departing with gratitude and surprising fan warmth.
• Stu Sternberg leaves the Rays better than he found them.
• His legacy: a respected front office, consistent playoff contender, and a franchise that grew in stature despite challenges.

⚾ Minor League Affiliates: 

Could Jacksonville become a AAA partner under new ownership?🥧 Montgomery Biscuits Championship:

• Manager Kevin Boles leading his squad in a winner-take-all Southern League title game vs. Birmingham. 
• TJ Nichols starting, bullpen stacked with arms like Austin Vernon & Ty Johnson.
• Will Simpson carrying a hot bat (OPS near 1.700).
• 🌟 Rays Highlights:
  • Brandon Lowe hits HR #31 at age 31.
  • Junior Caminero chasing Carlos Peña’s Rays HR record (44 vs. Peña’s 46) with 5 games left. 
  • Jake Mangum showing Joey Wendle-like versatility and intensity.
  • Shane Baz closes his season strong with 4 no-hit innings.
•  🎯 ABS Debate:
  • Mark values umpire judgment in calling balls & strikes.
  • Mat argues for full adoption of ABS (Automated Ball-Strike system), calling human inconsistency a “career killer.”
• 💪 Leadership & Legacy:
• Yandy Díaz’s impact as a leader, mentor, and professional hitter. 
• What new Rays ownership might do with veterans like Yandy & Brandon Lowe.
• 🏆 Playoff Picture: contenders: Mets, D-backs, Reds battling for Wild Card. 
• Terry Francona’s resilient squad making a push.
• Mark cheering on hometown Reds; Mat pulling for the Brewers, praising their Rays-style blueprint under Matt Arnold.
• 🔮 Mets likely facing coaching/management changes after a late-season collapse. 
• Big offseason decisions for the Rays as ownership era shifts.

 You can find Mat at @matgermain.bsky.social or reach Mark at  [e-mail] BaseballBiz on Deck, at iHeart Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, and at www.baseballbizOnDeck.com 
Special Thanks to Scott Holmes for the music Stomps & Claps