• Emotional challenges of being a baseball fan during a tough season & highlights the importance of staying even-keeled, like successful baseball players
• Recent experience watching the Rays play the Braves in Atlanta, mentioning the hot weather & a humorous incident with a child kicking his seat
• Rays' pitching struggles, particularly with reliever Phil Maton
• Mat notes the Rays' unsuccessful history of investing in relievers & advocates for building the bullpen from within the system
• Mark & Mat discuss promising players like Cleavinger & Jason Adam, noting their contributions
• Pete Fairbanks' recent injury scare & relief that it's only a bruised finger.
• Importance of moving on from underperforming players & discusses the ups & downs of the Rays' bullpen.
• Braves shortstop, Orlando Arcia was underestimated early in his career
• Rickwood Event - Gray Sox/Montgomery Biscuits & Birmingham Black Barons,
• Chandler Simpson comparison to legendary base-stealer Ricky Henderson.
• Simpson's impressive stats & his potential impact on the Rays
• Need players like Simpson who place the ball well & steal bases contrasted with power hitters
• Basics of baseball: getting on base rather than hitting home runs, & avoid obsession with exit velocity.
• Tony Gwynn & Kirby Puckett, frustrated the pitchers
• Gambling & Baseball stadium health y foods
• Bi-lingual food vendors at Expos games – "cotton candy - barbe à papa"
• Rick Vaughn's book on Tampa’s baseball history.
• Babe Ruth's legendary home run at Plant Field
• U.S support for Finland during Russia's invasion & the All-Star game in Tampa.
• Willie Mays's passing & his contributions to the game & the Negro Leagues.
• Pitching Home run leaders for the Twins & Rays: Pablo Lopez & Aaron Civale.
• 2018 draft picks by the Rays: Taj Bradley, Joe Ryan, Shane McClanahan, & Matthew Liberatore.
• Shock of Joe Ryan's trade, happy to see his success with the Twins.
• Harold Ramirez being picked up by the Nationals after being DFA'd.
• Rays pitchers, Jeffrey Springs & Shane Boz potential return.
• Potential trades & team strategies, particularly regarding Dodgers & the Cubs.
• Changing routines for pitchers transitioning between starting & relieving roles
• Successful transition: Luis Urias with the Dodgers.
• Young players' aspirations focused on starting pitching rather than relieving roles..
• Yandy Diaz – wearing out pitchers
• Testing the Rays’ lineup - Siri is again making it happen at the plate
• Rays atrocious bullpen
• Yandy’s consecutive times on base
• When will Winning Streak begin?
• Depth in starting pitching
• 5 of the top 100 prospects are in Rays system
• From “quadruple A” player to MLB
• Mark & Mat discuss Papa Johns & Tim Horton’s trades
• You can’t buy coffee beans from Tim Horton’s – addictive?
• Taj Bradley & Joe Ryan face-off
• 22 days before the St. Pete vote on the Tampa Bay Rays stadium

Mat on Twitter x.com @Mat_Germain_
Mark can be found on Twitter x.com @TheBaseballBiz & and at http://www.baseballbizondeck.com
BaseballBiz can be found on iheartradio, Stitcher, Apple, and Spotify
Special thanks to XTaKeRuX for the music “Rocking Forward"

@Mat_Germain & Mark review the Rays after

• Discussion about dome stadiums and the necessity of having one with a dome that can be opened or closed.
• Concerns about player safety with bullpen mounds on the field.
• Specific example of Johnny DeLuca's near injury due to bullpen placement.
• Argument for designing stadiums to better protect players.
• Mention of Oakland's unique bullpen setup.
• Suggestion to use Tropicana 300 levels of the stadium for bullpen areas.
• Comment on the emotional impact of a team's poor performance at home.
• Reflection on the team's lack of energy and production.
• Discussion on the importance of timing with the trade deadline approaching.
• Positive signs with players like Brandon Lowe making significant contributions.
• Mention of specific matchups and players' performances.
• Discussion about Harold Ramirez's role and performance.
• Mention of a Twitter survey about Harold Ramirez's potential landing spots.
• Recognition of Ramirez's character and improved defensive abilities.
• Mention of Mat Germain's presence on Twitter and his valuable insights.
• Commentary on recent changes to Twitter's (X) like feature.
• Observation on the impact of these changes on user interactions.
• Update on Jeffrey Springs' performance in AAA and his potential return.
• Speculation on trade deadline decisions for the Rays.
• Reflection on the emotional rollercoaster of being a Rays fan.
• Comparison of the current season to the previous year's performance in the AL East.
• Rays Catchers options – JT Realmuto, Sean Murphy, William Contreras – where would the Rays be now if one of these guys had been brought to the Rays
• Atlanta Braves, Charlie Morton & Travis d’Arnaud battery is exceptional.
• Would future Charlie Morton become a relief pitcher like John Smoltz and later as a pitching coach
• Siri bringing back some fire to the Rays
• A view from the Rays farm –strength coming up soon
• Chandler Simpson, in park home run in 14.2 seconds
• Future new roster of Opening Day in the new Rays stadium
• Rays need a catcher like Orioles’ Adley Rutschman – He is a consistent leader
• Mike Zunino – a steady force for the Rays – could be a good scout for the Rays
• Florida Collegiate Baseball – Florida State & University of Florida heading to the NCAA post-season in Omaha
• Jac Caglione
• Ybor Legacy Awards with Lou Piniella – kicking up the dirt
• St Pete Stadium & Collen Wright update – all-day workshop and then first official vote on the Rays stadium
• Annual Summer Break with the St. Pete Council while Rays stadium is being considered
• Gotta bring Shane Baz & Jeffery Spring up sooner than later
• Chandler Simpson moves up & Braydon Taylor OPS through the roof

Thanks to Mat Germain for bringing his knowledge, wit and wisdom to the show. You can catch more of Mat on Twitter x.com @Mat_Germain_
Mark can be found on Twitter x.com @TheBaseballBiz & and at http://www.baseballbizondeck.com
Subscribe, follow and rate the show. Thank you.
BaseballBiz can be found on iheartradio, Stitcher, Apple, and Spotify
Special thanks to XTaKeRuX for the music “Rocking Forward"

Lindsay Imber of Close Call Sports visits BaseballBiz On Deck & analyzes MLB Ejections with a breakdown on the process & the rules that may have been broken. She shares a humorous & informative look at baseball league ejections on the Close Call Sports YouTube channel

• On YouTube channel, Close Call Sports, Lindsay analyzes recent baseball plays using the MLB rule book.
• Becoming a member of the Close Call Sports community
• Controversial play w/ Tommy Pham
• Pham's path to home plate was in fair territory
• Home plate collision rule & runner restrictions.
• Rule Changes & Interpretations:
• Mound visit rules, including catcher-initiated visits and unintended pitching changes.
• Pitching Changes & Ejections:
  • Example, involving the Tampa Bay Rays' pitching coach Kyle Snyder and mound visits count.
  • Explanation of rule requiring an ejection for an unintended pitching change without a replacement ready
• Rule Confusion & Clarification: between MLB's press releases & MLB rule book
  • Importance of understanding the rule book to avoid misunderstandings
• Hidden Ball Trick: Examples at college, high school, MLB
• Process for creating videos, focusing on ejections & rule situations
• Balance between ejection & educational rule videos for fan education
• "Ejections of the Year Awards" Best Umpire, Ejections of the Year, Promising Umpires, Honorable Umpire, Fill-in Umpire and more.
• Avoidable ejections due to poor game management
  • Avoiding unnecessary confrontations & ejections.
  • Post-game ejection of the Padres manager, Mike Shildt
  • The importance of umpires walking away to avoid conflict.
  • How are ejections evaluated
• Challenges of Automatic Ball-Strike systems (ABS)
  • The future of baseball with robo-umps & potential impact on ejections and game management.
  • Stress w/ umpires who must still be prepared to make calls if the system fails.
  • Differences between fully automated systems & challenge system
  • Issues with ABS, such as post-game data changes affecting call accuracy.
  • Transition to robo-umps in MLB will be complex & interesting to watch.

Support Close Call Sports w/ Patreon
Mark is on x.com @TheBaseballBiz & at http://www.baseballbizondeck.com
Just remember to subscribe, follow and rate the show. Thank you.
BaseballBiz can be found on iheartradio, Stitcher, Apple, and Spotify

• Looking back at limited female representation in baseball during his youth & acknowledges the historical and recent progress, mentioning the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League , the Colorado Silver Bullets & the USA Women’s National Team.
• Veronica Alvarez shares that her love for baseball started at a very young age
• She recounts seeing the Colorado Silver Bullets play when she was 12, a significant moment since female athletes were rarely highlighted on TV
• The movie "A League of Their Own" was a staple in her household, reinforcing her love for baseball
• The importance of recognizing historical achievements in women’s baseball
• Ongoing achievements of women in baseball, using Rachel Balkovec & Kelsie Whitmore as examples
• Women in male-dominated fields have to work hard and are not token hires
• Mark praises the talent & achievements of the USA Women’s National Team & mentions the inspiration young girls get from seeing women excel in baseball.
• Trailblazer Series - young girls can play baseball together & instruction of women coaches who have significantly impacted the game
• Mentorship & leadership development among young female baseball players
• Veronica explains her role with the Oakland A’s, focusing on player development in the Dominican Republic & the importance of facilitating smooth transitions for young players
• The importance of the "freedom to fail" as part of their development
• Cultural challenges faced by international players & the passion required to succeed in baseball.
• Women in baseball needs for more competitive play &recognition
• Veronica believes the USA Women’s National Team has the talent & drive to be an Olympic team & stresses the need for people to recognize baseball & softball as separate sports.
• Alvarez advocates for the coexistence of men’s and women’s baseball and softball in the Olympics without needing additional facilities or resources
• Options for women in sports, emphasizing the need for women's baseball at the NCAA level & recounts historical challenges faced by women's collegiate teams.
• Alvarez notes how concerns about women being hit by a ball persist, but asserts women's resilience and toughness.
• Recent experience in Dominican Republic where a female umpire officiated for the first time, addressing concerns about her safety.
• Veronica outlines the timeline for the USA Women's National Team's tryouts & training in July, emphasizing the development of young players through MLB camps.
• Veronica is the MLB Ambassador for Girls Baseball, explaining the consistent messaging and training for young female athletes.
• Increased competition & improved quality of players for the Women's National Team, aiming for a challenging selection process.
• Mark & Veronica discuss the historical and ongoing efforts to elevate women's baseball, aiming for inclusion in the Olympics.
• Emphasis on hard work and dedication of the women preparing for the national team, often training independently to be ready for competition.

Discover more on the Women's Baseball World Cup in Thunder Bay

Mark can be found on Twitter x.com @TheBaseballBiz & and at http://www.baseballbizondeck.com
Subscribe, follow and rate the show. Thank you.
BaseballBiz can be found on iheartradio, Stitcher, Apple, and Spotify
Special thanks to XTaKeRuX for the music “Rocking Forward"

• Retirement of Angel Hernandez, controversial MLB umpire.
• Mat Germain suggests that umpires over 60 should retire due to declining reflexes and eyesight.
• Mark Corbett and Mat Germain talk about other umpires like CB Buckner and Joe West, noting that Joe West started a podcast after retirement.
• Discussion about various sports personalities who have ventured into podcasting, including former Yankees’ CC Sabathia and Rays’ Pete Fairbanks.
• What would a Tyler Glasnow podcast sound like - “potty mouth”
• Harold Ramirez and Ahmed Rosario poll
• Mat Germain analyzes the Rays' performance against left-handed and right-handed pitching
• Lineup changes made by Kevin Cash.
• Mat Germain mentions Richie Palacios' success against certain types of pitches and criticizes the lack of playing time for Harold Ramirez.
• Randy Arozarena's should he be sent down to AAA for motivation.
• Potential call-ups from AAA, including Austin Shenton and Rene Pinto, and the importance of balancing offense and defense in player selection.
• Mat Germain questions what Randy Arozarena's legacy will be in Tampa if he is sent down or traded.
• Question about Randy Arozarena's legacy if he were to leave the Rays.
• Kevin Cash's Frustration: Mark Corbett expresses that it must be frustrating for Kevin Cash to deal with players' personalities, as they need to step up or not.
• Injuries and Absences: Mat Germain notes that key players like Jeffrey Springs, Shane Baz, Brandon McKay, and Junior Caminero are not returning, necessitating reliance on fringe players.
• Opportunities for Fringe Players: Mat Germain advocates giving fringe players like Ruben Cardenas and Tristan Peters a chance to play and prove themselves.
• Josh Lowe's Struggles: Josh is currently dealing with injuries, hoping he recovers post-All-Star break.
• Front Office Decisions: Eric Neander and Stu Sternberg are they willing to invest in the 2024 roster given the team's current performance.
• Attendance Issues: Mat & Mark discuss the decline in attendance and its potential relation to ongoing stadium issues and fan fatigue.
• Stadium Location Concerns: Mat Germain points out the lack of aggression from City of Tampa to secure the Rays' stadium, suggesting Yankees fans might be influencing the decision.
• Negro League Stats in MLB: BaseballBiz On Deck celebrates the inclusion of thes stats in MLB history, noting the impact on historical rankings and records.
• Praise Bob Kendricks’ work in promoting Negro League history and achievements.
• Inclusion of Negro League stats results in Josh Gibson topping the all-time career batting average leader list.
• Combination of Willie Mays MLB & Negro League stats
• Potential Hall of Fame Inductions: Mat Germain speculates that the updated stats might lead to new Hall of Fame inductions.
• Ryan Pepiot's strong performance on the mound, comparing his style to Roy Halladay's and suggesting he could bring back complete games for the Ray

Thanks to Mat Germain for bringing his knowledge, wit and wisdom to the show. You can catch more of Mat on Twitter x.com @Mat_Germain_
Mark can be found on Twitter x.com @TheBaseballBiz & and at http://www.baseballbizondeck.com
Subscribe, follow and rate the show. Thank you.
BaseballBiz can be found on iheartradio, Stitcher, Apple, and Spotify
Special thanks to XTaKeRuX for the music “Rocking Forward"

Colleen Wright, journalist with the Tampa Bay Times visits with Mat & Mark to discuss the status of the new Tampa Bay Rays stadium proposal in St. Pete.

• History of the Tampa Bay Rays Stadium Saga
• 2008 Mayor Rick Baker and the Al Lang Stadium
• Mayor Kriseman allows Rays to look at Tampa
• Tampa initiative approves fruitless
• 2022 Mayor Welch scraps Kriseman proposals & requests new proposals from Rays & Hines
• January 2023 began Rays/Hines
• September 2023 outline a deal 1.3 billion dollar stadium, 700 million from the Rays
• Redevelopment portion
• $6.5 billion 30 year project includes redevelopment, retail, museum, open space, housing
• Council & attorney Lisette Hanewicz puts a sharp eye to the contract and finds there are some questions that still need to be answered
• Mat asks about a change in the mood in negotiations once Montreal Sister Cities program was squashed
• Not a lot of outward drama. No signs of acrimony between Rays and the City of St. Petersburg during the process.
• Rays have been wise in negotiations with players and trades will they bring that same mentality to complete the deal with St. Pete
• Must have at least a 5 to 3 vote from St. Pete council for the stadium
• No termination clause
• If not done before August the stadium could become a political topic prior to the upcoming elections
• Some council members are against the principle of giving public money to a private enterprise
• Some critics agree with the Rays to Stay but fix the deal – Sierra Club example
• Tighten up the loose ends
• When asked what Rays would do in a worse case scenario – response has been ‘We are dealing with the situation in front of us’
• Mayor Welch agrees with some points from the council
• Minimum requirements v Targeted goals – contractors are not legally bound to these "
• Responsibility – Lissette Hanewicz pointed out that parties of the agreement are not named in some of the documents
• 65 acres of land being sold at a deep discount
• City will be putting down 142 million for infrastructure
• Miami stadium deal & LeBron James – 2010 Miami, FL
• Miami Marlins Stadium a cautionary tale for St. Pete
• St. Pete politicians very different than Miami politicians
• Crystal Ball: Will we have an agreement by Mid-July?
• June 13th last time council meet before summer vacation before returning in July
• How does a reporter prepare for a 16 hour day with Council workshops
• Colleen & the Miami Marlins or Miami Heat
• Naming Rights fornew Stadium – Has City requested a part of that revenue
• $50 million community benefits package
• Penalties are relatively low if affordable housing is not met
• 30 year deal – when will the team need another new stadium
• Rays will be on the hook for paying any upgrades
• Kudos to Colleen Wright & St Pete Times team for their coverage of the Rays
• Stu Sternberg’s longstanding commitment to St. Pete C

Post Show updates from Colleen's tweets
Special thanks to XTaKeRuX for the music “Rocking Forward"

Looking for light during a tough train ride at the Trop. Mat covers what's cooking in the minors across Durham, Montgomery, Bowling Green & Charleston. Plus a good look at the pitching of Taj Bradley & Taylor Houck

Mat’s Rays minor League report – Durham Bulls, Montgomery Biscuits, Bowling Green & Charleston River Dogs

• AA – Chandler Simpson – Stealing Bases – on pace to steal 135 bases for the season
• Is Simpson hotter than Carson Williams or Junior Caminero
• Carson Williams, Minor League Player of the Week, is hitting at MLB level
• Owen Wild promoted from Charleston to Bowling Green moving forward with pitching
• Montgomery Biscuits are leading their division
• Bowling Green Hot Rods are leading their division
• A+ & AA is looking strong
• Brailer Guerrero – 17 years old coming up in the FCL – power bat & speed

Back to the Trop

• Taylor Walls coming back soon –
• What does the future look like for a Harold Ramirez &/or Siri exit
• Rosario has taken over Ramirez’s role on field
• Nothing is easy in the AL Beast - .500 is still solid for this stretch of the season
• Pitching – Taj Bradley striking out 8 of 9 in the first 3 innings & then . . .
• Will we see more curveball and location variation from Taj
• Bradley’s hit & miss record is excelling beyond Archer & Snell
• Rafael Devers denied 7 HRs in a role
• Boston Red Sox – did Rays’ scouts see what Jared Duran could do
• The 2-seamer & Red Sox is catching some teams
• Tanner Houck – amazing pitching. Why Red Sox may have not signed extension yet

Special marketing promotions

• Brewfest Sunday at the Trop includes: a seat in the Party Deck and (6) drink tickets – each good for a 4 oz. pour from regional and local breweries
• Yankees George Costanza bobblehead promotion – Seinfeld
• Montgomery Biscuits – Lowe Bros bobble head

,Thanks to Mat Germain for bringing his knowledge, wit and wisdom to the show. You can catch more of Mat on Twitter x.com @Mat_Germain_
Mark can be found on Twitter x.com @TheBaseballBiz & and at http://www.baseballbizondeck.com
Subscribe, follow and rate the show. Thank you.
BaseballBiz can be found on iheartradio, Stitcher, Apple, and Spotify
Special thanks to XTaKeRuX for the music “Rocking Forward"

RaysUp Mat Germain & Mark Corbett tracking the Rays with 25% of the season gone
Plus St. Pete Stadium agreement it's closer than you think

• First quarter lackluster performance of Tampa Bay Rays
• Civale is pitching well but needs to work on pitching mix
• Taj Bradley - great mindset - Future Ace
• Bats warming up DeLuca, Lowe, Arozarena, Caballero
• Pulling for future of Brendan McKay - relief pitcher?
• Red Sox game 2 loss in Boston, Rays missed opportunities
• Stealing Bases - who gets the green light - Caballero
• Upcoming AL East Rivals
• Austin Shenton - should have been given more at bats in April

New Rays Stadium in St Pete deadlines closing in

• 2023 January - Colleen Wright asks Brian Auld, Rays president, on future location of Rays
• When do the shovels go into the ground
• 2-pronged project (1) Economic Development (2) New Rays Stadium in St. Pete
• Questions on how projects and responsibilities are tied
• Penalties if affordable housing criterion is not met
• What happens if Rays ownership changes during 30 year agreement
• Projected schedule & deadlines of St. Pete Council to sign
• Atlanta Braves model
• Stadium Naming Revenue
• Let's get it done
• St Pete Council Members voting on stadium can be found here. Contact them.

Rays Potential Promotions in minor leagues include:

• Tre' Morgan & Xavier Isaac
• Prediction of future trades include Harold Ramirez & Siri
• Still waiting for Junior Caminero

Special Thanks to Colleen Wright of the Tampa Bay Times who has kept the community apprised of the ongoing stadium discussions between The Tampa Bay Rays & the City of St. Pete.

Thanks to Mat Germain for bringing his knowledge, wit and wisdom to the show. You can catch more of Mat on Twitter x.com @Mat_Germain_
Mark can be found on Twitter x.com @TheBaseballBiz & and at http://www.baseballbizondeck.com
Subscribe, follow and rate the show. Thank you.
BaseballBiz can be found on iheartradio, Stitcher, Apple, and Spotify
Special thanks to XTaKeRuX for the music “Rocking Forward"