Author Jane Leavy joins Adam Weinrib to unpack Make Me Commissioner: a fan-first blueprint to restore baseball’s soul. From Cape Cod’s Eldridge Park to today’s metrics-first MLB, we cover wood bats, shifts still legal on the Cape, NIL/draft churn, and two competing arm-health fixes—shrink to 11 pitchers (force real starting pitching) vs expand to 15–16 with honest, fluid usage to reduce TJs. Plus: Roger Angell’s critique, Dave Roberts’ tough calls, why the challenge system (not full robo-umps) is coming, and what MLB can learn from the Savannah Bananas: “Fans first, entertainment always.”

— Why Cape Cod = Baseball’s Soul

— The Illusion of “Nothing Changes” (MLB $$, nets, safer parks)

— Wood Bats Return: New Sound, Old Game

— Shifts on the Cape: Still Legal, Still Used

— NIL & Draft Timing → Showcase League (Cotuit’s 40-player churn)

— 2023 Firebirds: A Real Team (feat. Labradoodle “Betty”)

— Air Bud vs. MLB Rules: Dogs Taking Infield?

— Roger Angell’s Lament: “They Took Away Half the Game”

— From $18 Beers to Fading Primacy

— “Throw Till You Break”: The Rays Model

— Fix Idea #1: 11-Man Staffs—Make Starters Pitch

— We Lost the ‘Third-Time-Through’ Chess Match

— No-No Drought, Yamamoto Close & Letting Him Finish

— Pulling Kershaw/Hill: Are We Precluding Greatness?

— Fix Idea #2: 15–16 Arms, Fluid Usage, Fewer TJs

— First Act as Commish: Kids 10 & Under Free (Math Checks Out)

— Next Up: Challenge System... Full Robo-Umps

— Savannah Bananas Lesson: “Fans First, Entertainment Always”

— Clutch Defined (Sue Bird) & Measuring the Immeasurable

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#MLB #Baseball #MakeMeCommissioner #CapeCodLeague #OrleansFirebirds #RogerAngell #PitchingInjuries #RoboUmp #SavannahBananas #FanExperience

Mookie Betts joins FanSided’s Adam Weinrib to tee up the MLB Postseason, break down his role-player mindset shift, and reveal the Dodgers’ biggest edge (hello, Shohei) and biggest concern heading into October. We hit the “Playa Sounds” collab with Corona (calm + playoff electricity), toughest road atmospheres (San Diego, Philly, New York), NL rivalries (Padres vs. Giants), 7 Silver Sluggers, Hall of Fame goals, and why he wants to clinch at home.

— Corona “Playa Sounds” Soundtrack

— Role-Player Mindset Shift → Playing Free

— Dodgers’ Edge: Shohei Ohtani Factor

— Concern: Syncing Hitting + Pitching + Pen

— Toughest Road Playoff Parks: SD, PHI, NYY

— Rivals Check: Padres Heat vs. Giants Dislike

— 7 Silver Sluggers: Evolving Role, Same Standard

— Passing Big Papi?

— Hall of Fame Goal: Day-by-Day Path

— Silencing Road Crowds vs. Clinching at Home

— “I Want One at Home”: The Dream Clinch

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#MookieBetts #Dodgers #MLB #MLBPostseason #ShoheiOhtani #Corona #FanSided #NLPlayoffs #Baseball

The road to the 2025 World Series just got messy. On today’s episode of The Baseball Insiders, hosts Adam Weinrib and Robert Murray break down the six late-season storylines that could decide who wins it all:

Trey Yesavage in Toronto – X-factor arm for October?

Bo Bichette & Roman Anthony injuries – how do they shape the Blue Jays’ path?

Tarik Skubal’s side tightness – minor issue or major concern?

Final NL Wild Card battle – Mets, D-Backs, Giants, Reds: who survives?

Bryce Eldridge promotion – can the Giants’ rookie deliver in crunch time?

AL West showdown – Mariners’ push vs. Astros’ injuries (Álvarez, Zach Cole emerging).

⚾ Subscribe for insider analysis, playoff predictions, and exclusive MLB news from Robert & Adam.

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#MLB, #MLBPlayoffs, #WorldSeries, #BlueJays, #Tigers, #Mets, #Giants, #Diamondbacks, #Reds, #Mariners, #Astros, #BaseballInsiders