Tri-State at the Plate

A Fireside Chat with Out of the Park Baseball's Richard Grisham

Do you like baseball? Do you like video games? If you answered yes to either of those questions then this is the podcast for you!

This week, on a very special edition of Tri-State at the Plate, Chris Bradley and Andy Burdick sit down with Out of the Park Baseball's Chief Marketing Officer Richard Grisham for a fireside chat about what makes baseball's greatest simulation game tick. Richard talks about how a simulation baseball game determines the players' skills, how the company acquired the MLB and MLBPA licenses, the appeal of the game to baseball fans and baseball players, and finally, he talks about his favorite real-life baseball teams and experiences.

 

This is a unique interview with an incredibly interesting perspective on baseball that anyone who likes baseball or video games is sure to enjoy.

 

So sit back and listen to Richard Grisham wax poetic about Out of the Park Baseball on a very special edition of Tri-State at the Plate.

Positional Flexibility, Not Food Flexibility

On this week's podcast, Bob and Andy talk about Rob Refsnyder having the worst 25th birthday ever and the cost-benefit analysis of positional flexibility on the diamond. Andy then discusses the Pirates' lineup construction and Andrew McCutchen's knee, relievers throwing more than one inning in Pittsburgh, the continued excellent performance of Juan Nicasio in Bradenton, the relatively short injury reports out of camp, and he finishes his segment by analyzing the most horrible food concept he has ever heard of: the Cracker Jack Dog. Bob then talks about safety updates at Progressive Field (it's still The Jake) before he discusses Forbes releasing their annual franchise values. He takes a look at how Cleveland's outfield situation is working itself out with Tyler Naquin earning a spot on the roster, Michael Brantley's Opening Day status in question, and Joey Butler getting optioned to Triple-A, before he finishes by analyzing the Tribe's bullpen construction.

Adam LaRoche Hot Takes for a Chilly Spring

If you like your takes hot, then this week's episode is for you!

On this week's Tri-State at the Plate, Andy and Bob discuss some pretty hot takes about Adam LaRoche's retirement. The duo then discuss the value of hitting Andrew McCutchen second in the Pirates' lineup, Cutch's bum knee that should be on the mend, righty Juan Nicasio's amazing spring line, and they finish with an update on the triage of Jung-ho Kang and super-prospect Austin Meadows. Bob then talks Tribe baseball including, but not limited to: Cleveland sending home players from camp, Trevor Bauer's pitching strengths and woes, Francisco Lindor going batty for bunts, and the ever-evolving outfield situation in Cleveland.

Get Off Old Man Gossage's Lawn

On this week's podcast, Andy and Bob discuss Goose Gossage shaking his fist angrily at younger people in baseball. Bob then discusses the Indians' spring so far, including, but not limited to: Republican frontrunner Donald Trump's attempt to purchase the Cleveland Indians, Michael Brantley taking BP, Corey Kluber starting on Opening Day, Tyler Naquin's outfield prowess, Danny Salazar's split-change, and Carlos Santana leading off. Andy then talks at length about new Pirates third baseman David Freese, Gerrit Cole's contract and future in Pittsburgh, Tyler Glasnow and Jameson Taillon's spring starts, and Stargell's Stars possibly returning to Pittsburgh.

This week's episode isn't sponsored by Wegman's Sparkling Water, but it should be.

Chilly Spring Training Talk

It's freezing in Northwestern Pennsylvania, but things are starting to heat up in Bradenton, Florida and Goodyear, Arizona... because pitchers and catchers have reported and we're a few days away from Spring Training starting! On this week's podcast, Andy and Bob discuss the New York Yankees' new ticket policy, their capitalist agenda, and Lonn Trost's horrible comments towards Yankee fans. Andy then discusses Andrew McCutchen's contract extension talk at length and discusses his role as the Pirates' Derek Jeter. He also talks about Jung-ho Kang and Major League Baseball's new slide rule and Monday's Black and Gold game. Bob then digs into the Tribe's spring by looking at the recent signing of Craig Stammen and singing the praises of Juan Uribe. He looks at the ever-evolving outfield situation with Abraham Almonte's recent steroid suspension and how this affects Tyler Naquin and finishes up with some talk about Indians' pitching prospect Brady Aiken. 

Neal Huntington Goes to Confession

"Forgive me father, for Jason Bay is my one sin."

On this week's episode, Andy and Jason discuss tanking in Major League Baseball and how neither of them think it really matters... unless you're Scott Boras and you suggest outrageous things like an "Elite Draft." Then Andy talks about Jesse Biddle joining the Pirates, Neal Huntington baring his soul to Adam Berry about trading Jason Bay (and he goes down the regrettable rabbit hole of players in that trade), and finally he talks about the top five Pirates prospects according to MLB Pipeline. Jason then fills us in on the Indians' prospect rankings as they pertain to Bradley Zimmer and Clint Frazier before suggesting you should become a host-family for a Minor League Baseball player. Finally he suggests checking out the Cleveland Plain Dealer for some interesting articles. 

Who's in Right? No, Cowgill's in Right.

On this week's podcast, the Big Red Machine, Bob Finkbeiner, makes his return to the podcasting world. Andy and Bob first talk about the potential baseball series in London before Andy discusses the Pirates' jersey situation, Jung-ho Kang's rehab, Francisco Cervelli's contract desires wanting to stay in Pittsburgh, and finally, Andy predicts doom for the Pirates after the departure of pitching big-wig Jim Benedict to Miami. Bob then waxes poetic about the Cleveland Indians' 2016 Hall of Fame Class, he talks about Michael Brantley's rehab, Josh Tomlin's contract, and the enigma that is the outfield in Cleveland without Brantley. The duo finishes up answering Tweetmails about how to bring fans who have left the game back.

Bouncing Baby Boys and Baseball

Andy kicks off today's podcast by announcing he and his wife are expecting a boy, who is sure to be left handed due to exceptional parenting. Then Andy and Jason discuss Rob Manfred announcing the heretical news that the DH may be coming to the National League. Andy then talks about the Pirates news - specifically Antonio Bastardo spurning the Buccos, the Pirates avoiding arbitration, signing Neftali Feliz, waxing poetic about Daniel Bard and Ray Searage Witchcraft, and Gregory Polanco contract talks. Jason then dives into the Indians' offseason - specifically Mike Napoli, the Indians' infield defense, their strength in pitching, and what the club does without Michael Brantley to start the year. This episode isn't sponsored by North Country Brewing's Uncle Ray Searage's Bucco Blonde Ale... but it should be.

Major League Baseball's Scorching Hot Stove

Tri-State of Mind Baseball is back because the Hot Stove has gotten too hot to tolerate. Jason and Andy open by discussing the madness on the free agent market that is Ben Zobrist's contract, which has made this winter an incredibly eventful one. They then discuss the Pirates' offseason moves: nontendering Pedro Alvarez, exploratory trades of Neil Walker and Mark Melancon, and how Pittsburgh fills out its first base void and starting rotation slots. The duo then looks at the Tribe's quiet winter and how the Indians outfield has left a lot for Indians' fans to desire so far, as well as Andy's conspiracy theory that the Indians secretly want Jason Kipnis to be an outfielder. They finish by doing what all fans do best: talk about how to spend someone else's money.

The 2015 Trade Deadline That Was

The 2015 trade deadline has come and gone so you get an hour and twenty minutes of podcast goodness today, but before Jason and Andy discuss things with the Tribe, they first discuss an appropriate age to bring your child to a baseball game. Once they finish with that discussion at the 12:45 mark, they then dive into the Cleveland Indians. Jason gives his thoughts on the Brandon Moss trade, the Carlos Carassco trade that never was, Jason Kipnis and leadership in the Indians' clubhouse, and Andy waxes poetic about Francisco Lindor's recent production at the plate.  Then around the 44:00 minute mark, Andy and Chris Bradley dig into the Pirates' trade deadline: they first hit on the Aramis Ramirez homecoming, Joe Blanton and the least sexy trade ever and the rest of the Pirates trades before finishing up talking about A.J. Burnett's elbow (or what's left of it) and Jung-ho Kang's hot streak the last month. Andy then finishes with a quick SeaWolves shout out and talks about going to meet former Pirates manager Jim Leyland this week!