Team of Rivals Podcast
While there's little left of the 2024 MLB season – for the Cubs and the Cards anyway – today's episode is dedicated to honoring the legendary James Earl Jones. His passing warrants a special episode, as his voice has been a constant throughout Ron's and Pete's lives, from the big screen to their favorite sports moments. (We assume the same is true for Elliott, but, well, you know…) Join Ron and Pete as they reminisce about the iconic roles and unforgettable voice. From Darth Vader's menacing presence to the nostalgic monologue in Field of Dreams, they explore the impact of his work...
info_outline Season 8, Episode 21 – Will They Ever Learn?Team of Rivals Podcast
It's a joyous time in Chicago because – despite their miniscule playoff odds – the Cubs have been playing fun baseball. However, there is no joy in Mudville, as one of the National League's crown jewels is experiencing shocking levels of disinterest from the Best Fans in Baseball™. How much longer can DW Sticks put up with the incompetence of a front office that trades for Tommy Pham, subsequently designates him for assignment (poor Pete!), mishandles Jordan Walker, and trades Dylan Carlson and releases the return (who is – of course – signed by the Cubs)? Thankfully, we have Ron's...
info_outline Season 8, Episode 20 – What You NeedTeam of Rivals Podcast
While the regular season is winding down for both the Cubs and the Cardinals, Ron and Pete have plenty to discuss. From inside-the-park home runs to Campfire Milkshakes, from six-inning minimums to Ron's Soccer Minute, it's still a full episode (even without Elliott). The Team kicks things off with an exhilarating inside-the-park home run by Pete Crow-Armstrong, which inspires a throwback to the time that Ron actually saw one in person. They then shift gears to discuss the state of the Cardinals and Cubs, including their respective frustrations with the Cubs' playoff hopes and the Cardinals'...
info_outline Season 8, Episode 19 – Broken FandomTeam of Rivals Podcast
Do you remember the innocent days of April, when all five NL Central teams were over .500? Well, reality has hit hard, and now only one team is above .500, with both the Cubs and the Cards struggling. Ron risks a demotion as he gets utterly embarrassed by an on-time and ready-to-perform Elliott. With Ron conspicuously absent, the first half of the show is Cubs-heavy, as E and Pete discuss their frustrations with the Cubs' recent performance, potential future moves, and the recent improvements for both Pete Crow-Armstrong and Miguel Amaya. Eventually, Ron joins the discussion, expressing...
info_outline Season 8, Episode 18 – Probably Drunk AlreadyTeam of Rivals Podcast
This week's show is dedicated to Ruby Jade Nuttall. SPOILER ALERT: Elliott was, indeed, drunk already. Ron and Pete hold down the fort this week, kicking off the episode by discussing the MLB trade deadline, with Ron admitting he didn’t follow it closely. The conversation then shifts to the Cubs and Cardinals, who wrap up their season series tonight, an unusually early end for these rivals. The guys also touch on NFL Hall of Fame weekend and Devin Hester’s legendary status, with Pete proudly showing off his "Devin Hester, You Are Ridiculous!" t-shirt. Ron also shares a heartfelt story...
info_outline Season 8, Episode 17 - Everybody Has a PriceTeam of Rivals Podcast
This week's episode kicks off with a discussion on the upcoming MLB trade deadline. With just three days left, the Ron, Elliott, and Pete speculate on potential moves for the Cubs and Cardinals. They analyze the trade rumors surrounding numerous Cubs players. Next, the team shifts gears to discuss the blackout issues with MLB.TV and Ron's frustration with being a Cardinals fan in North Carolina. The conversation also touches on the value of advanced metrics versus actual performance, specifically the over-reliance on analytics and the decline in batting averages. The guys reminisce about...
info_outline Season 8, Episode 16 – At the BreakTeam of Rivals Podcast
The I-55 Rivalry resumes, the All-Star Break looms, and Ron, Pete, and even Elliott dive into the chaos of a Saturday doubleheader, where the Cubs have already taken a beating, and it's only the fourth inning of Game 1. They kick things off with a recap of the Cubs' disastrous start and the Cardinals' surprising lead. Ron and Pete discuss the mishaps, errors, and unfortunate plays that led to the Cubs' downfall in the early innings. With Elliott joining – err, remotely – you'll get a unique perspective on the game and some humorous commentary on his multitasking skills. Next,...
info_outline Season 8, Episode 15 – Just Tell the StoryTeam of Rivals Podcast
In this week's episode, we mark a momentous day in Team of Rivals history – Elliott was in the room before Ron! We kick things off with some friendly banter about Ron's ongoing tech struggles, Elliott's surprising punctuality, and the scorching weather in Charlotte. But don't worry, we quickly shift gears to tackle some hot-button topics in the world of baseball. First up, we discuss the controversial use of defensive positioning cards and how they impact the game. Pete and Ron share their frustrations with the over-reliance on analytics and the loss of the storytelling aspect that once made...
info_outline Season 8 Bonus Episode – Rooting for 123Team of Rivals Podcast
In this special bonus episode of the Team of Rivals Podcast, we break from our usual schedule to bring you an in-depth conversation with Pete's friend and Dirty Dirty White Sox Fan, Alex Levine. As both the Cubs and Cardinals struggle to stay relevant, we dive into the dismal state of Chicago White Sox baseball and explore the emotional turmoil of being a fan of a team in freefall. First, we reminisce about the optimism surrounding the Craig Kimbrell trade three years ago and how quickly things went south. Alex shares his candid thoughts on the White Sox's current struggles, the failure of...
info_outline Season 8, Episode 14 – Old Man Yells at CloudsTeam of Rivals Podcast
After a two-week hiatus, the Team returns – with a remote call-in by Elliott! – to discuss the miserable state of baseball in the NL Central, the retirement of Angel Hernandez, and more. First up, Ron and Pete tackle the current state of the NL Central. It's no secret that the division has been struggling, and they break down exactly why it's been so disappointing. Ron sums it up perfectly: "The NL Central is terrible. I mean, just utterly, utterly terrible." Next, they shift focus to the Chicago White Sox. With their season in a downward spiral, is it possible that they set a new record...
info_outlineThe I-55 Rivalry resumes, the All-Star Break looms, and Ron, Pete, and even Elliott dive into the chaos of a Saturday doubleheader, where the Cubs have already taken a beating, and it's only the fourth inning of Game 1.
They kick things off with a recap of the Cubs' disastrous start and the Cardinals' surprising lead. Ron and Pete discuss the mishaps, errors, and unfortunate plays that led to the Cubs' downfall in the early innings. With Elliott joining – err, remotely – you'll get a unique perspective on the game and some humorous commentary on his multitasking skills.
Next, the Team shifts gears to talk about the state of baseball attendance, particularly in St. Louis. Despite a historically strong fan base, the empty seats at Busch Stadium are a stark reminder of the challenges facing the Cardinals' organization. Ron and Pete speculate on what it will take to bring the fans back and revive the excitement for baseball in St. Louis.
The guys also delve into the upcoming MLB draft and the trade deadline, pondering the potential moves that could shake up the Cubs and Cardinals rosters. Will the Cardinals make a bold move to reignite their fan base? Can the Cubs find the missing pieces to turn their season around? They discuss the possibilities and share their thoughts on what the future holds for both teams.
And finally, in this week's Soccer Minute, Ron gives an update on St. Louis City SC's challenging season. With injuries plaguing the team and a recent coaching change, the road ahead looks tough. However, new signings and the upcoming League Cup provide a glimmer of hope.
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