Tater Tots
89 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 3 years ago - ★★★★★ - 5 ratingsA tater tot is a player who hits exactly one home run in a given season, no more and no fewer. Here we endeavor to discuss those players and their impacts on the 2019 MLB season and beyond.
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Episodes
Episode #38 - Juan Pierre and “Chick” Gandil
August 13, 2019 22:06 - 1 hour - 110 MBPlease, we beg you to join us on this journey of discovery. What is a spitball? Should a spitball be allowed? Can human beings defeat a computer? Is the movie Eight Men Out an accurate movie? How many triples is a lot? Please let us know because we do not arrive at any conclusions in this episode of Tater Tots. This week, we discuss the years 1919 and 2008. We cover "Chick" Gandil, ringleader of the Black Sox scandal, and Juan Pierre, a strong candidate for übertot. Links: Ernest Anserme...
Episode #37 - Jim Thorpe and Emilio Bonifacio
August 07, 2019 17:57 - 1 hour - 120 MBFriends, welcome back to the dog days of Tater Tots. The MLB trade deadline has come and gone and we discuss the moves that did and did not happen. Later, we try to probe at the connection between ragtime and jazz and the connection between jazz and the post-truth world. Finally, we appreciate the finer points of inside-the-park home runs, the storied life of Jim Thorpe, and baseball mud. The Tiger Rag "Transit" from Infernal Machines by Darcy James Argue's Secret Society Emilio Bonifaci...
Episode #36 - Mike Gonzalez and Carlos Zambrano
August 01, 2019 14:14 - 1 hour - 90.3 MBSorry I recorded into a potato this week. I discovered just as we were about to start our session that the cable for my microphone was broken, and it uses a mini USB port, which was once omnipresent as a means to charge cell phones, handheld game consoles, etc., but has been almost entirely subsumed by micro USB and USB-C. Luckily I've procured a replacement and by next week, I should sound regular once more. Having decided that Jazz was invented in 1917, we take the opportunity to discuss ...
Episode #35 - Death to Flying Things
July 23, 2019 22:25 - 1 hour - 85.6 MBHey, it's Tim! "Savages" is a really nasty racial slur, and I shouldn't have expressed my support for Aaron Boone's umpire rant without at least acknowledging that. Listening back to our conversation, maybe I shouldn't have expressed my support for Aaron Boone's umpire rant at all. I dunno. Anyways, I'm not gonna link to the rant for that reason but it should be pretty easy to find if you want to seek it out. On top of that, we talk about the origins of the trombone smear, the jazz harpist ...
Episode #34 - All Star Break Special
July 17, 2019 21:26 - 47 minutes - 64.8 MBUsually when one of our episodes is themed around something that's already ancient history when the episode arrives, it's because it took us a long time to edit and prepare it. But to be honest, the All Star Break had already concluded when we recorded this episode. I don't think that's so important though because this episode is timeless. Rather than fussing about with the very premise of our podcast, we discuss two articles by ESPN writer Sam Miller. How the Home Run Derby became America'...
Episode #33 - Phil and Joe Niekro
July 12, 2019 21:40 - 1 hour - 83.1 MBListen, I tried to find a clip of Free Jazz to drop into this episode, but all my options for YouTube rips were 40 minutes long. Here's a link instead. Give it a listen when you have a chance. It's good, I promise. Elsewhere, we bemoan the sorry states of our favorite baseball teams and the inevitability of the Los Angeles Dodgers, declare the winner of the Home Run Derby (sorry this episode was late - we were wrong several times, both intentionally and unintentionally,) and talk about the ...
Episode #32 - Craig Lefferts
June 30, 2019 14:36 - 51 minutes - 70.3 MBThis week on Tater Tots, we consider the marque baseball season of 1986, which famously culminated in Bill Buckner’s devastating error, gifting the Mets the word series crown. However, our goal is to investigate the second most famous play of that year, relief pitcher Craig Lefferts’ lone career home run. Now 33 years past, his 12th inning dinger was the first walk-off home run by a pitcher since 1969 and remains the only one since. We also discuss 1986 in Jazz, with an examination of the c...
Episode #31 - Don Blasingame
June 24, 2019 15:12 - 1 hour - 91.8 MBJazz is dead, long live jazz. Also snakes. Did you know that the average snake can live between 10 and 25 years? Please send us your snake facts - you can find our e-mail below. Some baseball stuff happened over our break too. The Twins' dominance of Major League Baseball goes on unchecked. The Phillies and Diamondbacks combined to hit more home runs in one game than we previously thought possible. A new crop of MLB draftees joined the ranks of professional athletes with silly names. Later, ...
Episode #30 - Dontrelle Willis
June 03, 2019 22:38 - 1 hour - 96.2 MBThis week we take our mission as historians to heart, delivering a sober and thorough analysis of the year 2004 in Jazz. We also consider how big you could make a TV—could you make it big enough so that it functionally served as a window to an entire baseball diamond? Links: History of Utah Jazz jersey history, A Foul Ball, an Injured Girl, and Another Cycle of Anguish (from the New York Times), The BBC's ill-advised Vladimir Putin Show, An Update on Andrei Kirilenko's life as commissio...
Episode #29 - Pumpsie Green
May 29, 2019 11:45 - 55 minutes - 76.8 MBIn 1959, Pumpsie Green made his Major League Baseball debut. He was the first black player on the Boston Red Sox, who were the last team in Major League Baseball to integrate. On September 7th of that year, Pumpsie hit his first major league home run. That's where we come in. We're continuing our theme of notable events in jazz music with Dave Brubeck’s seminal album Time Out, despite Tim's suggestions to pivot to skate punk. He bought a skateboard this week, we're sure he'll get over it soon...
Episode #28 - Ted Williams
May 22, 2019 21:46 - 50 minutes - 69.8 MBOn April 30th, 1952, Ted Williams hit a home run in the final plate appearance of his final game before being drafted into the Marines to fight in Korea. Most thought this would be the culmination of an already historic career, already cut short by a previous stint in World War II. The story behind that historic home run is fascinating, historic, and largely sidelined by our digressions into Herbie Hancock, the demographics of Boston in 1950, and the economics of cryonic freezing. Aw well. ...
Episode #27 - Thairo Estrada (The Jazz Boys Podcast)
May 13, 2019 13:25 - 39 minutes - 54.2 MBWhat's swinging, hep cats? This week, we're taking a stroll down Bourbon Street to treat you to some of the hottest jazz you've heard on a baseball podcast. We take another opportunity to rebrand and identify a new mascot: bees. We also admire Derek Dietrich's sartorial excellence, discuss who deserves Albert Pujols's 2000th RBI ball, consider the case of Gio Urshela, reflect on Travis D'arnaud's topsy-turvy week, admire Yandy Díaz afresh, and consider the implications of Thairo Estrada's gu...
Episode #26 - Kelvin Gutierrez, Erik Kratz, Bryan Reynolds
May 11, 2019 03:56 - 57 minutes - 78.9 MBWelcome back to the pumpkin patch, my little chickadees. As summertime peeks around the corner, so too are we peeking ahead into the future of Tater Tots, starting with some new business: We talk out some branding ideas in light of our new mascot: Toasty, the Rocky Mountain Vibe. Then, we preside over the fate of the entire Atlantic League over their miserable adjudication of some experimental new rules. Then, Tim issues a mea culpa about his horrible Melky Cabrera-related prediction, and we...
Episode #25 - Greg Bird, Garrett Hampson, Buster Posey
April 30, 2019 13:38 - 44 minutes - 60.8 MBHold on to your hats because this episode we are coming to steal your hat right off your head! We also establish the Canadian National Stickball League, consider how bad it would be to to hurt your hip, and try to name every fruit. Links: Bryan Reynolds and Cole Tucker Greg Bird's home run Garrett Hampson's home run Buster Posey's home run Artwork by Shelby Criswell Our theme music is "The Littlest League Possible" by Guided By Voices Our outro music this week is from Natekings10 on...
Episode #24 - Melky Cabrera, Mallex Smith, Chris Davis
April 24, 2019 16:33 - 48 minutes - 67.1 MBWe’re back, baby and we are a lil’ rusty baby sorry about that baby we are wee babies still figuring our our new format. This week, we declare the Pirates the best team in baseball, bid a frustrated farewell to Alex Verdugo, and feel pretty sorry for Chris Davis. Links: Tim Anderson suspended for attempting to have fun Rays tribute video to Mallex Smith Chris Davis breaks hitless streak record Chris Davis's hit breaks 0-54 streak Chris Davis swats a nice donger Tim's screamshot of tho...
Episode #23 - The Good Guys
April 08, 2019 13:51 - 1 hour - 86.3 MBWelcome to the bonus content! We wanted to give you a season preview, Tater Tots-style*, as well as a preview of our multimedia empire. Also included in this bonus baby is a discussion of Frankenstein's monster, a breakdown of the Fairmount Little League parade, and Hamilton-style Tater Tots raps. See ya real soon! * - One full week late, unfocused, and based on stuff we think is cool and not any real baseball analysis. DONATE to Baseball For All FOLLOW us on Twitter LIKE us on Facebook ...
Episode #22 - Chase Utley
April 04, 2019 17:59 - 1 hour - 88.5 MBListen, listen…listen! We’re real sorry this episode took so long to come out. If it’s any consolation, we’ve saved the best for last.* We examine the career of Chase Utley (Ottley from the Phillies), look each other in the eyes and reminisce on the power of Andrew McCutchen. *We're still doing episodes after this, but this is our last scheduled Tot 🙀 Links: Utley takes out Jedd Gyorko on dirty play Ruben Tejada injured by Chase Utley Andrew McCutchen’s incredible walk-off home run D...
Episode #21 - Luis Sardiñas and Dixon Machado
March 24, 2019 21:30 - 1 hour - 101 MBWe're less than a week away from a full-blown case of baseball fever!! Hope you're up to date on all your vaccines. This week we're breaking down a double tot, with Luis Sardiñas and Dixon Machado. We also talk about the Milwaukee Brewers' Hollywood dreams, Mike Trout's Hollywood dreams, and Fortnite baby!!!! Luis Sardiñas' game-tying home run Dixon Machado's game-untying home run Brewers' spoofs: Mean Girls and The Sandlot (plus bonus Dumb and Dumber content that we didn't know about un...
Episode #20 - Trevor Plouffe
March 18, 2019 18:34 - 1 hour - 83.9 MBWow, 20 years of Tater Tots...how the time flies! You know what also flies is the baseball off the bat of this week's Tater Tot Trevor Plouffe! In this weeks episode we lay down our rulings on MLB's new rule changes, discuss how big catchers ought to be, and Tim watches a 6-hour baseball game in its entirety. Links: The Ringer MLB show rewatches the 2011 World Series game 6, Jordan Schusterman on Martin Maldonado’s elite throwing arm, Gushing article on Michael Perez’s abilities, $1 mil...
Episode #19 - Brandon Phillips
March 11, 2019 13:48 - 1 hour - 104 MBHi there, it's great to see you. We've got a new episode of Tater Tots out. And with it, we've brought a new Boras metaphor, tot takes on proposed rule changes, and discussion of James Jordan, Command Sergeant Major of the 35th Signal Brigade of the XVIII Airborne Corps in the U.S. Army. There will be a test. Brandon Phillip's Dinger Scott Boras' extended metaphor Jose Canseco doinks the ball right over the wall. Fastball the Movie DONATE to Baseball For All Artwork by Shelby Criswell ...
Episode #18 - David Freitas
March 05, 2019 23:20 - 57 minutes - 79.9 MBHey tater babies! Welcome back to the neighborhood. There is less than ONE MONTH until opening day and we are jumping out of our seats. The Philadelphia Phil-Harp-monic has finally completed its ensemble, as Bryce joins the boys in South Philly. We're buzzing about the plague of injuries that has rocked the Tater Tots class of 2018 across spring training, Philadelphia sports talk radio, and our Discovery Channel special television event, Trout v. Freitas. Come get it! Freitas' big fly Deli...
Episode #17 - Jett Bandy (mini episode)
February 28, 2019 14:22 - 47 minutes - 64.7 MBOn another miniature (or "bite-sized") episode of the podcast (or "pod,") we discuss the exploits of Rangers catcher Jett Bandy, notable across the world for having a funny name. We also consider the low-quality of biographic pictures (or "biopics,") whether American sports should hold events in other countries (or "overseas,") and the efficacy of lemonade water-features (or "rivers of lemonade in your front yard.") Links: Bandy's Bomb The Red Sox are not in the best shape of their life. ...
Episode #16 - David Fletcher
February 25, 2019 15:00 - 1 hour - 91.3 MBBaseball's back! Well, spring training is anyhow. Nevertheless, we are effervescent. That, paired with the Manny Machado signing, lifts a weight off our shoulders as we shoot the breeze about Kaleb Cowart (who was reclaimed by the Angels shortly after we recorded), whether the Padres and the pitch clock have overstayed their welcome, Albert Pujols' ascendence to the highest home run heights, and the glut of David Fletchers (including the Angels' second baseman, who went 0-2, K in his first s...
Episode #15 - Ryan Schimpf (Mini episode)
February 20, 2019 21:07 - 35 minutes - 49.1 MBWelcome to our miniature edition of Tater Tots. A totlet, if you will. We need to squeeze in a few home runs before Opening Day, and we're passing the savings on to you! In this episode, we talk work woes, improv games, Manny Machado, and why the launch angle revolution hasn't been working out for this week's Tater Tot, Ryan Schimpf. Artwork by Shelby Criswell Our sped-up theme music is still "The Littlest League Possible" by Guided By Voices Donate to Baseball For All Twitter Facebook...
Episode #14 - Lonnie Chisenhall
February 19, 2019 18:48 - 1 hour - 91.5 MBOn a wet and wild episode 14, we consider starting a Kenny/Ken themed podcast, forget the existence of AJ Burnett, and compare Ben Revere to a binary star. Links: Chisenhall’s dinger, Early signs positive as Kaleb Cowart tries to pitch for Tigers, Chisenhall making amends in a big way, Lonnie Chisenhall living an active life even in offseason from MLB (video) Artwork by Shelby Criswell Our theme music is "The Littlest League Possible" by Guided By Voices Donate to Baseball For All: ...
Episode #13 - Brandon Barnes and Taylor Motter (The Big Uniform Extravaganza)
February 11, 2019 14:40 - 1 hour - 106 MBThis episode was conceived at a time when we had a legitimate concern that there wouldn't be enough to talk about on this podcast. How wrong we were. This week we go long on the designated hitter, the scourge of red and blue in major league baseball uniforms, and implore Cleveland, Atlanta, and Derek Jeter to get their acts together. Links Brandon Barnes' home run Taylor Motter's home run Eric Newhouse (who is from Nebraska, not Iowa!) on Cleveland's trademark woes The Marlins' golf out...
Episode #12 - Colby Rasmus
February 05, 2019 15:37 - 43 minutes - 59.7 MBBad sound warning: this episode has bad sound. Duncan just moved across the country so we're still working on a new setup. We'll get it sorted soon. :/ Nevertheless, on this episode we discuss players who look like Pokémon, what you do when you don't enjoy the thing you're supposed to love, and we take our first ever mid-podcast break. Links Colby's Dinger Shanna Shi's Thread on Pokémon that have the same hair as major league players Colby Rasmus on why he left baseball — and why he’s b...
Episode #11 - Nate Orf
January 28, 2019 04:28 - 59 minutes - 81.1 MBFinally, the moment all you Orf-heads have been waiting for. This week we're covering Brewers' utilityman Nate Orf and his unexpected moment in the spotlight on the game's biggest stage. We'll also present you with some radical ideas for fixing the Hall of Fame, struggle with the grammar of Nate Orf's Twitter bio, and check in with notable Philadelphia Eagles fan, Mike Trout. Come on in, the water's fine! Nate Orf's moment in the sun His Twitter Mike Trout's Twitter Artwork by Shelby Cri...
Episode #10 - Germán Márquez
January 22, 2019 20:01 - 59 minutes - 82 MBCrack open a hefeweizen and throw a bratwurst on the skillet! It's time for our episode dedicated to the Rockies' Venezuelan pitcher Germán Márquez. This week we consider Bill Nye's influence on pop culture, the cost of prescription sunglasses, and whether Kyler Murray will choose football over baseball. Links: Márquez's sweet dinger Michael Lorenzen's 3 home runs in one week Márquez's immaculate inning ($) Video of said inning Alex Blandino's e-waste adventure Artwork by Shelby...
Episode #9 - Jake Arrieta
January 14, 2019 18:49 - 53 minutes - 73.8 MBEpisode #9 is here and we're talking about the most flexible man in baseball - it's Jake Arrieta! Other topics discussed include Willians Astudillo's home run celebration heard 'round the world, Trevor Bauer's unforgivable online habits, Francisco Cervelli's offseason workout regimen, and the man himself - Jake Arrieta - as an elder statesman in Philadelphia and a right-wing nut job. Artwork by Shelby Criswell Our theme music is "The Littlest League Possible" by Guided By Voices Email: t...
Episode #8 - Nick Martini
January 07, 2019 22:40 - 1 hour - 83.4 MBAnother year, another dollar, another week of Tater Tots. This week we celebrate Nick “The Dirty Martini” Martini in his futile effort to finally wash. We also examine the minimalist wisdom of Marie Kondo and consider unilaterally seizing control of Major League Baseball. Links Nick Martini’s First Career Home Run, Francisco Liriano refusing to run to first base Artwork by Shelby Criswell Our theme music is "The Littlest League Possible" by Guided By Voices Email: [email protected]...
Episode #7 - Alex Blandino
December 31, 2018 15:06 - 43 minutes - 59.5 MBThis episode is like showing up to the office in the few days between Christmas and New Year's - we're not going to get anything important done, but you're here and we're here, so why not have a podcast? Link Dump! Alex Blandino's home run The interview Alex Blandino gave in Nicaragua Alex Blandino's walk-off double in the World Baseball Classic Alex Blandino's season-ending injury Alex Blandino's devastating knuckleball Rosell Herrera's first career base hit R.I.P. Norman Gimbel Ar...
Episode #6 - Adam Rosales
December 23, 2018 19:27 - 1 hour - 83.6 MBGod rest ye Adam Rosalesmen cause it's the Tater Tots Christmas special! In honor of the holiday, episode 6 is all about making speedy exits. Enter Adam Rosales, the man who keeps the "run" in "home run." Today we discuss the woes of bus travel, propose a new means for tracking the unwritten rules, and whether home runs should count for a run. The titular dinger: https://www.mlb.com/video/statcast-rosales-fast-hr-trot/c-2503425183?tid=6479266 The chest-hair Christmas sweater: https://twit...
Episode #5 - Jeff Mathis
December 17, 2018 02:21 - 58 minutes - 80.4 MBShh...keep your voice down! You can only speak as loud as a pitcher-whisper here. In this episode of Tater Tots, we discuss The Pitcher Whisperer himself: Jeff Mathis. We also critique Scott Boras' use of metaphors and consider the Hall of Fame case of Harold Baines. The dinger Yandy Diaz’s big and scary muscles Baseball believes in Jeff Mathis and the hidden value of game-calling by catchers Artwork by Shelby Criswell, Our theme music is "The Littlest League Possible" by Guided By ...
Episode #4 - Rosell Herrera
December 09, 2018 17:40 - 1 hour - 87.9 MBEpisode 4...already?? Yep. Herein we discuss our grave mistake from episode 3, accelerated podcast listening, the documentary Pelotero, and The King of Baseball. Links: Tzu-Wei Lin and Sam Travis, oh my god they were roommates: https://t.co/dqeiXNwBOw The King of Baseball: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1F-2JuSNXnj3bKhs6umr2V2qCerE0IfZN/view?usp=sharing "What if every MLB team made the playoffs?" by Sam Miller: http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/23244608/radical-ideas-series-every-mlb-t...
Episode #3 - Sam Travis and Tzu-Wei Lin
December 06, 2018 00:25 - 1 hour - 105 MBHere we are, it's week three of Tater Tots: The Tater Tots Hanukkah Spectacular! In this overstuffed installment, we discuss the groundbreaking Tommy LaStella trade, the new advanced hitting statistic that’s taking the world by storm, hangover lineups, the Taiwanese professional baseball league, and whether Sam Travis will ever hit a home run. Tzu-Wei Lin’s Home Run: https://www.mlb.com/video/lins-first-big-league-home-run/c-2498711483?tid=6479266 Sam Travis’ Home Run: https://www.mlb.com/...
Episode #2 - A.J. Ellis
November 29, 2018 21:45 - 49 minutes - 67.8 MBWe made it past the episode 1 hurdle! Now there are only several more hurdles left to clear. In this episode, we fire up the tot stove, chat about why camo unis are a scam, what makes A.J. Ellis so likeable, and how the Dodgers blew it with him. Footage of the tater tot here: https://www.mlb.com/video/ellis-1st-home-run-for-padres/c-2087720783?tid=6479266 The interview Ellis gave after being traded from the Dodgers: https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/video/aj-ellis-very-very-sad-day-b...
Episode #1 - Brandon Woodruff
November 22, 2018 15:26 - 45 minutes - 87 MBIn this debut episode of Tater Tots, we examine the marquee 2018 season of Brandon Woodruff, going all out with by far our most famous name in the first episode. (Adrián Beltré retired 2 days after we recorded this podcast, which is about as bad as an omen can get.) Donate to Baseball For All here! https://www.baseballforall.com/shop Production assistance by Thomas Geiser and Jonathan Rooke Artwork by Shelby Criswell Our theme music is "The Littlest League Possible" by Guided By Voices Ema...
Episode 0 - Introduction
November 21, 2018 12:07 - 4 minutes - 5.72 MBI recorded this at 6 in the morning which, when you really think about it, just proves how dedicated I am to this podcast. Also I have sleepy voice. You're welcome, America.