April 2, 2013

Gleeman and The Geek #87: Opening Day!

Topics for this week's "Gleeman and The Geek" episode included loving Opening Day at the ballpark and on the couch, the Twins' lowest expectations ever, moving Joe Mauer up and Brian Dozier down in the batting order, what to do with Justin Morneau, appreciating the greatness of Johan Santana, bullpen and bench usage issues, finding what you need on Ticket King, exactly how bad the rotation can get, and why baseball is so damn comforting.

Gleeman and The Geek: Episode 87

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14 Comments »

  1. For John’s sake, I hope he was drunk. That being said, don’t let him podcast drunk. The Billy Madison quote immediately comes to mind.

    Comment by JS — April 2, 2013 @ 12:12 pm

  2. Cannot remember a podcast even close to this contentious. Wow. I chuckled quite a bit, mostly because you and John agreed that moving Mauer into the #2 spot was the right decision, but apparently disagreed on the reason why. Or something. Still unclear.

    Comment by Ted — April 2, 2013 @ 1:10 pm

  3. Also, it was funny for me, but I do hope it didn’t affect the working relationship. I did not get that sense, but you never know.

    Comment by Ted — April 2, 2013 @ 1:11 pm

  4. Can we please change the name of the segment to Who’s buying John tea?

    Thanks in advance.

    Comment by Kent — April 2, 2013 @ 3:46 pm

  5. I hope John was drunk also. That was a crazy segment on batting order!

    Comment by Steve — April 2, 2013 @ 6:56 pm

  6. Shaking my head @ John’s “analysis.” Seems like a good but wow. He’s not related to Gardy is he?

    Comment by Andrew — April 2, 2013 @ 10:47 pm

  7. good guy*. Regardless it was very entertaining drama.

    Comment by Andrew — April 2, 2013 @ 10:47 pm

  8. Batting order segment extremely painful to listen to. First time I ever sped through the podcast before. If it if this continues it’s going to be a long season I may have to find another venue to get my twins analysis from. Or just read your blog Aaron.

    Comment by Ron — April 3, 2013 @ 8:34 am

  9. Wow, there should have been some kind of warning on this episode to not operate heavy machinery. I almost drove off the highway at 85 mph during Geek’s devil’s advocacy.

    Comment by Jere — April 3, 2013 @ 12:09 pm

  10. I agree with all of the above, and I actually thought you did a great job of just trying to move on, Aaron.

    What you were trying to explain to John seemed to be that a +15 run swing by manipulating the batting order is “free” improvement to the team. However, when you invoked win shares he seemed to lose his cool and talk about “a hit here or there” is equivalent. Beyond the fundamental problem that luck cannot be controlled, John’s point STILL does not make sense; an improvement in luck does not obviate improvement made by maximizing the batting order, since they are independent of irrelevant alternatives.

    Its like finding $20 on the street, but leaving it there because 1) it isn’t *that* much money and 2) you can save more than that if groceries are on sale, or something. Why not pick up the $20 and still hope for the sale? Free money.

    Comment by chamoman — April 3, 2013 @ 12:36 pm

  11. John, really? If your point was only that people are making too much of JM moving to second in the order, ok, your opinion. If it was anymore than that, well… Clearly the switch should be a benefit and the 20 dollar metaphor (chamoman comment) is apt. What was frustrating was your effort to explain your “point” as though the more often asserted the more convincing or even logical (my opinion). Did make my drive from Iowa City to Des Moines a lot shorter though.

    Comment by Chris — April 3, 2013 @ 10:34 pm

  12. Love the $20 metaphor above as well.

    Looking forward to the next podcast!

    Comment by Dave — April 4, 2013 @ 10:18 am

  13. It’s time for an intervention.

    Comment by Cr — April 5, 2013 @ 5:02 pm

  14. John, I hear what you are saying/shouting, but you couldn’t be more wrong. Great job as always Aaron.

    Comment by Matt — April 7, 2013 @ 7:34 am

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