FanGraphs Audio: Marly Rivera and Lars Anderson Swap Stories

Episode 921

On this week’s show, we get fun perspectives from a reporter and a former player before an on-the-ground report from the Arizona ballfields.

• In the first half, David Laurila is joined by Marly Rivera, writer and broadcaster for ESPN, and Lars Anderson, former major leaguer, current music producer, and co-founder of Birdman Bats. The trio discuss Yankee Stadium’s reaction to the return of the Astros, Boston’s reaction to the return of Alex Cora, and how managers like him and Torey Lovullo make you want to play for them. Marly and Lars each share Manny Ramirez and Mariano Rivera anecdotes, before Lars discusses his experience playing in Japan and Australia. Finally, they offer their own professional insights into a few serious clubhouse matters. [2:42]
• After that, Eric Longenhagen welcomes Bill Mitchell of Baseball America back to the show. Eric and Bill recently wrapped up their look at minor league spring training, and getting back to field was nice. The duo discuss some of the best players they have seen recently, including A’s prospect Tyler Soderstrom (and how to pronounce his name). Eric and Bill also go over the effects of so many minor league players having been out of game action for so long, as well as the impressive velocity spikes they’ve seen seemingly across the board. [42:54]

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Audio after the jump. (Approximate 1 hour 18 minute play time.)

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