Lookout Landing

0:00-10:55: Calling our first ever guest (we think) in Europe to talk about all things Mariners. This week’s guest is author and podcast host Mike Duncan, who moved to Paris to write a book, while Matthew moved from Queen Anne to Fremont to have a quieter place to record podcasts. Mike and Matthew exchange pleasantries about life and baseball culture in France before diving into his history as an M’s fan. How has moving – first domestically, then internationally – molded Mike’s attachment to baseball? We also recorded this before the Bucks were eliminated from the NBA playoffs, so please do not make fun of Mike for saying they’re cool. 11:00-22:50: Favorite players from a 1980s childhood in the Pacific Northwest. The Mariners being a mystery to the rest of the world back then allowed for a singular experience and shameless bandwagoning once the playoffs rolled around. This opens a discussion about attending Seattle sporting events to see the other team’s great players. Then, an adorable story swap about seein

0:00-14:15: Amanda Lane Cumming is here to discuss her spectacular “War, Pandemic, and Seattle Baseball in 1918” three-part series. But first, we introduce Amanda and the things that make her baseball heart sing. Listen closely to this part for some juicy cocktail gossip. 14:20-29:20: What inspired Amanda to research a 100-year-old pandemic and the way that affected baseball? This is the part where you learn a library’s worth of information about shipyard baseball teams. As one of America’s shipyard hubs, Seattle was heavily involved in World War I baseball as a morale-building activity. Kate and Amanda also have a thoughtful discussion about history and the things we learn, or don’t learn, from it. It’s also finally time to examine Daddy Warbucks and his fetishization of orphan culture. 29:25-40:55: Which, shall we say, icky organization sponsored one of these offshoot baseball teams? Which current Midwestern MLB team used to have a much different, much bleaker, name? After the big reveal, Amanda shares some

Kate, Joe, and Mikey examine the trade return for Austin Nola and his reliever buddies, talk about the future of the franchise, look at how the Mariners are set up in 2021 and beyond, and make some very immature jokes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

0:00-12:25: John is gone so we’ve called upon the indelible Mikey Ajeto to take his spot! Mikey joins Matthew and Kate to discuss the Mariners’ recent turnaround and dig into possible trades. But first, let’s dump on the Angels! They’re really bad! One of the worst teams in the league, as it turns out! 12:30-32:55: Kate breaks down some of the reasons why Evan White’s hitting has improved lately. We also shower Austin Nola with the All-Star hype he deserves before going down the trade rabbit hole. How would we feel about the M’s trading Nola? What about Taijuan Walker and the bullpen guys? 33:00-44:55: How has Taylor Williams been so effective? Let Mikey, our pitching analytics expert, explain. We also mentally prepare for the possibility that Kyle Seager, father figure for the entire Pacific Northwest, could get traded. The most interesting part of this discussion, of course, is that there are already so many good third basemen across the league. Five dollars to anyone who has some dirt on Las Vegas’ totally

0:00-30:00: We’re…a third of the way through the season? None of the Mariners have contracted the ‘roni, but strangeness still dominates this whole year. How do we fell about the way MLB, and specifically its players, have handled all this? Please refrain from getting horny at the team hotel. A good chunk of our happiness comes from being extremely correct. We’ve also reached a Zen state from watching inconsequential bullpen guys. This is part of the Tao of Mariners. 30:10-43:35: What is really the goal of this season? How does having a perennially on fire bullpen actually help the Mariners? Then we get lost talking about J.P. Crawford for an extended period of time. 43:40-57:15: We now move to the negative parts of this season, which go by the name White, Evan. He is, sadly, approaching a dangerous zone. Can someone check to see if Mallex Smith’s bat has a barrel? Sending either of them to the alternate site will do more harm than good though. Let people struggle without bullying them online or trying to dia

Kate and John are joined by Mariners RHP prospect Jarod Bayless from his current training grounds in Dallas, TX. The 33rd round pick from 2019 out of Dallas Baptist University by way of San Jacinto CC is an enthusiastic adopter of the many technological assets available to baseball players these days, and he breaks down the various ways in which devices like Rapsodo, Trackman/Hawkeye, Motus, and others specifically help him develop. Bayless has chronicled his development - and struggles - on his Instagram page (@JarodThrows), offering a great training resource for those interested in pushing themselves from borderline talents towards big league potential pitchers. Music: "Daniel, You're Still a Child" - Declan McKenna / "Space Cadet" - Metro Boomin (ft. Gunna) Editor’s Note: We originally recorded this with Jarod back in late July, before the season began. Due to bizarre audio issues that required heroic efforts from the developers at Cast, this episode comes to you at last. That said, a brief chunk of this e

0:00-27:20: Matthew is back from some extreme chillin’ in Idaho and is now Idahosting this podcast again, restoring balance in the universe. While Matthew was gone, the Mariners played roughly 10 percent of the season, so he’s got some catching up to do! We’ve gathered some headlines from that period, and it’s up to John and Kate to fill him in on what happened. After getting updates on Kyle Lewis, we start talking neck. Then it’s on to Joey Gerber and his first MLB game against a man who debuted before his fourth birthday. 27:25-39:50: A direct plea to Rob Manfred and an appreciation of Rebelution, a band that J.P. Crawford apparently loves? Our last headline centers on Yusei Kikuchi and his recent masterful performance against Oakland. 39:55-1:11:06: Time for listener questions! Which player does Kate already anoint as a dark horse MVP candidate? Is there any chance for trades during this loopy, hard to figure season? The only thing that derails our intellectual, stimulating conversation is the news that Ky

The games at the big league level count at last, so John, Kate, and Joe take a look at how the Mariners prospects - hello Evan White and Kyle Lewis - are doing in their everyday roles. It's a listener mailbag episode, with questions on what the outfield will look like if Lewis turns into something like the player he's playing like right now, how to handle the pitching vs. hitting quality and development discrepancy in the Tacoma alternate site, and how Seattle's farm stacks up against the rest of their division. Music: "Space Cadet" by Metro Boomin' / "Mindmaker" by Lost Cousins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

0:00-31:30: We truly cannot believe we made it. Get in here, y’all. We’re gonna try to do a season real quick. We’re gathered here today to share three things that we’re excited to watch this year. Kate kicks us off with an awfully specific thing relating to Marco Gonzales. Then we talk some DEFENSE! Remember that the Mariners will be without infield wizard Perry Hill, at least in person, as the 68-year-old coach has opted to stay home. We’ll also have the wonderful joy of a balletic first baseman scooping and stretching for all 60 games. 32:00-49:15: Which starter’s pitch mix is getting John all riled up? Hint: it’s a guy who is, at least on a physical plane, embracing his new life on the west coast. What part of Kyle Lewis’ game is worthy of your number crunching? If any of you off the top of your head know what Jake Stahl is famous for, give yourself a pat on the back. 49:20-1:03:05: This could be an emotional season. Lots of things happening during these unprecedented times, folks! Somewhere in here the t

0:00-20:55: We have an actual player for the Seattle Mariners on the show! Joey Gerber, who is currently at Summer Camp with the team, calls in from the team hotel. What’s it like to have your entire life distilled into a baseball stadium and a hotel? Who’s in charge? Are the feds watching? We also learn what players Joey has gravitated to and how they’re passing the time. Joey shares his excitement to be in a temperate climate after growing up in the Midwest and spending last season between Modesto and Arkansas. 21:00-36:25: Joey has what scouts and writers love to call a “funky delivery”. Where did that come from? Being from a cold-weather area in an overlooked part of the country, how did Joey end up making a name for himself in baseball? Now that he’s here, what’s the approach to camp and seeing live hitting again? 36:30-49:55: What sort of dark magic had to happen for a dude from a town called Maple Grove to end up with the Mariners? Is there anything from back home that Joey wants to bring here, or vice

With the season suddenly on, the TMBM crew scrambles to gather their thoughts. We discuss the draft, now further in hindsight, an eye-popping showcase for next year's high school studs, and of course the Mariners prospects-heavy taxi squad schemes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Note: At around the midpoint (30 minutes in) John’s audio quality drops off for some reason. It’s only a mild difference but he does get quieter, apologies for the inconvenience. 0:00-14:00: So they’re gonna do this baseball thing. Matthew, Kate, and John share their trepidation for the logistics of the MLB season in the throes of a resurgence (did we ever halt the first surgence?) of COVID-19 nationwide, and somehow end up talking about cup stacking and waveboards for a while. 14:00-28:00: We dig into the temporary (or not) rule changes. Universal DHs, runners on second in extra innings, no spitting, altered ILs, and of course, the wet rag. Whose ass is going to be soaking wet for us, the viewer? 28:00-End: Questions! What is an ideal shortened Mariners season in our eyes? Is there any way MLB doesn’t royally screw this up and get a ton of people sick? How should the Mariners handle their prospects? Where is Yasiel Puig at anyways? How will a trade deadline (and trade market) work or develop, and will it imp

0:00-19:55: Ryan Rowland-Smith is here! The former Mariner pitcher and current Mariner analyst has his own podcast now, and he recently created an animation to go with it. What else has Ryan been up to during the lockdown? What does he miss the most about the rhythms of an MLB season? He mentions how unfortunate it is that many of the Mariners’ young pitchers’ development will be thrown off by this prolonged break. Find out which type of player Ryan thinks you should “never pick high up in drafts”. Of course, given that we are a serious baseball podcast, we also get into a conversation about the everyday hustles of Newcastle, Australia. 20:00-32:30: Ryan re-lives his first American experiences, which came in the lush meadows of Arizona. What would he do differently if he were a prospect today? This leads to some stories about how the Mariners ran their organization when Ryan was coming up through the ranks. Bill Bavasi, cover your ears. 32:35-47:25: It’s time to find out what was really happening in 2010. Wer

0:00-10:00: Dave Sims, the voice of the Mariners, joins Matthew to talk about life as a Black man in baseball and share some of his thoughts on the Black Lives Matter movement. How do we get more Black people – and people from other underrepresented groups – in the broadcast booth? What about getting more Black kids into baseball, and eventually into the majors? Enacting an entire culture shift is a daunting task, but it’s the only option for both baseball and society at large. 10:05-21:05: What’s it like for Dave to travel around the league and typically be the only Black person in the room? When he meets people from outside of the sports world, what is their reaction to finding out Dave works in baseball? Breaking news: BLACK PEOPLE LIKE BASEBALL TOO, and as Dave says, “We’re sick and tired of being sick and tired.” 21:10-26:35: The Mariners have the largest population of Black players in the league. What has Dave’s experience with that group been like? How do we make sure this doesn’t become a one-off situ

All three of John, Kate, and Joe link our podcast-creation-stones once more to cover a highly educated crop of Mariners draftees with minimal pizzazz on the surface. We came into this recording with dissatisfaction in our hearts, but worked our way to a better place. Have a listen! Music: “Sister Surround” by Soundtrack to Our Lives / “CHANCES” by KAYTRANADA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kate and Joe talk about the Mariners sixth-round pick Emerson Hancock as well as review the first day of the draft as a whole. They also discuss Day Two strategies and targets, and how the Mariners might address the gaps in their system. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to draft week, where the slots do matter and nobody knows what's going on. John, Kate, and Joe join forces all the same to offer our last thoughts before things go down this Wednesday and Thursday. The topics of conversation include... Why is Emerson Hancock sliding in so many projections? And do we still want him if he's there at No. 6? Nick Gonzales or Max Meyer? Which of the top names could possibly slip to Seattle? What compels someone to go from Roswell, GA, to Roswell, NM? How do teams value organizational fit in a draft with so much talent? Who would we like most for Seattle at No. 6 and No. 43? And much more. Check out lookoutlanding.com for all our draft coverage, including Joe's final mock draft, with a big 'ol surprise at No. 10. Music: "Kin II" by Midnight Survivor / "CHANCES" by KAYTRANADA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

0:00-11:45: A lovely reunion conversation is immediately interrupted by Kate updating us on her mobile, liquor-slurping neighbors. As per usual, this portends another conversation that has absolutely nothing to do with the intended purposes of this podcast. Before getting back on track, Matthew addresses the recent events in America and implores you to do what you can. 11:50-24:45: We get into MLB’s proposed plans for getting the season going. This includes some talk about timelines, player payment, and locations. All of this stumbles into open suggestions for how certain teams can recreate the environment of their home parks. This is the part where we’re contractually obligated to wonder if the Mariners could sneak into the playoffs and subsequently start an unbearable discussion about whether it counts. 24:50-49:55: Digging into listener questions! Thank you as always to those who submitted, we know it’s been a while since we spoke to you directly. Questions cover topics like how players will come out of th

Among many other things, this was a grim few weeks for baseball in the United States. The Mariners cut 44 minor leaguers, including several players with longer tenures in the organization than anyone not named Seager. John, Joe, and Kate talk through a number of players whose careers in Seattle's affiliation came to an end this week, with a focus on the implications for the minor leagues going forward, what the Arizona Fall League may look like, and how independent baseball will be increasingly worth everyone's time. At around the 35:00 minute mark, the discussion turns to the draft. Georgia RHP Emerson Hancock has been mocked to the Mariners a couple times now, representing a surprising shift for one of the premier arms in the pool. We go into what's precipitated that perceived slip and whether we'd be on board if he's still available at No. 6 (you can hear Kate screaming 'YES'!!!! without the headphones). Afterwards, we turn our focus beyond the first round and each talk through a few names at every pick -

0:00-28:10: Mourning a Memorial Day without baseball before welcoming Mariner legend Bucky Jacobsen to the show! Bucky breaks down the origins of his name and how he went from the smallest kid in his school to a hulking MLB slugger. Which earthly process does Bucky’s career most resemble, and how did it come out of eastern Oregon? He also shares a story about his athletic career in the aquatic world. 29:15-43:55: Let’s dig in to Bucky’s career, starting with the day he got called up in 2004. You might not remember which beloved Mariner got released to make room for big #33. You definitely don’t remember what happened in his first game, which was a disaster for the Mariners but memorable for Bucky, especially because of a pregame ritual that ticked off the second baseman. 44:00-55:55: What changes has Bucky noticed in baseball culture today compared to when he played? Which future Hall of Famer did Bucky describe as having a “dump truck ass” when they crossed paths in the Venezuelan winter ball? This leads to