Is This A Great Game, Or What?

Buck Showalter returns to the show and, as always, delivers sharp insight on today’s game—along with a pointed critique of a pitching rule that might surprise you. A legendary manager known for building disciplined, competitive teams across the Yankees, Diamondbacks, Rangers, Orioles, and Mets, Showalter brings decades of perspective to the conversation. We also dive into his response to Max Scherzer’s recent comments, revisit his unlikely start as a basketball referee, and hear how his long friendship with Tim leads to a candid list of ideas to improve the game. It’s a deep but accessible baseball conversation for fans of all levels—thanks for listening, and be sure to follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. And of course, thanks for being a part of our family!  Buy two months of BlueChew Gold and get the third for FREE with promo code FOUL at BlueChew.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pitching across baseball is absolutely electric right now—and we’re loving every second of it. Tim and Jeff Kurkjian are back together in person and debut a brand-new segment, “The Wheel of Kurkjian,” inspired by your suggestions. After one full week of baseball, the show is packed with highlights. Quirkjians and On This Date in Baseball History lead the way—but not before Jeff kicks things off with a classic April Fools’ Day prank on his dad. “Three Cards in the Bathroom” and “Alphabest” spark plenty of debate between the two. And when it comes to the best “B” last name pitcher and hitter? That’s up to Tim—but we want to hear your picks. Remember: this is his list, not the list. A big thank you to our friends at GameChanger for supporting another GameChanger of the Week. This time, we spotlight a player who wasn’t even sure he’d make the team out of Spring Training—but once he did, he made it count. Coach Smarter, Connect Live, Replay the Action with GameChanger. Learn more at gc.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

First full weekend of baseball and Tim and Jeff Kurkjian have you ready for a ton of Takeaways and Quirkjians. Don't forget to submit yours at GreatGameOrWhat.com, it's that easy! The 2026 season is underway with a whole lot of strikeouts—are we surprised? But it’s the star power behind those strikeouts that’s really driving us crazy! Plus, we have ABS in full swing. Tim and Jeff weigh in on its effectiveness and break down the rules behind it (for those who might not know—like Jeff’s wife). A hidden ambidextrous player got Tim all giddy, and we highlight some great birthdays in “On This Date” in baseball history. Finally, Tim celebrates the anniversary of a player’s retirement. Now that we’re in the full swing of the regular season, remember—we’ve got three episodes a week: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. So make sure to hit that subscribe or follow button so you don’t miss a thing!  Get 10% off your first month of BlueChew Gold with code FOUL at BlueChew.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As tradition continues, we welcome Eduardo Perez back for our first interview of the regular season—for the third straight year since the podcast began. And as always, he delivers. We dive into Opening Day and the memories that come with it—not just from his time as a player, but from his childhood. As the son of a Hall of Famer, Eduardo brings a truly unique perspective on growing up around the game. We also revisit an unforgettable World Baseball Classic, including the one moment that almost kept Eduardo from experiencing it fully—something he carefully shares with us. From hitting behind Bo Jackson to his connection with Sean Casey, plus a little 6-4-3 talk, it all comes together in this fun Opening Week special of Is This A Great Game, Or What? Be sure to share the show with a friend, and don’t forget to subscribe or follow wherever you’re listening! Coach Smarter, Connect Live, Replay the Action with GameChanger. Learn more at gc.com Use our code TERRITORY10 for 10% off your next SeatGeek order* seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/TERRITORY10 Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discount If you like your money, Mint Mobile is for you. Plans start at $15/month at MintMobile.com/Territory See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We had an absolute blast chopping it up with Kevin Pillar—former MLB standout turned broadcaster and podcaster! Catch him on Foul Territory and Blue Bird Territory where he’s been absolutely crushing it. Huge thanks to Kevin for taking the time to talk WBC with us. Sure, it wasn’t the finish Team USA fans were hoping for, but it doesn’t take away from how electric the game is right now. And who knows—maybe we’ll see Pillar involved in the next one… or even the Olympics. We also got into some fun debates: the four best switch-hitters, the four best center fielders, and of course… can Pillar still dunk? (You know we had to ask.) From growing up listening to Vin Scully, to being inspired by Kobe’s work ethic, to now carrying that mindset into life as a girl dad—Kevin’s story is as real as it gets. A  math major turned Major Leaguer—Kevin Pillar, we appreciate you. And to everyone listening, thank you! Be sure to subscribe or follow wherever you get your podcasts. Full episodes are available everywhere you listen, and you can also watch on YouTube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Back in 2024, we had the pleasure of welcoming our friend Scott Van Pelt to the podcast. For years, he and Tim Kurkjian have been staples on ESPN, but it’s their segments together that have truly made the internet smile. This episode originally ran on July 9th, 2024. Their shared home state of Maryland gave rise to one of the great recurring bits — Scott cracking Tim up with his take on the Baltimore accent. If you’re a sports fan, you’ve probably seen one of these moments somewhere, whether on ESPN or circulating around the internet. During our conversation, we talked about The Masters and Scott’s love of all things golf, as well as his upbringing as an Orioles fan and how that helped spark his passion for baseball — and plenty more along the way. We’re bringing this episode back as a thank-you to our new followers and subscribers. We’ve got a lot of fun and exciting interviews coming your way in the 2026 season, and we’re thrilled to have you along for the journey. Get 10 free meals and a FREE Zwilling Knife (a $144.99 value) on your third box at HelloFresh.com/FT10FM. Offer valid while supplies last. Free meals applied as a discount on first box, new subscribers only, varies by plan. Use our code TERRITORY10 for 10% off your next SeatGeek order* seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/TERRITORY10 Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discountSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Big partnership news to start the show! A huge thank you to  @foulterritoryshow  Network for bringing us on board for the 2026 season. We’re incredibly grateful to their team for embracing our little show. The best part? Nothing changes for you as a listener! Tim is at Spring Training and fired up to talk about everything he’s seen so far. The impact of the World Baseball Classic is already being felt across clubs, and looming negotiations for the 2027 season are hanging over just about everyone. Tim Kurkjian has exclusive insight on both. “On This Date” in baseball history inspires a brand-new Team Tim — and it wasn’t an easy roster to build. If we missed someone, drop a comment or head to GreatGameOrWhat.com to message us directly. Jeff took the lead on baseball cards this week, and it didn’t disappoint. He even pulled from his personal collection, so we’ve got some heavy hitters (and pitchers) featured in this episode. One quick note: beginning in the 2026 season, we’ll be adjusting our episode schedule to better serve our audience. We’ll still be dropping three episodes a week — just on different days — so stay tuned for the updated lineup. Thanks for listening, and don’t forget to share the show with a friend! Subscribe to the show on YouTube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.