Almost Cooperstown

Gordon Kolier & Mark Kolier
  • 4.6 (19)
  • Baseball
  • Updated Biweekly

We're a father & son who love to talk and argue about baseball!  Baseball is the professional sport that has the longest history so there is a lot to talk about.  We launched Almost Cooperstown noting that baseball contains a long history of players that, for whatever reasons, have been shunned by the electors of the Hall of Fame.  Consequently here are many 'Almost' players still waiting their turn for induction. With less than 1.5% of the now more than 23,000 players in the HOF, we feel there should be more players included. In these podcasts we also discuss current seasons & trends. Please send any messages to almostcooperstown@gmail.com.  Baseball articles can be found here: https://almostcooperstown.substack.com/publish/posts

  1. 3d ago

    Can Taking a Called Third Strike Make You a Better Hitter?

    From Little League through the major leagues, hitters are taught that striking out looking is one of the worst things they can do. But what if that conventional baseball wisdom is wrong? Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges changed his approach at the plate by becoming more willing to accept called third strikes rather than making weak, defensive swings. The results raise an intriguing question: Can being less afraid of striking out actually make someone a better hitter? In Episode 727 of Almost Cooperstown, Mark and Gordon Kolier examine the relationship between called third strikes, plate discipline, walks, and on-base percentage. Their research suggests that hitters who take a higher percentage of their strikeouts looking tend to reach base more often. But is that because they're better at recognizing pitches, or is something else at work? The conversation includes Steven Kwan, Seiya Suzuki, Elly De La Cruz, and other major leaguers, along with a memorable example of a hitter frozen by a great pitch: Carlos Beltrán facing Adam Wainwright in Game 7 of the 2006 NLCS. Also in this episode: Can the Brewers, Guardians, or Rays stop the Dodgers from winning a third consecutive World Series?What MLB's reported 154-game schedule proposal could mean for baseball's future.Why postseason bullpen games have become increasingly common.Yoshinobu Yamamoto's place among successful postseason pitchers.The surprisingly short list of catchers who have won batting titles.Sometimes the smartest swing is the one you don't take. But how do hitters know when to hold back? Almost Cooperstown is a weekly baseball podcast featuring thoughtful conversations about the Baseball Hall of Fame, baseball history, current MLB topics, player comparisons, statistics and the stories that connect today's game with its rich history. Thanks again to Mercury Maid for the Intro & Outro music. Visit AlmostCooperstown.com for original baseball articles, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and follow Almost Cooperstown on YouTube.

    Can Taking a Called Third Strike Make You a Better Hitter?

  2. Oct 5

    When Is It Time to Break Up the Band? MLB Teams Facing Big Offseason Decisions

    The 2026 MLB regular season is over, the Division Series are underway, and some teams are already facing a difficult question: When is it time to break up the band? Mark and Gordon take a look at several clubs whose familiar cores may have reached a crossroads. The Phillies still have star power, but after another disappointing finish, does bringing back essentially the same group make sense? Houston won its division, but an aging core and questions about the pitching staff create a similar dilemma. The guys also look at what comes next for the Blue Jays, Orioles, Tigers and other teams trying to determine whether they need a few changes—or something much bigger. Before getting to the offseason questions, Mark and Gordon take a tour through some of the most interesting statistical results from the 2026 regular season, including the decline of the 200-hit season, fewer doubles and triples, stolen-base leaders, saves, and a home-run race that finished without anyone reaching 50. Plus, they recap the opening of the Division Series, including a costly Yankees baserunning decision, dominant pitching, and one of the strangest potential home runs you'll see in a postseason game. In Episode 726: The unusual statistical leaders of the 2026 MLB seasonWhy nobody reached 200 hitsThe changing nature of doubles, triples and stolen basesWhy the 60-save closer may be disappearingA surprisingly modest home-run leaderboardEarly Division Series takeawaysA bizarre roof play that helped decide a postseason gameShould the Phillies break up their veteran core?Is Houston approaching the end of an era?What should Toronto and Baltimore do next?Detroit's offseason opportunityHow the possibility of a 2027 labor stoppage could complicate everythingAt some point, continuity stops being stability and starts becoming stagnation. Which MLB teams have reached that point? Almost Cooperstown is a weekly baseball podcast featuring thoughtful conversations about the Baseball Hall of Fame, baseball history, current MLB topics, player comparisons, statistics and the stories that connect today's game with its rich history. Thanks again to Mercury Maid for the Intro & Outro music. Visit AlmostCooperstown.com for original baseball articles, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and follow Almost Cooperstown on YouTube.

    When Is It Time to Break Up the Band? MLB Teams Facing Big Offseason Decisions

  3. Sep 29

    The 2026 MLB Playoffs Are Here: Which Teams Survive the Wild Card Round?

    The 2026 MLB regular season is over, and the postseason is here. Mark and Gordon look back at a season filled with surprises before breaking down the Wild Card matchups and making their picks. The White Sox completed a remarkable turnaround and reached the postseason. The Astros won the AL West despite finishing 81-81. Tampa Bay captured the AL East, while the National League playoff field looks considerably more familiar. In Episode 725, we also look at some of the season's notable individual performances and milestones, including Yordan Alvarez's batting title, Colson Montgomery setting the single-season strikeout record, Pete Alonso's huge season in Baltimore, and an emotional possible farewell for Justin Verlander. Then it's time for the playoffs: • Yankees vs. Red Sox — Does New York's pitching and power give the Yankees the edge in another chapter of baseball's biggest rivalry? • Phillies vs. Braves — Philadelphia survived to reach October, but now has to go through Atlanta. • Cubs vs. Padres — Chicago's offense and defense were among baseball's best, but can the Cubs' pitching survive October? • White Sox vs. Astros — Chicago is one of baseball's best stories, while Houston became an unlikely division champion at 81-81. Which team can take advantage? Plus: Which division winners are most vulnerable once the Division Series begins, and are we headed toward Dodgers-Brewers and Yankees-Rays championship series? The regular season took 162 games. Now three games can end everything. Welcome to October baseball. Almost Cooperstown is a weekly baseball podcast featuring thoughtful conversations about the Baseball Hall of Fame, baseball history, current MLB topics, player comparisons, statistics and the stories that connect today's game with its rich history. Thanks again to Mercury Maid for the Intro & Outro music. Visit AlmostCooperstown.com for original baseball articles, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and follow Almost Cooperstown on YouTube.

    The 2026 MLB Playoffs Are Here: Which Teams Survive the Wild Card Round?

  4. Sep 21

    Mets Fans Boo Their Own Player — Is That Ever OK?

    Should fans boo their own players? Mets fans appeared to boo one of their own pitchers this week, which got us thinking about when — if ever — it's fair for hometown fans to turn on their own team. Then Pete Alonso returned to Citi Field and received a curtain call after hitting a game-tying home run in the ninth inning. Baseball fans can be a complicated bunch. In Episode 724, Mark and Gordon dig into fan behavior, booing your own players, the Mets and their fans, and what players should expect from a passionate home crowd. We also look around MLB as the 2026 regular season winds down. Most of the postseason field appears to be taking shape, but there are still a couple of playoff spots worth watching. Are boos simply part of being a professional athlete — or should fans support their own players when they're struggling? Almost Cooperstown is a weekly baseball podcast featuring thoughtful conversations about the Baseball Hall of Fame, baseball history, current MLB topics, player comparisons, statistics and the stories that connect today's game with its rich history. Thanks again to Mercury Maid for the Intro & Outro music. Visit AlmostCooperstown.com for original baseball articles, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and follow Almost Cooperstown on YouTube.

    Mets Fans Boo Their Own Player — Is That Ever OK?

  5. Sep 7

    PCA vs. Yordan Alvarez: Who Would Be MLB’s Overall MVP?

    Major League Baseball awards separate MVPs in the American and National Leagues, but what would happen if there were only one award for the entire sport? The leading candidates present a fascinating contrast. Pete Crow-Armstrong offers elite defense, speed, power and enormous all-around value. Traditional value measurements such as WAR make a compelling case that the Chicago Cubs center fielder has been the most valuable player in baseball. Yordan Alvarez presents a different argument. The Houston Astros slugger may not match Crow-Armstrong’s defensive value, but his bat changes games. Measures such as Win Probability Added give Alvarez credit for delivering in the moments that have most directly affected whether his team wins or loses. That raises a larger question: What should “most valuable” actually mean? Should the award go to the player who accumulates the greatest overall value across hitting, defense and baserunning? Or should greater weight be given to the player whose biggest performances come in the most important moments? In Episode 723 of Almost Cooperstown, Mark and Gordon compare Pete Crow-Armstrong and Yordan Alvarez and consider what WAR, WPA and other measurements reveal—and sometimes fail to reveal—about player value. They also discuss whether clutch performance should influence MVP voting, whether a designated hitter can overcome the value contributed by an elite defensive center fielder and whether one statistic should ever settle an MVP debate. If Major League Baseball selected only one overall MVP, would you vote for PCA or Yordan Alvarez? Almost Cooperstown is a weekly baseball podcast featuring thoughtful conversations about the Baseball Hall of Fame, baseball history, current MLB topics, player comparisons, statistics and the stories that connect today's game with its rich history. Thanks again to Mercury Maid for the Intro & Outro music. Visit AlmostCooperstown.com for original baseball articles, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and follow Almost Cooperstown on YouTube.

    PCA vs. Yordan Alvarez: Who Would Be MLB’s Overall MVP?

  6. Aug 25

    Are MLB’s Expanded Playoffs Rewarding Mediocrity? The 2026 Races Tighten

    With the MLB season entering its final stretch, the standings remain crowded—but does that mean baseball has compelling playoff races or simply too many mediocre teams still in contention? In Episode 722 of Almost Cooperstown, Mark and Gordon Kolier examine the American and National League playoff pictures, the teams building momentum and the supposed contenders beginning to fade. The expanded postseason keeps more fan bases interested deep into August, but it can also create a path to October for teams that have barely played winning baseball. Which clubs are legitimate World Series threats? Which teams are hanging around only because the playoff field has grown? And how much should one strong postseason run erase five months of ordinary regular-season baseball? The discussion also covers the continuing uncertainty surrounding MLB’s next collective bargaining agreement, the owners’ interest in greater payroll controls and whether baseball can avoid another damaging work stoppage before the 2027 season. Plus, Mark and Gordon consider late-season injuries, pitching concerns, surprising performances and the players and teams worth watching as September approaches.Almost Cooperstown is a weekly baseball podcast featuring thoughtful conversations about the Baseball Hall of Fame, baseball history, current MLB topics, player comparisons, statistics and the stories that connect today's game with its rich history. Thanks again to Mercury Maid for the Intro & Outro music. Visit AlmostCooperstown.com for original baseball articles, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and follow Almost Cooperstown on YouTube.

    Are MLB’s Expanded Playoffs Rewarding Mediocrity? The 2026 Races Tighten

  7. Aug 17

    What Went Wrong With the Mets—and Why 2027 Could Be Better

    The 2026 Mets have been a mess—but are they actually better positioned for 2027 than their record suggests? Mark and Gordon, two Mets fans who have suffered through the season firsthand, look at what went wrong, why a brutal 12-game losing streak essentially destroyed the season, and why the emergence of young players may give Mets fans legitimate reasons for optimism next year. Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing could be part of a young outfield alongside Juan Soto. Nolan McLean and Christian Scott are emerging as potential rotation anchors. Kodai Senga may have found a new role in the bullpen. And despite plenty of questionable decisions, the Mets may finally be developing enough young talent that free-agent signings can become luxuries rather than necessities. Before getting to the Mets, there’s plenty happening around baseball. The American League wild-card race has become a dogfight, with Toronto making an unexpected charge and several teams packed together in the standings. Cal Raleigh’s dramatic offensive decline is hurting Seattle, while the entire AL West continues to struggle. We also remember Tommy John, who passed away this week. John finished with 288 career wins—the most ever by a pitcher outside the Hall of Fame other than Roger Clemens—and his death immediately renews the debate over whether Cooperstown has waited far too long. There’s also a remarkable MLB debut: Cardinals rookie Joshua Baez homered on the first pitch he saw, then homered again—and again—becoming the first player in Major League history to hit three home runs in his first game. Plus: Paul Skenes’ declining fastball velocity, what 100-mph pitching may be doing to starting pitchers, the sale of the Dodgers, the competitive advantages created by baseball’s revenue structure, Hunter Greene’s injury, and whether Cincinnati should rethink its direction. It’s another week where today’s baseball collides with history, statistics and plenty of opinion on Almost Cooperstown. Almost Cooperstown is a weekly baseball podcast featuring thoughtful conversations about the Baseball Hall of Fame, baseball history, current MLB topics, player comparisons, statistics and the stories that connect today's game with its rich history. Thanks again to Mercury Maid for the Intro & Outro music. Visit AlmostCooperstown.com for original baseball articles, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and follow Almost Cooperstown on YouTube.

    What Went Wrong With the Mets—and Why 2027 Could Be Better

  8. Aug 11

    Will MLB Avoid a 2027 Lockout? History Says There’s Hope

    With roughly 40 games remaining in the 2026 MLB regular season, the postseason picture is beginning to take shape—but there’s still plenty of time for everything to change. The Boston Red Sox have come roaring back into the American League race after a remarkable stretch of winning baseball. Would you rather be a Red Sox fan right now—or a Dodgers fan? Los Angeles has suddenly hit a rough patch, but is this really cause for concern, or is a veteran championship team simply waiting for October? We look around baseball at the contenders, pretenders and teams hanging onto the edges of the playoff race. The Rays continue to prove us wrong, the Yankees are waiting for reinforcements, and with only about a quarter of the season remaining, one terrible week could effectively end a team's postseason hopes. We also discuss Yankees prospect George Lombard Jr. and the pressure that comes with playing shortstop in New York; the remarkable extra-inning Red Sox-White Sox game that produced scoring in five consecutive innings; and why games like that make a pretty good argument for MLB's regular-season extra-inning rule. Then there's Tommy John. With news about John's health prompting renewed discussion of his Hall of Fame candidacy, we debate a fascinating question: Is his 288-win, 26-year pitching career worthy of Cooperstown on its own—or are people inevitably giving him extra credit because the revolutionary surgery bears his name? Plus, Jacob Wilson sets a Major League record for consecutive errorless games by a shortstop, Matt Olson reaches 900 consecutive games played, and we consider whether Cal Ripken Jr.'s 2,632-game streak may be the most unbreakable record in baseball. Finally, there's actually a reason for optimism about MLB's looming labor confrontation. Every owner lockout in MLB history has ended before costing baseball a regular-season game. Could history—and the enormous amount of money now at stake—make a 2027 work stoppage less likely than many fans fear? We finish with Craig Kimbrel joining his 12th MLB franchise and a Chicago Cubs defense that isn't merely good—it has a chance to rank among the best defensive teams we've ever seen. It's another week of baseball history colliding with the game we're watching right now on Almost Cooperstown. Almost Cooperstown is a weekly baseball podcast featuring thoughtful conversations about the Baseball Hall of Fame, baseball history, current MLB topics, player comparisons, statistics and the stories that connect today's game with its rich history. Thanks again to Mercury Maid for the Intro & Outro music. Visit AlmostCooperstown.com for original baseball articles, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and follow Almost Cooperstown on YouTube.

    Will MLB Avoid a 2027 Lockout? History Says There’s Hope
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Ratings & Reviews

4.6
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

We're a father & son who love to talk and argue about baseball!  Baseball is the professional sport that has the longest history so there is a lot to talk about.  We launched Almost Cooperstown noting that baseball contains a long history of players that, for whatever reasons, have been shunned by the electors of the Hall of Fame.  Consequently here are many 'Almost' players still waiting their turn for induction. With less than 1.5% of the now more than 23,000 players in the HOF, we feel there should be more players included. In these podcasts we also discuss current seasons & trends. Please send any messages to almostcooperstown@gmail.com.  Baseball articles can be found here: https://almostcooperstown.substack.com/publish/posts

Information

  • Creator
    Gordon Kolier & Mark Kolier
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    369
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Almost Cooperstown
  • Show Website
    Almost Cooperstown

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