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What a thrill to speak with former Blue Jays slugger Carlos Delgado (6:45) who reflects on what it’s like going from Spring Training to the excitement of Opening Day, memories of first at-bats of the season and then of course over to international play, WBC memories with Puerto Rico and the real growth we have seen this year. Memory lane includes his 4 HR night in Tampa while today he’s focused on the new ballpark dimensions and his expectations for players like Vlad Jr. He closes with his thoughts on Jose Bautista, his move to the Level of Excellence and the comparisons of their careers. We close with Ben Nicholson Smith (26:15) who will be the radio analyst for Opening Day he gives his take on the starting lineup, and how the new look lineup offers so many options it’s hard to predict the batting order day-to-day.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

The former Blue Jay and member of the 1993 World Series winning team shares memories of his four-homer night against the then Tampa Bay Devil Rays, his thoughts on the renovations at Rogers Centre and how it would have affected him as a batter, his approach to Spring Trainings, the pressures of being one of the best players on the roster, his expectations for Vlad Jr., and how Jose Berrios can have a bounce back year on the mound.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

We are off and running ahead of Opening Day! Blake Murphy checks in from the road to look at the Blue Jays lineup for today, the number of lefty bats featured, and Daulton Varsho starting the season in the clean-up spot. Later on, Pat Hentgen, World Series Champion and Cy Young Award winner, reflects on his spring working with the Jays in Dunedin and how a change behind the plate led to the best season of his life (14:49). Then, it's over to Todd Stottlemyre in St Louis to preview today's matchup between the Jays and Cardinals, before reflecting on Opening Day and what it’s like to face someone like Nolan Ryan (25:48). We wrap with a discussion on how all Blue Jays players become honorary Canadians and what it means to represent an entire country.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Ben starts the hour with Shi Davidi, and they look back at this spring, the changes to the changes roster – but also – a change in the attitude of the team. Then, over to Tim Kurkjian from ESPN (25:25), who sets up the season after 40 years of coverage and explains why he loves the pitch clock even though he’s a pure baseball historian. While the rule changes are the top story of the season, his #2 is the future of Ohtani if the Angels don’t keep him.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Ben is solo for the next couple days with Blake out of town, and he starts the show with Adnan Virk from MLB Network who helps preview the season with games tomorrow and explains why baseball is on the verge of a real spike in popularity. Then, a few predictions including the order of the AL East. Later, Frank Seravalli from DailyFaceoff.com talks about going viral today and getting attacked on Twitter – for suggesting – Michael Bunting is the #1 free agent on the market (25:37).

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Ben and Blake kick off the hour with former Jays pitcher Josh Towers who reflects on plunking A-Rod and then eventually becoming his teammate with the Yankees where they won a World Series in 2009. Then, looking back at his time with the Jays, why he loved the city of Toronto, the Rogers Centre and how the team is built through prospects and the buzz that’s been created. Later, a visit from LA Kings President and 2009 Hall of Fame Inductee Luc Robitaille (30:34). He looks at a run by Anze Kopitar for the Selke and Lady Byng, the torrid pace of Connor McDavid and if we will ever see rivalries get physical like the Wings/Avs from years ago. Finally, Bunting vs Keefe and the relationship between coach and player in the heat of battle. 

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.