Claim OwnershipBaseball Tonight with Buster Olney
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ESPN MLB Insider Buster Olney leads the baseball discussion alongside other top analysts.
1135 Episodes
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2Baseball holds its records sacred. Most home runs, strikeouts, career wins. But what about the longest game ever? That honor goes to a 1981 AAA game, when the Pawtucket Red Sox and Rochester Red Wings slugged it out from dusk to dawn. The record-breaking 33 innings brought hope, despair and drama on and off the field. Radio Diaries and 30 for 30 Podcasts take listeners to that frigid, surreal night with the voices who lived it – including Hall of Famers Wade Boggs and Cal Ripken Jr. Most heroes of The Longest Game never made it big, but their unflagging endurance made history.
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On the next stop on the Laughter Permitted party train, Julie Foudy catches up with her longtime pal Jessica Mendoza, who is a two-time Olympic medalist in softball and an analyst on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball. Jessica tells the story of how a post-game interview during her playing days led to her current career in TV. She also delves into what it's like being a woman calling MLB in primetime, how a cockroach in a Dominican Republic bathroom helped her out of a hitting slump, what it's like homeschooling her sons and why scotch is her preferred drink of choice. Jessica's 9-year-old son, Caleb, joins the conversation and is so good on the mic that he has been invited to be on every episode going forward.
ESPN released its 2026 Top-100 ranking of MLB players, and somehow Shohei Ohtani wasn’t the unanimous No. 1 pick? Buster, Jesse Rogers and ESPN.com MLB editor Liz Finny share their reactions to the top-100 list, including Mike Trout’s absence. Then, the gang drafts their top players in the league, and things go sideways at pick No. 2. Next, Buster and Jesse discuss injuries to Jeremy Peña and Hunter Greene, Jesse’s reporting on Team USA and the World Baseball Classic, and how MLB should handle contracts of players testing positive for PEDs. Then, MLB VP of On-Field Strategy Joe Martinez stops by to talk about how the ABS Challenge System is working so far to start Spring Training. Later, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets.
0:00 Rank 2026: ESPN's Top-100 MLB Players
8:06 Drafting the best players in MLB
14:30 Jesse Rogers on Team USA
21:11 MLB VP of On-Field Strategy Joe Martinez on ABS Challenges
31:48 Bleacher Tweets
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Atlanta Braves’ outfielder Jurickson Profar was suspended for the entire 2026 season, leaving the Braves in a hole as the season nears. Buster Olney, Karl Ravech and Eduardo Perez discuss. Plus, what is the level of concern for Roki Sasaki, their takeaways after a day with the Detroit Tigers, and who they’re picking to win the World Baseball Classic. Then, Hembo stops by to talk about the most important pitching skill in an ABS world, why he’s betting on a MacKenzie Gore breakout with the Texas Rangers, the star who’s hiding in plain sight and his WBC pick. Later, Buster previews the Seattle Mariners. Finally, he answers a listener question during Bleacher Tweets
0:00 Karl Ravech & Eduardo Perez
20:55 Hembo
36:38 Mariners preview
38:03 Bleacher Tweets
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The Cardinals extend manager Oliver Marmol, Tarik Skubal has high praise for Tigers’ prospect Kevin McGonigle, and the World Baseball Classic is about to begin. Buster Olney and David Schoenfield discuss. Plus, the guys draft World Series hopefuls that have the best chances of unseat the Los Angeles Dodgers. Then, Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer stops by to talk about how his perspective on the WBC has changed, recruiting Alex Bregman, what to expect from Pete Crow-Armstrong after a tough second half of 2025, and why Michael Busch is one of the league’s most underrated players. Later, Buster previews the Cleveland Guardians and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Finally, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets.
0:00 David Schoenfield
9:45 Non-Dodger Contender Draft
20:19 Cubs GM Jed Hoyer
37:01 Headlines
38:15 Cleveland Guardians preview
39:39 Pittsburgh Pirates preview
40:51 Bleacher Tweets
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Max Scherzer returns for his 19th MLB season, re-signing with the Toronto Blue Jays after his daughter wrote the organization a heartfelt note. Plus, the World Baseball Classic starts next week, and the Braves start their own TV network. Buster Olney, Jorge Castillo and Alden González discuss. Then, Charles Barkley stops by to talk about why he loves sports so much, rooting for the Blue Jays in the World Series, if Shohei Ohtani is a top-three athlete of all-time, his advice for MLB players during labor negotiations, and which league has better brawlers: The NBA or MLB. Later, Buster previews the Houston Astros and the Miami Marlins. Finally, Buster takes your questions during Bleacher Tweets.
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0:00 Welcome
0:30 Jorge Castillo & Alden González
22:49 Charles Barkley
39:07 Houston Astros preview
40:17 Miami Marlins preview
41:10 Bleacher Tweets
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The Braves extend Chris Sale, Buster drops his top-ten corner outfielders and which players stand to benefit from the ABS System? Hembo and Buster discuss. Plus, is Konnor Griffin a generational talent? Then, Yankees manager Aaron Boone stops by to talk about whether Aaron Judge’s size will benefit him with ABS, how he’s instructed his team to deal with the ABS System, if his interactions with umpires will change now that he has the ability to challenge balls and strikes, Gerrit Cole’s progression, and his assessment of the team’s offseason. Later, Buster previews the Sacramento Athletics and the San Francisco Giants. Finally, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets.
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0:00 Welcome!
:47 Hembo
19:51 Yankees manager Aaron Boone
34:50 Headlines
36:01 Athletics preview
36:57 San Francisco Giants preview
38:16 Bleacher Tweets
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The Yankees’ Gerrit Cole is showing off his stuff at Spring Training. How soon will he return to the rotation? Buster Olney, Tim Kurkjian and David Schoenfield discuss. Plus, Major League Baseball is in a golden age of shortstops, Dave and Tim draft who they think are the top eight shortstops in the league, Dave thinks the Red Sox had an underrated offseason, remembering Bill Mazeroski and his World Series Game 7 walk-off home run, and everyone is all-in on the World Baseball Classic. Then, Buster previews the 2026 Toronto Blue Jays. Later, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets.
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2:28 Gerrit Cole, Yankees' pitching
7:02 Red Sox offseason
8:42 Gold age of shortstops
14:07 Shortstop draft
21:42 Remembering Bill Mazeroski
25:03 Buy-in for the World Baseball Classic
28:09 Headlines: Rhys Hoskins signs with Cleveland, Jordan Westburg injured, Pay Murphy extended
29:13 Toronto Blue Jays 2026 preview
30:32 Bleacher Tweets
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Eric Hosmer and Buster discuss Hos’ breakout candidates for the spring, and the deep seated issues facing the MLBPA. Next, Jesse Rogers stops by to share his thoughts on Alex Bregman in a Cubs uniform, Pete Crow-Armstrong as an x-factor in the league, the change in leadership in the players’ union, and why Andrew Miller will play a key role in the labor negotiations. Then, Buster previews the Chicago Cubs. Later, Buster talks to Ken Davidoff about his new book “101 Lessons from the Dugout” and why some players aren’t made for the New York market.
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4:57 Eric Hosmer
24:54 Jesse Rogers
38:45 Chicago Cubs Preview
39:46 Ken Davidoff
51:00 Bleacher Tweets
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Jorge Castillo and Buster discuss MLBPA executive director Tony Clark resigning amid scandal, during a time the players' union needs stability and leadership. Then, Blue Jays manager John Schneider joins the show to talk about being deliberate with moving on after the World Series, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s leadership and his initial impressions of Dylan Cease. Next, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts on embracing the challenge of a new season, how Kyle Tucker changes his lineup and Edwin Diaz. Later, Hembo provides an offseason retrospective. Finally, Buster shares additional thoughts on Clark's resignation during Bleacher Tweets.
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0:00 Jorge Castillo
5:17 John Schneider
19:08 Dave Roberts
31:04 Hembo
47:20 Bleacher Tweets
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Tim Kurkjian, David Schoenfield and Buster discuss Bryce Harper first public response to Dave Dombrowski’s comments, Harper and Kyle Schwarber not exactly defending Nick Castellanos, Manny Machado’s thoughts on the Los Angeles Dodgers' spending, if Shohei Ohtani can pitch enough games to win a Cy Young, the Braves in need of another starting pitcher, the guys’ win projection for the Dodgers. Then, Buster previews the Los Angeles Dodgers.
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4:29 Tim Kurkjian & Dave Schoenfield
30:20 Los Angeles Dodgers preview
31:58 Bleacher Tweets
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Jeff Passan and Buster discuss the circumstances surrounding the Phillies releasing Nick Castellanos, the latest on labor relations from the owners meeting, the wide range of outcomes for the Mets, and why Jeff is bullish on the Orioles. Then, Buster previews Baltimore, and the Colorado Rockies.
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6:09 Jeff Passan
32:14 Baltimore Orioles preview
33:44 Colorado Rockies preview
34:52 Bleacher Tweets
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Karl Ravech, Eduardo Perez and Buster discuss the spate of hamate bone injuries across baseball, hitters chasing bat speed, Spencer Schwellenbach starting the season on the 60-day IL, the re-envisioned Tigers with Framber Valdez in the rotation, Blue Jays analyst Buck Martinez leaving the booth, which players will get the green light to challenge pitches on the spot, and the reconfigured Red Sox. Then, Jorge Castillo has more on Francisco Lindor’s broken hamate, the Mets’ options to replace him at shortstop, Juan Soto moving to left field, Josh Hader’s slow return from injury, the Mariners looking like a heavy favorite in the AL West, and Tarik Skubal vs. Paul Skenes. Later, Sarah Langs tackles the Skubal vs. Skenes question.
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5:43 Clown Car w/ Ravy & Eduardo
29:01 Jorge Castillo
51:08 Sarah Langs
54:54 Bleacher Tweets
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Hembo and Buster discuss the Mariners waiting out the market and trading for Brendan Donovan from the Cardinals, why the Tigers are doing Tarik Skubal dirty by not paying him, Hembo’s best pitcher in baseball, and which team win totals look ripe for a wager. Then, Kiley McDaniel stops by to talk about the Donovan trade from the Cardinals’ perspective, his excitement over top prospect Konnor Griffin, players who shot up his board after the draft, and if George Lombard Jr. will force his way to the Bronx at shortstop.
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3:42 Hembo
30:50 Kiley McDaniel
50:26 Bleacher Tweets
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Tim Kurkjian, Jesse Rogers and Buster discuss the thought process behind Hall of Fame voting with the news of Bill Belichick's NFL first-ballot snub, Tim's tales of new Hall of Famers Andruw Jones and Carlos Beltran, Cody Bellinger bolstering the Yankees, why Framber Valdez could go unsigned for weeks, potential suitors for the Cardinals' Brendan Donovan, and the offseason's biggest losers (so far). Then, ESPN injury expert Stephania Bell stops by to share updates on Gerrit Cole, Zack Wheeler, Nathan Eovaldi, Austin Riley, and Carlos Rodon.
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4:40 Tim Kurkjian & Jesse Rogers
33:03 Stephania Bell
50:35 Bleacher Tweets
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Hembo and Buster discuss the top of the Dodger lineup, the Mets trading for Freddy Peralta, the impact on the Brewers, why Hembo thinks the Phillies will win the NL East, and Cody Bellinger’s player friendly deal with the Yankees. Then, Sarah Langs has an essay on newly minted Hall of Famers, Andruw Jones and Carlos Beltrán. Later, Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, stops by.
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4:02 Hembo
27:50 Sarah Langs
30:53 Bob Kendrick
45:51 Bleacher Tweets
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Buster is joined by Alden Gonzalez and David Schoenfield to break down the major news that the Dodgers have signed Kyle Tucker to a four-year $240 million deal. The Mets have also signed Bo Bichette to a three-year $126 million contract. The guys take a deep dive into both signings, what they mean for each team, and what these deals mean for the league at large.
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Karl Ravech, Jesse Rogers and Buster discuss the Cubs signing Alex Bregman to a five-year, $175 million deal, the Red Sox failed pursuit of Bregman, what the deal means for Chicago and Boston, the Yankees and Cody Bellinger continuing at an impasse in contract negotiations, and the wide arbitration gap between Tarik Skubal and the Tigers.
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2:42 Karl Ravech & Jesse Rogers
32:51 Bleacher Tweets
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Jorge Castillo, David Schoenfield and Buster discuss the Cubs trading the Marlins for Edward Cabrera, the latest on Kyle Tucker, what the Mets will do next after trading Jeff McNeil, if the Yankees will re-sign Cody Bellinger, where Alex Bregman will land, and when teams will start pulling back players from the trade market. Plus, Sarah Langs on free agent pitchers Framber Valdez and Ranger Suarez.
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6:21 Jorge Castillo & David Schoenfield
36:43 Sarah Langs
39:55 Bleacher Tweets
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Buster put the call out to the listeners and the Bleacher Tweeters answered! Buster digs into the inbox to deliver shoutouts to our One Dot Club listeners and answer questions. Plus, what's Buster making for Christmas dinner, and why can't he keep a secret? Then, Tim Kurkjian stops by as he awaits the birth of a grandchild to talk about the Red Sox trading for Wilson Contreras, the Phillies re-tooling their bullpen, the Royals making moves to compete in the AL Central, the White Sox signing Munetaka Murakami, and the first time he met Earl Weaver.
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8:36 Bleacher Tweets
26:44 Tim Kurkjian
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Great podcast! Luv the coverage of the postseason!
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what happened to Wednesdays episode
Great podcast!! I'm a big fan. Keep it up!! 👍
😉😭r koff ym u7inh3.k7
everyone should disapprove racism. Racism is not good for every human being. https://www.ballsportsgear.com/
Great episode of the podcast. I loved hearing Tim Kirkjian's speech. Very touching! 👍
Bravo to Pablo Torres for the great interview of The Great Baseball writer Tim Kirkjian. So damn funny and entertaining! 👍👍
I was looking for a good MLB podcast and I found it. This is indeed an excellent, informative and fun to listen to podcast about MLB. I highly recommend it!
how can you guys just approve #blm organisation? everyone should disapprove racism. but please dont use that violent org as front sign of anti racism. cause they are very opposite to that in its core
I'm sad that they have signed off. Great guys with great analysis. They were a joy to listen to.
I have loved this show for many years. Sad to see it go.
Have unsubscribed. Mlb and ESPN have gone off the deep end. BLM is not what they claim to be. All races are equal but the way it is being handled is un American. Moving the All Star game is the last straw. Georgia voting laws are very fair and only ask for a photo ID. That is quite available and needed for almost everything we do. Everyone is caving in to seem woke and giving in to big commerce. Good bye, no big loss.
good episode
really looking forward to this season
Congratulations to the Los Angeles Dodgers!!! Its been a long time coming.
Altuve??? no bangs no whistles no show....
Great episode as always, Buster! 👍