289: Mariners, What the Hell?

On this week’s episode of Long Gone, the boys dive into MLB Awards Week, debating the winners and ringers who took and will take home hardware. With the GM Meetings underway in Vegas and CBA negotiations looming, should fans expect a quiet offseason? Meanwhile, Seattle’s hiring of Jason Kanzler has the boys questioning whether the Mariners even care about winning anymore. Is this year’s managerial carousel exposing the true direction of baseball’s franchises?With 2026 officially in the books, the boys each reveal their top five moments of the season. Which unforgettable plays, performances, and storylines made the cut?They round out the show with Collection Corner.——————————————————————This episode is brought to you by Market Movers! Want to spot the next breakout card before it explodes? Market Movers gives you lightning-fast access to pricing on over 7 million sports and TCG cards, powered by real, verified sales data from every major marketplace including eBay, Goldin, Heritage, and more. Kick off your 14-day free trial at marketmoversapp.com — and lock in 20% off for life with promo code: GONE20https://www.marketmoversapp.com/——————————————————————A ⚾️ podcast with two buddies who throw 🔥 and don't let up! Michael Dault and co-host Steve Ford. Each week the boys dive into MLB, college ball, fantasy baseball, and the collecting world — all with a nostalgic, passionate tone that true fans recognize. From unique guest interviews to games played and hot takes, this is a baseball show unlike any other.——————————————————————FOLLOW THE POD AND THE BOYS Instagram: @longgonepodcast | @michaeljdault | @stephen.ford02 Twitter: @longgonepodcast | @michaeljdault Facebook: /michael.dault | /stephen.b.ford.7 | TikTok: @longgonethepodcast & @yeehawyooperLISTEN🎙 Long Gone YT: / @longgonethepodcastApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/long-gone/id1647436999Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5qprGsbPS1MVygM3CUaGI7?si=9456471b476e4891LONG GONE’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://youtube.com/@longgonethepodcast?si=cIMCc8mbpm8xH3PY—————————————————————— Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s episode, the boys put the finishing touches on the 2026 World Series, breaking down the Brewers’ championship run and whether Milwaukee has what it takes to run it back in 2027. Can the Brew Crew maintain their dominance and build a dynasty, or will the challenges of defending a title prove too much? Meanwhile, the Rays are left wondering what could have been. The boys examine where Tampa Bay goes from here and what the future holds for both franchises as Major League Baseball approaches a potentially game-changing Collective Bargaining Agreement. Could the next CBA reshape their championship windows?With the offseason officially underway, the rumor mill is already heating up. From potential blockbuster moves to questionable whispers circulating around the league, the boys dive into the latest MLB rumors, separating legitimate possibilities from complete BS.Then, with the dust finally settled on another unforgettable season, the boys turn their attention to 2027. They each unveil their way-too-early Top 10 MLB Power Rankings, debating which teams are positioned to contend, which could surprise the league, and who might be in for a rude awakening next season. Will the defending champion Brewers remain on top, or is a new powerhouse ready to emerge?Afterwards, the boys round out the show with Collection Corner.——————————————————————This episode is brought to you by Market Movers! Want to spot the next breakout card before it explodes? Market Movers gives you lightning-fast access to pricing on over 7 million sports and TCG cards, powered by real, verified sales data from every major marketplace including eBay, Goldin, Heritage, and more. Kick off your 14-day free trial at marketmoversapp.com — and lock in 20% off for life with promo code: GONE20https://www.marketmoversapp.com/——————————————————————A ⚾️ podcast with two buddies who throw 🔥 and don't let up! Michael Dault and co-host Steve Ford. Each week the boys dive into MLB, college ball, fantasy baseball, and the collecting world — all with a nostalgic, passionate tone that true fans recognize. From unique guest interviews to games played and hot takes, this is a baseball show unlike any other.——————————————————————FOLLOW THE POD AND THE BOYS Instagram: @longgonepodcast | @michaeljdault | @stephen.ford02 Twitter: @longgonepodcast | @michaeljdault Facebook: /michael.dault | /stephen.b.ford.7 | TikTok: @longgonethepodcast & @yeehawyooperLISTEN🎙 Long Gone YT: / @longgonethepodcastApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/long-gone/id1647436999Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5qprGsbPS1MVygM3CUaGI7?si=9456471b476e4891LONG GONE’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://youtube.com/@longgonethepodcast?si=cIMCc8mbpm8xH3PY—————————————————————— Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s episode of Long Gone, the boys put a bow on the 2026 World Series as the Milwaukee Brewers prove to be an unstoppable powerhouse, taking down the Tampa Bay Rays and cementing their place atop the baseball world. They break down how Milwaukee managed to overpower Tampa Bay, what made this Brewers team so special, and what this championship means for the franchise moving forward.Then, it's time to roll out the red carpet for the Sixth Annual Long Gone Awards! With another unforgettable baseball season in the books, the boys hand out their own hardware to the players who earned it—and a few who would probably rather not receive the recognition. From MVPs and LVPs to Rookies of the Year, Fantasy Player of the Year, and even their favorite baseball card acquisitions of the season, no category is off-limits. Who takes home the honors, who gets snubbed, and which selections will spark the biggest debates?Afterwards, the boys round out the show with Collection Corner.——————————————————————This episode is brought to you by Market Movers! Want to spot the next breakout card before it explodes? Market Movers gives you lightning-fast access to pricing on over 7 million sports and TCG cards, powered by real, verified sales data from every major marketplace including eBay, Goldin, Heritage, and more. Kick off your 14-day free trial at marketmoversapp.com — and lock in 20% off for life with promo code: GONE20https://www.marketmoversapp.com/——————————————————————A ⚾️ podcast with two buddies who throw 🔥 and don't let up! Michael Dault and co-host Steve Ford. Each week the boys dive into MLB, college ball, fantasy baseball, and the collecting world — all with a nostalgic, passionate tone that true fans recognize. From unique guest interviews to games played and hot takes, this is a baseball show unlike any other.——————————————————————FOLLOW THE POD AND THE BOYS Instagram: @longgonepodcast | @michaeljdault | @stephen.ford02 Twitter: @longgonepodcast | @michaeljdault Facebook: /michael.dault | /stephen.b.ford.7 | TikTok: @longgonethepodcast & @yeehawyooperLISTEN🎙 Long Gone YT: / @longgonethepodcastApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/long-gone/id1647436999Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5qprGsbPS1MVygM3CUaGI7?si=9456471b476e4891LONG GONE’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://youtube.com/@longgonethepodcast?si=cIMCc8mbpm8xH3PY—————————————————————— Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s episode of Long Gone, the boys recap the Championship Series and examine what comes next for the Guardians and Dodgers after falling short of the big game. With the possibility of a salary cap looming over baseball, they debate how such a dramatic change could impact both franchises and their ability to compete moving forward.Meanwhile, in the Bronx, Brian Cashman has confirmed that Aaron Boone will return as Yankees manager next season. But is bringing Boone back really the right move? The boys question whether the current Yankees era has become a watered-down version of the once-feared dynasty. Are the Yankees no longer the gold standard of Major League Baseball?Then it's time for one of the boys' favorite annual traditions: the World Series Breakdown! With the Rays and Brewers set to battle for baseball's ultimate prize, the boys go position by position, comparing starting lineups, pitching staffs, bullpens, and overall roster strengths to determine who has the edge. Which team has the better talent, the deeper roster, and ultimately what it takes to be crowned champion?They round out the show with Collection Corner, where Nicholas Green from Market Movers stops by to discuss the sports card market heading into the World Series, revealing which players collectors should be buying, selling, or keeping an eye on as October's biggest stage unfolds.------------------------------------------------------------------This episode is brought to you by Market Movers! Want to spot the next breakout card before it explodes? Market Movers gives you lightning-fast access to pricing on over 7 million sports and TCG cards, powered by real, verified sales data from every major marketplace including eBay, Goldin, Heritage, and more. Kick off your 14-day free trial at marketmoversapp.com — and lock in 20% off for life with promo code: GONE20https://www.marketmoversapp.com/------------------------------------------------------------------A ⚾️ podcast with two buddies who throw 🔥 and don't let up! Michael Dault and co-host Steve Ford. Each week the boys dive into MLB, college ball, fantasy baseball, and the collecting world — all with a nostalgic, passionate tone that true fans recognize. From unique guest interviews to games played and hot takes, this is a baseball show unlike any other.------------------------------------------------------------------FOLLOW THE POD AND THE BOYS Instagram: @longgonepodcast | @michaeljdault | @stephen.ford02 Twitter: @longgonepodcast | @michaeljdault Facebook: /michael.dault | /stephen.b.ford.7 | TikTok: @longgonethepodcastLISTEN🎙 Long Gone YT: / @longgonethepodcastApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/long-gone/id1647436999Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5qprGsbPS1MVygM3CUaGI7?si=9456471b476e4891LONG GONE’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://youtube.com/@longgonethepodcast?si=cIMCc8mbpm8xH3PY—————————————————————— Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s episode of Long Gone, the boys break down the wild Division and Championship Series rounds as the road to the World Series heats up. Where do the White Sox go from here? Are the Guardians better than anyone gave them credit for? And can the Milwaukee Brewers really save baseball by winning it all? Mikey throws some cold water on that narrative, explaining why the MLB could be heading toward a labor showdown regardless of who hoists the trophy.The boys also dive into a new rule being tested in the Arizona Fall League that could give hitters an even greater advantage. Is this another step toward improving the game, or is baseball tinkering with something that doesn't need fixing?Then, for the season finale of the Forgotten Series, the boys turn back the clock to the 1990s and spotlight one of the coolest players of the decade: David Justice. From his raw talent and postseason heroics to his celebrity status away from the diamond, Justice seemingly had it all. A World Series champion, a household name, and a star who was always in the spotlight, it was good to be David Justice. But what happened after the fame, fortune, and glory faded? The boys revisit his remarkable career, his larger-than-life persona, and where life took him after baseball.Afterwards, the boys round out the show with Collection Corner. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s episode of Long Gone, the boys recap all the action from the Wild Card and Division Series rounds. Did the right teams advance? Do the clubs still standing have enough to make a run all the way to the World Series? With the postseason field shrinking, the boys break down what they’ve seen so far and what could be coming next.For the teams heading home, the questions are only beginning. Is it time for the Phillies to tear things down? Is Craig Counsell having second thoughts about leaving Milwaukee? Are the Astros officially entering the next chapter of their franchise? And after everything they showed this season, are the Red Sox actually legit moving forward? The boys look at what could be a fascinating offseason for some of baseball’s biggest clubs.Then, with October baseball in full swing, the boys get an early jump on the 2027 Fantasy Baseball season. They each reveal their top-10 player rankings heading into next year, and there are more than a few surprises as they debate who belongs at the top of fantasy draft boards.Afterwards, the boys round out the show with Collection Corner.—————————————————————This episode is brought to you by Market Movers! Want to spot the next breakout card before it explodes? Market Movers gives you lightning-fast access to pricing on over 7 million sports and TCG cards, powered by real, verified sales data from every major marketplace including eBay, Goldin, Heritage, and more. Kick off your 14-day free trial at marketmoversapp.com — and lock in 20% off for life with promo code: GONE20https://www.marketmoversapp.com/——————————————————————A ⚾️ podcast with two buddies who throw 🔥 and don't let up! Michael Dault and co-host Steve Ford. Each week the boys dive into MLB, college ball, fantasy baseball, and the collecting world — all with a nostalgic, passionate tone that true fans recognize. From unique guest interviews to games played and hot takes, this is a baseball show unlike any other.——————————————————————FOLLOW THE POD AND THE BOYS Instagram: @longgonepodcast | @michaeljdault | @stephen.ford02 Twitter: @longgonepodcast | @michaeljdault Facebook: /michael.dault | /stephen.b.ford.7LISTEN🎙 Long Gone YT: / @longgonethepodcastApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/long-gone/id1647436999Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5qprGsbPS1MVygM3CUaGI7?si=9456471b476e4891LONG GONE’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://youtube.com/@longgonethepodcast?si=cIMCc8mbpm8xH3PY Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s episode of Long Gone, the boys tip their caps to one hell of a career as Justin Verlander officially rides off into the sunset. They look back at what JV meant to the Tigers, Astros and Major League Baseball as a whole, and where he belongs among the great pitchers of his generation. With Verlander calling it a career, could another future first-ballot Hall of Famer in Max Scherzer be joining him? The boys say not so fast—and explain why.Black Monday also arrives across baseball, with Dan Wilson out in Seattle while the Red Sox extend Chad Tracy and the Mets decide to roll the dice with Andy Green. Were Boston and New York smart to stay the course with their respective managers, or will they eventually regret not making a change? The boys dive into each situation.Then it’s officially prediction time as the boys kick off their annual Postseason Prediction Show. From potential upsets to teams that may be much better—or worse—than their seedings suggest, the boys make their picks and uncover some truths about the clubs entering the October dance.They round out the show with Collection Corner, where Nicholas Green from Market Movers joins the boys to discuss card market trends heading into the postseason and which players could see their hobby stock rise or fall once October baseball gets underway.This episode is brought to you by Market Movers! Want to spot the next breakout card before it explodes? Market Movers gives you lightning-fast access to pricing on over 7 million sports and TCG cards, powered by real, verified sales data from every major marketplace including eBay, Goldin, Heritage, and more. Kick off your 14-day free trial at marketmoversapp.com — and lock in 20% off for life with promo code: GONE20https://www.marketmoversapp.com/——————————————————————A ⚾️ podcast with two buddies who throw 🔥 and don't let up! Michael Dault and co-host Steve Ford. Each week the boys dive into MLB, college ball, fantasy baseball, and the collecting world — all with a nostalgic, passionate tone that true fans recognize. From unique guest interviews to games played and hot takes, this is a baseball show unlike any other.——————————————————————FOLLOW THE POD AND THE BOYS Instagram: @longgonepodcast | @michaeljdault | @stephen.ford02 Twitter: @longgonepodcast | @michaeljdault Facebook: /michael.dault | /stephen.b.ford.7LISTEN🎙 Long Gone YT: / @longgonethepodcastApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/long-gone/id1647436999Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5qprGsbPS1MVygM3CUaGI7?si=9456471b476e4891LONG GONE’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://youtube.com/@longgonethepodcast?si=cIMCc8mbpm8xH3PY Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's episode, the boys break down the final push toward October as the remaining contenders fight for the last postseason spots and Wild Card chaos takes center stage. They dig into the White Sox, the Astros, Arizona, and José Ramírez’s 1,000th career RBI, asking what each team still needs to punch its ticket and where Ramírez already stands in Cleveland Guardians/Indians history.Sportswriter and biographer Lew Freedman joins the discussion to talk about his books on Cy Young and Bill Dickey, two all-time greats from a different era of baseball. The episode looks at their careers, legacies, and why the game may never see stars quite like them again.There is also Collection Corner, rounding out an episode that moves from late-season MLB playoff pressure to baseball history and collecting. Listeners get a mix of October race context, Cleveland star analysis, and a deep dive into two legends whose names still matter in baseball searches today.—————————————————————Go get Lew Freedman’s NEW books everywhere:CY YOUNG: THE BASEBALL LIFE & CAREERhttps://a.co/d/0gBxxx6FBILL DICKEY: A BASEBALL LIFEhttps://a.co/d/0eTCk0QD—————————————————————This episode is brought to you by Market Movers! Want to spot the next breakout card before it explodes? Market Movers gives you lightning-fast access to pricing on over 7 million sports and TCG cards, powered by real, verified sales data from every major marketplace including eBay, Goldin, Heritage, and more. Kick off your 14-day free trial at marketmoversapp.com — and lock in 20% off for life with promo code: GONE20https://www.marketmoversapp.com/——————————————————————A ⚾️ podcast with two buddies who throw 🔥 and don't let up! Michael Dault and co-host Steve Ford. Each week the boys dive into MLB, college ball, fantasy baseball, and the collecting world — all with a nostalgic, passionate tone that true fans recognize. From unique guest interviews to games played and hot takes, this is a baseball show unlike any other.——————————————————————FOLLOW THE POD AND THE BOYS Instagram: @longgonepodcast | @michaeljdault | @stephen.ford02 Twitter: @longgonepodcast | @michaeljdault Facebook: /michael.dault | /stephen.b.ford.7LISTEN🎙 Long Gone YT: / @longgonethepodcastApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/long-gone/id1647436999Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5qprGsbPS1MVygM3CUaGI7?si=9456471b476e4891LONG GONE’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://youtube.com/@longgonethepodcast?si=cIMCc8mbpm8xH3PY—————————————————————— Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s episode of Long Gone, the boys discuss the Dodgers’ handling of Shohei Ohtani’s injury and whether the decision to let the situation linger could ultimately come back to haunt them in October. With the postseason approaching, how much could Ohtani’s health impact the Dodgers’ chances of making another World Series run?Afterwards, the boys address the elephant in the room: Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s disastrous season. Has Vladdy simply regressed? Has his massive contract changed anything? And just how concerned should Toronto be about its franchise cornerstone moving forward? The boys examine what has gone wrong and give two thumbs down to Blue Jays fans for giving Guerrero a standing ovation after finally hitting his first home run at home this season.Later, baseball author and historian Thomas W. Gilbert joins the show to discuss his new book, Death in the Strike Zone: The Mystery of America's First Baseball Hero. Gilbert dives into the mysterious life and death of James Creighton, one of baseball’s earliest stars, while exploring the origins of the game itself, who and what actually invented baseball, and debunking some of the myths that have become part of the sport’s lore.The boys round out the show with the season finale of Fantasy Factory before keeping things rolling with Collection Corner.—————————————————————Go get Thomas W. Gilbert’s NEW book everywhere: Death in the Strike Zone: The Mystery of America's First Baseball Hero -https://a.co/d/06lJDOlJ—————————————————————This episode is brought to you by Market Movers! Want to spot the next breakout card before it explodes? Market Movers gives you lightning-fast access to pricing on over 7 million sports and TCG cards, powered by real, verified sales data from every major marketplace including eBay, Fanatics Collect, Goldin, Heritage, and more. Kick off your 14-day free trial at marketmoversapp.com — and lock in 20% off for life with promo code: GONE20https://www.marketmoversapp.com/——————————————————————A  podcast with two buddies who throw  and don't let up! Michael Dault and co-host Steve Ford. Each week the boys dive into MLB, college ball, fantasy baseball, and the collecting world — all with a nostalgic, passionate tone that true fans recognize. From unique guest interviews to games played and hot takes, this is a baseball show unlike any other.——————————————————————FOLLOW THE POD AND THE BOYS Instagram: @longgonepodcast | @michaeljdault | @stephen.ford02 Twitter: @longgonepodcast | @michaeljdault Facebook: /michael.dault | /stephen.b.ford.7 LISTEN Long Gone YT: / @longgonethepodcastApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/long-gone/id1647436999Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5qprGsbPS1MVygM3CUaGI7?si=9456471b476e4891LONG GONE’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://youtube.com/@longgonethepodcast?si=cIMCc8mbpm8xH3PY—————————————————————— Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s episode of Long Gone, the boys break down the Angels’ new era under Stan Kroenke. With Kroenke purchasing the franchise for a staggering price, Angels fans finally have reason to be excited about an owner with the resources—and willingness—to spend. But money alone won’t fix everything. The boys tackle Kroenke’s growing to-do list: Who should run his front office? What happens with Mike Trout? And is it time to clean house throughout the organization and rebuild the Angels from the ground up?From the Angels’ future to their former superstar, the boys turn their attention to Shohei Ohtani, who is battling an injury as the Dodgers face a difficult decision. With Ohtani already not expected to pitch until the postseason, should Los Angeles shut him down and make sure he’s healthy for October, or allow him to continue hitting as he chases another MVP? The conversation also turns toward the bigger picture: What will the back half of Ohtani’s 30s look like? Can he continue defying Father Time, or could his decline resemble other all-time greats like Miguel Cabrera and Alex Rodriguez?Later, journalist and author A.M. Gittlitz joins the boys to discuss his new book, Metropolitans: New York Baseball, Class Struggle, and the People's Team. Gittlitz dives into New York’s rich baseball history, the cultural and class dynamics surrounding the game, and also gives his thoughts on the current state of the Mets.Afterwards, the boys round out the show with the second-to-last Fantasy Factory of the season and Collection Corner! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.