Who’s Rooting For Efficiency?

Alex and Bobby talk the joy of Tony Kemp (yes, that Tony Kemp), and Mike Francesa becoming the investigative sports journalist we need. They discuss the Red Sox firing Dave Dombrowski and ponder what it means for the future of GMs who want to spend money to win championships (hint: it’s not pretty). Then they break down an article in FiveThirtyEight that asks if we even need minor league baseball, leading to a quasi-philosophical discussion about whether we “need” sports, or entertainment, or, say, FiveThirtyEight. This week’s Three Up, Three Down features some Mets shenanigans and the Diamondbacks’ sheer inability to tank.

Links:

Travis Sawchik asks if we need minor league baseball

Albert Burneko responds, “what’s it to you, pal?”

Songs featured in this episode:

The Olympians — “Mercury’s Odyssey” • Talking Heads — “Burning Down The House” • Booker T. & the M.G.’s — “Green Onions”