Hobby Quick Hits Ep.176 2024 MLB Preview Show

SPEAKER 1: Hobby quick hit, delivering that breaking hobby news directly to your ear.

SPEAKER 1: I know those had dropped from the car shaft.

SPEAKER 1: We've got you covered with your host, John.

SPEAKER 2: A new man.

SPEAKER 2: Hello, everyone. Welcome to episode 1, 76 of Hobby Quick Hits. This is an episode. I do yearly. My major league baseball preview episode, I do it every year on Hobby Quick Hits. And I'm late by a week or two on this with other things coming up, card matches, talking about the football off season.

SPEAKER 2: So the season started, just started. So it's not like I've got the answers, to the exam ahead of time, but I usually like to do this episode before the season started. Didn't work out as such. So, if you've heard this episode before, I'm gonna talk about my picks for division winners playoffs, wild cards.

SPEAKER 2: Mvps, rookie of the year with the obviously hobby element, mixed in there as well. So, a week or two late but better late than never.

SPEAKER 3: Ok. Now, a quick word from our great sponsor followed by the new product release schedule. Then we'll go around the hobby verse to tell you all the latest hobby happenings and news. Then we'll tackle today's topic of discussion.

SPEAKER 4: Hi, this is Pat Hughes Cubs announcer. Coming to you from the sports card shop in beautiful New Buffalo. Michigan. The Goer family has built an incredible place here for collectors to buy, sell and trade cards and memorabilia. Be sure to stop by and let them show you around the sports card shop.com connecting sports athletes, the hobby and collectors around the world.

SPEAKER 5: Hi, this is Allen Pinkett and I'm here to tell you the Goer family has done it again.

SPEAKER 5: They've just opened up the sport card shop in downtown Valparaiso, Indiana and it is awesome.

SPEAKER 5: If you're a collector, you need to check this place out. Tell them Alan sent you and get a free gift on your first visit.

SPEAKER 6: All right, let's check out this week's hobby wax releases. Take it away. Owen.

SPEAKER 7: Hey guys, it's from sports car shop. Let's go over the weekly releases on the 10th wave tops heritage baseball upper deck Connor Bernard collection set on the 12th. We have Leaf Perfect game baseball bonus leaf, the Muhammad Ali Legacy collection. Panini origins, basketball.

SPEAKER 7: And on the 17th, we have onyx vintage collection based ball mega Panini donna soccer tops, chrome black baseball, upper deck, black diamond hockey upper deck skybox medal, universe champions and upper deck skybox metal universe hockey. And last but not least on the 19th, we have leaf magnets and then leaf metal football. Thanks guys. See you guys later.

SPEAKER 6: Let's go round the Hobby verse and catch up on this week's hobby news and find out.

SPEAKER 8: So, the biggest thing is, you know, it's really, really special and I don't think it's gonna set in for me for quite some time.

SPEAKER 8: I want my legacy to be the impact that I can have on young kids and the people in the state of Iowa.

SPEAKER 2: There you have a emotional Caitlin Clark after the championship NCAA women's basketball game lost to South Carolina who did finish the season undefeated. But, you know, Caitlin Clark, very passionate, one of the greatest players ever to play the game. She's gonna be just fine, she'll dust herself off and be the number one pick in the W NBA draft and, you know, the Indiana Fever are gonna get a very good player.

SPEAKER 2: Her cards continue to take the hobby by storm even in cases where it's not even her first card. So we're just seeing it across the board. It'll be interesting to see if the outcome of this game has any, negative effects. I, I hope it doesn't but, she played her butt off and, got right to that, that last game. So, you know, now we can collect her on W NBA Carts.

SPEAKER 9: Main thing and then throwing a ball is to hold your curve, you slowing or whatever you can fast in the same way and let it go with the same delivery.

SPEAKER 9: I'd hold my slow ball like this.

SPEAKER 9: I don't use a slow ball a whole lot, but that's the way I would throw it.

SPEAKER 2: That voice you just heard was Walter Johnson. The big train to be at the meal ticket. A Hall Of Fame pitcher.

SPEAKER 2: There's only two game used jerseys that is in the wild if you will. One of them is at the baseball Hall Of Fame about an hour away from me and the other has been in personal collections last sold in 2006 for $352,000. Well, you got a chance to own it again as it's going back on the market with heritage auctions, they expected to bring 3 million down $3 million now, up from that 352 K price in 2006.

SPEAKER 2: You know, again, only two of this is two of these exist. So it's an incredible piece of baseball history. So if you got a few extra bucks laying around, head over to the heritage and get your bids in there.

SPEAKER 2: Mascot has now added whatnot to its platform as they continue to add companies to their partnerships. However, they just lost my slab. Speaking of my slabs, they had a sort of invest in the company fundraiser if you will, I don't have exact numbers, but I'm being told it was not a great venture.

SPEAKER 2: But we'll see how this affects the company. Long term as they try to raise capital.

SPEAKER 2: The 15th annual National Hockey Card Day is approaching April 13th to be exact. It's gonna be different this year, even though it's the 15th annual, it used to be where in Canada, the stores there putting on the pro hosting the promotion, they would get cards with a Canadian flavor. And here in the States, the Americans L CS s would get NHL cards of American related hockey players. They are doing away with that.

SPEAKER 2: It is now universal. So no matter what country you live in, you have the equal opportunity to get the the cards. It is a 30 card set, five card packs which will also have all those inserts possible. The 30 card set is broken up into 10 rookies, 10 veterans, 10 legends. You might know a guy that's in the rookie subset. His name is Connor Bedard and there's also a card number 31 Connor Bedard, which is a rookie moments insert.

SPEAKER 2: And this will be given away to anyone that spends $10 on upper deck products in the diamond Elite Club. I don't know how many they make or how limited it is, but you spend $10. Make sure you get your number 31 Connor Bedard, rookie moments, special card there. So this year that you, no matter what side of the border you live on, you'll be able to get the same, group of players.

SPEAKER 2: Now, our feature presentation.

SPEAKER 2: All right, let's get to it. We do this every year. We kind of go through major league baseball with a hobby, tone to it and kind of pick award winners, playoff teams and make a World Series pick. I've done fairly well with the maybe with my baseball fandom.

SPEAKER 2: But let's, let's go through 2024. I'll start with the American League division win. I think Baltimore is still the team to beat. They add Corbyn Burns to that rotation, which the rotation was already pretty good. And I love Corbin Burns, one of my favorite players, non Mets and potential Cy Young winner every year doesn't matter that he's switching, switching leagues.

SPEAKER 2: Might even be more helpful because, you know, wi with interleague play, those, those players haven't seen him as much. So I think the advantage goes there that we all know Baltimore's farm system is loaded and so more, more battalions are, are on the way.

SPEAKER 2: Let's go to the central, I think we the Cleveland Guardians. I still can't get used to saying that I think the Cleveland Guardians are the class of that division, but they, you know, the Tigers are playing well early. Kansas City's got a bunch of young young studs that are, are helping propel them. Brady Singer is a great pitcher for them.

SPEAKER 2: And in the West, I think the, the reigning World Series champions, another team with some young players that are, are producing.

SPEAKER 2: And I'm gonna go with the, the Rangers to win the West and they're already, they're already leading and they don't even have shirts and the gram in, in that rotation. And I think they're, they're, they're, I think they are leading that division without those two. So when those guys come back, that, that'll even reinforce what they're doing.

SPEAKER 2: Let's go to the National League For Division winners in the East. I'd like to tell you the Mets. But I'm realistic. So I'm gonna tell you the Braves look like the team that beat in the National League East. But they have a few injuries here early that we got to keep an eye on.

SPEAKER 2: There, the central in the NL is sort of, you got a lot of teams that could be, I think every team Pittsburgh right now is leading that division, but you could make a case for any, for any of those teams. I'm gonna go with the Cincinnati Reds. I think this is the year they, they with, again, with the young nucleus, they have I know Matt mclean's hurt right now but he'll be back here in a month or two.

SPEAKER 2: I think Cincinnati is gonna take, a division that's really could go to anybody. Let's go to the NL West. The Dodgers signed anything that, that was any good that moved. So I'm going to say, you know, the Dodgers are gonna be, tough to beat. So, all right, let's, kind of snake draft this and go with my wild card picks for the National League. I think the Philadelphia Phillies, again, that they haven't lost a lot.

SPEAKER 2: They kept Nola, Harper probably will play more this year than he did last year. As he adjust to a new position at first base, Bryson ST could be in for a big year there. The Padres, again, you know, I don't think they win the division being in the, in the same division with the Dodgers, but they're still a very good young team to Tse junior coming back off the, you know, the, the Pe Ds and gonna prove that, hey, I can do it.

SPEAKER 2: Without that, Machado, their pitching staff is actually pretty good, as well. So I think they get a wild card berth and again, I think the third wild card is gonna come from that central division where there's a lot of teams and, it could be anybody. I'm gonna go with the Chicago Cubs, I think signing Bellinger. I know he doesn't hit for high but he gives them a spark and some power.

SPEAKER 2: They got one of the best pitchers in baseball, Justin Steele.

SPEAKER 2: That, that team is again starting to get younger. You got Craig Counsel there, surprised everyone taking that job. So, I'm gonna go with the Cubs for a wild card, but it could be a plethora of teams there. Let's go back to the American League. Talk about my wild card picks now, Kansas City Royals. I love Bobby Wood Junior is a guy I think is gonna be a perennial all-star Hall Of Famer.

SPEAKER 2: Five tool guy that I buy, cards up whenever I can get some deals on him. With the Orioles winning the division, The Yankees are going to make the playoffs and probably save Aaron Boone and Brian Cashman's job. So they'll be a wild card team. They're actually playing pretty well early.

SPEAKER 2: They're leading the division right now at the time of this quarter and Garrett Cole won't be back for another month. So I think they're putting themselves in good position. And the final wild card team in the American League comes from, the American League West. Another team that, I like their pitching staff. You got one of the most exciting players in baseball, Julio Rodriguez. And, so I'm going with Seattle, there.

SPEAKER 2: So let's talk about a team on the rise in the American League depth, I didn't mention as far as postseason, but, you know, keep a look out for them and this team's actually somehow leading that. A L central. I don't think they can hold on to it, but I think they're moving in the right direction. Riley Green, leader in their outfield.

SPEAKER 2: Spencer, Toleen will get better, and, Tariq screw bolt, they're great pitcher on that pitching staff. Casey M and they got some young young studs coming up through the ranks. So that's the Detroit Tigers. I don't know about this year, but I think in the coming years very soon they're gonna make some noise. Let's go back to the National League.

SPEAKER 2: My team on the rise that I didn't mention as far as the six postseason teams, you know, sound crazy. But the Pittsburgh Pirate and, and, and right now they're playing well again, like the Tigers. I don't expect them to sustain that level of play, but they're starting to spend a little bit of money. Not comparatively to big market teams, but more so than they used to in Pittsburgh.

SPEAKER 2: You got a lot of young players and Cryan Hayes, Henry Davis, you know, Rowdy Tele coming over playing well, o'neil Cruz. So they're not as bad as the Pirates, traditionally are and I think if they spend a little bit more money develop their farm system not trade away all their stud players.

SPEAKER 2: You know, I know Brian Reynolds is still there, but you always hear about him going to a big market team if they can keep that talent in place, they got Paul Skeens, that will probably be in the big leagues this year.

SPEAKER 2: They're, they're, you know, Priester, they're, they're not as bad as they used to be. And I think that again, spend a little money. Don't get rid of players, move players to other big market teams. They're gonna be in the mix in, in the coming years as crazy as that might sound or not. So let's go with some award winners, right?

SPEAKER 2: Let's pick the MVP. This is a tough one. You know, I know Mike Trout, you know, seems to get hurt now every year he's playing well early. He's in the mix. He's not my pick, but I wanted, to mention him. But, I think I'm gonna go, you know, I think with O Conie not pitching this year, he's gonna have a great year at the plate.

SPEAKER 2: I know, look at some of the controversy, taking that, out of the equation. He's in the mix, but I think a teammate is gonna be the MVP there. I think the protection that Otani will give Mookie Betts will lead to a big year stolen base wise, home run wise, production wise. And now he's playing in the infield and that sort of increases his value there as well.

SPEAKER 2: So, Mookie Betts is my choice for, VP. Let's go to league awards, right, rookie of the year in the American League, I'm gonna pick a player who's not even in the big leagues yet. Tore it up in the spring controversial send down. I think he's just a, a tremendous, gonna be a superstar once he arrives and that's Jackson Holiday.

SPEAKER 2: He's gonna be up in the Bigs this year and I think he'll be, he'll be called up early enough to win the rookie of the year award. So Jackson Holiday is my choice. I know it's kind of chalk based on height, but, he's the real deal completely legit. White Langford from Texas is in the running and another his teammate, Evan Carter who had a tremendous 2023 and still eligible for the rookie year.

SPEAKER 2: So those three guys how Langford, Evan Carter in the mix there, but I'm gonna go with holiday. Let's go to the National League for a rookie year. No one really stands out. Yeah, a moto starting to pitch better after a rough start. Paul Skeens will be in the mix.

SPEAKER 2: I I know he's not up with the big club just yet, but like Jackson Holiday, I think it's only a matter of time before Paul's in that rotation heading, heading that up for the Pirates and the guy from Milwaukee Robinson Chirinos, I think is going to be the rookie year. He has all the intangibles, the tools and made the club out of spring train training is starting. So that's my pick for and our work of the year.

SPEAKER 2: Let's go to Cy Young, let's stay in the National League with Corbin Burns. Moving on to the American League. It's gonna be Zach Allen. Zach Allen doesn't get enough credit. We don't talk about him enough. I know in the hobby, pitchers are sort of Taboo to buy or the big I word invest in or, or collect. But, I think Zach, Gallen now, you know, doesn't have to pitch sort of in Corbin by, shadow.

SPEAKER 2: He's, legit in his, in his own, right? Even Whitburn is there. But now I think he becomes the class of the National League pitcher and I talked about him. Let's go to the American League, Cy Young, he's won a Cy Young before in the National League. I think he takes his talents to Baltimore and he puts another Cy Young award on his man.

SPEAKER 2: And that's Corbin Burns again. I think it sets up well for him getting the pitch against a lot of players that haven't fared, faced him as much as National League players. And so I think Corbyn Burns the leader of that Orioles staff and wins a now American League, Cy Young, you know, gonna be a fun year.

SPEAKER 2: A lot of young, I know, I said this last year, but even more so now lot of young talent in the major leagues. You know, your Bobby Woods Junior Jackson, how soon Paul Skeens sure knows Julio Rodriguez Kalanick starting to play better. Now with the team change of scenery in Atlanta, you, you know, you got more guys, on the way. Mason win in Saint Louis.

SPEAKER 2: I know I'm gonna leave that Baltimore Orioles team is just loaded with Rush Man Gunner Henderson. Soon to be ho, and, and more even in their farms, it's, it's to be a baseball fan and in the hobby, if you're in the baseball side, ho I think it's exciting time as we get some new blood, some new names, you know, you got your Mike Trout sort of on the, you know, the backside of their career.

SPEAKER 2: Although I will say this about Trout, you know, probably definitely gonna be a Hall Of Famer. You know, if we can put a season together a full season together, which he, he looks good early. He's still a great player. What hurts him is just missing games and those, those season numbers being low.

SPEAKER 2: And let's be honest, no shot at the postseason with the, with the Angels there. If I'm him, I'm, I'm, I'm demanding help if you, if you wanna laugh. Look at, look at that Angels box score after Trout there, there's some minor league teams, that probably are, are better. So, I don't know what's going on there with Marino. You know, one day he's selling one day he's not.

SPEAKER 2: But if I'm Mike Trout, I'm like, get me out of here telling my agent, I'm loyal, loyal to a fault, but now it's time to move on and we see what Otani did and took a big contract and, went to, went to the Dodgers. So I think it's Trout's turn to kinda demand to, to move on and, and get a new scenery, especially as his career tends to, to wind down here.

SPEAKER 2: So, but he's another guy, a lot of people sort of gotten off that, that ship. If you will and an opportunity maybe to pick up some cards, there are a lot of young players, like I just mentioned, that would be fun to, to get some cards of put away and watch their career, develop. So that is this year's major league baseball preview real time and how be wise. And so, have fun.

SPEAKER 2: You know, watching your teams have fun collecting your teams and, or players or if, if you're so inclined to invest some money and maybe a young prospect that you think has the tools and intangibles to be a superstar. I do it and I know I'm not the, so with that being said, see you soon. All right. Thank you for listening to another episode of hobby quick.

SPEAKER 2: Hits, wanna give out our Social Media starting with our website, which is www dot sports Carnation Podcast.com, Facebook. You can follow us at www.Facebook.com/sports Carnation Podcast, forward slash Twitter. We are at Sports card, nat T one. So it's Sports card. Nat I one Instagram at Sports Car Nation Podcast. Or you can email the show hobby quick hits at gmail.com again. Thanks for listening. We'll see you next week.