Jesse Spector returns for a wide-ranging episode in which the question of length of game versus pace of play is explored and the MLB FoodFest is dissected with an eye towards finding the missing Rocky Mountain Oysters, and many a personal encounter of strange press box behavior is told. Plus, Steve opens with a tale of the least-supportive teammates ever and a shortstop whose moment passed at an age before most players have gotten started.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Phenomenal Smith: With Friends Like These*Buckshot Brown and the Curse of Potential*Jesse Spector: The risks of unfollowing*How following PA-18 was like watching a ballgame*How Grant Brisbee infects you with imposter syndrome*The baseball beatwriter’s life*An interlude in Tampa*Defunct museums and Halls of Fame or, “How the Baseball Hall of Fame moves from Cooperstown to Times Square”*A moment’s debate of Ty Cobb*Rob Manfred’s plan to end extra-inning games*The Adam Lind example*Debating MLB FoodFest: Rocky Mountain Oysters AWOL*A 10 percent crab menu*Whither SF Giants garlic fries and chocolate sundaes?*Knocking the Chicago Dog and other Chicago dishes*Praising the Marlins (food, that is), Padres fish tacos in absentia, no Boog’s*Flaming Hot Cheetos?*Dodger Dogs vs. Fenway Frank*Cheap franks in the old Yankee Stadium press box*Bronx Bootleg Street Pretzels*Parenting Test: The Diamondbacks Churro Dog*A tale of marital discord and Ben & Jerry’s*Goodbyes.