One of the best things about being a baseball fan is that the season never really ends.
Sure, the games may stop for a few months, but there are always stories to tell, debates to settle, history to uncover and prospects to dream about. That’s why I’ve become a huge fan of baseball podcasts. Whether I’m commuting to work, taking a walk, getting in a run, or simply winding down before bed, there’s usually a baseball podcast playing through my headphones.
The best podcasts make you feel like you’re sitting around the ballpark with friends, swapping stories over a Fenway Frank. Some make you laugh. Others teach you something new about the game. A few even introduce you to parts of the baseball world you never knew existed.
If you’re looking to add a few new shows to your lineup, here are some of my favorites.
Baseball for Every Fan
• Effectively Wild
One of the smartest and most entertaining baseball podcasts around. Hosts Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley mix analytics with humor, quirky questions, baseball philosophy, and fascinating interviews. Even if you’re not a numbers person, the conversations are thoughtful, funny, and surprisingly accessible.
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/category/effectively-wild
• Starkville
Veteran baseball writer Jayson Stark and former major leaguer Doug Glanville deliver outstanding interviews, behind-the-scenes stories, baseball history, and plenty of laughs. It’s like spending an hour talking baseball with two friends who have seen everything.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/podcasts/starkville
• Off Base Podcast
Produced by MLB Network, this podcast celebrates the fun side of baseball. Expect conversations about players’ personalities, uniforms, ballpark food, baseball culture, and everything that makes the game unique beyond the box score.
https://www.mlb.com/network/shows/off-base
• The Show Before the Show
If you’re fascinated by tomorrow’s stars, this is a must-listen. Hosted by Minor League Baseball, the podcast features prospects, unusual promotions, unique ballparks, and plenty of stories from life in the minors.
For Red Sox Fans
I’ll admit it—I don’t listen to many Red Sox podcasts.
Too many spend their time dwelling on what went wrong, second-guessing every move, or looking for the next controversy. As a lifelong fan, I’d rather celebrate the game than complain about it.
These two podcasts have earned a permanent spot in my rotation.
• Play Tessie
A lively, passionate Red Sox podcast that balances analysis with optimism. The hosts know the team well and aren’t afraid to criticize when necessary, but they never lose sight of why we became fans in the first place.
https://www.audacy.com/podcast/play-tessie
• Sox Prospects Podcast
If you’re interested in the future of the Red Sox, this is the gold standard. The hosts Ian Cundall, Chris Hatfield and Mike Andrews provide excellent coverage of Boston’s farm system, draft picks, and player development, making every minor league box score worth following.
https://soxprospects.com/podcast.htm
Baseball Without Borders
Its no secret that I am an over-the-top fan of Japanese baseball. These two podcasts are the best English-language
• Talking Yakyu
An outstanding introduction to Japanese baseball. The hosts cover Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), its stars, traditions, history, and culture. It’s perfect for fans who want to broaden their baseball horizons. It tends to be very data-driven and can get a little dry, but it is a great way to keep track of the great baseball being played overseas as well as the Japanese-born MLB stars.
• Pacific Swings
Hosted by former major leaguer David McKinnon, this podcast explores baseball throughout the Asia-Pacific region with interviews, player stories, and discussions about the international growth of the game.
Looking Beyond Boston
• The Big O Show
Hosted by former big league slugger and ESPN analyst Orestes Destrade, this show offers passionate coverage of the Tampa Bay Rays while also discussing Major League Baseball as a whole. It’s a fun way to hear a different perspective from outside the usual East Coast baseball conversation. Over the past few years, the conversation around efforts to build a new stadium for the Rays has been particularly interesting.
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Whether you’re driving to work, mowing the lawn, walking the dog, or waiting for first pitch, baseball podcasts are a terrific way to stay connected to the game.
They remind us that baseball isn’t just about wins and losses. It’s about stories, history, personalities, traditions, and the fans who love every minute of it.
Who knows? You might even discover your next favorite baseball storyteller before your next favorite player.
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