Ellen Adair and Eric Gilde discuss the 1952 Grover Cleveland Alexander biopic, "The Winning Team." They introduce the film (1:36), with an overview of the story, the cast, and filmmakers, and review the 20-80 baseball scouting grades for rating the film (7:00). Amount of Baseball (11:53) reveals a new take on this tool from Eric. Ellen has a player comp. Neither scout can refrain from getting into Baseball Accuracy in this category, but when it finally does come around, Baseball Accuracy (17:35)...
Aug 10, 2025•1 hr 56 min•Ep. 64
Ellen Adair and Eric Gilde discuss the 2002 Disney film "The Rookie." They introduce the film (2:02), with an overview of the story, the cast, and filmmakers, and review the 20-80 baseball scouting grades for rating the film (5:07). Amount of Baseball (13:02) revels in this embarrassment of riches, and the excellence of the District Championship Game. Baseball Accuracy (20:35) cites Jim Morris's own opinion of the film's accuracy, and his relationship to his father, along with the radar sign sce...
Jul 27, 2025•1 hr 51 min•Ep. 63
Ellen Adair and Brennan Brown talked so much during their review of EEPHUS (the episode before this one) that some of their baseball-related chatter had to be cut out. But now it's an episode of its own! They talk about Ellen's fundamentalist hatred of the Yankees and Brennan's crush on Bryce Harper. In "Nine Innings with Brennan Brown," Brennan talks about riding motorcycles, playing drums, and his upcoming Netflix series, THE BEAST IN ME, opposite Claire Danes, Jonathan Banks (and other heroes...
Jul 13, 2025•40 min•Ep. 62
Ellen Adair and Brennan Brown talk about the brand-new instant-classic baseball film EEPHUS. Ellen introduces Brennan (0:40), and then the film (3:50) overviewing its festival appearances, the director Carson Lund, and some of the cast. They summarize the film (10:40) and review the 20-80 scouting scale (13:25) and talk about the scouting director to whom Brennan will be reporting Eephus's grades (14:30). They begin with Amount of Baseball (18:50), discussing this film's tool-defining wealth of ...
Jun 29, 2025•2 hr 58 min•Ep. 61
Ellen Adair and Eric Gilde discuss the baseball portions of "Twilight." They introduce the film (1:49), with an overview of the story, the cast, and filmmakers, and review the 20-80 baseball scouting grades for rating the film (6:01). Amount of Baseball (10:35) opens with a true conundrum: what is the amount of baseball in the baseball portion of "Twilight"? Do we consider the "first Mariners game" and spring training? Baseball Accuracy (15:30) considers the viability of a four-vampire baseball ...
Jun 15, 2025•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 60
Ellen Adair and Eric Gilde discuss the 1940 Warner Brothers cartoon, "Porky's Baseball Broadcast." They introduce the cartoon (1:23), with an overview of the script, the cast, and creators, and review the 20-80 baseball scouting grades for rating the cartoon (5:10). (Again, the lawyers advise that this is a cartoon, and nothing in this podcast can be used to relitage Posnanski v. Sepinwall.) Amount of Baseball (11:10) once again relies on this being a ratio and not counting stat for a seven-minu...
Jun 01, 2025•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 59
Ellen Adair and Eric Gilde discuss the 1992 Babe Ruth biopic, "The Babe." They introduce the film (1:36), with an overview of the script, the cast, and filmmakers, and review the 20-80 baseball scouting grades for rating the film (4:05). Amount of Baseball (10:01) is surprisingly baffling for a relatively objective tool, but our scouts try to parse the true amount given the unsatisfying, nothing-but-dingers nature of the gameplay. There is a sad player comp. Baseball Accuracy (15:00) dives in on...
May 18, 2025•1 hr 53 min•Ep. 58
Ellen Adair and Eric Gilde discuss the 2005 film "Game 6," about the 1986 World Series. They introduce the film (2:01), with an overview of this Don DeLillo script, the cast, and filmmakers, and review the 20-80 baseball scouting grades for rating the film (8:35). Amount of Baseball (14:25) considers the dilution of watching someone watch baseball, and reviews the game six events pictured, including the Dwight Evans RBI, Roger Clemens being lifted from the game and the Greenwell pinch hit, Lee M...
May 04, 2025•1 hr 48 min•Ep. 57
Ellen Adair and Eric Gilde discuss the 1994 version of "Angels in the Outfield." They introduce the film (0:56), with an overview of the story, cast, and filmmakers, and review the 20-80 baseball scouting grades for rating the film (8:30). Amount of Baseball (17:28) appreciates the variety and the strong finish, with a couple of possible player comps. Baseball Accuracy (20:45) delves in on various issues with Mel Clark's last-minute activation, and the film's pitcher use in general. Bass gets no...
Apr 20, 2025•1 hr 59 min•Ep. 56
Ellen Adair and Eric Gilde discuss the 2019 Lonely Island special, "The Unauthorized Bash Brothers Experience." They introduce the "visual poem" (2:04), with an overview of the story, cast, and filmmakers, and review the 20-80 baseball scouting grades for rating the film (9:39). Amount of Baseball (14:28) includes whether or not our scouts have to swear on a holy book and their ruling on whether or not eating the brains of a baseball counts. Baseball Accuracy (16:28) addresses the central premis...
Apr 06, 2025•1 hr 47 min•Ep. 55
Ellen Adair and Eric Gilde discuss the Dizzy Dean biopic, "The Pride of St. Louis." They introduce the film (1:13), with an overview of the story, cast, and filmmakers, and review the 20-80 baseball scouting grades for rating the film (5:54). Amount of Baseball (11:46) addresses the consistency of the baseball as particularly good for the era, and provides a 2021 player comp. Baseball Accuracy (14:23) delves into the details of Jerome Dean's early life, his stint in the army, the Texas League, a...
Mar 23, 2025•1 hr 35 min•Ep. 54
Ellen Adair and writer/director/filmmaker Scott Leger discuss the 2023 film "Reverse the Curse," written by and starring David Duchovny. Introduction to Mr. Leger (0:35) and then an introduction to REVERSE THE CURSE (5:39) with cul-de-sac into where Scott and Ellen were when the Red Sox won in 2004, which is not at all what this movie is about, to our surprise. A summary of the film (12:57), followed by discussion of writer/director and other leads. We review the 20-80 scouting scale (17:02), me...
Mar 09, 2025•1 hr 50 min•Ep. 53
Ellen Adair and Eric Gilde discuss the 1983 Disney movie "Tiger Town." They introduce the film (1:52), with an overview of the story, cast, and filmmakers. They review the 20-80 baseball scouting grades for rating the film (6:16). Amount of Baseball (12:47) considers photos of baseball, tight shots, and slow-mo, with reference to Wesley Snipes in "Major League." Don't hate the player comp. Baseball Accuracy (10:36) discusses the "Angels in the Outfield Without the Literal Angels" premise and the...
Feb 23, 2025•1 hr 43 min•Ep. 52
Ellen Adair and Eric Gilde discuss the 2001 movie "Summer Catch." They introduce the film (1:15), with an overview of the story, cast, and filmmakers, and diatribe about the title. They review the 20-80 baseball scouting grades for rating the film (5:35), with a why-not metaphor. Amount of Baseball (10:20) is helped by the fullness of the baseball narratives. Baseball Accuracy (12:54) attacks the film's mysterious attitude towards relief pitching and warming up, with the sub-category Brian Denne...
Feb 09, 2025•2 hr 3 min•Ep. 51
Ellen Adair and Eric Gilde discuss the 1996 film "Soul of the Game." They introduce the film (1:16), with an overview of the story, cast, and filmmakers. They review the 20-80 baseball scouting grades for rating the film (4:32). Amount of Baseball (7:50) highlights baseball in credits, some Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson and Jackie Robinson heroics, and a quick player comp. Baseball Accuracy (10:36) begins with a discussion of Josh Gibson's erratic behavior and drinking depicted in the film, versus ...
Feb 02, 2025•1 hr 49 min•Ep. 50
Ellen Adair and Eric Gilde discuss the 1951 comedy, “Rhubarb.” They introduce the film (0:55), with an overview of the story, cast, and filmmakers. They review the 20-80 baseball scouting grades for rating the film (7:17), then begin their grading with Amount of Baseball (13:58). Baseball Accuracy (18:09) considers the origin of the term “rhubarb” and its journey into baseball terminology (Red Barber), as well as Rhubarb the cat’s luckiness (Brad Miller). Also considered are the 1914 Braves (Joe...
Jan 26, 2025•1 hr 58 min•Ep. 49
Ellen Adair and Eric Gilde discuss the classic 1984 film, "The Natural." They introduce the film (2:00), with an overview of the story, cast, and filmmakers. They review the 20-80 baseball scouting grades for rating the film (6:52), and then Ellen issues the first apology in Take Me In to the Ballgame history. Amount of Baseball (15:88) kicks us off with a disagreement, as they discuss the Amount of Non-Baseball versus the iconic, thirst-quenching nature of the baseball depicted, plus a player c...
Jan 19, 2025•2 hr 21 min•Ep. 48
Ellen Adair and Eric Gilde discuss the 2012 indie zombie film "The Battery." They introduce the film (2:13), with an overview of the story, cast, and filmmakers--including the almost supernatural circumstances of its making. They review the 20-80 baseball scouting grades for rating the film (8:44), and have a brief parental advisory: there will be some discussion that is not appropriate for younger listeners. Then, they begin with Amount of Baseball (15:43), discussing the feasibility of fieldin...
Jan 12, 2025•1 hr 42 min•Ep. 47
Ellen Adair and Eric Gilde scout the 1994 movie, “Little Big League,” grading it on the 20-80 scouting scale. They introduce the film (2:29) before reviewing the 20-80 baseball scouting grades for rating the film (8:26). In Amount of Baseball (15:05), they are dazzled by the variety and amount of on-field play, and a player comp comes courtesy of MLB The Show. Baseball Accuracy (19:32) considers the overwhelming number of players referenced and appearing in the film (Babe Herman, Dazzy Vance, Ra...
Dec 29, 2024•2 hr 2 min•Ep. 46
With Ellen Adair away, Eric Gilde brings in Chicago native Scott Thomas to revisit “Rookie of the Year” in a “Replay Review!” After introductions are made (1:25), they review the 20-80 baseball scouting grades for rating the film (16:45). In Amount of Baseball (25:12), Scott does some geographic detective work, and also shares his grading philosophy. The consideration of Baseball Accuracy (18:35) is not just for the sport but for Chicago baseball generally, with much discussion of players of the...
Dec 22, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 45
Ellen Adair and Eric Gilde discuss the 1992 Seinfeld episode, “The Boyfriend.” They introduce the episode (1:34), and review the 20-80 baseball scouting grades for rating it (5:47). In Amount of Baseball (12:28), the scouts consider how the presence of actual baseball players impacts their scoring. Baseball Accuracy (17:02) considers Keith Hernandez’s status as a Civil War buff, defensive acumen, and 1979 MVP award (with nods to Greg Maddux and Willie Stargell). Also discussed are Roger McDowell...
Dec 15, 2024•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 44
Ellen Adair and Brian Gene White grade an episode of "Hey Arnold!" entitled "The Baseball" on the 20-80 scouting scale, with an intermission on the 2024 World Series Champion Dodgers. They introduce the show, with background on the creators (1:58) and provide a summary of this episode's story (6:12). A quick overview of the 20-80 scouting scale for those just joining us (7:15). Amount of Baseball (8:07) looks at a couple of ways that Ellen breaks with precedent in scoring this category, and at t...
Dec 08, 2024•1 hr 52 min•Ep. 43
Ellen Adair and Eric Gilde discuss the 1942 Disney short, “How To Play Baseball,” starring many, many Goofys. They introduce the cartoon (1:55), with Ellen clarifying precedent established concerning cartoon short eligibility as a baseball film (per a previous ruling discussed between Alan Sepinwall, Joe Posnanski, and Mike Schur). This is of course followed by a review of the 20-80 baseball scouting grades for rating it (7:59). Amount of Baseball (14:30) gets help from its status as ratio-based...
Dec 01, 2024•1 hr 29 min•Ep. 42
Ellen Adair and Eric Gilde discuss the 1957 film "Fear Strikes Out." They introduce the film (1:26), with an overview of the story, cast, director and writer. They review the 20-80 baseball scouting grades for rating the film (8:45), with autobiographical metaphors (appropriately). In Amount of Baseball (14:38), the scouts' differing viewpoints on this tool yield different assessments, but they both agree that the movie is not extremely interested in the actual baseball action. Ellen has a 2020 ...
Nov 24, 2024•1 hr 45 min•Ep. 41
Ellen Adair and Eric Gilde discuss the 2007 film "War Eagle Arkansas." They introduce the film (2:25), with an overview of the story, cast, director and writer. They review the 20-80 baseball scouting grades for rating the film (5:20), with a metaphor for the ages. In Amount of Baseball (9:35), Eric tries to find baseball wherever he can, while Ellen remembers the Jared Hughes / J.T. Realmuto moment. Baseball Accuracy (13:25) considers Wheels's assessment of Enoch's pitching, Luke Grimes' pitchi...
Nov 17, 2024•1 hr 51 min•Ep. 40
Ellen Adair and Eric Gilde discuss the 1994 movie "Major League II." They introduce the film (1:13), with an overview of the story, cast, director and writer. They review the 20-80 baseball scouting grades for rating the film (4:58), with a metaphor that leads Ellen to bring up her earliest baseball writing. Then, they begin with Amount of Baseball (11:09), comparing it to "Major League," and celebrating the healthy amount throughout, and how it is shot. Player comps are still for 2020. Baseball...
Nov 10, 2024•2 hr 8 min•Ep. 39
Ellen Adair and Eric Gilde discuss the 1990 TV movie "The Court-Martial of Jackie Robinson." They introduce the film (1:27), with an overview of the story, cast, director and writer. They review the 20-80 baseball scouting grades for rating the film (5:48), with a metaphor that Mike Schur would not enjoy. Then, they begin with Amount of Baseball (9:48), discussing whether or not this is a baseball movie, plus amount of football. Player comp? Baseball Accuracy (12:35) considers things that the fi...
Nov 03, 2024•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 38
Ellen Adair and Eric Gilde discuss the 1979 TV movie "Aunt Mary," about Mary Dobkin, the first female little league coach in Baltimore. They introduce the film (1:27), with an overview of the story, cast, and director. They review the 20-80 baseball scouting grades for rating the film (5:21), with an on-the-nose metaphor. Amount of Baseball (9:50) makes some borderline calls on baseball on the radio and stickball, and appreciates Cal Abrams in the footage. Eric may not appreciate Ellen's player ...
Oct 27, 2024•2 hr 1 min•Ep. 37
Ellen Adair and Eric Gilde scout the 1999 movie, "The Scout," grading it on the 20-80 scouting scale. They introduce the film (2:00), with an overview of the story, cast, and director. They review the 20-80 baseball scouting grades for rating the film (10:05), with a bit of a search for a metaphor. In Amount of Baseball (14:51), Eric stays on the wagon, despite personal conflict. They discuss the size and duration of shots, Cheetos for dinner, Keith Hernandez, Bret Saberhagen and a 2020 player c...
Oct 20, 2024•1 hr 54 min•Ep. 36
Ellen Adair and Eric Gilde discuss the 1949 Busby Berkley musical "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," grading it on the 20-80 scouting scale. They introduce the film (1:34), with an overview of the story, cast, and director. They review the 20-80 baseball scouting grades for rating the film (11:10), with another apropos metaphor. Amount of Baseball (15:50) revisits what counts towards baseball quantity. They discuss the wait for a proper baseball scene, baseball montages without baseball, and the ill...
Oct 14, 2024•1 hr 53 min•Ep. 35
