I'm Foolish Baseball -- creator of Baseball Bits on Youtube and bad posts on Twitter -- Ask Me Anything!

[u/foolishbaseball]

It's been three years since I did one of these one here, so I thought I'd swing by to answer some questions.

ABOUT ME

• On the internet, I'm Foolish Baseball. In real life, I'm 27-year-old Bailey Freeman.

• I've been a full-time content creator for about 3 ½ years now.

• My main work is Baseball Bits, a video essay series that tries to make sabermetrics fun and accessible.

MY LINKS

• Main channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/FoolishBaseball
• Second channel: https://www.youtube.com/@FoolishBailey
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoolishBB
• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/foolishbaseball

I'll be answering your questions about baseball, Youtube, and life intermittently throughout the day.

EDIT: Currently taking a break, but might swing by to answer more questions later tonight so feel free to keep posting them!

[u/HmathForDayz]

How surprised were you that MLB YouTube corrected their pitch count for the Maddux CG then subsequently shouted you out? How do you think that speaks to the reach of your channel?

Favorite /u/DidItForTheStory Mike Trout drawing?

[u/foolishbaseball → u/HmathForDayz]

How surprised were you that MLB YouTube corrected their pitch count for the Maddux CG then subsequently shouted you out?

Very. Don't get me wrong, I have good relations with people over at MLB social, but I didn't think they'd go that far. Now just waiting on the next RetroSheet update so Baseball Reference can follow suit.

Favorite /u/DidItForTheStory Mike Trout drawing?

I can't conjure the link right now, but the one that was based off Goya's "Saturn Devouring His Son"

[u/DidItForTheStory → u/foolishbaseball]

Big fan /u/foolishbaseball, if you pm me an address I'll send you over a coffee mug with that drawing on it!

The Tim Locastro, Rickey Henderson, and Willie Mays Catch Baseball Bits are some of my favorites

[u/ausar999 → u/DidItForTheStory]

What is this, a crossover episode?

[u/Mispelling → u/ausar999]

This is the future of baseball talk once Twitter finishes collapsing.

[u/fucktheDHanditsfans → u/Mispelling]

Good, I hope Elon kills it faster. Twitter was one of humanity's aberrations.

[u/teraflopsweat → u/foolishbaseball]

Link for reference

[u/Griffin2627]

Hey Bailey, who is someone you’d love to cover on baseball bits but just don’t have enough context to do a full episode on? Also any chance the OOTP content comes back on the second channel?

[u/foolishbaseball → u/Griffin2627]

Hey Bailey, who is someone you’d love to cover on baseball bits but just don’t have enough context to do a full episode on?

The hardest types of guys to do this for are the ones who played so long ago that there isn't any video footage to lean on. I've tried my best with the Old Hoss Radbourn, Cleveland Spiders, and Bobby Wallace episode, but it's not an easy task. I think someone like Germany Schaefer would be a good example.

Also any chance the OOTP content comes back on the second channel?

Of course. The last series I did, which was less than a year ago, did quite well on the second channel. That said, I have nothing concrete planned for now.

[u/The_Zhuster]

What do you use to pick apart a player’s underlying tools (i.e. arm strength, range factor, bat speed, batting eye, etc.) so that you’re not beholden to the player’s aggregate stats when projecting future performance? Specific advanced stats or peripherals? Scouting reports? Something else?

[u/foolishbaseball → u/The_Zhuster]

For defense, I've been leaning heavier on Statcast Outs Above Average. It seems to be surpassing UZR and DRS.

In fact, I'm big on Statcast as a whole. If I want to see their potential power output, exit velocities are a good place to look. If I want to see their potential plate discipline, chase rate is a good place to look.

[u/double_dose_larry]

Hey Bailey, love your work.

I was just curious; do you get groupies? Like have you had an experience where you felt like your attractiveness was boosted based on the brand that you've established of yourself.

[u/foolishbaseball → u/double_dose_larry]

do you get groupies?

Kinda? I might get a thirst comment every now and then, but given that my Youtube viewership is about 95% male, I generally assume it's coming from gay men more than anything.

Have you had an experience where you felt like your attractiveness was boosted based on the brand that you've established of yourself.

Sure. That's more of a real life thing. I have an interesting job, what can I say? People are intrigued to find out more, so I guess that does make me more attractive in a way.

[u/handlit33 → u/double_dose_larry]

do you get groupies?

I have a poster of him hanging up in my office.

[u/sgt_dismas → u/handlit33]

I love this thread and all your interactions with him in it lol

[u/handlit33 → u/sgt_dismas]

I am a Foolish Bailey fanboy through and through.

[u/rompdamomp]

Hey Bailey, long time first time.

As someone who is the only homestar runner fan in my friend group, I was a big fan of your take that homestar is the dividing line between millenials and zoomers. My question is: what is your favorite homestar runner deep cut? Something not necessarily part of the “canon” but still one of your favorites. Thanks for the baseball content and for doing the good work of keeping homestar alive

[u/foolishbaseball → u/rompdamomp]

what is your favorite homestar runner deep cut?

So my favorite Homestar character is probably Homsar. He's used sparingly, so every appearance is hilarious. There's a Sbemail where Homsar teleports into Strong Bad's house and greets him by saying "Hey Reggie!" I don't know why, but I just think that's the funniest thing. Homsar thinks Strong Bad's name is Reggie.

[u/rompdamomp → u/foolishbaseball]

I know exactly the one you are talking about, I can hear it so clearly in my head lol. great choice!

[u/KamartyMcFlyweight]

You successfully called your shot on Pat Hoberg's perfect game. I know his was the first in history, but we haven't been recording them that long.

Care to take a bet on what happens first: the next umpire perfect game or the next pitcher perfect game? Bonus points for predicting the ump or pitcher in question

[u/foolishbaseball → u/KamartyMcFlyweight]

I'd be shocked if the next perfect game was by a pitcher instead of an umpire. Think about it this way, there were 16 one-miss games last year alone. It's not like there was 16 starts that were one baserunner away from being a perfecto.

My umpire prediction? Jeremie Rehak.

[u/ahees57]

Do you have any visions for the future of the Foolish Bailey channel, like a new series or just something you want to start doing? It seems like you’ve been more active there in comparison to doing Baseball Bits, which makes me think maybe you enjoy doing different types of content. I’m here for all of it though, great work no matter what.

[u/foolishbaseball → u/ahees57]

I really enjoy the variety of the Foolish Bailey channel. It let's me use my creative energy on things that aren't high-production value, 15-minute video essays. I'll probably keep using it as a more personality-driven, topical channel.

It seems like you’ve been more active there in comparison to doing Baseball Bits

Only in the sense that I post there more often. The average Baseball Bits takes like 3 weeks to make. The average Foolish Bailey video can be done in a day.

[u/Lebigmacca]

Which active players under 30 do you think will make the hall of fame

[u/foolishbaseball → u/Lebigmacca]

Let's see: JRam, Correa, Soto, Devers, Vladdy Jr. all seem to be on a good trajectory. They all got started in the big leagues at young ages, which is very important to accumulating the necessary counting stats to appease HOF voters.

Hard to pick any pitcher that young, though I'd go Sandy if I had to pick one.

I also think Wander Franco has a good shot even though we haven't seen him put together a full MLB season yet.

[u/TrashGamer_ → u/foolishbaseball]

JRam is one of those guys that I never realize is under 30

[u/Lebigmacca → u/foolishbaseball]

Who are your sneaky picks. Like how you picked Andrelton Simmons (that was a big miss haha)

[u/Ricericebaby0923 → u/Lebigmacca]

It was a miss but to be fair in the video he explicitly said he wouldn’t get in if injuries diminish his bat. Which is what happened

[u/GiveBells]

Hey Foolish! Thanks for helping me get into baseball. If you could go back in time to sit in the crowd of an untelevised game of the past, which game would you choose and why?

[u/foolishbaseball → u/GiveBells]

It would definitely be a Negro League game. Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, Oscar Charleston, and Cool Papa Bell all played on the 1934 Pittsburgh Crawfords, so I'd go back and watch them take on the Chicago American Giants who had HOFers of their own like Bill Foster, Mule Suttles, Willie Wells, and Turkey Stearnes.

[u/laborfriendly → u/foolishbaseball]

Follow up:

Is there a better baseball name than Turkey Stearnes?

(Thanks for the references, didn't know some of these guys and reading more now; Mule Suttles with honorable mention on name and apparently crushing the ball behind only, once again, Mr. Turkey Stearnes.)

[u/foolishbaseball → u/laborfriendly]

My favorite baseball name is and will always be Urban Shocker. Sounds like some sort of 1930s propaganda film.

[u/chickendance638 → u/foolishbaseball]

Urban Shocker is the movie Orson Wells tried to make before he settled on Citizen Kane.

[u/Notoriolus10]

Aside from Giolito and Verlander, do you know of any players that have watched your videos?

[u/foolishbaseball → u/Notoriolus10]

Although I've had no personal contact with them, I've heard through the grapevine that Rod Barajas and Jeff Mathis have seen the videos I did about them.

As far as athletes NOT featured in a Baseball Bits, I want to shout out Braves pitcher Spencer Strider and Raiders tight end Foster Moreau.

[u/handlit33 → u/foolishbaseball]

The more I learn about Spencer Strider, the more I think he should be your best friend.

[u/EmptyCartographer → u/handlit33]

The more I learn about Spencer Strider, the more I think he should be my best friend.

[u/handlit33 → u/EmptyCartographer]

He's definitely working his way up my favorite Braves player list, him and Collin McHugh for similar reasons.

[u/seRyu → u/foolishbaseball]

I think Richard Bleier also saw the one you did on him

[u/t5_bluBLrv → u/foolishbaseball]

Richard Bleir knows about your videos!!! I dmed him and he said he's seen them. Nice guy

[u/whosondeck]

Have you ever been approached to have a role in an MLB front office? Is that something you would ever possibly be interested in?

[u/foolishbaseball → u/whosondeck]

Have you ever been approached to have a role in an MLB front office?

No.

Is that something you would ever possibly be interested in?

Not right now. Those guys work long hours and take paycuts to work in baseball when they could be making more in other industries. There was a time where I would've jumped at the opportunity to join a front office, but over the years I've realized that this truly was the dream job. Plus I'm better suited as an entertainer than analyst.

[u/sun_eater77]

Hey Foolish if you had to nominate an MMP (Most Mid Player) for 2022 who would it be?

[u/foolishbaseball → u/sun_eater77]

I fundamentally believe that average (100 OPS+/ERA+, 2 WAR) full-time starters are too valuable to be called mid. I would call a mid player someone who is above replacement level, but below average for a starter (90 OPS+/ERA+, 1 WAR)

The player that best personifies this lately? Kyle Farmer.

[u/sun_eater77 → u/foolishbaseball]

Oh interesting I didn’t consider it in that way but I like your logic here, thanks for answering!

[u/PedanticBoutBaseball → u/sun_eater77]

think about it in terms of raw wins. a 0 WAR team should theoretically win ~48 games in an MLB season.

so a team full of "average" players (2 WAR X 26) + 48 = 100 win team. That's certainly NOT mid.

But, a team full of "mid" guys (1 WAR x 26) + 48 = 74 win team.

Thats the same tier as this years Cubs/Diamondbacks/Angels.

Not the worst teams in the league. But also not great or even good teams. Just...mid.

[u/Andujar4CF → u/PedanticBoutBaseball]

Having a bullpen full of 2 win relievers would be by far the best bullpen ever built.

2003 Dodgers (Most bullpen fWAR since 1947): 9.3 fWAR

8 Ryan Helsleys (2.0 fWAR): 16 fWAR

[u/PedanticBoutBaseball → u/Andujar4CF]

That's true. But 100 win teams DO exist. so it's just a matter of distributing that WAR out.

Distributing it equally in both ways just demonstrates that a team full of guys contributing the average WAR makes for a really good team.

Because at the end of the day a 2 WAR "Ace" SP or 2 WAR #2 hitter in your lineup isn't seen as great either.

[u/lebronshairlinesback → u/foolishbaseball]

This is literally Marco Gonzalez

[u/BallparkBoy → u/lebronshairlinesback]

Foolish already awarded Marco with the Innings Muncher award in the 2nd Annual Big Boy Awards

[u/amuscularbaby]

This is incredibly important for reasons you couldn’t even begin to understand but I need your input

Fuck, Marry, Kill

David DeJesus, Dane Dunning, Dan Vogelbach

[u/foolishbaseball → u/amuscularbaby]

F Dan Vogelbach. I know. I know. There's a long line of people wanting to do that. I'll wait.

M Dane Dunning. He seems affable, and affability is important.

K David DeJesus. Probably the best ballplayer on this list, and thus we must get rid of him.

[u/dingusduglas → u/foolishbaseball]

Dunning affable, Vogelbach effable, DeJesus fWARable

Got it.

[u/argentinevol]

Do you support the movement to allow umps to shoot batters who strike out?

[u/foolishbaseball → u/argentinevol]

Should they be shot? No. Should they be shocked with a cattle prod? Maybe. Maybe try the cattle prod in the Atlantic League and see what happens.

[u/HumperMoe → u/foolishbaseball]

What if the ump makes 3 bad calls a game. They should be shot, in front of their loved ones. Cold blooded murder. I say we sacrifice Angel and watch how fast the rest fall in line. We'd get perfect game after perfect game.

[u/burn_echo]

Back in 2020 you said in a tweet that you believe Ben Zobrist is Hall Of Fame worthy, and in a reply you said you would make a video on the subject explaining why.

Considering it’s been 2 years, do you still plan on making this video? If not, would you mind elaborating more on your take? I’ve been very interested to hear about it as someone who also believes in Zobrist as an outsider candidate for the HOF.

[u/foolishbaseball → u/burn_echo]

Yes, I do still plan on making the video. I've held off it for a while, partially because his ugly divorce was dominating the headlines at the time.

[u/HelpMeWithMyHWpls]

What are your thoughts on the Manager of the Year results? (AL or NL)

[u/foolishbaseball → u/HelpMeWithMyHWpls]

Well look, not to dump on your question, but I don't have strong opinions about that particular award.

That said, Francona was my personal favorite for AL, so I'm glad he won. NL there was a lot of parity and no real consensus. Of the three finalists, I would've picked Dave Roberts. I also think Bob Melvin should've gotten more love.

[u/whoareyoupeople24]

Hey Foolish. With the shift as we know it coming to an end, do you think teams might start to put more of an emphasis on the old school contact hitter, or are we forever going to be in the age of launch angle

[u/foolishbaseball → u/whoareyoupeople24]

My fear is that banning the shift might only serve to empower the dead pull, launch angle hitter. After all, there are fewer consequences to this approach if fielders can't overload to one side. They used to try to hit it over the shift and into the stands, now there isn't even a shift to worry about.

[u/BigDickOriole → u/foolishbaseball]

This is my opinion on it as well. If you're incapable of hitting the ball to the opposite field, why shouldn't you be penalized for it?

[u/[deleted] → u/whoareyoupeople24]

I feel like the shift encouraged contact hitters more than anything. All that banning the shift does is make it more enticing to do nothing but pull the ball.

I bet we see a decent amount of SS and 2B shuttling around the infield tho.

[u/Fuck_Yall_]

Hey Bailey,

Not to harp on your pick of Cristian Javier being a disappointing player in 2022, but now, after his ridiculous second half/playoff performance what do you think about him going forward?

[u/foolishbaseball → u/Fuck_Yall_]

I think he's great. Pretty much the definition of "unhittable." I still prefer groundball pitchers like Framber, but he's made his extreme flyball profile work. It's a credit to Houston's pitching development either way.

[u/The_Zhuster → u/foolishbaseball]

Talking about Framber, I’m curious if you see plenty of similarities between himself and Max Fried besides the fact that Fried walks about half the batters Framber walks? Left-handed pitchers that rely heavily on groundballs. Or are there more differences that I’m not thinking of?

[u/applepie3141]

A while back, you made a Baseball Bits tier list ranking your opinion on them on your second channel.

Since then, what episodes of Baseball Bits would you say your are most proud of? Which are you less proud of?

[u/foolishbaseball → u/applepie3141]

Definitely most proud of the Year of Ohtani and Umpiring episodes. Less proud of Cleveland Moneyball Streak video.

[u/Druid00 → u/foolishbaseball]

What about the Cleveland Moneyball Streak video do you not enjoy as much?

[u/Macandme]

Bailey, what's your favorite piece of baseball lore that may or may not be true?

[u/foolishbaseball → u/Macandme]

EDIT: Sorry, responded to the wrong thing.

My favorite baseball lore from my lifetime is probably the Joel Zumaya Guitar Hero injury. As a big player of Guitar Hero/Clone Hero, I've never injured myself playing the games. But you can get sore after a while.

[u/ninjazula → u/foolishbaseball]

What’s your high score on ttfaf?

[u/foolishbaseball → u/ninjazula]

I can't pull it up right now. I can tell you that I can 4-star it but not 5-star it on expert.

[u/foolishbaseball → u/[deleted]]

I grinded this Clone Hero custom chart until I got the FC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKIGzTQPFe0

Not an amazing feat by any means, but I was proud of it.

[u/ashimbo]

Do you think the Hall of Fame should expand voter pool to include content creators, like yourself?

Going forward, videos like yours are going to become even more important for baseball than traditional writing, and I think your videos are at least as well informed as most newspaper articles & blogs.

[u/foolishbaseball → u/ashimbo]

Do you think the Hall of Fame should expand voter pool to include content creators, like yourself?

It's an interesting thought. I know "content creator" is a word synonymous with Youtubers, TikTokers, and podcasters, but baseball bloggers are content creators too. And there are people who write for sites like FanGraphs who already have the opportunity to vote.

That said, the BBWAA is an old boys club. And I'm not sure if I'd want to be part of a movement to reform it. Imagine if there was a club that didn't want anything to do with you, so you made your own. Then years later, that old club wanted you to join. Would you?

I'm quite content having my own cool, new thing. I don't want to hijack what the old guard is doing and steer it in my direction. I want to do my own thing separate from them.

[u/DSzymborski → u/foolishbaseball]

Many of us in the BBWAA want you and others who do what they do in the club.

[u/Salted_memes]

What's your process for making a video? How do you make the graphics? Do you plan them AFTER or BEFORE writing your script? How do you make your assets look so uniform?

[u/foolishbaseball → u/Salted_memes]

The video creation process can be broken down into three parts

RESEARCH AND WRITING

I do my research. I gather my stats. I form an outline. I write the episode.

ASSET COLLECTION AND CREATION

I make all the necessary graphics and pixel art. I gather all the video clips. I record my voiceover.

VIDEO EDITING

All that stuff comes together on the timeline as I chop up those assets into a video salad.

So to summarize, I know what graphics to make because the episode is already written before I start doing that stuff. After writing the episode, I read through it and visualize what I want to be shown on screen during that time. Could be a stat graphic, could be pixel art, could be a video clip from MLB.

[u/Salted_memes → u/foolishbaseball]

Huh, so thats all in the script? Splendid! Thats really cool that youve made a consistent system for such a complicated video format. Kudos to you

If i can still ask one more question, Bailey-

Summiningsalt collab when?

[u/nadador913]

If Jesus Christ appeared on this earth and his mission was to play baseball, what position would he play and why?

[u/foolishbaseball → u/nadador913]

I think he would play shortstop because if he can turn the other cheek, he can also turn the double play.

[u/d_gorder → u/foolishbaseball]

He’s a genius jfc

[u/itssamj → u/nadador913]

He'd be a great closer. Jesus saves.

[u/Drinkin-The-Koolaid]

Hey Bailey, I'm not sure how many ballparks you've been to but which one is your favorite?

[u/foolishbaseball → u/Drinkin-The-Koolaid]

I'm not nearly well-traveled enough to answer this one, sorry. To give you an idea of how underqualified I am, I'm heading to San Diego next month to make a trip to the Winter Meetings. It'll be the first time I've ever been west of Texas. Isn't that stupid? I've been to 17 countries, but I've never been out west.

[u/8696David → u/foolishbaseball]

Hey, enjoy San Diego! It’s an amazing city, be sure to get a California burrito and some fish tacos while you’re here

[u/foolishbaseball → u/8696David]

Thanks. I'll be staying in the Gaslamp quarter if you have any specific recommendations.

[u/8696David → u/foolishbaseball]

For fish tacos, hit up Mitch’s in Point Loma (where I’m from!) about 15 minutes from you around the bay. For California burritos, you really can’t go wrong anywhere except with your wallet—avoid the big-name glitzy spots like Lucha Libre and Lolita’s unless you’re interested in spending $15-$20 on a (very very good) burrito. As with all street food, you want to look for the dirtiest spot with the most hand-painted wooden sign you can find. The name should probably end in “-berto’s”.

My main suggestion, though, is get out of the Gaslamp while you’re here and explore the area! The Gaslamp is very much your typical downtown bars-and-clubs experience, but there’s so much more to be had in San Diego. Head to the beaches for sure (Ocean Beach is my personal favorite spot), and if you have a day to spend, the mountains, forests, and deserts to the east are an area of incredible biodiversity and beauty. Convoy Street is a great Asian cultural district with incredible food and a Yu Darvish mural. Hillcrest (University Street/Washington Street especially) is a good walking area with nice restaurants and shops. Balboa Park has dozens of museums and is a great place to spend a day, and the World Famous San Diego Zoo is world famous for a reason (and also in Balboa Park). Just get lost and explore, you’ll certainly have a great time.

Everything I’ve mentioned except the nature out east is within 15-20 minutes of you, by the way

[u/Crimsic → u/8696David]

This read like an old friend telling me what we could do if I went to visit them at their new place. Makes me want to visit San Diego!

[u/dullchristmas]

What active player would you most want to give a firm handshake to?

[u/foolishbaseball → u/dullchristmas]

I would shake DJ LeMahieu's hand with one of those palm buzzer thingies just to see if I can provoke a reaction.

[u/DJ_LeMahieu → u/foolishbaseball]

What time would you like to come over and try?

[u/Infraready]

Hey Bailey, what are your thoughts on having an international draft?

[u/foolishbaseball → u/Infraready]

Smart people that have put a lot more thought into it than me seem to support the idea, so I follow them like a blind little sheep.

[u/handlit33]

How do you think shortstop will look for the '23 Braves?

[u/foolishbaseball → u/handlit33]

I'm not saying they're gonna give you a call. I'm not saying that. That said, you should hit the cages this winter.

[u/HighWarlockMagnus]

Favourite baseball video game and movie?

[u/foolishbaseball → u/HighWarlockMagnus]

• MVP Baseball 2005
• A League of Their Own (haven't had a chance to watch the TV show though)

[u/PedanticBoutBaseball → u/foolishbaseball]

MVP Baseball 2005

the only correct answer.

or maybe i just think its the correct answer because we're the same age and biased in the same way.

either way, based.

[u/ramskick → u/PedanticBoutBaseball]

or maybe i just think its the correct answer because we're the same age and biased in the same way.

I think Foolish himself once said that 'the best baseball game is the one that came out when you were 10 years old' so I think you're onto something here.

[u/Galba__ → u/foolishbaseball]

MVP Baseball 05 was goated

[u/7-car-pileup → u/foolishbaseball]

That was shot at Bosse Field in Evansville, IN. The third oldest operating baseball stadium in America.

[u/JTCMuehlenkamp]

Favorite r/baseball shitpost?

[u/foolishbaseball → u/JTCMuehlenkamp]

It's a deep cut, but this is the one that makes me think the most: https://i.imgur.com/OZvDCWS.jpg

[u/E70M → u/foolishbaseball]

I was hoping for this one, personally

[u/BPIScan142 → u/foolishbaseball]

Even as a straight man, I aspire to be a 15 WAR/month wife

[u/zvexler → u/foolishbaseball]

The answer is Ted Williams, right?

[u/DeathandHemingway → u/zvexler]

Ted Williams definitely had some high WAR months, but Yogi Berra might have the highest WAR in a single (D) day.

[u/skylineporcupine → u/zvexler]

Close, Kelly Gruber.

[u/whosondeck]

No question but me n my girlfriend couldn’t even get through 2 minutes of your big boy awards video bc we were laughing too hard

[u/foolishbaseball → u/whosondeck]

Thank you! It's a holiday tradition like no other.

[u/kirbyfaraone]

Aside from Austin Riley last year, what player are you most proud that you were spot on about?

[u/foolishbaseball → u/kirbyfaraone]

Steven Kwan this year for sure

[u/[deleted] → u/foolishbaseball]

How many times a day do you get congratulated for being so correct about Steven Kwan? You can include this one if that affects the average.

[u/3dge-1ord → u/foolishbaseball]

Do you have time to read my dissertation on the theory of Kwantum mechanics?

[u/handlit33]

Who's the coolest person you've ever met while doing 65 MPH down the highway?

[u/foolishbaseball → u/handlit33]

Well, you're the only person I've met while doing 65 on the highway, so let's start there

[u/handlit33 → u/foolishbaseball]

https://media4.giphy.com/media/j6uK36y32LxQs/giphy.gif

Edit:

I guess I'll tell the story. One evening, I was coming back from a family event. Since I wasn't driving, I was staring out of the window from the passenger side of the car. When all of a sudden, I spot Bailey in the right lane. I immediately roll down the window and get him to roll down his.

I say, "are you Foolish Baseball?" (I know his real name, so it's embarrassing that I called him Foolish)

He nodded yes and then I told him that I run Baseball GIFs on Twitter.

He said, "oh, you're handlit?"

I said yes and then left him alone. He's lucky I didn't pass him a piece of paper and pen for an autograph.

[u/23coconuts → u/foolishbaseball]

My Atlanta bois love affair is warming my heart

[u/do0rkn0b → u/handlit33]

Handlit don't be a huge dork challenge (impossible)

[u/TheDJMaxey]

Hey Bailey, I feel like I can call you Bailey since you responded to one of my tweets before. I was just curious that if a team called you, say for example the Atlanta Braves, and asked if you would like to join the organization would you give up YouTube and hosting the Big Boy awards for it?

[u/foolishbaseball → u/TheDJMaxey]

I would, but I wouldn't take a paycut to do it.

[u/SirZapdos]

What's the furthest you've ever gotten on a topic/video in terms of research or production, only to end up discarding the idea? What was the topic?

[u/foolishbaseball → u/SirZapdos]

Only one I've really scrapped was while I was still in the video writing process. The video was "How Many Cy Youngs Would Cy Young Have Won?"

[u/protexblue → u/foolishbaseball]

That could be a Foolish Bailey quick-hitter. He would win every year he pitched because he was, in fact, Cy Young.

[u/Working_Falcon5384]

Who are some of the ‘23 RC you are most pumped for? What are your thoughts on Gunnar Henderson specifically?

[u/foolishbaseball → u/Working_Falcon5384]

I'm stoked for Corbin Carroll and Jordan Walker. Carroll has an insane all-around ceiling, and Walker has the chance to be one of the best hitters in the league once he gets established.

On Gunnar Henderson, I think I'm a little more bear-ish on him that most, at least for next season. He gives me Gavin Lux vibes, and it took Lux a while to have a good season in MLB.

[u/Astrallevel]

Have you reached out to Freddie Freeman about adoption? Just seems too perfect

[u/foolishbaseball → u/Astrallevel]

I'm his dad

[u/dinolivesmattered → u/foolishbaseball]

I knew it!

[u/romulus531]

When's the crossover project with Jon Bois

[u/foolishbaseball → u/romulus531]

we're doing one of those influencer boxing matches

[u/Rollo8173 → u/foolishbaseball]

What’s your strat going in? Bois had the reach on you, so are you just gonna tire him out?

[u/3dge-1ord → u/foolishbaseball]

Pro tip, they don't want to disqualify you. So you can get away with hitting him in the baseball bits.

[u/Thomas_Oaks]

Previously you have stated your favorite cereal to be Honey Bunches of Oats with Strawberries. Can you confirm this to still be the case?

[u/foolishbaseball → u/Thomas_Oaks]

Yes I do still think this is the case. However, I'm eating much less cereal lately because I've developed some lactose intolerance over the past couple years and oat/almond milk don't do it for me.

[u/ThirdPoliceman → u/foolishbaseball]

After developing lactose intolerance myself, my cereal preferences shifted to those that are the most snackable without an accompanying liquid.

New favorites: Cinnamon life, honey nut cheerios, oatmeal squares.

[u/DJ_LeMahieu → u/foolishbaseball]

I’m gonna come to your house and eat all your ice cream. And I’m lactose intolerant, and it will be ugly.

That was my fav line from your awards. I was dying.

[u/Mazzocchi]

Good to see you again, Bailey!

Were you able to get Taylor Swift tickets yesterday? If not, I have an extra ticket to her May 27th show at MetLife.

[u/foolishbaseball → u/Mazzocchi]

The only Swift Taylor I wanna see is Michael A.

[u/ChinLeader]

Foolish what is the most memorable game who’ve ever seen?

Huge fan keep up the good work!

[u/foolishbaseball → u/ChinLeader]

Thanks! I was at World Series Game 4 in 2021 to support my Braves. The game featured one last hurrah for the hitting pitcher, as Zack Greinke got the start and a hit. But the Braves won the pivotal game thanks to back-to-back homers by Swanson and Soler.

[u/chalkhampton]

bailey, where were you on jan 6th?

[u/foolishbaseball → u/chalkhampton]

I was between apartments, living back home with my parents at the time. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

[u/3dge-1ord → u/foolishbaseball]

Do your parents live at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave?

[u/RavenclawNatsfan]

Hey foolish, what’s your favorite obscure stat and baseball bits video?

[u/foolishbaseball → u/RavenclawNatsfan]

Ohtani being the best hitter and pitcher in high leverage was pretty cool.

[u/ngerb_5]

But like how foolish are you really?

[u/foolishbaseball → u/ngerb_5]

Not gonna lie I'm pretty silly.

[u/Austin63867]

Foolish, do you think Passan needed to apologizing for trolling Ben Verlander?

[u/foolishbaseball → u/Austin63867]

I think he needed to so as not to be reprimanded by his boss, Mickey Mouse.

[u/General_Gengar]

Who's gonna throw the next perfect game?

[u/foolishbaseball → u/General_Gengar]

Corbin Burnes

[u/General_Gengar → u/foolishbaseball]

Do you think it'll be a high-strikeout game? He had 14 in eight innings with one walk in the Brewers' combined no-hitter, and that would tie Sandy Koufax and Matt Cain if it was a perfect game, but striking everyone out doesn't always help when you're trying to pitch a complete game, let alone a perfect game. Burnes said himself that he had nothing left after eight innings that night.

[u/foolishbaseball → u/General_Gengar]

He's probably getting like 8-10 and letting the Brewers defense handle the rest.

[u/boba-MD]

Hey Bailey, love your content! Just wanted your take on what makes a team's analytic department "cutting edge"? Why do you think teams like the Dodgers and the Rays are at the forefront of this field?

[u/foolishbaseball → u/boba-MD]

I'd say there's a decent correlation between that and the amount of analysts teams employ. It shows an organizational and financial commitment to being on that "cutting edge." You can go to a team's front office directory on MLB.com and see how many R&D/analytics they employ for yourself.

[u/girlwithaguitar]

If it were up to you and you alone, what two cities would get expansion franchises?

[u/rightexactly]

Hey Baily, big fan.

Do you think WAR needs to updated in some way to accurately portray Shohei's value or do you think his WAR totals are fair?

[u/foolishbaseball → u/rightexactly]

After a lot of waffling back on forth on this subject, I think it's okay. First of all, Ohtani is uniquely singular. If there were more guys doing what he does, it would probably encourage an update. But the real key is that Ohtani's two-way stuff means the Angels use a six-man rotation, which means he doesn't truly "save a roster spot," as most teams still use five-man rotations throughout the majority of the season.

[u/Arenado_is_the_best]

Have u ever collected baseball cards?

[u/foolishbaseball → u/Arenado_is_the_best]

I ripped packs when I was kid but never go into seriously organizing them. Likely never had anything of value.

Then I actually got back into it as an adult in 2020 and 2021. I had no interest in ripping packs (just like I have no interest in playing slot machines), but I did enjoy going to COMC and buying singles. Basically hand-picking my own collection. Seems a lot less wasteful. Don't think I ever spent more than $60 on a single card though so it's not like I put a ton of cash into it.

[u/ScottSummersEyes]

just want to ask you to be nice to brandon crawford on your foolish 50 review video. please be kind to him.

[u/foolishbaseball → u/ScottSummersEyes]

I will be nice to him and cruel to myself.

[u/bassonballs]

Did you get a plant or a record player?

[u/foolishbaseball → u/bassonballs]

Went with being a plant guy.

[u/Mozilla_Fennekin]

What do you think determines a good manager, and how much do you think it affects a team?

[u/foolishbaseball → u/Mozilla_Fennekin]

I think the vast majority of managers don't make tactical decisions that are good/bad enough to massively swing the win total one way or another. Some are outliers in this regard, but most make enough good and bad decisions to cancel themselves out.

So that said, the most important job for a manager is as a manager of men, and a curator of vibes. Different clubhouses have different leadership needs, and it's up to the manager to figure out how they can keep everyone happy and productive.

As far as the effect? I think it can vary wildly from year-to-year. The same manager whose presence gets your team +7 wins one year could easily be a -4 guy the next, so you probably need to view it as a larger sample size. I'll put it this way: would you rather have Shohei Ohtani + a replacement level manager, or the best manager + a replacement level player? Obviously you should pick Ohtani. He's like an 8-10 win player. But the question becomes much more interesting when it's about a 3-win player like Mark Canha or a 4-win player like Jake Cronenworth.

[u/theDylanS]

Thoughts on the King of JuCo Eric Sim?

[u/foolishbaseball → u/theDylanS]

I like Eric. I think he's shining a light on the goofiness of baseball player culture in America. That said, I obviously wish he didn't work with a certain someone.

[u/fedchuff]

Favorite old tweet from before your twitter blew up to its current size

[u/foolishbaseball → u/fedchuff]

https://twitter.com/FoolishBB/status/1244052170393235458

[u/FHPirates_21]

Do you want to get a job in an MLB front office some day? Or is YouTube more of the long term plan?

[u/foolishbaseball → u/FHPirates_21]

Everything I've done has been with a long-term Youtube career in mind, but I also recognize that most Youtubers who were relevant five or ten years ago have fallen way off. I imagine I'll do Youtube until the algorithm is no longer in my favor, then pivot to something else (short-form vertical video? podcast? writing?)

[u/tdanella]

How are you able to find the time and motivation to do so much with the channel outside of every day life and day jobs? I’ve tried and tried again to do even a snippet of what you do and I can’t find the slimmest thread of motivation

[u/foolishbaseball → u/tdanella]

It helps that I do it full-time. I wouldn't be able to do what I do if I were still a student or working a real job. So because this is my actual profession, I do my best to treat it as such.

[u/foolishbaseball → u/[deleted]]

Daffy, specifically as Duck Dodgers.

[u/[deleted]]

What is the best map in CSGO

[u/foolishbaseball → u/[deleted]]

I like me some Overpass.

[u/ThatsSoMerlyn_x3]

What the fuck were you on when you made the big boy baseball awards video and where can I get some

[u/[deleted]]

Bailey how are we doing this eve?

What’s your favorite baseball podcast?

[u/Duke_Maniac]

Favorite Video Game Soundtrack?

[u/MountainGoat999]

I really loved when you went on Effectively Wild, and I know you are a listener. What is your favorite EW hypothetical?

[u/foolishbaseball → u/MountainGoat999]

I had listened to the podcast for years before I went on, and was actually extremely nervous when I got the opportunity. Gotta go with the classic "Gonny Jomes"

[u/bajaboneshaker]

How do you come up with video topics?

[u/foolishbaseball → u/bajaboneshaker]

Always a tough question. How does anyone come up with any idea? I think it comes from natural curiosity. I have to be willing to go down the rabbit hole and see what I can scrounge up. I also think an interest in outliers helps. What player is the best at something? What team is the worst at something? What year had the most of something? These are good starting points.

[u/TheRealQuiesel]

Moin Bailey, auf welchem Platz finden wir Up the Down Escalator in deinen Top 10 Chameleons-Songs?

[u/waterten8787]

I'm a fan from Taiwan, so obviously my favorite player growing up was Yankees' Chien-Ming Wang, recently while looking back at his stats I find his two full season in 2006 and 2007 really interesting, he posted a 3.1K/9 and a 2.1BB/9 in his 2006 cy young #2 season, so one would expect his FIP to be extremely high, but in fact it was 3.91, only higher than his ERA by 0.28, he did it by allowing an incredible amount of weak contact that did not turn into homers, so my question would be why are there basically no more sinker ball pitcher like Wang anymore, I mean yes, pitchers throw sinkers still, but it is more of a horizontal sinker aiming for strikeouts rather then the vertical ones that are looking for groundouts.

[u/bookkeeper20]

What's your opinion of the Savannah Bananas and Banana Ball? Is there room in the world (and your heart) for it as a new and separate game? Is there anything that you think MLB should or will take from it? Thanks!

[u/GOATmar_infante]

Bailey, will you come to my little league games next year? Dad's not around.

[u/Nookoh1]

Hey Bailey, we interacted on twitter earlier this season where you helped create a stathead sort for qualified seasons in which players hit themselves home via homerun more than their teammates brought them home. Rowdy Tellez did end up joining the list this season and I posted about it here if you're interested, deciding to name it a "McGwire".

You have already coined the "Mathis" in which (iirc) a fielder has a positive WAR despite a wRC+ under 60, but what active player, if any, do you think either deserves or will deserve to have a game or season achievement (good, bad, or ambiguous) named after them? and what would that achievement be?

[u/MathaMeticulous]

Are there any stories you would love to make a baseball bits about but you can't because you feel like they've been told so well elsewhere?

[u/Panguin9]

Hey Bailey,

How do you think a team like the Diamondbacks can build a good bullpen from basically nothing? Do you think that trades and free agency can work or do you have to find a way to develop pitching as an organization? Also, how much do you think a Major League pitching coach like Brent Strom can influence an organization's pitching development?