Deep Left Field with Mike Wilner

Guests: Blue Jays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier, third baseman Isiah Kiner-Falefa and pitcher Paolo Espino; former Jays pitcher Trent Thornton 

This week, Kevin Kiermaier checks in for his regular visit despite a 3-for-31 start to his season. We talk to Isiah Kiner-Falefa about his first home opener as a Blue Jay and his strong start to the season, catch up with former Jay Trent Thornton, now a Seattle Mariner, and get to know Paolo Espino, who spent 11 years in the minors before making it to the big leagues.

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Blue Jays win their home opener behind “Bad Dawg” Jose Berríos - we hear from him, Davis Schneider and John Schneider and take your email questions and comments!

The Blue Jays get no-hit, so you get a special bonus episode! My take on the Jays shooting blanks in Houston.

Guests: Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., centre fielder Kevin Kiermaier, right fielder George Springer, reliever Tim Mayza, starter Bowden Francis, associate manager DeMarlo Hale

It’s the Opening Day Extravaganza and we’ve got half a dozen Blue Jays checking in with their thoughts about the year to come! We check in with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and George Springer on how they plan to rebound from their worst offensive seasons, talk to Kevin Kiermaier about how good he thinks the Jays can be in 2024, chat with the longest-serving member of the team, Tim Mayza, and the newest member of the starting rotation, Bowden Francis. We also catch up with an old friend – DeMarlo Hale has been gone for five years, but he’s back to help return the Jays to the glory days of his first time around these parts.

Guest: Gregor Chisholm, baseball columnist

Spring training is over and before we bring you the opening day extravaganza, we are dipping into the “Deep Left Field” mailbag! Baseball columnist Gregor Chisholm and I answer your Toronto Blue Jays questions on this bonus episode of “Deep Left Field.” 

What you would like to hear on Toronto Star podcasts? Let us know in this survey and you can enter to win a $100 gift card.

Guest: Joseph Daniel Votto The greatest Toronto-born player in baseball history joins us to discuss his attempt to continue his career in his hometown, whether he’s got anything left and why he apologized once again for his anti-Baseball Canada rant of 2018.

Guests: Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman, top prospect Ricky Tiedemann, slugger Daniel Vogelbach

As we head into the final week of spring training, we take you back to the beginning with Kevin Gausman, who was scheduled to be the Blue Jays’ opening day starter. We check in with Ricky Tiedemann as he begins the season that’s likely to see his major-league debut and get to know Daniel Vogelbach, widely recognized across the game as an elite clubhouse presence. Plus, thoughts on the Santiago Espinal trade, the rash of Blue Jays pitching injuries and the Shohei Ohtani scandal.

What you would like to hear on Toronto Star podcasts? Let us know in this survey and you can enter to win a $100 gift card.

Guests: Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano, catcher Danny Jansen, third baseman Isiah Kiner-Falefa and breakout pitcher Adam Macko

This week in “Deep Left Field,” host Mike Wilner brings good pals Danny Jansen and Jordan Romano together to talk about their expectations for the Blue Jays in 2024, introduces you to one of the new Jays, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and gets to know Canadian lefty — by way of Slovakia and Ireland — Adam Macko, who will be pitching for the Jays in the Spring Breakout game on March 16.

What you would like to hear on Toronto Star podcasts? Let us know in this survey and you can enter to win a $100 gift card.

Joey Votto signed a minor league deal with his hometown Toronto Blue Jays. Votto has been the toughest hitter to get out in the 21st century, so if he's healthy, this could be a big deal. Mike Wilner gave his initial thoughts on the signing in this bonus episode.

Guests: New Blue Jays DH Justin Turner, Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho, Phillies manager Rob Thomson

This week in “Deep Left Field,” we get to know the new guy, Justin Turner, who brings championship experience and an unflinching approach at the plate into the clubhouse. We catch up with Daulton Varsho, who knows what he has to do to win over Jays fans in his second year, and we talk to Phillies’ skipper Rob Thomson about one of his old teammates on the 1984 Canadian Olympic Baseball team, new Hall of Famer Rod Heisler.

What you would like to hear on Toronto Star podcasts? Let us know in this survey and you can enter to win a $100 gift card.

Guests: Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette and manager John Schneider   Spring training has begun in Dunedin, Florida, and Mike Wilner is down there to give you the goods on what’s going on at camp. He’s also there to have incredible conversations with Bo Bichette and John Schneider. 

What you would like to hear on Toronto Star podcasts? Let us know in this survey and you can enter to win a $100 gift card.

Guests: Blue Jays pitcher José Berrios, Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli

This week in “Deep Left Field,” we are live from the opening of Toronto Blue Jays’ spring training in Dunedin, Florida! We kick off the 2024 season with a look back at how ’23 ended, talking to José Berrios, who started the Jays’ final game of the post-season, and Rocco Baldelli, who managed the Twins to the series victory. Also, the Jays sign Eduardo Escobar and I give my thoughts on the team’s newly-announced radio crew.

What you would like to hear on Toronto Star podcasts? Let us know in this survey and you can enter to win a $100 gift card.

Guest: Toronto Star Baseball Columnist Gregor Chisholm   On the eve of spring training, as host Mike Wilner prepares to join the Blue Jays in Dunedin, we bring you a special bonus episode featuring your questions! Mike and Gregor Chisholm, the Star’s baseball writers, answer your Jays questions about Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Alek Manoah, Ross Atkins and his quiet off-season, potential further additions before the season starts and many more!

What you would like to hear on Toronto Star podcasts? Let us know in this survey and you can enter to win a $100 gift card.

This week in “Deep Left Field,” we talk to two members of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s Class of 2024 — Ashley Stephenson, current Vancouver Canadians coach and the greatest female baseball player in Canadian history, and Paul Godfrey, who is largely responsible for Toronto getting a major-league baseball team and for SkyDome being built. We also discuss new homes for old pals Jay Jackson and Ross Stripling and talk about Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s arbitration win.

Guests: Blue Jays pitcher Mitch White, former Jays 3B Rance Mulliniks

This week in "Deep Left Field," host Mike Wilner talks about the Jays’ signing of Justin Turner with Mitch White, who was his teammate with the Dodgers from 2020-22. They also talk about the strides White made at the end of last season and his outlook for 2024. As well, Rance Mulliniks joins us to remember former Jays’ manager Jimy Williams, who passed away at age 80 last week, and to relive the ups and downs of the glory years.

Guests: Baseball Canada Wall of Excellence member Michael Saunders and Blue Jays Assistant Hitting Coach Hunter Mense

This week in "Deep Left Field," we talk to Michael Saunders about being honoured by Baseball Canada, suiting up for his country and his 2016 season with the Blue Jays. We also take a deep dive into the 2023 Jays’ hitting woes with Hunter Mense.

What you would like to hear on Toronto Star podcasts? Let us know in this survey and you can enter to win a $100 gift card.

Guests: Washington Nationals manager/former Blue Jays and Expos outfielder Dave Martinez; Ken Carson, former Jays trainer.

This week in Deep Left Field, we talk to Dave Martinez about the incredible start to his brief Blue Jays' career back in 2000, and about playing for the Expos then leading the Washington Nationals to the franchise's first-ever World Series title in 2019. We also catch up with Ken Carson, the Jays' trainer for the first decade of the franchise's existence.

Guests: "Kim’s Convenience" star Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, Andy Kindler ("Bob’s Burgers," "Everybody Loves Raymond") and Chris Calogero ("The Movie Guy")

This week in "Deep Left Field," host Mike Wilner convenes "The Roundtable of Frustrated Fan Bases!" Paul Sun-Hyung Lee talks the Blue Jays, Andy Kindler talks the New York Mets and Chris Calogero talks the Yankees as we commiserate over each team’s disappointing 2023 on the field and off.

What you would like to hear on Toronto Star podcasts? Let us know in this survey and you can enter to win a $100 gift card.

Guests: Blue Jays centrefielder Kevin Kiermaier, free agent pitcher Jay Jackson.

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner talks to Kevin Kiermaier about returning to the Blue Jays for another year of Gold Glove defence and chats with Jay Jackson on the former Jay's experience in Toronto, his free agency this winter and baby JR coming home for Christmas.

Guests: New York Post columnist Jon Heyman, Injury Expert Will Carroll of Under The Knife.

This week in "Deep Left Field," Jon Heyman joins us to express his bewilderment as to why anyone would be insulted when he wrote that Shohei Ohtani signing with the Blue Jays would have been bad for baseball. Also, Will Carroll talks about the health status of Rhys Hoskins, a free agent who could be a good fit in Toronto, and the Jays’ success with keeping their 2023 starting rotation healthy.

What you would like to hear on Toronto Star podcasts? Let us know in this survey and you can enter to win a $100 gift card.

Guests: Blue Jays past and present all-stars Ricky Romero, Jordan Romano and Vernon Wells.

This week in "Deep Left Field," we convene an all-star roundtable with Vernon Wells, Jordan Romano and Ricky Romero, who combined to make six all-star teams as Blue Jays, to discuss what it's like to play in Toronto and how much opposing players enjoy coming here. The table also pushes back against some recent opinion columns from south of the border that suggested having Shohei Ohtani sign with the Jays would have been bad for baseball.

What you would like to hear on Toronto Star podcasts? Let us know in this survey and you can enter to win a $100 gift card.

Guests: Arkells’ bassist Nick Dika; Drew Fairservice, former host of Spin Rate; Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, star of "Kim’s Convenience"

This week in "Deep Left Field," it’s all about Ohtani. Host Mike Wilner convenes a "Shohei Fever" Roundtable with Nick Dika, Drew Fairservice and Paul Sun-Hyung Lee to discuss the Blue Jays pursuit of the reigning American League MVP, the likelihood of Ohtani actually choosing to sign with the Jays and what his arrival — or spurning of the Jays — could mean to the team, the city and the country.

What you would like to hear on Toronto Star podcasts? Let us know in this survey and you can enter to win a $100 gift card.

Guests: Blue Jays reliever Chad Green, Reds catcher and former Jay Luke Maile

This week in "Deep Left Field," we dive into Shohei Ohtani’s chances of coming to Toronto and talk about Cito Gaston’s possible election to the Hall of Fame this weekend as well as Ben Wagner’s dismissal from Jays’ radio broadcasts. Then Chad Green talks about his first year with the Jays, the playoff disappointment and the intricate, creative contract he signed last winter and Luke Maile joins us to talk about his Jays’ days and working with hitting coach Guillermo Martinez and new associate manager DeMarlo Hale.

Guests: Blue Jays infielders Davis Schneider, Spencer Horwitz and Ernie Clement

This week in “Deep Left Field,” host Mike Wilner gathers The Buffalo Bunch! Davis Schneider, Spencer Horwitz and Ernie Clement get together to discuss their time with the Blue Jays and Bisons this past season, watching each other succeed in the big leagues, their mutual admiration for each other and the impact they had on the playoff race.

Guests: Blue Jays Bench Coach/Offensive Co-Ordinator Don Mattingly, Jays prospect and Baseball Canada Outfielder Dasan Brown

This week in Deep Left Field, we talk to Donnie Baseball himself about his new role, what needs to change about the Jays’ offence and the addition of DeMarlo Hale to the coaching staff. We also chat with Dasan Brown, coming off an Arizona Fall League championship with the Surprise Saguaros.

Guests: Kevin Kiermaier, free agent centre fielder, and Gregor Chisholm, baseball columnist

This week in “Deep Left Field,” host Mike Wilner talks to Kevin Kiermaier about winning the American League Gold Glove and Fielding Bible awards in centre field, and what the future holds for him as he enters free agency again. We also check in with baseball columnist Gregor Chisholm on the Blue Jays‘ moves so far this off-season and what to expect over the winter.

Guests: Former Blue Jays and Diamondbacks shortstop John McDonald, original Jay and current Arizona 1B coach Dave McKay, and Mike Cieslinski, creator of Dynasty League Baseball powered by Pursue the Pennant

This week in “Deep Left Field,” we check in John McDonald about his days with the DBacks (including a trip to the playoffs), reminisce about the Blue Jays of the 1970s with Dave McKay and go over a wild and wacky World Series simulation with Mike Cieslinski.

Guests: Blue Jays 2023 MVP Bo Bichette, Pitcher of the Year Kevin Gausman, Rookie of the Year Davis Schneider, Unsung Hero Cavan Biggio

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner hands out the Blue Jays 2023 End-of-Season Awards as voted on by the players and coaching staff themselves. Each of the winners joins us for a conversation looking back at their year and (unfortunately, as it turned out) looking ahead to the playoffs.

It was Blue Jays' President Mark Shapiro's turn to address the media in the wake of the Jays’ early playoff exit, following Ross Atkins' suboptimal display a few days prior. We discuss the continuing fallout of the decision to remove a cruising Jose Berrios in the fourth inning of Game 2 and go through Shapiro's comments about the frustrations of the season, the team's inability to score and the front office's credibility issues. We also answer your e-mail questions!

Ross Atkins addressed the media in the wake of the Blue Jays’ early playoff exit and missed the opportunity to be a leader. We discuss the continuing fallout of the decision to remove a cruising Jose Berrios in the fourth inning of Game 2, go over Atkins’ dance with the media and lack of accountability and answer your e-mail questions on this special edition of Deep Left Field!

The Blue Jays season is over. They scored one run in two playoff games, which is bad enough, but there was so much more than that. We will dive into the decision to pull Jose Berrios while he was cruising, hear from Berrios himself, John Schneider, Kevin Kiermaier, George Springer, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette and answer your many e-mail questions on this final daily edition of Deep Left Field for 2023.

The Jays lose 3-1 to the Minnesota Twins and now need to win two in a row to keep their season alive. We’ll hear from Bo Bichette, Brendan Belt, Erik Swanson and manager John Schneider

The Blue Jays lost their meaningless season finale, 12-8 to Tampa Bay, then partied afterward in celebration of their wild card playoff berth. We’ll hear from Deep Left Field regulars Kevin Kiermaier and Jordan Romano, along with Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Matt Chapman. You’ll also hear John Schneider’s post-game speech to the team. And we answer your email questions to DeepLFPodcast@gmail.com as we get you set for the Jays’ first-round date with Minnesota.

The Blue Jays worked overtime on Saturday trying to clinch a playoff spot, but didn’t get it done. We break down the 7-5, 10-inning loss to Tampa Bay that made the road to a playoff berth that much tougher. We’ll also hear from John Schneider and George Springer, and answer your emails to DeepLFPodcast@gmail.com.

The Jays beat the the Rays 11-4, so the magic number is down to one. We'll record as soon as the the Seattle-Texas game is over to break down how the night played out.

The Blue Jays blanked the New York Yankees with Chris Bassitt throwing a gem that culminated with striking out Aaron Judge to finish the regular season at a career-high 200 innings pitched. He’s the first Jay to reach that mark in seven years. With the win, the Jays could clinch a playoff berth as early as Friday night. 

Also, we answer your emails (send them to DeepLFPodcast@gmail.com or leave a question in the comments below).

Guests: Blue Jays right-hander Chris Bassitt and outfielder/pinch-runner Cam Eden.

This week in Deep Left Field, we talk to post-season veteran Chris Bassitt, who goes into his final start of the regular season looking to move into a tie for the American League lead in wins and we meet rookie Cam Eden, whose elite-level speed could play a very large role for the Jays in the playoffs.

Another night, another shut out at the hands of the Yankees. Gerrit Cole went the route on a two-hitter to finish off a Cy Young season and Aaron Judge blasted two homers. The Blue Jays, despite a scoreless homestand so far still hold the second wild card spot. We break it down, tonight and every night the Jays play!

Also, we answer your emails - send them to DeepLFPodcast@gmail.com! Or leave a question in the comments below.

It’s the first edition of Deep Left Field Daily! We take you through the Blue Jays’ 2-0 loss to the Yankees on Tuesday, touching on the silent bats, the great start by Kevin Gausman, and Jordan Romano’s second straight rough outing. Also, we answer your emails to DeepLFPodcast@gmail.com!

Guests: Blue Jays legend Joe Carter, utilityman Cavan Biggio and infielder Ernie Clement

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner reminisces with all-time Jay Joe Carter about his World Series-winning home run and gets his thoughts about this season's club, chats with Cavan Biggio about playing all over the place and coming into his own offensively, and introduces you to Ernie Clement, who grew up right on the other side of Lake Ontario.

Guests: Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman, catcher Danny Jansen, closer Jordan Romano and rookie sensation Davis Schneider.

This week in Deep Left Field, we take you right into the dugout and get to the heart of the Jays' playoff predicament with Kevin Gausman, check in with Danny Jansen and Jordan Romano about heading into a third straight tight, tense September race and catch up with Davis Schneider, who spent the month of August rewriting the Jays' rookie record book.

Guest: Former Blue Jays left-hander and all-star Ricky Romero.

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner goes deep with Ricky Romero about the Blue Jays as they head into the final stretch: How pitchers deal with the tear-your-hair-out frustrations of the Jays' offence, what needs to change the rest of the way and how every game needs to be treated with the urgency of a playoff game from here on out. Plus, his experience at Bautistapalooza!

Guests: Blue Jays legend Jose Bautista, reliever Jay Jackson and Phillies reliever Jeff Hoffman 

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner talks to Jose Bautista about being elevated to the Level of Excellence, checks in with Jay Jackson about the bullpen, the baby and the stretch run and sits down with Jeff Hoffman, who was traded to Colorado in 2015 to kick off the greatest trade deadline in baseball history!

Guests: Blue Jays 1B/OF coach Mark Budzinski, Jays SS Paul DeJong, Red Sox 1B/DH Justin Turner

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner talks to Jays’ coach Mark Budzinski for his assessment of the team at the 2/3 point of the season, introduces you to the newest Jay, Paul DeJong, and catches up with Justin Turner on his lengthy career and being college roommates with Ricky Romero.

Guest: Canadian Icon Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, star of Kim’s Convenience, The Mandalorian, Avatar; The Last Airbender

In this special Trade Deadline Extra edition of Deep Left Field, Mike Wilner and Paul Sun-Hyung Lee discuss what the Blue Jays did (and didn’t) do at the MLB Trade Deadline and how they’re set up for the stretch run.

Guests: Blue Jays starter Jose Berrios, reliever Chad Green, New Hampshire Fisher Cats starter Adam Kolffenstein

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner talks to Jose Berrios about bouncing back from a very rough 2022, introduces you to rehabbing righty Chad Green, who is on his way back from Tommy John surgery, and checks in with 2018 draftee Adam Kloffenstein as he makes his way through the Jays' system.

Guests: Blue Jays centrefielder Kevin Kiermaier, reliever Jay Jackson, Arizona coach/former Jays 2B Orlando Hudson

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner takes you right into the dugout with our regular monthly visit with Kevin Kiermaier, checks in with Jay Jackson about balancing work and a newborn in hospital and talks about the old days with Orlando Hudson.

Guests: Former Blue Jays right fielder Shawn Green, ex-Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi, New Hampshire Fisher Cats pitcher Sem Robberse

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner talks to Shawn Green about his days with the Jays in the late-90s, catches up with J.P. Ricciardi about running the show in Toronto over the decade after that and looks ahead to the next decade with Sem Robberse, who represented the Jays in the All-Star Futures Game this year.

Guests: Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette, manager John Schneider and pitcher Alek Manoah

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner talks to Bo Bichette about his season so far and whether he has his sights set on Derek Jeter's career numbers, checks in with John Schneider for a state-of-the-team as he approaches one full year as a big-league skipper and catches up with Alek Manoah in New Hampshire as he comes off the start that got him called back up to the bigs.

Guests: Blue Jays' closer Jordan Romano, Oakland 2B/OF Tony Kemp and Giants' pitcher Ross Stripling

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner gets Jordan Romano's thoughts on the Jays at the halfway point, checks in with Tony Kemp about the A's troubles on the field and off and celebrates the return of Long Toss With Ross as Ross Stripling visits from San Francisco!

Guests: Ex-Blue Jays and new Canadian Baseball Hall of Famers John Olerud and Denis Boucher, and Marla Barfield, wife of new Hall of Famer Jesse.

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner brings you to St. Marys for the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame induction and talks to new inductees and former Blue Jays John Olerud and Denis Boucher about receiving the honour, looking back at their time on the field. And Marla Barfield talks about the heavy lifting she did behind the scenes to support her husband and many other young Jays.

Guests: Blue Jays World Series Champion architect Pat Gillick, Jays' 1980s centrefielder Lloyd Moseby, Twins' infielder Edouard Julien

This week in Deep Left Field, we celebrate both Tom Cheek's birthday and Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Week by talking to Blue Jays' legends and Hall of Famers Pat Gillick and Lloyd Moseby, and we get a glimpse of the future of Canadian baseball with Canada's 2023 WBC star Edouard Julien.

Guests: Blue Jays centrefielder Kevin Kiermaier, former Jays pitcher Ricky Romero and Baseball legend Dusty Baker.

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner sits down with Kevin Kiermaier for his monthly visit, talking about the state of the Jays, the demotion of Alek Manoah and when fans boo the home team. Ricky Romero checks in to discuss his demotion all the way to A-ball in 2013 and Dusty Baker speaks with reverence about his former teammate Cito Gaston.

Guests: Blue Jays bench coach Don Mattingly and infielder/outfielder Whit Merrifield, Brewers first baseman Rowdy Tellez

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner gives his thoughts about Alek Manoah's struggles and the Anthony Bass controversy, then does a one-third-of-the-season check-up with bench coach Don Mattingly, checks in with Whit Merrifield about speed, defence and robot umpires and catches up with Rowdy Tellez on his first games in Toronto in almost four years.

Guests: Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen and closer Jordan Romano; Jays outfielder Nathan Lukes; Orioles manager Brandon Hyde

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner goes over the roller-coaster Jays' season with Danny Jansen and Jordan Romano in their regular monthly appearance, catches up with Brandon Hyde to talk about his surging Baltimore team, and checks in with Nathan Lukes on life on the bench in the bigs.

Guests: Blue Jays right-hander Nate Pearson, Yankees broadcaster Suzyn Waldman, Atlanta outfielder Kevin Pillar

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner talks to Nate Pearson about finally beginning to establish a foothold in the majors as a reliever, goes over this week's nonsense with the Yankees with Suzyn Waldman and catches up with Superman himself, Kevin Pillar, looking back on his Jays days.

Guests: Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman, centrefielder Kevin Kiermaier, and reliever Jay Jackson.

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner talks to Kevin Gausman about his start to the season and about getting to know Toronto, living in midtown and enjoying the local food scene, has his monthly visit with Kevin Kiermaier and plays Meet The New Guy with Jay Jackson!

Guests: Former Blue Jays outfielder Teoscar Hernandez, Team Canada closer Matt Brash, Blue Jays bullpen catcher/catching coach Luis Hurtado

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner takes you right into the dugout, catching up with Teoscar Hernandez in his first trip back to Toronto since being traded to Seattle last November, checking in with Kingston, Ont.'s Matt Brash, who also came to town with the Mariners, and introduces you to Luis Hurtado, who started his managerial career in pro ball at the age of 28.

Guests: Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano and starting pitcher Chris Bassitt, White Sox reliever Kendall Graveman.

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner talks to Jordan Romano about his and Danny Jansen's bobblehead night - and more! - in the first of his regular monthly appearances; checks in with Chris Bassitt on his strong start and his thoughts about the A's potentially leaving Oakland, and catches up with Kendall Graveman, who was drafted and developed by the Jays before being traded as part of the Josh Donadlson deal.

Guests: Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho and reliever Erik Swanson, and West End Phoenix Photo Director Jalani Morgan

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner talks to Daulton Varsho and Erik Swanson about their first series at home as Blue Jays, beating the unbeaten Rays and getting ready for New York, and has a in-depth conversation with Jalani Morgan about Jackie Robinson Day and so much more.

Guests: Blue Jays centrefielder Kevin Kiermaier, Jays designated hitter Brandon Belt, Tigers pitcher Matthew Boyd

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner talks to Kevin Kiermaier about the incredible start to his Blue Jays career, including robbing a home run and hitting one himself in the home opener; checks in with Brandon Belt about his rough start to the season, and whether chicken fingers are helping get him out of it; and catches up with Matthew Boyd, who was traded by the Jays to Detroit at the 2015 trade deadline in the David Price deal.

Guests: Canadian television greats and huge Blue Jays fans Aaron Abrams (Children Ruin Everything) and Paul Sun-Hyung Lee (Kim's Convenience, The Mandalorian).

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner convenes a round table with Canadian small screen greats Aaron Abrams and Paul Sun-Hyung Lee to look back on the first week of the Blue Jays season: What went wrong (Chris Bassitt), what went right (Daulton Varsho) and what to expect the rest of the way (World Series or bust?).

Guests: Blue Jays Opening Day starter Alek Manoah, first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., right fielder George Springer, closer Jordan Romano and catcher Danny Jansen.

This week in Deep Left Field, it's the Opening Day Extravaganza! We kick off our third year of the podcast by setting up the season with some of the most important players on the Jays' roster as they look to win the AL East for the first time since 2015. Opening Day starter Alek Manoah, leadoff hitter George Springer and slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. talk about building off last season and just how good this team can be in 2023, then Jordan Romano and Danny Jansen team up to give us the rundown on the team and tell us how many times they'll be shaking hands at the end of games this year.

Guests: Former Blue Jays Player and Broadcaster Pat Tabler, Jays' DH/1B Brandon Belt

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner talks to Pat Tabler about his three decades as a Jays' player and broadcaster, and looks ahead to his new gig in Cleveland, and plays "Meet The New Guy" with two-time World Series champion Brandon Belt.

Guests: Team Canada veteran Scott Mathieson, Blue Jays starter Chris Bassitt, Phillies' starter Taijuan Walker

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner talks to Scott Mathieson in the aftermath of Canada's elimination from the World Baseball Classic by Mexico, plays "Meet The New Guy" with Chris Bassitt, and chats with Taijuan Walker, a former Blue Jay who never got the chance to wear the uniform in Toronto.

Guests: Blue Jays bench coach Don Mattingly, Team Canada WBC shortstop Otto Lopez, new Jays reliever Erik Swanson.

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner talks to six-time all-star Don Mattingly about his new role as manager John Schneider's right-hand man, checks in with Otto Lopez before he heads off to play for Canada at the World Baseball Classic, and plays "Get To Know The New Guy" with Erik Swanson.

Guests: Blue Jays top prospect, left-hander Ricky Tiedemann, new outfielder Daulton Varsho, potential third baseman of the future Addison Barger.

This week, Deep Left Field continues its coverage of Jays' spring training as host Mike Wilner catches up with Ricky Tiedemann, the 20-year-old who has dropped jaws all spring long; chats with Addison Barger, the rookie who homered up and over everything in the Jays' Grapefruit League opener; and plays "Meet The New Guy" with Daulton Varsho.

Guests: Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette, manager John Schneider and reliever Tim Mayza.

This week in Deep Left Field, we celebrate our 100th episode from Blue Jays Spring Training in Dunedin, Florida! Host Mike Wilner has a wide-ranging conversation with an introspective Bo Bichette, talks to John Schneider about his first spring as a big-league skipper (and about saving a life!) and checks in with the longest-serving current Jay, Tim Mayza. 

Guests: Writer/Podcaster/Raconteur Drew Fairservice, late of the Spin Rate Podcast. 

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner opens the mailbag and calls on Drew Fairservice to help answer questions submitted by you, the listener. Among other things, they try to pinpoint a Blue Jays' 2023 win total, see where the Jays would fit if there's divisional realignment, decide how far is too far as regards cheating and the Hall of Fame and debate whether Dave Stieb's 37 should be retired in Toronto.

Guests: Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano and catcher Danny Jansen, Chicago Cubs reliever Ryan Borucki

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner brings together three best friends as Ryan Borucki, Danny Jansen and Jordan Romano talk about their journey through the minor leagues on the way to Toronto and how their friendship developed through small towns and injury rehab, with great stories along the way.

Guests: Blue Jays legend Jesse Barfield, Insider Investigative  Sports Reporter Bradford William Davis

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner talks to Blue Jays' all-timer Jesse Barfield in the wake of his election to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, and dives into Major League Baseball's use of different baseballs - especially in late-season games involving Aaron Judge - with Bradford William Davis.

Guests: Blue Jays first base/outfielders coach Mark Budzinski and Vancouver Canadians coach Ashley Stephenson

This week in “Deep Left Field,” host Mike Wilner talks to Mark Budzinski about the Blue Jays' new-look outfield and what they might do with bigger bases and new rules in place, and checks in with Team Canada all-time great Ashley Stephenson as she gets set to leave for spring training and become the first female coach in the Jays' organization.

Guests: Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman, Phillies manager (and Corunna, Ont. native) Rob Thomson.

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner talks to Kevin Gausman about starting the Jays' final game of 2022 and the changes the team has made heading into 2023; and talks to Rob Thomson about taking the Phillies to the World Series as a rookie manager, nearly 40 years after playing baseball for Canada at the Olympics.

Guests: Blue Jays right-hander Mitch White, Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner shares his thoughts about the Jays' signing of 1B/DH Brandon Belt, then talks to Mitch White about the rough start to his Blue Jays' career and what he's looking forward to in 2023, and catches up with Pirates' skipper Derek Shelton, reminiscing about him spending 2017 on the Jays' coaching staff working under John Gibbons. 

Guests: Sandy Jobin-Bevans, Paloma Nuñez and Pat Smith, Second City greats and stars of Canadian stage and screen

This week in “Deep Left Field,” we assemble a panel of Canadian comedy greats who are also huge Blue Jays fans and talk to actors Sandy Jobin-Bevans (“Just Like Mom and Dad,” “Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle”), Paloma Nuñez (“Baroness Von Sketch Show,” “Upload”) and Pat Smith (“Travelers,” “Slap Shot Live!”) about the off-season so far!

Guests: Baseball writers Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic and Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune. 

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner gives his thoughts on the Blue Jays trade of Gabriel Moreno and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. to Arizona for Daulton Varsho, then convenes a baseball writers' panel to get the lowdown on the off-season so far from Kaitlyn McGrath and Meghan Montemurro. 

Guests: Blue Jays centrefielder Kevin Kiermaier, San Francisco Giants pitcher Ross Stripling

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner sits down with Kevin Kiermaier to talk about the former Tampa Bay Ray's expectations as a Blue Jay in 2023 and how he plans to win over Jays' fans who might not love him; and catches up with Ross Stripling to find out how negotiations went down that saw him land in San Francisco, how close he came to staying with the Jays and how much he loved his time in Toronto.

Guests: Hall of Famer Fred McGriff, Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano

This week in Deep Left Field, we discuss the signings of outfielder Kevin Kiermaier and right-hander Chris Bassitt and the departure of Ross Stripling. Then we talk to the Crime Dog, Fred McGriff, about his early years with the Blue Jays and his recent election to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, and we catch up with Tip O'Neill Award winner Jordan Romano about the Canadian honour, the Jays' off-season moves and more!

Guests: Former Blue Jay and current MLB Network Host Mark DeRosa, Jays' Mental Skills Coach Jimmy Van Ostrand, Toronto Star columnist Gregor Chisholm.

This week in Deep Left Field - from the Winter Meetings in San Diego - host Mike Wilner talks to former Baseball Canada star Jimmy Van Ostrand about Greg Hamilton winning Baseball America's Lifetime Achievement Award, assesses the Jays' San Diego inaction with Gregor Chisholm and has a great chat with Mark DeRosa, whose final big-league season was with the 2013 Blue Jays.

Guests: Blue Jays bench coach Don Mattingly, President Emeritus Paul Beeston and knuckleballer R.A. Dickey

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner talks to Don Mattingly about joining John Schneider's coaching staff, chats with Paul Beeston about being part of the Hall of Fame Contemporary Baseball Era committee and catches up with R.A. Dickey, who is on the Hall of Fame ballot for the first time. 

Guests: Blue Jays legend Ernie Whitt; Host of MLB Network Radio's "Power Alley" Mike Ferrin.

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner talks to Ernie Whitt about returning to manage Team Canada at the World Baseball Classic for a fifth time and also compares the current Blue Jays to the mid-'80s teams. Then Phoenix-based Mike Ferrin plays Let's Make A Deal between the Jays and Diamondbacks for one of Arizona's many centrefielders.

Guests: Free Agent pitcher Ross Stripling, Blue Jays prospect Spencer Horwitz

This week, host Mike Wilner brings back Long Toss With Ross and talks to Stripling about his first days of free agency, as well as the Teoscar trade, Vladdy winning a Gold Glove and Matt Chapman not winning one, then talks to Spencer Horwitz about being added to the Jays' 40-man roster and the work that got him there.

Guests: Toronto Star baseball columnist Gregor Chisholm; Rheostatics guitarist, author and West End Pheonix publisher Dave Bidini. 

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner goes over the Jays' doings at the General Managers' meetings in Las Vegas with Gregor Chisholm, live in Sin City, and has a great wide-ranging conversation with baseball romantic and Canadian indie music icon Dave Bidini. 

Guests: Blue Jays broadcaster Dan Shulman; former Blue Jays reliever and current MLB Network broadcaster Dan Plesac

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner talks to Dan Shulman about their fathers, both of whom passed away this year, and how baseball was a part of their relationships, and catches up with Dan Plesac about his Jays days, including the opening of SkyDome.

Guests: Six-year major-leaguer and 1984 Canadian Olympian Mike Gardiner; Mike Cieslinski, creator of Dynasty League Baseball

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner talks to Mike Gardiner about his Canadian Olympic teammate, Rob Thomson, who is currently managing the Phillies in the World Series in his rookie year as a skipper, and simulates the 2022 World Series (Phillies in seven!) with Mike Cieslinski, creator of Dynasty League Baseball.

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Guests: Former Blue Jays catcher and broadcaster Alan Ashby; Comedian Andy Kindler (Everybody Loves Raymond; Bob's Burgers; Wizards of Waverly Place)

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner talks to Alan Ashby about the new playoff format, since he played in both a best-of-five and best-of-seven LCS in the '80s, and checks in with Mets' fan Andy Kindler after his 101-win team got knocked out in the first round.

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Guests: Blue Jays right-hander Ross Striping; Paul Sun-Hyung Lee of Kim's Convenience, The Mandalorian, Avatar: The Last Airbender; Aaron Abrams, Star of CTV's Children Ruin Everything, currently the #1 Canadian comedy.

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner plays Long Toss with Ross one last time, talking to Stripling about the playoff series he never got to pitch in and his impending free agency, then breaks down the heartbreaking loss to Seattle and what comes next with Jays' superfans and Canadian sitcom stars Paul Lee and Aaron Abrams.

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Guests: Blue Jays right-handers Alek Manoah and Ross Stripling; Blue Jays manager John Schneider

This week in Deep Left Field, we get you set for post-season baseball by talking to the best Blue Jays of 2022, as voted by the players, coaches and front office. Alek Manoah is awarded both the MVP and Pitcher of the Year awards, John Schneider is the Jays' Rookie of the Year and DLF regular Ross Stripling is the Unsung Hero!

Guests: Blue Jays right-hander Ross Stripling, Jays outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr., Yankees outfielder Tim Locastro

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner discusses that despite ups and downs, the Jays have been in a playoff spot all year, he also plays Long Toss With Ross with the Jays on the verge of clinching only their fourth playoff berth since 1993, chats with Jackie Bradley Jr., who will be going to the post-season for the fifth time in seven seasons, and catches up with Tim Locastro, a Blue Jays' draft pick who played a huge role in the signing of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Guests: Rays manager Kevin Cash plus Blue Jays starter Ross Stripling and reliever David Phelps

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner plays Long Toss With Ross, discussing the last week and the weeks ahead, watching Alek Manoah in the big leagues and which wild card spot is the best (spoiler: the top spot is the best spot); he also talks to Jays reliever David Phelps, who is top 20 in MLB in stranding inherited runners; and catches up with Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash ahead of this pivotal series between the Rays and Jays in Tampa.

Guests: Blue Jays right-hander Ross Stripling and infielder/outfielder Whit Merrifield, Vancouver Canadians infielder Damiano Palmegiani

This week in Deep Left Field, host Mike Wilner plays Long Toss With Ross, covering the Jays' big series against the Rays, Stripling's homecoming start in Texas, Bo Bichette's heater and more; talks to Whit Merrifield about contributing to the Jays' playoff push and catches up with Jays' minor-leaguer Damiano Palmegiani, a B.C. kid playing for the Vancouver Canadians.