In The Wheelhouse

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn… the Best Picture nominees are the focus of this week’s discussion as we review the merits of The Banshees of Inisherin and Tar.  Up Next:  The Fabelman's and Everything Everywhere All at Once. In the Peanuts bag, pitchers and catchers have reported to their respective training grounds in Florida and Arizona as players prepare for the upcoming season. We’ll discuss the World Baseball Classic, the efforts underway to increase African American participation in MLB as well as some of the new rule changes implemented this year.

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, we kick off our brand-new format, appropriately with Stanley Kubrick’s classic, 2001: A Space Odyssey.  Our 2nd film is Robert Mandel’s F/X from 1986.  Next up are Tar and The Banshees of Inisherin.  We also have much to discuss on the pending MLB season, offseason grades and more on the season premiere of Peanuts and Popcorn.

This week on the final episode of the season on Peanuts and Popcorn, Dusty Baker gets his ring as the Astros win the World Series.  It was one for the ages. Pete Rose will make the first bet at the new Sportsbook at Great American Ballpark and we look at the Athletics' list of the 25 top free agents. Coming to a Major League Baseball stadium near you: pitchers, catchers and hitters challenging balls and strikes. The Diabillas of Hondzonot will not be stopped as the White Sox announce their choice to manage in 2023. Ian Happ wins the Gold Glove, but where will Willson Contreras sign?  Finally, in the last popcorn discussion of 2022, at the 40:35 mar--we’ll look at the Gurinder Chadra film, What’s Cooking.

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, the World Series has begun. We will discuss what has happened, what we think will happen and what we want to happen. For the first time since 1950, not a single American born black player is on either roster.  The White Sox still have yet to name a manager, will the World Series result affect their options? Frank Thomas is portrayed as a bit of a jerk in a new book. Christopher Morel gives the Cubs flexibility this winter and finally, in our Popcorn discussion, Martin Scorsese's, Hugo.  Next week: What's Cooking

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, we wear our black armbands for Angela Lansbury and Bruce Sutter. The Divisional Series matchups have provided plenty of exciting surprises. The new rule changes for 2023 will have a significant impact on Nico Hoerner and the Cubs; while the White Sox begin their search for Tony La Russa’s replacement.  Finally, in our popcorn discussion (at the 40:06 mark), we break down the Humphry Bogart Classic, In a Lonely Place.  Next Week:  John Carpenter's The Thing

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, Aaron Judge ties the AL single-season home run record while Roger Maris Jr. proclaims he will be the “clean” record holder. The playoff picture is nearly set. The new pitch clock may cut the average length of an MLB game by as much as 20 minutes. We’ll also analyze why the Astros’ starting pitching is so good. Tony La Russa will not be back next season on the South Side, while Seiya Suzuki rejoins the Cubs with a shock of blonde hair. Oh, and Jayson Heyward explores an ownership role on the North Side. Finally, in our popcorn chat, we break down Tom’s choice for this week at the 44:01 mark, Cool Hand Luke.  Next Week:  Facing Nolan

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, black armbands are on after the death of Maury Wills; Albert Pujols joins an exclusive club. We’ll react to what some of the players and managers are saying about the proposed rule changes. Garrett Cole takes an early shower, while the Mets and the Reds make history. The Cubs have been thinking about the 2023 season, while the White Sox can now join them. This week in popcorn, at the 36:02 mark, we go all the way back to 1960 for the Stanley Kramer directed, Inherit the Wind. Next Week: Cool Hand Luke

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros clinch their respective divisions. We get the inside dirt, on the infield dirt. We talk about the evolving art of informing a young player he’s made it to the Bigs. Big Albert is gunning for #700, will we ever see his like again? We’ll react to an open letter by Ken Rosenthal to Tony La Russa as well as three players the Cubs can build around for next season. In our Popcorn discussion at the 47:07 mark, we’ll review Tom’s choice of the Barry Levinson directed, Diner.  Next Week:  Inherit the Wind

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, new rule changes are in store for 2023, we’ll break down their possible impact. Joe Maddon goes public on the problem with analytics. A union for minor league players is recognized and Jerry Seinfeld blames Timmy the Trumpet for the Mets collapse. Tony La Russa may be back in the manager’s chair sooner rather than later and Pat Hughes and Jose Cardenal are inducted into the Cubs Hall of Fame. Finally, in our popcorn discussion at the 42:56 mark, we talk about the Luc Besson film, Leon the Professional. Next Week: Diner

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, the MLB season has less than a month to go. Which teams will find themselves vying for the World Series? Austin Meadows of the Tigers takes some time off to improve his mental health, while the Cincinnati Reds debut a promising star as well as an unlikely one. John Morosi sends Cubs Nation into hysterics, while the White Sox show signs of life.  Finally, our Popcorn discussion is at the 36:46 mark, we talk about one of Tom’s favorite movies, the Richard Benjamin directed, My Favorite Year.  Next Week: Leon the Professional

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, Rod Carew corners the Commissioner at the Hall of Fame banquet and lets him know what he thinks. We react to the 2023 MLB schedule. A group of Texas Ranger relievers decides to leave the bullpen. Yadier Molina and Albert Pujols make their final career appearances at Wrigley Field while the White Sox can’t seem to get out of their own way.  Finally, in our Popcorn discussion is at the 33:28 mark as we talk about  the 1989 film, The Big Picture.  Next Week: My Favorite Year  

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, the Texas Rangers make a change in their front office as Mark DeRosa is named manager of Team USA. It’s apparently become too dangerous to allow Alex Bregman to occupy second base as Albert Pujols is approaching some rarified air. The Cubs acquire a big stick while the White Sox get a reliable infield glove. Finally, in our Popcorn discussion, at the 35:25 mark, we discuss the 1974 Oscar nominee for Best Picture, The Conversation.  Next week: Girl Fight

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, Baseball says goodbye to Vin Scully as Tom goes to Comerica Park to see the Tigers honor Lou Whitaker. Pete Rose visits Philadelphia and it does not go well. Shohei Otani passes Ichiro and ties Babe Ruth.  Verlander continues to shine. The Chicago White Sox are hanging on by their fingernails while the Cubs play the Reds in the corn in Iowa. Finally, in our “Popcorn” discussion begins at the 49:02 mark as we break down Amy Heckerling's, Fast Times at Ridgemont High.  Next Week: The Conversation

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, the MLB trade deadline is Tuesday, we’ll talk about the trades that have happened while speculating on those yet to come. How many of you know about the magic mud from the Delaware River that helps pitchers get a grip? We’ll reminisce about Will Clark and Greg Maddux and a time where pitchers didn’t try to conceal their mound discussions and Pete Rose will make an appearance in Philadelphia to commemorate the 1980 World Series team. We have the latest from the Cubs and Sox and finally, our popcorn discussion is at the 34:32 mark on the WC Fields classic: The Bank Dick. Next Week: Fast Times at Ridgemont High

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, the Toronto Blue Jays part ways with their manager, while MLB ponders a possible way to combat shifting. As the trade deadline approaches, some big names are being thrown around. We compare two recent inside the park home runs, while the lion’s share of the Kansas City roster waves goodbye to their teammates on the tarmac as they play a road trip in Toronto...without them. We’ll talk about the Sox and the Cubs and finally, our popcorn discussion is at the 45:57 mark on the Emma Stone comedy, Easy A.  Next Week: The Bank Dick

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, We find popcorn in our peanuts as A League of Their Own turns thirty. Mark Appel makes his Major League debut at the age of thirty; some nine years after he was drafted as a can’t miss prospect. Josh Naylor nails down another thriller for the Guardians and we react to an ugly brawl between the Angels and the Mariners. Finally, our popcorn discussion is at the 43:11 mark on the John Huston, Humphrey Bogart classic, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre.  Next week:  Easy A

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, an unemployed Joe Maddon says he wants to manage again, we ask where he might end up. Angel Hernandez sues MLB for denying minorities opportunities as crew chiefs, does he have a case? Dusty Baker is suspended while Madison Bumgartner gets surly after a Joey Votto milestone double. We’ll talk Cubs and Tony LaRussa's problems on the Southside; while our Popcorn discussion is at 38:43 and we discuss Kirk Jone's Waking Ned Devine.  Next Week: Rashomon

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, we look at the players who are most likely to be traded at the deadline. Stephen Strasburg has pitched a grand total of 8 starts for the Nationals since he signed a $245 million dollar contract in 2019. Mike Trout talks about baseball’s most interesting Fantasy Football league and we re-visit our preseason predictions. Finally, our Popcorn discussion is at the 36:28 mark on the Akira Kurosawa masterpiece, Rashomon.  Next Week:  Gran Torino

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, the Philadelphia Phillies fire Joe Girardi while the Los Angeles Dodgers use Pride Month as a platform to right an ancient wrong. Jim Kaat puts his foot in his mouth, again. We’ll talk about the Cubs and the Sox and in the wake of the passing of Ray Liotta---our popcorn begins at the 32:17 mark, as we discuss the Martin Scorsese classic, Goodfellas. Next week: Mediterraneo

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn, tragic events in Uvalde, Texas move Gabe Kapler to stay in the dugout during the National Anthem. Fantasy Football leads to Tommy Pham bitch-slapping Joc Peterson. The 3-0 fastball has been replaced by the 3-0 slider and Josh Donaldson apologizes to the Robinson family while he languishes on the 15-day IL. The Cubs take the Red Line to the South Side to play the Sox and our Popcorn discussion begins at the 36:18 mark as we discuss the film, The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain.  Next Week: Goodfellas