Three Inning Fan - The Podcast with Kelley Franco

National Review Editor-in-Chief Rich Lowry joins Kelley Franco on The Three Inning Fan Show for a wide-ranging discussion about the changing culture of baseball. A lifelong Yankees fan, Lowry reflects on the teams and personalities that defined Yankees baseball in the 1970s and 1980s, shares his thoughts on the current club, and explains why he's embraced many of MLB's recent rule changes. The conversation then turns to some of baseball's biggest unanswered questions. Will MLB expand? Is realignment inevitable? And if the traditional structure of the game changes, what do fans stand to gain, and what might they lose?We also examine the business of baseball, including competitive balance, the luxury tax, the push for a salary cap, and the labor issues that could shape the sport for years to come. If you enjoy thoughtful baseball conversations that go beyond scores and statistics, subscribe and join us for more interviews with the people who follow, cover, and influence the game. *Music by Podington Bear

The MLB postseason race is heating up, but the biggest stories in baseball extend far beyond the standings. On this episode of the Three Inning Fan Show, Kelley Franco sits down with USA TODAY MLB columnist Bob Nightengale to discuss what’s happening across Major League Baseball. The conversation covers the Dodgers' dominance, where they might be vulnerable, Mark Walter’s sale of the Lakers and whether the federal investigation of classification of loans by his companies could impact the Dodgers, the Yankees' trade deadline acquisitions and what it said about their strategy, the Mets' collapse, the surprising Rays, the ever-excelling Brewers, the Red Sox's playoff chances, and the growing concern over a potential labor battle that could threaten the 2027 season. If you're interested in baseball, front-office strategy, labor negotiations, franchise economics, and the stories developing behind the scenes, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Subscribe to the channel and join the conversation. *Music by Podington Bear

Rick Cerone knows how to tell a story.The 18-year MLB veteran joins the Three Inning Fan Show with Kelley Franco to talk about an incredible career that included catching the first pitch in Toronto Blue Jays history, becoming the Yankees' catcher following the tragic death of Thurman Munson, and playing on the 1981 Yankees World Series team.Cerone takes us inside some of the most fascinating Yankees stories of his era:• What it was like stepping into Thurman Munson's shoes • His memorable clashes with George Steinbrenner — and the surprising respect they developed • Playing alongside Reggie Jackson, Graig Nettles, Ron Guidry, and Bucky Dent • What Billy Martin was really like • The wild personalities inside the 1981 Yankees clubhouse , including fistfights • His road from Seton Hall and nearly choosing football to an 18-year MLB career • Old-Timers' Day, Yankee Stadium and whether Graig Nettles is ever coming backAnd, of course, Rick promised some great stories — and he delivers.Subscribe to the Three Inning Fan Show for more conversations with baseball's biggest personalities, players and storytellers. *Music by Podington Bear

For decades, Howie Rose has been the soundtrack of summer for Mets fans. Now, the legendary radio voice of the New York Mets is in his final season in the booth. Howie joins Kelley Franco on the Three Inning Fan Show to discuss his decision to retire, the emotions of stepping away from a career he loves, and what life after baseball might look like. He also shares the story of finally meeting one of his lifelong heroes—Paul McCartney—and whether the experience lived up to the dream. Plus, Howie reflects on the state of the Mets, Juan Soto's impact on the franchise, and whether this club has one more run left in it. A candid, funny, and heartfelt conversation with one of the most beloved voices in baseball. *Music by Podington Bear

Chris “Mad Dog” Russo joins Kelley Franco on the Three Inning Fan Show for a deep dive into MLB’s looming labor war and what could become the biggest baseball fight since 1994. Will MLB owners finally get a hard salary cap? Are players and owners headed toward a work stoppage? Is Rob Manfred trying to reshape baseball before stepping down in 2029? Is the Players’ Association vulnerable? Plus: Russo’s baseball history perspective, media insights, and some classic Mad Dog rapid fire. And of course…what’s good to eat while watching the ballgame. Subscribe to the Three Inning Fan Show for baseball, business, labor issues, and the stories shaping MLB’s future. *Music by Podington Bear

Joe DeMayo joins The Three Inning Fan Show to break down the state of the Mets in most entertaining fashion: Brett Baty, Mark Vientos, and Francisco Alvarez - the former prospect core - and how they fit into the Mets’ plans now and in the future; Nolan McLean, Christian Scott, Freddy Peralta and what they need to do to propel this team forward; and whether the Mets are buy, sell or hybrid at the trade deadline. As co-Host of The Mets Pod, Joe brings his in-depth knowledge of the Mets and their farm system to the fore and explains it for all of us. And of course he tells us…what’s good to eat while watching the ballgame. *Music by Podington Bear

Jayson Stark joins Kelley Franco and The Three Inning Fan Show for a wide-ranging conversation about where baseball is headed — and whether the sport is changing faster than fans realize. We discuss the impact of ABS and the shrinking strike zone, why walks are exploding across MLB, whether baseball accidentally solved one problem by creating another, and if the traditional starting pitcher is disappearing before our eyes. We also cover the evolving role of managers and front offices, and what baseball could look like in 10 years. And of course…what’s good to eat while watching the ballgame. Jayson Stark covers Major League Baseball for The Athletic and is one of the greatest storytellers in sports journalism. *Music by Podington Bear

Anthony DiComo, Mets MLB insider, joins Kelley Franco on The Three Inning Fan Show to break down the current state of the Mets and whether this team is at a major pivot point. We discuss the Mets’ recent surge, the clubhouse vibe, David Stearns’ comments on Carlos Mendoza, the impact of Clay Holmes’ injury, and whether the Mets are buyers or sellers at the trade deadline. Anthony also talks about the balance between honest reporting and maintaining relationships inside a major league clubhouse after nearly two decades covering the Mets. And of course…what’s good to eat while watching the ballgame. If you enjoy smart baseball conversation and behind-the-scenes insight on the Mets, subscribe and join the conversation in the comments. *Music by Podington Bear

Former Mets manager Terry Collins joins Kelley Franco for a candid conversation about how baseball has changed in the analytics era — and the depth of the “old-school vs. analytics” divide. Collins shares his perspective on modern managing and front offices, the evolving role of MLB managers, and whether a manager like him would still be hired in today’s game. He also breaks down the Mets’ disappointing season, the pressure on Carlos Mendoza, what it means when coaches get fired, and how to motivate underperforming players. Kelley Franco brings thoughtful, in-depth baseball conversations with MLB insiders, executives, attorneys, media personalities, and former players and managers. *Music by Podington Bear

In this episode of The Three Inning Fan Show, Britt Ghiroli, Senior Writer for The Athletic, joins Kelley Franco to discuss the state of the Mets under Steve Cohen and David Stearns, roster construction, clubhouse chemistry, Juan Soto’s impact, and the pressure of building a contender in New York. Britt also shares her unique insight on the changing role of MLB managers -- in the wake of the Cora and Thomson firings, why some would-be managers might prefer front office jobs in the future, how analytics are reshaping leadership across baseball, and if managers move to front offices, who manages in the dugout. Britt also shares her incredible accomplishments as a competitive powerlifter and of course…what’s good to eat while watching the ballgame. *Music by Podington Bear

The Radio Voice of the New York Yankees, Dave Sims, joins Kelley Franco for a conversation that blends sharp baseball insight with his unforgettable personal stories. From what’s clicking for this Yankees team to what we can expect from the starting rotation, Anthony Volpe’s return, and the bottom of the lineup, Sims gives you the seasoned perspective only someone with his years in the booth can. Plus, Dave talks to us about the art of the call, and how he leans into the emotion of the moment; how he has built relationships on and off the field; his chemistry with Suzyn Waldman; and best of all, poignant, personal stories from growing up in a Philadelphia sports fan family. And of course…what’s good to eat while watching the ballgame. If you’re a Yankees fan—or just love great baseball storytelling—this one’s for you. *Music by Podington Bear

MLB.com Yankees beat reporter Bryan Hoch joins Kelley Franco for an entertaining deep dive into the current state of the New York Yankees, including: · A detailed look at the Yankees’ bullpen issues and how things could change with Cole and Rodon’s returns. · Whether the 6-9 bottom of the lineup can hold up over a full season · Anthony Volpe’s recovery timeline and long-term outlook · Leadership inside the clubhouse beyond Aaron Judge · Behind-the-scenes insight into life as a Yankees beat writer Bryan also shares stories from covering the team, his day-to-day during the season, and what it’s like balancing baseball and family life. And of course…what’s good to eat while watching the ballgame. If you’re a Yankees fan—or just want smart, insider baseball analysis—this episode delivers. Subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes of Three Inning Fan! *Music by Podington Bear

From covering the daily chaos of the New York Yankees and New York Mets to retiring with gas left in the tank, former NY Post columnist Ken Davidoff brings an unfiltered, behind-the-scenes perspective you won’t hear anywhere else.We dive into his new book 101 Lessons from the Dugout—a powerful look at how baseball teaches resilience, failure, and growth—and why this project meant so much after years in the media grind. But fear not! We also cover Ken’s honest take on the Yankees’ strengths and flaws, his insights into the Mets clubhouse chemistry, and other early season insights that can only be divulged from the ultimate New York baseball insider. *Music by Podington Bear

The most powerful man in baseball who doesn’t wear a uniform. On this episode of The Three Inning Fan Show, I sit down with super agent Scott Boras for a candid conversation about the business of the game — from record-setting contracts to the future of the sport. We discuss: - A historic offseason for Boras Corp - The rise of opt-outs and whether they’re replacing long-term deals - What it’s like to negotiate a deal with Scott Boras - The 2026 expiration of the CBA and the risk of missed games in 2027 - Revenue sharing, competitive balance tax, and whether the system truly promotes winning - Why Boras believes MLB’s media rights are undervalued - The state of the Players’ Union with Tony Clark’s departure - How he embraces being baseball’s most polarizing figureIt’s a show that just might change your opinion. *Music by Podington Bear

He’s tough, kind, funny—and he keeps winning. Two-time NL Manager of the Year Pat Murphy joins Kelley Franco on The Three Inning Fan to talk David Stearns’ style, the Freddy Peralta trade, and how the Brewers thrive with a fraction of the payroll. Can Milwaukee keep beating the odds? Murphy opens up about leadership, small-market success, and the road that brought him here—with humility that may surprise you. *Music by Podington Bear

David Cone joins The Three Inning Fan Show with host Kelley Franco for sharp insight on the Yankees, Mets, modern pitching, and life in the broadcast booth. A Cy Young Award winner, five-time World Series champion, and perfect game pitcher, Cone breaks down the Yankees’ offseason, the criticism that they’re “running it back,” and what has actually changed. He also talks working in the YES booth, his exit from ESPN, and what could be next. Cone reflects on his pitching days in New York, revisits his one-out moment in Game 4 of the 2000 World Series, and imagines how his arsenal would play in today’s data-driven game.Subscribe to The Three Inning Fan Show for more in-depth baseball conversations. *Music by Podington Bear

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In this episode of The Three Inning Fan Show, Ben Horney of Front Office Sports joins Kelley Franco to break down one of the buzziest trends in sports and beyond: Prediction Markets. Are they just sports betting by another name? Or a contract trade? Kelley and Ben dig into what prediction markets are, how they work, and why they’re suddenly everywhere from sports to politics to pop culture. We discuss: · Prediction Markets 101 — do they differ from gambling? · Sports and non-sports examples of prediction market activity · Major players in the space: Kalshi, Polymarket, Robinhood, DraftKings, FanDuel, PrizePicks, Underdog, and more · How the NFL, MLB, NBA, and the NHL view prediction markets · Legal and regulatory fights shaping the future of the industry · The role of insider information, safeguards, and enforcement · Whether prediction markets will coexist with or replace sportsbooks And of course, no Three Inning Fan Show ends without…what’s good to eat while watching the ballgame. *Music by Podington Bear

Step inside the golden era of New York sports radio with two absolute legends. In this episode of The Three Inning Fan Show with Kelley Franco, I sit down with Steve Somers, beloved WFAN host of 30+ years and author of the new book “Me Here and You There,” along with longtime WFAN update anchor Bob Heussler. We dive deep into Steve’s extraordinary journey—his humble beginnings, his relentless perfectionism, and the early years at WFAN when he genuinely believed one mistake would get him fired. Steve opens up about defeating cancer, finding family within the walls of WFAN, and the moments that shaped his iconic on-air personality. You’ll hear hilarious behind-the-scenes stories, including: - The infamous day Steve got stuck in the WFAN elevator for 90 minutes and had to climb out through a 1-foot opening - The wild cruise story where his girlfriend ran off with the waiter - Early WFAN chaos, lessons from the newsroom, and the recent wave of layoffs shaking the station Plus: Bob and Steve pull back the curtain on the birth of Mike and the Mad Dog—their rocky start, early tension, and how they transformed into the most influential sports talk duo in history. If you love WFAN, New York sports, or the personalities who defined the station for generations, this is a must-watch conversation. *Music by Podington Bear

In this episode of The Three Inning Fan Show, Kelley Franco sits down with Ben Horney from Front Office Sports to break down private equity investment in MLB and other US professional sports. Listen in as Ben gives an overview of PE investment in sports, and then covers which firms are allowed to invest in MLB, the NFL, the NBA, and the NHL, whether the investors are active or passive (do they get a seat on the board? do they pick the players?), how they earn the return on their investment, and what the pros and cons of PE investment in sports are for the teams, the investors, and most importantly, the fans. Ben brings deep insight from his reporting at Front Office Sports, helping fans, insiders, and business enthusiasts understand how PE is impacting sports ownership. And of course, we cover…what’s good to eat while watching the ballgame. Don’t miss this informative episode on the business side of sports! *Music by Podington Bear