In The Wheelhouse

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn…We open a steaming bag of hot-buttered popcorn with a double-feature of excellent features, Ang Lee’s, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. We then break down Tommy’s choice, Martin Scorcese’s After Hours. In Peanuts, with a clear(er) picture of the playoff matchups, we make our picks for the first round. Finally, the Cubs just miss out on the playoffs, was the season a failure and what can they do to improve for next season? Next Show: Leo's Pick: Prizzi’s Honor (1985) Tom's Pick: Unstoppable (2010)

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn… we start with the popcorn as we begin with Leo’s selection, the 1996 Barry Levinson effort, Sleepers. Then we discuss the final film of Tom’s pet project of Best Picture winners that he has not seen on the big screen, Ridley Scott’s Gladiator. Then we chew down the peanuts as the Atlanta Braves win their sixth straight NL East title. The Boston Red Sox fire Chaim Bloom and the LA Dodgers move on from Jose Urias. Blake Snell or Justin Steele? Who deserves to win the NL Cy Young Award. Finally, the Chicago Cubs come back to earth, but are still in line for a playoff berth. Next Show: Leo's Pick: Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (2000) Tom's Pick:  After Hours (1985)

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn… we start with a fresh batch of popcorn with Leo’s selection, JJ Abrams’ Super 8. Tom’s choice for this episode is the third of four Best Picture winners that he has not seen on the big screen: Terms of Endearment. In Peanuts, Shohei Otani tore a ligament, but there are questions as to how serious it is. After shots are fired from within, or from outside their home ballpark, the Chicago White Sox fire their President of Baseball Operations AND their General Manager, and their owner is left to explain why he did not even look outside the organization to replace them. Meanwhile, the Cubs are in the playoff hunt and all is rainbows and unicorns on the North Side. Next Show: Leo's Pick: Sleepers (1996) Tom's Pick:  Gladiator (2000)

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn… we begin with a big bag of Popcorn with Tom’s choice for this week, Robert Redford’s Ordinary People. Leo’s choice is a favorite from 23 years ago, Billy Elliot. In Peanuts, we lead off with a discussion on why so many plays that would normally be called errors are ruled as hits. We catch up on Kevin Brown’s return to the airwaves as well as the latest news on Wander Franco. The Dodgers retire Fernando Valenzuela’s number and we’ll react to the final two games of Cubs/Sox Crosstown Classic. Next Show: Leo's Pick: Super 8 (2011) Tom's Pick:  Terms of Endearment (1983)

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn… we open up the bag of popcorn as we review Tom’s choice, The Greatest Show on Earth. Up next is Leo's choice, Oppenheimer. In Peanuts, we begin with a reaction to MLB Commissioner, Rob Manfred, earning a four-year extension. Does he deserve it? We will tell a tale of two no-hitters, one in the best of times, the other in the worst. We also examine the state of Chicago baseball after the trading deadline. Leo's Pick: Billy Elliott (2000) Tom's Pick:  Ordinary People (1980)

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn… The double-feature film discussion begins with Tom's selection, Le Samourai. We then move to Leo's choice, The Full Monty. In “Peanuts”, the Reds, Diamondbacks and Orioles are at or near the top of their respective divisions. We’ll discuss how they have all taken advantage of the new rule changes. Commissioner, Rob Manfred, reveals he is having second thoughts on granting immunity for players involved in the sign-stealing scandal. The Cardinals and Giants will play a game as a tribute to the Negro Leagues next season, while the Cubs and Cardinals finally face off in London. Next Show's Films: Leo's Pick: Ghost Dog (1999) Tom's Pick:  Prince of the City (1981)

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn… we kick off our double feature with Bogart and Bacall in To Have and Have Not, while our second film is the 1955 Burt Lancaster directorial debut, The Kentuckian. In Peanuts, we discuss the retirement of friend of the show, Bartolo Colon. We’ll also react to a recent Jayson Stark column in The Athletic. Stephen Strasburg has another setback. Finally, we mourn the passing of Ed Stack, the former president of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Next Show's Films: Leo's Pick: The Full Monty (1997) Tom's Pick:  Le Samouraï (1967)

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn… We open up the bag of “Popcorn” with Tom’s choice, the W. C. Fields 1934 film, It’s a Gift. Leo’s choice is a slightly more modern selection, the re-imagining of the Cyrano de Bergerac classic, Roxanne. In “Peanuts”, we’ll react to Jayson Stark’s list of active players who may be headed to the Hall of Fame. We’ll ask the question, “What has happened to the no-hitter?  Christopher Morel is showing Cubs fans that he is certainly worth the price of admission. We’ll look at some not so famous “one-hit wonders”. Next Show's Films: Leo's Pick: The Kentuckian (1955) Tom's Pick: To Have and Have Not (1944)

This week on Peanuts and Popcorn… our first Popcorn selection is Tommy’s choice, the 1970’s film-noir classic, Night Moves. Our second film, chosen by Leo, is the more recent film about the prosecution of the military dictatorship in Santiago Mitre’s, Argentina 1985. In Peanuts, it has been two and half years since MLB announced they would integrate Negro League stats into the historical database. Why is it taking so long? The Tampa Bay Rays keep rolling, but the AL East is far from won as the Orioles fight to keep pace. Meanwhile, for the first time since… ever? The Yankees and the Cardinals find themselves in sole possession of last place in their divisions. Jose Abreu receives a warm welcome from the White Sox fans. Next Show's Films: Leo's Pick: Roxanne (1987) Tom's Pick: It’s a Gift (1934)

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, 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, 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, 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 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, 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