Before we get started, a moment for the passing of Billy Bean, MLB’s Senior VP for DEI who spent the last 10 years promoting inclusivity and education in baseball and sports. Thank you, Billy.

This week in position player news, we are alllllll over the place. Rob Refsnyder is subbed in after Jarren Duran’s suspension and comes up big with a walk off and a pep talk, Kim issues a public apology to Anthony Volpe who she accidentally cursed, Corbin Carroll’s stats suggest an upward trend, and we puzzle over the Kim Ha Seong homer-turned-ground rule double.

On the bump, Joey Cantillo takes the L but still has a decent line, Kikuchi continues to deal for his new club, Sean Manaea played a very memorable game of catch with some fans back during the All Star Break, and Shota is still solid and in the running for ROY.

Ohtani’s BA dips below 300 (but still has 3 homers, 6 RBI, and 2 stolen bases in his last 7 games), Scott explains the unspoken rule of not swinging on a 3-0 count, and Shohei’s 176th home run ball will allegedly hit the auction block on 8/23 - if you have a cool $200k to spare, that is.

Rob's walk off: https://www.mlb.com/video/rob-refsnyder-s-walk-off-rbi-single

Corbin's double play: https://www.mlb.com/video/brandon-pfaadt-in-play-out-s-to-bo-naylor-x8697

Kenta's interpreter Daichi Sekizaki: https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2024/08/11/japanese-interpreter-daichi-sekizaki-essential-detroit-tigers-kenta-maeda/74666328007/