Best Mark Zuckerman Podcasts (2026)

The new era of Nationals leadership just completed their first time representing the franchise at the annual MLB Winter Meetings. Mark (After returning from Orlando) & Al begin with the results of the Draft, where they were not allowed to end up with a top 10 pick. The Nationals had the ping pong balls bounce their way initially, but due to the lea…

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NATS ADDRESS CATCHER IN DEALING FERRER TO SEATTLE 3:49

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28d ago3:49

3:49

Quick recap of the Nationals trade over the weekend with Seattle by Tim Shovers. Closer Jose. A Ferrer was sent to the Mariners in exchange for catcher Harry Ford & RHP Isaac Lyon. Get up to speed on the first trade executed by Paul Toboni. **Next full episode with Mark & Al will be Friday morning December 12th after the MLB Winter Meetings take pl…

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Episode 15: Yair Rosenberg 49:44

1M ago49:44

49:44

Mark sits down with The Atlantic's Yair Rosenberg to talk antisemitism on the right, antisemitism on the left, and the American Jews caught in betweenBy arcthepodcast

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Blake Butera Introduced to D.C. 51:36

2M ago51:36

51:36

The Nationals introduced their new 33-year-old Manager Blake Butera on Monday afternoon to the local media. Mark & Al react to the press conference where Butera was joined on stage by Paul Toboni and fielded questions about becoming the youngest MLB Manager in a half century. (17:00) An early look at Butera's coaching staff, which will include Sean…

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Episode 14: Ross Douthat & Phil Zuckerman 1:30:00

2M ago1:30:00

1:30:00

Mark sits down with Ross Douthat and Phil Zuckerman for a live debate about whether we should all believe in God or all be atheists.By arcthepodcast

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QUICK RECAP OF TOBONI CONFERENCE CALL ON BUTERA 4:46

2M ago4:46

4:46

Tim Shovers provides a short recap of Paul Toboni's Conference Call on Tuesday to address the hiring of Blake Butera as new manager. Butera and his wife welcomed a child the same day he accepted the job and his intro press conference is expected to be held later this month in D.C. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for in…

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Nats Reportedly Tab 33-Year-Old Blake Butera as Manager 36:46

2M ago36:46

36:46

According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, the Nationals hired the youngest Manager in over 50 years. Mark & Al discuss the news that Washington will soon name 33-year-old Blake Butera as the team's next skipper. The surprising hire comes from the Rays organization and his only previous managerial experience was in Low-A. Butera was drafted in the 35th Round…

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Episode 13: Oliver Burkeman 1:07:40

2M ago1:07:40

1:07:40

Mark sits down with Oliver Burkeman to discuss high-brow self-help books, nostalgia for the past versus dread for the future, and the lasting value of blowing through deadlines.By arcthepodcast

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Episode 12: Leah Libresco Sargeant 1:12:44

3M ago1:12:44

1:12:44

Mark sits down with Leah Libresco Sargeant to talk about her journey from atheism to Catholicism, her love for arguing about everything from God to public policy, and the moral necessity of taking our opinions seriouslyBy arcthepodcast

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PODCAST PARTY THIS FRIDAY AT 7PM 1:46

3M ago1:46

1:46

Tim Shovers with a quick reminder about the end of season Podcast Party. This Friday night, October 10th, at 7pm at Walter's Sports Bar in Navy Yard. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.By Mark Zuckerman & Al Galdi

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Paul Toboni Introduced as President of Baseball Operations 40:40

3M ago40:40

40:40

The Nationals began a new era on Wednesday morning as Paul Toboni was officially introduced as the new President of Baseball Operations. Mark & Al react to Toboni's first time meeting with the D.C. media in the press room at the ballpark. Toboni was joined on the podium by three members of ownership in Mark Lerner, Ed Cohen, and Robert Tanenbaum. (…

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Episode 11: Yiddish in Lithuania 26:44

3M ago26:44

26:44

Mark sends his deputy editor, David Sugarman, to Lithuania, to find out how the legacy of a bunch of Yiddish writers from the early 20th century is reshaping the region's present and future.By arcthepodcast

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Shutout One Last Time 36:56

3M ago36:56

36:56

The Nats closed their last place season on a sour note as they were shutout 8-0 on Sunday afternoon by the visiting White Sox. Mark & Al put the 66 win campaign under a wide-angle lens on the heels of their 14th shutout defeat. It should be a more active October than the past few years as they remake the front office and likely will make a change a…

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Wood Hits #31 in Win 34:05

3M ago34:05

34:05

The Nats overcame an early four-run deficit to edge the White Sox 6-5 on Saturday afternoon. Mark & Al begin with an ode to Bob Carpenter, who is calling his final Nats games this weekend for MASN. Carpenter was honored prior to the game after 20 years of being the TV voice of the team. (10:00) James Wood hit his 31st homer to take the lead for goo…

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Garcia Jr. Homers 3 Times in Seesaw Loss 30:58

3M ago30:58

30:58

The Nats rallied all the way back from a seven run deficit, but Jose A. Ferrer could not close the door in the 10-9 loss to the White Sox. Mark & Al gather after maybe the craziest game of the season that saw the Nationals hit six homers, but also commit four errors. (06:00) Luis Garcia Jr. hit a trio of homers for the first time in his career. Gar…

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Nats Reportedly Pick a New Head of Baseball Ops While Wood Homers Twice in Win 38:37

3M ago38:37

38:37

The Nats won 4-3 in Atlanta on Wednesday afternoon, but the major news came from ESPN's Jeff Passan. Mark & Al spend plenty of time reacting to the report that Paul Toboni, Red Sox Asst. GM, will take over as Washington's new head of Baseball Operations. Toboni is 35 years old and has spent the last decade working in the Red Sox Front Office. (21:1…

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Wood Homers in Loss to the Braves 36:12

3M ago36:12

36:12

The Nats fell short 3-2 on Tuesday night as the Braves have now won ten games in a row. Al & Tim begin with James Wood's 28th homer of the season, just his 4th since the All-Star Break. Wood did not strikeout and remains eight Ks shy of Mark Reynolds' single season record. (08:00) Luis Garcia Jr. played 1B on Tuesday as it seems like his days at 2B…

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Short Outing for Gore in Atlanta 33:25

3M ago33:25

33:25

The Nats were no match for the Braves in Monday's 11-5 loss. Al & Tim convene after the Nationals pitching staff needed six pitchers just to make it through six innings and combined for nine issued walks. (06:00) MacKenzie Gore was pulled in the top of the 3rd after having already thrown 71 pitches. The Braves lineup fouled off 24 of them and now G…

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Nats Add to the Mets Miserable September 26:30

3M ago26:30

26:30

The Nats took the weekend series in Queens as they held off the Mets 3-2 on Sunday afternoon. Before we get to Mark & Al's analysis, Executive Producer Tim Shovers comes on to deliver an annual end of season message. If you would like to donate to the podcast, visit natschatpodcast.com and click on Merch to get directed to our Donation page. (04:30…

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Lile's 11th Inning Inside-the-Park-Homer Stuns Citi Field 39:24

4M ago39:24

39:24

The Nats handed the Mets a crucial defeat on Saturday afternoon in Queens. Mark (From NYC) & Al meet after the Nationals blew an early 3-0 lead, but Daylen Lile's exciting 2-run Inside-the-Park-Home run put them ahead for good 5-3. (05:00) It looked initially that Lile's big hit would be a triple as he is one away from setting a franchise record. L…

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Lile Triples Again in New York Loss 36:19

4M ago36:19

36:19

The Nats dropped their 5th straight on Friday night as they were beaten by the Mets 12-6. Mark (From NYC) & Al gather after Washington guaranteed itself of having more losses this season than the previous two years. (04:30) The pattern of sloppy defense continued on Friday as the outfield combined for three errors; two of which were on Dylan Crews.…

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Swept by the Braves 33:18

4M ago33:18

33:18

The Nats lost 9-4 on Wednesday and dropped all four games this week against the Braves. Mark & Al evaluate the team's tired legs as they have shown recent signs of fatigue. It has been a busy stretch for the team as they have played 14 games in the past 13 days. (07:30) James Wood had a RBI double and a single on his 23rd birthday. Wood did strikeo…

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Braves Take Both Games in the Doubleheader 25:29

4M ago25:29

25:29

Tuesday was a long one on South Capitol Street and neither game went the home team's way. Al & Tim convene following a day/night doubleheader where the Braves won 6-3 in the afternoon and then took the evening session 5-0 in extras. (05:45) James Wood struck out four times in the Game 1 loss. Wood sat out Game 2 and is now up to 209 strikeouts this…

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Episode 10: Yehuda Kurtzer 1:10:32

4M ago1:10:32

1:10:32

Mark sits down with Yehuda Kurtzer to discuss the aesthetics of yarmulkas, the crisis facing clergy-members, and how the war in Israel is changing American Jewry.By arcthepodcast

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Lile Homers but Routed by Atlanta 26:09

4M ago26:09

26:09

The Nats were pounded 11-3 by the Braves on Monday night in Navy Yard. Mark & Al begin with Daylen Lile yet again impressing as he homered and lifted his OPS to .816, just six points behind James Wood. Lile has the highest OPS of any NL Rookie with 300+ at-bats. (05:45) Dylan Crews went 0 for 3 and his batting average is now down to .202. (08:00) M…

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Nats Rally to Take the Series Over Pittsburgh 31:12

4M ago31:12

31:12

The Nats took the series rubber match in Sunday afternoon's 4-3 win over the Pirates. Mark & Al note that the Nationals are 9-4 to start September and need only one more victory to avoid a 100 loss season. (04:35) Daylen Lile was the offensive hero as his 8th inning RBI double put Washington ahead for good. Lile reached base four times and his OPS …

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Bullpen Falters After Alvarez's Gem 34:54

4M ago34:54

34:54

The Nats lost 5-1 on Saturday afternoon to the visiting Pirates. Al & Mark convene after the offense was only able to muster one run in the defeat. (06:00) Dylan Crews had multiple instances of aggressive and heads up base running in the bottom of the 6th. His play that inning is emblematic of the kind of player Crews wants to be. (13:10) Andrew Al…

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Wood's Throw Home Preserves Comeback Win 28:45

4M ago28:45

28:45

The Nats opened the homestand with a 6-5 victory over Pittsburgh despite an early three run deficit. Mark & Al begin with the defensive exploits by James Wood in the top of the 9th as his perfect throw nailed the tying run at the plate. It was an up and down evening for Wood as he doubled twice, but also struck out twice, thus setting a single seas…

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Gore Takes the Mound but the Offense Gets Shutout 31:05

4M ago31:05

31:05

The Nats had to settle for a series split in Miami after dropping Thursday night's finale 5-0. Al & Tim gather after Washington was shutout for the 12th time this season to conclude their otherwise winning road trip. (04:00) MacKenzie Gore returned from the 15-Day IL to toss five innings in the loss. Gore allowed two runs in the first inning and st…

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Gore Returning but Win Streak Snapped 36:34

4M ago36:34

36:34

The Nats led 3-0 entering the bottom of the 6th, but an ensuing comedy of errors tilted the evening in the Marlins direction for an 8-3 loss on Wednesday. Mark (From Miami) & Al though begin with the very encouraging news that MacKenzie Gore not only is coming off the IL, but will take the mound on Thursday night in South Florida. (08:00) Jake Irvi…

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Bell Homers Again in 4th Straight Win 34:09

4M ago34:09

34:09

The Nats scorching start to September continued on Tuesday night as they held off the Marlins 7-5 for a 4th straight victory. Mark (From South Florida) & Al take note that Washington is now within striking distance of both Atlanta & Miami in the NL East. The Nationals are six wins behind the Marlins with 18 games remaining. (06:30) Josh Bell crushe…

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Crews Among the 4 Homers Hit in Rout of the Marlins 34:14

4M ago34:14

34:14

The Nats hot start to September continued on Monday night in their 15-7 pasting of the Marlins. Mark (From Miami) & Al have four Nationals homers (two by Josh Bell) to sort through as the team has won six of their past seven games. (05:00) Dylan Crews hit his first homer since May 20th, which came just before he landed on the IL all summer. Crews h…

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Bell's Pinch-Hit Homer Stuns Wrigley in Comeback Win 30:04

4M ago30:04

30:04

The Nats trailed the Cubs 3-1 entering the 9th inning, but a couple of homers later, they emerged victorious by a score of 6-3 Sunday afternoon in Chicago. Mark (From Wrigley Field) & Tim recap the Nationals 5th win in the past six games to take their second straight series. (03:00) Josh Bell's gave Washington the lead for good with a pinch-hit 3-r…

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Davey Johnson, 1st Division Winning Skipper, Passes Away at 82 38:51

4M ago38:51

38:51

We learned on Saturday morning that Davey Johnson, the Manager of the Nationals when they won their first NL East title in 2012, peacefully passed away the previous day at age 82. Mark (From Wrigley Field) & Al note that some of Johnson's managerial traits were utilized by Miguel Cairo in the Nationals 2-1 afternoon victory over the Cubs. (05:00) J…

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Irvin Gets Crushed at Wrigley 30:20

4M ago30:20

30:20

The Nats three game win streak came to an abrupt halt during Friday afternoon's 11-5 loss to the Cubs. Mark (From Wrigley Field) & Al convene after the Chicago warm wind was flying out towards the lake; leading to four Cubs home runs. (04:45) Jake Irvin gave up two of those homers and allowed seven runs in his brief outing. Irvin's ceded five runs …

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Episode 09: Matthew Schmitz & Maggie Phillips 1:22:36

4M ago1:22:36

1:22:36

Mark sits down with Matthew Schmitz to talk confession, converting to Catholicism, and Trump's morality. He then phones Maggie Phillips, self-described fan of the confession booth, to discuss this sacrament further.By arcthepodcast

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Nasim Nunez Stuns w/ 2 Homers in Sweep of Miami 37:31

4M ago37:31

37:31

The Nats turned an eight game skid into a three game sweep of the visiting Marlins. Al & Mark convene after the Nationals pulled off their 2nd sweep of the season and just like the one in Baltimore back in May, there were major contributions by Nasim Nuñez. (04:00) Nuñez entered the day with zero career MLB homers and shocked everyone by going deep…

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Cavalli Bounces Back to Beat Miami 33:22

4M ago33:22

33:22

Make it two straight victories for the Nats over Miami after Tuesday's 5-2 triumph. Mark & Al discuss Cade Cavalli's successful outing on the heels of getting hit hard at Yankee Stadium last week. Cavalli struck out six Marlins and this was his sixth start since getting called up from AAA last month. (12:00) The bullpen continued their strong run a…

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Andrew Alvarez Impresses in Winning Debut 31:57

4M ago31:57

31:57

The Nats 8-game losing streak ended on Labor Day as Andrew Alvarez tossed five shutout innings in his MLB debut in Navy Yard. Mark & Al throw plenty of flowers to the lefty who earned the 2-0 victory over Miami. Alvarez was called up from AAA-Rochester and was drafted out of Cal Poly in the 12th Round of the 2021 Draft. (08:45) Alvarez's battery ma…

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Rays Extend Nats Losing Streak to 8 38:36

4M ago38:36

38:36

August concluded at Nationals Park with a Rays sweep and an 8th consecutive loss for the home team. Mark & Al spend plenty of time sorting through another awful month and what this means big picture for the organization. If you've taken some time off from the podcast due to the rough state of affairs, this is a good one chance to check back in. (08…

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Gore to the IL Before a 7th Straight Loss 33:34

4M ago33:34

33:34

It was a not so fun Saturday in Navy Yard as the Nats dropped their 7th consecutive game. Mark & Al react to the 4-1 loss to the visiting Rays that bizarrely saw multiple instances of fans running onto the field during play. (05:30) MacKenzie Gore was placed on the 15-Day IL prior to the game due to left shoulder inflammation. Gore told reporters t…

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12 Hits Yet Only 1 Run Scored 32:31

4M ago32:31

32:31

The Nats losing streak was extended to six after Friday night's 4-1 defeat by the visiting Rays. Al & Tim begin with the offense going 0 for 12 w/ RISP and not taking advantage of opportunities to score. The two worst offenders were Riley Adams (0 for 4) & Robert Hassell III (0 for 3). (06:25) Chris Johnson, Assistant Hitting Coach, was surprisingl…

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Embarrassed & Swept at Yankee Stadium 29:09

4M ago29:09

29:09

The losing streak is extended to five after the Nats were crushed 11-2 on Wednesday afternoon at Yankee Stadium. New York hit six homers in the series finale and out-homered Washington 10-2 in the three game series. (06:30) Cade Cavalli fell apart in the bottom of the 3rd as he gave up a trio of homers and seven earned runs in his outing. The Yanks…

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More Bad Base Running in New York Loss 31:46

4M ago31:46

31:46

The Nats dropped their 4th straight on Tuesday night in New York. Mark & Al have even more instances of poor base running decisions by Washington in their 5-1 defeat. James Wood didn't strike out in the affair, but he was egregiously thrown out at the plate in the top of the 5th inning. (10:20) The coaching staff will likely almost completely turn …

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Lord Gets Rocked in the Bronx 31:20

4M ago31:20

31:20

The recent three game Nats win streak has morphed into a three game losing streak after Monday night's 10-5 defeat in Yankee Stadium. Al & Mark begin with Jacob Young's eventful evening that saw him get picked off and also hit a 9th inning Grand Slam. (06:15) Young getting picked continues a recent pattern for him. His base running deficiencies are…

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Brief Outing for Irvin in Narrow Philly Loss 33:17

4M ago33:17

33:17

The Nats held another late rally that came up short on Sunday afternoon on Broad Street. Mark (From Philadelphia) & Al note how the team continues to lose when either Jake Irvin or Mitchell Parker take the mound. (05:10) James Wood went 0 for 4 with 3 Ks and hit into a costly double play in the top of the 8th. Wood has astonishingly struck out 35 t…

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Parker's Awful August Continues 31:29

4M ago31:29

31:29

The win streak ends at three as the Nats lost 6-4 on Saturday night in Philly. Mark (From Philadelphia) & Al have another busy top of the 9th to discuss, but this time Washington's rally came up short. There were runners on the corners with one out, but both James Wood & CJ Abrams could not come through. (07:45) James Wood struck only three times i…

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Crews & Lile Lead the 9th Inning Rally 36:41

4M ago36:41

36:41

The Nats won their 3rd in a row on Friday night in Philadelphia. Mark (From Philly) & Al speak after the 5-4 victory that saw Washington score a pair of runs in the top of the 9th. (03:30) Dylan Crews had a pair of hits and scored the tying run on a tight play at the plate. The team has a winning record this year with Crews in the lineup at 27-26. …

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Nats Score 9 Unanswered in Win Over the Mets 30:49

5M ago30:49

30:49

The Nats overcame an early 3-0 deficit for a 9-3 victory over the Mets in Thursday's series rubber match. Al & Tim gather after Washington completed a winning home stand against the top two teams in the NL East. It was a costly defeat for New York as they lead Cincinnati by only half a game for the final NL Wildcard spot. (05:30) James Wood had a b…