Award-winning journalist and member of the Hockey Hall-of-Fame, Michael Farber, guests on Conversations with Griff. A New Jersey native who paid to see Bruce Springsteen perform for $2.50 at Rutgers University, Farber moved from a Yankees beat in Newark to Montreal to join the Expos beat for The Gazette in 1979. He still lives with his wife Danielle in Montreal and offers up work for TSN television and TSN 690 radio, as well as hockey insights for NBC. Michael and Griff discuss the memorable Expos years from 1979-94, focusing on the special bond those teams had with the city in which they played. Farber recalls the details of his exclusive access and coverage of the Tim Raines drug rehab winter, at age 23, between 1982-83, and the Hall-of-Fame redemption song that followed. Griff and Mike offer their opinions on Expos managers from Dick Williams to Felipe Alou, with personal reflections on all the special moments in those special years of Les Expos, Nos Amours.

INDEX:

00:00 – Welcome, Michael Farber!

00:50 – Difference between TV hit and writing a great column?

01:50 – Working the Sochi Olympics

4:00 – Hailing from New Jersey + Duke Snyder Stories

10:45 – Covering the Expos and Moving to Canada

14:50 – The Expos in the late 70s

19:20 – Lost lustre of the All Star Game

23:30 – Randy Johnson, Denis Martinez and Pascual Perez Stories

30:05 – Memories of the 1980 Expos

33:14 – Dick Willims Firing + Jim Fanning

39:50 – Bill Verdon years

43:30 – Advice for young media members

44:40 – Al Oliver Story

48:00 – Bill Lee/Rodney Scott Incident

53:40 – How did you handle the Strike?

57:05 – Covering Tim Raines during his difficult times

1:02:25 – Dave Dombrowski

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Get the video version of "Exit Philosophy" and "Conversations with Griff" on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@ExitPhilosophy

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For the full catalogue of Richard Griffin's work, including weekly Blue Jays/MLB columns, a weekly MLB Power Rankings column, exclusive conversations with some of the game's greats, past and present, and the Exit Philosophy podcast, visit https://www.griffsthepitch.com/

After missing out on Kyle Tucker, Mets owner Steve Cohen pivoted quickly to Bo Bichette, triggering a ripple effect across MLB free agency. On Exit Philosophy, Griff and Mal break down Bo's awkward Mets introduction, questions about leaving the Blue Jays, opt-outs, and the Phillies deal that fell apart. The episode also covers the 2026 Hall of Fame results, a weak first-year ballot, a look ahead to Buster Posey and the 2027 class, plus MLB Network's Top 100 list—highlighting the Blue Jays, Dodgers, and a debate over John Schneider vs. Dave Roberts.

INDEX:

0:00 Intro

0:43 Bo leaves for Mets and his presser at CitiField

4:38 How will Bo handle New York

7:36 Bichette and his opt-outs

12:15 Bo at 3rd base and the new Mets defence

16:42 Phils thought they had a deal with Bo

18:24 Signs Bo was not coming back to T-O

23:13 What about Cody Bellinger

25:48 Jays still could use a bullpen arm

29:16 Bo says goodbye to fans via Hazel Mae

34:57 Beltan and Andruw Jones to Cooperstown

41:39 Dave Stieb and the Hall's Veteran Committee

43:17 Buster Posey leads new candidates in '27

47:46 MLB Network Top 100 players

51:46 Re-Ranking 2026 AL East

55:08 Jays non-roster invitees to watch

58:34 Salary Cap and the new CBA

1:06:04 NFL Championship Weekend

1:10:49 Niagara Ironbacks update

1:12:07 Bob Elliott's CBN's Top 100 influential CDNs.

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Get the video version of "Exit Philosophy" and "Conversations with Griff" on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@ExitPhilosophy

----

For the full catalogue of Richard Griffin's work, including weekly Blue Jays/MLB columns, a weekly MLB Power Rankings column, exclusive conversations with some of the game's greats, past and present, and the Exit Philosophy podcast, visit https://www.griffsthepitch.com/

Within 24 hours on Thursday and Friday, the two top MLB free-agent hitters linked to the Blue Jays signed and came off the board, but neither one was headed north of the border. First, it was Kyle Tucker to the Dodgers, then Bo Bichette to the Mets. On Exit Philosophy we discuss the possible impact to the Jays' hopes of improving their lineup via free agency and where this leaves the AL Champs moving forward. Was Bo to the Mets a panic move by owner Steve Cohen? Was Bo's departure always an inevitability? Mal and Griff discuss the Hall-of-Fame announcement later this week, the looming labour negotiations after the '26 season, Ernie Clement to Team USA and much more.

Note** - Bo signed right after recording original episode so the first 25 mins are recorded separately from the rest of the episode. Hope you enjoy!

INDEX:

0:00 – Intro

0:35 – Kyle Tucker is an LA Dodger

9:50 – Bo Bichette is a New York Met

21:40 – Realmuto resigns with Phillies + How Will Bo Handle NY Media

25:30 – How to Avoid a Salary Cap and a Lockout

35:15 – Bo Bichette and Mitch Marner Comparisons

43:15 – Hall of Fame Announcement Preview

50:45 – Rob Manfred and Lockout Negotiations

1:00:32 – Ernie Clement on Team USA for WBC

1:04:15 – Red Sox Have Best Rotation in the AL East

1:12:10 – International Signing Period

1:13:45 – NFL Divsional Weekend Preview + Outro

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Get the video version of "Exit Philosophy" and "Conversations with Griff" on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@ExitPhilosophy

----

For the full catalogue of Richard Griffin's work, including weekly Blue Jays/MLB columns, a weekly MLB Power Rankings column, exclusive conversations with some of the game's greats, past and present, and the Exit Philosophy podcast, visit https://www.griffsthepitch.com/