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

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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/

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/

The Blue Jays made a significant addition from the Japanese pool signing free-agent 3B Kazuma Okamoto -- four years, $60M. On this Exit Philosophy, Griff and Mal explain how much the Jays' dramatic World Series run impacted the club's international profile and what this latest addition may mean to the team's pursuit of Bo Bichette and/or Kyle Tucker. Which AL teams have had the best off-season, a month to spring training. Detailing the dramatic change in the Jays starting rotation and the bullpen from opening Day 2025 to now. Should Ross Atkins wait until March to attempt a trade for Jose Berrios or is that too much a distraction? All this and more, including handicapping NFL wildcard weekend.

INDEX:

0:00 Intro

0:38 Kazuma Okamoto discussion

5:16 Okamoto presser with Scott Boras

10:49 Are Tucker and Bo still on the table

16:44 Rogers figures out spend money make money

19:16 Who's going to bat middle of the order

27:49 Jays and Luxury Tax with Jose Berrios

33:32 Jays will miss influence of departed pitchers

36:28 Comparing 2025 pitching to '26

46:20 AL Teams with best off-season

55:21 NFL Playoff Preview

1:02:56 Wrapup

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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/

In this edition of Conversations with Griff, I chat with iconic Blue Jays television personality, Hazel Mae, recently recognized by the Canadian Hall of Fame with the Jack Graney Award, given to a media member for a lifetime of contribution to baseball. We discuss her stellar career, from the first time she was handed a tape recorder and sent to a Jays game, to her current status as a huge part of the most-watched telecasts in MLB, her role models in sports broadcasting, and her positive influence on young women in Canada.

INDEX:

0:00 – Intro

0:25 – Winning the Jack Graney Award and Canadian Baseball HOF

3:25 – Her love of the Kansas City Chiefs

6:45 – The wonderful progression of women in sports media

10:00 – Admiration of Susan Waldman

14:25 – Double standard in Media + Personal anecdote

18:15 – Dealing with self doubt and struggles early on in career

24:30 – Moving and working for NESN in Boston

28:00 – Early days of MLB Network and Hazel's time there

33:38 – Working with Buck and Dan + Sportsnet

37:01 – Relationship building with players + Rowdy Tellez

39:15 – Carlos Delgado + Troy Tulowitzki

43:35 – Spirited conversations with husband and analyst, Kevin Barker

47:50 – Meeting her in-laws for the first time

49:50 – Hazels parents' reactions on her career and becoming an icon

53:10 – The humanity of Hazel's interview style

56:20 – Hazel's important influence on the next generation

59:30 - 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/

The Blue Jays head to the New Year having accomplished necessary improvements to the pitching staff, but still needing one big bat to solidify the lineup. The answer could be Bo, or Kyle Tucker, maybe someone else via trade or free agency, but on Exit Philosophy, Griff and Mal discuss the implications if this is the final position-player roster. What is the new market for Bichette, now that he has expressed a willingness to consider second base? The Jays ranked sixth in all of MLB in Luxury Tax, but nobody can match the Dodgers. How did the Jays arrive at ranking among the big boys in payroll? Finding a landing spot that would benefit Jose Berrios, ranking the AL East with eight weeks left before spring training and much more.

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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/

The Mets and Yankees leave Winter Meetings empty-handed while the Dodgers land Edwin Díaz and the Orioles snag Pete Alonso. The Blue Jays stay quiet after earlier moves, introducing free-agent Dylan Cease and taking a Rule 5 flyer. Is Scott Boras controlling MLB's free-agent market? Do the Jays need rotation changes, bullpen help, or clarity on Bo's future? All this and more on Exit Philosophy.

INDEX:

0:00 – Intro

0:17 – Winter Meetings Wrap Up

3:45 – What is Going on with New York?

6:10 – Scott Boras … Master Puppeteer

9:00 – Cease Press Conference

12:00 – John Schneider Media Availability

14:10 – Pete Alonso is an Oriole

17:00 – Kyle Tucker or Bo?

24:40 – Schneider Defends IKF Game 7 Baserunning

27:30 – Jays Add in Rule 5 Draft + Dombrowski Expos Story

33:00 – Changes to Major League Coaching Staff

35:25 – Jeff Kent Elected to Hall of Fame + Bonds, Delgado, Clemens

44:00 - Blue Jays 2026 Rotation Will Look Different

48:10 – Impressions of Cody Ponce

50:30 – Changes from 92 to 93 World Series Teams

53:40 – Love for Jose Berrios + What is his Future?

55:44 – Berrios for Nolan Arenado? Griff Explains

57:44 – Edwin Diaz to LAD and Who is the Jays Closer in 2026?

1:00:00 – Bills 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/

In this week's Exit Philosophy, Griff and Mal discuss the revamped Blue Jays rotation and how different the starting five is from the one that opened the 2024 season. The upside of Dylan Cease coming off a down season in San Diego and the potential downside of Cody Ponce coming off a career year in Korea. With the narrowing of position player needs, the discussion centres on Bo or Kyle Tucker and how the versatility of Clement and Barger allows the Jays to pivot in any direction. Do they truly need a bona fide closer? How much do they have left in payroll to finish close to last year's $254-million. All this and much more.

INDEX:

0:00 – Intro

0:25 – Winter Meetings Preview

6:00 – ERAs committee HOF Vote

10:40 – Dylan Cease Contract

21:00 – Cody Ponce Signs with the Blue Jays + Jose Berrios

35:00 – Thoughts on the 2026 Rotation

41:00 – What are the remaining additions?

48:30 – Breaking down 2026 Payroll and Options

55:00 – Internal Options + Ricky Tiedemann

59:35 – Rule 5 Players

1:01:00 – Expansion back alive in Montreal?

1:02:40 – Outro + Conversation with Hazel Mae

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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/