Exit 52 Quarterly Newsletter
What’s up everyone? Jake here, checking in with a blog for you all to get some updates your way regarding the podcast, as well as some original #editorial content on the site. It’s been a minute since we had a blog post on here, so in an effort to get the written content rolling again, I gamed out a new quarterly newsletter series that will start with this one that you’re reading. This can and will contain anything from updates on our content, new and exciting things we have in the works, cool Baltimore centric stuff that’s caught our eye lately, and more. I also efforted a quick Q&A from the guys that will be a part of the series which I’ll include at the end. So, without further ado, let’s get into it!
Housekeeping Items
Regarding cool highlights that have happened lately, it’s been almost a month to the date that we discussed getting to be involved in the debut of the Bird Bath in association with the Orioles. For a small outlet like ours, the fact that the organization reached across the aisle and got us involved - along with an interview with Adley to help promote it, as well - spoke absolute volumes about the people in the warehouse.
That about does it for the bigger highlights over the last month, but we’ve been steadily cranking out pods as always, with our most recent Starting 5 (“Dad Moves” in honor of Father’s day) being an especially fun one. You can check that one out here.
Looking to the future, we’re going to be soliciting some help from the very talented gem of a dude, Taylor Fields (aka @EDCBurner on Twitter) to help keep our socials running to max capacity. If you notice an uptick in professionalism or output soon, you can attribute it mainly to him, and not the other 5 dinks who have access to our handles.
I can also personally speak to a very cool piece of content that will be coming your way very soon that I’m not quite ready to speak on. Let’s just say that those of you who’ve followed me for a few years now may be familiar with some of my past individual work, and you may be seeing more of it soon, so #watchthisspace.
I’ll close this section out with a random screenshot from our group text to give you an idea of how things go in there:
Par for the course. Now, let’s get into the main event:
Q&A with the fellas, June, 2023:
This segment is pretty much exactly as it sounds. I pulled together a list of questions/prompts for the guys to provide answers to, myself included. I’m hoping to make this a quarterly tradition as well, and will continue to build it out and tweak it as we go. Enjoy!
Jake
Personal Highlight of the last few months of the pod:
There have been some fun ones like the Lee Sanderlin interview, or fully previewing the Masters with Brian and Dan Rapaport, but I have to give Brian and Eric credit for an awesome chat with Adley that was equal parts insightful, and really fun. My hope is that more players see that type of interaction with us and seek to #GetInvolved.
Word Association: what’s one word you’d use to describe the Baltimore Orioles right now?
Teflon - tough, sticky, and not going anywhere anytime soon. Whether it's John Angelos continuing to put his foot in his mouth, or something more serious like an injury to Cedric Mullins, they keep finding ways to stack series wins, save for a few lulls here and there. This team is for real.
Best piece of content you’ve consumed recently?
It's a huge credit to the Succession finale that I'm still thinking about it weeks later. The criticisms of the show (self-referential, nothing real ever happens, etc.) are somewhat valid in my opinion, but even despite them, I was absolutely hooked. It seems that after an insane run of House of The Dragon, into White Lotus, into The Last of Us, HBO may have finally peaked with their lead work horse coming to an end. Honestly, that would be a tough act to follow, so taking some time off the Sunday Night circuit may be the smart thing (Sorry "The Idol" but I'm good).
Who’s hot? I.e., Baltimore athlete or public figure you’d want to hit Club Aqua with right now:
I've gotta go with Odell. He owes me a boxed wine sesh one of these days, so maybe we can slap the bag with the two Tims while we wait in line.
Bold prediction for the O’s as we approach the All Star Break:
Not especially bold but I’m surprised after the reaction to the signing (from myself included) that there will be #discourse about what to do with Aaron Hicks when Cedric is healthy.
Crab Bag Grab Bag: Caption a random pic from your phone from the last few months:
Thinking about that Memorial Monday hangover.
Spenny
Personal Highlight of the last few months of the pod:
Going live after Lamar Jackson signed his contract extension. Lamar’s contract negotiations were a fun-suck on covering the Ravens over the last two years. The announcement being the day the draft started was even more scintillating. It was euphoric. An awesome day in Ravens history leading into my favorite event of the year, where the Ravens ultimately landed Jackson another playmaker from South Florida in Zay Flowers. The mood and the narrative around the Ravens shifted seismically in one Thanos snap of the fingers. Going live right after, the fellas joining in, then kicking up draft coverage later that night was memorable following the move to the E52 podcast. I won’t forget where I was or what the mood was like the day Lamar Jackson stayed in Baltimore.
Word Association: what’s one word you’d use to describe the Baltimore Orioles right now?
Constant.
Day after day, night after night, the Baltimore Orioles are attacking wins. They do it in a multitude of ways. Their bullpen can keep leads. Their starters have clawed their way into winning baseball. The Orioles’ lineup can play small ball or go slug them to wins. They show up on the road in dominant fashion. The Orioles are constant.
Best piece of content you’ve consumed recently?
Ted Lasso. A modern sitcom for millennials who grew up on cheesy ‘feel-good’ shows like Boy Meets World. The show preaches to the inclusive mindset that our society struggles and debates over. It does so without feeling forced, but out of love. It’s chicken soup for the grown man’s soul, addressing divorce, suicide, depression, pressure, toxic familial relationships and ultimately growth through life. Go watch. Ted Lasso will make you feel better.
Who’s hot? I.e., Baltimore athlete or public figure you’d want to hit Club Aqua with right now:
I want to hit Club Aqua (or Haunted House) with Tyler Wells. Wells has been a steady force for the Orioles this season, keeping them competitive in every single start. He’s gone five innings and allowed two runs or less seven times already this season. Wells has shown tremendous grit and responded to the pressure of barely making the rotation by turning out competitive — even dominant — performances all year. In addition to Gibson, Kremer and Bradish, they can all party on the deck at Aqua as long as it’s safe.
Bold prediction for the O’s as we approach the All Star Break:
Before next newsletter the Orioles package two left-infielders not named Gunnar or Jackson for a certified veteran presence that solidifies their rotation. I’m going to go with Marcus Stroman as my prediction.
Crab Bag Grab Bag: Caption a random pic from your phone from the last few months.
“Splash Man can’t hurt me… Splash man isn’t even real….”
Splash Man:
Eric
Personal Highlight of the last few months of the pod:
Personal Highlight of the last 3 months I think was chopping it up with Adley and having a good interview with him. Several people from the org reached out to say how much they enjoyed it and how comfortable he seemed. Thought that was a nice little thing for us.
Word Association: what’s one word you’d use to describe the Baltimore Orioles right now?
Inconsistent. But when they’re riding high, they can hang with anyone.
Best piece of content you’ve consumed recently?
Does ITYSL count? If not, the Orioles feature on Felix Bautista that they put out was incredible. A great story.
Who’s hot? I.e., Baltimore athlete or public figure you’d want to hit Club Aqua with right now:
Would love to hit club aqua with....Adley. Obviously.
Bold prediction for the O’s as we approach the All Star Break:
Bold prediction is the O's look for a spark and bring up Cowser. Wait a little bit for Westburg.
Crab Bag Grab Bag: Caption a random pic from your phone from the last few months:
Rando pic.
Taylor
Personal Highlight of the last few months of the pod:
The NFL Draft first round live show was incredibly fun and shows a look at where more of our stuff is going.
Word Association: what’s one word you’d use to describe the Baltimore Orioles right now?
Refreshing.
Best piece of content you’ve consumed recently?
Big Bootie Mix 23, have to shout to the Two Friends of the show.
Who’s hot? I.e., Baltimore athlete or public figure you’d want to hit Club Aqua with right now:
Obviously Taylor Swift. Most powerful person in entertainment right now (Sorry Spenny).
Bold prediction for the O’s as we approach the All Star Break:
I think they bring up Cowser for an offensive shot in the arm and he flourishes immediately. Dude rakes.
Crab Bag Grab Bag: Caption a random pic from your phone from the last few months:
“If you know, you know” (editor’s note: I know.)
Brian
Personal Highlight of the last few months of the pod:
Adding two STUDS to the Exit 52 family
Word Association: what’s one word you’d use to describe the Baltimore Orioles right now?
Rollercoaster
Best piece of content you’ve consumed recently?
Series (editor’s note: not sure what he means here, please DM @BarstoolBanks on Twitter to find out, or get Madden codes)
Who’s hot? I.e., Baltimore athlete or public figure you’d want to hit Club Aqua with right now:
JT (Justin Tucker, not Thomas) would be great vibes in Club Aqua
Bold prediction for the O’s as we approach the All Star Break:
Grayson comes back to the bigs a new man
Crab Bag Grab Bag: Caption a random pic from your phone from the last few months:
No caption needed (editor’s note: I’m allowing a double up here because this is fucking glorious and shouldn’t be forgotten)
