THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: Listen to numerous podcasts — there's usually something to learn

Yes, we get plenty of questions and opinions.

Only a few contain suggestions that I be put on a Greyhound bound for west Texas — and tied to the seat.

It’s nice that most readers are intelligent and thoughtful, and it’s even better when we get a question that’s truly interesting.

The following email came from a gentleman named Tony, who wanted his last name to remain anonymous.

Fair enough, Tony, and thanks for giving us something to ponder.

Here’s what he asked.

“It seems like there are hundreds of podcasts available on every subject in the world these days.

“Some are nonsense, but I’ve stumbled across a few where I’ve actually learned something.

“Are there any particular podcasts, or pods focused on certain sports, that you trust enough to use as sources for your column?

“Do you roll your eyes at most of these podcasts? 

“Or do you stop and check other sources, maybe to see if a story or idea on a trustworthy pod is worth sharing in the Cheap Seats?”

ANSWER: If a columnist starts rolling his or her eyes at somebody else’s thoughts — just because you’re a so-called professional — that’s a start on the road to being meaningless.

And worse, arrogant.

In this business of putting opinions in front of the public and asking to be believed, the very first step is humility.

So.

Before we get too deep into the world of podcasts (or freelance writers, etc.), please understand that a decent columnist has to research and dig for facts like crazy.

Now, there’s a second part of that statement which is just as important.

We can never look down on anyone else’s work, even if we think the information or ideas might be wrong.

I’ve made this little speech as another way of saying that ANY podcast, or ANY YouTube production, or ANY outside source of information, could be the story of a lifetime.

Who knows?

As you said, Tony, there are endless podcasts out there.

Given the sheer source of numbers, then, there’s going to be some fascinating stuff floating around that most of us wouldn’t find in a lifetime of digging.

ANYHOW, you asked about podcasts.

Yes, there are good ones I hear religiously, and there are hit-and-miss offerings that you need to check once in a while — just to see the current subject, and note whether it touches on something you were hoping to share with your readers.

Actually, Tony, you went in a direction with your question that most readers rarely consider. You asked if there are pods aimed at a particular sport that are worth putting on your list.

First of all, we can assume that someone doing a regular podcast on Wazzu football or Gonzaga hoops probably knows more about that specific topic than you do.

These people are passionate, and they don’t miss much.

Not the good ones.

But among all the experts, there is a sub-set that resides all alone on a mountaintop.

Baseball.

Nothing gets studied, argued about, yada, yada, like the National Pastime.

For instance, there are several podcasts solely devoted to the Mariners.

And just to underscore my point, I just listened to the daily “Locked On Mariners,” with hosts Ty Dane Gonzalez and Colby Patnode.

The M’s have made a couple of major trades this off season, but they’ve also signed a boatload of relief pitchers — many of whom are on minor league contracts and probably will never throw for Seattle beyond spring training.

THE HOSTS today were chatting about the newest acquisition, right-handed swingman Austin Voth — most recently of the Nationals, but without real major league success anywhere.

The discussion hit Voth’s plus points.

(“He can really spin the ball with his curve and sweeper, and the Mariners development people love to work with those guys.”)

And they pondered a possible future trade.

(“Now that they have Voth, they could try to move DeSclafani and unload some of that $12 million salary.”)  

To make the point here again, Austin Voth isn’t a household name in his own driveway.

He could walk through Times Square and never be recognized.

Yet, a Mariner podcast was devoted to the spin degree of his curve, and conversely, why his cutter has not yielded much success.

There are more baseball podcasts than you have time to hear.

At least I try to find them. 

If Austin Voth strikes out Shohei Ohtani with a backdoor sweeper to save a win for the Mariners this summer, you might read about it right here.

Oops, hang on.

The phone’s ringing.

Gotta run.

It’s Anthony DeSclafani.

 Email: scameron@cdapress.com

Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns appear in The Press four times each week, normally Tuesday through Friday unless, you know, stuff happens.

Steve suggests you take his opinions in the spirit of a Jimmy Buffett song: “Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On.”