Erika Erickson is back and we’re talking with Tigers broadcaster Andy Dirks… while Shawn is cleaning his dirty drawers in Cleveland.

STRAIGHT DOPE: Fresh off his appearance on the Rachel Maddow Show, ML starts the podcast with a tribute to his favorite host of the Carlos & Shawn podcast … Mr. Monarrez.

Former Tiger Andy Dirks, who provides color commentary, zooms in to talk about the Detroit Tigers amazing season.

Andy breaks down the managerial genius of AJ Hinch, whose ability to put players in a position to succeed prompts ML to reveal the similarities between the Tigers skipper and his leadership of the Detroit Free Press recreational co-ed Wednesday night Belle Isle softball team. Andy politely pretends to take a call in the middle of ML’s incisive analysis.

Erika says it seems like the young Tigers are having a lot of fun and defying expectations. Andy offers his insights.

Andy contrasts the 2011-2014 Tigers he played on with the current squad. He said his Tigers were starter-heavy, with horses like Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer in the starting rotation. The current Tigers have only one horse: Tarik Skubal.

How do you hit a 100-mph fastball? Andy discusses batting strategy and how pinch hitters prepare to face flamethrowers. ML – again – sees parallels between how he helps the members of his softball team prepare to face pitchers … hurling 10-mph pitches.

Marc asks ML about the column that got him on Rachel Maddow, an investigation into where U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers really lives.

Shawn dials in to discuss why he skipped dinner with Jennifer Hammond to wash his drawers in a Cleveland laundromat.

Teen trolls stop Shawn on the street in Houston. ML says he’s pretty sure his cousin Jeffrey was not involved, but he can’t guarantee it.

Please support the show and join the Soul Patrol by becoming a Soulmate. For as little as $5 a month, you can enjoy benefits like early access to new episodes, the video version of the show, no insertion ads and access to our monthly bonus episode. At the $25 and $60 a month levels, you get free swag and exclusive merchandise. Sign up here: Get more from ML Soul of Detroit on Patreon

GEEK OF THE WEEK: ML lets Marc peek this week’s geek … and instantly regrets it.

ROOM 7609: Marc revives “Bless You Boys,” prompting many comments about the lame video and triggering a conversation about Detroit sports theme songs. Send us your favorite deep cut or obscure band – and a story about them or why they mean something to you – by writing to [email protected].

FEEDBACK: Robert Dorigo Jones is the newest Soulmate, while P*nis Breath checks in again to clear up some confusion. Then Hannah gives ML hell from Holly. We welcome all your comments – and constructive criticism – at[email protected]

SAVE WITH SOUL: Use promo code SOUL to get 10% off your registration for sports leagues with Come Play Detroit at www.comeplaydetroit.com and promo code MLSOUL to save $40 off a 15-person pedal pub ride with Michigan Pedaler at www.michiganpedaler.com

DONATE OR SPONSOR US: Support us on Patreon or make a donation at mlsoulofdetroit.com or drop us a line at [email protected] to find out how cheap and easy it is to advertise on our show! We now accept donations via Venmo (and if Venmo tells you your money is going to DaisyHouseLLC, you’ve got the right link!)

LISTEN AND LEARN: Find out more about the podcast at www.mlsoulofdetroit.com, where you’ll find previous episodes and so much more!

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