hot-stove league

[ hot-stohv ]

noun

1. devotees of a sport, especially baseball, who meet for off-season talks.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hot-stove league¹

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

Baseball’s hot-stove league was once the gold standard for leagues’ ability to stay in the news during their offseason.

From Washington Times

The annual “hot-stove league” ritual, a flurry of free-agent signings and trades centred around the owners’ winter meetings in December, seems to have gone cold.

From Economist

Baseball’s hot-stove league is a tin can over a campfire compared to the NBA’s microwave since the playoffs ended.

From Washington Times

Baseball's free-agent season won't heat up for a few more weeks, but Dave Dombrowski, new president of baseball operations for the Boston Red Sox, stoked the coals under the hot-stove league recently when he said his top priority this off-season is to add a "horse" to the rotation.

From Los Angeles Times

Baseball doesn’t have one “hot-stove league” to fascinate us all winter.

From Washington Post