Belleville, New Jersey emcee and producer Action Figure 973 has returned with his 13th extended play, Polo Grounds. Following a prolific run that includes a dozen EPs and his full-length debut DOOM Was Right—a project that paid homage to the legendary Madvillainy—Action Figure 973 continues to solidify his reputation as a uniquely skilled artist. After collaborating with Machacha on last year’s The Most Interesting Man in the World, he has tapped DiMaggio for full production duties on this latest baseball-themed project, Polo Grounds, perfectly timed for the MLB All-Star Game.
The EP opens with “Butch Husky,” which sets a mafioso tone, followed by “Ken Griffey Jr. Was Never a Yankee,” a track that utilizes a dark, drumless soundscape to explore themes of unrequited loyalty. The project continues with “Showdown at Shea,” which leans into an eerie aesthetic, and “Lou Gehrig’s Disease,” a track that draws a poignant parallel to the neurodegenerative illness currently affecting AEW performer Rebel.
The project is rich with sports references. “Nomar Garciaparra” honors the retired shortstop, while “Pete Rose,” featuring 067 Red, pays tribute to the late baseball icon and WWE Hall of Famer. “War Memorial,” featuring Brother Tom Sos, offers a jazzy, boom-bap reflection on life, and “Relief Pitcher” includes a nod to Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide champion Mr. Iguana. By shifting his focus toward baseball-themed lyricism, Action Figure 973 provides a refreshing change of pace for his discography, expertly navigating DiMaggio’s production with a refined, focused delivery.
Score: 7/10