Episodes
Author Steve Gietschier joins us to discuss his new book chronicling baseball history from the 1930s to the 1950s. We discuss how MLB survived the Depression, the rise of the radio, World War II, the end of the color barrier and arrival of big league baseball in California. 
Published 11/22/23
Published 11/22/23
Award-winning author Joe Posnanski returns to the podcast to talk about 50 moments (and more) that tell the story of baseball history and why the sport means so much to so many. 
Published 10/03/23
Nobody doubts Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente are among the most important baseball players ever. But Dorothy Kamanshek? Dolf Luque? Masanori Murakami?  Author Lincoln Mitchell joins us to discuss how his selection of  important baseball players differs from other such lists — and why so many Giants make the cut. 
Published 09/06/23
Tim Hagety, broadcaster for the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas, takes us on a journey through 1,001 of the zaniest moments in minor league baseball history. Along the way, we'll meet wild bulls, sprinting weiner dogs, greased pigs and pitchers locked in bathrooms.  
Published 07/28/23
Rickey Henderson stole 130 bases. Cal Ripken Jr.'s legendary streak began, although no one knew it at the time. The Big Red Machine broke down as the Cincinnati Reds hit rock bottom while Steve Garvey and Tommy Lasorda found themselves immersed in controversy. And George Steinbrenner fired his manager — twice. At the end of it all, Whitey Herzog's speedy St. Louis Cardinals took on Harvey Keuenn's hard-hitting Milwaukee Brewers in a classic World Series. J. Daniel joins us to discuss the...
Published 05/03/23
Ryan McGee spent the summer of 1994 working as a $100-a-week intern for the Class-A Asheville Tourists of the South Atlantic League. Three decades later, McGee —now a senior writer for ESPN — has written a memoir about his misadentures in the low minor leagues. He tells us why he loves Asheville's historic McCormick Field, recounts how he witnessed a comical on-field brawl and explains how he knows what it was like to kiss Elvis. 
Published 04/10/23
Let's remember some guys. Author Bill Ballew joins us to discuss his new biographical dictionary of every MLB player who debuted in the 1970s — all 1,312 of them, from Don Aase to Richie Zisk. Ballew spent decades researching and writing this massive collection. 
Published 01/13/23
Steven Goldman joins us to discuss his collection of essays inspired by his podcast The Infinite Inning. From Pete Rose and Henry Aaron to Ski Melillo and Pee-Wee Wanninger, Goldman explores the interconnectedness of baseball and the greater world. 
Published 10/03/22
Author Tom Alecia joins us to discuss the remarkable life and career of Dave "Beauty" Bancroft, one of baseball's most unlikely Hall of Famers. 
Published 08/31/22
Author Andy McCue joins us to discuss how the American League mismanaged integration and expansion, allowing the National League to forge ahead in attendance and prestige.
Published 08/11/22
Mark Armour joins us to discuss the history of cheating in baseball, from the 19th century to current issues like electronic sign stealing and Spider Tack.
Published 07/20/22
In 1955, a group of Black Little Leaguers in South Carolina was denied a chance to play for the chamlpionship because of the color of their skin. Author Chris Lamb joins us to discuss the heartbreaking story of the Cannon Street All-Stars and youth baseball's civil war. 
Published 06/09/22
Raph Carhart joins us to discuss a new SABR collection that looks at how Jackie Robinson's legacy has been reflected and shaped by pop culture and literature. He gives his thoughts on "The Jackie Robinson Story," "42," plus a Broadway play, a comic book, children's books, TV movies and much more. 
Published 05/23/22
Author Peter Golenbock joins us to discuss his new oral history collection, which includes more than a dozen interviews with former baseball players conducted over the course of five decades. From Hall of Famers Mickey Mantle and Roy Campanella to journeyman like Ellis Clary and Kirby Higbe, the players, all now deceased, bring a long-gone era of baseball back to life. 
Published 05/03/22
We're in the catbird seat as author James R. Walker joins us to discuss his biography of legendary baseball broadcaster Red Barber. 
Published 04/19/22
For Jackie Robinson Day, we make this classic bonus episode from our Patreon page available to everyone. Adrian Burgos, Mark Armour and Lisa Alexander join us to take a deep dive look at "Baseball's Great Experiment," by Jules Tygiel.
Published 04/15/22
In the early 20th century, Charlie Murphy was the most successful — and controverisal — owner in the major leagues. Author Jason Cannon joins us to discuss the iconoclast behind the Chicago Cubs dynasty. 
Published 03/30/22
Ted Sullivan, once known as "the Daddy of Baseball," is almost entirely forgotten today. Author Pat O'Neill joins us to discuss the life of the Irish immigrant who discovered Charles Comiskey, took baseball international and coined the word 'fan.' 
Published 03/17/22
We're back! Author Jacob Kornhauser joins us to discuss the remarkable and inspiring story of former Oregon State outfielder Max Gordon. 
Published 02/23/22
Where does Pete Rose rank on the list of baseball's all-time best players? Was Barry Bonds better than Henry Aaron? Where do players like Sadaharu Oh and Josh Gibson belong on a list of the top 100 players? Author Joe Posnanski joins us to discuss those questions and many more.
Published 10/19/21
Now available for all. Dan Epstein, Josh Wilker and Willie Steele join us to discuss "The Bad News Bears," "Bang the Drum Slowly" and more baseball movies from the 1970s.
Published 09/29/21
We are making available to everyone for the first time our All-Star panel discussing "The Glory of Their Times." Rob Neyer, Jon Leonoudakis and Skip Desjardin join Justin McGuire to discuss Lawrence Ritter's classic oral history. 
Published 09/01/21
Andy Strasberg turned 13 in 1961, the same year his hero Roger Maris made baseball history. Strasberg joins us to discuss how that remarkable year changed his life and led to an enduring bond with the Maris family.
Published 08/18/21
In honor of the upcoming "Field of Dreams" game, we are making this patron-only bonus episode available to everyone. No decade had as many beloved baseball movies as the 1980s. From "The Natural" in 1984 to "Field of Dreams" in 1989, Hollywood loved the National Pastime. So grab some popcorn and listen as our All-Star panel discusses the controversial ending to the "The Natural," the inaccuracies of "Eight Men Out" and whether Crash Davis could take Ricky “Wild Thing” Vaughn deep. Justin...
Published 08/10/21