Baseball by the Book

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.  

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...

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 know...

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

We're in the catbird seat as author James R. Walker joins us to discuss his biography of legendary baseball broadcaster Red Barber. 

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.

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. 

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.' 

We're back! Author Jacob Kornhauser joins us to discuss the remarkable and inspiring story of former Oregon State outfielder Max Gordon. 

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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...

The St. Louis Cardinals have won 11 World Series, but perhaps none is as special to its fans as the miracle 2011 title. Author Benjamin Hochman joins us to discuss David Freese, Tony La Russa, Albert Pujols and a legendary Game 6.