Hardball: MLB History In First Person

Cal Ripken Jr Never has something more needed in the world of sports delivered the way that Cal Ripken did in 1995. After a strike shortened/no World Series year of 1994..to say Cal Ripken saved the game is not hyperbole. His quest to 2131 was handled both on and off the field with class/grace and highlight moments at every turn. Cal opens up to talk about that and so much more... See omnystudio.c...

Lynn Nolan Ryan Jr The Ryan Express Nolan Ryan pitched in the Major Leagues for 27 seasons. He struck out more..walked more..hit more batters than any pitcher in history. And it wasn't even close. He did things that were beyond unprecedented..at his age or any other. And if you wanted to know what baseball fans thought of him..he got more votes than ANY pitcher who ever played the game in the 1999...

HARDBALL PODCAST Episode 12 Johnny Roseboro You know the name..you know "the brawl"..but John Roseboro's career and life was so much more. We talked months before his passing in 2002.. and we hit it all. Campy/Sandy..and of course his once complicated relationship with Juan Marachial..and how John's rethinking of that incident helped push Juan into his warranted place in Cooperstown. 6X All Star.....

The story of the 1969 Mets can not be told without going back to the beginning. The 120 loss record breaking inaugural season of 1962. We will do that and so much more with our TWO guests this week. Ed Kranepool & Ron Swoboda. 50+ years later..this team resonates as much an ANY in the history of The Game. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So great he had three nicknames. Whitey. Slick..it's a Casey Stengel "whiskey" thing. And of course..The Chairman of the Board. Because no one has ever been more in charge than when the 5'9" lefty was on the mound. We will go through it all..from open tryout to HOF career...with some amazing storytelling to fill in the blanks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Al Kaline still works for the Detroit Tigers..which means he has spent 8 decades with the team that has proudly worn the Old English D since 1904.His talent surpassed only by his grace. And class. An All American tale of the boy who dreamed it..then lived it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you talk about trying to put together an All-Time All-Time starting 9 in Baseball History..the debate can be both entertaining and anger inducing. And when you think about the men who can even be considered for such an honor..you are talking about the 1% of the 1% of the 1%. While you can say George or Brooks or I can say Chipper..we might all really be keeping the seat warm for today's guest...

HARDBALL PODCAST #7 It's easy sometimes to "look the part" It's much more difficult to "play the part" It's even more difficult when everything looks easy. When "touched by God" is the easiest way to explain what you are seeing..knowing you really have never seen it before. It's hard to have everything end perfectly..with a bow after the lights come up.  It's hardest of all to walk away with...

Monte Irvin has one of the most unique stories in Baseballs history. Get ready to hear firsthand accounts of his time pre World War II..and what his time served did to his career. And..the not widely known story of how HE could have been the face of integration. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's Episode of HARDBALL is my conversation with HOFer Carlton Fisk. The centerpiece of one of the most iconic moments in sports history..but his 22 year career that was so much more. His stories of rivalries..brawls..and an injury that could have ended it all before it ever got started. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 4 takes us to Kansas City for lifetime Royal and Hall of Famer George Brett. A 20+ year career that spanned three decades and saw an accumulation of numbers that puts him in the Elite of the Elite company of the games greatest. A conversation from the early 2000's that finds him at ease in all aspects of his professional life past and personal life present. See omnystudio.com/listener for...

HARDBALL Episode 3..Hall of Famer and true Broadcast Legend VIN Scully.  From his childhood NY roots..to his first broadcasting break (a football game!) thru some of his memorable days and nights at ballparks across America.  The greatest painter of baseballs canvases will share..with the ultimate humility..a life well lived. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 2 is a sit down I did with HOFer and Yankee Legend Phil Rizzuto back in 2001. Easily one of the most beloved Yankees of All-Time..a playing career that started in the 1930's..and a broadcast career that lasted until 1996. That would mean in his 7 DECADES of Yankeedom he saw firsthand more Yankee history than anyone else. He will tell some of those stories..and you will hear the names Ruth/...

Chris Dimino in conversation with Stan "The Man" Musial See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.