Passed Ball Show

PASSED BALL SHOW #121 2/26/2014 Part 2 WITH DAVE SCHNECK AND BOB HEFFNER; I open up by playing my interview recorded in person with former Mets OF Dave Schneck. We talk about his experience in the Vietnam War and being the heir apparent to Willie Mays after his retirement before the 1974 season. I then play my interview with former Red Sox RHP Bob Heffner talking about his experience in Boston and...

PASSED BALL SHOW #121 2/26/2014 Part 1 WITH DARRYL HAMILTON; I open up with discussion of my upcoming 30-1 MLB team previews. I then speak with MLB Network analyst and former Mets, Brewers and Rockies OF Darryl Hamilton. We talk about his new gig, recovering from his Tommy John Surgery in 1994 and how he sustained his MLB success being a speed and defense guy. I then start my countdown of the 30 M...

PASSED BALL SHOW #120 2/19/2014 Part 2 WITH RON VILLONE, MARK ACRE AND FRANK MARTINEZ; Listen back to hour 2 of the Passed Ball Show where I interview former MLB LHP of 12 MLB teams and 15 MLB seasons Ron Villone, former Oakland Athletics RHP Mark Acre and director of a baseball training camp in Toronto, Canada Fran k Martinez

PASSED BALL SHOW #120 2/19/2014 Part 1 WITH RON SWOBODA; I opened up with talking about how ridiculous it is that the Red Sox cannot give David Ortiz a 1 year extension. I then play my interview with former Mets WS Champion OF Ron Swoboda. I finish off by talking about the silliness with people's assumptions over whether certain players did PEDs or not, the new celebrating a player's career each s...

PASSED BALL SHOW #118 2/5/2014 Part 2 WITH BERNIE CARBO AND RYAN CHURCH; I open up by having a powerful conversation with former Reds, Red Sox and Cardinals OF Bernie Carbo. Bernie talks about how the Lord Jesus Christ saved him after getting into problems with drugs and alcohol. He also talks about what he does for youth groups and his new book. I then speak with former Mets, Braves and Nationals...

PASSED BALL SHOW #118 2/5/2014 Part 1 WITH JOE SAMBITO AND RAMON VAZQUEZ; I open up by playing my interview with former Astros and Red Sox LHP Joe Sambito about being a closer for the Astros and transitioning into a LOOGY after his Tommy John Surgery. Joe has been a MLB player agent for the past 25 years and was the first former player to become an agent. I then play my interview with former Pirat...

PASSED BALL SHOW #117 1/29/2014 Part 2 WITH JERRY CASALE AND RAY CRONE; I open up by speaking with former Red Sox RHP Jerry Casale. Jerry talks about being a Brooklyn Dodgers fan and getting his opportunity to pitch in the big leagues. He was also a very good hitter and may of hit the longest HRs in Fenway Park history. He then opened up a restaurant in NYC that he owned for years. I then get to s...

PASSED BALL SHOW #117 1/29/2014 Part 1 WITH LENNY MOORE; I open up by talking a little NFL Football with Hall of Fame Half Back Lenny Moore. Lenny played his college ball at Penn State before Joe Paterno was the head coach and starred in the NFL for the Baltimore Colts from 1956-1967. He talks about the racial issues he had to deal with throughout his childhood and how he stood out for his ability...

PASSED BALL SHOW #116 1/21/2014 Part 2 WITH HAL BROWN, BRAD PAYNE AND BILL BRAY; i start out by playing my interview with former MLB pitcher Hal "skinny" Brown, who pitched in the big leagues from 1951-1964. He talks about his experience in the milliatary and how he learned to throw the knuckleball. I then speak with Independent Leaue inf/ of Brad Payne about some of the trials and tribulations of...

PASSED BALL SHOW #116 1/21/2014 Part 1 WITH FERGUSON JENKINS; I open up the show by giving the logic landing places for all the remaining big free agents, including taking a chance on where Masahiro Tanaka will land up by the time the show airs. I then speak with Hall of Fame RHP Ferguson Jenkins about his trade from Philadelphia, his success with the Cubs, his experience getting caught with cocai...

PASSED BALL SHOW #115 1/14/2014 Part 2 WITH JOE DURHAM; I open up by playing a touching interview with former MLB OF Joe Durham. Joe had the talent to be a solid MLB player but was held back possibly because of race. Joe played in the 1950s after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier and put up very good numbers in his many years in AAA. I then get into the possible closure of the Tanaka sweepst...

PASSED BALL SHOW #115 1/14/2014 Part 1 WITH MONTE IRVIN AND RON CLARK; I open up by playing my interview with MLB HOF OF Monte Irvin. We speak a little bit about his childhood and how he went from being a solid player in the Negro Leagues to being a very good OF for the New York Giants, helping them win the NL Pennant in 1951 and the World Series in 1954. I then get into the promising career of Bo...

Passed Ball Show #114 (1/7/2014) Part 2 with Eddie Robinson and Larry Colton. John spends this part of the show speaking with former MLB 1B and General Manager Eddie Robinson and former MLB pitcher Larry Colton. John then gives his piece on how underrated former MLB outfielder Sliding Billy Hamilton was.

Passed Ball Show #114 (1-7-2014) Part 1 with Don Loun. John spends this portion of the program talking about Mike Piazza being held out of the baseball hall of fame because of suspicion of PED's and why other players that played during this time are never spoken about in a negative light. John then speaks with former Washington Senators pitcher Don Loun about his complete game shutout during his f...

PASSED BALL SHOW #113 12/30/2013 Part 2 WITH SCOTT DRUCKER AND BRYCE FLORIE; I open up by playing my interview with former Athletics and Tigers minor league RHP Scott Drucker. Scott is now a certified MLB player agent. I then play my interview with former Padres, Brewers and Red Sox RHP Bryce Florie. Byrce is known for getting hit in the left eye by a line drive off the bat of Ryan Thompson while...

PASSED BALL SHOW #113 12/30/2013 Part 1 WITH VANCE LAW; I open up by mourning the passing of former Orioles CF Paul Blair. I segway into a discussion about the favorites to land free agent RHP Masahiro Tanaka. I then play my interview with former MLB 3B Vance Law. Vance was the son of former Pirates RHP Vern Law and played for the Pirates, White Sox, Cubs, Expos and Athletics. I finish off my ment...

PASSED BALL SHOW #112 12/24/2013 Part 2 WITH MATT NOKES AND WAYNE ROSENTHAL; I open up by explaining my sudden optimism about the Mets signing free agent SS Stephen Drew. I then get into my comparison to the negative impact Jordany Valdespin had on the Mets to that of a similar situation with Gregg Jefferies. I then play my interview with former Tigers and Yankees catcher Matt Nokes, as Matt talks...

PASSED BALL SHOW #112 12/24/2013 Part 1 WITH BRIAN SANCHES; I open up with sending my condolences to Ed Herrmann's family after his recent passing and talk about my connection with the baseball players I have spoken with. I then play my interview with former Phillies, Marlins and Royals RHP Brian Sanches, talking about his commitment to get back on a MLB team. I then talk about the Ryan Doumit tra...

PASSED BALL SHOW #111 12/17/2013 Part 2 WITH CHUCK MCELROY AND JERRY SPRADLIN; I start by playing my interview with former Phillies, Cubs, Rockies, Mets (among other teams) LHP Chuck McElroy. He talks about coming up as a MLB reliever and the differences in his uses from when he came up to when he finished his career. He also started a baseball tutorial website annd his son, CJ was recently drafte...

PASSED BALL SHOW #111 12/17/2013 Part 1 WITH GREGG ZAUN AND JIM MECIR; I open up by discussing the Yankees recent signing of 2B Brian Roberts and exactly what type of player the team is getting. I talk about how some teams like Houston and the Chicago Cubs may become bigger spenders when some of their younger players start to develop. Then, I talk about why it makes sense for the Mets to keep Ike...

PASSED BALL SHOW #110 12/12/2013 Part 2 WITH AARON SMALL, DAN COURY AND LANDIS WILSON; I open up by playing my interviews with up and coming pro catchers Landis Wilson and Dan Coury. I then get into the Prince Fielder trade and its impact on future trades. I talk then about the common players that played for the three new Hall of Fame managers Bobby Cox, Tony LaRussa and Joe Torre. I finish off by...

PASSED BALL SHOW #110 12/12/2013 Part 1 WITH NORMAN BERMAN AND HIRAM BOCACHICA; I open up by talking about how it was great and valuable for the Mets to sign RHP Bartolo Colon. I then play my interview with former 1947 Brooklyn Dodgers ball boy Norman Berman. He talks about his experiences as an aspiring young ballplayer and what he experienced as the ball boy meeting and playing cath with Jackie...

PASSED BALL SHOW #109 12/4/2013 Part 2 WITH TIM LEARY AND DAVE VAN HORNE; I open up by speaking with former Mets, Brewers, Dodgers and Yankees RHP Tim Leary about winning the 1988 World Series with the Dodgers, coming up with the Mets and playing for a couple of bad Yankees teams. Tim also started his own website to help start scholarships for high school players looking to excel in baseball. I th...

PASSED BALL SHOW #109 12/4/2013 Part 1 WITH FRED VALENTINE; I open up by recapping the Jacoby Ellsbury signing as well as the trades the Oakland Athletics made. I mention the Red Sox signing of AJ Pierzynski and how I like the Rays decision to trade for RHP Heath Bell. I show my doubts over whether the Mets will close the deal on OF Curtis Granderson. I then speak with former Orioles and Senators...

PASSED BALL SHOW #108 11/30/2013 Part 2 WITH JIM "MUDCAT" GRANT, JOEL BENNETT AND WILSON CAICEDO; On hour 2, I keep up with my discussion with the Baseball Hall of Fame Ballot. I am then joined by longtime MLB pitcher Jim "Mudcat" Grant. He talks about rooming with his boyhood idol Larry Doby, finding out he was traded to Minnesota by the clubhouse attendant and finally getting his World Series ri...