Small Hall Baseball Podcast

This week we discuss the concept of "Gamesmanship" and how far is too far. Is it okay so long as you keep it on the field or are there things that are just too far for us to accept? For our This Week In Baseball, we discuss the 1947 suspension of Leo Durocher. Was this an unwarranted suspension or was Durocher not such a neat and clean type of guy? Our Hall of Famer this week is shortstop Dave Ban...

This week we discuss the ABS Challenge System for balls and strikes during Spring Training. Is the ABS system useful or could it possible be more useless than doing nothing? For our This Week In Baseball, we discuss the the lawsuit the Cubs brought against Chicago over night games. Is there some understanding here and is it as ridiculous as it sounds? Our Hall of Famer this week is first baseman J...

This week we discuss expansion of the HOF to include players from International competition. Many have suggested adding big stars from leagues like the NPB, but do we support the notion or even understand it? For our This Week In Baseball, we discuss the Braves trying to hold Henry Aaron back from playing in an effort to have him hit 715 at home. Do we think this harmless or find something more si...

This week we discuss the our much disliked Desginated Hitter. We know that the DH is here to stay, but do we think that's for the better and is it even really necessary anymore? For our This Week In Baseball, we discuss the 1957 Supreme Court decision upholding the MLB's lone anti-trust exemption. Do we agree with the decision or do we wonder if it should have even come to be in the first place? O...

We present to you Part 2 of  "The Smörgåsbord" This episode we will be reviewing even more players that are not in the Baseball Hall of Fame, but were suggested by folks on social media as players who should have their case reviewed. We took a look at each player and gave our thoughts on their case. Do we think any of them were oversights and should be in the HOF? Have a listen won't you? This is...

Once Again, that time of year has arrived, the new Baseball Hall of Fame announcement! This episode is dedicated entirely to discussing the results of the most recent BBWAA Hall of Fame ballot. We discussed the 3 BBWAA electees and along with Dave Park in great detail. Dick Allen was discussed in our September 23rd Small Hall Smorgasbord episode so, if you would like our opinions on Allen, feel fr...

This week we discuss the relationship between sports owners and fans of their temas. We know that those owners have control of their teams, but just how much should they listen to their fandom? For our This Week In Baseball, we discuss the 1943 banning of Phillies owner William Cox and subsequent sale of the team. The Cox was banned for gambling, but how good an owner was he and how did his succes...

Welcome to season 3 of the Small Hall Baseball Podcast! This week we discuss the character clause for Baseball Hall of Fame election. Do we like that its there or do we have some beef with this nearly 80 year old part of the election process? For our This Week In Baseball, we discuss the Mass Market Free Agent Re-Entry Drafts from 1976-78. The title is a mouthful, but was the process itself any le...

This week we discuss the 2024 Phillies season. The final nail in the coffin was delivered by the Mets some time ago, but we partake in a debrief for the season and air our grievances. For our This Week In Baseball, we discuss the two Phillies World Series events in the form victory in 1980 and painful defeat in 1993. Our father had great joy 1980 as a young man and my brother had great pain in 199...

This week we discuss the death, career, and impact of Pete Rose. We have slightly different opinions than many folks, but he certainly was an impactful part of baseball history for better or worse. For our This Week In Baseball, we discuss the the Phillies day in history known as "Black Friday". While 2 of us were not alive, the pain that must've happened for Phillies fans watching must have been...

We present to you a very special episode of the Small Hall Baseball Podcast entitled, "The Smörgåsbord" This episode we will be reviewing players that are not in the Baseball Hall of Fame, but were suggested by folks on Twitter as players who should have their case reviewed. We took a look at each player and gave our thoughts on their case. Do we think any of them were oversights and should be in...

This week we discuss the miasma of the 2024 Chicago White Sox. They're on pace for one of the worst seasons in MLB history, but should this kind of thing ever happen? For our This Week In Baseball, we discuss the tragic death of Ray Chapman in 1920. This sort of thing doesn't happen often, but could it happen again and is there anything that can be done? Our Hall of Famer this week is Center Field...

This week we discuss the legitmacy of shortened seasons. Many a Dodger fan has complained about the 2020 season and its title, but do we feel the same?. For our This Week In Baseball, we discuss the famous Yankees/Red Sox brawl from 2004. It was also the day Josh got married, but was it as significant for the Red Sox? Our Hall of Famer this week is pitcher Jesse Haines. The Vet's committee has wro...

This week we discuss the careers of Willie Mays and Orlando Cepeda. Two great players that were part of stellar Giants teams and their presence in baseball will be greatly missed. For our This Week In Baseball, we discuss a game were pitcher Eddie Rommel threw 17 innings of relief. Connie Mack wanted to save train fare, but just how few people did he bring? Our Hall of Famer this week is Catcher R...

This week we discuss the different standard for Catchers to enter the HOF versus other position players. Is it fair that those in the crouch can put up lower hitting numbers or does it feel right for their workload? For our This Week In Baseball, we discuss the unique Tri-Cornered Baseball Game from 1944. Three teams play in a round robin format to raise money for the war effort, but could somethi...

This week each of us bring a different player to the table that had their career marred by injury. It sucks to have a shining career ended by injury or health, but which players did we think really had it bad? For our This Week In Baseball, we discuss the dedication of the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1939. Speeches and festivities abound, but just how much of an impact the Hall's very existence had o...

This week we discuss the the ups and downs of top baseball prospects. It sounds really awesome to have the top prospect label on a player, but what perils are there for that label? We also discuss big top prospects that let down through the decades. For our This Week In Baseball, we discuss the approval of the AL divisional alignment in 1968. What were the rammifications of this and was it the whe...

This week we discuss the spectre of gambling in professional sports. Just how much further can this go before something monumental happens again and can sports keep their integrity with its presence? For our This Week In Baseball, we discuss Ty Cobb's assault of a fan and its consenquences. Could this sort of thing happen today and how bonkers were the repercussions of his actions. Our Hall of Fam...

This week we discuss Umpiring in MLB with all of its ups and downs. Do we think the robots and lasers should be brought out in full force or are more sympathetic of these men behind the plate? For our This Week In Baseball, we discuss the end of Lou Gehrig's Iron Man streak in 1939. It truly was the end of an era and even though the streak would be surpassed by Ripken Jr, no one will quite match T...

This week we discuss the Royals and their newest disagreement with the city and citizenry of Kansas City. Do the two parties come to an agreement or does another city lose their franchise in the coming years? For our This Week In Baseball, we discuss the debut and rookie campaign of Jackie Robinson. He not only blazed the trail for so many after him, but tore it up on the diamond as well. Our Hall...

This week we discuss the Shohei Ohtani controversey, but also go in depth with our predictions for each division's winner, the wild card teams, and our World Series picks. Do we go all chalk or do we have some surprises in store? For our This Week In Baseball, we discuss the sudden passing of Gil Hodges in 1972. The too soon death of a person always a tragedy, but had he lived, what could his care...

This week we discuss the the injury to Gerrit Cole and its potential rippling effects. Will there be an adjustment in the game or will pitchers stay disposable and easily replaced? For our This Week In Baseball, we discuss the 1990 MLB lockout. The terms that were settled upon have lasted to this day, but it became a harbinger of the greater looming strike of 1994-95. Our Hall of Famer this week i...

This week we discuss the Fanatics and Nike baseball uniform debacle. Its bad enough the players are wearing bootleg looking jerseys, but single-ply pants too? For our This Week In Baseball, we discuss the deal that brought the Braves to Atlanta from Milwaukee, how the team performed, and how back then differed from now in terms of team movement. Our Hall of Famer this week is legendary hitter Ted...

This week we discuss our perspecive on statistics which includes which ones we like, ones we don't like, and our philosophy on where the line is on just how complex they need to be. For our This Week In Baseball, we discuss the legendarily lopsided trade of Steve Carlton to the Phillies for Rick Wise and if it seemed to be so unbalanced at the time from a person who was saw it when it happened. Ou...

This week we discuss the recently announced sale of the Baltimore Orioles. Just how giddy are O's fans and what does it mean for the near future of the franchise? Continuing our This Week In Baseball, we discuss "The Infield" from the 70s LA Dodgers. We lose the thread a little bit talking about the escapades of Steve Garvey, but we marvel at the success and longevity of those four gentlemen. Our...