The Baseball Book Club

Author Tim Newby will be our guest as he talks about his book on slugger Pete Browning. And the World Series Rewind concludes with the 1986 World Series between the New York Mets and the Boston Red Sox, another classic series revisited.  TheBaseballBookClub@gmail.com 

The World Series Rewind continues as we travel back to the unforgettable 1979 Fall Classic , where the "We Are Family" Pittsburgh Pirates rallied from a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Baltimore Orioles in one of baseball's most memorable championships. We revisit the stars, the drama, the disco-era atmosphere, and the cultural backdrop that made the series an enduring classic. Then we tu...

Author David Krell will join us to talk with Leroy about his fascinating book, 1978: Baseball & America In The Disco Era.  And The World Series Rewind mini-series continues with the third segment, on the 1962 World Series between the New York Yankees and the San Francisco Giants.  TheBaseballBookClub@gmail.com 

Carl Mays killed Ray Chapman in 1920, but what if you could go back in time and alter history? Author Howard Camerik weaves a story in his book The Curse of Carl Mays that changes the course of so many in baseball. He'll join us to discuss the inspiration behind his book, the research that brought authenticity to the story, and the creative process of blending real baseball history into a com...

This week on The Baseball Book Club, we rewind all the way back to the unforgettable 1914 World Series — the stunning clash between Connie Mack’s powerhouse Philadelphia Athletics and the “Miracle” Boston Braves, one of the greatest upset stories in baseball history. We break down how the Braves went from dead last on July 4th to world champions in one of the sport’s most improbable turnarounds. T...

For our 50th episode of The Baseball Book Club , we’re covering two unforgettable baseball lives that took wildly different paths through the game.  This week we dive into the career of Hall of Fame third baseman George Brett, ranked #35 in The Baseball 100 by Joe Posnanski. From batting-title brilliance to pine tar controversy and one of the sweetest left-handed swings baseball has ever seen, we...

This week on The Baseball Book Club , we revisit one of the greatest postseason pitching performances in baseball history: Jack Morris and his unforgettable 10-inning shutout in Game 7 of the 1991 World Series. More than three decades later, Morris’ legendary outing still stands as the gold standard for postseason grit, endurance, and October drama. Then, we welcome author Marshall Garvey to the s...

This week on The Baseball Book Club, we celebrate the legacy of Carl Yastrzemski — one of baseball’s most enduring icons, the last player to win the Triple Crown before the modern power era transformed the game. From Fenway Park lore to his remarkable consistency across three decades, we explore what made Yaz a symbol of excellence and why his impact still resonates with fans today. We also welcom...

Author Lenny Levine will be our guest as we discuss his murder mystery novel Diehard Fan, set during the final week of the 1951 season and the historic comeback by the New York Giants. The book tells the story of a boy who tries to figure out who is killing Giants fans in Brooklyn, while weaving the games at Ebbets Field and the Polo Grounds into the plot.  And we'll unpack the history and th...

In this episode of The Baseball Book Club , we close out our Deadball Files series. Joined by historian Justin Renaldi, we explore 19th century pitcher Tim Keefe and his dominance, staggering workload, and why his name still belongs among the elite in baseball history. Then, in Leroy’s Hot Corner , a personal story takes center stage—connecting family, memory, and the game itself through one of ba...

This week, a question that might ruffle a few feathers: why isn’t Jim Thome in the top 100 players of all time? We take a closer look at the numbers, the narrative, and where he may (or may not) belong. The Deadball Files series is back for Part 3, joined by returning guest Justin Renaldi, as we explore the fascinating and mysterious life of one of baseball’s earliest stars—Ed Delahanty. And in be...

On this episode of the Baseball Book Club, we’ve got a full lineup of baseball history and storytelling. We continue The Deadball Files with guest Justin Renaldi, diving into the life and legacy of 19th-century pitching legend John Clarkson—one of the most dominant and fascinating figures of early baseball. Author Roger Lusby joins the show to discuss Searching for the Perfect Swing , a project or...

The Deadball era comes alive this week on The Baseball Book Club as John is joined by Justin Renaldi of Nostalgic Baseball Geezer to kick off a special four-part series: The DeadBall Files . In this debut episode, the spotlight turns to the legendary and larger-than-life Old Hoss Radbourn—a workhorse pitcher whose feats feel almost mythical in today’s game. Just how dominant was Radbourn, and what...

In this episode John and Leroy discuss the life and career of Yogi Berra, #43 on the Joe Posnanski 100. Plus, they will introduce a new book to the club, Tyler Kepner's K: A History of Baseball in Ten Pitches.  TheBaseballBookClub@gmail.com 

In this episode, John will sit down with Pittsburgh native and sports journalist Joe Landolina, a walking encyclopedia of Pittsburgh Pirates history. And we'll shine a light on the overlooked career of Jim Derrington—a name lost to time, but not without a story worth telling. Plus, John and Leroy turn back the clock to the 1986 World Series—not just to revisit it, but to relive it, playing th...

Season 3 of The Baseball Book Club begins with a look at two of the greatest pitchers the game has ever known. John and Leroy continue their countdown of Joe Posnanski’s The Baseball 100 , turning their attention to Tom Seaver and Cy Young—two legends separated by nearly a century but connected by dominance on the mound. The guys explore what made Seaver the defining ace of his generation and how...

 Before the new season gets rolling, we’re tipping our cap to two icons from opposite ends of baseball history. This Best Of episode revisits our conversations on the lightning-fast legend Cool Papa Bell and the smooth, steady greatness of Chipper Jones . From barnstorming brilliance to Hall of Fame consistency, it’s a reminder that baseball greatness wears a lot of different uniforms. One last re...

In Part 5 of The Best of The Baseball Book Club, we revisit five moments of unlikely home runs and then talk about two monumental moments in World Series history, including a Bill Mazeroski home run for the ages.  TheBaseballBookClub@gmail.com 

The Best of The Baseball Book Club continues. Compiling segments from various shows, this episode features baseball terminology, five funny moments from Joe Posnanski's book Why We Love Baseball, plus Leroy's Hot Corner on the book "Ladies And Gentlemen The Bronx Is Burning." TheBaseballBookClub@gmail.com 

In the third installment of The Best of The Baseball Book Club, we talk about the long endured curse over the Chicago Cubs and the moment that ended it for them on a rainy night in Cleveland.  Plus some classic baseball terminology and Leroy reviews a book on scorekeeping in baseball.  TheBaseballBookClub@gmail.com 

In this Best of The Baseball Book Club episode, we bring together some of our favorite conversations in baseball history and culture. We talk about how the Deadball Era became the Liveball Era with rule changes, equipment, and strategy transforming the game forever. Then we spotlight Hall of Famer Frank Thomas (The Big Hurt), his impact on modern hitting, and his place among the greatest power hit...

In this special Best Of episode, we revisit two unforgettable moments that helped shape baseball’s mythology. First, we look back at the legend of Bo Jackson—a once-in-a-generation athlete whose power, speed, and sheer presence still feel larger than life. Then, we rewind to one of the most flawless performances the game has ever seen: Sandy Koufax’s perfect game. A night when precision, dominance...

In this episode of The Baseball Book Club , John Cheslock and Leroy Estep look into the latest Hot Stove activity as teams shuffle rosters and prepare for a new baseball season. The conversation blends current baseball news with the historical perspective that defines the show. Leroy brings a Hot Corner spotlight on Kirby Puckett, examining the good, the bad, and the complicated legacy of one of M...

The crew is back together for a special, offseason episode. Leroy chimes in with a Hot Corner and John will speak with a guest as they discuss what may be the greatest decade of baseball.  TheBaseballBookClub@gmail.com 

Few pitchers in baseball history combined intelligence, precision and dominance like Christy Mathewson, Greg Maddux and Pedro Martinez.  In the season finale, John and Leroy examine what set these three legends apart — from Mathewson’s artistry with his fadeaway pitch, to Maddux’s unmatched command, to Pedro’s electric presence in the 1990s and early 2000s. Each man defining greatness and showing...