Two Strike Noise - A Baseball History Podcast

In this episode of Two Strike Noise, Jeff and Mark open in the Jesus Montero Studio, where an ice cream sandwich has never been more dangerous. From there, the guys dig into a card-collecting dad-and-son duo who cornered the market on Greg Briley, a record-shattering Hall of Fame induction program, and John Kruk’s musings on clocks, vegans, and sandwiches. They check in on the Little League World...

In this episode of Two Strike Noise, Jeff and Mark cover some fresh headlines around the game — including Mariano Rivera going down at Yankees Old-Timers’ Day, Jen Pawol breaking barriers behind the plate, and Fernando Rodney still firing arrows in Canada at age 48. The main topic this week is Babe Phelps, one of baseball’s many “Babes,” but maybe the quirkiest of the bunch. From hitting .367 as a...

In this episode of Two Strike Noise, Jeff and Mark discuss Shin-Soo Choo stepping in as director of Baseball Queen, a new reality series where former female athletes take on the challenge of learning baseball from scratch. They also cover some fresh player nicknames, memorable closer entrances, and notable big-league debuts. The main topic this week is the legendary baseball finale of the original...

In this episode of Two Strike Noise, Jeff and Mark discuss Mark’s recent experiences at Cooperstown's Hall of Fame induction, including interactions with various baseball legends like Johnny Bench, Juan Marichal, and Scott Rolen. The main topic this week is the notorious career of Denny McLain, detailing his rise to baseball stardom and subsequent fall due to controversies and legal troubles. The...

In this episode of Two Strike Noise, Jeff and Mark (providing in-depth and pointedly observant pre-recorded comments from Cooperstown during Ichiro's Hall of Fame induction) discuss the news of Jim Clancy's passing and the shocking charges against the newest Do-Not-Talk-About-List member, Dan Serafini, Chris Carter's career and recent milestones, and the Hall of Fame weekend's special team hats. T...

In this episode of Two Strike Noise, hosts Jeff and Mark discuss a range of baseball history topics, starting with a critique of Justin Verlander's recent performances, a wind-induced balk in the 1961 All-Star game and its parallels today. The talk shifts to notable debuts, including Babe Ruth and Cal Raleigh, and some colorful history involving Hal McRae. The main segment features guest Marshall...

In this episode of Two Strike Noise, Jeff and Mark recount the infamous Brooklyn Yankees brawl at the Copa Cabana in 1957, involving Billy Martin, Mickey Mantle, and other Yankees players. They share anecdotes about the mob-run nightclub and the fallout of the incident on the Yankees' season. The hosts also explore player histories and quirky trivia when unboxing a pack of re-packed wax baseball c...

In this episode of Two Strike Noise, Jeff and Mark discuss fond memories of Tom Wilhelmson, before sharing a recap of Jeff’s Louisville Slugger visit, finding Pete Browning's grave, and trying to locate Chicken Wolf’s. The hosts touch on minor league name rebranding initiatives by John Oliver and brainstorm suggestions for the Erie SeaWolves. The episode also features notable historical baseball d...

In this episode of Two Strike Noise, Jeff and Mark welcome listeners to another engaging dive into baseball history from the historic Eric Bedard studio. They begin with an amusing discussion on favorite saxophonists, highlighting Nationals reliever Jose Ferrer, who is self-teaching the saxophone via Youtube, it’s going great. They also discuss a surprising story about former MLB player Eric Antho...

In this episode of Two Strike Noise, Jeff and Mark discuss the impact of baseball in music videos, particularly MC Hammer's 'Too Legit to Quit,' featuring several pro athletes. The hosts provide updates on real-life events and baseball history, including Dick Schofield's unique playing stats, the Rockies' poor performance, and controversies around John Rocker's appearance on Survivor. The show wra...

In this episode of Two Strike Noise, Jeff and Mark discuss Major League Baseball's lifting of lifetime bans on players like Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson amongst others, debating their Hall of Fame eligibility. They explore the legacy and off-field controversies of these players. Mark delves into the life of early 20th-century baseball figure Turkey Mike Donlin, a crossover sports and enterta...

In this episode of Two Strike Noise, Jeff and Mark catch up on some of the latest baseball history news, including Randy Bass receiving Japan's national medal, Wade Boggs holding a fishing world record, and 4 home run games. They explore historical anecdotes like Lou Proctor's phantom baseball appearance and unique career paths of players such as Mike Cameron and Ed Delahanty. The show also featur...

In this episode of Two Strike Noise, Jeff and Mark kick off with a discussion on the passing of a significant figure in Italy and explore fascinating connections between religious figures and baseball. They delve into the 1942 Negro League World Series featuring Satchel Paige's Kansas City Monarchs against Josh Gibson's Homestead Grays. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by Negro Lea...

In this episode of Two Strike Noise, Jeff and Mark cover a range of baseball history topics, including a legendary doubleheader between Lehman College and the Yeshiva Maccabees that ended both teams' extensive losing streaks. They delve into the storied career and infamous spitball tactics of Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry. The episode also highlights several notable baseball debuts, including Buck W...

In this episode of Two Strike Noise, Jeff and Mark cover the action-packed first week of the baseball season. Highlights include PED suspensions, massive contracts, and bizarre events like drones on the field. They delve into unique stories including the crazy way Tom Hanks keeps score, strange happenings in college baseball, and curious historical anecdotes. The duo revisits historic MLB debuts a...

In this episode of Two Strike Noise, Jeff and Mark delve into various aspects of baseball history, including the excitement around the start of the baseball season and a somber update on 2005 White Sox closer Bobby Jenks' battle with stomach cancer. They discuss the fascinating story of baseball in New Orleans and learn details about past teams and players from the area. The segment provides insig...

In this week’s episode of Two Strike Noise, Jeff and Mark discuss Hal Chase, a notorious figure in early baseball history known for his exceptional talent and controversial involvement with gambling and game-fixing. The hosts delve into Chase's career, his disputes with managers, and his influence on the infamous 1919 Black Sox scandal. Additionally, they cover various baseball history topics, inc...

In this episode of 'Two Strike Noise,' hosts Jeff and Mark delve into various baseball history topics. They kick off with discussions on the Yankees' facial hair policy, ABS systems in spring training, and amusing feats and records related to player initials. The highlight of the episode is an in-depth look at legendary baseball best friends Germany Schaefer and Charlie O'Leary, sharing entertaini...

In this episode of Two Strike Noise, Jeff and Mark discuss the thrill of spring training games and the metaphorical return of baseball season, with some humorous tangents on the Hallmark Channel? To celebrate Black History Month they recount historical tales involving the Negro Leagues, the first night game in 1932, the 1936 Summer Olympics with Mac Robinson, and the various antics of early 20th-c...

In this episode of Two Strike Noise hosts Jeff and Mark celebrate their 278th show, discussing the 1987 Salt Lake Trappers, holders of the longest winning streak in professional baseball history, with 29 consecutive wins. The episode also features an in-depth look at players from the Trappers' remarkable season and their historical impact. Additionally, Wax Pack Heroes returns with a special curat...

Join Jeff and Mark on Two Strike Noise as they discuss some unusual and fascinating baseball moments, including a mercy rule no-hitter in the Caribbean Series, Albert Pujols' knack for hitting home runs upon request, and a former big leaguer making the transition to professional pickle-ball player. The main segment this week looks at some notable last seasons of baseball players. Hear about the un...

In this can’t miss episode of To Strike Noise, hosts Jeff and Mark dive into the latest Hall of Fame inductees, discussing the quirks of players like Ichiro, CC Sabathia, and Billy Wagner. They then have a fun and nostalgic debate over Contemporary Era ballot nominees, including Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, and Kenny Lofton, comparing their career stats and Hall of Fame suitability. The duo wraps u...

In this episode of Two Strike Noise, Jeff and Mark delve into various baseball history topics, starting with the story of Cal Ripken Jr.'s minor league team, the Iron Birds, and the infamous Billy Ripken 'f##k face' baseball card, interesting quirks like nickname origins, Vince McMahon's surprising link to Negro League baseball, and a major 1962 cheating scandal involving the Giants that was cover...

In this episode, Mark returns from a busy holiday season and then he and Jeff kick off the new year by reflecting on the recent passing of baseball legend Rickey Henderson and the impact he's had on their love for the game. The dashingly handsome duo navigates through various nostalgic baseball stories, from Bob Guerin's 'Family Feud' appearance to the intriguing history of the Omaha Omahogs. They...

In this gripping episode of Two Strike Noise, Jeff and Mark (back from vaca) dive into the quirky career of Babe Herman, filled with curious fielding abilties and impressive hitting statistics. They revisit the infamous Colavito curse in Cleveland and discuss Sammy Sosa's controversial public apology. Adding an extra layer of fun, they engage in another thrilling edition of Wax Packs Heroes, featu...