Baseball by the Book
216 episodes - English - Latest episode: 5 months ago - ★★★★★ - 625 ratingsA veteran baseball journalist interviews today's best baseball authors about their books.
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Episodes
Episode 240: "State of Play"
March 03, 2020 06:00 - 42 minutes - 59 MBMLB Network host Bill Ripken is not a fan of analytics, to say the least. The former major league infielder joins us to discuss his thoughts on WAR, OPS, pitcher wins, launch angle and more. Plus, Ripken discusses his late father, legendary Orioles coach Cal Ripken Sr.
Episode 239: "Smoky Joe Wood"
February 25, 2020 06:00 - 38 minutes - 52.6 MBSmoky Joe Wood was one of the most remarkable players of baseball's deadball era, putting together a legendary career as a pitcher and outfielder in just 11 seasons. Author Gerald Wood joins us to discuss his award-winning biography of Wood.
Episode 238: "Cum Posey of the Homestead Grays"
February 18, 2020 14:49 - 50 minutes - 69.1 MBOver the course of 25 years, Cumberland Posey transformed the Homestead Grays from a semi-pro team into a juggernaut that won nine straight Negro National League pennants. Author James Overmyer joins us to discuss the Hall of Fame owner's lasting legacy on black baseball.
Episode 237: "The Greatest Game Ever Pitched"
February 11, 2020 06:00 - 38 minutes - 53.4 MBOn July 2, 1963, future Hall of Famers Warren Spahn and Juan Marichal faced off in an epic pitcher's duel that lasted 16 innings. In a game full of stars and decided by one run, each hurler tossed more than 200 pitches. Jim Kaplan joins us to discuss a game that has attained legendary status over the years.
Episode 236: "The Chalmers Race"
February 04, 2020 06:30 - 56 minutes - 76.9 MBIn 1910, the race for the American League batting race between superstars Ty Cobb and Napoleon Lajoie became a national obsession. Author Rick Huhn joins us to explain why the bizarre ending of the race remains controversial 110 years later.
Episode 235: "Infield Fly Rule is in Effect"
January 28, 2020 07:00 - 55 minutes - 75.7 MBAuthor and legal expert Howard Wasserman joins us to discuss the history and controversy of baseball's most misunderstood rule, the Infield Fly Rule. Drawing on interviews with experts, legal arguments and a study of every infield fly play in eight Major League seasons, Wasserman tells the complete story of the rule.
Episode 234: "Sandy Koufax"
January 21, 2020 07:00 - 55 minutes - 75.5 MBAuthor Jane Leavy joins us to talk about her classic biography of Dodgers pitcher Sandy Koufax. Leavy discusses the legendary lefty's Hall of Famer career, his aversion to the spotlight, his Jewishness, his 1965 perfect game and more.
Episode 233: "The Hidden Language of Baseball"
January 14, 2020 05:10 - 46 minutes - 64.5 MBThe Houston Astros are paying a big price for stealing signs, but author Paul Dickson says sign stealing has been going on since baseball's earliest days. Dickson joins us to discuss the rich legacy of baseball's oft-controversial hidden language.
Episode 232: "Chief Bender's Burden"
January 07, 2020 07:00 - 45 minutes - 62.4 MBChief Bender, the greatest Native American in baseball history, played his Hall of Fame career facing a kind of pressure few other players could even imagine. Author Tom Swift joins us to discuss his award-winning account of Bender's remarkable life.
Episode 231: "The Bronx Zoo"
December 17, 2019 07:00 - 41 minutes - 57.3 MBForty years ago, Sparky Lyle and Peter Golenbock caused a sensation with "The Bronx Zoo," a rowdy, foul-mouthed look at the Yankees' tumultuous 1978 season. Golenbock joins us to look back at the classic book and its enduring legacy. Featured song: "Go Mental," the Ramones.
Episode 230: "Building the Brewers"
December 10, 2019 05:23 - 49 minutes - 67.4 MBAuthor Chris Zantow joins us to discuss how car dealer Bud Selig and a group of Milwaukee citizens led the effort to bring a major league team back to the city following the departure of the Braves for Atlanta. Along the way, Selig & Co. ran into stiff opposition from baseball's power brokers, who didn't see Milwaukee as a viable market.
Episode 229: "San Francisco Year One"
December 03, 2019 06:30 - 47 minutes - 65.1 MBIn 1978, San Francisco was shaken by the assassination of George Moscone and Harvey Milk and the massacre at Jonestown. Meanwhile, the city's punk rock scene exploded and Vida Blue, Jack Clark and the Giants provided an unexpected pennant race. Lincoln Mitchell joins us to tie it all together.
Episode 228: "Baseball in Europe"
November 26, 2019 07:30 - 58 minutes - 80.1 MBAlthough few fans in the United State may know it, baseball has a long and culturally important history in Europe. Author Josh Chetwynd joins us to discuss the impact of the game in the Netherlands, Italy, Great Britain and more than 40 other European countries.
Episode 227: "The Death Row All-Stars"
November 19, 2019 06:00 - 40 minutes - 54.9 MBIn the summer of 1911, a group of murderers, rapists and other hardened convicts at the Wyoming State Penitentiary garnered national attention through their prowess at baseball. Author Chris Enss joins us to discuss a remarkable tale of corruption, politics, violence and home runs in a state that was transitioning from the Old West into the modern world. Find out more about the author at chrisenss.com.
Episode 226: "Epic Season"
November 12, 2019 06:00 - 47 minutes - 65.1 MBThe 1948 American League pennant race was one of the greatest in history, featuring legendary stars, an iconoclastic owner and a one-game playoff to determine which team would advance to the World Series. Author David Kaiser joins to discuss Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio, Bob Feller, Satchel Paige, Bill Veeck and more.
Episode 225: "Oscar Charleston"
November 05, 2019 05:42 - 56 minutes - 77.7 MBMany experts believe Oscar Charleston is among the handful of best players in baseball history. So why is the former Negro Leagues star virtually forgotten today? Jeremy Beer joins us to discuss the life and legacy of the man who dominated black baseball in the 1920s and 1930s.
Episode 224: "Grassroots Baseball"
October 29, 2019 12:31 - 35 minutes - 48.1 MBJean Fruth has photographed amateur baseball players from Cuba to Oakland, from Japan to the Bronx and other baseball hotbeds throughout the world. Fruth and former Baseball Hall of Fame President Jeff Idelson join us to discuss her book of more than 250 photos, as well as their efforts to grow amateur baseball around the globe.
Episode 223: "Homegrown"
October 22, 2019 05:30 - 43 minutes - 59.7 MBIn 2018, the Red Sox won the World Series with perhaps the best team ever in the franchise's storied history. Author Alex Speier joins us to explain how Boston spent years methodically developing a generation of elite prospects who led the team to the promised land.
Episode 222: "Reclaiming 42"
October 15, 2019 04:02 - 58 minutes - 81 MBOver the past two decades, Major League Baseball has put a lot of effort into honoring Jackie Robinson as a heroic man who broke the color barrier. But Robinson's legacy has been sanitized and oversimplified, says author David Naze. Robinson was a complex man who engaged in controversial political activity, had public clashes with other prominent African-Americans and didn't hesitate to criticize MLB. Featured song: "This is My Country," the Impressions.
Episode 221: "The Celebrant"
October 08, 2019 03:58 - 42 minutes - 58.6 MB"The Celebrant" has been lauded as one of the greatest baseball novels ever written. Eric Rolfe Greenberg joins us to discuss his classic tale of a Jewish immigrant whose life intersects with the career of legendary New York Giants pitcher Christy Mathewson over two decades. Featured song: "Sensation," Scott Joplin.
Episode 220: "Shoeless"
October 01, 2019 09:28 - 40 minutes - 55 MBOne hundred years ago today, the infamous 1919 World Series between the Chicago White Sox and Cincinnati Reds began. Author David Fleitz joins us to discuss his biography of Shoeless Joe Jackson, the man who has become the focal point of the Black Sox scandal in the public imagination. Featured song: "I'm a Man," Joe Jackson.
Episode 219: "The Dizzy and Daffy Dean Barnstorming Tour"
September 24, 2019 06:00 - 49 minutes - 68.3 MBFollowing the 1934 World Series, Cardinal aces Dizzy and Paul Dean set off on a 14-game barnstorming tour that saw them compete against such legendary Negro League stars as Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson and Oscar Charleston. Award-winning author Phil S. Dixon joins us to discuss "the greatest barnstorming tour of all time" — and how the white newspaper reporters covering the Deans missed the most important story. Featured song: "Ramblin' On My Mind," Chris Thomas King.
Episode 218: "Batting Clean"
September 16, 2019 16:02 - 47 minutes - 65.2 MBDale Murphy was one of the best, and most respected, players of the 1980s. Yet the former Braves star has not gotten close to being elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Author Kirk McKnight joins us to discuss why he think Murph belongs in Cooperstown. Featured song: "Do it Clean," Echo & the Bunnymen.
Episode 217: "Nuclear Powered Baseball"
September 09, 2019 14:11 - 40 minutes - 55 MBIn 1992, nine MLB All-Stars "appeared" as themselves on a third season episode of "The Simpsons." In the 27 years since, "Homer at the Bat" has become one of the most remembered episodes of the classic animated TV series, beloved by generations of fans. Emily Hawks joins us to discuss Wade Boggs, Ken Griffey Jr. and the rest of the Springfield Nuclear Power Plants softball squad. Featured song: "The Simpsons" Main Title Themes, Danny Elfman.
Episode 216: "Black Baseball's Last Team Standing"
August 26, 2019 11:16 - 47 minutes - 65.5 MBFor more than four decades, the Birmingham Black Barons were one of the premier teams in all of black baseball. Author William J. Plott joins us to discuss the legacy of the team that helped launch the careers of Satchel Paige, Willie Mays and others. Featured song: "Frosty," Albert Collins.
Episode 215: "Baseball Gods in Scandal"
August 19, 2019 14:45 - 50 minutes - 69.1 MBIn late 1926, the baseball world was rocked after allegations emerged that superstars Ty Cobb and Tris Speaker had thrown a game seven years earlier. Author Ian Kahanowitz joins us to discuss the Dutch Leonard Affair, which almost destroyed the game itself. Featured song: "You Better You Bet," the Who.
Episode 214: "Red Sox vs. Yankees"
August 12, 2019 14:53 - 50 minutes - 69.7 MBRuth vs. Williams. Jeter vs. Nomar. Boggs vs. A-Rod. For more than a century, the Yankees and Red Sox have battled for baseball supremacy. Authors Bill Nowlin and David Fischer join us to take an in-depth, position-by-position look at the greatest rivalry in sports. Featured song: "My Rival," Alex Chilton.
Episode 213: "A Whole New Ballgame"
August 06, 2019 16:21 - 54 minutes - 75 MBIn the tumultuous year of 1969, the lowly Washington Senators shocked the baseball world by posting their first (and only) winning season. Led by manager Ted Williams and stars like Frank Howard and Dick Bosman, the team won a permanent place in the hearts of fans in the nation's capital. Stephen J. Walker joins us to discuss that memorable season. Featured song: "Good Times, Bad Times," Led Zeppelin.
Episode 212: "Mission 27"
July 29, 2019 06:32 - 47 minutes - 65.9 MBIn 2009, the New York Yankees were a franchise in transition. Mark Feinsand and Bryan Hoch join us to discuss how the new-look Bronx Bombers managed to win one final World Series with the Core Four of Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera. Featured Song: "Empire State of Mind," Jay Z feat. Alicia Keys.
Episode 211: "Edgar"
July 22, 2019 13:36 - 46 minutes - 63.7 MBEdgar Martinez was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame Sunday, completing an unlikely journey from Puerto Rico to Cooperstown. Larry Stone, who co-authored Martinez's autobiography, joins us to discuss the life and career of the legendary Mariners designated hitter. Featured song: "Viva! Sea Tac," Robyn Hitchcock.
Episode 210: "Hidden Ball Trick"
July 15, 2019 13:37 - 46 minutes - 63.9 MBAuthors Jeremy Frank and Jim Passon join us to discuss their new book, which focuses on "the baseball stats you never thought to look for" from the 19th century through the Deadball Era. Featured song: "I Can't Hide," Flamin' Groovies.
Episode 209: "The New York Yankees in Popular Culture"
July 08, 2019 10:37 - 47 minutes - 65.3 MBRuth. Gehrig. DiMaggio. Mantle. Costanza? For decades, the New York Yankees have been at the forefront of American popular culture, from movies to TV to music. David Krell returns to the podcast to discuss Seinfeld, The Simpsons, Damn Yankees, Simon & Garfunkel and more. Featured song: "New York, New York," Frank Sinatra.
Episode 208: "July 2, 1903"
July 02, 2019 12:07 - 49 minutes - 68.5 MBBig Ed Delahanty, a slugging, hard-drinking outfielder, was one of baseball's top superstars in the 1890s. But 116 years later, his death remains shrouded in mystery. Author Mike Sowell returns to the podcast to discuss Delahanty and the baseball wars of the late 19th century. To get a copy of the out-of-print book for $10, email Sowell at sowellm1 (at) mac.com. Featured song: "Mystery Train," Little Junior's Blue Flames.
Episode 207: "When Big Data Was Small"
June 24, 2019 11:40 - 47 minutes - 65.5 MBWhen Dick Cramer started analyzing baseball data in the 1960s, the term sabermetrics hadn't even been coined yet. Cramer joins us to discuss his pioneering work in the field, including his role in the founding of STATS and in disproving the concept of clutch hitting. Featured song: "2000 Man," the Rolling Stones.
Episode 206: "The MVP Machine"
June 17, 2019 15:01 - 55 minutes - 76.4 MBThe "Moneyball" era is over, and MLB teams have moved on to the next revolution: the high-tech quest to build better players. Ben Lindbergh and Travis Sawchik join us to talk about how this approach is transforming the game in numerous ways — and not always for the better. Featured song: "The National Anthem," Radiohead. — From https://www.thepunctuationguide.com/em-dash.html © 2019 thepunctuationguide.com — From https://www.thepunctuationguide.com/em-dash.html © 2019 thepunctu...
Episode 205: "Unwritten"
June 13, 2019 13:05 - 49 minutes - 68.3 MBAre bat flips OK? What does it mean to "respect the game?" How has the influx of Latin American players affected baseball's culture? Veteran writer Danny Knobler joins us to discuss MLB's shifting attitudes towards once-sacred player codes. Featured song: "Respect," Otis Redding.
Episode 204: "Strike Four"
June 10, 2019 15:33 - 49 minutes - 68.1 MBAuthor Richard Hershberger joins us to discuss how baseball evolved into the game we know today through a series of wide-ranging and radical rule changes throughout the 19th century. Featured song: "Little Games," the Yardbirds.
Episode 203: "A Season to Forget"
June 06, 2019 16:40 - 47 minutes - 64.7 MBRonald Reagan called to offer support. So did the Pope. And Bill Cosby. None of it helped. The 1988 Baltimore Orioles started the season 0-21, setting a record and becoming a national laughingstock. Author Ron Snyder joins us to discuss one of the worst teams in baseball history. Featured song: "I Hate Myself for Loving You," Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.
Episode 202: "They Bled Blue"
June 03, 2019 14:06 - 47 minutes - 64.7 MBIn 1981, after a strike nearly ended the baseball season, the Los Angeles Dodgers won the most unusual World Series title in history. Author Jason Turbow joins us to discuss Fernandomania, Steve Garvey, Marvin Miller and more. Featured song: "This Town," the Go-Go's.
Episode 201: "Ballpark"
May 23, 2019 11:30 - 56 minutes - 77.4 MBPulitzer Prize–winning architecture critic Paul Goldberger joins us to discuss the the inextricable link between the history of baseball stadiums and the growth of the American city. Featured song: "Bright Lights, Big City," the Animals.
Episode 200: "The Legendary Harry Caray"
May 20, 2019 04:13 - 1 hour - 87.9 MBIt might be! It could be! It is the 200th episode of Baseball by the Book! Author Don Zminda joins us to discuss the life of Harry Caray, the legendary broadcaster known for his work with the Cardinals, White Sox and Cubs. Holy cow! Featured song: "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," Harry Caray and the Wrigley Field crowd.
Episode 199: "Ten Innings at Wrigley"
May 13, 2019 14:15 - 51 minutes - 71.1 MBOn the afternoon of May 17, 1979, the Phillies and Cubs played in one of the wildest, craziest games in baseball history. Author Kevin Cook joins us to discuss Dave Kingman, Mike Schmidt, WGN and MLB on the precipice of great changes. Featured song: "Blow Away," George Harrison.
Episode 198: "No Place I Would Rather Be"
May 06, 2019 15:27 - 51 minutes - 74.7 MBLegendary New Yorker writer Roger Angell is considered to be one of baseball's finest chroniclers by generations of fans. Author Joe Bonomo joins us to discuss more than four decades of extraordinary Angell essays. Featured song: "Angel Eyes," Roxy Music.
Episode 197: "When the Crowd Didn't Roar"
May 02, 2019 12:32 - 52 minutes - 47.9 MBOn April 29, 2015, the Baltimore Orioles hosted the Chicago White Sox at an empty Camden Yards. Author Kevin Cowherd joins us to discuss the surreal game that was played in the wake of major civil unrest following the death in police custody of Freddie Gray, a young African-American man. Featured song: "Baltimore," Prince.
Episode 196: "Almost Yankees"
April 29, 2019 12:53 - 54 minutes - 50.2 MBIn the summer of 1981, with major league players on strike, the powerhouse Triple-A Columbus Clippers became the talk of the baseball world. Author J. David Herman joins us to discuss Steve Balboni, Dave Righetti, Buck Showalter and other members of one of the best minor-league teams ever. Featured song: "Talk of the Town," the Pretenders.
Episode 195: "They Said it Couldn't Be Done"
April 25, 2019 13:19 - 47 minutes - 43.7 MBFifty years ago, the Miracle Mets stunned the baseball world by defeating the heavily favored Baltimore Orioles in the World Series. Author Wayne Coffey joins us to discuss the Mets and the other amazin' events of 1969.
Episode 194: "Going the Distance"
April 22, 2019 07:09 - 58 minutes - 53.2 MBOn the 30th anniversary of Field of Dreams, William Steele joins us to discuss the life and works of author W.P. Kinsella, whose novel inspired the movie. Kinsella's controversial literary legacy goes beyond his celebrated baseball writings, Steele explains. Featured song: "I'm Writing a Novel," Father John Misty.
Episode 193: "Last Seasons in Havana"
April 16, 2019 15:13 - 48 minutes - 44.7 MBCésar Brioso joins us to discuss how the Castro Revolution spelled the end of a once-thriving professional baseball scene in Cuba. Featured song: "Havana Moon," Chuck Berry,
Episode 192: "Doc, Donnie, the Kid, and Billy Brawl"
April 08, 2019 11:13 - 54 minutes - 49.6 MBHop into the DeLorean with author Chris Donnelly and take a trip back to the summer of the 1985, when the Mets and Yankees vied for baseball supremacy in New York. Meet Dwight Gooden, Don Mattingly, Gary Carter, Billy Martin and the rest who made it such a memorable season in the Big Apple. Featured song: "Everybody Wants to Rule the World," Tears for Fears.
Episode 191: "Scouting and Scoring"
April 04, 2019 13:54 - 48 minutes - 44.6 MBBecause of the the success of "Moneyball," many baseball fans believe in a fundamental divide between talent evaluators: Old-school, backward-thinking scouts vs. new-school, progressive analysts. But Christopher Phillips rejects this simplistic notion and tells us scouts and scorers have always had much in common.