Life At The Ballpark
98 episodes - English - Latest episode: 2 months ago - ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsFor those who love baseball, Life At The Ballpark gives you an inside peek into the game with entertaining stories from those who play it, scout it, and broadcast it every single day.
Life At The Ballpark is hosted by John Frost, a veteran broadcaster who has enjoyed over 20 years as the public address announcer for the St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins at their Spring Training home and minor league clubs in Jupiter, Florida.
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Episodes
S6:E2 Brad Thompson, former major league pitcher and now TV analyst for the St. Louis Cardinals
May 11, 2024 18:56 - 27 minutes - 49.7 MBOn this episode you'll hear stories from a former Cardinals’ pitcher and current broadcaster who achieved the rare feat of going to the post season in his first two seasons in the big leagues and even winning a World Series. He share his perspective on the historic 2005 NLCS playoff game #5 as Minute Maid Park went silent when Albert Pujols homered off the Astros' Brad Lidge.
S6E1: Bill Brown, broadcaster and author of "Baseball's Bizarre Season"
March 01, 2024 13:51 - 22 minutes - 49.2 MBOn this episode you’ll hear stories from a 30 year broadcast veteran with the Houston Astros and member of that team's Hall of Fame, who as a boy growing up in central Missouri was mesmerized by the sounds of baseball on the radio and in 1964 followed his favorite team The St. Louis Cardinals through one of baseball’s most bizarre seasons with three teams tied for first place one week to go. Bill Brown shares how the Cardinals’ championship year of 1964 fueled his love for baseball, and h...
S5E5: In Memory of Hall of Fame sportswriter Rick Hummel
May 23, 2023 15:06 - 19 minutes - 43.1 MBThis podcast with Rick Hummel was recorded during Spring Training 2019. I'm reposting at the news of his passing because of how elequontly he reflects on his life. You'll hear Rick share about his love for baseball and how he became a sportswriter. You'll hear about his receiving the phone call informing him that he had been elected the the writer's wing at the Baseball Hall of Fame, the year that Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken, Jr. were inducted. He shares stories from his (then) 42 years...
Life at the Ballpark with Hall of Fame sportswriter Rick Hummel
May 23, 2023 15:06 - 19 minutes - 34.8 MBThis podcast with Rick Hummel was recorded during Spring Training 2019. I'm reposting at the news of his passing because of how elequontly he reflects on his life. You'll hear Rick share about his love for baseball and how he became a sportswriter. You'll hear about his receiving the phone call informing him that he had been elected the the writer's wing at the Baseball Hall of Fame, the year that Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken, Jr. were inducted. He shares stories from his (then) 42 years...
S5E4: Tom Ackerman, sports director at KMOX
May 05, 2023 22:09 - 13 minutes - 24.8 MBTom Ackerman, sports director for KMOX that has covered the St. Louis Cardinals for over 50 years. Tom shares about how his dad took him to Cardinals' games as a kid and encouraged him to pursue his dream of sports broadcasting.
Tom Ackerman, sports director at KMOX
May 05, 2023 22:09 - 13 minutes - 24.8 MBTom Ackerman, sports director for KMOX that has covered the St. Louis Cardinals for over 50 years. Tom shares about how his dad took him to Cardinals' games as a kid and encouraged him to pursue his dream of sports broadcasting.
S5E3: St Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame sportswriter Rick Hummel Reminisces about his 50 year history
April 17, 2023 17:33 - 20 minutes - 45.5 MBOn this episode, you’ll hear stories from a Hall of Fame sportswriter who has covered the St. Louis Cardinals for 50 years, through 7 World Series and 20 postseasons. You'll hear "The Commish's" opinions on the new rules in baseball, such as the pitch clock, bigger bases, and defensive shift restrictions. The Hall of Fame sportswriter also reminisces about a couple of Cardinals' Hall of Famers that we've lost in the last year, Tim McCarver and Bruce Sutter.
S5E2: St. Louis Cardinals' season preview with sport columnist Ben Frederickson
April 06, 2023 16:57 - 28 minutes - 59.6 MBSports Columnist Ben Frederickson of the St. Louis Post Dispatch shares his thoughts on the Cardinals’ lineup as we begin the 2023 baseball season. How will rookie Jordan Walker impact the club? Is the starting rotation strong enough to compete? Can the fact that they are moving guys around at various positions actually be a strength? Ben also reflects on last season's impact of future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols on the team and the city of St. Louis.
S5E1: Stories from the Astrodome with Todd Kalas
March 16, 2023 12:48 - 11 minutes - 29.6 MBOn this episode, you’ll hear stories from the son of Hall of Fame broadcaster Harry Kalas of the Philadelphia Phillies, who is now the voice of the team he grew up rooting for as a kid, the Houston Astros. Todd shares stories about growing up around the Astrodome while his dad called games when the Astros began play in 1965. Harry Kalas was honored with the Ford C. Frick award as lead play-by-play announcer for Philadelphia Phillies, a position he held for 39 seasons. Todd began his MLB ...
S4E8 Pt 2: Texas Sports Radio and TV Legend Bill Mercer
December 02, 2022 14:23 - 29 minutes - 62.9 MBBill Mercer is the original announcer for the Texas Ranger. He also called games for the original Dallas Texans in the old AFL which eventually became the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Dallas Cowboys, including the Cowboy's first Super Bowl. Bill shares behind-the-scenes stories from the earliest days of the Texas sports world. You'll hear Bill talk about what it was like to announce the historic Cowboys/Packers "Ice Bowl" in 1967 in Green Bay where it was 30 below zero. It was so cold the ...
S4E7 Pt 1: Texas Sports Radio and TV Legend Bill Mercer
October 11, 2022 04:01 - 21 minutes - 47.9 MBBill Mercer was doing a newscast at Noon on Dallas radio station KRLD when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in downtown Dallas on November 22nd, 1963. For the next several days Bill was one of the critical radio and television reporters at the Dallas police headquarters when Lee Harvey Oswald was brought in. In this podcast, Bill shares the story of being the first person to tell Oswald that he had been charged with the murder of the president. He called football play-by-play f...
S4E6: The Most Bizarre Stories from Baseball History with Tim Hagerty
September 21, 2022 12:23 - 21 minutes - 46.8 MBTim Hagerty is the play-by-play announder for the San Diego Padres' AAA affiliate in El Paso, TX. Tim shares some of the most bizarre stories in baseball history. In this episode you'll hear about a frantic call to the police from The Lake Erie Crusher who reported a missing head. That's right, a missing head. The day the New Orleans Pelicans' official mascot Henry the Chimpanzee got loose and chased players around the field, eventually heading to the stands and causing pandemonium for...
S4E5: Mike Berger: Milwaukee Brewers Scout - 3rd Generation Baseball Lifer
July 16, 2022 17:31 - 19 minutes - 35.6 MBIn this episode of Life at the Ballpark you'll hear from 3rd generation baseball "Lifer" Mike Berger. Mike is currently a scout for the Milwaukee Brewers and previously was a Farm Director. He's played in every baseball league other than the American and National League. He was also offered the manager's job for the Florida Marlins but turned it down because he thought he wasn't ready for that level yet. Mike’s father worked for the legendary Branch Rickey who created the baseball farm ...
S4E4: What You Can Learn About Life from Baseball's Grinders
June 08, 2022 14:18 - 31 minutes - 57.9 MBWhat does it take to persevere through the ups and downs of life? How do you make it in business through the setbacks that can leave you discouraged and feeling like giving up? In this episode, you'll hear from Mike Capps who's watched many young baseball players come up through the Minor Leagues during his 22 seasons announcing over 3,000 games for the Texas Rangers AAA team, the Round Rock Express. During this time he's learned to spot the "Grinders." These are the young athletes who he...
S4E3: 2022 Spring Training Stories with Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post Dispatch
May 06, 2022 11:52 - 15 minutes - 27.8 MBRick Hummel shares a wrap-up of the 2022 Spring Training for the Cardinals. Plus he shares his conversation with Albert Pujols and his concerns about returning to the Cardinals and how he'll be received by the club. Hear about the misunderstanding that started Rick's relationship with Lou Brock on the wrong foot and how they resolved it and built a great relationship. There are so many great insider stories about the Cardinals in this episode. ------------- Follow the Life at the Bal...
S4E2: Ben Frederickson: St. Louis Cardinals Columnist
April 13, 2022 18:31 - 18 minutes - 34.6 MBSt. Louis Cardinals' fans will enjoy this conversation with St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Ben Frederickson as he shares stories about the Cardinals’ offseason moves including a managerial change, the drama of the lockout, resigning Yadier Molina and Adam Wainwright, and then the explosive news of signing future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols. --------- Catch these other episodes about the St. Louis Cardinals: Rob Rains - St. Louis Cardinals Sportswriter The veteran of 40 years coverin...
S4E1: Bill Brown - Houston Astros Broadcaster
March 21, 2022 13:07 - 28 minutes - 52.9 MBTake a walk through the 60-year history of the Houston Astros with veteran broadcaster Bill Brown, author of "Houston Astros' Golden Era" along with co-authors Mike Acosta and Phil Boudreaux. You'll hear about everything from the expansion franchise Colt 45's in 1962, to reaching the World Series in 3 of the last 5 years. Bill and his co-authors talk candidly about the best and worst trades in team history, Astros' trivia, and their recent championship seasons. Hear more about the Houston...
Syndicated radio talent Brant Hansen
October 13, 2021 01:36 - 27 minutes - 49.7 MBSyndicated radio personality and author Brant Hansen shares his love for baseball and the impact it has had on his life growing up on the Autism spectrum. Batting averages and wins and losses weren't just statistics for him, they became a refuge to escape a chaotic family situation and helped him develop a passion. Once dreaming of becoming a play by play announcer for the Cardinals, life's twists and turns found him at the mic for Cardinals' spring training in his home of Jupiter, Florid...
S3E8: Brant Hansen - Author & Syndicated Radio Host on Baseball & Autism
October 13, 2021 01:36 - 27 minutes - 49.7 MBSyndicated radio personality and author Brant Hansen shares his love for baseball and the impact it has had on his life growing up on the Autism spectrum. Batting averages and wins and losses weren't just statistics for him, they became a refuge to escape a chaotic family situation and helped him develop a passion. Once dreaming of becoming a play by play announcer for the Cardinals, life's twists and turns found him at the mic for Cardinals' spring training in his home of Jupiter, Florida.
S3E7: Clint Hurdle & Dave Burchett - Launch Project on Leadership & Faith
June 30, 2021 21:01 - 33 minutes - 60.8 MBClint Hurdle played in the big leagues for 10 years and managed another 17 with the Colorado Rockies and Pittsburgh Pirates. Hurdle began his professional career on a Sports Illustrated cover heralded as the “next big phenom”. That unwanted and unexpected spotlight helped create enormous expectations that led to personal struggles. As a first time manager Hurdle led the Colorado Rockies to their first NL pennant in 2007. He was named manager of the year for the Pirates in 2013 where ...
Clint Hurdle
June 30, 2021 21:01 - 33 minutes - 60.8 MBClint Hurdle played in the big leagues for 10 years and managed another 17 with the Colorado Rockies and Pittsburgh Pirates. Hurdle began his professional career on a Sports Illustrated cover heralded as the “next big phenom”. That unwanted and unexpected spotlight helped create enormous expectations that led to personal struggles. As a first time manager Hurdle led the Colorado Rockies to their first NL pennant in 2007. He was named manager of the year for the Pirates in 2013 where ...
Robert Ford joins Life at the Ballpark
May 04, 2021 17:31 - 26 minutes - 30.6 MBRobert Ford has been doing radio play by play for the Houston Astros since 2013, when Astros were in the process of losing 100 games three years in a row. The team followed that with three consecutive 100 win seasons in the same decade, the only team to ever do that. Robert shares about growing up a Mets’ fan in the Bronx where all the other neighborhood kids were rooting for the Yankees. He tells how he learned about baseball because his mother, a school teacher, encouraged his rea...
S3E6: Robert Ford - Houston Astros Play-by-Play Announcer
May 04, 2021 17:31 - 26 minutes - 30.6 MBRobert Ford has been doing radio play by play for the Houston Astros since 2013, when Astros were in the process of losing 100 games three years in a row. The team followed that with three consecutive 100 win seasons in the same decade, the only team to ever do that. Robert shares about growing up a Mets’ fan in the Bronx where all the other neighborhood kids were rooting for the Yankees. He tells how he learned about baseball because his mother, a school teacher, encouraged his readi...
St. Louis sportswriter Rob Rains
March 23, 2021 11:12 - 20 minutes - 37.2 MBThe veteran of 40 years covering MLB shares insights on the Cardinals' upcoming season and tells stories from his 30 books about Cardinal legends like Ozzie Smith, Jack Buck, Albert Pujols, and Red Schoendienst.
S3E5: Rob Rains - St. Louis Cardinals Sportswriter
March 23, 2021 11:12 - 20 minutes - 37.2 MBThe veteran of 40 years covering MLB shares insights on the Cardinals' upcoming season and tells stories from his 30 books about Cardinal legends like Ozzie Smith, Jack Buck, Albert Pujols, and Red Schoendienst.
Talking Cardinals' baseball with Ben Frederickson
March 17, 2021 20:22 - 25 minutes - 45.9 MBBen Frederickson shares his perspective on the trade that brought Nolan Arenado to the Cardinals. Perhaps the best trade in Cardinals' history? Ben assesses the Cardinals strengths and weakness as they prepare for Opening Day 2021. He also shares about how the pandemic affected baseball last year, and the importance of signing Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina for another season.
S3E4: Ben Frederickson - St. Louis Cardinals Columnist
March 17, 2021 20:22 - 25 minutes - 45.9 MBBen Frederickson shares his perspective on the trade that brought Nolan Arenado to the Cardinals. Perhaps the best trade in Cardinals' history? Ben assesses the Cardinals strengths and weakness as they prepare for Opening Day 2021. He also shares about how the pandemic affected baseball last year, and the importance of signing Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina for another season.
S3E3: Anne Rogers - MLB.com Sports Writer
March 02, 2021 19:23 - 24 minutes - 45.2 MBAnne Rogers is one of a handful of female beat writers for MLB.com. She spent several seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals and is in her first with the Kansas City Royals. In this episode, we talk about Anne’s interviews with women in baseball sharing the significance of the hiring of MLB’s first female general manager Kim Ng as General Manager of the Miami Marlins. John Frost’s co-host this episode is Minor League broadcaster and writer Lisa Pride who has co-founded th...
MLB beat writer Anne Rogers
March 02, 2021 19:23 - 24 minutes - 45.2 MBAnne Rogers is one of a handful of female beat writers for MLB.com. She spent several seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals and is in her first with the Kansas City Royals. On this episode we talk about Anne’s interviews with women in baseball sharing the significance of the hiring of MLB’s first female general manager Kim Ng as General Manager of the Miami Marlins. John Frost’s co-host this episode is minor league broadcaster and writer Lisa Pride who has co-founded t...
Cubs & ESPN play-by-play commentator Jon "Boog" Sciambi
January 18, 2021 16:12 - 23 minutes - 42.6 MBCubs & ESPN Play-by-play commentator Jon "Boog" Sciambi joins Life at the Ballpark to share stories about his career in the broadcast booth including with his encounters with the Phillie Phanatic, working with Rick Sutcliffe, and the one time he gave poor advice to Chipper Jones who let Boog know while he was still at bat.
S3E2: John "Boog" Sciambi - Chicago Cubs & ESPN Play-by-Play Commentator
January 18, 2021 16:12 - 23 minutes - 42.6 MBChicago Cubs & ESPN Play-by-play commentator Jon "Boog" Sciambi joins Life at the Ballpark to share stories about his career in the broadcast booth including with his encounters with the Phillie Phanatic, working with Rick Sutcliffe, and the one time he gave poor advice to Chipper Jones who let Boog know while he was still at bat.
S3E1: Tom Ackerman - Sports Director at KMOX in St Louis
January 04, 2021 19:04 - 35 minutes - 65.5 MBKMOX Sports Director Tom Ackerman joins Life at the Ballpark to share some unique stories about St. Louis Cardinals’ legends. Tom also revisits the time when his father passed away during his high school years and then receiving a call from Bob Costas who went through a very relatable situation.
KMOX Sports Director Tom Ackerman
January 04, 2021 19:04 - 35 minutes - 65.5 MBKMOX Sports Director Tom Ackerman joins Life at the Ballpark to share some unique stories about St. Louis Cardinals’ legends. Tom also revisits the time when his father passed away during his high school years and then receiving a call from Bob Costas who went through a very relatable situation.
S2E14: Mike Claiborne - St. Louis Cardinals Broadcaster
October 05, 2020 20:38 - 34 minutes - 62.6 MBCardinals broadcaster Mike Claiborne joins John Frost to tell stories and reminisce about Cardinals legend and Hall of Famer Lou Brock.
Cardinals broadcaster Mike Claiborne
October 05, 2020 20:38 - 34 minutes - 62.6 MBCardinals broadcaster Mike Claiborne joins John Frost to tell stories and reminisce about Cardinals legend and Hall of Famer Lou Brock.
S2E13: Mark Langill - Los Angeles Dodgers' Historian
August 30, 2020 17:19 - 31 minutes - 57.7 MBLos Angeles Dodgers historian Mark Langill joins John Frost on the latest episode of Life at the Ballpark
Los Angeles Dodgers historian Mark Langill
August 30, 2020 17:19 - 31 minutes - 57.7 MBLos Angeles Dodgers historian Mark Langill joins John Frost on the latest episode of Life at the Ballpark
Bob Carpenter
August 04, 2020 12:17 - 27 minutes - 49.6 MBVeteran play by play man Bob Carpenter shares stories about growing up a Cardinals' fan in St. Louis, about being mentored by Hall of Fame broadcaster Jack Buck, calling games for the World Champion Washington Nationals, and what it will be like for broadcasters and players in this unusual 60 game season.
S2E12: Bob Carpenter - Washington Nationals Play-by-Play Announcer
August 04, 2020 12:17 - 27 minutes - 49.6 MBVeteran play by play man Bob Carpenter shares stories about growing up a Cardinals' fan in St. Louis, about being mentored by Hall of Fame broadcaster Jack Buck, calling games for the World Champion Washington Nationals, and what it will be like for broadcasters and players in this unusual 60 game season.
S2E11: Jim Sundberg - Texas Rangers Hall of Famer
July 15, 2020 16:43 - 34 minutes - 63.2 MBTexas Rangers Hall of Famer Jim Sundberg shares stories from his 16 seasons in the big leagues, including playing for Billy Martin, and catching Nolan Ryan. Jim also shares about his new "Legacy Playbook, 50 Days Of Encouragement To Pass On What Matters Most."
Jim Sundberg
July 15, 2020 16:43 - 34 minutes - 63.2 MBTexas Rangers Hall of Famer Jim Sundberg shares stories from his 16 seasons in the big leagues, including playing for Billy Martin, and catching Nolan Ryan. Jim also shares about his new "Legacy Playbook, 50 Days Of Encouragement To Pass On What Matters Most."
S2E10: Bobby Richardson, part two
June 18, 2020 23:34 - 29 minutes - 26.7 MBMissing baseball? Enjoy my conversation with New York Yankees’ legend Bobby Richardson, 7 time all star, and the only World Series MVP to play for the losing team. He shares stories about the '61 home run race with Maris and Mantle, and about his relationship with The Mick which began when Bobby was 19 years old and culminated with his (and Bob Costas') famous eulogy at Mantle's funeral televised around the world.
Bobby Richardson, part two
June 18, 2020 23:34 - 29 minutes - 26.7 MBMissing baseball? Enjoy my conversation with New York Yankees’ legend Bobby Richardson, 7 time all star, and the only World Series MVP to play for the losing team. He shares stories about the '61 home run race with Maris and Mantle, and about his relationship with The Mick which began when Bobby was 19 years old and culminated with his (and Bob Costas') famous eulogy at Mantle's funeral televised around the world.
S2E9: Bobby Richardson of the New York Yankees
May 29, 2020 20:04 - 27 minutes - 24.8 MBOn this episode of Life at the Ballpark you’ll hear the story of a kid from South Carolina who at age 14 saw the movie "The Pride of the Yankees", the story of Lou Gehrig, and would one day stand on the very same spot at Yankee Stadium for Bobby Richardson Day where Lou gave his famous "I'm the luckiest guy" speech
Bobby Richardson of the New York Yankees
May 29, 2020 20:04 - 27 minutes - 24.8 MBOn this episode of Life at the Ballpark you’ll hear the story of a kid from South Carolina who at age 14 saw the movie "The Pride of the Yankees", the story of Lou Gehrig, and would one day stand on the very same spot at Yankee Stadium for Bobby Richardson Day where Lou gave his famous "I'm the luckiest guy" speech
Ben Frederickson (part 2)
May 13, 2020 12:07 - 21 minutes - 20.1 MBIf you’re missing baseball during the pandemic, enjoy my conversation with Ben Frederickson who covers the St. Louis Cardinals. Ben shares what’s it like for a sportswriter when the answer to almost every question is “I Don’t know.” You’ll hear some great stories about Albert Pujols and Tony LaRussa, and we'll kick around some ideas of what the Cardinals' line up may look like when baseball begins play.
S2E8: Ben Frederickson (Pt. 2) - St. Louis Cardinals Columnist & Broadcaster
May 13, 2020 12:07 - 21 minutes - 20.1 MBBen Frederickson is a Sports Columnist at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and broadcaster at The Big 550 KTRS where he covers the St. Louis Cardinals. Ben shares some great stories about Albert Pujols and Tony LaRussa, and we kick around some ideas of what the Cardinals' lineup may look after the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.
S2E7: Ben Frederickson (Pt. 1) - St. Louis Cardinals Columnist & Broadcaster
May 04, 2020 16:27 - 26 minutes - 24.3 MBWhat does a sportswriter write about when there are no sports? Ben Frederickson shares his insight into covering the St. Louis Cardinals during the COVID-19 shutdown of 2020.
Ben Frederickson who covers the St. Louis Cardinals
May 04, 2020 16:27 - 26 minutes - 24.3 MBWhat does a sportswriter write about when there are no sports? Ben Frederickson shares his insight to covering the St. Louis Cardinals during this time without baseball.
S2E6: Mike Capps - Round Rock Express (Texas Rangers AAA) Broadcaster
April 23, 2020 21:43 - 24 minutes - 22.3 MBYou’ll hear the story a former CNN news correspondent who covered the Gulf War and the Branch Davidian siege, who now as a baseball broadcaster shares a perspective about the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the sport he loves. You'll also hear from blind sportscaster Bryce Weiler whose Beautiful Lives Project gives those with disabilities life changing experiences in sports.