Small Hall Baseball Podcast

Winning With No Stars May Be Only A Dream and Jim Bottomley's Career, Does It Have The Right Gleam?

This week we discuss the whether or not a team in the current baseball landscape can construct a winner without a superstar player. We have seen teams do it in the past such as the 1969 Mets or the 1991 Twins, but do we think its possible now or a dream of a bygone era? For our This Week In Baseball, we discuss FDR's 1942 proclamation that baseball should continue during the war. We talk keeping up morale, but also what kind of mood would have happened if baseball had disappeared during such a tumultuous time.Our Hall of Famer this week is first baseman Jim Bottomley. He surely had a string of good years and holds the record for single game RBI, but was that enough for us to allow him to stay?In our singlular parting shot this week discuss the life and career of actor Paul Douglas. He starred in only two baseball movies, but he was certainly someone who lived a fascinating life right until the end.Enjoy our new crop of weekly commercials featuring staying optimistic in little league, opening day baseball hype, and Andrew McCutchen for MLB the Show.Please join us as we discuss baseball topics and we continue our mission to make The Hall small. We hope you'll enjoy the ride.TimestampsThis Week In Baseball -22:51Hall of Fame Discussion - 35:38Parting Shot -46:47

Vet's Committee Selection Perplexes Us All and Whitey Ford's Hall Case Is Far From A Close Call

This week we discuss the Modern Era HOF Committee results for this year. Only one selection for the Hall from the committee, but were we surprised by that selection and should he have been the only one? For our This Week In Baseball, we discuss the standardization of baseball in 1933. It took many years into MLB's existence to make this change and we talk about the difference and the change itself.Our Hall of Famer this week is pitcher Whitey Ford. Not a laugher as his teammate was in our last discussion, but did we believe him to be a no doubt candidate for the Hall?In our singlular parting shot this week discuss the the baffling contracts given out with the a likely looming work stoppage next year. Why would teams do this and what will the rammifications of those decisions be?Enjoy our new crop of weekly commercials all featuring White Ford with Post Cereal, Braniff Airlines, and Campbell's soup!Please join us as we discuss baseball topics and we continue our mission to make The Hall small. We hope you'll enjoy the ride.TimestampsThis Week In Baseball - 21:13Hall of Fame Discussion - 36:26Parting Shot -52:56

The Small Hall Smörgåsbord 4: The Quest for Small Hall Peace

We present to you Part 4 of  "The Smörgåsbord"This episode we will be reviewing yet another set 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 our fourth set of players and we will review even more in the future.Each player can be found at the timestamp below:Al Oliver - 2:00Dwight Gooden - 9:32Urban Shocker - 17:28Dave Concepcion - 26:36Buddy Bell - 36:30Bill Dahlen - 43:32Thurman Munson - 50:00Tommy John - 1:04:39

Can A Half-Time Player Be The Best In The Game and Mantle's Great Career A Bright Burning Flame

This week we discuss whether or not a Desginated Hitter can be considered the GOAT in baseball. Do we think a player that only plays half of the game can be considered for being the greatest in his sport? For our This Week In Baseball, we discuss two relievers who won the Cy Young in 1987 and 1989. Those relievers won, but should they have and should a reliever ever be considered for the award?Our Hall of Famer this week is outfielder Mickey Mantle. Another laugher in our list of Hall of Famers, but just how ridiculously good was Mick when he played? Pretty damned great.In our singlular parting shot this week discuss the likely work stoppage and the sides involved. With so much money floating around professional sports, should we be supporting either the players or the owners who want this money of ours for themselves?Enjoy our new crop of weekly commercials all featuring Mickey Mantle with Mantle Men Employment Agency, Post Cereal trading cards, and Karo Syrup.Please join us as we discuss baseball topics and we continue our mission to make The Hall small. We hope you'll enjoy the ride.TimestampsThis Week In Baseball - 18:41Hall of Fame Discussion - 38:11Parting Shot -56:42

The Phillies Regression Is Nearly Complete and Sam Thompsons Numbers Never Took A Backseat

This week we discuss the 2025 Phillies season and result. The Phillies won the division again, but despite the early exit, was it a successful season in any sense? For our This Week In Baseball, we discuss the 1990 World Series loss for the Oakland A's and its ending of the run for those A's teams. Those teams went to three straight World Series, but since they only won the single title, do we consider them a success?Our Hall of Famer this week is outfielder Sam Thompson. A man of surprising power and run production, but was it enough to earn his spot in the Hall of Fame?In our singlular parting shot this week discuss pitchers and their lack of field in modern baseball. Can these pitchers be saved and will they ever return to the glory of Gred Maddux and his 18 gold gloves?Enjoy our new crop of weekly commercials all featuring World Series Baseball 2, Miller Lite, and Canon Cameras.Please join us as we discuss baseball topics and we continue our mission to make The Hall small. We hope you'll enjoy the ride.TimestampsThis Week In Baseball - 21:45Hall of Fame Discussion - 38:25Parting Shot -50:23