This Week In Baseball History

Episode 402 - The Grey Eagle Flies to Cleveland

It is rare for a Hall of Fame player to be traded in the middle of his peak away from a contending team, but that's just what happened to Tris Speaker 110 years ago this week, when the Red Sox dealt him to Cleveland. Mike and Bill take the opportunity to look back at one of the inner circle Hall of Famers they haven't covered yet, and find a great player and leader whose personal beliefs and associations have almost come to overshadow his accomplishments on the field.  Plus, happy birthday to Ron Hansen and Happy Felsch! And farewell to Wayne Granger and Roy Face.

Episode 144 (Re-run) - A Finch Lands On the Mets

Baseball is vastly richer because of the characters who have become part of the game's legend. And no one was more of a character than Mets pitcher Hayden "Sidd" Finch, who was unveiled by Sports Illustrated 41 years ago the day this re-run (first aired on April 1, 2020) drops. Mike and Bill go through the mysterious and surprising career of a true phenom, including his downfall and mysterious disappearance, and the lives he touched. Plus, happy birthday to Tommy Herr and David Dahl.

Episode 401 - We Sacrifice This Ep To Baseball (with special guest Michael Clair)

If you love baseball like Bill and Mike love baseball, you love watching other people love baseball too. And no one has made anyone love baseball more than the Czech Republic national team did in 2023 when they appeared in the World Baseball Classic. That's the subject of special guest Michael Clair's new book, We Sacrifice Everything To Baseball, an incredible story about a nation of baseball underdogs who, when they weren't working as engineers, neurologists and firefighters, advance to baseball's biggest international stage and prove they belong there. It's a fantastic story, a terrific book, and a fun discussion between friends. Plus, happy birthday to Dick Ellsworth and Woodie Held! And farewell to Bobby Henrich, Gary Blaylock, Terrance Gore, and Joe Nossek.

Episode 285 (Re-run) - Los Dos Tiantes

Perhaps the greatest father/son pitching duo in baseball history, Luis E. and Luis C. Tiant pitched at least a total of 29 years at the big league level, and an unknown number of other seasons in the Caribbean and for high quality barnstormers. While they could not be more different on the mound, they were both exceptional, as the St. Louis Cardinals found out 87 years ago last week (we're a week late with this episode), when Luis Sr. beat them in Cuba in an exhibition contest. Mike and Bill look back at the long and exceptional career of two pitching geniuses, neither of whom are given nearly enough credit today. Plus, happy birthday to Johnny Callison and Elmer Valo!

Episode 400 - Meet the Mets (and Some Other Guys)

Happy episode 400, everybody! Can you believe it? We certainly can't. It's time to celebrate, and there's no better way to do that than with some music. So, on the 63rd anniversary of the release of Meet the Mets, Mike and Bill look back at that classic, and other famous baseball fight songs, like Tessie, Ok Blue Jays, and Go Cubs Go. Here's to the next 400! Plus, happy birthday to Harry Lord and Denny Lyons! And farewell to Ron Teasley, Dave Schmidt, Rob Maurer and Rick Renick.