This Week In Baseball History

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.

Episode 399 - One Random Game VII

With so many meaningless exhibitions going on before the WBC gets going in earnest and the regular season follows, Mike and Bill were interested in talking about a game that actually counted for something. So they fired up the ol' randomizer and it landed on...well, it's hard to say the game on June 12th, 1933 between the Browns and the White Sox counted for much. But there were sure a lot of fun avenues to explore as the fellas stealthily approach their 400th episode. Plus, happy birthday to Paul Hines and Johnny Ray! And farewell to Zach Monroe and Chris Krug.