Back When There Was Baseball: Sam Ewing
Back When There Was Baseball
Our guest this week was All-Everything out of the University of Tennessee before he entered the professional ranks. Sam Ewing hit .412 during his career at Tennessee garnering him All-American status. After competing in the World Amateur Games, he started his Major League baseball career. He was drafted by the Chicago White Sox and had stints with the parent club in 1973 and 1976. Sam was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays out of the expansion draft in 1976. He had a very productive year in 1977, hitting .287 while platooning. Sam takes us on a trip Back...
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Back When There Was Baseball: Jim Lyttle
Back When There Was Baseball
Jim Lyttle joins us on the podcast this week. Jim played in the Majors from 1969-1976. He then had a successful career in Japan from 1977-1983. Jim played with the Yankees during the CBS years (1969-1971), White Sox (1972), Expos (1973-1976) and Dodgers (1976). Jim discusses his career, what it was like fighting for playing time, and also playing for 4 teams then playing in Japan. He was a solid outfielder during his career and played with many great players. Join us as we journey Back When There Was Baseball with Jim Lyttle.
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Back When There Was Baseball: Dyar Miller
Back When There Was Baseball
Dyar Miller joins us this week. Dyar graduated from Utah State and was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1968 after he was not drafted. Dyar played from 1968-1984 with 7 of those years in the Majors (Baltimore, California, Toronto and the New York Mets). After switching to a relief pitcher in 1975, he posted a career record of 23-17 with a 3.23 ERA. After retiring as a player, Dyar stayed in the game as a coach from 1985-2012 with most of those years in the Cardinals organization. Enjoy this trip Back When There Was Baseball to the mid-1970s through the early 1980s with our...
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Back When There Was Baseball: Duke Sims
Back When There Was Baseball
Who was the last player to hit a home run in the original Yankee Stadium (1973) before the massive remodel? His name is Duke Sims and he is our guest this week. Duke also had the privilege of catching one of the greatest pitching staffs in the history of the game, the 1968 Cleveland Indians staff which included "Sudden" Sam McDowell, Luis Tiant, Sonny Siebert, Stan Williams and Steve Hargan. Duke was also the catcher in Game 2 of the 1972 ALCS when Bert Campaneris threw his bat at Detroit Tigers pitcher Larrin LaGrow after being hit by a pitch. Duke shares some great stories...
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Back When There Was Baseball: Mike Paul
Back When There Was Baseball
Mike Paul joins us on the podcast this week. He came out of the University of Arizona and was drafted in the 20th round in 1967 by the Cleveland Indians. He was a part of arguably the best pitching staff in Major League history in the 1968 Cleveland Indians. Mike made it to the Majors quickly and had success. He played for the Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers and the Chicago Cubs and then finished out his career in the Mexican League. Mike talks about the Indians pitching staff and playing for Ted Williams in Texas.
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Back When There Was Baseball: Ken Frailing
Back When There Was Baseball
Ken Frailing passed away on August 25, 2022. We re-air this podcast in honor of him. Ken Frailing is our guest this week. Ken pitched from 1966-1978 in the Minor Leagues and the Majors. Ken was very promising out of high school as he had a 13-0 record his senior season with an unbelievable 0.17 ERA. He played for the White Sox and Cubs organizations in his tenure and shares some fascinating stories about his career in Chi-Town. Ken was also a very good hitting pitcher and unfortunately an injury curtailed his career. We hope you enjoy this interview with Ken Frailing Back When There...
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Back When There Was Baseball: Bart Zeller
Back When There Was Baseball
Bart Zeller joins us this week. He was with the St. Louis Cardinals organization his entire career. Bart was a catcher and only appeared in one game with the parent club. So, you ask, why would you interview Bart Zeller? It's simple, Bart was the Cardinals insurance policy and worked with their great young staff which included the likes of Steve Carlton, Mike Torrez, Wayne Granger, and Reggie Cleveland to name a few. He played behind great Cardinal catchers Tim McCarver and Ted Simmons. Bart shares some great stories Back When There Was...
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Back When There Was Baseball: Bill Melton
Back When There Was Baseball
Bill Melton passed away on December 5, 2024. We are re-airing this podcast in honor of him. Who was the American League home run leader in 1971? If you do not know the answer, maybe "It is soo hot in Chicago that the third baseman is Melton" will jog your memory. Bill Melton is our guest this week. Bill talks about his career and the many teammates he played with, including the late Dick Allen. He also shares his feelings toward Harry Caray who turned the fans against him. Bill Melton was a very good third baseman, mostly with the White Sox, and we are fortunate to...
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Back When There Was Baseball: Eddie Leon
Back When There Was Baseball
Eddie Leon is our guest this week. He played in the Major Leagues from 1968-1975 with the Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees. His longest stint was in Cleveland where he teamed up with Jack Heidemann as one of the best double play combinations that few people knew about, as there were very few fans in attendance in Cleveland Municipal Stadium in those days. Eddie played his college ball at the University of Arizona before he was drafted by the Indians. He shared time at 2nd base and shortstop during his career and learned to turn the...
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Back When There Was Baseball: Kevin Kobel
Back When There Was Baseball
Kevin Kobel joins us this week. Kevin came out of Athol Springs, NY which is south of Buffalo on Lake Erie. This is obviously not a good weather area for baseball, but Kevin earned his way to an 11th round draft pick by the Milwaukee Brewers in 1971. He had a fast track to the Majors and appeared in his first game in 1973. Kevin pitched in 1973-1974 and part of 1976 with Milwaukee. He ended up being traded to the Kansas City Royals but was subsequently traded to the New York Mets before appearing in any games. He pitched for the Mets from 1978-1980 until arm problems ended his career. Join us...
info_outlineDave Ford joins us this week. Dave was a 1st round draft pick in 1975 by the Baltimore Orioles. He was one of the many hot prospects and dominant pitchers that were a part of the Orioles organization at that time. Listen as Dave talks about the amazing pitching staff of the Orioles during the years he was in their organization (1975-1983) and what it was like to play for Earl Weaver as we go Back When There Was Baseball.