Baseball by the Book

A veteran baseball writer and editor explores the world of books about baseball through interviews with today's best baseball authors.

Episode 335: "Baseball: The Turbulent Midcentury Years" 11/22/2023

Episode 335: "Baseball: The Turbulent Midcentury Years" Author Steve Gietschier joins us to discuss his new book chronicling baseball history from the 1930s to the 1950s. We discuss how MLB survived the Depression, the rise of the radio, World War II, the end of the color barrier and arrival of big league baseball in California. /episode/index/show/baseballbythebook/id/28752608

Episode 334: "Why We Love Baseball" 10/03/2023

Episode 334: "Why We Love Baseball" Award-winning author Joe Posnanski returns to the podcast to talk about 50 moments (and more) that tell the story of baseball history and why the sport means so much to so many. /episode/index/show/baseballbythebook/id/28208039

Episode 333: "The One Hundred Most Important Players in Baseball History" 09/06/2023

Episode 333: "The One Hundred Most Important Players in Baseball History" Nobody doubts Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente are among the most important baseball players ever. But Dorothy Kamanshek? Dolf Luque? Masanori Murakami? Author Lincoln Mitchell joins us to discuss how his selection of important baseball players differs from other such lists — and why so many Giants make the cut. /episode/index/show/baseballbythebook/id/27953301

Episode 332: "Tales from the Dugout" 07/28/2023

Episode 332: "Tales from the Dugout" Tim Hagety, broadcaster for the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas, takes us on a journey through 1,001 of the zaniest moments in minor league baseball history. Along the way, we'll meet wild bulls, sprinting weiner dogs, greased pigs and pitchers locked in bathrooms. /episode/index/show/baseballbythebook/id/27593655

Episode 331: "Suds Series" 05/03/2023

Episode 331: "Suds Series" Rickey Henderson stole 130 bases. Cal Ripken Jr.'s legendary streak began, although no one knew it at the time. The Big Red Machine broke down as the Cincinnati Reds hit rock bottom while Steve Garvey and Tommy Lasorda found themselves immersed in controversy. And George Steinbrenner fired his manager — twice. At the end of it all, Whitey Herzog's speedy St. Louis Cardinals took on Harvey Keuenn's hard-hitting Milwaukee Brewers in a classic World Series. J. Daniel joins us to discuss the memorable 1982 baseball season. /episode/index/show/baseballbythebook/id/26728800

Episode 330: "Welcome to the Circus of Baseball" 04/10/2023

Episode 330: "Welcome to the Circus of Baseball" Ryan McGee spent the summer of 1994 working as a $100-a-week intern for the Class-A Asheville Tourists of the South Atlantic League. Three decades later, McGee —now a senior writer for ESPN — has written a memoir about his misadentures in the low minor leagues. He tells us why he loves Asheville's historic McCormick Field, recounts how he witnessed a comical on-field brawl and explains how he knows what it was like to kiss Elvis. /episode/index/show/baseballbythebook/id/26489433

Episode 329: "Major League Baseball Players of the 1970s" 01/13/2023

Episode 329: "Major League Baseball Players of the 1970s" Let's remember some guys. Author Bill Ballew joins us to discuss his new biographical dictionary of every MLB player who debuted in the 1970s — all 1,312 of them, from Don Aase to Richie Zisk. Ballew spent decades researching and writing this massive collection. /episode/index/show/baseballbythebook/id/25594854

Episode 328: "Baseball's Brief Lives" 10/03/2022

Episode 328: "Baseball's Brief Lives" Steven Goldman joins us to discuss his collection of essays inspired by his podcast The Infinite Inning. From Pete Rose and Henry Aaron to Ski Melillo and Pee-Wee Wanninger, Goldman explores the interconnectedness of baseball and the greater world. /episode/index/show/baseballbythebook/id/24562152

Episode 327: "Beauty at Short" 08/31/2022

Episode 327: "Beauty at Short" Author Tom Alecia joins us to discuss the remarkable life and career of Dave "Beauty" Bancroft, one of baseball's most unlikely Hall of Famers. /episode/index/show/baseballbythebook/id/24222381

Episode 326: "Stumbling Around the Bases" 08/11/2022

Episode 326: "Stumbling Around the Bases" Author Andy McCue joins us to discuss how the American League mismanaged integration and expansion, allowing the National League to forge ahead in attendance and prestige. /episode/index/show/baseballbythebook/id/24022941

Episode 325: "Intentional Balk" 07/20/2022

Episode 325: "Intentional Balk" Mark Armour joins us to discuss the history of cheating in baseball, from the 19th century to current issues like electronic sign stealing and Spider Tack. /episode/index/show/baseballbythebook/id/23808851

Episode 324: "Stolen Dreams" 06/09/2022

Episode 324: "Stolen Dreams" In 1955, a group of Black Little Leaguers in South Carolina was denied a chance to play for the chamlpionship because of the color of their skin. Author Chris Lamb joins us to discuss the heartbreaking story of the Cannon Street All-Stars and youth baseball's civil war. /episode/index/show/baseballbythebook/id/23372678

Episode 323: "Not an Easy Tale to Tell" 05/23/2022

Episode 323: "Not an Easy Tale to Tell" Raph Carhart joins us to discuss a new SABR collection that looks at how Jackie Robinson's legacy has been reflected and shaped by pop culture and literature. He gives his thoughts on "The Jackie Robinson Story," "42," plus a Broadway play, a comic book, children's books, TV movies and much more. /episode/index/show/baseballbythebook/id/23191307

Episode 322: "Whispers of the Gods" 05/03/2022

Episode 322: "Whispers of the Gods" Author Peter Golenbock joins us to discuss his new oral history collection, which includes more than a dozen interviews with former baseball players conducted over the course of five decades. From Hall of Famers Mickey Mantle and Roy Campanella to journeyman like Ellis Clary and Kirby Higbe, the players, all now deceased, bring a long-gone era of baseball back to life. /episode/index/show/baseballbythebook/id/22986041

Episode 321: "Red Barber" 04/19/2022

Episode 321: "Red Barber" We're in the catbird seat as author James R. Walker joins us to discuss his biography of legendary baseball broadcaster Red Barber. /episode/index/show/baseballbythebook/id/22832990

From the Patreon archives: "Baseball's Great Experiment" 04/15/2022

From the Patreon archives: "Baseball's Great Experiment" For Jackie Robinson Day, we make this classic bonus episode from our Patreon page available to everyone. Adrian Burgos, Mark Armour and Lisa Alexander join us to take a deep dive look at "Baseball's Great Experiment," by Jules Tygiel. /episode/index/show/baseballbythebook/id/22804304

Episode 320: "Charlie Murphy" 03/30/2022

Episode 320: "Charlie Murphy" In the early 20th century, Charlie Murphy was the most successful — and controverisal — owner in the major leagues. Author Jason Cannon joins us to discuss the iconoclast behind the Chicago Cubs dynasty. /episode/index/show/baseballbythebook/id/22625795

Episode 319: "Ted Sullivan, Barnacle of Baseball" 03/17/2022

Episode 319: "Ted Sullivan, Barnacle of Baseball" Ted Sullivan, once known as "the Daddy of Baseball," is almost entirely forgotten today. Author Pat O'Neill joins us to discuss the life of the Irish immigrant who discovered Charles Comiskey, took baseball international and coined the word 'fan.' /episode/index/show/baseballbythebook/id/22473785

Episode 318: "Max Gordon" 02/23/2022

Episode 318: "Max Gordon" We're back! Author Jacob Kornhauser joins us to discuss the remarkable and inspiring story of former Oregon State outfielder Max Gordon. /episode/index/show/baseballbythebook/id/22225121

Episode 317: "The Baseball 100" 10/19/2021

Episode 317: "The Baseball 100" Where does Pete Rose rank on the list of baseball's all-time best players? Was Barry Bonds better than Henry Aaron? Where do players like Sadaharu Oh and Josh Gibson belong on a list of the top 100 players? Author Joe Posnanski joins us to discuss those questions and many more. /episode/index/show/baseballbythebook/id/20862065

From the Patreon archives: '70s baseball movies 09/29/2021

From the Patreon archives: '70s baseball movies Now available for all. Dan Epstein, Josh Wilker and Willie Steele join us to discuss "The Bad News Bears," "Bang the Drum Slowly" and more baseball movies from the 1970s. /episode/index/show/baseballbythebook/id/20646626

From the Patreon Archives: "The Glory of Their Times" 09/01/2021

From the Patreon Archives: "The Glory of Their Times" We are making available to everyone for the first time our All-Star panel discussing "The Glory of Their Times." Rob Neyer, Jon Leonoudakis and Skip Desjardin join Justin McGuire to discuss Lawrence Ritter's classic oral history. /episode/index/show/baseballbythebook/id/20340509

Episode 316: "My 1961" 08/18/2021

Episode 316: "My 1961" Andy Strasberg turned 13 in 1961, the same year his hero Roger Maris made baseball history. Strasberg joins us to discuss how that remarkable year changed his life and led to an enduring bond with the Maris family. /episode/index/show/baseballbythebook/id/20188334

From the Patreon Archives: '80s baseball movies 08/10/2021

From the Patreon Archives: '80s baseball movies In honor of the upcoming "Field of Dreams" game, we are making this patron-only bonus episode available to everyone. No decade had as many beloved baseball movies as the 1980s. From "The Natural" in 1984 to "Field of Dreams" in 1989, Hollywood loved the National Pastime. So grab some popcorn and listen as our All-Star panel discusses the controversial ending to the "The Natural," the inaccuracies of "Eight Men Out" and whether Crash Davis could take Ricky “Wild Thing” Vaughn deep. Justin McGuire is joined by J Daniel, Jason Foster and Willie Steele. /episode/index/show/baseballbythebook/id/20095856

Episode 315: "11 in '11" 08/04/2021

Episode 315: "11 in '11" The St. Louis Cardinals have won 11 World Series, but perhaps none is as special to its fans as the miracle 2011 title. Author Benjamin Hochman joins us to discuss David Freese, Tony La Russa, Albert Pujols and a legendary Game 6. /episode/index/show/baseballbythebook/id/20027756

Episode 314: "Forty Years a Giant" 07/21/2021

Episode 314: "Forty Years a Giant" For four decades, Giants owner Horace Stoneham was a pivotal figure in baseball. He brought Willie Mays to the majors, pioneered player development in Latin America and Asia and helped bring baseball to the West Coast. So why has he been largely forgotten? Author Steven Treder joins us to discuss Stoneham's life and legacy. /episode/index/show/baseballbythebook/id/19889261

Episode 313: "The Best Little Baseball Town in the World" 07/13/2021

Episode 313: "The Best Little Baseball Town in the World" For a short time in the 1950s, tiny Crowley, La. was the toast of the baseball world as its Class C Millers drew enormous crowds and won multiple pennants. Then it all ended as quickly as it began. Author Gaylon White joins us to discuss a remarkable tale of murder, mystery and tragedy. /episode/index/show/baseballbythebook/id/19791215

Episode 312: "Double Plays and Double Crosses" 06/29/2021

Episode 312: "Double Plays and Double Crosses" In 1920, as rumors about the previous World Series swirled, the White Sox battled the Indians and Babe Ruth's Yankees for the American League pennant. All the while, questions abounded: How much did baseball know about the 1919 fix? Why were the crooked players allowed to play? Were they still throwing games? Don Zminda joins us to discuss a remarkable baseball season. /episode/index/show/baseballbythebook/id/19632812

Episode 311: "Walter Alston" 06/22/2021

Episode 311: "Walter Alston" Walter Alston lacked the flash of fellow managers like Casey Stengel, Leo Durocher or Tommy Lasorda. But the Ohio native was one of the most successful skippers in major league history with more than 2,000 wins, seven pennants and four World Series titles. Author Alan Levy joins us to discuss how a career minor leaguer forged a Hall of Fame managerial career. /episode/index/show/baseballbythebook/id/19543844

Episode 310: "1962" 06/15/2021

Episode 310: "1962" Major league baseball came to Texas and returned to New York. Maury Wills and Don Drysdale dominated, but the Dodgers lost the pennant to the hated Giants. Meanwhile, John Glenn orbited the Earth, Americans did the Twist and JFK faced down the Soviets. Author David Krell joins us to discuss the momentous year of 1962. Support the podcast: Merchandise: /episode/index/show/baseballbythebook/id/19480163

Baseball by the Book

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