Bob Kendrick, President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, joins the boys for the seventh time to talk about the recent announcement that his friend Buck O’Neil is (finally!) going to be a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, what he’s going to wear to the induction ceremony, whether or not he’ll be the one to speak for Buck and, of course, looks ahead to 2022.
16-time Gold Glove Award winner (and 2015 Hall of Very Good inductee) Jim Kaat joins the boys to talk about his 60-plus years in baseball, reflects on his Hall of Fame chances, shares why he started Twitter (and who, from his era, would be a great follow), describes golfing in New Zealand and, naturally, gives Lou some links advice.
Episode originally aired June 30, 2017
Daniel Jacob Horine, the creative mind behind Pop Fly Pop Shop, talks to the boys about the inspiration and process behind his unique mix of the baseball world and comic books, shares his relationship with Dale Murphy, explains the mystique behind “The Mad Hungarian” Al Hrabosky, explains how baseball is the world’s longest-running soap opera and gives his thoughts on what’s currently going on in the Marvel cinematic universe.
Richard Davis, the owner of the world’s biggest Wade Boggs collection, joins the boys to talk about how a Christmas morning gift of a 1983 Donruss rookie card kicked off a lifelong obsession, shares his favorite “oddball” items from the Boggs Tavern and what do you get the guy who has everything? Turns out, The Boggsfather has a few suggestions.
John Owens and Dr. David Fletcher, authors of Chili Dog MVP, join the boys to talk about the new book, their individual relationships with should-be Hall of Famer Dick Allen, his chances at making it to Cooperstown, the story behind the slugger's “chili dog” game and the similarities between that 1972 Chicago White Sox team and the Bulls second three-peat.
Businessman and philanthropist Quint Studer joins the boys to talk about his role in saving minor league baseball in Beloit, Wisconsin, his relationship with Miami Marlins owner Derek Jeter, explains what a Sky Carp is, why downtown stadiums are the way to go and shares just how close the Pensacola Blue Wahoos are to having legendary broadcaster Bob Costas join them in the broadcast booth.
Lifelong Baltimore Orioles fans Sam Dingman and Mac Montandon, the team behind “The Rumor” podcast, join the boys to talk about what prompted them to investigate a nearly 25-year-old story involving Cal Ripken Jr., his wife and (you guessed it) Kevin Costner.
Former Major League Baseball executive Dan Evans once again joins the boys to talk about working for (and alongside) Hall of Famer Frank Thomas at the Field of Dreams movie site, gives insight as to how teams are preparing for a potential work stoppage, recalls his friendship with the late-Tom Seaver and shares how his new gig fulfills a promise he made to his mother.
Gary Portnoy, the Emmy-nominated singer/songwriter of “Where Everybody Knows Your Name”, joins the boys to talk about how he got his start in music, the artists he has worked with, how he ended up with the gig to record the “Cheers” theme (and the various places the song has ended up) and whether or not he drinks for free in Boston.
Mike Murphy joins the boys to talk about how (and why) his grandma Minnie Lee got started documenting her lifelong love affair with the Cincinnati Reds, that time she missed one of the team’s biggest games of the last 35 years, ending on a high note and, of course, what’s next for Grandma’s Reds Scorebook.
“Toni Stone” playwright Lydia Diamond joins the boys to talk about her personal connection to the Negro Leagues pioneer and why she chose to tell her story, what it means to have her play back on the stage, writing through her COVID-impose lockdown and, of course, growing up a baseball fan and her crush on former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Joaquin Andujar,
Actor and comedian Samm Levine joins the boys to talk about being a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, being back on the convention circuit, makes the first Reed Johnson mention in the history of the show, goes off on a certain umpire (or two) and helps craft the wonderful new podcast “Let’s Feed Sam(m) Levine”.
“Once Upon a Time in Queens” director Nick Davis joins the boys to talk about growing up a lifelong New York Mets fan, the similarities between their 1986 World Series-winning team and the band Nirvana, who he wishes he could’ve interviewed for his 30 for 30 documentary and, of course, the excitement of showing the world Ed Hearn’s balls.
Hall of Famer Frank Thomas returns to talk to the boys about what to watch for as we head into the playoffs, why Vlad Jr. might be the story of the year, shares his thoughts on the Field of Dreams game and discovers the bond he shares with Lou.
To help celebrate the 300th episode of the podcast, legendary broadcaster Bob Costas joins the boys to talk about the three questions he gets asked the most, who he weirdly gets mistaken for, signing autographs as Bob Cutlass, appearing in BASEketball (and Pootie Tang!), that bet he made with Kirby Puckett back in 1986 and, of course, a little baseball.
For a record eighth time, America’s favorite (former) mayor Jeff Katz joins the boys to talk about almost missing the 2021 Hall of Fame Induction, his favorite moment from the recent ceremony, recalls the most memorable Hall of Fame speech he’s heard and that time John Travolta visited Cooperstown.
Newly-minted president of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum Josh Rawitch joins the boys to talk about his recent cross-country roadtrip from Arizona to New York, stopping off in Dyersville, Iowa, for a game of catch (and historic baseball game!) at the Field of Dreams movie site, whether or not he can be blamed for those Diamondbacks uniforms and if he’s ready for those cold Cooperstown winters.
"I think the thing that surprises me is when September 1st comes around every year...no one really talks about it."
On September 1, 1971, the Pittsburgh Pirates fielded the first starting nine consisting of all Black and Latino players. Bruce Markusen, author of The Team That Changed Baseball, Al Oliver and Manny Sanguillen join the boys to reflect on that historic team.
Longtime umpire Perry Barber re-joins the boys to talk about her lifelong (and prosperous!) love affair with television quiz shows, that time she walked away from Jeopardy! with a year’s supply of Rice-A-Roni and the latest happenings with the International Women’s Baseball Center.
Prior to heading to Dyersville, Iowa, Frank Thomas joins the boys to talk about his favorite baseball movie of all-time (spoiler alert…it’s NOT “Field of Dreams”), Major League Baseball’s marketing of its current stars and whether or not his former colleague Pete Rose deserves a spot in the Hall of Fame.
Chris Ivy joins the boys to talk about his position as Director of Sports Auctions for Heritage, tells the story of three of his more profitable pieces (including The Black Swamp Find), shares his “holy grail” item and promotes the recent Willie McCovey collection.
Just in time for the Chicago White Sox to play host to the New York Yankees at the “Field of Dreams” Movie Site, operations manager Roman Weinberg leads the boys on a tour of the iconic farmhouse from the film, explains the “how” and “why” the land situated on Lansing Road in Dyersville, Iowa was selected and, ultimately, how it became one of the baseball world's top tourist destinations.
Oh, Roman also tells Shawn and Lou how a random tourist from New York (kinda) led to a $3.4 million payday for the farm’s original owner!
Episode originally aired September 2, 2019.
Former All-American pitcher Danielle O'Toole joins the boys to talk about representing Mexico during the 2020 Olympics, chasing down Pau Gasol (and running into Yao Ming) while in Tokyo, growing up a fan of the Jackass franchise and how she ultimately ended up getting a role alongside Johnny Knoxville and the gang in their upcoming movie.
Kevin Thomas and Vince Biffle from the Global Barber Federation join the boys to talk about how they got their start cutting hair, why they approached the Rocket City Trash Pandas with the idea of putting a barbershop in Toyota Field (and why more teams should) and, of course, what athlete needs their help the most.
Baseball artist and illustrator Josée Tellier joins the boys to talk about her recent involvement (and victory!) in the Josh Gibson Card Art Tournament, lists her favorite Montréal Expos of all-time, expresses her hatred of the Washington Nationals and, of course, shares some secrets of the city that never sleeps…Sherbrooke, Quebec!