Vanessa Ivy Rose, host of “Reclaimed: The Forgotten League”, returns to talk to the boys about her recent appearance on “Good Morning America”, finding a seemingly lost voice recording of her grandfather, Negro Leagues legend (and five-time Hall of Famer) Turkey Stearnes, whether or not we could see Hamtramck Stadium playing host to Major League Baseball and, of course, her lifelong love of Prince.
Award-winning actor and lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan Jon Hamm joins the boys to talk about growing up best friends with the son of Hall of Famer Ted Simmons, how close he came to becoming a Milwaukee Brewers fan, his favorite baseball stadiums to visit (and the food that goes along with them), the baseball role he would’ve loved to have tackled, his upcoming project with acclaimed director Ron Shelton and those three times he’s hosted “Saturday Night Live”.
Brandon Steiner, founder of Steiner Sports and CollectibleXchange, returns to tell the boys about that time he beat Michael Jordan, how Jordan changed the game when it comes to sports marketing, shares his thoughts on holiday gift-giving and introduces his newest venture…StarStock.
Former big league closer and 2011 Robert Goulet Memorial Mustached American of the Year award recipient John Axford joins the boys for their 400th episode to talk about the role he played in launching The Hall of Very Good Podcast, taking part in the World Baseball Classic, pitching in Milwaukee, his love of photography, reveals his Hollywood crush and, of course, gives a facial hair update.
Also…a fan favorite returns!
1981 World Series MVP and author of Penguin Power, Ron Cey joins the boys to talk about where he got his famous nickname, fraternity life at Washington State University (shout out Cougars!), playing with and against countless Hall of Famers, being on the field for Hank Aaron’s historic 715th home run, that time, he’s sure, Shawn grandma witnessed his greatest game at Wrigley Field and, ultimately, why he chose to finally write a book about his career.
The hobby world is enamored with one of ones and a Montréal collector has a very unique one in his possession.
Nearly 50 years ago, then-rookie Gary Carter purchased a brand new Buick Riviera after appearing in just a handful of games for the Expos. For more than a decade, the Hall of Fame catcher's prized car has been sitting in storage, well-maintained, and looking for a new home.
The original eBay listing (with pictures!) is available HERE.
Toy sculptor Patrick Healey and artist/illustrator Chris Felix join the boys to talk about how two kids from Elder High School in Cincinnati ended up working for Kenner on one of the biggest toylines ever, their favorite Starting Lineup figures they’ve ever designed, the best (and worst) likenesses, the importance to get everything just right and who may or may not have been partially responsible for those super jacked Star Wars figures from the mid-90s.
Milwaukee is home to plenty...the Brewers, Harvey Kuenn's wooden leg and, of course, one of the most haunted hotels in America. And according to author and American Ghost Walks tour guide Tea Krulos, The Pfister Hotel has been welcoming guests (both wanted and unwanted) since 1893.
To listen to the entire interview, CLICK HERE.
Pop culture specialist and longtime appraiser Simeon Lipman joins the boys to talk about his gig as the go-to guy when it comes to sports memorabilia, the first thing he saw when he joined “Antiques Roadshow”, what you can find in his own personal collection (and why), the hot genre people are buying up, one of the most unique bidding wars he’s even been on the sidelines for and that time he was asked to help sell body parts.
Sports artist Ken Karl joins the boys to talk about how he got his start in mixed media, explains his “process” (and how that has cost him physical harm), what makes his one of ones so special and, most important, why he’s thrilled to be part of the card art community.
Classically trained pianist-turned-ballpark “spackle” John Benedeck joins the boys to talk about his journey from Western Illinois University to Chicago’s northside, how he got his gig with the Chicago Cubs, getting paid to play with his organ, using social media to connect with his audience inside and outside of Wrigley Field and where to find the best beer in Wisconsin.
Former San Diego Padres executive Andy Strasberg returns to talk to the boys about his 60-plus year bond with the family of Roger Maris, the relationship he had with the late-Tony Gwynn, Tony’s quest to honor baseball history (even though he was afraid to meet a certain “legend”) and the one thing Tony doesn’t get any credit for.
To celebrate the 45th anniversary of becoming the only 20-game winner in Montréal Expos history, Ross Grimsley joins the boys to look back at October 1, 1978 (and the unlikely Hall of Famer who led the way), that time he and the Baltimore Orioles pitching staff made their way backstage at “Saturday Night Live” and into the good graces of John Belushi, hanging out with KISS, giving up Roberto Clemente’s last home run, being on the field for Jackie Robinson’s last public appearance, his special relationship with Thurman Munson and, for some reason…pickleball.
Comedian Roy Wood Jr. joins the boys to talk about heading back out on the road to do standup, what he thinks about the 2023 Chicago Cubs (and Milwaukee Brewers?), his excitement of Major League Baseball playing at Rickwood Field, gives his thoughts on Coach Prime and shares what he’s doing to give back to the community.
Erin Carlson, author of No Crying in Baseball, joins the boys to talk about when she first fell in love with “A League of Their Own”, some of the controversy associated with the film, what Madonna was like on set, Rosie O’Donnell’s connection to the women of the AAGPBL, Penny Marshall’s legacy and the award-winning actress producers gave millions to leave the project.
Montréal Expos supercollector (and Expos Fest organizer) Perry Giannias joins the boys to talk about when he first became a baseball fan, the role Ellis Valentine played in starting his passion, that time a former player asked for something from his collection and answers the age-old question…how does one end up with Gary Carter’s luggage?
New York Times bestselling author Joe Posnanski joins the boys to talk about his new book, Why We Love Baseball: A History in 50 Moments, the trouble had whittling the history of baseball down to 50 awesome moments (spoiler alert: there’s actually 108!), who he shared his list with (and who he didn’t), how Duane Kuiper fits into his lifelong fandom and his friendship with the legendary Buck O’Neil.
Come for Joe Pos…stay for Jim Kern, Alan Ashby and Jeff Suppan!
Helmet frontman Page Hamilton joins the boys to talk about how he became a New York Yankees fan, hanging out with Jack McDowell, his love of Don Mattingly, his hatred of Pedro Martinez, hitting the road with Faith No More and his band’s upcoming tour and album.
Jesse Cole, owner of the Savannah Bananas, joins the boys to talk about BananaBall (and how he makes sure everything remains “fan first”), following the Saturday Night Live framework, the overall importance of Bill Lee and why he’s not always keen on comparisons to the Harlem Globetrotters.
From Dearly Departed Tours, the original death hag, Scott Michaels, joins the boys to talk about his unique collection (and how it led to him working with Quentin Tarantino), the public’s fascination with celebrity and death, the complicated relationship of Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe and the crazy connection between “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and Disco Demolition Night.
As a bonus, Lou introduces Scott and Shawn to the term “prison wallet”.
For an unprecedented tenth time, Cooperstown correspondent Jeff Katz joins the boys to re-cap the 2023 Hall of Fame induction ceremony, breaks down Fred McGriff and Scott Rolen’s speeches, shares his interaction with “notorious prankster” Greg Maddux, reveals who received the coveted porch invite and talks up Immaculate Grid.
Jason Derr from Tea and Topps joins Lou to re-cap the The National Sports Collectors Convention.
Together, they discuss their experiences hanging out in Rosemont, Illinois, for the 43rd gathering of all things sports and collectibles. What did they find? Who did they run into? Was it really as hot and humid as everyone was saying it was? Overall, where do they see the hobby heading?
And, as a bonus...did Shawn get Lou to finally experience his first live wrestling event?!
Ray Schulte, the Director of Media Relations for The National Sports Collectors Convention, joins the boys to talk about the 2023 event in Chicago, what goes into preparing for the hobby’s premier event, who he’s most excited to see this year, his own personal collecting habits and the parameters of what makes a good collection.
The “most professional wrestler” (and multi-hyphenate) Brian Myers joins the boys to talk about growing up a New York Mets fan, what he collected as a kid (and now!), the rise in collecting during COVID, why he always roots for the “heel” and, because of that, who he’s most excited to meet at the upcoming National Sports Collectors Convention in Chicago.
New York Yankees beat reporter Bryan Hoch joins the boys to talk about growing up a Mets fan, what prompted him to document Aaron’s Judge’s historic 2022 season for his book 62, becoming friends with the family of Roger Maris, who they believe the real home run king is and, of course, that time his wife hit the stage and danced with Bruce Springsteen.