Three-time All-Star and current MLB analyst John Kruk joins the boys about to talk about the importance of young women playing baseball, why he took over the head coaching gig for his daughter’s softball team what it was like digging in against Randy Johnson.
Texas Rangers outfielder Delino DeShields joins the boys to talk about being part of an athletic family (his father played Major League Baseball and his sister is in the WNBA), the historic and cultural significance of his tattoos, his desire to get more African-American youth involved in baseball and, lastly, his connection with Sonic the Hedgehog.
New York Times bestselling author Michael Connelly joins the boys to talk about his return to journalism in the form of his podcast “Murder Book, how he nabbed Vin Scully for his hit Amazon show “Bosch”, that time he and his buddies took over George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa and, lastly, answers the age-old question “does dude REALLY name some of his characters after former Major Leaguers?”
On the eve of reporting to Spring Training, San Francisco Giants pitching prospect Kieran Lovegrove joins the boys to talk about the day-to-day of training camp, taking the high road on social media (and how some Major League Baseball teams take the lead), playing for David Ortiz in the 2018 Futures Game and his plans for expanding America’s Pastime to his home country of South Africa.
Former big leaguer Kurt Bevacqua welcomes the boys on to his podcast, Dirty Kurt’s Dugout, to talk to them about which players should (and shouldn’t) be in the Hall of Fame that aren’t already, why he hates the city of Milwaukee and Shawn shares a story about that time he found himself face-to-face with Pete Rose in Las Vegas.
Brian Cronin, the creative mind behind Sports Urban Legends Revealed, joins the boys to talk about the fact and fiction behind some of baseball’s greatest urban legends including Rickey Henderson’s million dollar check, Lou Whitaker’s missing jersey, Wade Boggs’ drinking habits, that time someone tried to maim Wally Joyner and more.
And as a bonus…lots of comic book talk!
Legendary broadcaster Larry King joins the boys (for the third time!) to talk about the 2019 Hall of Fame class, looks ahead at the 2020 ballot, reveals the one guy who he believes should be getting more love from the BBWAA and speculates as to who might be the next unanimous Hall of Famer.
The Cooperstown Casebook author (and beer aficionado) Jay Jaffe joins the boys to talk about the 2019 Hall of Fame class, looks ahead at the 2020 ballot, shares his next pet project and reveals the one candidate he wishes he would have included in his book. Also, Jay admits to having never seen 1966’s “Batman”. Say what?
Executive director of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame Scott Crawford joins the boys to talk about the history of and the differences between his Hall of Fame and that other one in Cooperstown, the recent remodeling that took place there in St. Marys, Ontario, 2009 inductee Larry Walker’s chances at getting inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and, lastly, how Shawn and Lou might be able to influence future Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame elections.
Baseball For All founder Justine Siegal joins the boys to talk about her experience as Major League Baseball’s first female coach, trumpets the successes of fellow trailblazers Kim Ng and Jessica Mendoza, opens up about what Penny Marshall meant to women’s baseball and shares who she would put on an all-women’s baseball Mount Rushmore.
Two-time World Series champion and three-time All-Star Manny Sanguillén joins the boys to talk about how he went from playing baseball in the streets of Panama to being the beloved face of a BBQ restaurant in Pittsburgh, shares what it was like being part of Major League Baseball’s first all-black and Latino lineup, gets excited about fellow countryman Mariano Rivera making it into the Hall of Fame, recalls his favorite moment as a big leaguer and, of course, fondly remembers his close relationships with both Dock Ellis and Roberto Clemente.
The talented actor, comedian and musician, Skip Griparis joins the boys to talk about his time working alongside Bob Uecker on the set of both “Major League” and “Major League 2”, shares how he got the role of “Monty the Colorman”, reminisces about opening up for the legendary Rodney Dangerfield, working with Tim Allen and playing guitar for Olivia Newton-John and, of course, explains the idea behind his traveling one-man stage show.
2018 Glenn Burke Memorial Courage Award recipient David Mellor joins the boys to talk about his long (and tragic) journey to become the Boston Red Sox Director of Grounds, working the field at County Stadium in Milwaukee alongside Bernie Brewer, his struggles with PTSD and how his service dog Drago has helped him every step of the way.
Oh…David also talked about that time he hung out at Fenway Park with President George H. W. Bush.
David Raymond, the original Phillie Phanatic, joins the boys to talk about the upcoming grand opening of the Mascot Hall of Fame, what visitors (both young and old) can expect when they walk through the doors, the creation of Gritty and the insane popularity of the new Philadelphia Flyers mascot.
The Bleacher Preacher, Jerry Pritikin joins the boys to talk about his lifelong love of the Chicago Cubs (and the first time he heard “wait ‘til next year”), his team getting kicked out of the Gay Softball World Series for being “too straight”, striking out former Major Leaguer Glenn Burke and his time photographing the gay rights movement.
Nearly 30 years ago, the baseball card world was turned upside when a certain four-lettered word made its way past censors.
Rick Vaughn, the former public relations director for the Baltimore Orioles, was there and thinks he knows exactly how "F*ck Face" went from being scribbled on the knob of Billy Ripken's bat and straight into your collection.
MLB Network host Brian Kenny joins the boys (for the third time!) to talk about the sudden popularity of bullpenning, previews the off season whereabouts of both Manny Machado and Bryce Harper, gives his Hall of Fame picks and explains why he thinks Orel Hershiser deserves a spot in Cooperstown. Oh…Brian also conveniently blames Lou for any perceived failings Mike Trout might have.
In 1988, brothers John and Tock Costacos helped make Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire larger than life by putting them and their big bats (and even bigger biceps) on the walls of every baseball fan across the country.
But before “The Bash Brothers” got posterized and immortalized, there was a different dynamic duo decorating bedrooms and dorms across the country...Walter Payton and Jim McMahon.
Jane Leavy, the New York Times bestselling author of The Big Fella, joins the boys to talk about the lunacy behind spending eight years writing about Babe Ruth (and compares him to the Kardashians!), what she learned most about “Little George” and why her 1987 piece about Muggsy Bogues is one of the great embarrassments of her life.
Hall of Famer Dave Winfield joins the boys to talk about his 40-plus year relationship with Don Baylor (and why he joined the Myeloma MVP campaign), what current player reminds him of when he played and what current pitchers he’d like to face and that night in San Diego when the Famous Chicken was hatched.
For more than 40 seasons, Nancy Faust was the organist for the Chicago White Sox, so when her Hammond Elegante Model 340100 went up for auction, Boston Red Sox organist Josh Kantor knew he had to have it.
Famed poster boy-turned-author John Costacos returns to talk to the boys about all those times he and his brother Tock almost killed their subjects (turns out it happened a lot!), what current players they’d like to make posters of, the one guy who turned them down and, of course, his new book “Walls of Fame”.
Recorded on the official last day of the baseball season, actor Lew Temple talks to the boys about his postseason picks and expectations, questions why the NFL always gets top-billing on ESPN.com, wonders what current-day pitchers might have flourished during 1968’s “Year of the Pitcher” and, naturally, Lou had to ask him about his upcoming role in Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”.
Comedian River Butcher joins the boys to talk about their podcast Three Swings, why men are afraid of women playing baseball, shares what it was like doing “Conan” and, along with Lou, starts preparing a “Racism in Baseball” college curriculum.
America’s favorite houseguest, Kato Kaelin, joins the boys to talk about the postseason chances of his beloved Milwaukee Brewers, opens up about the downfall of being so outspoken on Twitter and, for some reason, introduces Shawn and Lou to the friendliest valets in all of Los Angeles.