Mary Poppins himself, Michael Rooker, joins the boys in hopes to get them to root, root, root for the Cubbies, goes behind-the scenes of “Eight Men Out”, spills the beans on who is the better baseball player (him or “Little Chuckie” Sheen), shares which role people recognize him from the most, explains why everyone likes his “Guardians of the Galaxy” character Yondu and, lastly, gives Shawn and Lou a taste of their own medicine by asking THEM questions!
Old friend Ted Giannoulas joins the boys to talk about growing up a baseball fan in Canada, reveals why he never shows his face, dishes on the hardest (and easiest) players to work with, shares what current mascot he thinks is doing it right, answers the dreaded NSFW question and discloses how much longer he can perform as The Famous San Diego Chicken.
Also…could a memoir be in the works? Listen now!
2017 Glenn Burke Memorial Courage Award recipient Stacy Piagno joins the boys to talk about her historic win this past summer for the Sonoma Stompers, that no-hitter she threw during the 2015 Pan American Games, discloses what Major League hitter she’d least like to face and (along with Shawn) tries to help Lou sort out his love of Wilson Phillips.
Jonathan Knight, the author of The Making of Major League, joins the boys to talk about, you guessed it, the making of the popular movie, spells out its original ending (and explains how it might have invented “moneyball”), compares Wesley Snipes to Omar Epps, breaks down some plot ideas for what should-be an upcoming sequel and, along with Shawn and Lou, mentions “Mr. 3000” way too many times.
Jonathan Knight, the author of The Making of Major League, joins the boys to talk about, you guessed it, the making of the popular movie, spells out its original ending (and explains how it might have invented “moneyball”), compares Wesley Snipes to Omar Epps, breaks down some plot ideas for what should-be an upcoming sequel and, along with Shawn and Lou, mentions “Mr. 3000” way too many times.
Celebrated gossip columnist and podcast host A.J. Benza joins the boys to talk about about whether or not he believes Kevin Costner almost ended Cal Ripken Junior’s streak, compares Aroldis Chapman to Dwight Gooden, reveals what he thinks might’ve cost the 2003 New York Yankees a World Series championship (hint…it rhymes with “brocaine”), all but confirms the Derek Jeter gift basket rumors and shares some stories about getting bombed with certain members of the Bronx Bombers.
Legendary ballhawk Zack Hample joins the boys (for the third time!) to talk about snagging his 10,000th ball (and why he wanted to get it in Baltimore), the science behind getting a ball after the third out, shares what his mom thinks of his YouTube successes, reveals how much longer he thinks he can do what he does and (almost) ponders the existence of God.
MLB Network host Robert Flores joins the boys to talk about the Boston Red Sox and their (alleged) cheating, convinces Shawn why he should go all-in on the Houston Astros, assures Lou his Milwaukee Brewers might actually be for real, explains how he got involved with Slammiversary XV and reveals the three songs he’d like to hear before he dies.
With Players Weekend in his rearview mirror, Phil Hecken, the weekend editor (and “bench coach”) for the Uni Watch Blog, re-joins the boys and gives them his thoughts about Major League Baseball’s latest stunt, breaks down his favorite (and least favorite) uniforms, offers up some of his favorite nicknames and reveals the one Players Weekend cap he would actually wear.
Charles Leerhsen, the author of Ty Cobb: A Terrible Beauty, joins the boys to talk about about the misconceptions surrounding baseball’s first Hall of Famer, why he thinks the world casts certain people as monsters, calls Cobb biographer Al Stump a “liar” and shares who he thinks is the greatest player he’s ever seen play.
Curator and founder of the National Mustard Museum Barry Levenson joins the boys to talk about how (and why) he started the museum, dispenses some advice on what mustard pairs the best with what tubed meat, shares his special relationship with former Milwaukee Brewers slugger Gorman Thomas and answers the age-old question…is a hot dog a sandwich.
Lastly, make sure you stick around for the Poupon U. fight song!
Author-turned-Cooperstown mayor-turned author Jeff Katz joins the boys to talk about Bill “The Spaceman” Lee ending up on his front porch during Hall of Fame Induction Weekend, how he became Mayor Quimby for the day and that chance encounter with Elvis Costello. Lastly…what does Milwaukee Brewers playoff baseball have in common with U2 and Nirvana? You won’t know unless you listen to the entire podcast!
Boston Red Sox organist Josh Kantor joins the boys to talk about gigging with The Baseball Project, his “side hustle” working at the “Harvard of the Northeast” and how he and a group of musician friends ended up on a cross country road trip with “the single most important musical instrument in the history of baseball”.
This week, Guinness Book world record holder Brett Carow joins the boys to talk about his decades-long love affair with Strat-O-Matic, what possessed him to play the iconic baseball board game for 61-straight hours and shares the story behind the coolest cake a wife can buy her husband. Oh, and the gang comes to the startling realization that Ozzie Smith might be immortal.
Legendary Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith joins the boys to talk about the 25th anniversary of the popular "Homer at the Bat” episode of “The Simpsons”, where his famous backflip came from, growing up in Southern California with Eddie Murray and the one team he would’ve liked to have played for.
Former Chicago White Sox shortstop Greg Pryor joins the boys to talk about Disco Demolition Night and the events of July 12, 1979, the day he made Jimmy Piersall go crazy, describes what it was like being part of the circus surrounding Bo Jackson in 1986 and spills the beans on what he thinks is the worst baseball movie ever.
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.
Phil Hecken, weekend editor (and “bench coach”) for the Uni Watch Blog, joins the boys to talk about those hideous things the Arizona Diamondbacks are wearing, the best (and worst) uniforms in the Majors, why baseball needs to tone down their special jerseys and why 1969 might have been the greatest looking year on the diamond.
Former Major Leaguer-turned-author Adam Greenberg joins the boys about the injury that stalled his Major League career, his long journey back to the bigs, playing for Team Israel during the World Baseball Classic, getting inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and the awesome healing power of, wait for it…deer antlers.
Actor-turned-musician Scott ("Gilmore Girls") Patterson joins the boys to talk about his seven-year minor league baseball career, what it’s like going one-on-one against Don Mattingly, hanging out with Bobby Bonds, shares the advice Sandy Koufax gave him and previews the new EP from his band SMITHRADIO.
Brandiose co-founder Jason Klein joins the boys to talk about what it takes to completely re-design the image of a baseball franchise, how he went from high school mascot to one of the most sought after minds in marketing, shares a great story about friend of the pod, Ted (The Famous Chicken) Giannoulas and introduces Shawn to the most exciting vegetable he’s never heard of.
20 years ago, Ila Borders broke through baseball's "glass ceiling" when she appeared in a game for the St. Paul Saints. From Mick Veeck to (yes) Marge Schott, her journey was an interesting one.
Attorney-turned sportswriter-turned radio host-turned Peabody Award winner Julie DiCaro joins the boys (again) to talk about how she deals with the haters online, shares her thoughts on the recent Ronnie Woo Woo-Chicago Cubs controversy and explains why "Tin Cup" is the worst baseball movie of all-time...and, yes, she knows it's about golf.
Oh...did anyone mention Julie's Peabody Award?
Bob Kendrick returns to talk about the origin of the Kansas City Royals "Dressed to the Nines" game, Adam Jones's recent $20,000 donation to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and gives an update on the efforts to save Buck O'Neil's home.
Also, Ralph Carhart stops by to fill-in as co-host and give an update on The Hall Ball Project.
It's been 46 years since Ross Grimsley threw his first Major League pitch. Since then, the longtime hurler (and the last Montreal Expo to win 20 games) has been the subject of many rumors. From hair grease to allegations of witchcraft...it's time to play "True or False".