Reading Baseball: Recent Episodes
WSIU Public Radio
Reading Baseball is a WSIU Radio original series of baseball essays and commentaries by Richard "Pete" Peterson, editor of the St. Louis Baseball Reader and author of Growing Up With Clemente and the upcoming Pops: The Willie Stargell Story.
Pete Peterson(File)A new cable television series explores people's happy places.
In this latest edition of Reading Baseball, Pete Peterson explains why a now demolished ballpark is special enough to fit that bill for him.
Reading Baseball is a series of essays and commentaries by Richard “Pete” Peterson, co-author with his son Stephen, of The Slide: Leyland, Bonds and the Star-Crossed Pittsburgh Pirates and the editor of The St. Louis Baseball Reader.
(Pete Peterson)The hot topic at the beginning of the Major League Baseball season was the emergence of torpedo bats.
In his latest edition of Reading Baseball, Pete Peterson looks at these bats with a non-traditional design and how the bat has evolved over the years.
Reading Baseball is a series of essays and commentaries by Richard “Pete” Peterson, author of Growing Up With Clemente and editor of The St. Louis Baseball Reader.
(Joshua Peacock/Unsplash / https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1470755711115-961e80ee0284?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=MnwxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8&auto=format&fit=crop&w=1470&q=80)Former Saluki baseball standout Derek Shelton lasted over five seasons as the manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates before the franchise fired him last week.
In his latest edition of Reading Baseball, Pete Peterson explains how Shelton faced an uphill battle in getting the Pirates back on track.
Reading Baseball is a series of essays and commentaries by Richard “Pete” Peterson, co-author, with his son Stephen, of The Slide: Leyland, Bonds and the Star-Crossed Pittsburgh Pirates and the editor of The St. Louis Baseball Reader.
Pope Francis waves after the canonization Mass for Mother Teresa in front of 120,000 faithful in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on September 4, 2016. Mother Teresa, who devoted her life helping the poor in India, was declared a saint by Pope Francis. Photo by Stefano Spaziani/UPI(Courtesy of UPI / ALAMY Stock Photo. / PBS Pressroom)The recent death of Pope Francis got Reading Baseball commentator Pete Peterson thinking about his visit to the U.S. nearly ten years ago.
In this edition of Reading Baseball, Pete wonders if the pope was a baseball fan?
Reading Baseball is a series of essays and commentaries by Richard “Pete” Peterson, co-author, with his son, Stephen, of The Slide: Leyland, Bonds and the Star-Crossed Pittsburgh Pirates and the editor of The St. Louis Baseball Reader.
Pete and Anita Peterson with Brad Palmer (right)(Brad Palmer)Reading Baseball is a WSIU Radio original series of baseball essays and commentaries by Richard "Pete" Peterson. It started in the spring of 2004.
This edition of Reading Baseball is another milestone in the series for Pete.
Pete Peterson is the author of Growing Up With Clemente and the editor of The St. Louis Baseball Reader.
(Pete Peterson)A new book out this spring highlights the breaking of the color line by the Chicago White Sox and Cubs in the 1950’s.
In his latest edition of Reading Baseball, Pete Peterson reviews the book that looks at the integration of baseball in Chicago.
Reading Baseball is a series of essays and commentaries by Richard “Pete” Peterson, co-author, with his son, Stephen, of The Slide: Leyland, Bonds and the Star-Crossed Pittsburgh Pirates and the editor of The St. Louis Baseball Reader.
(Provided by Pete Peterson)A new book is out focusing on the 40th anniversary of the 1985 World Series. A series won by Kansas City in controversial fashion over their cross-state rivals, the St. Louis Cardinals.
In this edition of Reading Baseball, Pete Peterson reviews the book and how the series’ infamous blown call shaped the legacy of an otherwise well-respected umpire.
Reading Baseball is a series of essays and commentaries by Richard “Pete” Peterson, author of Growing Up With Clemente and the editor of The St. Louis Baseball Reader.
The cover of the SIU Press reprint of Man on Spikes featuring an image of Itchy Jones(Provided by Pete Peterson)Tributes continue for former Saluki coaching great Itchy Jones, who died on February 17.
In this edition of Reading Baseball, Pete Peterson once again remembers the time Jones became a cover boy when SIU Press reprinted a critically-acclaimed baseball book.
Reading Baseball is a series of essays and commentaries by Richard “Pete” Peterson, co-author, with his son Stephen, of The Slide: Leyland, Bonds and the Star-Crossed Pittsburgh Pirates and the editor of The St. Louis Baseball Reader.
Vic Harris as a player with the Homestead Grays.(Provided by Pete Peterson)In his latest Reading Baseball and annual Black History Month commentary, Pete Peterson tells us about a legendary negro league manager who Pete believes was wrongly left out of the Baseball Hall of Fame again.
Reading Baseball is a series of essays and commentaries by Richard “Pete” Peterson, co-author, with his son, Stephen, of The Slide: Leyland, Bonds and the Star-Crossed Pittsburgh Pirates and the editor of The St. Louis Baseball Reader.
St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado swings at a pitch in a game at Busch Stadium.(Kirk Thornton/Unsplash / UnSplash)Baseball has found some innovative ways recently to try and make the game more appealing to fans.
In his latest edition of Reading Baseball, Pete Peterson takes a look at the most recent proposal and why this gimmick was put on the shelf.
Reading Baseball is a series of essays and commentaries by Richard “Pete” Peterson, co-author, with his son, Stephen, of The Slide: Leyland, Bonds and the Star-Crossed Pittsburgh Pirates and the editor of The St. Louis Baseball Reader.
Pete's wife Anita in Cardinals gear in the WSIU Radio suite.(Brad Palmer)Listeners of the Reading Baseball commentary know Pete Peterson and his wife Anita are die-hard Pittsburgh Pirate fans.
In this edition of Reading Baseball, Pete explains how his wife Anita’s disgust with her hometown Pirates led her to become a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, just for a fleeting moment.
Reading Baseball is a series of essays and commentaries by Richard “Pete” Peterson, author of Growing Up With Clemente and editor of The St. Louis Baseball Reader.
Pete Rose (front, right) poses with fans Scott and Tiffany Van Alstyne at the Art of Music memorabilia store in Las Vegas. (Tom Goldman/NPR)Since his recent death, the debate has been reignited as to whether Pete Rose should be in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
In his latest edition of Reading Baseball, Pete Peterson looks at the controversial career of the game’s all-time hits leader.
Reading Baseball is a series of essays and commentaries by Richard “Pete” Peterson, author of Growing Up With Clemente and editor of The St. Louis Baseball Reader.
The box score from the first game Pete Peterson attended in person with his father in 1948.(Pete Peterson)November 5 is Election Day.
If the current political atmosphere has you wanting a distraction, commentator Pete Peterson may have just the thing.
In his latest edition of Reading Baseball, Pete tries to answer the question: Can baseball save us from politics?
Reading Baseball is a series of essays and commentaries by Richard “Pete” Peterson, author of Growing Up With Clemente and editor of The St. Louis Baseball Reader.
The ten original inductees gathered at the grand opening of the Baseball Hall of Fame on June 12, 1939. Front row, L-to-R: Eddie Collins, Babe Ruth, Connie Mack, and Cy Young. Back row: Honus Wagner, Grover Cleveland Alexander, Tris Speaker, Napoleon Lajoie, George Sisler, and Walter Johnson. Legend has it that Ty Cobb, also inducted in 1939, missed the photo because he was uncharacteristically late for the train to Cooperstown.(Pete Peterson)The Chicago White Sox suffered through one of the worst seasons in baseball history.
In his latest edition of Reading Baseball, Pete Peterson tries to put a smile on the faces of White Sox fans with a unique trip down memory lane.
Reading Baseball is a series of essays and commentaries by Richard “Pete” Peterson, author of Growing Up With Clemente and editor of The St. Louis Baseball Reader.
Pete Peterson’s love for baseball includes the uniqueness of a fielder’s best friend, his glove.
In Pete’s latest edition of Reading Baseball, he tells us his latest glove has an interesting story on a couple of fronts.
Reading Baseball is a series of essays and commentaries by Richard “Pete” Peterson, author of Growing Up With Clemente and the editor of The St. Louis Baseball Reader.
Ken Griffey, Jr.(WBUR)For many years, there wasn’t much debate about who was the greatest living baseball player. Willie Mays seemed like a pretty easy choice. But, since his passing, the question of who is NOW the greatest living ballplayer has led to a renewed discussion.
In his latest edition of Reading Baseball, Pete Peterson gives us his answer.
Reading Baseball is a series of essays and commentaries by Richard “Pete” Peterson, co-author, with his son Stephen, of The Slide: Leyland, Bonds and the Star-Crossed Pittsburgh Pirates and the editor of The St. Louis Baseball Reader.
We’re proud to announce Reading Baseball is currently ranked as the 7th best NPR Sports Podcast worth listening to in 2024.
Pete Peterson and his son, Stephen, sporting their mustaches this summer(Dean Marshall)Last month, Pete Peterson told us why a mustache he had grown over the summer would be his first and last attempt at facial hair.
Now, in his latest edition of Reading Baseball, Pete explains the Curse of the Mustache.
Reading Baseball is a series of essays and commentaries by Richard “Pete” Peterson, author of Growing Up With Clemente and editor of The St. Louis Baseball Reader.
Fans mob Bob Skinner after his walk-off homer against Cincinnati on Easter Sunday 1960. Among the fans, Pete Peterson, in the dark shirt with his hand on another fan's back.(Pete Peterson)Baseball doubleheaders were a part of the Major League Baseball landscape for decades, but now they’re almost non-existent, barring rainouts.
In his latest edition of Reading Baseball, Pete Peterson asks the question, what is a doubleheader?
Reading Baseball is a series of essays and commentaries by Richard “Pete” Peterson, author of Growing Up With Clemente and editor of The St. Louis Baseball Reader.
Pete Peterson and his son, Stephen, sporting their mustaches this summer(Dean Marshall)Pittsburgh Pirates rookie pitcher Paul Skenes has taken Major League Baseball by storm this season, posting a 6-1 record and a remarkable 1.99 earned run average.
Skenes has made a big impression on Pirate fans, including our very own Pete Peterson.
In his latest edition of Reading Baseball, Pete describes how Skenes inspired him to grow a mustache for the first time in his life.
Reading Baseball is a series of essays and commentaries by Richard “Pete” Peterson, co-author with his son Stephen, of The Slide: Leyland, Bonds and the Star-Crossed Pittsburgh Pirates and the editor of The St. Louis Baseball Reader.
Pete Peterson and his wife, Anita, during a trip to PNC Park in Pittsburgh(Pete Peterson)If you’ve been listening to Pete Peterson’s Reading Baseball commentaries for all or part of the past 20 years, you likely know Pete and his wife Anita, are originally from Pittsburgh.
The two recently made a trip back to their hometown. As Pete explains, this one was extra special.
Reading Baseball is a series of essays and commentaries by Richard “Pete” Peterson, author of Growing Up With Clemente and editor of The St. Louis Baseball Reader.
The Milwaukee skyline from the marina (Ted Balmer/Unsplash)Milwaukee will be the center of the political world next week when it hosts the Republican National Convention.
The city also boasts the Brewers, who lead the National League Central division standings.
In his latest edition of Reading Baseball, Pete Peterson tells us the history of baseball in the Wisconsin city.
Reading Baseball is a series of essays and commentaries by Richard “Pete” Peterson, co-author with his son, Stephen, of The Slide: Leyland, Bonds and the Star-Crossed Pittsburgh Pirates and the editor of The St. Louis Baseball Reader.
Copies of Charles Einstein's book Willie's Time referenced in Pete's commentary(Pete Peterson)The man known as the Say Hey Kid and known for “The Catch” in the 1954 World Series passed away on June 18.
In his latest edition of Reading Baseball, Pete Peterson takes a look at the career of Willie Mays and two books inspired by his illustrious career.
Reading Baseball is a series of essays and commentaries by Richard “Pete” Peterson, co-author, with his son Stephen, of The Slide: Leyland, Bonds and the Star-Crossed Pittsburgh Pirates and the editor of The St. Louis Baseball Reader.
Pete's medal for completing the 5K earlier this year (Pete Peterson (provided))Longtime Reading Baseball commentator Pete Peterson has been an avid runner for many years.
Pete still runs fairly frequently even at the age of 85.
In his latest commentary, Pete tells us about the adventures on his most recent running event, a 5K fundraiser for SIH.
(Keith Johnston/Unsplash)There is an outbreak of injuries to pitchers already in this young Major League Baseball season.
In his latest edition of Reading Baseball, Pete Peterson examines the national pastime’s farewell to arms.
Reading Baseball is a series of essays and commentaries by Richard “Pete” Peterson, author of Growing Up With Clemente and editor of The St. Louis Baseball Reader.
(Brad Palmer (via the book The White Rat))St. Louis Cardinal fans are still mourning the recent death of former manager Whitey Herzog.
In this edition of Reading Baseball, Pete Peterson remembers the Hall of Famer through a review of Herzog’s book published in 1999.
Reading Baseball is a series of essays and commentaries by Richard “Pete” Peterson, author of Growing Up With Clemente and editor of The St. Louis Baseball Reader.
(WSIU)American Jewish leaders are concerned about a major increase in antisemitic incidents.
While Jackie Robinson understandably received a lot of attention for the racial taunts and threats he received for breaking baseball’s color barrier, Hank Greenberg received his own version of anti-Semitic taunts as the game’s first great Jewish star.
In the latest edition of Reading Baseball, Pete Peterson examines Greenberg’s Hall of Fame career.
Reading Baseball is a series of essays and commentaries by Richard “Pete” Peterson, co-author with his son Stephen, of The Slide: Leyland, Bonds and the Star-Crossed Pittsburgh Pirates and the editor of The St. Louis Baseball Reader.
The solar eclipse as seen from Carbondale, Il on August 21st 2017.(Brian Sevald / Getty Images)With the total solar eclipse coming up on Monday, April 8, we thought we would revisit Pete Peterson’s Reading Baseball segment from just before the 2017 eclipse where Pete looks at a novel that includes a story of an eclipse and America's favorite pastime.
Reading Baseball is a series of essays and commentaries by Richard “Pete” Peterson, author of Growing Up With Clemente and the editor of The St. Louis Baseball Reader.
Bart Giamatti standing inside Wrigley Field in Chicago(WNYC)Paul Giamatti is an Oscar-nominated actor, best known for leading roles in the films American Splendor , Sideways and Barney's Version.
But, in this edition of Reading Baseball, much to his surprise, Pete Peterson recently learned Giamatti’s father is the former commissioner of baseball who banished Pete Rose from the game.
Reading Baseball is a series of essays and commentaries by Richard “Pete” Peterson, author of Growing Up With Clemente and editor of The St. Louis Baseball Reader.
(Brad Palmer)The newest inductees into the Baseball Hall of Fame include longtime manager Jim Leyland, who may be most famous for a confrontation in spring training with home run king Barry Bonds.
In this edition of Reading Baseball, Pete Peterson examines the often-rocky relationship between Leyland and Bonds.
Reading Baseball is a series of essays and commentaries by Richard “Pete” Peterson, the co-author, with his son Stephen, of The Slide: Leyland, Bonds and the Star-Crossed Pittsburgh Pirates and the editor of The St. Louis Baseball Reader.
(Mike Bowman/Unsplash)WSIU contributor Pete Peterson brings us his annual piece in honor of Black History Month. This year, Pete has the story of the American League’s Jackie Robinson.
Reading Baseball is a series of essays and commentaries by Richard “Pete” Peterson, author of Growing Up With Clemente and the editor of The St. Louis Baseball Reader.
(Kylie Osullivan/Unsplash)WSIU commentator Pete Peterson has told us stories about his days of playing in adult softball leagues in southern Illinois.
But, Pete also used to take part in lunch hour pick-up basketball games when he taught at SIU-Carbondale.
In his latest commentary, Pete tells us how a recent article reminded him of those days of going at it on the hardwood at the SIU Arena, now the Banterra Center.
Pete and his wife Anita(Pete Peterson (provided))For years, Pete Peterson has regaled us with stories about past Christmas presents and even offered us suggestions on baseball-related Christmas gifts.
But, this year, Pete has an extra special Christmas season commentary, one that changed his life forever.
Reading Baseball is a series of essays and commentaries by Richard “Pete” Peterson, co-author with his son Stephen, of The Slide: Leyland, Bonds and the Star-Crossed Pittsburgh Pirates and the editor of The St. Louis Baseball Reader.
(Jacob Rice/Unsplash)A new book could be a real treat for baseball fans.
In his latest edition of Reading Baseball, Pete Peterson tells us the book doesn’t focus on players, or even games, but special moments in the history of the National Pastime.
Reading Baseball is a series of essays and commentaries by Richard “Pete” Peterson, co-author with his son Stephen, of The Slide: Leyland, Bonds and the Star-Crossed Pittsburgh Pirates and the editor of The St. Louis Baseball Reader.
(WSIU)Two-sport athletes are not uncommon, think about Deion Sanders, Bo Jackson, even back to Jim Thorpe.
In his latest edition of Reading Baseball, Pete Peterson remembers another two-sport athlete who passed away this year after playing professional basketball and excelling as a Major League Baseball player.
Reading Baseball is a series of essays and commentaries by Richard “Pete” Peterson, co-author with his son Stephen, of The Slide: Leyland, Bonds and the Star-Crossed Pittsburgh Pirates and the editor of The St. Louis Baseball Reader.
(Kirk Thornton/Unsplash)For the first time in 16 years, the St. Louis Cardinals finished the Major League Baseball season with a losing record.
In his latest edition of Reading Baseball, Pete Peterson offers a letter to Cardinal fans on how to deal with their team’s struggles.
Reading Baseball is a series of essays and commentaries by Richard “Pete” Peterson, author of Growing Up With Clemente and editor of the St. Louis Baseball Reader.
A youthful Pete Peterson in a baseball uniform.(Pete Peterson (provided))A rare season in which the St. Louis Cardinals finished in last place in their division has Reading Baseball commentator Pete Peterson remembering his childhood when the Pittsburgh Pirates often battled another rival for the basement.
Reading Baseball is a series of essays and commentaries by Richard “Pete” Peterson, author of Growing Up With Clemente and the editor of The St. Louis Baseball Reader.
Left to right: Anita, Pete and Anne Peterson during the September 3 game at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, MO.(Anne Peterson)The Pittsburgh Pirates and the St. Louis Cardinals are battling it out for the basement of the National League Central Division standings with just over a week remaining in the regular season.
As Pete Peterson explains in his latest commentary, this is a familiar position for his Pirates, but unfamiliar territory for the Cardinals, who haven’t had a losing season since 2007.
Reading Baseball is a series of essays and commentaries by Richard “Pete” Peterson, co-author, with his son Stephen, of The Slide: Leyland, Bonds and the Star-Crossed Pittsburgh Pirates and the editor of The St. Louis Baseball Reader.
(Brad Palmer)25 years ago, Mark McGwire was arguably the most recognizable and celebrated player in baseball after breaking Roger Maris’ single-season home run record.
In the latest edition of Reading Baseball, Pete Peterson tells us a story about how the steroid scandal interrupted the St. Louis Cardinals from celebrating McGwire’s records in a very public way.
Reading Baseball is a series of essays and commentaries by Richard “Pete” Peterson, co-author, with his son Stephen, of The Slide: Leyland, Bonds and the Star-Crossed Pittsburgh Pirates and the editor of The St. Louis Baseball Reader.
Pete Peterson describes an intense atmosphere as his family attended a Pittsburgh Pirates game recently.
WSIU commentator Pete Peterson remembers his days pumping as as just two states still mandate full-service gas stations.
Pete Peterson's commentary focuses on how a study has determined climate change is helping produce more home runs in Major League Baseball.
In his latest commentary, Pete Peterson looks at how quicker games are creating an unexpected problem involving beer sales.
(Pete Peterson (provided))SIU-Carbondale alum Bob Odenkirk starred in the eight-episode series Lucky Hank, which recently concluded on AMC.
The TV series was based on the book Straight Man, written by former SIU-C English professor Richard Russo.
(Pete Peterson (provided))WSIU’s Reading Baseball contributor Pete Peterson has this special commentary about Russo’s time in Carbondale and his disappointment that the TV series took little from the novel.
(Joshua Peacock/Unsplash / https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1470755711115-961e80ee0284?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=MnwxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8&auto=format&fit=crop&w=1470&q=80)Fairy tales can be described asstories involving fantastic forces, most originating in folklore, mythology, and legend..
In this edition of Reading Baseball, Pete Peterson tells us about the National Pastime’s own version of a fairy tale.
It happened recently when the Pittsburgh Pirates called up a player for his Major League debut after he spent more than a decade playing in the minor leagues.
Reading Baseball is a series of essays and commentaries by Richard “Pete” Peterson, the author of Growing Up With Clemente and the editor of The St. Louis Baseball Reader.
Left to right: Anne, Pete and Anita Peterson(Anne Peterson (provided))Reading Baseball commentator Pete Peterson recently celebrated his 84th birthday.
In his latest commentary, Pete tells us about a special gift from his oldest daughter, Anne, which involved a Pittsburgh Pirates game in St. Louis…and lo and behold…a Pirates win.
The red jeep the Petersons took to Busch Stadium(Anne Peterson (provided))Reading Baseball is a series of essays and commentaries by Richard “Pete” Peterson, the author of Growing Up With Clemente and the editor of The St. Louis Baseball Reader.
The New Yorker cover with clocks highlighted on the players and the umpire(Pete Peterson (provided))One of the new rule changes in Major League Baseball this season is the introduction of a pitch clock.
In his latest edition of Reading Baseball, Pete Peterson explains how he believes this attempt to speed up games goes against the essence of the National Pastime.
Reading Baseball is a series of essays and commentaries by Richard “Pete” Peterson, the author of Growing Up With Clemente and the editor of The St. Louis Baseball Reader.
PNC Park in Pittsburgh(Joshua Peacock/Unsplash / https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1470755711115-961e80ee0284?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=MnwxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8&auto=format&fit=crop&w=1470&q=80)The new Major League Baseball season kicked off Thursday.
In the latest edition of Reading Baseball, Pete Peterson reminisces about his own Opening Day memories.
Pete also explains some Opening Day traditions that involve the Cincinnati Reds hosting the first game and presidents throwing out the first pitch.
Reading Baseball is a series of essays and commentaries by Richard “Pete” Peterson, the author of Growing Up With Clemente and the editor of The St. Louis Baseball Reader.
(left) Pete in his high school baseball team picture as a junior in 1955 - Pete is 5th from the right on the bottom row; (right) a photo taken at the National Baseball Hall of Fame (Pete Peterson (provided))We’re into the time of year known as March Madness as college basketball teams compete for the NCAA national championship.
In this edition of Reading Baseball, Pete Peterson has the story of how he had his own version of March Madness nearly 70 years ago. It didn’t involve basketball, but his dream of playing professional baseball.
Reading Baseball is a series of essays and commentaries by Richard “Pete” Peterson, the author of Growing Up With Clemente and editor of The St. Louis Baseball Reader.
(Pete Peterson (provided))A large school district in the Jacksonville, Florida area recently voted to ban a children’s book about Hall of Fame baseball player and humanitarian Roberto Clemente.
But just days ago, the book was reviewed after it was removed from classrooms for its references to racism and discrimination and has now been approved for use.
In this latest Reading Baseball commentary, Pete Peterson takes a look at the book, which briefly was deemed inappropriate for young readers.
Reading Baseball is a series of essays and commentaries by Richard “Pete” Peterson, the author of Growing Up With Clemente and the editor of The St. Louis Baseball Reader.
The number 3 (Damar Hamlin's jersey number) became a universal way to show support for him after his injury. (Claudio Schwarz/Unsplash / https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1570521076067-eedca0fff452?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=MnwxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8&auto=format&fit=crop&w=687&q=80)Many football fans probably hadn’t heard of Damar Hamlin before the Buffalo Bills defensive back suffered a cardiac arrest on the field during a game in Cincinnati last month.
Just ahead of Sunday’s Super Bowl, his story remains one of the most compelling of the football season.
In this special commentary, Pete Peterson talks about Hamlin’s love of the rough neighborhood of Pittsburgh where the 24-year-old grew up.
Pete Peterson talks about how the bleakness of January became more tolerable one year with the introduction of a televised Home Run Derby.
WSIU's Pete Peterson remembers the holiday season 50 years ago that featured an exhilarating football moment and an unimaginable tragedy for a Hall of Fame baseball player.
Pete Peterson looks back at the 2022 St. Louis Cardinals baseball season and how all it lacked was a storybook ending.
Pete Peterson provides a commentary on how the organizers of the Pittsburgh Marathon continue to seek his participation in the event.
Pete Peterson talks about how baseball umpires are among the most abused sports officials.
Pete Peterson looks at the debate and tries to explain why the game’s rich history still leads him to call baseball America’s game.
Pete Peterson has the unusual story about when two men — both named Ron Shelton — ended up on the same minor league baseball team.
In this special commentary, Pete Peterson says the latest name change of a stadium has fans of one NFL team up in arms.
Pete Peterson examines how Hall of Fame writer Roger Angell got a unique glimpse into the life of Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Gibson for a renowned essay.
Pete Peterson and his wife Anita recently returned to their hometown of Pittsburgh for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pete Peterson remembers the time Jones became a cover boy when the SIU Press reprinted a critically-acclaimed baseball book.
Pete Peterson looks at the ramifications of Jackie Robinson’s breaking of baseball's color barrier on several of his teammates.
Pete Peterson talks about how a classic baseball film helped him get over the Pittsburgh Pirates' season opening loss in St. Louis.
Pete Peterson looks at the origin of the designated hitter as the National League joins the American League in utilizing a hitter for the pitcher.
Pete Peterson looks at how two former Saluki baseball stars will try to turn around the struggling Pittsburgh Pirates organization.
WSIU Radio contributor Pete Peterson remembers his eastern European ethnic heritage as the world watches Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Pete Peterson looks at Barry Bonds' growing support for his induction into the Hall of Fame.
In his annual Black History Month commentary, Pete Peterson has the story of a notable Negro League player and manager who has yet to make the Hall of Fame.
Pete Peterson recalls his favorite Christmas gift as a child and his effort to track it down.
Reading Baseball's Pete Peterson has a gift idea for the baseball fan on your Christmas shopping list.
Reading Baseball's Pete Peterson looks at the history of the St. Louis Cardinals organization getting rid of successful managers in light of the Mike Shildt firing.
Pete Peterson looks back on the 50th anniversary of one of the finest individual performances in World Series history.
Pete Peterson says the 2021 campaign left him longing for baseball’s glory days when hitters didn’t always swing for the fences, pitches weren’t measured by their spin rate and analytics didn’t dominate strategy.
WSIU Radio News Updates provides a daily podcast of the top local and state news stories as well as the latest weather information.
WSIU Radio News Updates provides a daily podcast of the top local and state news stories as well as the latest weather information.
WSIU Radio News Updates provides a daily podcast of the top local and state news stories as well as the latest weather information.
WSIU Radio News Updates provides a daily podcast of the top local and state news stories as well as the latest weather information.
WSIU Radio News Updates provides a daily podcast of the top local and state news stories as well as the latest weather information.
WSIU Radio News Updates provides a daily podcast of the top local and state news stories as well as the latest weather information.
WSIU Radio News Updates provides a daily podcast of the top local and state news stories as well as the latest weather information.
WSIU Radio News Updates provides a daily podcast of the top local and state news stories as well as the latest weather information.
A recent Public Television documentary on Ernest Hemingway explores the life and work of the legendary American writer.
Many Major League Baseball commentators believe the Pittsburgh Pirates – managed by former SIU Saluki Derek Shelton – are in for a long season.