Baseball Discourse: Recent Episodes
Dan Lovallo
Dan Lovallo talks about the latest baseball news, interviews guests and replays long ago interviews from his extensive archives.
Fred McGriff will be inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame in July of this year. He was elected last December by the Contemporary Era Committee. McGriff played 19 seasons in the major leagues with the Blue Jays, Padres, Braves, Devil Rays, Cubs and Dodgers, but I got to know him in 1983, when he was a teenager. The New York Yankees included McGriff in a multi-player deal with the Blue Jays and 40 years ago, when I was broadcasting for the Single-A Kinston Blue Jays in the Carolina League, McGriff was our first baseman.
In my vast collection of tape cassette interviews, which I am trying to digitize, I came across an interview I did with McGriff. We covered numerous topics, from his family, to his being the only member of his family and one of the few in his neighborhood to play baseball, to his facing Dwight Gooden in amateur baseball and much, much more.
I hope you enjoy the intervew.
The Boston Red Sox did not make the wrong move in letting free agent shortstop Xander Bogaerts go. I detail my reasons in this latest episode. Meanwhile, the baseball winter meetings were fascinating, as some clubs threw money around like it was candy.
In this episode, I also talk about Judge and the Yankees, the Mets, San Diego, expansion and much more.
It is awards week for Major League Baseball, with post season awards being handed out across the board. Meanwhile, the focus is on free agents and where they will end up. With the sport's labor dispute in the rear view mirror, expect a more active winter on the free agent front with numerous big names on the market. MLB.com polled 50 of its reporters on where they believe the high profile ball players will end up and I also weigh in, including where the biggest name of them all, Aaron Judge will land.
Four Houston Astros pitchers combined to throw the second no-hitter in World Series history, as the Astros blanked the Philadelphia Phillies, 5-0 in Game 4 of the World Series.
As I point out in this episode, Don Larsen, the only pitcher to throw a perfect game in the World Series, need not move over despite the historic accomplishment by the Astros pitching staff.
Game 3 of the 2022 World Series is tonight, Halloween. The series between the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies will extend into November. That is a big deal for some people. As I explain in this episode, however, so what if they are still playing baseball.
I also weigh in on MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred's latest comments on the future of the Athletics' franchise in Oakland and why there is an urgency to resolve that issue.
Game 3 of the 2022 World Series is tonight, Halloween. The series between the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies will extend into November. That is a big deal for some people. As I explain in this episode, however, so what if they are still playing baseball.
I also weigh in on MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred's latest comments on the future of the Athletics' franchise in Oakland and why there is an urgency to resolve that issue.
The Houston Astros are on quite a roll, having won four American League pennants in the last six seasons and going to the ALCS six straight years.
Their dominance of the New York Yankees not withstanding, however, I make the case that in order for the Astros to be considered for the Mt. Rushmore of great clubs, they must win this World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Houston Astros are on quite a roll, having won four American League pennants in the last six seasons and going to the ALCS six straight years.
Their dominance of the New York Yankees not withstanding, however, I make the case that in order for the Astros to be considered for the Mt. Rushmore of great clubs, they must win this World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies.
As the New York Yankees fall behind, 3-0, to the Houston Astros in the best-of-seven ALCS, I am hearing a lot of conversation from so-called "opinion makers" that the Yankees pride is at stake. In this episode, I explain why that mindset is a lot of malarky.
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Phillies continue to amaze in the NLCS with a commanding, 3-1 lead over the San Diego Padres. I talk about that series as well.
Enjoy the podcast.
As the New York Yankees fall behind, 3-0, to the Houston Astros in the best-of-seven ALCS, I am hearing a lot of conversation from so-called "opinion makers" that the Yankees pride is at stake. In this episode, I explain why that mindset is a lot of malarky.
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Phillies continue to amaze in the NLCS with a commanding, 3-1 lead over the San Diego Padres. I talk about that series as well.
Enjoy the podcast.
The Philadelphia Phillies are in control, after winning Game 3 of the NLCS on Friday night to take a 2-1 lead over the San Diego Padres in the best-of-seven series. I detail the game, including the controversial third strike call in the ninth inning on San Diego's Jurickson Profar.
Meanwhile, the New York Yankees are playing for their playoff lives against the Houston Astros as the scene shifts to Yankee Stadium for Game 3 of ALCS. I talk about that and the consequences surrounding this battle between two archrivals.
I also discuss why the officiating needs to be scrutinized now that betting is part of the equation in sporting events.
The Philadelphia Phillies are in control, after winning Game 3 of the NLCS on Friday night to take a 2-1 lead over the San Diego Padres in the best-of-seven series. I detail the game, including the controversial third strike call in the ninth inning on San Diego's Jurickson Profar.
Meanwhile, the New York Yankees are playing for their playoff lives against the Houston Astros as the scene shifts to Yankee Stadium for Game 3 of ALCS. I talk about that and the consequences surrounding this battle between two archrivals.
I also discuss why the officiating needs to be scrutinized now that betting is part of the equation in sporting events.
Who's your Daddy? The New York Yankees know. And the Philadelphia Phillies battle the San Diego Padres tonight in a pivotal Game 3 in the NLCS.
I detail it all, plus an astounding story about the Houston Astros front office, in the latest episode of Baseball Discourse.
Who's your Daddy? The New York Yankees know. And the Philadelphia Phillies battle the San Diego Padres tonight in a pivotal Game 3 in the NLCS.
I detail it all, plus an astounding story about the Houston Astros front office, in the latest episode of Baseball Discourse.
The New York Yankees find themselves in a hole, after striking out 17 times in losing to the Houston Astros, 4-2, in Game One of the ALCS on Wednesdsay night. In this episode, I detail why the Astros continue to be the Yankees' nemesis.
I also delve into the NLCS between the San Diego Padres and the Philadelphia Phillies and why you can make the case the Padres' win on Wednesday was a statement game, without setting the Phillies back on their heels.
The New York Yankees find themselves in a hole, after striking out 17 times in losing to the Houston Astros, 4-2, in Game One of the ALCS on Wednesdsay night. In this episode, I detail why the Astros continue to be the Yankees' nemesis.
I also delve into the NLCS between the San Diego Padres and the Philadelphia Phillies and why you can make the case the Padres' win on Wednesday was a statement game, without setting the Phillies back on their heels.
The Philadelphia Phillies delivered a major statement in Game One of the NLCS on Tuesday night. I explain why in this latest episode of Baseball Discourse. Meanwhile, while the New York Yankees took care of business against the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday, they are now confronted with an overwhelming favorite in the archrival Astros. I also detail why the Yankees-Astros rivalry is more intense than the Yankees-Red Sox.
The Philadelphia Phillies delivered a major statement in Game One of the NLCS on Tuesday night. I explain why in this latest episode of Baseball Discourse. Meanwhile, while the New York Yankees took care of business against the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday, they are now confronted with an overwhelming favorite in the archrival Astros. I also detail why the Yankees-Astros rivalry is more intense than the Yankees-Red Sox.
With Monday night's rainout of the deciding game of the ALDS, some pundits are saying the edge for Game 5 goes to the New York Yankees, but in my latest episode, I explain why the so called advantage could be overrated as the Cleveland Guardians will battle right to the end.
The National League Championship series will also be fun, even though the clubs involved may not have nationwide "appeal." I dispute that notion, explaining why the Philadelphia Phillies vs. San Diego Padres will be riveting for baseball fans everywhere. I also predict which club will win.
With Monday night's rainout of the deciding game of the ALDS, some pundits are saying the edge for Game 5 goes to the New York Yankees, but in my latest episode, I explain why the so called advantage could be overrated as the Cleveland Guardians will battle right to the end.
The National League Championship series will also be fun, even though the clubs involved may not have nationwide "appeal." I dispute that notion, explaining why the Philadelphia Phillies vs. San Diego Padres will be riveting for baseball fans everywhere. I also predict which club will win.
Saturday brought about amazing playoff baseball once again, while raising numerous questions in the process.
In this latest episode, I discuss why we may be witnessing the end of an era for the New York Yankees, while baseball's newest playoff system could come under scrutiny and why if you are a Red Sox, Mets or Yankees fan, you cannot feel good about the success of the Philadelphia Phillies.
All that and more in this latest edition.
Saturday brought about amazing playoff baseball once again, while raising numerous questions in the process.
In this latest episode, I discuss why we may be witnessing the end of an era for the New York Yankees, while baseball's newest playoff system could come under scrutiny and why if you are a Red Sox, Mets or Yankees fan, you cannot feel good about the success of the Philadelphia Phillies.
All that and more in this latest edition.
Three clubs face elimination in the MLB. playoffs today, the Atlanta Braves, Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Dodgers. The Cleveland Guardians, meanwhile, are playing with house money. In this latest episode of Baseball Discourse, I break it all down, as the divisional series in both the American and National Leagues continue.
Three clubs face elimination in the MLB. playoffs today, the Atlanta Braves, Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Dodgers. The Cleveland Guardians, meanwhile, are playing with house money. In this latest episode of Baseball Discourse, I break it all down, as the divisional series in both the American and National Leagues continue.
Who is the best player in the clutch, Aaron Judge or Yordan Alvarez? In this episode, I offer my viewpoint and preview the upcoming divisional series games in the American and National Leagues for Friday, Oct. 14, 2022.
Who is the best player in the clutch, Aaron Judge or Yordan Alvarez? In this episode, I offer my viewpoint and preview the upcoming divisional series games in the American and National Leagues for Friday, Oct. 14, 2022.
Huge wins for the Atlanta Braves and San Diego Padres in the NLDS on Wednesday. What does this all mean as the playoffs proceed? I break it down in this latest episode of Baseball Discourse. I also look ahead to today's ALDS games between the Astros and Mariners and Yankees and Guardians.
Huge wins for the Atlanta Braves and San Diego Padres in the NLDS on Wednesday. What does this all mean as the playoffs proceed? I break it down in this latest episode of Baseball Discourse. I also look ahead to today's ALDS games between the Astros and Mariners and Yankees and Guardians.
Do not count out the Seattle Mariners yet, despite their heartbreaking defeat to the Houston Astros on Tuesday in Game One of the ALDS. In this episode, I explain why it's too early to discount this talented Seattle ballclub.
I also review the other games on the first day of the divisional series and recall the dramatic home run hit by Mickey Mantle in the third game of the 1964 World Series. It was 58 years ago on Oct. 10, 1964, that Mantle set a record with his blast. I also explain why the Mariners can draw some inspiration from the Mantle home run.
Do not count out the Seattle Mariners yet, despite their heartbreaking defeat to the Houston Astros on Tuesday in Game One of the ALDS. In this episode, I explain why it's too early to discount this talented Seattle ballclub.
I also review the other games on the first day of the divisional series and recall the dramatic home run hit by Mickey Mantle in the third game of the 1964 World Series. It was 58 years ago on Oct. 10, 1964, that Mantle set a record with his blast. I also explain why the Mariners can draw some inspiration from the Mantle home run.
The San Diego Padres proved they were the better baseball club, as they dismantled the New York Mets in the deciding game of the NL wild card playoff round on Sunday night.
In my latest podcast, I breakdown what the Padres did right and what went wrong with a New York Mets club, whose season of hope fizzled faster than a 4th of July firecracker. In the end, the Mets year could only be termed a colossal collapse.
The San Diego Padres proved they were the better baseball club, as they dismantled the New York Mets in the deciding game of the NL wild card playoff round on Sunday night.
In my latest podcast, I breakdown what the Padres did right and what went wrong with a New York Mets club, whose season of hope fizzled faster than a 4th of July firecracker. In the end, the Mets year could only be termed a colossal collapse.
The New York Mets and San Diego Padres square off tonight in the deciding game of their wild card playoff series at Citi Field. It is the culimination of what has been a wild weekend of baseball.
Saturday's games were riveting, except for the Mets-Padres. In this episode, I recap the games played and how exciting they were.
The New York Mets and San Diego Padres square off tonight in the deciding game of their wild card playoff series at Citi Field. It is the culimination of what has been a wild weekend of baseball.
Saturday's games were riveting, except for the Mets-Padres. In this episode, I recap the games played and how exciting they were.
New York Mets manager Buck Showalter is about to face his biggest game in his long, managerial career. The Mets, a feel good story for most of the 2022 baseball season, are suddenly one loss away from a long, cold winter.
In this podcast, I explain why Showalter's managerial tenure is facing scrutiny, but that it is not the end of the road for the Mets just yet. I also review the other three wild card playoff games from Friday and why the Seattle Mariners could be the sleepers in this baseball post season. It is a reason, by the way, the New York Yankees should be very concerned.
New York Mets manager Buck Showalter is about to face his biggest game in his long, managerial career. The Mets, a feel good story for most of the 2022 baseball season, are suddenly one loss away from a long, cold winter.
In this podcast, I explain why Showalter's managerial tenure is facing scrutiny, but that it is not the end of the road for the Mets just yet. I also review the other three wild card playoff games from Friday and why the Seattle Mariners could be the sleepers in this baseball post season. It is a reason, by the way, the New York Yankees should be very concerned.
Buck Showalter, manager of the New York Mets, and Bob Melvin, manager of the San Diego Padres are peas in a pod.
In this edition of Baseball Discourse, I explain why these managers are similar, as they prepare to battle in the National League Wild Card Series.
I also detail why this series, in many respects, is more important for Showalter and his legacy than Melvin and his baseball resume.
Buck Showalter, manager of the New York Mets, and Bob Melvin, manager of the San Diego Padres are peas in a pod.
In this edition of Baseball Discourse, I explain why these managers are similar, as they prepare to battle in the National League Wild Card Series.
I also detail why this series, in many respects, is more important for Showalter and his legacy than Melvin and his baseball resume.
Aaron Judge is chasing baseball history, having hit 60 home runs in the 2022 season. He needs one more to tie the American League single-season home run mark, held by the late Roger Maris, who hit 61 home runs in 1961.
The nation has been captivated by the chase, much as the nation was enthralled back in 1961, when Maris and teammate Mickey Mantle were chasing Babe Ruth's single season record of 60.
In this episode of Baseball Discourse, I look back at the closing week of the season, as Maris attempted to set the mark. (Mantle fell from the race, sidelined with a hip infection.) We hear the "Voice of the Yankees," Mel Allen, interview Maris in the Yankees clubhouse, after New York clinched the AL pennant, and we hear the call (in its entirety) of Yankees broadcaster Phil Rizzuto, as Maris slugs home run number 61.
Enjoy.
Can the New York Yankees' Aaron Judge break the American League single-season home run record? The record was set by another Yankee, Roger Maris, when he belted 61 home runs in 1961.
In this episode, I speculate on Judge's chances and also take you back to a game in 1961 between the New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians. Maris and teammate Mickey Mantle had captivated a nation, chasing Babe Ruth's single-season home run mark. I also play a snippet of Mel Allen, the "Voice of the Yankees," in a single discourse about the chances for Maris and Mantle to set a new record.
It is against this backdrop, I measure Judge's chances of making history.
Can the New York Yankees' Aaron Judge break the American League single-season home run record? The record was set by another Yankee, Roger Maris, when he belted 61 home runs in 1961.
In this episode, I speculate on Judge's chances and also take you back to a game in 1961 between the New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians. Maris and teammate Mickey Mantle had captivated a nation, chasing Babe Ruth's single-season home run mark. I also play a snippet of Mel Allen, the "Voice of the Yankees," in a single discourse about the chances for Maris and Mantle to set a new record.
It is against this backdrop, I measure Judge's chances of making history.
While sifting through my collection of interviews the other day, I came across one with former New York Yankees first baseman Joe Pepitone. As I explain in the podcast, it is appropriate that Pepitone be part of episode 63.
The interview took place on Aug. 4, 2001, when I was broadcasting New Britain Rock Cats games with the "Voice of the Rock Cats," Jeff Dooley, and the Rock Cats - at the time AA affiliate of the Minnesota Twins - were playing the Norwich Navigators, AA affiliate of the New York Yankees.
Pepitone was in a hurry to get out of the booth, but still, he was terrific and generous enough to sit in for one-half inning.
By the way, Jeff and I are still broadcasting games together, calling the action for the Hartford Yard Goats, AA affiliate of the Colorado Rockies. Where does the time go?
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred told ESPN this week, that there is a good chance baseball will go to an automated strike zone in 2024. In this podcast, I discuss why MLB will adopt the system and why umpires are not as opposed to it as you might think.
July 1st is also "Bobby Bonilla Day," and I talk about what that means. Let's just say, it's not too bad, being Bobby Bonilla, when July 1 rolls around.
Bobby Bonilla Day
In 2002 I had the chance to interview former Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher, Bruce Kison. At the time he was working in the Baltimore Orioles minor league system.
Kison, who died on June 2, 2018 at the age of 68, was the winning pitcher in the first-ever World Series night game. We talked about that fete, as well as his pitching for notable managers Danny Murtaugh, Gene Mauch and John McNamara.
He played shortstop, coached, managed and scouted in the major leagues, but he may have been most noted for building the New York Yankees dynasty of the 1990s. His name was Gene Michael and in 2002, I caught up with "The Stick," nicknamed for his career .229 batting average, while broadcasting for the New Britain Rock Cats. We cover a lot of ground in this interview, including Michael discussing his relationship with club owner George Steinbrenner, his trade for Paul O'Neill, and his favorite sport, growing up in Akron, OH.
What is in a name? I am about to find out, as I change my name of this podcast to Baseball Discourse. Why the name change? I am glad you asked. Well, for openers, the old name contained a word that should not be part of a show's title. And no, it is not a four-letter word. I do all of my explaining in this latest episode.
Thank you for subscribing to the podcast.
Any talk of the Houston Astros being cheaters should come to an end with the Boston Red Sox and the Houston Astros in the American League Championship Series.
In Part Two of my two-part series, I continue with the visit the great K.C. Jones made to our broadcast booth to visit Jeff Dooley and me, during a New Britain Rock Cats baseball broadcast in 2005.
On Christmas Day, 2020 basketball legend K.C. Jones passed away. K.C. became a dear friend as he and I broadcast many basketball games together and later he and my dear friend and broadcast partner Jeff Dooley broadcast games together too. Jeff and K.C. also became dear friends. How could you not? K.C. was that kind of a person, who became your friend for life. On occasion, K.C. would visit the baseball broadcast booth and one night in the early 2000s, Jeff and I had the recorder going. Here is part of that broadcast, as K.C. talked basketball and baseball.
It was 25 years ago on June 16, 2021 that the "Voice of the Yankees," Mel Allen passed away. In his day he was the nation's leading sportscaster with a recognizable voice that even drew notice from Varietymagazine.
In the second part of this two-part series, I replay an interview I did with Stephen Borelli about his book: How About That! The Life of Mel Allen.. The interview was recorded in 2005, the year the book was published.
June 16, 2021 marks 25 years since the passing of Mel Allen, the "Voice of the Yankees." Considered the premiere sportscaster of his day, Allen was unceremoniously dismissed by the New York Yankees after the 1964 season.
In this episode I play an interview I did with Curt Smith, author of the book: The Voice: Mel Allen's Untold Story. Smith examines why Allen may have been fired at the relatively young age of 51 and how it changed his life forever.
There is a reason behind Major League Baseball's move to suddenly pressure the Athletics into reaching a decision on their stadium issue. And it may be more than just giving the franchise the okay to move out of Oakland.
I speculate what may be the motives behind MLB's actions in my latest podcast episode.
Baseball great Willie Mays turned 90 on May 6. In this podcast, I recall the time I interviewed the baseball Hall of Fame player in 1973 at Shea Stadium, when he played for the New York Mets.
Will the Chicago Cubs trade Kris Bryant? The 2016 NL MVP seems to be healed from recent injuries and is off to his best start in years. He is also a free agent and the Cubs are in a rebuild.
In this latest episode, podcast host Dan Lovallo explains why recent stories indicate Bryant is on the block, while disputing that the Dodgers may be the only suitors for Bryant's services.
Just what Major League Baseball needs, a good, old-fashioned rivalry. No, I’m talking about the Yankees vs. Red Sox. This is the San Diego Padres against the Los Angeles Dodgers and what unfolded this past weekend, Apr. 16-18, may be the start of something special.
As presently constituted, the New York Yankees are not going to win the American League pennant. I explain why, but I also delve into some of the culture issues on the ballclub and why they need to change, if they want to contend and have fun in the 2021 major league baseball season.
My podcast is undergoing a name change, from "The Baseball Beat"to "The Baseball Podcast."In the podcast, I explain why the name change has been undertaken.
Also, April 15 is "Jackie Robinson Day"throughout major league baseball. I talk about the day and also about an interview I did with Negro League baseball star and Hall of Fame player Buck Leonard.
Below are links to stories I discussed in the podcast.
Buck Leonard interview
Red Barber interview
I was saddened to hear of the passing of Hank Aaron, at one time Major League baseball's all-time home run hitter. Aaron, 86, died on Jan. 22.
His passing brought back memories for me, as I harkened back to the time I gave the baseball Hall of Fame player a ride back to his hotel. I recall the story in this latest episode of The Baseball Beat.
University of Connecticut icon Dee Rowe died on Sunday. He was 91. Rowe was much admired, not only at UConn but throughout sports. He was not only a successful coach of the UConn men's basketball team, he later became a successful fundraiser and goodwill ambassador for the university.
How many know that Dee Rowe was also a big baseball fan, who frequently visited New Britain Stadium? When William Dowling and Coleman Levy purchased the New Britain Rock Cats in 2000, they not only revived a stagnant franchise, they reached out to many people, among them Rowe.
When Rowe visited the ballpark, he would always make sure to drop by and visit Rock Cats voice Jeff Dooley and me in the broadcast booth. Occasionally he would sit in on the broadcast, including the night of July 19, 2000. I was calling the play-by-play, while Rowe talked baseball and UConn basketball. At the time, the men's hoop program had been riding a 10-year high as one of the best programs in the nation. The Rock Cats, then the AA affiliate of the Minnesota Twins, were playing the Cleveland Indians affiliate the Akron Aeros, who eventually became the Rubber Ducks. Rowe joined me during the last of the sixth inning.
Enjoy, as Rowe relives some UConn memories.
Was Bob Feller the greatest Cleveland Indian? You can make an argument in his favor. Dec. 15, 2020 will mark 10 years since the passing of the Hall of Fame pitcher. I had planned to release the interview I recorded with Feller in 1983 around this date, not knowing the story would break that Cleveland will be changing its team name.
As for Feller, when I taped the interview with him he was touring the country, putting on pitching exhibitions, before minor league baseball games. I was in Kinston, NC, broadcasting for the Toronto Blue Jays A ball club in the Carolina League, when Feller passed through. He gave me a marvelous interview and even sat in the booth with me, during the game, to provide commentary.
I do not pretend to know what Feller might have said about Cleveland changing its nickname, but I do know a lot of what he said about pitching in the interview could easily apply to today.
In the interview, we talk about his pitching philosophy, how he pitched to Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio and much more.
David Dahl, non-tendered by the Colorado Rockies on Dec. 2, will be a good acquisition for some MLB club now that he is a free agent. I explain why in my opening comments of the podcast.
How many recall Max Patkin, the "Clown Prince of Baseball?" I had the chance to interview him on June 14, 1984 and he was terrific. Patkin, who was nearing 65 at the time of the interview, performed his antics on baseball fields across the country, until 1995.
By the way, "the Chicken" to which Patkin refers was the "Famous Chicken," Ted Giannoulas. I interviewed Ted too and will resurrect that interview on a future podcast.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z61l4QMCb8E
The World Series is over and now the real fun begins. Major League baseball is faced with a myriad of challenges, not the least of which is what will happen to the minor leagues?
MLB's agreement with the NAPBL has expired. Once separate entities, with MLB clubs supplying the minor leagues with their players, MLB will now bring the NAPBL under its wings, exerting total control over the minor league framework. Franchises will be contracted and other major changes will be made.
To that end, I thought it would be a great time to delve into my archives and post two interviews I recorded with author and former newspaper journalist Andrew Linker of Harrisburg. Linker is a walking encyclopedia about minor league baseball, and I always look forward to our conversations, when visiting Harrisburg. His books remind us of how important the minor league landscape is to baseball's overall fabric. I can only hope that the "Lords of Baseball" will remember this in their redesign of the minor league template.
Below are links to the Linker books we talk about.
- One Patch of Grass
- Clippings: All the Other Cool Stuff That Didn't Fit into the First Book
- The Class of '93: How One Baseball Team Wrecked An Entire League
In the summer of 2019, before MLB adopted the extra-inning rule, the minor leagues were employing it. It became the subject of debate in this roundtable, converted into a podcast, with the guests' permission.
Now that Major League Baseball's expanded post season is underway, you will be hearing plenty from commentator John Smoltz. The former Atlanta Brave and Hall of Fame pitcher does a superb job, providing insight for FOX and the MLB Network.
With the Atlanta Braves attempting to win their first post season series in 19 years and Smoltz a major part of baseball's post season broadcasts, David O'Brien thought it a good time to write a story about the trade that sent Smoltz from the Detroit Tigers to Atlanta. Entitled "What if the Braves had not traded Doyle Alexander for John Smoltz?"
O'Brien's story immediately caught my eye, because I was there, when word was received about the trade. I provide the background in my latest podcast.
In 1973 I interviewed Willie Mays and Tug McGraw, during a New York Mets media day for radio stations on the Mets' network. At the time, I was a teenager interning at the radio station in my hometown of Torrington, CT.
Dan Lovallo interviews Willie Mays To say I was nervous to interview arguably the greatest player in the game in Mays, would be an understatement. The interview was awkward and lasted about 75 seconds, but I am including it in this podcast, because how often does a teen get to interview Willie Mays?
I am also including the interview with McGraw, who died in 2004, because it was the opposite of the Mays' interview. The closer for the Mets was gracious, perhaps sensing how nervous and young I was.
Coincidentally, the father of award-winning country singer Tim McGraw, turned out to be one of the vital cogs for the Mets that season. He led a dramatic September comeback. The Mets went from last place in the Eastern Division to winning it and advancing to the World Series, before losing to the Oakland Athletics. And it was McGraw who coined the phrase "Ya Gotta Believe," during the Mets furious drive to the top.
I hope you enjoy both interviews.
Terry Tata was 13-years-old, while his friends played sandlot baseball. Instead of playing, he umpired those same games in his hometown of Waterbury, Connecticut. Serving as an arbiter placed him on a path to realize his dream of becoming a major league baseball umpire.
A few years back, I interviewed Tata for another podcast I hosted. I decided to dig into the archives and post the interview, because what he says today, resonates as much as when he discussed his career a few seasons ago.
Tata umpired MLB games from 1973 to 1999. During that time, he worked four World Series, seven League Championship Series and three All-Star games. In this interview, he shares some of the moments of his illustrious career, including the first MLB game he umpired and what Paul O'Niell said to him, after striking out to end a World Series game at Yankee Stadium.
As for changes in the game, including the review of umpires' calls with replay, Tata has some thoughts about that too.
Paul Hensler loves history, baseball and writing and he has been able to turn those passions into a career as an author. Hensler, an adjunct lecturer at Trinity College and Manchester Community College, has written several books on baseball, authored pieces for the Society for American Baseball Research and spoken at several baseball-related symposiums.
Hensler writes baseball books I recently interviewed Hensler about his baseball books, including The American League in Transition, 1965-1975: How Competition Thrived When the Yankees Didn't. He has also completed another book about baseball and we talk about that as well. Hensler is making his second appearance on The Baseball Beat. In his first appearance he discussed his book about legendary Connecticut broadcaster and sportscaster Bob Steele. The book is entitled Bob Steele on the Radio: The Life of Connecticut's Beloved Broadcaster.
Grenke telegraphs pitches on purpose As always, I get into some of the latest baseball news, including the Cardinals finally playing baseball, Zach Grenke telegraphing pitches and the shockingly, poor play of the Boston Red Sox.
Major League baseball players are blaming the lack of video for their hitting woes. J.D. Martinez is among those complaining that players’ access to in-game video has been limited because of Covid-19 and recent cheating scandals. How did the players of yesteryear manage without videos?
When Pat Crawford died at a nursing home in Morehead City, N.C. 26 years ago, he was
the last surviving member of baseball’s famous Gashouse Gang, the 1934 St. Louis
Cardinals team which one the World Series over the Detroit Tigers in seven games. He
died three days shy of his 92nd birthday on Jan. 25, 1994.
Eleven years before his death, Crawford was living in Kinston, NC, where I was
broadcasting the Carolina League games of the Toronto Blue Jays affiliate. Through the
club’s owner, Ray Kuhlman, I met up with Crawford in his home. He graciously gave me a
interview, reminiscing about his baseball playing days, including the Cardinals, for whom he
played in 1933 and 1934. Crawford got into two games in that infamous 1934 World Series.
The series became renown because it was played closely until the final game, when the
Cards annihilated the Tigers, 11-0 in Detroit. However, the game made headlines because
of a hard slide into third base in the top of the sixth inning by the Cardinals’ Joe Medwick.
That led to a brief fight between Medwick and Detroit third baseman Marv Owen. However,
when Medwick took his position in left field in the last of the sixth, frustrated Detroit fans
pelted him with fruit, vegetables, bottles and cushions. Commissioner Kennesaw Mountain
Landis, in attendance, ordered Medwick removed from the game. It became the only time in the history of the major leagues that a commissioner ejected a player from a game.
Crawford played 318 games in the big leagues with the New York Giants, Cincinnati Reds
and Cardinals. He had a lifetime .280 average and played first base, second base and third
base. He also played collegiate baseball with Springfield College in Springfield, MA, Ohio
State and Davidson College.
I hope you enjoy the interview, as Pat Crawford, whose real name was Clifford Rankin
Crawford, takes us back to a different era of Major League Baseball.
As Covid-19 has thrown baseball a curve ball, the sport is now contemplating seven-inning games. And I remember John McNamara, the former big league manager, who died on July 28, 2020. With the virus sweeping through the Miami Marlins, MLB has had to make some changes on the fly to its already reduced schedule. Among the items under discussion between the owners and the players' association, is doubleheaders consisting of two seven-inning games. In this podcast, I explain why this is a great idea. Also, McNamara, who died at the age of 88, was given a bad rap for being the manager of the Boston Red Sox in the 1986 World Series, for not pulling Bill Buckner for defensive purposes from first base, with the Sox three outs from a World Series title over the Mets. I look back at the interview I did with McNamara, when he was the manager of the Cincinnati Reds in 1979.
With Major League Baseball about to launch its truncated Covid season on July 23, the sport has a golden opportunity to win back the fans. And as I describe in the podcast, charity could be the beneficiary. Believe it or not, it has to with those "fan cut outs" located behind home plate. Plus, how many people remember broadcaster Jerry Coleman? He was beloved in San Diego, where he broadcast Padres games for decades. Coleman, who died in 2014, is in the broadcasters wing of the baseball Hall of Fame. But how many people remember Jerry Coleman the manager? Yes, he managed the Padres for one season and I dip into my archives to play an interview I recorded with manager Coleman in the visitors' dugout at Shea Stadium. Coleman was the only major league player to see active duty in both World War II and the Korean War. And who else can say he was a World Series MVP (1950), roomed with Mickey Mantle and broadcast games with Mel Allen, Red Barber, Phil Rizzuto and Joe Garagiola? Jerry Coleman can. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioALzM98jaQ
With less than two weeks to go before the presumptive start of the truncated 2020 Major League baseball season, the Houston Astros have cancelled their summer camp session because of Covid-19. It is the second time the Astros have cancelled a session. What are the implications? I talk about this in my latest podcast. Once again, I dip into my archives and pull out an interview I did with Mike Greenwell from 36 years ago. Greenwell played his entire 12-year career with the Boston Red Sox. When you examine his career statistics, you note they were more than just respectable, they were downright very good. I talk about that, in addition to replaying the interview, which occurred on May 16, 1984, when I was broadcasting games for the Kinston Blue Jays of the Carolina League.
The cancellation of the minor league baseball season for 2020 is a major deal, as I explain in my latest podcast. I also look back at an interview I did with Johnny Bench on Aug. 24, 1979. I explain why I delved into my archives to feature this interview on the Baseball Beat and why the approach I used to land an interview with Bench 41 years ago would not work today.
There is no spitting in baseball. At least in 2020. As Major League Baseball prepares to launch a truncated 2020 season, it has issued a litany of guidelines in the era of Covid-19. Among them? No spitting. I talk about some of the new rules in place and also remember Eddie Kasko, the manager of the Boston Red Sox for four seasons. Eddie died three days shy of his 89th birthday on June 24. In talking about Kasko, I also remembered Dick Williams, who managed the Red Sox to the 1967 pennant. I caught up with Williams, when he was managing the Montreal Expos in 1980 and I replay the short interview I had with him. Forgive me, if the tape sounds a bit wobbly, as the interview was recorded on a cassette recorder and is some 40 years old. Williams, by the way, was one of the few people to manage pennant winners in both leagues. As promised in the podcast, here is the link to the round table interview I conducted on the extra inning rule. CLICK HERE
In 1973, I had the chance to interview renowned sportscaster, Lindsey Nelson. At the time I was a teenager and the radio station at which I was interning was part of the New York Mets radio network. Early in the season the Mets held affiliates day for all of the stations on the Mets network. Players, manager Yogi Berra and others were available for pregame interviews. Among the people I caught with that day, almost 50 years ago, was Nelson. Nelson, who is in 13 different Halls of Fame, including the broadcasting wings of the baseball and football halls, had quite a resume. Not only was he the "Voice of the New York Mets," he later went on to broadcast for the San Francisco Giants and before for that broadcast the "Baseball Game of the Week" on network television. Although Mets' fans remember Nelson, notorious for his colorful sports jackets (he reportedly owned more than 300 of them at one time), on baseball, he also was renowned for broadcasting college football and NFL games. He worked golf and tennis matches as well, but his college football broadcast workload was legendary. He broadcast 26 Cotton Bowls, five Sugar Bowls, four Rose Bowls and was the host of the Notre Dame football game of the week, when a Notre Dame game would be condensed into one hour. He also won an Emmy Award for Lifetime Achievement in 1991. Nelson was born in Pulaski, Tennessee on May 25, 1919 and died of Parkinson's disease on June 10, 1995. A graduate of the University of Tennessee in 1941, where he taught English, Nelson rose to captain in the U.S. Army, during World War II, serving in North Africa and Europe. He also played on an Army baseball team managed by Harry "The Hat" Walker. The stadium at which the University of Tennessee baseball team plays is named Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
Luke Appling Enough of the Houston Astros already. Also, in this podcast, I replay an interview I did with one of baseball's all-time great hitters, Luke Appling. However, before replaying the interview, I go on a rant about the over-the-top coverage the Houston Astros are receiving in the early stages of spring training. It seems the media is determined to ask every player what they think about the cheating scandal. But I say enough! The Astros are not going to crawl on their hands and knees, begging for forgiveness. The Astros are not going to give back their 2017 World Series trophy. And the same players critical of the Astros, are the same players represented by the players association, who also represent the Astros' players and cut a deal with the commissioner's office for immunity in return for being interviewed about the scandal. Besides, I want to read about the rookie phenom, the pitcher making a recovery, the hitter who has discovered a new way of hitting. I've read and heard enough about the scandal. And speaking of hitting, I look back at an interview I recorded nearly 37 years ago with Luke Appling. He was one of the greatest hitters in baseball history and for 20 seasons played with just one club, the Chicago White Sox. In this interview, which starts at the 9:15 mark of the podcast, we look back at Appling's career. We talked about the money the players were making in the early 1980's compared to his era - the most Appling ever earned was $18,500 in 1937, the year after he won the American League batting title with a .388 average. Appling also was the last manager of the Kansas City Athletics, managing the club for their final 40 games in that city. He discussed how owner Charlie Finley hired him. He also recalled the home run he hit in the 1982 Crackerjack All-Star game of old timers at RFK Stadium. At the time I interviewed Appling, he was a roving, minor league hitting instructor for the Atlanta Braves and I was broadcasting for the Kinston Blue Jays. We recorded the interview at Durham Athletic Park, home of the Durham Bulls, at the time, Atlanta's class A club in the Carolina League. It was also the location for the movie Bull Durham. LINK TO APPLING'S HOME RUN
Dave Stevens, Dan Lovallo MLB is floating the idea of changing its playoff format and I look back at an interview I did over the summer with Dave Stevens. Those are among the topics I explore in my latest podcast. My interview with Stevens begins at the 11:31 mark of the podcast. MLB has not officially announced any format change, and any change would have to be approved by the Players' Association, but that didn't stop me from offering an opinion. And you will note I point out this plan is not as drastic as some might suggest. I just hope if it comes to pass, baseball makes another change as well, as I point out in the podcast. (How's that for a tease?) I have interviewed Stevens before, but the occasion of this interview was before a Hartford Yard Goats game this summer at Dunkin' Donuts Park. The Yard Goats were hosting their annual Disability Dream and Do Baseball Camp the next day and Stevens was going to be among the instructors. If you go to his website, which I link to in the first paragraph, you can read more about his story. Stevens was born with no legs, but that did not stop him from realizing his dreams, even playing a game with a professional baseball club. Stevens went on to a 20-year career at ESPN where he worked as a Coverage Editor and Assignment Desk Manager. He also covered sports for a Minneapolis TV station. During his illustrious career, he has won 7 National Sports Emmys. He has covered Super Bowls, the World Series, NCAA Final Fours and so much more. It seems whenever there is a major sporting event, Stevens is on the scene with great interviews and an enthusiasm and energy that know no bounds. As always, thanks for your support and I hope you enjoy the podcast.
Before there was the World Champion Washington Nationals, there was the Montreal Expos. This past summer, while broadcasting games for the Hartford Yard Goats, I caught up with two former teammates on the Expos, Lee Stevens and Mike Mordecai. At the time, Stevens was the hitting instructor for the Yard Goats and Mordecai was the manager of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. The two not only recalled their time as teammates of the Expos but speculated on a major league baseball franchise returning to Montreal. An effort is underway to bring a team back to that city, with MLB even giving the green light to a franchise - in this case Tampa Bay - splitting its home season between Tampa Bay and Montreal. Although logistically, such a duel franchise could be a nightmare, Tampa Bay owner Stuart Sternberg is not ruling out such a move.
As I write this, the Washington Nationals are one win away from their first trip to the World Series. The Nats, who stunned the Dodgers last week in the NLDS, are now putting the Cardinals in a stupor with their pitching. Viewing this dominant performance, I cannot help but think about Washington's Connecticut connection. Remember, Washington was 19-31 in May and fired their pitching coach, replacing him with Paul Menhart. The Nats pitching has been among the elite, since Menhart became pitching coach. He grew up in Mystic, CT and attended Fitch High School. Then there is NLCS game three winning pitcher Stephen Strasburg. He spent one summer in Torrington, as a pitcher with the Torrington Twisters, then a member of the New England Collegiate Baseball League. And let us not forget Jack McKeon, a baseball legend. McKeon will turn 89 on Nov. 23 and he is still going strong, as an adviser to Nationals' GM Mike Rizzo. He has been a manager, executive and adviser and among his achievements is winning the World Series with the Florida Marlins in 2003 and managing George Brett. I touch on those two topics, when I interviewed Jack for a Hartford Yard Goats pregame show and am now presenting the interview on the podcast. McKeon was in Hartford in May, when the Nationals AA affiliate, the Harrisburg Senators played the Yard Goats. Enjoy!
I have the highest respect for baseball writers Bill Madden and Mark Feinsand. That's one of the reasons I find their reporting on the next manager of the Los Angeles Angels fascinating. Madden, in the broadcasters and writers wing of the baseball Hall of Fame, says ex-Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon is not a lock to become the next Angels manager and that John Farrell has emerged as the new favorite. Madden writes for the New York Daily News. Joe Maddon/YT grab Feinsand, who used to write for the News and now writes for the MLB website, says not so fast. He has been told Maddon is still the favorite. Which of these high profile writers is correct? That's the subject of my podcast. Plus a couple of other topics.
A funny thing happened on the way to the Los Angeles Dodgers' trip to the World Series against the Yankees; they got bounced by the Washington Nationals in a thrilling deciding game of the NLDS. The game was so riveting, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts may be second guessed out of his job over how he managed his bullpen. Meanwhile, I can hear the critics: "baseball cannot afford a Washington-Tampa Bay World Series. The games will take forever and ratings will be in the toilet." Well, let the doom-and-gloom crowd wallow in their negativity. Baseball is alive and well, even if Dave Roberts/You Tube the nation's top two television markets are left by the wayside, should the Yankees not make it to the Fall Classic. As I detail in my podcast, baseball has a lot going for it, and the success at the gate of minor league baseball is a contributing factor, according to a study. Here is the link to the story in "The Athletic" I reference in the podcast, but remember, there is a paywall. Enjoy the podcast. I have a post season to watch.
Former major league manager Buck Showalter brought a lot to the broadcast booth, when he joined New York Yankees TV voice Michael Kay for the regular season-ending series in Texas. I thought Buck offered interesting opinions and anecdotes. Plus, he was not shy about giving his opinion on how the Rangers "contrived" to get pitcher Mike Minor his 200th strike out of the season. I talk about this in the podcast. Plus, what about a mercy rule in major league baseball? In August, when New York Yankees Kay, Showalter/YT grab manager Aaron Boone suggested a mercy rule be adopted, it led to a round table discussion in the Hartford Yard Goats press box. And yours truly served as the moderator. We recorded the forum for a presentation in between games of a doubleheader and we offer the replay as part of the podcast. I would love to get your opinion on both topics in the podcast, so feel free to join the discussion with your comments below this piece.
Akron RubberDucks broadcaster Jim Clark talks to Dan Lovallo about a book he has written, involving his beloved Cleveland Indians.
Dan with author Paul Hensler Growing up in Connecticut, most people had their radios tuned in the morning to WTIC 1080, and for good reason. The station's morning show was hosted by radio icon Bob Steele. No one in the country garnered ratings like Steele. No one will ever approach or dominate a market the way Steele did. To say his ratings were off the charts would be an understatement. Steele, who died in 2002, is the subject of a new book written by Paul Hensler: "Bob Steele On The Radio: The Life Of Connecticut's Beloved Broadcaster." Those who were ardent Steele listeners knew of his love of sports, especially baseball and boxing. It's one of the reasons I wanted Paul to be a guest. After all, who could forget Steele's many zany sports predictions? Before a Hartford Yard Goats game, I had the chance to interview Paul. He provides some insight about the book, while also revealing information about Steele that should make this a very good read. LINK TO PAUL'S WEBSITE AND BOOK
L-R: Chuck Kaiton, Jeff Dooley, Dan Lovallo Legendary NHL play-by-play broadcaster Chuck Kaiton returned to Hartford recently, as part of the Hartford Yard Goats "Whalers Alumni Weekend." For the last three seasons, the Yard Goats have paid homage to the Whalers, inviting former players and Kaiton to the city for the weekend. It's not all fun and games either, as the group pays visits to hospitals and schools. Chuck sat down with me for my "The Baseball Beat" podcast, to reminisce about his days in Hartford as the "Voice of the Whalers." We also discussed other aspects of his career, including broadcasting games for the Carolina Hurricanes and what may be in his future. While visiting Dunkin' Donuts Park, Chuck sat in on the radio broadcast with the "Voice of the Yard Goats," Jeff Dooley and me.
As far as I'm concerned, MLB umpires are getting a bad wrap in this study by Boston University. The Dodgers want to know what happened to 42,000 Tommy Lasorda bobblehead dolls and the Phillies are packing them in, since signing Bryce Harper. Those are the topics I discuss in the latest The Baseball Beat podcast. My look back interview is with Ralph Garr, which I recorded in June of 1986. Garr was one of the best hitters of his day and in 1974 led the National League in batting with a .353 average. I hope you enjoy the interview, as much as I enjoyed posting it.
As the 2019 Major League Baseball season gets underway, word is MLB is reducing the television package it has with Facebook and removing the "exclusivity" tag. That is among the topics I talk Phil Rizzuto/Credit: You Tube capture about in the latest edition of The Baseball Beat. Other items we discuss: MLB is considering buying the Fox regional sports networks Payroll is lower than a season ago MLB continues to use the minor leagues as an incubator for rules changes And I look back at the time former New York Yankees shortstop great and broadcaster Phil Rizzuto visited my hometown of Torrington, CT. Rizzuto's visit and talk that night - which you hear on the podcast - was a special night in the history of sports in the city. Enjoy!
Willie Stargell/Credit: You Tube Mar. 26, 2019 turned out to be a busy day for the New York Mets, as we explore in my latest edition of The Baseball Beat. The Mets and pitcher Jacob deGrom have agreed to a contract extension and Mets owner Fred Wilpon is buying back more of his ballclub. The Boston Red Sox and catcher Sandy Leon were in the news and so are uniforms, as Sports Illustrated examines uniform changes for the coming season. You can read the article by clicking here. We also take a look back at my interview with Willie Stargell. At the time the former Pittsburgh Pirate was a member of the Atlanta Braves coaching staff. The Braves were in Richmond to play their AAA affiliate, when I caught up with Willie and hosted a press conference at which he was featured for being elected to the Hall of Fame. Enjoy!
What a difference 24 hours make. On Saturday, Mike Tauchman was on the bubble not knowing if he would make the Colorado Rockies big league roster or be farmed out to their AAA affiliate Albuquerque. On Sunday, Tauchman had been dealt to the New York Yankees, made the roster and will be at Yankee Stadium on Opening Day when the contending Bronx Bombers play the Baltimore Orioles. Mike Tauchman/Credit: You Tube The trade is reminiscent of one between the Atlanta Braves and Yankees on June 29, 1986. At the time, I was broadcasting games with Bob Black for the Braves' AAA affiliate Richmond. On a sunny, Sunday afternoon at The Diamond, word starting sweeping through the press box and the ballpark that Richmond shortstop Paul Zuvella had been traded to the Yankees. It was my assignment that day to conduct the post game interview on the field. After the game, the trade was announced and I asked "Zoo" if he would be my guest. He said "yes" but that he had to talk to the manager first. That was when Zuvella had been given the word he had been dealt. He gave me a great interview about Richmond and his days in the Braves organization, including his time in Atlanta, where he played in 97 games over three seasons. When the interview concluded, I wished Zuvella good luck and predicted he would be in New York Paul Zuvella/Credit: Gary Cohen the next night, starting at shortstop for the Yankees against the Detroit Tigers. Zuvella told me he had no idea where he would be but speculated he would probably be sent to the Yankees' AAA affiliate in Columbus. Knowing that the Yankees were having big problems at shortstop, I said to "Zoo" the Yankees - who also acquired outfielder Claudell Wahsington in the deal - didn't trade for a shortstop to put him at Columbus. Sure enough, Zuvella was in the Yankees' starting lineup the next night. And so it is that Tauchman has gone from perhaps a AAA assignment to becoming a key component of the New York Yankees outfield, currently beset by injuries. And it couldn't happen to a nicer guy. My memories of Tauchman - when he played outfield for the New Britain Rock Cats in 2015 - was that of a ballplayer, willing to go the extra mile to realize his major league dream. For example, after batting practice on the field, there was a good chance you would find him at the indoor cage, working on his batting stroke, before the game. This latest step in his life as a ballplayer proves that hard work does payoff, whether you are a Colorado Rockie or a New York Yankee. As for Zuvella, when his playing days were over he stayed in the game for a time, becoming a manager for the New Haven Ravens, who at the time were the AA affiliate of the Colorado Rockies.
It appears Chris Sale has cashed in with the Boston Red Sox, as the trend continues to keep players from entering free agency. In this edition of The Baseball Beat, I talk about this latest approach to signings, Opening Day and the time I interviewed Chuck Tanner. Tanner, who died in 2011 at the age of 82, was the manager of the Atlanta Braves when I interviewed him on May 29, 1986. A successful manager with the Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics and Pittsburgh Pirates - a club he led to a World Series title in 1979 -Tanner was in his first year as Atlanta manager. One of the reasons I dug out this interview is so you could hear a classic example of how a manager could answer your question without answering your question. Tanner was a master at it, particularly talking to someone like me, who he did not know. I was a broadcaster for the Richmond Braves, thus was not on the Atlanta Braves beat. Tanner was polite and considerate, but as you would imagine guarded. Of course, in this day and age, I would not have been able to even walk up to a big league manager and ask for an interview, as I did on that May day with Tanner, during batting practice. In 2019 a media conference would be organized, the manager would sit at a mic behind the table. and the questions would be asked by an entire media. Chances of getting a one-on-one would be highly unlikely. That said, I hope you enjoy the interview.
Major League Baseball is changing the All-Star game. The owners and leaders from the players' association have announced the changes in addition to several other moves. In my latest The Baseball Beat podcast, I talk about the changes and also reflect on the latest news, involving Tim Tebow. My interview focuses on Tom Gorman, the late, great National League umpire. While broadcasting Richmond Braves games in 1985, I had the chance to interview Gorman, whose son Brian is an MLB umpire. Tom Gorman had an illustrious career, which I detail in the podcast, before replaying my interview. Gorman offers several interesting observations, which apply even today to aspiring umpires. At the time of the interview, umpires were still under the control of the separate leagues, the National and American. Now they are all under the domain of MLB, working both National and American League games.
Where will free agent Bryce Harper end up? And Major League Baseball cracks down on stealing signs. Those are some of the topics I talk about in the latest edition of The Baseball Beat. Baseball is determined to stymie clubs from using the latest technology to steal signs. And even though Manny Machado has signed with the San Diego Padres, there is still tension between the owners and players over free agency signings. I talk about that and other recent baseball topics. Also, I look back at the late, great Red Barber, one of the pioneer, baseball broadcasters. I interviewed Red in 1978 and provide some background in the podcast. I also replay the interview I recorded with Red, who along with Mel Allen, were the first broadcasters to be inducted into the broadcasters wing of the baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY.
It looks as if Manny Machado has found his team. In this edition of The Baseball Beat, I discuss some of the topics making baseball news: Machado to the Padres? Will Bryce Harper be a Philly? The free agent battle between owners and players Bruce Bochy about to call it a career and much, much more. Plus we have my podcast interview with Danny Rodriguez, who broadcasts on Spanish radio, the games of the Hartford Yard Goats, the Eastern League affiliate of the Colorado Rockies.
I recently read Jane Leavy's excellent book, Big Fella, about Babe Ruth. In it, she manages to uncover interesting nuggets about Ruth - especially in his youth - all sandwiched around a nationwide barnstorming trip Ruth and Yankees teammate Lou Gehrig took, following the New York Yankees historic 1927 season. In the book, Leavy mentioned Lefty Gomez, who pitched for the Yankees and Washington Senators and made it into the baseball Hall of Fame. It got me to thinking about the time I interviewed Gomez, before the 1983 Carolina League All-Star game - which I broadcast - in Hagerstown, MD. Gomez was affable and shared some interesting insights in the interview including: His thoughts on Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak What it was like playing on those great Yankees teams, including what Ruth told him The salaries players were earning in 1983 compared to his era and his current regimen to maintain his health Gomez died nearly 30 years ago in February of 1989. His interview is one I will always treasure. I transferred it from a cassette tape and digitized it. You may hear some warbling, but his insights are well worth any glitches that might be part of the recording. Enjoy!
Jim Valvano loved baseball. The great, college basketball coach, who died from cancer in 1993, coached the North Carolina State men's team to the national championship in 1983. I got to thinking about "Jimmy V" the other day, when I read that North Carolina State will name the arena at Reynolds Coliseum the James T. Valvano Arena. The formal dedication is scheduled for Dec. 5. I had the chance to interview coach Valvano in 1987, while broadcasting games for the Richmond Braves, at the time the Atlanta Braves Triple-A affiliate. Valvano dropped into the broadcast booth, while the "Voice of the Richmond Braves" Bob Black and I were working the second game of a doubleheader between the Braves and the Maine Guides. The game was being played at The Diamond, at the time Richmond's sparkling new ballpark that was the envy of all of minor league baseball. Valvano talked about where his love of baseball developed and how baseball even influenced his national championship basketball team. Fortunately, I saved the interview. As a sidenote, The Diamond still stands today, as home of the Richmond Flying Squirrels, the Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. This has afforded me the chance to broadcast games back at that venue, with the Hartford Yard Goats. When I go to Richmond to broadcast a Goats game, it's like returning home.
Michael Kay, Mel Allen When New York Yankees television broadcaster Michael Kay posted a tweet the other day of him sitting side-by-side with Mel Allen, it evoked memories of the time Allen came to Torrington, Connecticut, my home town. Allen was truly the only "Voice of the Yankees." First on radio and then on television in the 1940s, 50s and early 60s, Allen got the assignment to call the big events, whether it be the World Series - which the Yankees were almost always in each season - the All-Star Game, the Rose Bowl or the Kentucky Derby for Fox's Movietone reels in theaters. Allen was everywhere. How many people know, for example, that he and Ronald Reagan teamed up to co-host the Rose Bowl Parade television coverage in 1960? Or that in the early 60s, that Mel called New York Giants football games on radio? But the New York Yankees were his first and some say only love. And when the Yankees fired him in 1964 at the still relatively young age of 50 - for reasons the ball club never disclosed - it broke his heart. Some say he was never the same person after that. This week, when Hartford Courant sportswriter Dom Amore, who once covered the Yankees on a daily basis for the paper, retweeted Kay's photo of Allen, it reminded me of the time Mel came to Torrington to speak to a packed house at the Knights of Columbus. This was back in the day, when sports banquets were popular and affordable. Hot Stove banquets were especially enjoyable, as people gathered on a cold night to hear a guest speaker talk baseball. And on this cold night in February 1968, Allen - nearly four years removed from his Yankee gig - did not disappoint. Allen regaled the audience for 30 minutes with stories about baseball and his career. I was at the event that night. Fortunately, a future broadcast colleague - already getting a foothold in the business - had the foresight to have a reel-to-reel tape recorder rolling that night. Years later, when I started working with Paul Pagano, I asked him if he still had the tape. He not only had it, but gave me a cassette copy. Of course, Mel's talk has gone digital. I even donated a copy to the baseball Hall of Fame. His talk is what you will hear on the podcast, after I set the scene by putting that night and his career into context. In this cold month of November, as the snow flies, hopefully a little baseball talk from a bygone era, from a Hall of Fame broadcaster, will help stoke the hot stove. Enjoy!
So what if the New York Mets want Tim Tebow on the roster! That's the topic of my latest episode on "The Baseball Beat." There has been some controversy stirred up on sports talk radio, since the Mets announced last week that Tebow, the former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL quarterback, would be assigned to the Mets AAA affiliate at Syracuse come spring. New general manager Brodie Van Wagenen even hinted a great spring training could earn Tebow a spot on the big league roster come Opening Day 2019. That really sent the opinion makers into a tizzy. On this podcast, I explain why the Mets are justified to consider Tebow for a big league spot.
As we approach this important Election Day, 2018, did you know that Willie Mays once ran against Don Drysdale for President of the United States? And that Mickey Mantle and Casey Stengel once squared off in a U.S. Senate race? They did. And in this edition of “The Baseball Beat,” I will explain what’s up with that?
Donie Bush Can you imagine, if they had sports talk radio in 1927? Owen "Donie" Bush was the manager of the 1927 National League pennant winning Pittsburgh Pirates. The former big league shortstop was in his first year as manager of the Bucs and he guided them to the NL crown, but they lost in four games to arguably the greatest club in baseball history, the '27 Yankees. These were the New York Yankees of Ruth and Gehrig. In the fourth game of the series, trailing 3-0 in the seventh inning, the Pirates put runners and first and second with nobody out. Up stepped one of the game's great hitters, Lloyd Waner. Bush had this future Hall of Famer bunt instead of swinging away. The strategy was heavily criticized by one of the game's greatest managers. In my latest edition of The Baseball Beat, we learn the manager who let Bush have it and speculate on what would have happened, if we had sports talk radio in 1927.
As we enter the climax of the election season, I have to look back at that famous philosopher: Yogi Berra. How often, especially down the homestretch of a campaign, did a politician quote Yogi? "It's never over, until it's over!" "When you come to a fork in the road, take it." Between the World Series - Berra owns numerous World Series records that last to this day - and the campaign season, including those never-ending political ads - I got to thinking about Yogi the other day and the two times I interviewed him. In my latest podcast, I share those interviews. As for those endless and imbecilic political ads? Yogi might say, "It's never over, even when it's over."
In 1983, while broadcasting baseball games for the Kinston Blue Jays of the Carolina League, I had the chance to interview Buck Leonard, one of the greatest baseball players. Leonard was a Negro League star on the Homestead Grays from 1934 to 1950. He was also a teammate of the great Josh Gibson. Both he and Gibson would be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972. In 1999, The Sporting News ranked him number 47 among the 100 greatest players to play baseball. Leonard was 75, when I interviewed him. We talked about his career, Jackie Robinson and so much more. Leonard died at the age of 90 on Nov. 27, 1997.
Who would have thought, when I was growing up in the 60's, that I would someday have the chance to interview Mickey Mantle. But there I was, in 1980, doing just that, interviewing the great New York Yankee. Mantle comes to Winsted Back in the day baseball players or retired baseball players would augment their income by making the rounds, speaking at banquets. Mantle was no exception. And so it was, 12 years after announcing his retirement, Mantle paid a visit to Winsted, CT, where he was the guest speaker at a banquet to raise funds for youth baseball leagues. Mantle did not disappoint that night, proving to be an entertaining speaker, regaling his audience with one funny story after another. The Mick had the reputation of being moody, but on this night he was in a great mood, from the moment I interviewed him before the banquet, until after the event. It's fair to say that Mantle's visit to northwest Connecticut some 38 years ago, was a grand slam.
In 1993, I had the change to interview one of the all-time great sportscasters, Curt Gowdy.
This was the debut podcast of the Baseball Beat, before the name change to The Baseball Podcast.