The Baseball Book Club

The Christmas Hot Stove

In this episode, John and Leroy discuss the latest Hot Stove activity around baseball as teams shuffle rosters ahead of a new season. Leroy delivers a Hot Corner spotlight on Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett, looking at the good, the bad and the ugly of one of Minnesota's greats. John shares a thoughtful reflection on baseball on the radio—why it still matters and how it connects generations of fans—plus some extra fun stuff along the way.
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Baseball In The 90s

The crew is back together for a special, offseason episode. Leroy chimes in with a Hot Corner and John will speak with a guest as they discuss what may be the greatest decade of baseball. TheBaseballBookClub@gmail.com

The Greatness Of Mathewson, Maddux & Martinez

Few pitchers in baseball history combined intelligence, precision and dominance like Christy Mathewson, Greg Maddux and Pedro Martinez. In the season finale, John and Leroy examine what set these three legends apart — from Mathewson’s artistry with his fadeaway pitch, to Maddux’s unmatched command, to Pedro’s electric presence in the 1990s and early 2000s. Each man defining greatness and showing why their names still stand as the gold standard for pitching mastery.TheBaseballBookClub@gmail.com

Clemente The Great

The Great One, Roberto Clemente, is number 40 on the Posnanski 100 and we'll talk about the life and career of one of Pittsburgh's greatest. We will also do some baseball terminology - three terms from Paul Dickson's The Baseball Dictionary. TheBaseballBookClub@gmail.com

Iron Man Cal Ripken

What does it take to show up every single day? In this episode, we'll look into the story of Cal Ripken Jr.—the Iron Man of baseball—who redefined durability and dedication by playing in 2,632 consecutive games. From his rookie days in Baltimore to the night he broke Lou Gehrig’s legendary record, Ripken’s career was more than just his streak and we’ll explore what his legacy meant for baseball. We'll also discuss five poignant stories that transcend the game. TheBaseballBookClub@gmail.com

Triple Play: Beltre, Boggs And Mathews

Still hovering around the Top 50, John and Leroy round out this group of third basemen with a 3-pack including Texas Rangers great Adrian Beltre, Boston Red Sox phenom Wade Boggs and Braves legend Eddie Mathews. TheBaseballBookClub@gmail.com

Feelin’ Kinda Chipper

John and Leroy discuss the chapter Five Pitching Oddities from Why We Love Baseball, looking at various momentous occasions from some of baseball's greats. Plus, they'll talk about Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones, ranked 54th in The Baseball 100. TheBaseballBookClub@gmail.com

Four Aces: The Epic Arms Of Feller, Ryan, Spahn & Gibson

John and Leroy talk about the legendary careers of Bob Feller, Nolan Ryan, Warren Spahn and Bob Gibson, four aces that shape baseball history. Plus, hear about wild trade between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Baltimore Orioles that is so rare, it's only happened twice in MLB history. TheBaseballBookClub@gmail.com

Minor Leagues And Major Legends

Guest Zac Schmitz will join John and Leroy to talk about legend Ken Griffey Jr. who is #48 on the Posnanski 100. Plus Leroy will give us a Hot Corner segment about the feisty Salt Lake Trappers from 1987, a team that holds a professional baseball record that may never be broken. TheBaseballBookClub@gmail.com

Mr. Tiger, Al Kaline

 In this episode of The Baseball Book Club, John and Leroy explore the Hall of Fame career of Detroit Tigers legend Al Kaline—his legacy, impact, and what made him one of baseball’s purest hitters. Plus, Leroy sits down with author Aaron Fischman to discuss A Baseball Gaijin, a fascinating look at American players finding purpose and second chances in Japan’s professional leagues. TheBaseballBookClub@gmail.com