The Baseball Book Club

Say It Ain’t So, Shoeless Joe

Shoeless Joe Jackson has been reinstated but for over 100 years his legacy has been tarnished by one scandal. We'll talk about his humble beginnings in South Carolina to how he got the wacky nickname and the 1919 World Series that changed everything for him. We'll get into more baseball terminology and Leroy will talk about Jim Bouton's Ball 4. TheBaseballBookClub@gmail.com

World Series Magic: Willie Mays and Bill Mazeroski

John and Leroy jump back into Joe Posnanski's The Baseball 100 after a few weeks away from doing the countdown. This week they look at The Yankee Clipper, Joe Dimaggio, #56 on the list. Plus they'll talk about a couple of classic World Series moments from 1954 and 1960. TheBaseballBookClub@gmail.com

Perfect: Sandy Koufax And Vin Scully

Sandy Koufax pitched a perfect game and Vin Scully gave us the perfect broadcast for it. We revisit that special night at Chavez Ravine in September of 1965. Former Major League Baseball player Greg Pryor visits the show to talk about his book and his playing days and John gives a dramatic retelling of a Charles Holdefer short story called Heaven.TheBaseballBookClub@gmail.com

Deadball: When Babe Ruth Saved The Game

 In this episode of The Baseball Book Club, we dive into three key terms from Paul Dickson’s The Baseball Dictionary, including a breakdown of the Deadball Era vs. the Liveball Era. We’re also joined by Jeff Orens, author of Selling Baseball: How Superstars George Wright and Albert Spalding Impacted Sports in America, to explore how the sport grew off the field. Perfect for fans of baseball history, terminology, and the game's evolution—on and off the diamond. TheBaseballBookClub@gmail.com

He Woulda Hit .400 If Not For Everything

Ring Lardner's Alibi Ike is up for discussion and John will talk with author Charles Holdefer about his short story collection Ivan the Terrible Goes on a Family Picnic. We dig into the joys of historical fiction, how small-town baseball shaped Charles's storytelling, and the time Babe Ruth and Gertrude Stein swapped places in 1926.Plus, we preview a dramatic reading of Holdefer’s short story Heaven, complete with sound effects, coming in two weeks.TheBaseballBookClub@gmail.com

Not Enough Mustard: Reggie Jackson and Pete Rose

Closing in on the halfway mark of Posnanski's Top 100 list, John and Leroy talk about the entertaining, (in more ways than one), careers of superstars Pete Rose and Reggie Jackson.  From Rose’s relentless hustle to Jackson’s October heroics, this episode unpacks what made them unforgettable — both on the field and off it. TheBaseballBookClub@gmail.com

How Can You Not Be Romantic?

Romantic About Baseball creator Jason Wood stops by for a chat and John and Leroy talk about some funny moments in baseball. TheBaseballBookClub@gmail.com

McCovey, Banks And Baseball Slang

John and Leroy talk about another three baseball terms from The Baseball Dictionary, and they'll take a look at legends Willie McCovey of the Giants and Mr. Cub, Ernie Banks. TheBaseballBookClub@gmail.com

From The Hill To The Hall

John and Leroy talk about three pitchers whose careers not only see them earn a spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame, but also reach a height that is among the greatest to ever play the game: The Top 100. TheBaseballBookClub@gmail.com

Cornering The Market

John and Leroy's discussion of Miguel Cabrera, Frank Thomas and Brooks Robinson highlights each of their contributions to baseball, emphasizing the impact they had on the game which earned them notable spots in The Baseball 100. Cabrera’s offensive prowess, Thomas’s dual-threat of batting and patience, and Robinson’s legendary defense show the different facets of their greatness and why they've become immortalized as some of baseball's all time best. TheBaseballBookClub@gmail.com