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PODCAST

This Week In Baseball History

Mike Bates and Bill Parker

This Week In Baseball History is a weekly podcast devoted to the history of baseball, hosted by Mike Bates and Bill Parker, the co-founders of The Platoon Advantage and writers on many fine websites.

history

All Episodes

01:31:57

Episode 233 - The Phillies Shake Their Ashburn

This Week In Baseball History ·

2022/01/20

Mays. Mantle. Snider. The 1950s were so awash in great center fielders, it's become fashionable to overlook Richie Ashburn, who was stuck on a bunch of bad teams despite being a truly deserving Hall of Famer. Sixty-two years ago this week, he was shipped from one cellar dweller to another when the Phils sent him to the Cubs. Mike and Bill talk about what made Ashburn so invisible and why he's still being underappreciated today. Plus, happy birthday to Carl Morton and Darrell Porter!

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01:12:43

Episode 232 - Hornsby Hits the Hall

This Week In Baseball History ·

2022/01/12

Rogers Hornsby revolutionized what a middle infielder could be as he became the preeminent slugger of his era in the National League. And, 80 years ago this week, that resulted in him becoming the first player elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame since the museum opened in 1939. Mike and Bill look back at Rajah's illustrious career and why in the world so many clubs were so eager to get rid of him. Plus, happy birthday to Pinky Whitney and Charlie Hough.

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01:02:05

Episode 30 Rerun - The Life and Death of Roberto...

This Week In Baseball History ·

2022/01/07

With Mike and Bill both on the health and safety protocol list with COVID diagnoses, and Bill having spent much of the last week stuck on I-95 somewhere in Virginia, the boys are forced to rerun an episode from the vault celebrating the amazing life of Roberto Clemente. We'll be back next week with our regular programming. Thanks for your patience!

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01:17:25

Episode 231 - The Big Reds Dog (with special guest...

This Week In Baseball History ·

2021/12/17

Called the heart and soul of The Big Red Machine, it was a shock when, 45 years ago this week, Cincinnati traded Tony Pérez to the Montreal Expos, breaking up their dynastic club. Why? Mike and Bill look back at Pérez's career and the changing economic structure that made the Reds think their hand was being forced. Plus, happy birthday to Charlie Blackwell and Art Howe! Later, Jacob Pomrenke (@buckweaver) rejoins the show to talk about the late, great Roland Hemond and his relationship with

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01:00:14

Episode 230 - Would You Like To Buy An Eddie Collins?

This Week In Baseball History ·

2021/12/10

One of the first true greats of the American League, Eddie Collins rivals only Joe Morgan and Rogers Hornsby for the title of best second baseman ever. But, with attendance waning and salaries rising, Connie Mack found he was too valuable to keep 107 years ago this week, when he sold him to the White Sox for $50,000. Mike and Bill look back at the impressively consistent career of Collins, and ponder why, exactly, nobody seemed to like him much. Plus, happy birthday to Pink Hawley and Dick

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02:07:51

Episode 229 - Jackie Robinson vs the New York Yankees...

This Week In Baseball History ·

2021/12/03

We all know the story of how Jackie Robinson reintegrated the National League. Too often, however, when we tell his story, that's where it stops. Jackie was determined to advocate for people of color in the game and outside of it, and did so 69 years ago this week when he correctly identified the crosstown Yankees as a racist organization. Mike and Bill talk to two guests about this important moment. First, Steven Goldman (@gostevengoldman) talks about the Yankees of this era and their refusal to

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01:15:50

Episode 228 - Cleveland Hires The Kid

This Week In Baseball History ·

2021/11/24

It was a crazy idea that actually worked. But 80 years ago this week, when Cleveland hired 24 year old Lou Boudreau to serve as a player-manager, the world thought they were nuts. Mike and Bill look back at the career of the unlikely skipper and World Series hero, and at what made him so good in a challenging dual role. Plus, happy birthday to Bobby Mathews and Ben McDonald!

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01:19:07

Episode 227 - The Mets Get Turned Wilpon (with...

This Week In Baseball History ·

2021/11/17

That the Mets have won anything, given their leadership over the last 60 seasons, is amazing. The worst of that leadership rose to prominence 35 years ago this week, as minority owner Fred Wilpon purchased half of the club from The Doubleday Publishing Company. To go through all the nepotism and corruption requires a guide, so Mike and Bill turn to Howard Megdal, author of Wilpon’s Folly: The Story of a Man, his Fortune, and the New York Mets. Plus, happy birthday to Randy Poffo and Mike Garcia!

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01:34:40

Episode 226 - Fernandomania!

This Week In Baseball History ·

2021/11/12

Just 20 years old, Fernando Valenzuela took the world by storm in 1981, becoming an international superstar and spawning a phenomenon with his screwball. And 40 years ago this week, Fernandomania culminated in both the National League Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Awards, the only time a player has won both in the same season. Mike and Bill look back at that amazing season and Fernando's long subsequent career. Plus, happy birthday to Dick Stuart and Adam Dunn!

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01:17:37

Episode 225 - The Late Fall Classic

This Week In Baseball History ·

2021/11/05

It was 20 years ago this week that, with good reason, the World Series made its first foray into November. It was truly a classic series between the Yankees and Diamondbacks that Mike and Bill recount in detail. Plus, happy birthday to Steve Trachsel and Lloyd Moseby!

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01:46:56

Episode 224 (Director's Cut) - From Worst to World...

This Week In Baseball History ·

2021/10/30

We are so sorry for the triple posting this week. The extra long episode caused a bunch of havok. This is the definitive version (or what will stand as the definitive version, no matter what) complete with an interview with Sam Gazdziak and a birthday by Andrew Fefer. New audio starts about 1 hour and 10 minutes in.

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01:15:20

Episode 223 - The Tigers Win It All!

This Week In Baseball History ·

2021/10/15

1968 was a traumatic year for most of the country. It was in Detroit as well, even as the Tigers did their best to bring a broken city back together, on their way to a world championship that they won 53 years ago this week. In response to a patron's request, we look back on how the Tigers flourished in The Year of the Pitcher, and how they managed to prevail against the single best pitcher alive, Bob Gibson. Plus, happy birthday to Sid Fernandez and Dmitri Young!

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01:16:33

Episode 222 - The Shot Heard Round the World

This Week In Baseball History ·

2021/10/08

Bobby Thomson and Ralph Branca became inextricably linked 70 years ago this week when the former turned around a fastball from the latter and hit a three run walkoff homer that completed a Cinderella comeback to the game and season, and gave the Giants the 1951 National League pennant. Mike and Bill look back at both men, their lives, and the moment that they shared, including whether Thomson came by his homer fairly. Plus, happy birthday to Bob Skinner and Wally Moses!

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01:12:53

Episode 221 - The Orioles Draw Four Aces

This Week In Baseball History ·

2021/09/30

The Orioles of the late '60s and early '70s were one of the best teams in baseball, with a strong and stable rotation that peaked 50 years ago this week when Jim Palmer became the 4th Baltimore starter to win 20 games on the year. Mike and Bill discuss this staff and the epic run that fell just short of winning it all. Plus, happy birthday to Jelly Gardner and Hunky Shaw!

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01:10:43

Episode 220 - Baby Babe Breaks a Record

This Week In Baseball History ·

2021/09/22

The list of individual players who changed the game of baseball is a very short one. But 102 years ago this week, one of them did something previously thought impossible. When Babe Ruth hit his 28th home run, he ushered in a whole new era of power hitting and changed the course of both the rest of his life and of baseball history. Mike and Bill look back at the early part of the Babe's life, from the streets of Baltimore to the ballpark in Boston, and his first step toward immortality. Plus, happy

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01:17:56

Episode 219 - The Man, Stan

This Week In Baseball History ·

2021/09/17

He is simply Stan the Man. One of the greatest players in the history of the game, and one of the most beloved. And he debuted 80 years ago this week. Mike and Bill give this episode over to his life and legacy, and try to figure out exactly why he was so dang lovable. Also, happy birthday to Luis Castillo (the first one) and Joe Rudi

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01:08:59

Episode 218 - One Last Hit For Minnie

This Week In Baseball History ·

2021/09/09

One of the most underappreciated superstars in baseball history, Minnie Miñoso straddled the pre and post-integration eras. But despite this, and a pro career that spanned seven decades in which he was brought back to get his final big league hit 45 years ago this week at the age of 50, Miñoso has been repeatedly snubbed for the Hall of Fame. Mike and Bill dig into why, and how Miñoso went from being one of the best players in the world to largely overlooked by fans today. Plus, happy birthday to

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01:03:57

Episode 217 - The Yankees and Braves Lews Their Sainity

This Week In Baseball History ·

2021/09/03

August trades used to be a big part of how teams would finalize their roster for the postseason. That option no longer exists, but 70 years ago this week, the Yankees made one of the most famous August deals in history when they sent $50,000 and Lew Burdette to the Braves for Johnny Sain, a deal that would ultimately come back to bite them. Mike and Bill look back on the careers of these incredibly similar pitchers and discuss which one of them should probably be in the Hall of Fame.

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01:07:06

Episode 216.5 - Zoom Hangout #17: Switching It Up...

This Week In Baseball History ·

2021/09/01

We shake things up a bit for our 17th Zoom Hangout, switching day and time and length of recording to attract more of you weirdos. And it was a successful experiment. We'll do more of it in the future. In honor of the change, we talk about ballplayers who switched positions and award some prizes.

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01:16:38

Episode 216 - Johnny Mize Joins a Winner

This Week In Baseball History ·

2021/08/27

For years, Johnny Mize was one of the most underrated sluggers in the game, in part because he missed three prime years to the war effort. But his trade to the Yankees 72 years ago this week helped push one of the greatest dynasties of all time to the first of five straight championships. Mike and Bill look back on the slugger's impressive career and how his service almost turned him into a forgotten man.

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