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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

57:32

Episode 148 - Willie Mays Has His Best Day

This Week In Baseball History ·

2020/04/30

Willie Mays is, undisputedly, one of the top two or three players in baseball history, a breathtaking blend of power, average, and defense that often defied description. One such day was 59 years ago this week, when Willie hit four home runs in one game against the Braves. But Willie was just getting started, and would spend the rest of the decade proving that he was unlike anyone else who had ever played in the Majors before. Mike and Bill go through Willie's time in San Francisco, the triumphs and

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01:08:49

Episode 147 - The Secret Origin of the Minnesota Twins

This Week In Baseball History ·

2020/04/23

It's no secret that your hosts, Mike and Bill, have a strong connection to Minnesota baseball. So, in what's probably the second most self-indulgent episode to date, they recount the history of the sport in their home state, of the Washington Senators and the move that quickly provided their new fan base with a pennant winner on the 59th anniversary of the first big league game played in Minnesota. Plus, happy birthday to Jose Cruz Jr and Frank Viola.

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02:13:28

Episode 146.5 - TWIB History Hangs Out

This Week In Baseball History ·

2020/04/17

The world is hard to deal with right now, so Mike and Bill decided to stop being lonely and meet new friends. This episode is the audio from a Zoom hangout with the two of them and 14 of their closest Patreon supporters to talk about baseball and drink various adult beverages. If you like it, there will be another event next month. Stay tuned for details!

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01:22:32

Episode 146 - Baseball Crosses the Pacific (with...

This Week In Baseball History ·

2020/04/15

Baseball does not belong to one country or to one people, and hasn't since the game was exported to and adopted by Japan in the late 19th century. With special guest Robert Fitts (@robfitts), author of the new book Issei Baseball, Mike and Bill trace its movement across the Pacific and back again to the first professional team of Japanese players, who took the field for the first time in Kansas 114 years ago this week, and how the game helped to build cohesion within the Japanese and

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50:27

Episode 145 - The Life and Death of Al Kaline (re-post)

This Week In Baseball History ·

2020/04/09

Sadly, baseball lost one of its brightest stars this week, Tigers icon Al Kaline. Mike and Bill devote this episode to the underappreciated virtuoso with the bat and in the field, who accomplished pretty much everything a person can on a ballfield and spent the rest of his life solidifying his status as Mr. Tiger. Plus, happy birthday to Nate Colbert and Claude Passeau!

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54:17

Episode 144 - A Finch Lands On the Mets

This Week In Baseball History ·

2020/04/01

Baseball is vastly richer because of the characters who have become part of the game's legend. And no one was more of a character than Mets pitcher Hayden "Sidd" Finch, who was unveiled by Sports Illustrated 35 years ago the day this episode drops. Mike and Bill go through the mysterious and surprising career of a true phenom, including his downfall and mysterious disappearance, and the lives he touched. Plus, happy birthday to Tommy Herr and David Dahl.

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01:01:20

Episode 143 - Pete Rose's Thorns

This Week In Baseball History ·

2020/03/25

There is no denying that Pete Rose is one of the biggest figures in baseball history, and one of the greatest players of all time. There is also no denying, 31 years after Sports Illustrated revealed that he had gambled on his own team multiple times over multiple seasons, that he is one of the most controversial. Mike and Bill go through the tumultuous downfall of Rose and his many fruitless attempts to get back into the game following his permanent banishment. Plus, happy birthday to Mike Smith

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01:01:47

Episode 142 - Baseball Is Out With Flu-like Symptoms

This Week In Baseball History ·

2020/03/19

In a slight departure this week, Mike and Bill take a listener suggestion to focus on the influenza epidemic that swept across the globe in 1918 and lingered into 1920. That epidemic did have some effects on the game and played a role in further driving a wedge between the players and the owners that many say contributed to throwing of the 1919 World Series. Mike and Bill examine this horrifying epidemic, its effect on the sport and its players 102 years ago, and how, in spite of tragedies within

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01:12:54

Episode 141 - The Life and Death of the Federal League

This Week In Baseball History ·

2020/03/12

By far the most successful attempt to create a third major league began in earnest 107 years ago this week in a hotel in Indianapolis. It fizzled out after two years, but left a legacy that still governs the professional game today. Mike and Bill leaf through the short life of the Federal League, and how we still feel the effects of its rebellion more than a century later. Plus, happy birthday to Carl Furillo and Ruppert Jones!

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58:19

Episode 140 - Fritz Peterson and Mike Kekich Execute...

This Week In Baseball History ·

2020/03/04

It was a punchline across the country 47 years ago this week, when Yankees pitchers Fritz Peterson and Mike Kekich announced they had decided to switch families the previous winter. Like many trades, this one turned out to be pretty one-sided, as Kekich's life and career were upended in the aftermath. Mike and Bill look back at what made this seem like such a good idea to the four adults, and how it all fell apart into a sad mess. Plus, happy birthday to Jeff Burroughs and Ron Gant.

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53:51

Episode 139 - Koufax and Drysdale Hang Together

This Week In Baseball History ·

2020/02/27

You'd be hard pressed to find a better combo in baseball's Golden Age than Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale, the twin aces of the LA Dodgers. But the pair also were also shrewd negotiations who realized their power together when they announced 54 years ago this week that they'd be holding out. Mike and Bill look back at their holdout, how they exerted pressure on the Dodgers before free agency, and how they set the stage for other battles decades later. Plus happy birthday to Pepper Martin and Dickey

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56:54

Episode 138 - Fingers That Won't Shave

This Week In Baseball History ·

2020/02/19

Bar none, the most iconic style choice in Major League Baseball history is probably Rollie Fingers's handlebar mustache. The closer's signature 'stache was his calling card and, when given the chance to extend his career by shaving it 34 years ago this week, he refused. Mike and Bill look back at one of the first modern closers, the first man to 300 saves, and the most exquisitely groomed player in history. Plus, happy birthday to Elroy Face and Big Ed Brandt, and farewell to Tony Fernandez.

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01:16:47

Episode 137 - Oscar Charleston Finally Gets His Due...

This Week In Baseball History ·

2020/02/12

Despite being largely forgotten today, Oscar Charleston was perhaps the greatest and most popular Negro Leaguer of his day and one of the best players in baseball history. With special guest Jeremy Beer, whose biography of Charleston just won the Harold and Dorothy Seymour Medal, Mike and Bill learn about who Charleston was on and off the diamond, what his world was like, and why he has been left out of so many histories of the game. Plus, happy birthday to Jim Barr and Tex Hughson!

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01:09:55

Episode 136 - The Dodgers Break Up a Good Thing

This Week In Baseball History ·

2020/02/06

There has never been an infield that has played together longer, more often, or perhaps better than the Dodgers' incredible combination of Steve Garvey, Davey Lopes, Bill Russell, and Ron Cey, a dynamic foursome that lasted 9 years and 833 starts together. But it all came to an end 38 years ago this week, when Lopes was traded away. Mike and Bill examine the long and excellent careers of all four players, together and apart, and what ended their incredible run after they finally won their

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54:55

Episode 135 - Jim Thorpe's Backup Plan

This Week In Baseball History ·

2020/01/30

In 1912, Jim Thorpe was the greatest athlete in the world. But by the end of January, 1913, he surrendered his Olympic medals in shame after evidence surfaced of him playing pro baseball four years earlier. 107 years ago this week, the most famous man in America to a three year contract. Mike and Bill examine Thorpe's road to this spectacle, the controversy he endured, and what happened after he finally did make the Majors. Plus, happy birthday to Kaiser Wilhelm and Pete Runnels.

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54:49

Episode 134 - Marty Bergen Does a Terrible Thing

This Week In Baseball History ·

2020/01/22

There are no excuses, only reasons for what Marty Bergen did 120 years ago this week, when a lifetime of paranoia and mental illness culminated in the murder of his family, and the suicide that shocked a the rural community he lived in, and the baseball community at large. Mike and Bill look back on the troubled life of Bergen, and his attempts to get help in an era where none was forthcoming, and marvel at how little we've improved in 12 decades years. Plus, happy birthday to Rusty Greer and Chick

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59:40

Episode 133 - Hank Gets Framed

This Week In Baseball History ·

2020/01/16

The news shocked Detroit when the city found out one of its heroes, Hank Greenberg, had been sold to the Pittsburgh Pirates. But the reason for the deal, which happened 73 years ago this week, is even crazier. Mike and Bill dig into the long and eventful life of one of baseball's best sluggers, his struggles against anti-Semitism, his heroic service to his country, and the misunderstanding that ended his time in Motor City. Plus, happy birthday to Bill Madlock and Rance Mulliniks!

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55:47

Episode 132 - Sarge Storms Cooperstown

This Week In Baseball History ·

2020/01/08

Hoyt Wilhelm did everything unconventionally. He didn't look like a ballplayer. He threw soft, almost entirely knuckleballs. And unlike other knucklers, he stayed almost exclusively in the bullpen. But he was exceptionally effective, and 35 years ago this week his brilliance on the bump was recognized with an election to the Hall of Fame, the first relief pitcher to be so honored. Mike and Bill look back on his illustrious career and what made him so singular. Plus, happy birthday to Jim Gantner and

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41:19

Episode 131 - The Rookie Crosses Over

This Week In Baseball History ·

2020/01/04

Jim Morris was out of the game, teaching science in Texas, when a bet with his high school team led him back on a path to the Majors, where he debuted at the age of 35. Sans Mike, Bill and guest co-host Kristine cross over from their podcast, Dusty+ to catalogue Morris's brief career and the movie made about it.

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58:18

Episode 130 - Ernie Harwell Gets Fired

This Week In Baseball History ·

2019/12/19

One of the most beloved broadcasters and beloved people in baseball, Ernie Harwell was an institution in Detroit when, 29 years ago this week, the Tigers told him they didn't want him anymore. Mike and Bill document the Frick Award winner's career and how it almost ended, and the backlash that led to its continuation. Plus, happy birthday to Mo Vaughn and Harry Stovey!

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