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PODCAST

Backwards K Pod

An educational and biographical look, at the moments and personalities, that have been woven into the fabric of baseball. Backwards K Where We Collect Ballplayers And Their Stories

sports baseball

All Episodes

83:18

Phil Niekro; Knucksie

Backwards K Pod ·

2026/03/30

Legendary funnyman and former big league catcher Bob Uecker once said, "The Best way to catch a knuckle-ball, is to wait for it to stop rolling, and then pick it up." He also noted that catching Phil Niekro's knuckle-ball was a great experience. " It gave me a chance to meet all the important people sitting in the stands behind home-plate. Phil Niekro, or "Knucksie" as he was affectionately called, was an unapologetic one-pitch pitcher. He rode his rotation-less knuckle-ball pitch to amass 318 wins

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66:59

Tim Raines; The Rock

Backwards K Pod ·

2026/03/23

While Rickey Henderson is universally and rightfully regarded as the greatest lead-off hitter in baseball history, this week I will do a deep dig into the baseball foundation laid down by arguably the second greatest lead-off stick of all time; " The Rock" Tim Raines. The Rock was a beautiful combination of speed, power, and high on-base percentage. The rarest of blends and qualities, achieved by only a few players before him or since. His blinding speed was on a whole other level. He stole 70 or

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60:13

Bill Mazeroski; Maz

Backwards K Pod ·

2026/03/14

Bill Mazeroski was the embodiment of stellar defense, winning 8 Gold Glove Awards, playing his entire 17 year career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, while setting the record for the most double-plays turned and assists in baseball history. But he is most remembered for arguably the greatest home run ever hit in the game. Almost every kid who has ever swung a bat at a competitive pitch has fantasized about coming up in the bottom of the ninth inning, during game 7 of the World Series, and hitting the

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97:04

Rogers Hornsby; The Rajah

Backwards K Pod ·

2026/03/02

Off the field? Rogers Hornsby was undiplomatic, uncompromising, and outspoken. On the field? He is arguably the greatest all-around right-handed hitters to ever play the game. Hornsby, whose modern-era record of a.424 batting average in 1924, and his .358 lifetime mark after a 23 year career, firmly establishes him as a standard for right-handed hitters of any era. He won 7 National League Batting Titles, including a mind-numbing 5 year stretch of offensive prowess that has yet to be equalled or

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50:42

Tony Perez; Big Doggie

Backwards K Pod ·

2026/02/10

The return of the Cold War between the United States and Cuba has only exacerbated the tide of baseball defectors from the communist nation. In October of 2012, for the first time in over 60 years, two million baseball crazy Cubans could listen to a World Series game on the radio, just as Tony and his father were able to listen to the 1955 World Series between the Dodgers and Yankees, at the old sugar mill in Camaguay, Cuba. In 1960. Tony Perez took advantage of safe passage to the United States, as

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88:00

Throwback Crib Bio; The House That Ruth Built

Backwards K Pod ·

2026/02/02

Since the time of it's opening over 100 years ago, Old Yankees Stadium housed the most prolific team in all of American team sport, and some of the games brightest stars. The Yankees did not have an auspicious beginning to their franchise. They were originally nicknamed the Highlanders, and from 1903-1915, they never won a World Series and they had losing seasons in 8 of 13 years. All that changes when the rebranded Yankees buy Babe Ruth from the Boston Red Sox in 1919. At this time they are sharing

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64:59

Mike Piazza

Backwards K Pod ·

2026/01/26

Michael Joseph Piazza is the classic American underdog who carved out his niche and legacy, seemingly out of nowhere through hard-work, grit and determination. Taken in the 62nd round with the 1,390th overall pick by the Los Angeles Dodgers, in the 1988 June MLB Amateur Draft; he wou;d go onto establish himself as arguably the greatest hitting catcher in baseball history and a Hall Of Fame career. From the sandlots of Norristown, Pennsylvania to the Pantheon Of The Immortals in Cooperstown, New

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69:32

Harmon Killebrew; Killer

Backwards K Pod ·

2026/01/19

Harmon Killebrew was one of, if not the most feared power bat of the 1960's. By the time he had hung up his spikes for good after the 1976 season, his 573 home-runs were the most ever amassed by a right-handed American League hitter in baseball history. Still here 50 years later, only Alex Rodriguez has hit more dingers as a right-handed hitter in the American League. Even though he was nicknamed Killer by teammates and foes alike, and he had the ability to wreak havoc with a bat in his hand, he was

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72:59

Barry Larkin

Backwards K Pod ·

2026/01/08

Rare is the professional athlete who plays his entire Hall Of Fame career in his hometown. For 19 years, Barry Larkin did just that, playing for the Cincinnati Reds. His career path took him from a leadoff hitter setting the table, to an RBI man in the heart of the order, with stops up and down the lineup. Along the way Barry Larkin was selected to 12 All Star games, won 9 Silver Slugger Awards, three Gold Gloves, a National League MVP, an Olympic Silver Medal and a World Championship. He was a key

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56:20

Albert Belle

Backwards K Pod ·

2025/12/17

He was a fantastic hitter. Over a 162 game average in his 12 year career, he averaged a 4.2 WAR, 40 Home Runs, and 130 RBI. He scored 974 Runs for an average of 103 over 162 Games. The only thing more potent than his bat, was his pissed-off, surly disposition, which included throwing baseballs purposefully at hecklers in the stands, running down trick-or-treaters in his SUV who vandalized his home, as well as his strong dislike for the media, and the the abrasive bullying tactics he employed against

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56:17

”Shoeless” Joe Jackson

Backwards K Pod ·

2025/11/26

More than 70 years after his death, "Shoeless" Joe Jackson is finally eligible for induction into the National Baseball Hall Of Fame. The legendary ballplayer was banned from the Major Leagues, 13 years into his career, for his role in the nefarious 1919 World Series scandal. On May 13th, 2025, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announced he would be officially removing Jackson from the sports ineligible list. With the stunning, historical amendment, Jackson who is considered one of the game's earliest

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81:59

Manny Being Manny; Manny Ramirez

Backwards K Pod ·

2025/11/12

During his prime years, the baseball universe was Manny's world, and other players were just mere mortals lucky to inhabit the same space. His dominant play and quirky personality would lead opponents and proponents alike to shrug and say, " That's just Manny being Manny." He was a hard-hitting baseball savant, with a bat in his hands and runners in scoring position. And in conjunction with his long flowing dreadlocks, his baggy uniform, his mighty bat, and his base-running and fielding flaws, the

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66:30

Don Drysdale; Big D

Backwards K Pod ·

2025/11/01

This week we do a deep archaeological dig into the baseball path laid down by the legendary Don Drysdale. At 6'5" tall and 190 pounds, he was an intimidating pitcher, who used brushback pitches to keep opposing batters off-balanced. Together with southpaw Sandy Koufax, the tandem would become one of the fiercest lefty/righty duos in the history of baseball. By the time Drysdale's career is in the books, he's a three-time World Champion, and a Cy Young Award winner, with a win/loss record of 209-166

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121:00

The History Of Baseball In Miami

Backwards K Pod ·

2025/10/27

When most people think of Miami's impact on the History of baseball, they may believe that the current Marlins team is the beginning of their baseball identity and story. But in reality, the city of Miami and the South Florida region possesses a rich history of organized baseball that crosses generations, leagues and color lines. This week I dig into the fascinating history between the city and the National Pastime. I unpack the story about the early stadiums in the city, I do a deep dive into the

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83:13

Frank Thomas; The BIG HURT

Backwards K Pod ·

2025/10/01

Frank Thomas looked more like an NFL Tight=End, looking to create space in the end zone to receive a touchdown, than he did a baseball player. But in many ways, the 6'5" 275 pound icon was ostensibly a contact hitter trapped inside of a slugger's body, with a judicious knowledge of the strike zone and quick hand-eye coordination. He was a dog on the hunt, looking to inflict pain on opposing teams, thus earning the well deserved moniker; The Big Hurt. Even in the context of playing in one of the

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94:39

William Julius ”Judy” Johnson

Backwards K Pod ·

2025/09/23

The Negro Leagues produced some of the finest third-basemens in the history of the sport of baseball. Guys like Jud Wilson, Oliver "The Ghost" Marcelle and Ray Dandridge held down the Hot Corner. inspiring and challenging future generations to meet their standards. But many of the league historians consider Judy Johnson the finest of them all. He was Baryshnikov in cleats with his flawless footwork and stellar glove at third. At 5'10'. 150 pounds soaking wet, Johnson dominated the game with his

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120:00

Reggie Jackson; Mr October

Backwards K Pod ·

2025/09/02

At the height of his powers, Reggie Jackson was a box-office spectacle, who's on-field exploits were matched by his larger than life personality, and his fearless ability to speak his truth to power. Whether you watched him strikeout, a record setting 2,597 times, or watched him hit one of his 563 home runs, fans and haters alike, couldn't take their eyes off of him, as he was surely one player worth the price of admission. His complex profile study, is but an evolutionary link in the chain of black

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01:25:29

Steve Carlton; Lefty

Backwards K Pod ·

2025/08/16

By the time Steve Carlton's 24 year Major League Baseball career was in the books, he had more pickoffs than any pitcher who ever played the game at the highest level, the second most strikeouts ever behind only Nolan Ryan, and the ninth most wins in the long history of the National Pastime. Armed with a devastating, mind-bending slider, the man known as "Lefty" seemingly toyed with the best hitters on the planet. This week's archeological dig is into the path laid by the quirky left-hander from his

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01:32:10

Joe Morgan; The Little General

Backwards K Pod ·

2025/07/29

This week we profile the baseball life of the immortal Joe Morgan, who at 5'7", and 150 pounds, dominated the game and the second-base position like very few before him or since. Morgan develops a love for the game, cutting his teeth on the talented Oakland sandlots, and influenced by his farher's encouragement. Despite his diminutive stature, which made him overlooked throughout his youth, he displayed impressive talents, and confidence throughout his career. He plays ten years for the Houston Colt

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02:08:13

Warren Spahn

Backwards K Pod ·

2025/07/02

This week i detail the baseball journey of pitching great Warren Spahn. By the time, his long and prolific career was in the books, he had amassed the most victories (363) in the game's history for a left-handed pitcher, the sixth most wins of all time and the most wins ever by a pitcher who pitched exclusively in the live-ball, modern era. All of his brilliance is magnified by the fact that he doesn't record his first win until he is 25 years old. He misses three years of Major League baseball in

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198 results

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