Baseball by the Book

Justin McGuire

A veteran baseball journalist interviews today's best baseball authors about their books.

Subscribe Listen in podnod RSS feed Show website

100 episodes
Updated Nov 22, 2023

Episodes100

Newest first

Nov 22, 2023 · 48 min
Episode 335: "Baseball: The Turbulent Midcentury Years"
Author Steve Gietschier joins us to discuss his new book chronicling baseball history from the 1930s to the 1950s. We discuss how MLB survived the Depression, the rise of the radio, World War II, the end of the color barrier and arrival of big league baseball in California.
Oct 3, 2023 · 46 min
Episode 334: "Why We Love Baseball"
Award-winning author Joe Posnanski returns to the podcast to talk about 50 moments (and more) that tell the story of baseball history and why the sport means so much to so many.
Sep 6, 2023 · 49 min
Episode 333: "The One Hundred Most Important Players in Baseball History"
Nobody doubts Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente are among the most important baseball players ever. But Dorothy Kamanshek? Dolf Luque? Masanori Murakami? Author Lincoln Mitchell joins us to discuss how his selection of important baseball players differs from other such lists — and why so many Giants make the cut.
Jul 28, 2023 · 38 min
Episode 332: "Tales from the Dugout"
Tim Hagety, broadcaster for the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas, takes us on a journey through 1,001 of the zaniest moments in minor league baseball history. Along the way, we'll meet wild bulls, sprinting weiner dogs, greased pigs and pitchers locked in bathrooms.
May 3, 2023 · 50 min
Episode 331: "Suds Series"
Rickey Henderson stole 130 bases. Cal Ripken Jr.'s legendary streak began, although no one knew it at the time. The Big Red Machine broke down as the Cincinnati Reds hit rock bottom while Steve Garvey and Tommy Lasorda found themselves immersed in controversy. And George Steinbrenner fired his manager — twice. At the end of it all, Whitey Herzog's speedy St. Louis Cardinals took on Harvey Keuenn's hard-hitting Milwaukee Brewers in a classic World Series. J. Daniel joins us to discuss the memorable 1982 baseball season.
Apr 10, 2023 · 47 min
Episode 330: "Welcome to the Circus of Baseball"
Ryan McGee spent the summer of 1994 working as a $100-a-week intern for the Class-A Asheville Tourists of the South Atlantic League. Three decades later, McGee —now a senior writer for ESPN — has written a memoir about his misadentures in the low minor leagues. He tells us why he loves Asheville's historic McCormick Field, recounts how he witnessed a comical on-field brawl and explains how he knows what it was like to kiss Elvis.
Jan 13, 2023 · 33 min
Episode 329: "Major League Baseball Players of the 1970s"
Let's remember some guys. Author Bill Ballew joins us to discuss his new biographical dictionary of every MLB player who debuted in the 1970s — all 1,312 of them, from Don Aase to Richie Zisk. Ballew spent decades researching and writing this massive collection.
Oct 3, 2022 · 45 min
Episode 328: "Baseball's Brief Lives"
Steven Goldman joins us to discuss his collection of essays inspired by his podcast The Infinite Inning. From Pete Rose and Henry Aaron to Ski Melillo and Pee-Wee Wanninger, Goldman explores the interconnectedness of baseball and the greater world.
Aug 31, 2022 · 44 min
Episode 327: "Beauty at Short"
Author Tom Alecia joins us to discuss the remarkable life and career of Dave "Beauty" Bancroft, one of baseball's most unlikely Hall of Famers.
Aug 11, 2022 · 49 min
Episode 326: "Stumbling Around the Bases"
Author Andy McCue joins us to discuss how the American League mismanaged integration and expansion, allowing the National League to forge ahead in attendance and prestige.
Jul 20, 2022 · 39 min
Episode 325: "Intentional Balk"
Mark Armour joins us to discuss the history of cheating in baseball, from the 19th century to current issues like electronic sign stealing and Spider Tack.
Jun 9, 2022 · 44 min
Episode 324: "Stolen Dreams"
In 1955, a group of Black Little Leaguers in South Carolina was denied a chance to play for the chamlpionship because of the color of their skin. Author Chris Lamb joins us to discuss the heartbreaking story of the Cannon Street All-Stars and youth baseball's civil war.
May 23, 2022 · 47 min
Episode 323: "Not an Easy Tale to Tell"
Raph Carhart joins us to discuss a new SABR collection that looks at how Jackie Robinson's legacy has been reflected and shaped by pop culture and literature. He gives his thoughts on "The Jackie Robinson Story," "42," plus a Broadway play, a comic book, children's books, TV movies and much more.
May 3, 2022 · 40 min
Episode 322: "Whispers of the Gods"
Author Peter Golenbock joins us to discuss his new oral history collection, which includes more than a dozen interviews with former baseball players conducted over the course of five decades. From Hall of Famers Mickey Mantle and Roy Campanella to journeyman like Ellis Clary and Kirby Higbe, the players, all now deceased, bring a long-gone era of baseball back to life.
Apr 19, 2022 · 54 min
Episode 321: "Red Barber"
We're in the catbird seat as author James R. Walker joins us to discuss his biography of legendary baseball broadcaster Red Barber.
Apr 15, 2022 · 1 hr 1 min
From the Patreon archives: "Baseball's Great Experiment"
For Jackie Robinson Day, we make this classic bonus episode from our Patreon page available to everyone. Adrian Burgos, Mark Armour and Lisa Alexander join us to take a deep dive look at "Baseball's Great Experiment," by Jules Tygiel.
Mar 30, 2022 · 48 min
Episode 320: "Charlie Murphy"
In the early 20th century, Charlie Murphy was the most successful — and controverisal — owner in the major leagues. Author Jason Cannon joins us to discuss the iconoclast behind the Chicago Cubs dynasty.
Mar 17, 2022 · 38 min
Episode 319: "Ted Sullivan, Barnacle of Baseball"
Ted Sullivan, once known as "the Daddy of Baseball," is almost entirely forgotten today. Author Pat O'Neill joins us to discuss the life of the Irish immigrant who discovered Charles Comiskey, took baseball international and coined the word 'fan.'
Feb 23, 2022 · 38 min
Episode 318: "Max Gordon"
We're back! Author Jacob Kornhauser joins us to discuss the remarkable and inspiring story of former Oregon State outfielder Max Gordon.
Oct 19, 2021 · 55 min
Episode 317: "The Baseball 100"
Where does Pete Rose rank on the list of baseball's all-time best players? Was Barry Bonds better than Henry Aaron? Where do players like Sadaharu Oh and Josh Gibson belong on a list of the top 100 players? Author Joe Posnanski joins us to discuss those questions and many more.