Baseball by the Book

Justin McGuire

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

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100 episodes
Updated Nov 22, 2023

Episodes100

Newest first

Sep 29, 2021 · 1 hr 42 min
From the Patreon archives: '70s baseball movies
Now available for all. Dan Epstein, Josh Wilker and Willie Steele join us to discuss "The Bad News Bears," "Bang the Drum Slowly" and more baseball movies from the 1970s.
Sep 1, 2021 · 1 hr 13 min
From the Patreon Archives: "The Glory of Their Times"
We are making available to everyone for the first time our All-Star panel discussing "The Glory of Their Times." Rob Neyer, Jon Leonoudakis and Skip Desjardin join Justin McGuire to discuss Lawrence Ritter's classic oral history.
Aug 18, 2021 · 48 min
Episode 316: "My 1961"
Andy Strasberg turned 13 in 1961, the same year his hero Roger Maris made baseball history. Strasberg joins us to discuss how that remarkable year changed his life and led to an enduring bond with the Maris family.
Aug 10, 2021 · 1 hr 20 min
From the Patreon Archives: '80s baseball movies
In honor of the upcoming "Field of Dreams" game, we are making this patron-only bonus episode available to everyone. No decade had as many beloved baseball movies as the 1980s. From "The Natural" in 1984 to "Field of Dreams" in 1989, Hollywood loved the National Pastime. So grab some popcorn and listen as our All-Star panel discusses the controversial ending to the "The Natural," the inaccuracies of "Eight Men Out" and whether Crash Davis could take Ricky "Wild Thing" Vaughn deep. Justin McGuire is joined by J Daniel, Jason Foster and Willie Steele.
Aug 4, 2021 · 47 min
Episode 315: "11 in '11"
The St. Louis Cardinals have won 11 World Series, but perhaps none is as special to its fans as the miracle 2011 title. Author Benjamin Hochman joins us to discuss David Freese, Tony La Russa, Albert Pujols and a legendary Game 6.
Jul 21, 2021 · 53 min
Episode 314: "Forty Years a Giant"
For four decades, Giants owner Horace Stoneham was a pivotal figure in baseball. He brought Willie Mays to the majors, pioneered player development in Latin America and Asia and helped bring baseball to the West Coast. So why has he been largely forgotten? Author Steven Treder joins us to discuss Stoneham's life and legacy.
Jul 13, 2021 · 44 min
Episode 313: "The Best Little Baseball Town in the World"
For a short time in the 1950s, tiny Crowley, La. was the toast of the baseball world as its Class C Millers drew enormous crowds and won multiple pennants. Then it all ended as quickly as it began. Author Gaylon White joins us to discuss a remarkable tale of murder, mystery and tragedy.
Jun 29, 2021 · 51 min
Episode 312: "Double Plays and Double Crosses"
In 1920, as rumors about the previous World Series swirled, the White Sox battled the Indians and Babe Ruth's Yankees for the American League pennant. All the while, questions abounded: How much did baseball know about the 1919 fix? Why were the crooked players allowed to play? Were they still throwing games? Don Zminda joins us to discuss a remarkable baseball season.
Jun 22, 2021 · 53 min
Episode 311: "Walter Alston"
Walter Alston lacked the flash of fellow managers like Casey Stengel, Leo Durocher or Tommy Lasorda. But the Ohio native was one of the most successful skippers in major league history with more than 2,000 wins, seven pennants and four World Series titles. Author Alan Levy joins us to discuss how a career minor leaguer forged a Hall of Fame managerial career.
Jun 15, 2021 · 47 min
Episode 310: "1962"
Major league baseball came to Texas and returned to New York. Maury Wills and Don Drysdale dominated, but the Dodgers lost the pennant to the hated Giants. Meanwhile, John Glenn orbited the Earth, Americans did the Twist and JFK faced down the Soviets. Author David Krell joins us to discuss the momentous year of 1962. Support the podcast: www.patreon.com/baseballbythebook Merchandise: www.teespring.com/stores/baseballbythebookstore
Jun 8, 2021 · 54 min
Episode 309: "The Giants and Their City"
From 1976 to 1992, the San Francisco Giants were mostly mediocre, rarely loved in their own city and constantly looking for a way to get out of frigid Candlestick Park. But, author Lincoln Mitchell says, this forgotten era helped lay the groundwork for all the success the team has experienced in the 21st century. Support the podcast: www.patreon.com/baseballbythebook Buy merchandise: www.teespring.com/stores/baseballbythebookstore
May 25, 2021 · 43 min
Episode 308: "Clubbie"
Greg Larson spent two years as a clubhouse attendant for the Aberdeen IronBirds. Along the way, he encountered future major leaguers like Trey Mancini and Josh Hader and found out some harsh truths about life in the minor leagues. The author joins us to discuss his experiences and why he thinks baseball needs to treat its players better. Here's a link to the Slate article about Blake Bailey mentioned during the interview: https://slate.com/culture/2021/04/blake-bailey-lusher-journals-teacher.html Support Baseball by the Book: www.patreon.com/baseballbythebook Merchandise: www.teespring.com/stores/baseballbythebookstore
May 18, 2021 · 43 min
Episode 307: "The Pride of Minnesota"
The Minnesota Twins of the 1960s featured a slew of stars who ended the long run of American League dominance by the New York Yankees in 1965. Author Thom Henninger joins us to discuss how Harmon Killebrew, Tony Oliva, Billy Martin and Co. navigated America's most turbulent decade. Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/baseballbythebook Merchandise: www.teespring.com/stores/baseballbythebookstore
May 11, 2021 · 54 min
Episode 306: "Tony Lazzeri"
Tony Lazzeri was baseballs first Italian-American star and a key member of the legendary Murderers' Row Yankees of the 1920s. But today the Hall of Fame second baseman is mostly remembered for one moment of failure. Lawrence Baldassaro joins us to explain why Lazzeri's legacy goes far beyond striking out in the 1926 World Series. Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/baseballbythebook Merchandise: www.teespring.com/stores/baseballbythebookstore
May 4, 2021 · 44 min
Episode 305: "Comeback Pitchers"
Award-winning author Steve Steinberg returns to the podcast to discuss the remarkable careers of Jack Quinn and Howard Ehmke, two mostly forgotten pitchers from the early 20th century.
Apr 27, 2021 · 57 min
Episode 304: "Gathering Crowds"
When baseball free agency began in the late 1970s, many owners predicted doom for the national pastime. Instead, the game entered an era of sky-rocketing attendance, growing popularity and small-market World Series winners. Paul Hensler joins us to discuss how baseball fever gripped the nation from 1977 to 1989. Support the pod: www.patreon.com/baseballbythebook Merchandise: www.teespring.com/stores/baseballbythebookstore
Apr 20, 2021 · 54 min
Episode 303: "The Captain and Me"
Ron Blomberg and Thurman Munson may have seemed like an odd couple, but the gregarious kid from Georgia and the grumpy All-Star catcher were the best of friends on the Yankee squads of the early 1970s. Author Dan Epstein joins us to explain how he and Blomberg got together to tell the story of an unlikely friendship that ended in tragedy. Patreon: www.patreon.com/baseballbythebook Merchandise: www.teespring.com/stores/baseballbythebookstore
Apr 13, 2021 · 45 min
Episode 302: "Two Sides of Glory"
What's it like to be on the losing end of one of the most famous World Series in baseball history? Author Erick Sherman talked to Bill Buckner, Wade Boggs, Roger Clemens and other members of the 1986 Boston Red Sox to find out. Support the podcast: www.patreon.com/baseballbythebook Merchandise: www.teespring.com/stores/baseballbythebookstore
Apr 6, 2021 · 44 min
Episode 301: "The Best Team Over There"
Before World War I, Grover Cleveland Alexander was "The Great Alexander," a superstar pitcher who dominated the National League. After the war, Ol' Pete's life began to spiral out of control as he struggled with alcoholism, PTSD and epilepsy. Author Jim Leeke discusses the remarkable story of a man who went from the heights of the national game to dying alone in a rented room. Support the podcast: www.patreon.com/baseballbythebook Merchandise: www.teespring.com/stores/baseballbythebookstore
Apr 1, 2021 · 49 min
Episode 300: "Baseball's Greatest Hit"
Katie Casey is baseball mad, and so are we! It's Opening Day AND it's the 300th episode of Baseball by the Book, so we're celebrating by taking an in-depth look at "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." Author Tim Wiles joins us to discuss how a hit 1908 song became an American classic. Support the podcast: www.patreon.com/baseballbythebook Merchandise: www.teespring.com/stores/baseballbythebookstore