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STITCH X STITCH PODCAST

Major League Baseball Players Association

The Major League Baseball Players Association has a rich history dating back to its inception under founding executive director Marvin Miller in 1966. The MLBPA's Stitch x Stitch Podcast seeks to tell that story through the eyes of Players, who share their personal recollections of the union's early growth, nine strikes and lockouts, and the contributions of Miller, Curt Flood, Andy Messersmith, and so many other groundbreaking figures.

For this project we've interviewed Players whose careers cover a span of seven decades, and collected an oral history that charts the union's path and the bonds that unite Players across generations.

Pitch by pitch. Stitch by Stitch.

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  • 20 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 40 min
  • English

Episodes 20

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  • S1 · E19
    October 19 · 55 min

    Kent Tekulve on the "We Are Family" Pirates, life in the labor trenches, and the importance of paying it forward

    In this episode of "Stitch x Stitch'' we connect with Kent Tekulve, one of the most durable and efficient closers in Major League Baseball history. With his lanky frame, aviator glasses and submarine delivery, the man called "Teke'' was a true baseball original. He overcame long odds to amass 184 saves in 1,050 career appearances, achieving his signature moment when he recorded the final out in the Pirates' 1979 World Series win over the Orioles. Tekulve endeared himself to teammates and fans wi

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  • S1 · E18
    October 10 · 57 min

    Jay Bell on the highs, lows and in betweens of two decades in pro ball

    In this episode of “Stitch x Stitch” we connect with Jay Bell, a two-time All-Star, Gold Glover, Silver Slugger and 2001 World Series champion over 18 major league seasons. Jay was active in union leadership for much of his career and played a pivotal role in 1994-95, when players held firm during a 232-strike in opposition to a salary cap. As National League player representative, Jay articulated many of the players’ positions publicly, while constantly dispensing information and keeping his fe

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  • S1 · E17
    October 5 · 49 min

    Ed Lynch on Seaver, Staub, and his baseball education, on and off the field

    This week's guest is Ed Lynch, whose passion for the game never wavered across decades as a player, front office executive and scout. Ed grew up a Mets fan in the 1960s and later had the privilege of pitching in the same rotation as his boyhood idol, Tom Seaver. He received an education in baseball labor history from another Mets great, Rusty Staub, and immersed himself in his role as the team's player representative. After his retirement in 1987, Ed obtained his law degree from the University o

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  • S1 · E16
    September 28 · 48 min

    David Aardsma on the twists and turns of life as an MLB reliever

    This week's guest on "Stitch x Stitch'' is David Aardsma, a 2003 first-round draft pick who pitched for eight MLB clubs and made 18 stops in the minors and independent ball during his professional career. "You fall in love with the grind,'' he told us. David shares some entertaining stories about how he met his wife, his days as Barry Bonds' teammate in San Francisco, and his experiences in the negotiating room during collective bargaining. His long and winding journey prompted him to take an ac

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  • S1 · E15
    September 21 · 50 min

    Todd Stottlemyre on Mickey Mantle, Monument Park and life in a baseball family

    Our guest this episode is former big league pitcher Todd Stottlemyre. Todd and his brother, Mel Jr., grew up as self-described “baseball brats’’ who had a blast roaming Monument Park pre-game when their dad, Mel, was the lead dog in the Yankees’ rotation in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Todd lived the dream over 14 seasons as a starter with the Blue Jays and four other clubs, and was a part of back-to-back World Championship teams in Toronto in 1992 and 1993. He received an education in baseba

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  • S1 · E14
    September 14 · 43 min

    Mike Myers on Life in the Bullpen and Service to Players

    In this episode we connect with Mike Myers, who logged 883 career appearances as a reliever with nine teams over 13 big league seasons. When the affable Chicago native and Iowa State University product wasn’t tasked with the thankless responsibility of facing Barry Bonds, David Ortiz, Jim Thome or Ken Griffey Jr. in a tight spot, he was skillfully navigating the uncertainty of life as left-handed one out guy – aka “LOOGY.’’ Mike immersed himself in union leadership as a young player with the Tig

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  • S1 · E13
    September 8 · 50 min

    Steve Rogers Reflects on a Lifetime of Service to Baseball

    This week’s guest on “Stitch x Stitch’’ is Steve Rogers, a five-time All-Star who spent his entire 13-year career with the Montreal Expos. Steve was a true workhorse on the mound, ranking third in the major leagues behind Phil Niekro and Steve Carlton in innings pitched from 1974-83. He was also a respected player leader and a key advisor to Marvin Miller and Donald Fehr during a time of rapid change for the union and the game. Steve began working full-time for the Players Association in the lat

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  • S1 · E12
    August 28 · 48 min

    Buck Martinez on a baseball life well-lived

    This week's guest on "Stitch x Stitch'' is John Albert "Buck'' Martinez, a beloved figure in Toronto and a baseball fixture for nearly 60 years as a player, manager, author and broadcaster. Buck spent 17 seasons as a backup catcher in the big leagues with the Blue Jays, Royals and Brewers, but his impact went well beyond statistics. He was a leader, a respected teammate, and a trusted ally of Marvin Miller and Donald Fehr through some bruising labor confrontations in the 1970s and ‘80s. As Buck

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  • S1 · E11
    August 24 · 35 min

    Bret Boone on his baseball education, and embracing the family legacy

    In this episode of "Stitch x Stitch'' we feature Bret Boone, the product of an esteemed, three-generation family of major leaguers. His grandfather, Ray, was a World War II Navy veteran and a 13-year big leaguer. His father, Bob, was a World Champion and seven-time Gold Glove-winning catcher. Bret perpetuated the family legacy with his brother Aaron, making three All-Star teams and winning four Gold Gloves and two Silver Slugger Awards during a 14-year MLB career. Like his dad, Bret played an ac

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  • S1 · E10
    August 17 · 44 min

    Ferguson Jenkins, Andre Dawson & Lee Smith on Legacy, MLBPA, and the Hall of Fame

    In part 2 of their wide-ranging conversation, Ferguson Jenkins, Andre Dawson and Lee Smith delve further into baseball economics and the changing landscape that paralleled the growth of the MLBPA. Jenkins had to fight for compensation befitting his stature as one of baseball’s elite and most durable starters, and Hawk emerged as a conquering hero from the collusion era when he hit 49 homers, drove in 137 runs and won the National League MVP award in 1987 after a bold gambit allowing the Cubs to

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  • S1 · E9
    August 10 · 41 min

    Fergie Jenkins, Andre Dawson and Lee Smith Share Their Baseball Journeys

    In this episode, we’re privileged to sit down with three legendary Chicago Cubs with something very special in common: They all have plaques in Cooperstown. Fergie Jenkins, Andre Dawson and Lee Smith combined to make 18 All-Star Games while putting their impressive individual stamps on the game. Fergie: The staff ace and Cy Young winner with five 300-inning seasons to his credit. Hawk: The consummate blend of power and speed, with that cannon arm in right. And Big Lee, who cast an enormous shado

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  • S1 · E8
    July 10 · 47 min

    Rick Monday on the First MLB Draft, Dodger History, and Saving the American Flag

    Rick Monday joins the MLBPA's "Stitch x Stitch'' podcast and shares stories from six eventful decades in professional ball. Rick made history as the No. 1 pick in MLB's first-ever amateur draft in 1965, and played 19 seasons as an outfielder with the Athletics, Cubs and Dodgers before transitioning to a distinguished career as a broadcaster in LA. He reflects on his interactions with Dodger legends Tommy Lasorda and Vin Scully, his military service, and that memorable day in 1976 when he rescued

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  • S1 · E7
    July 6 · 31 min

    Dick Bosman on the 1972 strike, Charles O. Finley and life as a snowmobile salesman

    Dick Bosman, this week’s guest on Stitch x Stitch, won an American League ERA title in 1969 and threw a 79-pitch no-hitter against Reggie Jackson, Sal Bando and the World Champion Oakland A’s in 1974, while armed with a fastball that topped out in the mid-80s. He was also a steadfast ally of Marvin Miller, at a time when taking a strong stance on labor matters could be hazardous to a player’s career aspirations. Dick weathered the 1972 strike as the Texas Rangers’ player representative, but he r

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  • S1 · E6
    June 29 · 35 min

    Larry Dierker on Willie Mays, the Astros & Baseball’s Union Revolution

    Larry Dierker, our latest guest on Stitch x Stitch, broke into the big leagues as a “bonus baby’’ with the Houston Colt .45s in 1964 and celebrated his 18th birthday with a first inning strikeout of Willie Mays. Over the next four decades, he became synonymous with Houston baseball as a two-time All-Star pitcher, Astros manager and team broadcaster. In this episode, Dierker reflects on the formative years of the union and the partnership between Marvin Miller and players that forever changed the

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  • S1 · E5
    June 15 · 44 min

    Woody Woodward on Hank Aaron, the Big Red Machine & Baseball’s Economic Revolution

    Woody Woodward on Hank Aaron, the Big Red Machine & Baseball’s Economic Revolution “Stitch x Stitch’’ is part of a year-long recognition of the 60th anniversary of the union’s founding under executive director Marvin Miller. The weekly podcast is hosted by Jerry Crasnick, associate director of player, agent and media affairs at the MLBPA and a former baseball journalist for more than 30 years. Previous guests include the late Phil Garner, Reggie Smith, Dave Stewart and Rick Monday, the No. 1 pic

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  • S1 · E4
    June 8 · 41 min

    Sam “Sudden Sam” McDowell on the Birth of the MLBPA and Baseball’s Pre–Free Agency Battles

     Six-time All-Star Sam “Sudden Sam” McDowell joins Stitch x Stitch for an unfiltered look at the early years of the MLBPA and the uphill battles Players faced long before free agency reshaped the game. Raised in a Pittsburgh union household, McDowell first encountered Marvin Miller as a child attending a steelworkers’ meeting with his father. He immersed himself in union leadership as a young strikeout machine with the Cleveland Indians in the 1960s, and never hesitated to make his voice heard o

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  • S1 · E3
    June 1 · 29 min

    Dave Stewart on Black Aces, 1981 Strike and Growing Up in Oakland

    Dave Stewart joins the MLBPA's Stitch x Stitch Podcast with a rare, full spectrum view of baseball’s labor history, shaped by his years as a World Series MVP, Roberto Clemente Award winner, and one of baseball's famed "Black Aces.'' He reflects upon his Oakland roots, the influence of veterans like Dusty Baker, Davey Lopes and Reggie Smith during his formative years with the Dodgers, and the lessons he learned from the 1981 strike. Stewart carried that same passion into his post-career stints as

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  • S1 · E2
    May 26 · 30 min

    Reggie Smith on Civil Rights, Labor Battles, and the Rise of the MLBPA

    Seven-time All-Star and 1981 World Series champion Reggie Smith joins Stitch x Stitch for a powerful, firsthand look at baseball’s labor history and the civil rights struggles woven into his early career. From confronting racism in minor league towns to absorbing the lessons he learned from Marvin Miller, Jackie Robinson and other influential figures, Smith explains how his experiences shaped his commitment to the MLBPA and the advancement of Players who would come after him. “Stitch x Stitch’’

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  • S1 · E1
    May 18 · 30 min

    Phil Garner on Curt Flood, Free Agency & the Rise of Player Power

    Phil Garner, the hard-nosed infielder known as “Scrap Iron,’’ joined Stitch x Stitch for a colorful look at the battles that shaped modern baseball, from the early fights over the reserve clause to the birth of free agency, the chaos of collusion, and the replacement spring of 1995. He explained how young Players learned to navigate an all-powerful ownership class, why pioneers like Curt Flood and Andy Messersmith changed the entire sport, and how Marvin Miller’s steady leadership taught Players

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  • January 20 · 1 min

    COMING SOON: STITCH x STITCH PODCAST

    COMING SOON: The Major League Baseball Players Association has a rich history dating back to its inception under founding executive director Marvin Miller in 1966. The MLBPA's Stitch x Stitch Podcast seeks to tell that story through the eyes of Players, who share their personal recollections of the union's early growth, nine strikes and lockouts, and the contributions of Miller, Curt Flood, Andy Messersmith, and so many other groundbreaking figures.  For this project we've interviewed Players wh

    • Transcript
    • Chapters
Showing 1–20 of 20 episodes