Baseball By The Book

Steve Dalkowski may have been the fastest pitcher in the history of baseball. So why did the legendary lefty never play an inning in the major leagues? Author Brian Vikander joins us to discuss the mythic career and troubled life of the real Nuke LaLoosh.   Support Baseball by the Book at www.patreon.com/baseballbythebook 

From Babe Ruth and Jackie Robinson to Tom Seaver and Derek Jeter, New York has produced more legendary baseball players than any other city. Author Mark Healey joins us to discuss his all-time New York team. Willie Mays or Mickey Mantle? Yogi Berra or Mike Piazza? The debates are endless and will start countless arguments. Support Baseball by the Book at www.patreon.com/baseballbythebook   

Eddie Cicotte was a stocky right-hander who used a dizzying array of junk pitches to become one of the Deadball Era's top hurlers. Then he threw it all away. Author David Fleitz joins us to discuss the sad tale of "Knuckles," the man who played a key role in fixing the 1919 World Series ― and a key role in exposing the scandal. Support Baseball by the Book at www.patreon.com/baseballbythebook  

Arky Vaughan was one of baseball's greatest shortstops, a nine-time All-Star who dominated in the high-scoring 1930s. So why did it take him more than three decades to get elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame? Author Frank Garland joins us to discuss the remarkable life and tragic death of the forgotten Pirates great.  Support Baseball by the Book at www.patreon.com/baseballbythebook 

Baseball has been lying about its own origins for more than 150 years, author Thomas W. Gilbert says. Half-truths, exaggerations and outright lies have been the order of the day from Alexander Cartwright to Abner Doubleday to the Cincinnati Red Stockings. The real story of how baseball emerged as the national game in the 19th century is far more fascinating than the officially sanctioned myths, Gilbert says. Support Baseball by the Book at www.patreon.com/baseballbythebook

On the surface, legendary general manager Buzzie Bavasi and journeyman outfielder Al "The Bull" Ferrara wouldn't seem to have much in common. But Ken LaZebnik says Ferrara embodied the "intangibles" Bavasi valued as he put together his championship Dodgers teams. The author traces the relationship of the two friends in 1965, a season that saw Los Angeles win the World Series but also saw the Bull banished to the minors.  To support Baseball by the Book, go to www.patreon.com/baseballbythebook

The Society for American Baseball Research is celebrating its 50th year. Mark Amour joins us to discuss this collection of 50 essential SABR articles from legendary baseball thinkers and writers like Bill James, Pete Palmer, Lawrence Ritter and John Thorn. Become a Baseball by the Book patron at www.patreon.com/baseballbythebook 

Since the earliest of big league baseball, deaf players have been part of the National Pastime. Author R.A.R. Edwards joins us to share the stories of "Dummy" Hoy, "Dummy" Taylor, Curtis Pride and other hearing-impaired players who had an impact on the game both on and off the field. Support Baseball by the Book at www.patreon.com/baseballbythebook. 

Twenty years ago this month, Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda led a group of minor leaguers to an improbable Gold Medal win over the mighty Cubans at the Summer Olympics in Australia. Author David Fanucchi, who was there to see the whole thing, joins us to discuss how Ben Sheets, Doug Mientkiewicz and the rest shocked the world.  Support Baseball by the Book on Patreon: www.patreon.com/baseballbythe book

An Ohio farm boy who never finished high school, Cy Young went on to win more games than any pitcher in history and become synonymous with pitching excellence. Along the way, he helped establish the American League, threw the first World Series pitch and bridged the gap between 19th and 20th century baseball. Lew Freedman joins us to discuss the remarkable story of the legendary Hall of Famer. 

The 1935 Pittsburgh Crawfords, featuring Hall of Famers like Josh Gibson and Cool Papa Bell, are considered by many to be the greatest team in the history of the Negro Leagues. Frederick C. Bush and Bill Nowlin join us to discuss the legendary squad, its racketeer owner and the star who was missing that season. 

In 1995, the Seattle Mariners and New York Yankees met in something called the American League Division Series, a new round of postseason play necessitated by the addition of a wild card. The result was an epic clash that changed the course of baseball history. Author Chris Donnelly joins us to discuss Don Mattingly, Ken Griffey Jr., Buck Showalter and more. 

For four decades, Jay Horwitz was the beloved PR director of the New York Mets. Horwitz joins us to tell tales of Gary Carter, Daryl Strawberry, Mike Piazza, Sidd Finch and more. Plus, he explains why he finally decided to go public with a longtime healthcare secret. 

After nearly nine decades on the planet, baseball legend Willie Mays has plenty of stories to tell and life lessons to impart on younger generations. We are joined by author John Shea, who spent countless hours interviewing Mays and a host of others, including Hank Aaron, Barack Obama and Barry Bonds, to produce a memoir of the Say Hey Kid's life and legacy. 

For eight years, "the Hall Ball" went on a journey to have a picture taken with every member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, living and dead. Author Ralph Carhart joins us to discuss why he set out on this epic quest and describes the challenges, chuckles and unmarked graves he found along the way. 

In 1995, the once-lowly Cleveland Indians dominated the American League and slugged their way to the World Series for the first time in four decades.  Author Zack Meisel joins us to discuss Albert Belle, Jim Thome, Kenny Lofton and the rest of team that captured the heart of a generation of Cleveland baseball fans. 

A phenom at 22, nearly out of baseball at 23, Roy Halladay bounced back to become one of the dominant pitchers of the 2000s before injuries derailed his career. Along the way, he earned two Cy Young awards and pitched a perfect game and a postseason no-hitter. Todd Zolecki joins us to discuss the remarkable, tragic story of a pitcher who was groomed for greatness. 

Emily Nemens joins us to discuss her debut novel, which tells the story of one spring training for the fictional Los Angeles Lions. From superstar slugger Jason Goodyear to a middle-aged divorcée Tamara Rowland and aging organist Lester Morrow, meet the people whose lives revolve around the national pastime each February and March. 

Before there was the Little League World Series, there was the Little World Series, played at Cleveland's League Park in 1941. Author Ruth Hanford Morhard joins us to talk about the remarkable story of a single mother who pioneered youth baseball in the years before World War II.  Click here to see "Bringing Up Baseball," the movie mentioned in the episode. 

Author Ron Rapoport had numerous conversations with Ernie Banks in anticipation of collaborating on an autobiography with the Hall of Fame slugger. That book never materialized, but Rapoport was able to put those interviews — and more than 100 others — to to use in writing the definitive account of a complicated man who hid behind the legend of Mr. Cub.