194. Jane Leavy: Writing the Greats, Baseball as a Love Story, & a Commissioner’s Vision

The Baseball Bucket List Podcast

The Baseball Bucket List Podcast
194. Jane Leavy: Writing the Greats, Baseball as a Love Story, & a Commissioner’s Vision
Sep 25, 2025 Episode 194
Anna DiTommaso

Jane Leavy is an award-winning sportswriter and acclaimed author of biographies on Sandy Koufax, Mickey Mantle, and Babe Ruth. Jane has just released her newest book, Make Me Commissioner: I Know What’s Wrong With Baseball and How to Fix It, where she lays out her vision for the future of the game.

We talk about her baseball beginnings, including time spent at her grandmother’s apartment just a block from Yankee Stadium, and how those early memories shaped her love of the sport. Jane also shares her thoughts on baseball’s current challenges, the impact of recent rule changes, and why she still believes the game is, at its heart, a love story. 

Find Jane Online:
Twitter: @janeleavy1
BlueSky: @ballgirl.bsky.social
Instagram: @leavyjane
Facebook: jane.leavy.2025
Website: janeleavy.com

Find Baseball Bucket List Online:
Twitter: @BaseballBucket
Facebook: @BaseballBucketList
Instagram: @Baseball.Bucket.List
Website: baseballbucketlist.com

This podcast is part of the Curved Brim Media Network:
Twitter: @CurvedBrim
Website: curvedbrimmedia.com
Episode Artwork 194. Jane Leavy: Writing the Greats, Baseball as a Love Story, & a Commissioner’s Vision 49:22 Episode Artwork 193. Dylan Faraci: A Yankee Stadium Farewell, Ballpark Landmarks, & A Rekindled Fandom 39:15 Episode Artwork 192. Kaleo Pahukula: Island Roots, Custom Cards, & Baseball’s Aloha Spirit 59:22 Episode Artwork 191. Meagan Hillengas: Yankee Games with Grandma, Being a Baseball Road Warrior, & Dreams of “Taking Meowt to the Ballgame” 32:04 Episode Artwork 190. Alex Lowman: T-Ball, Tailgates, & a New Love for Baseball Adventures 33:07 Episode Artwork 189. Neil Morrison: Red Sox Roots, 800+ Hats & The Logo That Started It All 36:26 Episode Artwork 188. Eric Weisfeld: Pinstripe Pride, A Nearly Missed No-No, & a Multi-Generational Love of the Game 34:47 Episode Artwork 187. Bruce Sarte: A Lifelong Journey, The Game’s Impact On Culture, & Why We Love Baseball 37:17 Episode Artwork 186. Eryn Kane: Family Traditions, Phillies Fandom, & Phanatic Dreams 36:19 Episode Artwork 185. Joe Sheeder: From Erie to Toronto, Autograph Adventures, & Next Stops on The Baseball Bucket List 31:53 Episode Artwork 184. Paul Nickerson: Cape Cod Summers, Scoring the Game & a Serious Hat Collection 38:38 Episode Artwork 183. Gregory Koch: 130 Ballparks, Hometown Fields & the Charm of Summer Ball 34:51 Episode Artwork 182. Solstice Special: Ride Along on the PNW Tour and Midnight Sun Game in Alaska 43:36 Episode Artwork 181. Thomas Camilo: Family Baseball Roots, Minor League Love & A Solo Trip to Oakland 38:53 Episode Artwork Extra Innings — Paul Caputo: Finding More Reasons to Say “Yes.” Bucket List Adventures in Japan 54:19 Episode Artwork 180. Scott Melesky: Baseball Bylines, a Bleeding Heart for Buckner, & Appreciating the Beauty of the Game 37:01 Episode Artwork 179. Tony Gillen: City Adventures, Baseball Bonds & a Familiar Voice on the Mic 34:36 Episode Artwork 178. Sean Huie: Collecting Cards, Chasing Mascots, & Celebrating the Game in Cooperstown 43:06 Episode Artwork 177. Kenton Elmore: Substack Stories, Game-Used Balls, & the Spirit of Solo Travel 43:05 Episode Artwork 176. James Patry: Ballparks, Brotherhood, & a Tribute at Target Field 39:05 Episode Artwork 175. Bill Boyle: Coaching Kids, Chasing Ballparks, & a Lifelong Love for the Mets 34:44 Episode Artwork 174. Tony Ebers: Generations of Baseball, Ballpark Emotions, & The Magic of Ozzie Smith 28:32 Episode Artwork 173. Alex Haenke: Tigers Family Fandom, Road Trip Rituals, & The Next Big Chase 42:30 Episode Artwork 172. John Foster: 29 Ballparks from 30,000 feet, A Lifetime of Reds Fandom, & Crashing the 1990 World Series 31:05 Episode Artwork Extra Innings: Gabe Lerman — Writing the Playbook for Japanese Baseball Travel Adventures 43:34