The Baseball Book Club
The Baseball Book Club brings the rich history of baseball to life using classic and contemporary baseball books. With lively discussions, hosts John Cheslock and Leroy Estep reflect on moments in the sport's past as well as the significance it has in our culture today. Ultimately, the goal is to gain a deeper appreciation for the game and build a community of like-minded individuals who share a passion for it.
Episodes
38 episodes
World Series Magic: Mays and Mazeroski
John and Leroy jump back into Joe Posnanski's The Baseball 100 after a few weeks away from doing the countdown. This week they look at The Yankee Clipper, Joe Dimaggio, #56 on the list. Plus they'll talk about a couple of classic World Series m...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 16
•
54:50
Perfect: Sandy Koufax And Vin Scully
Sandy Koufax pitched a perfect game and Vin Scully gave us the perfect broadcast for it. We revisit that special night at Chavez Ravine in September of 1965. Former Major League Baseball player Greg Pryor visits the show to talk about his book ...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 15
•
1:00:47
Deadball: When Babe Ruth Saved The Game
In this episode of The Baseball Book Club, we dive into three key terms from Paul Dickson’s The Baseball Dictionary, including a breakdown of the Deadball Era vs. the Liveball Era. We’re also joined by Jeff Orens, author...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 14
•
1:03:17
He Woulda Hit .400 If Not For Everything
Ring Lardner's Alibi Ike is up for discussion and John will talk with author Charles Holdefer about his short story collection Ivan the Terrible Goes on a Family Picnic. We dig into the joys of historical fiction, how small-town baseba...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 13
•
47:50
Not Enough Mustard
Closing in on the halfway mark of Posnanski's Top 100 list, John and Leroy talk about the entertaining, (in more ways than one), careers of superstars Pete Rose and Reggie Jackson.
•
Season 2
•
Episode 12
•
1:10:02
How Can You Not Be Romantic?
Romantic About Baseball creator Jason Wood stops by for a chat and John and Leroy talk about some funny moments in baseball.
•
Season 2
•
Episode 11
•
50:40
McCovey, Banks And Baseball Slang
John and Leroy talk about another three baseball terms from The Baseball Dictionary, and they'll take a look at legends Willie McCovey of the Giants and Mr. Cub, Ernie Banks.
•
Season 2
•
Episode 10
•
56:07
From The Hill To The Hall
John and Leroy talk about three pitchers whose careers not only see them earn a spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame, but also reach a height that is among the greatest to ever play the game: The Top 100.
•
Season 2
•
Episode 9
•
49:24
Cornering The Market
John and Leroy's discussion of Miguel Cabrera, Frank Thomas and Brooks Robinson highlights each of their contributions to baseball, emphasizing the impact they had on the game which earned them notable spots in The Baseball 100. Cabrera’s offen...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 8
•
42:23
The Melting Point
Stress is a part of life, especially in the 21st century. Baseball is not immune to that. Managers and baseball players alike experience moments where the job can overwhelm you. John and Leroy talk about some humorous moments when managers lost...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 7
•
44:20
Through The Eyes Of Boys
Leroy's Hot Corner is finally back. The first Hot Corner of Season 2 features Josh Wilker's "Cardboard Gods" and guest Mark Braff, author of Sons of Baseball, talks about his book.
•
Season 2
•
Episode 6
•
56:03
Four Stars Earn Their Stripes
Derek Jeter, Robin Yount and Arky Vaughan are three shortstops whose careers meant anchoring their teams as primary figures and now they find themselves as Top 100 players in baseball history. John and Leroy will discuss the three s...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 5
•
46:53
Of Curses And Legends
Author Jana Brody will talk with John and Leroy about her book, Sit Behind The Nets. Plus the guys will cover the talents of the legendary Cool Papa Bell and tell of one of the most storied curses in baseball and how it was finally broken. ...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 4
•
59:01
Better To Burn Out Than Fade Away
Episode 3 sees the return of the baseball terminology series with the use of three throwback terms out of The Dickson Baseball Dictionary. Also, a chapter from 'Why We Love Baseball'. What's the chapter you ask? Bo knows the chapter. And ...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 3
•
50:50
Who Cancels A World Series?
Author Todd Marcum will talk about his new book, Baseball Cards At The Edge of War and John and Leroy will discuss the player strike from 1994.
•
Season 2
•
Episode 2
•
53:38
The Men Behind The Dish
John and Leroy kick off Season 2 with a recap on their trip to Kansas City to visit the Negro League's Baseball Museum and continue in Joe Posnanski's The Baseball 100 talking about four Hall of Fame catchers.
•
Season 2
•
Episode 1
•
1:18:44
Jackie Robinson (Re-release)
The final replay of Season 1 before launching season 2 on March 25, this episode was about the life of Jackie Robinson, the relationship that Jackie and Yogi Berra had formed after a World Series moment and a hearty discussion on the integratio...
•
46:12
Annies, Elephants and Kangaroos (Re-release)
The 2nd to last re-release episode before the launch of Season 2, Annies, Elephants and Kangaroos is another episode on baseball terminology as well as a covering of a short story on a Baseball Annie.
•
42:47
Pine Tar (Re-release)
Episode 9 was more baseball terminology, which included Pine Tar, Immaculate Inning, Baltimore Chop and more.
•
39:33
5 Homers And A Walk(er) (Re-release)
The chapter "5 Unlikely Homers" in Joe Posnanski's Why We Love Baseball will be explored by John and Leroy in this episode. They will also take a look at the career of Hall of Famer Larry Walker.
•
53:47
Puerto Rican Twins (Re-release)
The replay of episode 7 from September of 2024 means one thing... we're one week closer to the start of season2. John and Leroy talked about Carlos Beltran and Roberto Alomar in this episode, as well as another Hot Corner from Leroy...
•
41:29
Mighty Casey! (Re-release)
The story of Mighty Casey was told in both an 1888 poem and a 1988 short story, and in this episode, John and Leroy discuss both.
•
44:40
Deep In The Heart Of A Texas Leaguer (Re-Release)
Episode 5 from Season 1 was called "Deep In The Heart Of A Texas Leaguer" and John and Leroy continue with their baseball terminology series.
•
41:54