The Baseball Book Club
Baseball history isn’t just stats—it’s stories.
The Baseball Book Club brings the game’s past to life through baseball books, author conversations, and exploring forgotten players, iconic moments, and the stories that shaped America’s pastime.
Episodes
63 episodes
The Criminally Underrated Eddie Collins
Author Dennis Gaub joins us to talk about his biographical book on 1960s Baltimore Orioles pitcher Dave McNally. John and Leroy will also discuss the greatness of second baseman Eddie Collins.
Johnny Bench
This week we have Steve Skapyak on with us to talk about his project Sooperstown. Plus we'll take a look at perhaps the greatest catcher in Major League Baseball history, Johnny Bench.
Big Ron Luciano
Author Jim Leeke joins us this week to discuss his biography Big Loosh, which explores the life of Ron Luciano, the larger-than-life umpire known for his wild personality, big sense of humor, and struggles with depression. John and Ler...
Baseball In The Roaring 20s
On this episode we discuss the great and underappreciated Mel Ott, plus Leroy will talk with guest, author Thomas Wolf, who wrote Baseball In The Roaring Twenties.
The Call That Made The Moment
The moment was big, the call was just as big. The 1988 World Series featured a Game 1 walk off home run by Kirk Gibson and Jack Buck's call and the famous "I don't believe what I just saw" lives on. We talk about this moment plus guest Craig Co...
Was Ford Frick Good For Baseball?
In this episode of The Baseball Book Club, we throw some heat with Chapter 2 of Tyler Kepner's K: A History of Baseball in 10 Pitches, exploring how the fastball became baseball's defining pitch and why every great pitcher start...
Is Jimmie Foxx Underrated?
The Baseball Book Club welcomes author Armand Rosamilia to discuss A View From My Seat, his behind-the-scenes look at the 2019 Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp season. Through the eyes of a devoted fan, Armand shares what makes minor l...
The Whiz Kids: Baseball's Forgotten Pennant Winner
The 1950 Philadelphia Phillies weren't supposed to win the National League pennant. Yet behind a young, energetic roster that became known as the Whiz Kids, they shocked baseball and captured the imagination of a city.This week, w...
1986 World Series Rewind
Author Tim Newby will be our guest as he talks about his book on slugger Pete Browning. And the World Series Rewind concludes with the 1986 World Series between the New York Mets and the Boston Red Sox, another classic series revisited.
We Are Family & One Mighty Strikeout
The World Series Rewind continues as we travel back to the unforgettable 1979 Fall Classic, where the "We Are Family" Pittsburgh Pirates rallied from a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Baltimore Orioles in one of baseball's...
The 1962 World Series & The 1978 Season
Author David Krell will join us to talk with Leroy about his fascinating book, 1978: Baseball & America In The Disco Era. And The World Series Rewind mini-series continues with the third segment, on the 1962 World Series between...
Curses: Carl Mays & Championship Banners
Carl Mays killed Ray Chapman in 1920, but what if you could go back in time and alter history? Author Howard Camerik weaves a story in his book The Curse of Carl Mays that changes the course of so many in baseball. He'll join us to discuss the ...
Miracles, Missed Calls & Ugly Jerseys
This week on The Baseball Book Club, we rewind all the way back to the unforgettable 1914 World Series — the stunning clash between Connie Mack’s powerhouse Philadelphia Athletics and the “Miracle” Boston Braves, one of the greatest upset stori...
George Brett & Baseball's Outcast
For our 50th episode of The Baseball Book Club, we’re covering two unforgettable baseball lives that took wildly different paths through the game. This week we dive into the career of Hall of Fame third baseman George Brett...
Jack Morris’ Masterpiece & The Show-Me World Series
This week on The Baseball Book Club, we revisit one of the greatest postseason pitching performances in baseball history: Jack Morris and his unforgettable 10-inning shutout in Game 7 of the 1991 World Series. More than three decades l...
Carl Yastrzemski & Baseball's Timeless Wisdom
This week on The Baseball Book Club, we celebrate the legacy of Carl Yastrzemski — one of baseball’s most enduring icons, the last player to win the Triple Crown before the modern power era transformed the game. From Fenway Park lore to his rem...
Slider Broke Hitters, '51 Broke Hearts
Author Lenny Levine will be our guest as we discuss his murder mystery novel Diehard Fan, set during the final week of the 1951 season and the historic comeback by the New York Giants. The book tells the story of a boy who tries to figure out w...
Tim Keefe & Big Klu: Baseball Like It Oughta Be
In this episode of The Baseball Book Club, we close out our Deadball Files series. Joined by historian Justin Renaldi, we explore 19th century pitcher Tim Keefe and his dominance, staggering workload, and why his name still belongs amo...
1951: Bobby Thomson’s Shot Heard ’Round the World
This week, a question that might ruffle a few feathers: why isn’t Jim Thome in the top 100 players of all time? We take a closer look at the numbers, the narrative, and where he may (or may not) belong.The Deadball Files series is back f...
Brilliant, Difficult, Dominant: John Clarkson
On this episode of the Baseball Book Club, we’ve got a full lineup of baseball history and storytelling.We continue The Deadball Files with guest Justin Renaldi, diving into the life and legacy of 19th-century pitching legend John...
1910: Ty Cobb vs Nap Lajoie
The Deadball era comes alive this week on The Baseball Book Club as John is joined by Justin Renaldi of Nostalgic Baseball Geezer to kick off a special four-part series: The DeadBall Files.In this debut episode, ...
Yogi Berra: Life, Lore and Legendary Wit
In this episode John and Leroy discuss the life and career of Yogi Berra, #43 on the Joe Posnanski 100. Plus, they will introduce a new book to the club, Tyler Kepner's K: A History of Baseball in Ten Pitches.
Bill Buckner: The Error That Shook The '86 World Series
In this episode, John will sit down with Pittsburgh native and sports journalist Joe Landolina, a walking encyclopedia of Pittsburgh Pirates history. And we'll shine a light on the overlooked career of Jim Derrington—a name lost to time, but no...
Seaver and Young: Pitching Legends Across Generations
Season 3 of The Baseball Book Club begins with a look at two of the greatest pitchers the game has ever known. John and Leroy continue their countdown of Joe Posnanski’s The Baseball 100, turning their attention to Tom Seaver ...