The Baseball Book Club

On the final show of The Baseball Book Club we have three guests.

Justin Renaldi, founder and operator of the facebook page Nostalgic Baseball Geezer, will talk about his own list of the 100 greatest players and we'll compare notes with Joe Posnanski's list.

Matthew Johnson, writer of poetry books will come on to promote his newest book which is newly released.

Tim Brown, award winning author has a new biography on Nolan Ryan which we'll discuss with him.

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In the penultimate episode, we want to recognize some writers that we were not able to appear as guests on our show.

The following are those authors and their books:

Robert Cottrell - Willie, Duke and Mickey

Jerry Grillo - Big Cat

Jim Ingraham - So Young, So Great

Chris Jensen - Baseball's Two-Way Greats & Tragedy In Black Baseball

Timothy Zarley - 1901 & 1902

Tim White & Joe Mock - Rickwood

RF Walden - The Luckiest Man Returns

Timothy Bernard Carr - Timing Is Everything

Brian Gaffney - School of Hard Knucks

Christopher Dale - Kid Gloves

Robert Fritts - In The Japanese Ballpark

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A packed episode with multiple guests and talks about The Big Unit, Randy Johnson as well as Negro League's star Newt Allen. Plus we get back into Paul Dickson's The Baseball Dictionary for a few terms.

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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.

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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.

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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 Leroy also dig into the curveball, from Tyler Kepner’s K: A History of Baseball in Ten Pitches.

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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.

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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 Colby will join us to discuss his new book, All Caps.

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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 starts there.

Then we're joined by author David Bohmer, whose biography of Commissioner Ford Frick examines one of the most influential figures in baseball history. From overseeing the game during an era of tremendous change to navigating controversies that still spark debate today, Bohmer helps us better understand the man behind the office and the legacy he left on Major League Baseball.

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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 league baseball such a unique and unforgettable experience, from the personalities and promotions to the community that forms around the ballpark.

Then, we continue our countdown through Joe Posnanski's The Baseball 100 by examining the remarkable career of Jimmie Foxx, the Hall of Fame slugger who ranks #32 on the list. Overshadowed by some of the game's biggest legends, Foxx combined incredible power, consistency, and versatility to become one of baseball's greatest hitters.

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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, we're joined by author Dennis Snelling, whose book The Whiz Kids tells the remarkable story of one of baseball's most overlooked pennant winners. We discuss the 1950 National League pennant winning Philadelphia Phillies, their improbable season, and why this team deserves to be remembered alongside the game's greatest underdog stories.

We'll also continue our Baseball Terminology series, inspired by Paul Dickson's The Baseball Dictionary, exploring another piece of the game's colorful language and history.

And in another edition of Baseball's Forgotten, we shine a light on Willie Smith, one of the rare players in Major League Baseball history to make an impact as both a pitcher and a position player.

Forgotten champions. Forgotten players - this episode is packed with the stories that make baseball history so unforgettable.

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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.

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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 most memorable championships. We revisit the stars, the drama, the disco-era atmosphere, and the cultural backdrop that made the series an enduring classic.

Then we turn the clock back even further to the 1926 World Series, when veteran pitcher Pete Alexander entered in relief with the bases loaded and two outs to face Tony Lazzeri. What happened next became one of the defining moments in postseason history and cemented Alexander's place among the game's legends.

From comeback champions to clutch performances under impossible pressure, this episode celebrates two unforgettable chapters in World Series history.

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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 the New York Yankees and the San Francisco Giants.

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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 inspiration behind his book, the research that brought authenticity to the story, and the creative process of blending real baseball history into a compelling work of fiction.

Also, John and Leroy continue with the World Series Rewind and move up to 1948, the World Series between the Cleveland Indians and the Boston Braves. With so many side stories, this will be a compelling segment.

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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 stories in baseball history. We break down how the Braves went from dead last on July 4th to world champions in one of the sport’s most improbable turnarounds.

Then, on the 16th anniversary of one of baseball’s most heartbreaking moments, we revisit Jim Joyce’s infamous blown call that cost Armando Galarraga a perfect game in 2010. But this isn’t just about the missed call — it’s about the humanity that followed. We take a detailed look at Jim Joyce himself, the emotional aftermath, and why the moment still resonates across baseball today.

Plus, Leroy steps into The Hot Corner with a fiery rant on MLB’s City Connect uniforms. Are they creative fun, marketing overload, or crimes against baseball aesthetics? Leroy has thoughts… and he’s not holding back.

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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, ranked #35 in The Baseball 100 by Joe Posnanski. From batting-title brilliance to pine tar controversy and one of the sweetest left-handed swings baseball has ever seen, we look back at the fiery superstar who became the face of the Kansas City Royals franchise.

Then, Leroy sits down with author Adam Henig to discuss his book Baseball's Outcast, the remarkable story of Ron LeFlore. Before stealing bases in the majors and becoming a star with the Detroit Tigers, LeFlore was serving time in prison when a chance encounter with manager Billy Martin changed his life forever.

It’s a conversation about talent, temperament, redemption, and two unforgettable baseball lives that couldn’t have taken more different paths to the spotlight.

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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 later, Morris’ legendary outing still stands as the gold standard for postseason grit, endurance, and October drama.

Then, we welcome author Marshall Garvey to the show to discuss his novel, Interstate '85. We dive into the story behind the book, the baseball themes woven throughout it, and how the game continues to inspire compelling storytelling far beyond the foul lines.

From one of baseball’s most iconic nights to a conversation about literature, memory, and the game’s enduring pull, this episode covers a little bit of everything for baseball fans and book lovers alike.

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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 remarkable consistency across three decades, we explore what made Yaz a symbol of excellence and why his impact still resonates with fans today.

We also welcome Christian Sheppard, author of The Ancient Wisdom of Baseball, for a fascinating conversation about how baseball reflects timeless lessons on patience, failure, resilience, tradition, and human nature. Drawing connections between the rhythms of the game and broader life philosophy, Sheppard explains why baseball remains uniquely capable of teaching wisdom across generations.

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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 who is killing Giants fans in Brooklyn, while weaving the games at Ebbets Field and the Polo Grounds into the plot.

And we'll unpack the history and the ins-and-outs of The Slider, found in chapter one of Tyler Kepner's Book K: A History of Baseball in Ten Pitches.

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