Back When There Was Baseball

Our guest this week is Tom Burgmeier. You should remember Tom as a left-handed relief pitcher mainly in the 1970s, but do you really know how good he was? Tom pitched in the Majors from 1968-1984, had a record of 79-55 with an ERA of 3.23. The last six years of his career his ERA was under 3.00. That is incredible considering he was over 35 each of those years. The 1978 one-game playoff between the Red Sox and Yankees was the only postseason game his teams played in. To accomplish all he did, on mostly sub-par teams, is astounding. We hope you enjoy this trip Back When There Was Baseball with Tom Burgmeier.

Our guest this week is remembered for his great comeback from cancer, then the ending of his career in Montreal. But did you remember how effective he was as a left-handed pitcher in the 1980s? Dave Dravecky joins us this week to talk about his playing days at Youngstown State University through his last MLB game with the San Francisco Giants. He broke into the Majors with the San Diego Padres in 1982 and his career ended in 1989 with the Giants. Dave had an ERA of 3.13 with a career record of 64-57. These are outstanding stats and may have led him to Hall of Fame consideration had he been fortunate enough to play longer. Join us as Dave recalls his career as we go Back When There Was Baseball into the 1980s.

Our guest this week is Fred Holdsworth. Fred pitched in the Major Leagues from 1972-1980. He was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 1970 MLB Draft and was looked upon to add to the Tiger pitching staff. He got called up to the Majors rather quickly and couldn't break into the Tigers rotation. He then gets traded to the Baltimore Orioles, who had a better pitching staff. Fred talks about his career, being called up and down from the Minors to the Majors and playing for managers Billy Martin, Ralph Houk, Earl Weaver and Dick Williams. Take a trip with us Back When There Was Baseball.

Steve Grilli joins us this week. Steve came out of Gannon University and was signed as a free agent by the Detroit Tigers in 1970. He worked his way through the Minors and made his Major League debut in 1975. Steve stayed up with the Tigers through the 1977 season and was part of that magical season of 1976 where he was part of the pitching staff that included Mark "The Bird" Fidrych. He is the father of Jason Grilli who also pitched in the Majors for 18 seasons. We hope you enjoy this trip into the mid-1970s Back When There Was Baseball.

Our guest this week is left-handed pitcher Gary Lucas. Don't be fooled by Gary's record of 29-44, as Gary had a career ERA of 3.01 which was phenomenal considering he not only started, but also relieved during his career. He played in the Majors from 1980-1987 for the San Diego Padres, Montreal Expos and California Angels. Gary talks about his career and how tough the National League East was when he was with Montreal. He also discusses that infamous Game 5 of the AL Championship Series in 1986 between the California Angels and Boston Red Sox. Sit back and enjoy a look Back When There Was Baseball.

Our guest this week was considered by many who played for the Chicago White Sox as the best batting practice pitcher of all time. Glen Rosenbaum signed with the White Sox in 1955, but never made it to the Big Leagues despite a career record of 95-45. Listen to Glen, or "Rosie" as his teammates referred to him, talk about the reason Manager Al Lopez never brought him up to the Majors. Rosie also shares many stories of his days in baseball, which lasted from 1955-1965 as a player, then until 1998 as a coach/traveling secretary. Enjoy this look Back When There Was Baseball.

Tom Bruno joins us this week. Tom was a pitcher from 1972-1979. He was childhood friends with Randy Poffo (the infamous Macho Man Randy Savage) and they played a lot of baseball together. Tom was in the Kansas City Royals organization and was selected in the expansion draft in November 1976 by the Toronto Blue Jays. After a disappointing season in Toronto in 1977, Claude Osteen helped resurrect his career in St. Louis in 1978, which was his best year in the Majors. Enjoy this trip Back When There Was Baseball with our guest Tom Bruno.

Bob Coluccio is our guest this week. Bob played in the Majors from 1973-1978 with the Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago White Sox and St. Louis Cardinals. He is an interesting subject as he fell 35 games short of an MLB pension according to the pre-1980 rules. You will enjoy the stories Bob shares and we review the fact that he is another player that fell through the cracks. Take a trip Back When There Was Baseball and listen to Bob share his story and career through MLB.

Our guest this week holds a special place in host Rex Naylor's heart. Rex was presented a Wilson A2150 baseball glove at 10 years of age by his stepfather, with Chris Speier's autograph on the glove. This inspired Rex to follow our guest this week, Chris Speier's career, and a fabulous career it was. Chris got to the Majors in a hurry with the San Francisco Giants and played in the 1971 NLCS against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was traded in April of 1977 to the Montreal Expos and was a member of the growth of the Expos during the late-1970s through the early 1980s. Join us as "The Alameda Rifle" discusses his career when we go Back When There Was Baseball.

Our guest this week is Billy Sample. Billy came out of James Madison University and was drafted in the 10th round of the free agent draft in 1976 by the Texas Rangers. He was a career .270 hitter for the Texas Rangers, New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves. Billy is a mystery, since he was a very productive hitter and left the game in his early 30s which was rather young. He hit in the .280s his last two years. Billy was an outstanding line-drive hitter, who could run the bases well. Listen in as Billy discusses his career and talks about his early exit in the Major Leagues when we travel Back When There Was Baseball.