Back When There Was Baseball

Our guest this week is the 1965 National League Rookie of the Year. His name is Jim Lefebvre, and he played with the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1965-1972, then continued his career in Japan for four more years. Jim also managed the Mariners, Cubs, and Brewers, as well as the Chinese National Team. He has some great insight into his playing and managing days both in the States and the Far East and the comparisons between the game when he played it compared with today.

Back When There Was Baseball: Jerry Crawford Our guest this week is former National League umpire Jerry Crawford. Jerry comes from a family of officials. We hope you enjoy Jerry Crawford's Perspective Back When There Was Baseball.

Don Money joins us on the podcast this week. Don played in the Majors from 1968-1983. He started out in the Pittsburgh Pirate organization but got his break when he was traded to the Phillies. He was a shortstop in the organization but later moved to 3rd Base to make room for Larry Bowa. Don was traded at the end of the 1972 season to the Milwaukee Brewers, where he finished his career. Don was able to play all of the infield positions along with DH. He was part of that great Brewers team in 1982 that lost to the Cardinals in the World Series in 7 games. Enjoy Don revisit his career when we go Back When There Was Baseball.

Do you remember the Disco Demolition Night in 1979? If so, the crew chief of that event is our guest this week. His name is Dave Phillips, and he was an umpire in the American League from 1971-2002. Dave recalls that event in Comiskey Park, along with his ejection of Gaylord Perry for throwing an illegal pitch and other events in a long umpiring career. Sit back and enjoy Dave talk about the stories from Back When There Was Baseball.

Eddie Leon is our guest this week.  He played in the Major Leagues from 1968-1975 with the Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, and New York Yankees.  His longest stint was in Cleveland, where he teamed up with Jack Heidemann as one of the best double-play combinations that few people knew about, as there were very few fans in attendance in Cleveland Municipal Stadium in those days.  Eddie played his college ball at the University of Arizona before the Indians drafted him.  He shared time at 2nd base and shortstop during his career and learned to turn the double play well from both positions.  Join us as we go Back When There Was Baseball to the late 1960s/early 1970s with Eddie Leon.

Who was the last player to hit a home run in the original Yankee Stadium (1973) before the massive remodel? His name is Duke Sims, and he is our guest this week. Duke also had the privilege of catching one of the greatest pitching staffs in the history of the game, the 1968 Cleveland Indian staff, which included "Sudden" Sam McDowell, Luis Tiant, Sonny Siebert, Stan Williams, and Steve Hargan. Duke was also the catcher in Game 2 of the 1972 ALCS when Bert Campaneris threw his bat at Detroit Tiger pitcher Larrin LaGrow after being hit by a pitch. Duke shares some great stories about his career Back When There Was Baseball.

Dave Ford joins us this week.  Dave was a 1st round draft pick in 1975 by the Baltimore Orioles.  He was one of the many hot prospects and also dominant pitchers that were a part of the Oriole organization at that time.  Listen as Dave talks about the amazing pitching staff of the Orioles during the years he was in their organization (1975-1983) and what it was like to play for Earl Weaver. 

We travel back into the 1970s with our guest this week. Darrel Chaney played in the Majors from 1969-1979. He started out his athletic career as a Parade All-American quarterback in 1965. Darrel turned down scholarship offers to Notre Dame and Michigan State to pursue his baseball career. He made his name as a utility infielder, but as all utility players will tell you, they intended to be starters, and Darrel was no exception. But when you look at the Cincinnati Reds lineup during the years he was with the club (1969-1975), you must have been an outstanding player even to make the team. Darrel was traded to the Atlanta Braves in 1976, where he finally got his chance to start and had the best season of his career. Join us as we go Back When There Was Baseball with our guest Darrel Chaney.

Who was the American League home run leader in 1971? If you do not know the answer, maybe "It is soo hot in Chicago that the third baseman is Melton" will jog your memory. Bill Melton is our guest this week. Bill talks about his career and his many teammates, including the late Dick Allen. He also shares his feelings toward Harry Caray, who turned the fans against him. Bill Melton was a very good third baseman, mostly with the White Sox, and we are fortunate to have him share his story. Sit back and enjoy this interview, Back When There Was Baseball.

American League Umpire, Bill Haller, passed away on August 20, 2022. We are re-airing this podcast conducted in 2020 as a tribute to Bill. Bill umpired in the American League for 21 years (1961, 1963-1982) and is considered one of the best umpires in MLB history. You can still see the iconic Earl Weaver "incident" on YouTube where Bill was mic'd for an upcoming documentary. We were very blessed to share an interview with Bill as he discussed the game of baseball as it was when he umpired, compared to the game today. He shared many stories during his career that are priceless. Bill was a one-of-a-kind, downright genuine person and was very candid in this interview. Sit back and enjoy Back When There Was Baseball!