Back When There Was Baseball

Lynn Jones joins us this week on the podcast. Lynn is a very interesting story and it starts at Thiel College in Erie, PA where in his last 2 years of college he was a 3-sport athlete. Name me 3-sport athletes that made it to the Major Leagues. The list is short. Lynn started out with the Cincinnati Reds organization but was traded to Detroit where he made the Major League club. He was a member of the Pine Brothers and was nicknamed "El Capitan". Lynn was traded to the Kansas City Royals and won a World Series ring in 1985. We hope you enjoy this trip Back When There Was Baseball with our guest Lynn Jones.

We are joined by Steve Kemp this week. Steve was on his way to a very good career in the Major Leagues until an unfortunate eye injury curtailed it. He had a great college career at USC before being drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 1st round of the 1976 January Draft. Steve was up in the Majors for good with the Tigers in 1977 and it didn't take long for him to start hitting. His best year in the big leagues was 1979 when he made the All-Star team. Join us as we go Back When There Was Baseball with Steve Kemp.

Rusty Gerhardt joins us on the podcast this week. Rusty was a left-handed pitcher that came out of Clemson University. He played in the Cape Cod League and in Alaska. Rusty was drafted in the 12th round in 1972 of the June Amateur Draft by the San Diego Padres. He only played one year in the Big Leagues for the Padres in 1974, but Rusty talks about his journey to the Majors as he was called up in his 3rd year. He played an additional five years in the Minors attempting to recover from arm problems. Rusty also shares his time in baseball after he retired as a coach and scout.

John Boccabella joins us this week. John played from 1963-1974 for the Cubs, Expos and Giants. He also played for Leo Durocher and Gene Mauch, legendary managers. Enjoy this trip Back When There Was Baseball with John Boccabella.

Jim Colborn is our guest this week. Jim played in the Majors from 1969-1978 with the Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers, Kansas City Royals and Seattle Mariners. His best year was 1973 with Milwaukee and he was an All-Star that year. He also had a solid year in 1977 with the Royals, but did not appear in the ALCS. Join us Back When There Was Baseball with Jim Colborn.

We are blessed to have Bob Oldis join us this week on the podcast. Bob signed his first Major League contract in 1949 with the old Washington Senators franchise. Bob also played in the 1960 World Series and appeared in games 4 and 5 in Yankee Stadium catching in the latter innings. He finished his career in Philadelphia playing for Gene Mauch in 1963. He stayed on the Phillies staff as a coach for the infamous 1964 collapse. Bob is still involved in baseball as a scout for the Marlins at age 97.

Jack Heidemann joins us this week. Jack started his career at the age of 17 in the minor leagues and made his major league debut at the age of 19 in 1969 with the Cleveland Indians. Unfortunately, Uncle Sam called, and Jack had to delay his baseball career until 1970. Jack's career lasted through the 1979 season with his one year in St. Louis (1974) being his most productive. We look Back When There Was Baseball this week in an era where military service took precedence to baseball.

Who caught the first pitch in the Houston Astrodome? He is our guest this week and his name is Ron Brand. The infamous game was on April 9, 1965, and was an exhibition against the New York Yankees. Ron started out with the Pirates before Houston selected him in the Rule 5 draft. He also played for the Montreal Expos who acquired him in the expansion draft. We venture Back When There Was Baseball as Ron discusses playing with Willie Stargell, playing in the Houston Astrodome and also playing in Jarry Park with the Expos.

We are joined this week with one of the best defensive catchers in the game during the decade of the 1970s. Terry Humphrey is that individual and he played in the Big Leagues from 1971-1979 with 3 teams: Montreal, Detroit and California. When he joined the California Angels in 1976, he quickly became the catcher for Nolan Ryan and Frank Tanana upon their request. His best season was 1977 where he appeared in 123 games. Terry talks about his role as a great defensive catcher when we go Back When There Was Baseball.

Gary Waslewski joins us on the podcast this week. Gary was a World Series starting pitcher in 1967. He started Game 6 of the 1967 World Series against the Cardinals' Dick Hughes. The Red Sox won Game 6, but Bob Gibson won Game 7 to give the St. Louis Cardinals the Series. Gary was one of the toughest luck pitchers of all-time. He had a record of 11-26, but a respectable 3.44 ERA while playing for the Red Sox, Cardinals, Expos, Yankees and Oakland A's. Listen to some great stories as we go Back When There Was Baseball.