Digging Up The Past

In this episode Mad Dog is digging up the story of one of the greatest baseball teams to never win the world series, the 1993 San Francisco Giants. Led by NL MVP Barry Bonds along with Matt Williams and Will Clark on offense plus a pair of 20-game winners on the mound in Bill Swift and John Burkett, the '93 Giants won 103 games, the second most in baseball that season. Unfortunately, the team with the best record in baseball happened to play in their division and with no wild card, it would come down to the last day of the season to determine who would move on to the playoffs. Dusty Baker was in his first season as the manager of the Giants in 1993 and joins Mad Dog to talk more about that season (28:10)

In this episode Mad Dog is digging up the story of one of the greatest baseball teams to never win the world series, the 1977 Royals. Led by the George Brett, Hal McRae, Amos Otis, Al Cowen and Frank White, this team was balance offensively with the power to drive in runs. Their battles with the Yankees throughout the decade were well known, and their duel in '77 against Reggie Jackson and Bronx Bombers was their most dramatic battle.

In this episode Mad Dog is digging up the story of one of the greatest baseball teams to never win the world series, the 1994 Montreal Expos. Unlike the rest of the teams covered in this podcast series, the '94 Expos were a victim of circumstances beyond their control. Offensively they were led by Larry Walker, Moises Alou, Marquis Grissom and Cliff Floyd, while on the hit their staff was led by Ken Hill and a young, 22 year old future Hall of Famer in Pedro Martinez. Behind a strong balance of timely hitting and stellar pitching the Expos raced out to the best record in baseball and seemed destined for a post-season appearance. However, labor disputes between the Owners and the MLBPA led to a work stoppage that would rob baseball of the World Series.

In this episode Mad Dog is digging up the story of one of the greatest baseball teams to never win the world series, the 1978 Boston Red Sox. Led by the likes of Jim Rice, Carlton Fisk, Carl Yastrzemski and Jerry Remy, the '78 Red Sox were primed to end the organization's championship drought. A rollarcoaster season would find them facing off against their bitter rivals, the New York Yankees, in a winner-take-all game for the division title and a spot in the playoffs. The results of this showdown in Game 163 would reverberate for decades. Jerry Remy was the starting second baseman for Boston and joins Mad Dog for more insight on the season (25:30)

In this episode Mad Dog is digging up the story of one of the greatest baseball teams to never win the world series, the 1995 Cleveland Indians. Led by the likes of Albert Belle, Jim Thome, Manny Ramirez and Kenny Lofton, the mid-90s Indians were one of the most explosive offenses of the decade. This squad would also advance to the World Series in 1997, but the 1995 version was better as they would dominate the American League, winning 100 games and finishing 30 games ahead the runner-up in their division. Their ferocious offense would face their greatest test in the '95 World Series when they matched up against the Atlanta Braves and their hall of fame pitchers. Mike Hargrove was the manager for Cleveland and joins Mad Dog for more insight on the season (25:30)

In this episode Mad Dog is digging up the story of one of the greatest baseball teams to never win the world series, the 1965 Minnesota Twins. Led by the likes Harmon Killebrew, Tony Oliva, Zolio Versalles and Bob Alison, the Twins were one of the best franchises throughout the '60s, averaging over 90 wins per season for most of the decade. They would come close to winning a championship in '69 & '70, but it was their squad in '65 that was there best, winning 102 games in usually dramatic fashion. Their power hitting carried them most of the season until they faced Sandy Koufax and the Dodgers in the World Series. Jim Kaat won 18 games that year and joins Christopher to provide more insight on that season for Minnesota (18:31)

In this episode Mad Dog is digging up the story of one of the greatest baseball teams to never win the world series, the 1991 Pittsburgh Pirates. Led by Barry Bonds, Bobby Bonilla, Andy Van Slyke and Doug Drabek, the Pirates were one of best teams in the early 90s going to three straight National League Championship Series. During that stretch, their '91 team was their best, winning 98 games. The Pirates had vicious lineup of power and speed, but in the '91 NLCS they faced off against an Atlanta Braves squad that was able to match them with dominant pitching. The manager for the '91 Pirates was Jim Leyland and he joins Christopher to provide more insight on that season for Pittsburgh (26:30)

In this episode Mad Dog is digging up the story of one of the greatest baseball teams to never win the world series, the 1969 Chicago Cubs. Led by future Hall of Famer Ernie Banks, Fergie Jenkins, Ron Santo and Billy Williams, the Cubs would dominate the first half of the season. Their might would be tested in the second half of the season as they dealt with bad omens and the surging Amazin' Mets. Outfielder Billy Williams and pitcher Fergie Jenkins (16:45) join Mad Dog to give more detail and insight into their 1969 team.

In this episode Mad Dog is digging up the story of one of the greatest baseball teams to never win the world series, the 2001 Seattle Mariners. Led by rookie Ichiro Suzuki's MVP season, the Mariners would tie the major league record for wins with 116 victories. Their roster consisted of eight All-Stars including John Olerdu, Brett Boone, Edgar Martinez and Freddy Garcia. Their domination throughout the regular season was evident but when the playoffs came around their skills would be tested when they found themselves facing off against Derek Jeter and the New Yankees dynasty. Mariners manger Lou Piniella (28:27) joins Mad Dog to give more detail and insight into his 2001 squad.

In this episode Mad Dog is digging up the story of one of the greatest baseball teams to never win the world series, the 1954 Cleveland Indians. They had one of the greatest winning percentages in league history as they picked up 111 victories in 154 games. Players like Al Rosen, Bobby Avila and Larry Doby powered their offense while their pitching staff was anchored by a pair of 20 game winners in Early Wynn and Bob Lemon. They seemed destined to take home the championship until they faced Willie Mays and the New York Giants in the World Series