December 10, 2021

FanGraphs Audio: 42 for 21

59 minutes

Episode 952

On this edition of the podcast, we engage in an important Hall of Fame discussion before chatting with a pitcher on the rise.

At the top of the show, Jay Jaffe welcomes Sean Gibson, executive director of the Josh Gibson Foundation; Gary Gillette, baseball author, as well as the founder and chair of the Friends of Historic Hamtramck Stadium; and Ted Knorr, baseball historian and researcher. Together, they are the co-founders of the 42 for 21 Committee, which works to publicize deserving Negro Leagues and Black baseball players for induction into the Hall of Fame. The group discusses the recent election of Buck O’Neil, Bud Fowler, and Minnie Miñoso to the Hall, as well as the candidates on this year’s Era Committee ballots who deserved to get in but didn’t. We also hear about how the election process could be improved, how important it is to honor living players, and the movement to rename the MVP award after Josh Gibson. [2:52]

After that, David Laurila is joined by Spencer Strider, a right-handed pitching prospect in Atlanta’s organization. A 2020 draftee, Strider jumped from Low-A to the majors this year thanks to some changes in his game, and he shares with David what’s gone into his recent success. We also hear about his memorable debut against the Mets, developing a major-league changeup, and the best advice he got for pitching high in the zone. [29:19]

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Audio after the jump. (Approximate 59 minute play time.)

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