Hooks & Runs

Our guest this week is Arthur D. Hittner, author of "Honus Wagner, The Life of Baseball's Flying Dutchman," Revised Edition (McFarland, 2024). Originally published in 1996, Hittner's book won the prestigious Seymour Medal for best  baseball historical or biographical book in 1997.

Wagner led the National League in batting 8 times and hit .324 in his storied career. Over 100 years after his last Major League game, The Flying Dutchman is still considered by many to be the greatest shortstop who ever played. Hittner's revised edition brings Wagner to life for a new generation of fans.

Arthur D. Hittner's Website: www.hittnerbooks.com/

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-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns

Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.com
Email: [email protected]
Hooks & Runs on Twitter
Craig on Bluesky
Rex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/
Hosts Emeritus:
Andrew Eckhoff on Tik Tok
Eric on Facebook
Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat)    
This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2024.      

Justin Verlander is struggling in his latest return from the injury list. Roger Maris would have celebrated his 90th birthday in the 10th -- he died in 1985. We noticed a lot of pretty famous people were born or grew up Maris's home town of Hibbing, Minnesota (pop. 16,000), including a couple of Hall of Famers (Maris is not one).

Finally, Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge and the Chicago White Sox are chasing milestones, for better or worse, and Matt Chapman bet big on himself -- and it paid off!

Errata: Matt Chapman and Alex Bregman are not so far apart in age after all.

-->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN
-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns

Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.com
Hooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandruns
Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/
Hosts Emeritus:
Andrew Eckhoff on Tik Tok
Link: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffest
Eric on Facebook
Link: https://www.facebook.com/ichaboderic
Email us: [email protected]
Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat)    
This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum.      

Timothy Malcolm wrote the newly revised and updated, "Moon Baseball Road Trips: The Complete Guide to All the Ballparks, with Beer, Bites, and Sights Nearby" (Moon Travel, 2024) being released September 10. He joins us this week to talk about baseball road trips, favorite ballparks and how baseball contributed to revivals in many large American cities.

In part 2, Rex and Craig talk about why pitchers are pitching fewer and fewer complete games and how the long ball threat from the line-up's top to bottom has impacted how teams manage pitching staffs.

Timothy Malcolm on Bluesky
The book at Moon Travel

Errata: The 1930 Philadelphia Phillies lost 102 games, not however many Craig said (unless he said 102). The designated first sullied America's Pastime in 1973, not 1971.

Episodes Mentioned:
143 - The Rays Are Getting Their New Stadium w/ Dr. Elizabeth Strom (OK, not specifically mentioned, but relevant) (https://www.buzzsprout.com/875794/12443077).
133 - We Weren't Rained Out, We Were Rained In w/ Roger Metzger (https://www.buzzsprout.com/875794/11991967)
127 - The Old Ballparks Project, Part I (our discussion of the Baker Bowl and Shibe Park (Connie Mack Stadium) in Philadelphia (https://www.buzzsprout.com/875794/11755593)

-->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN
-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns

Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.com
Hooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandruns
Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/
Hosts Emeritus:
Andrew Eckhoff on Tik Tok
Link: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffest
Eric on Facebook
Link: https://www.facebook.com/ichaboderic
Email us: [email protected]
Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat)    
This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum.      

Bobby Mathews pitched in three major leagues from 1871 to 1887 and ended his career with 297 career wins. Why did he stop playing when he was so close to 300? This episode looks into Mathews' career as well as wins as a statistical category and 300 wins as a significant career milestone to kick off this series about players who came very close, but did not quite reach landmark career totals.

Errata: Justin Verlander made one start for Houston before going on the injured list in 2020.

Episodes Referenced:
213 - Talking 1890 Players League Blues w/ Robert Ross

Major Sources:
Brian McKenna, "Bobby Mathews," Society for American Baseball Research website, www.sabr.org.
Frank Vaccaro, "Origins of the Modern Pitching Win," 2013 Baseball Research Journal.
The source for all player statistics is baseball-reference.com.
Too many contemporary newspapers accounts to list here.

-->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN
-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns

Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.com
Hooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandruns
Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/
Hosts Emeritus:
Andrew Eckhoff on Tik Tok
Link: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffest
Eric on Facebook
Link: https://www.facebook.com/ichaboderic
Email us: [email protected]
Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat Lic.)   
Music: Title: "Inscencer (1 hour)"; Artist: P C III; Link: Free Music Archive; License: CC By 4.0 (https://tinyurl.com/ccby4hooks)
This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum.    

On August 6, 2024, the dreadful Chicago White Sox beat the Oakland A's 5-1 at the Coliseum. This win snapped a 21-game losing streak, the longest losing streak in the Majors in 36 years. The Philadelphia Phillies own the modern record losing streak, 23 games, set in 1961. This episode, Craig and Rex will look back on that record losing streak.

Episodes Referenced:
212 - Ken Johnson Has a Secret

-->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN
-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns

Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.com
Hooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandruns
Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/
Hosts Emeritus:
Andrew Eckhoff on Tik Tok
Link: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffest
Eric on Facebook
Link: https://www.facebook.com/ichaboderic
Email us: [email protected]
Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat)    
This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum.     
 

Errata: Babe Ruth made one pinch hitting appearance in the 1915 World Series. 

Professor Robert Ross, author of The Great Baseball Revolt: The Rise and Fall of the 1890 Players League (2016) joins us this week to discuss the first attempt at unionization by Major League players -- the Brotherhood of Professional Base Ball Players which had formed in the mid 1880s. The Brotherhood joined forces with supportive magnates to form the Players League in 1890. Unfortunately, the league lasted just one season before folding. The Players League though included many top players from that time including future Hall of Famers Hugh Duffy, John Montgomery Ward and pitcher "Old Hoss" Radbourn.

In part two, Craig and Rex talk about mispronouncing names, whether betting is allowed on a baseball podcast, and more speculation on baseball in the 2028 Olympics.

Robert Ross's Point Park Univ. page, on Twitter/X
Buy The Great Baseball Revolt from the publisher, from our bookshop.org affiliate link below, or wherever you buy books.

Errata: If the season ended on the day Craig and Rex recorded this episode, the AL wild card teams would be New York, Kansas City and Minnesota, not Boston. South African native Gift Ngoepe, an infielder, played for Pittsburgh in 2017 and Toronto in 2018, totaling 54 at bats and hitting .222 over the two seasons.

Episodes Mentioned:
211 - The Money Went Dry, The Liquor Went Wet: The Life & Times of Bob Caruthers w/ Dave Heller
205 - Baseball at War: Working and Playing Ball in the Bethlehem Steel League w/ William Ecenbarger (segment on the real life "Natural")
104 - When Sport Defeated Law: The Curt Flood Case w/ Prof. Jeremi Duru 

-->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN
-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns

Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.com
Hooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandruns
Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/
Hosts Emeritus:
Andrew Eckhoff on Tik Tok
Link: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffest
Eric on Facebook
Link: https://www.facebook.com/ichaboderic
Email us: [email protected]
Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat)    
This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum.    

This week Craig and Rex take a deep dive into Houston's Jose Abreu and Rafael Montero contract fiascos and come away glad we're not the Angels. In Part 2, Ken Johnson did something on an April week night in 1964 that had never been done before in a Major League game - and hasn't been done since.

Errata: Mike Trout, if healthy, could have played a possible 648 games since 2020.

-->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN
-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns

Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.com
Hooks & Runs on TikTok -  https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandruns
Hooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandruns
Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/
Hosts Emeritus:
Andrew Eckhoff on Tik Tok
Link: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffest
Eric on Facebook
Link: https://www.facebook.com/ichaboderic
Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat)    
This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum.   

Journalist, author Dave Heller joins us this week to discuss his new book, "Parisian Bob Caruthers: Baseball's First Two-Way Star" (McFarland 2024). Caruthers played in the American Association and National League from 1884 to 1893 where he led the AA in wins twice and played with distinction in the outfield when he was not pitching. In this interview, Heller takes us back to a time and place when baseball, baseball players and America itself were wild and untamed.

In part 2, Craig and Rex briefly discuss a controversial Astro trade and speculate on baseball in the Olympic Games come 2028.

Dave Heller on Twitter
Dave's book at McFarlandBooks.com

Source:
Scott Louder, "Bryce Harper, Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge endorse MLB players in the 2028 Olympics, an idea that might be gaining steam," Philadelphia Inquirer at msn.com.

-->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN
-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns

Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.com
Hooks & Runs on TikTok -  https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandruns
Hooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandruns
Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/
Hosts Emeritus:
Andrew Eckhoff on Tik Tok
Link: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffest
Eric on Facebook
Link: https://www.facebook.com/ichaboderic
Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat)    
This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum.  

Craig reports on his short getaway to Cleveland, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Progressive Field. The hosts speculate on stadium drama in Oakland, Tampa and Anaheim. The Mariners blew a 10-game lead in the American League West over a 24-game period, but will anyone remember in October if Seattle hangs on to win the division anyway? Craig and Rex glance at famous late-season collapses in baseball history.  We want All-Stars in their team uniforms and the national anthem performance at Monday's home run derby is a microcosm on what's wrong with the modern music business in 2024.

Links:
Jason Burke, "Interesting Wrinkle to Oakland A's Relocation Saga" Oakland A's on SI, July 19, 2024.
Neal deMause, "Rays owner Stu Sternberg set to win approval of $1B+ stadium subsidy after giving free tickets to city councilmember" Field of Schemes, July 18, 2024.
Noah Biesiada, "Angels Get Millions for Cancellation of Stadium Sale After FBI Investigation," voiceofoc.com, July 15, 2024.

Episodes Referenced:
205 - Baseball at War: Working and Playing Ball in the Bethlehem Steel League w/ William Ecenbarger
189 - Baseball, Chemical Warfare and The Great War w/ Jim Leeke
172 - They Were Two People Desperate to Stay in the Game w/ Bob LeMoine
163 - A Journey Through Mallparks w/ Prof. Michael T. Friedman
143 - The Rays Are Getting Their New Stadium w/ Dr. Elizabeth Strom
88 - Please Do Not Burn Down the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
45A - Shavermetrics w/ Scott Russell and Bill "Spaceman" Lee (Radio Edit) 

 -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN
-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns

Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.com
Hooks & Runs on TikTok -  https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandruns
Hooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandruns
Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/
Hosts Emeritus:
Andrew Eckhoff on Tik Tok
Link: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffest
Eric on Facebook
Link: https://www.facebook.com/ichaboderic
Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat)    
This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum. 

Rex attended his first in-person Major League game this week - his Rangers beat Craig's Astros and Rex did an okay job suppressing the urge to be a sore winner. Also this week, a look at standings going into the All-Star Break, Wander Franco may be in big trouble, Randy Hennis had a short, brilliant career for Houston and Rex has a few things to say about Globe Life's robot bartenders.

For the record, in Texas' 4-2 win over Houston Sunday, Josh Sborz got out of the bases loaded, none out jam in 7 pitches in the Astros fifth. Jacob Latz needed 7 pitches to get out of a one-out, two men on jam in the 7th innings and in the frame, Kirby Yates got three outs with two men on 4 pitches.

Errata: Whit Merrifield was not a Rookie of the Year, but he has been a 3-time All-Star. Five players have been suspended for prohibited gambling this season - one for life. The Astros were 65-97 in 1991.

Sources - Information about the seedy Wander Franco case in Dominican Republic is here. The story on robot bartenders at Globe Life is here.

-->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN
-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns

Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.com
Hooks & Runs on TikTok -  https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandruns
Hooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandruns
Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/
Hosts Emeritus:
Andrew Eckhoff on Tik Tok
Link: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffest
Eric on Facebook
Link: https://www.facebook.com/ichaboderic
Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat)    
This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum.