Hooks & Runs

Ed Wheatley, president of the St. Louis Browns Historical Society, joins us this week to discuss the Browns, an American League team from 1902 to 1953. Wheatley is the co-author of "St. Louis Browns: The Story of a Beloved Team" (Reedy Press 2017), which was  selected best book published on baseball in 2017 by Sports Collectors Digest and nominated for the Larry Ritter Award as the best book on baseball published in 2017 by Society for American Baseball Research.

Wheatley was also technical advisor for the award winning PBS documentary " The St. Louis Browns - The Team Baseball Forgot" (2018) and was executive producer of the award winning sequel  "A Baseball Legacy - Fans Remember the St. Louis Browns" (2019).

Ed Wheatley on Facebook, at Reedy Press
https://www.facebook.com/edward.wheatley.56/
https://reedypress.com/author/wheatley/ed-wheatley/
The St. Louis Browns Historical Society webpage
https://www.thestlbrowns.com/
Stream "The St. Louis Browns - The Team Baseball Forgot"
https://tinyurl.com/baseballforgot
Stream "A Baseball Legacy - Fans Remember the St. Louis Browns"
https://tinyurl.com/fansremember

Hooks & Runs - https://hooksandruns.buzzsprout.com/
Email: [email protected]
Craig on Bluesky (@craigest.bsky.social)
Rex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/
Hosts Emeriti:
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, 2025.  

David Krell is author of "1978: Baseball and America in the Disco Era," (University of Nebraska Press, 2025). His book explores the wild 1978 major league season with features on the American League East race that went to a 163rd game, iconic players from the era like Pete Rose and Dave Kingman and cultural flashpoints from film, TV and music. In this interview, Krell gives us a glimpse into this tumultuous, pivotal year in American history and culture.

SPOILER ALERT: This episode contains a spoiler if you have not seen "Saturday Night Fever."

David Krell's website, Twitter/X.
(https://davidkrell.com/) 
(https://x.com/davidkrell) 

Errata: Burt Convy was not in the Made for TV movie "Murder at the World Series." "Catfish" Hunter is credited with saying, "When you open a Reggie bar it tells you how good it is."

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

Hooks & Runs - https://hooksandruns.buzzsprout.com/
Email: [email protected]
Craig on Bluesky (@craigest.bsky.social)
Rex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/
Hosts Emeriti:
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, 2025.   

This week, Craig and Rex take a deep dive into the 1979 Houston Astros, the only team since 1947 to hit fewer than 50 home runs while posting a winning record and also the last team to hit more triples than home runs in a single season. Also, The Sex Pistols are back on the road, without Johnny Rotten. Even punks get nostalgic.

Errata: The Cardinals in 2024 went 8 straight games without a home run, not 18. A&M defeated Yale by 6 points in the NCAA first round, not whatever it was Craig said. The object crash near Roswell NM was in 1947. Cliff Williams is still AC/DC's bassist.

Past episodes mentioned: The Sam Rice episode is No. 228. The Bill Virdon episode with David Jerome and Shirley Virdon is No. 144. The Old Ballparks episodes were Nos. 127, 184, and 186.

You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including books featured in this episode (if any were), 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 (@craigest.bsky.social)
Rex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/
Hosts Emeriti:
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, 2025.  

Maybe we spoke too soon. Dr. Elizabeth Strom, a professor of urban politics and policy at The University of South Florida and an editor at DRays Bay, a Tampa Bay Rays blog on SB Nation, returns to our podcast this week. Two years ago, Episode 143 to be exact, Dr. Strom appeared to discuss what then looked like a solid deal for a new ballpark in St. Petersburg. A lot has happened since - most of it not good for Rays fans, at least Rays fans that want the team to stay in the Tampa/St. Pete area. Dr. Strom spills the tea and brings us up to date in this episode.

You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including books featured in this episode (if any were), 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 (@craigest.bsky.social)
Rex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/
Hosts Emeriti:
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, 2025.    

This week, Disturbed declares war on the Bulls' championship banners during a show at United Center, plus Motley Crue at MinuteMaid (Daiken) and the greatest Journey concert ever. Craig makes his 2025 MLB predictions - try not to laugh. The podcast concludes with the boys reviewing "Tommy," the 1975 Ken Russell film based on The Who's 1969 album of the same name. The film stars Roger Daltry, Ann-Margret, Oliver Reed and other many actors (Jack Nicholson) and rock stars (Tina Turner). The review includes Craig and Rex musing about their favorite rock star performances in film.

Errata: Arnel Pineda is still the lead singer for Journey. Tommy's father died in the war?  Jim Jarmusch directed "Down by Law." He did not produce it. Frank Sinatra was not in "The Longest Day," 

You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including books featured in this episode (if any were), 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 (@craigest.bsky.social)
Rex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/
Hosts Emeriti:
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, 2025.    

Since 1901, in the American and National Leagues, 11 pitchers have thrown 9+ inning, complete game 1-hitters and lost. These include a pitcher that pitched both games of a double-header on the day, a pitcher that took a perfect game into the 13th inning only to lose and a pitcher that gave up an extra-inning, walk-off home run to lose. This week, a tale of the hard luck pitchers who pitched their best game only to come up short.

Errata: In 1988, 46.5% of starting pitchers threw 100 or more pitches in their start - by 2014, that number had dropped to 13.1%. Rocky Nelson hit a single to move Bill Virdon to third base, not a fly ball. Lyn Lary's bunt that scored the first run in Bobo Newsom's loss was scored a fielder's choice, not a single as it appears from the description. The Deadball Era was the era from 1901-19 - Craig flubbed that somehow.

Episodes mentioned:
212 - Ken Johnson has a secret

You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including 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 (@craigest.bsky.social)
Rex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/
Hosts Emeriti:
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, 2025.   

This week Craig and Rex continue their series on native Texans in the Baseball of Fame with 355-game winner Greg Maddux. Also, the Nolan Arenado trade talks will not go away, Pete Rose's family petitions the Commission to lift the all-time hits leader's lifetime ban now that his life is over, the Golden State Warriors own a record label and what do you know - some baseball players lie about their height.

Notes on the show: The Travis Stern episode about baseball and theater in the deadball era is No. 225. Here is the link to the Sports Illustrated story mentioned in the episode. Gaylord Perry did indeed win 300 games -- he won 314 to be exact.

No 225 - https://tinyurl.com/stern225
SI article - https://tinyurl.com/hooksheight

You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including 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 (@craigest.bsky.social)
Rex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/
Hosts Emeriti:
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, 2025.  

Author Chris Haft's new book, Willie McCovey: A Giant Among Giants (University of Nebraska Press, 2025) adds to the baseball literature by examining the life and baseball times of perhaps the most forgotten member of the 500-home run club. Haft's look at this great Giant superstar is long overdue. He joins us this week to discuss the great and powerful Willie Mac.

In Chapter 2, Craig and Rex consider what impact Alex Bregman signing with Boston will have on both teams. In Chapter 3, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees are released and you know what that means.

Chris Haft's Twitter/X = @goodforball
All Chris Haft's books are available through his Amazon author page
https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00539Y0PO
Chris Haft's book at Univ. of Neb. Press: 
https://www.nebraskapress.unl.edu/nebraska/9781496241962/a-giant-among-giants/

Errata: There have been 24 perfect games in baseball history, not 18. Craig mispronounced Kristian Campbell's first name. Mike Ivie was the first overall draft pick in 1970 by the San Diego Padres -- Ivie hit .269 with 81 home runs in his career.

You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including 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 (@craigest.bsky.social)
Rex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/
Hosts Emeriti:
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, 2025.   

Author and journalist Michael Doyle's new book, Nightmare in the Pacific: The World War II Saga of Artie Shaw and His Navy Band (Univ. of North Texas Press, 2025) is an adventurous tale and a must read. Shaw, a leading big band leader into the early 1940s, joined the Navy a few months after Pearl Harbor. He formed a Navy big band of accomplished and to varying degrees roguish musicians and led them across the Pacific during the war, entertaining troops, finding trouble and dealing with grueling hardships. Michael Doyle joins us this week to give a preview of this book and musicians at war.

Michael Doyle's website: www.doyleauthor.com

You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including 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 (@craigest.bsky.social)
Rex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/
Hosts Emeriti:
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, 2025.  

Bugs Raymond battled alcoholism while pitching for the Tigers, Cardinals and Giants as well as several minor league teams during the early Deadball Era -- this week we discuss Raymond's difficult and tragic life in baseball and afterwards. In Chapter 2, Craig and Rex have six players they believe ought to be in the Baseball Hall of Fame but are not. They'll tell you who those players are. They also have some thoughts on Kendrick Lamar's halftime show and Beyonce's Best Country Album GRAMMY Award (like everyone else, apparently).

Bugs Raymond Sources
Baseball-Reference.com
Society for American Baseball Research (www.sabr.com) ("Looking Back at the End of Bugs Raymond’s Career" and "Bugs Raymond")
Newspaper articles accessed via newspaper.com
CenterfieldMaz.com ("The Wild Story Of the Heavy Drinking New York Giants Pitcher: Bugs Raymond (1908-1910)")

You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including 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 (@craigest.bsky.social)
Rex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/
Hosts Emeriti:
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, 2025.