Bill's on vacation, so Mike takes the opportunity to celebrate the 47th anniversary of the 5th SABR conference to talk to our old friend Jacob Pomrenke (@buckweaver) about his work with SABR, and the upcoming 50th "annual" convention in Baltimore in August.  Plus, happy birthday to George Cuppy (again) and Frank Tanana!

Episode 252 - Mike and a Mate (with special guest Jacob Pomrenke)

This Week In Baseball History is a weekly podcast devoted to the history of baseball, hosted by Mike Bates and Bill Parker, the co-founders of The Platoon Advantage and writers on many fine websites.

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Was Nellie Fox overrated by old school types who voted him into the Hall of Fame? Or is he undervalued by today's modern metrics that rank him as one off the weakest members of that exclusive club of players? The answer, most likely, is yes to both questions. But he was never more valuable than he was 65 years ago this week, when he collected five hits, including an uncharacteristic homer on Opening Day, kicking off the White Sox drive for the AL pennant in style. Mike and Bill look back at one of the more perplexing players in baseball history. Plus, happy birthday to Pythias Russ and Hippo Vaughn! And farewell to José DeLeón and Héctor Ortiz.

Episode 329 - Fox On The Sox

Overshadowed by the greatness of Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle, the third of the holy trio of Golden Age, New York-based center fielders, Duke Snider, was a marvel in his own right. A five tool player whose short peak rivaled Willie's for the title of the best player in the National League and pushed the Dodgers to their first championship. But all good things come to an end and, 61 years ago this week, the Dodgers sold him to the Mets. Mike and Bill look back at the incredible career of the Duke of Flatbush and his indelible imprint on baseball history. Plus, happy birthday to Jeff Heath and Jack Stivetts! And farewell to John Oldham and Larry Demery

Episode 328 - His Grace, Duke Edwin Snider

The Cubs might not be willing to acknowledge it today, but it was 32 years ago this week that they acquired one of the greatest players in franchise history, trading away aging slugger George Bell for a dynamic, young Sammy Sosa. Sosa would go on to challenge for the single season home run record, club more than 600 career bombs, and win an MVP. Mike and Bill look back at Sosa's incredible rise, somewhat inexplicable fall, and try to figure out why the Cubs still pretend that he never existed. Plus, happy birthday to Kip Selbach and Travis Fryman! And farewell to Tom Qualters and Jim Hannan

Episode 327 - Sammy Sosa Takes the Crosstown Express

It was the most expensive trade in Negro League history. It was also specificallly designed to be the killing strike that finished off the Pittsburgh Crawfords. Finally, it ended the career of Hall of Fame third baseman Judy Johnson, who refused to report to the Homestead Grays when he and Josh Gibson were traded there 87 years ago this week. Mike and Bill look back at the Hall of Fame lives of Judy Johnson and Cumberland Posey, and the history of the Grays that brought about this historic deal. Plus, happy birthday to Vern Law and Hank Sauer! And farewell to Brant Alyea and Al McBean.

Episode 326 - Judy Johnson Refuses To Go Gray Gracefully

From the very beginning of the National League, baseball's overlords have attempted to grow the sport beyond America's borders. These efforts have met with varying levels of success over the years, but it's clear that baseball has never been more popular abroad than it is in 2024. Our guest this week, MLB.com's manager of storytelling Michael Clair, has a new newsletter that highlights the international game wherever it's being played and is making sure we'll know where the next generation of great major league players is going to come from. Plus, happy birthday to Paul Schaal and Jeff Pfeffer! And farewell to Jimy Williams and John Pregenzer.

Episode 252 - Mike and a Mate (with special guest Jacob Pomrenke)

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