Passed Ball Show

PASSED BALL SHOW #128 4/17/2014 Part 1 WITH JIM GENTILE; I start out the program by talking about April 15th and how it is remembered for being the anniversary of Jackie Robinson making his MLB debut. It is also the 1 year anniversary of the terrorist activity at the Boston Marathon and April 15th is also the anniversary of the MLB debut of Hiram Bithorn, the first Puerto Rican player in MLB history. I talk about an idea I think will be better than simply having every player and coach wear #42 on every April 15th. I then speak with former Dodgers and Orioles 1B Jim Gentile. We speak about how he was drafted as a pitcher, the fact that he was kept in the minor leagues way too long as his emergence on the scene with the 1961 Orioles when he finally got a chance to play (46 HR, 141 RBI)

PASSED BALL SHOW #127 4/9/2014 Part 2 WITH JOSE CARDENAL AND STEVE KORCHECK; I start out by playing my interview with former Cubs, Giants and Phillies OF Jose Cardenal. Jose talks about being signed by the San Francisco Giants and who he looked up to (listen closely to who he leaves out). He also coached for several seasons in the big leagues which includes three World Series Championships for the Yankees in 1996, 1998-1999. I talk about the life threatening head injury Mickey Cochrane suffered after being hit by a pitch as well as how a similar pitch changed the MLB career of SS Dickie Thon. I then play by interview with former Washington Senators C Steve Korcheck. He makes references to Senators greats Mickey Vernon and Bucky Harris. I finish off by talking about another anniversary we should be celebrating on April 15th every season as it was the first time a Puerto Rican player played in the big leagues (Hiram Bithorn). I also talk about Luis Olmo playing in the 1949 World Series over 7 years after Bithorn made his MLB debut on 4/15/1942

PASSED BALL SHOW #127 4/9/2014 Part 1 WITH RICK REICHARDT AND CHUCK CHURN; I open up with my interview with former Angels OF Rick Reichardt. Rick was the last player that MLB teams bidded over before they instituted the draft in 1965. I then talk about the foolish overreactions over good or bad starts teams get off to within the first week. I then play my interview with 1959 World Series Champion RH Chuck Churn. Chuck talks about his relationship with Earl Weaver and his experience playing with 3 MLB teams. I finish off by talking about the 3 MLB players to hit 3 HR on opening day

PASSED BALL SHOW #126 4/2/2014 Part 2 WITH MILT WILCOX AND LARRY JASTER; I start out by playing my interview with former Reds and Tigers RHP Milt Wilcox (recorded in Jacksonville, Fl). We talk about his experience in the 1970 World Series; he had pitched in just 5 MLB games in his career to that point. He had a devastating arm injury that nearly ended his career, but he recovered to become one of the most dependable pitchers on the Detroit Tigers staff in the mid 1970s-1980s. He was a 17 game winner on the Tigers 1984 World Series Championship team. I then talk about the use of LOOGYs in the game today and how it cannot be expected that minor league pitchers make the immediate transition. I then speak with former Cardinals and Expos LHP Larry Jaster about pitching in the World Series (1967 and 1968) and what it was like to throw the first MLB pitch in the history of Canada. I finish off by going over by team predictions and who will make the postseason in 2014

PASSED BALL SHOW #126 4/2/2014 Part 1 WITH TIM MCCARVER AND DESI RELAFORD; I open up the program by talking about the terrible injury suffered by Angels hitting coach Don Baylor. I go over his long MLB career both as a player and coach and mention his diagnosis of bone cancer in 2003. I then speak with long time MLB broadcaster and 20+ year MLB catcher Tim McCarver about playing baseball as a kid, being a teammate of Stan Musial and how he was able to deal with Bob Gibson. He also talks about what changed Steve Carlton into a HOF pitcher and the best quote attributed to the late Ralph Kiner. I then speak with former Mets and Phillies infielder Desi Relaford (recorded in Jacksonville, Fla) about his experiences in the minor league and how he made his MLB debut the day after he was traded from the Seattle Mariners organization. I finish off by bashing the people (You are in the majority) who complain about baseball contracts because they are poor, envious and jealous

PASSED BALL SHOW #125 3/26/2014 Part 2 WITH JASON GRILLI AND KENT TEKULVE; I start out by speaking with All Star Pirates closer Jason Grilli about his book "Just My Game" which talks about his battle back from a potentially devastating knee injury to get back into the big leagues. I then discuss my 30-1 MLB countdown previews for the Chicago Cubs, Seattle Mariners, Atlanta Braves, Tampa Bay Rays, Oakland Athletics and Cincinnati Reds. I finish off by playing my interview I recorded in Pirates camp with Spring Training instructor, broadcaster longtime MLB reliever and 1979 World Series Champion Kent Tekulve

PASSED BALL SHOW #125 3/26/2014 Part 1 WITH VIN MAZZARO AND KENN KASPAREK; I open up by talking about how I agree with the Mets decision to start Ruben Tejada at SS on opening day. I then give my 30-1 MLB countdown previews of the Chicago White Sox and Philadelphia Phillies. I play my brief interviews I recorded with Pirates relievers Vin Mazzaro and Kenn Kasparek which I recorded at the Pirates Spring Training facility in Bradenton, Fl. I finish off the hour by doing my 30-1 MLB team preview of the Baltimore Orioles

PASSED BALL SHOW #124 3/18/2014 Part 2 WITH RAUL GONZALEZ AND JORGE PIEDRA; I open up by speaking with former Indians, Reds and Mets OF Raul Gonzalez. Raul was selected to go on the road with Tigers superstar Miguel Cabrera after Miguel was arrested for drunken driving. I then get into my 30-1 MLB countdown previews for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cleveland Indians. I finish off by speaking with former Colorado Rockies OF (2004-2006) Jorge Piedra. You will enjoy this interview as this man has the ability to be on TV and radio

PASSED BALL SHOW #124 3/18/2014 Part 1 WITH PEDRO VALDES; I open up by playing my interview with former Cubs (1996, 1998) and Rangers (2000) OF Pedro Valdes. We talk about how he got into coaching and his great career he had in Japan and Mexico after he played briefly in the majors. I then get into my 30-1 MLB countdown previews of the Milwaukee Brewers, New York Mets and San Diego Padres

PASSED BALL SHOW #123 3/11/2014 Part 2 WITH PETER MUNRO; I start out by talking about the Braves signing of Ervin Santana and what it means for the other two remaining impactful free agents. I then do my 30-1 MLB countdown previews of the Miami Marlins, Colorado Rockies, Minnesota Twins and Toronto Blue Jays. I finish off by interviewing former Blue Jays RHP Peter Munro. We talk about his combined no hitter with 5 other pitchers against the Yankees while pitching for the Astros. We also talk about his experience in the 2004 NLCS pitching for the Astros and the difficult stretch he went through after the season