Passed Ball Show

PASSED BALL SHOW #123 3/11/2014 Part 1 WITH ED CHARLES; I start out by talking about my preseason predictions and what they mean. I then interview former Athletics and Mets 3B Ed Charles about his portrayal in the Jackie Robinson movie 42, his being held back in AAA for four seasons with the Milwaukee Braves and being part of the 1969 World Series Champion New York Mets. I finish off by doing the first of my 30-1 MLB countdown previews with the Houston Astros

PASSED BALL SHOW #122 3/5/2014 Part 2 WITH CORY ALDRIDGE AND DOUG BOCHTLER; I open up by playing my interview with former Braves (2001) and Angels (2010) OF Cory Aldridge. Cory is still playing ball currently in Mexico and has not stopped playing professionally since he signed with the Braves. I also spoke with Doug Bochtler, a former Padres pitcher who is now a pitching coach in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization.

PASSED BALL SHOW #122 2/25/2014 Part 1 WITH ED KRANEPOOL; I open up the program by talking about the declaration that Mets GM Sandy Alderson made to ownership that the team will win 90 games this season. I also broke down what the Mets player stats have to be for the team to win 90 games. I then speak with original Mets 1B and all time franchise leader in games, at bats and sacrifice flies Ed Kranepool. I finish off by talking about how hated Red Sox great Carl Yastzremski was by his teammates and the way he presented himself in the clubhouse

PASSED BALL SHOW #38 7/26/2012 Part 2 WITH PHIL HUFFMAN; On part 2, @john_pielli is joined by former Toronto Blue Jays RHP Phil Huffman, who tells the story of how he made all 31 starts at age 20-21 in 1979, only to never pitch again in the majors. Phil gives his opinion of the change in management of the 1980 Blue Jays as well as his attempts to return to the majors. I also touch on the 1983 Pine Tar game, what it could mean with Barry Larkin and Ron Santo making the HOF and what the proclamation made by Brewers GM Doug Melvin saying Zack Greinke will be traded means to his market.

PASSED BALL SHOW #38 7/26/2012 Part 1 WITH CHRIS BANDO; On Part 1 of today's PBS, @john_pielli speaks with former Cleveland Indians catcher Chris Bando. We discuss catching a knuckleball, playing in the shadow of his older brother, Sal and what happens to a hitter after devoting your game to being a defensive catcher. I also suggest to expect the rest of the season for the New York Mets, laugh at the Miami Marlins firesale as well as talk about what has happened to the Oakland Athletics.

PASSED BALL SHOW #37 7/19/2012 Part 2; On part 2 of the PBS, @john_pielli spends some time discussing what happened to Royals LHP Jonathan Sanchez and how he may very well be the next Oilver Perez. I also break down the trade that sent him to KC for Melky Cabrera and the prior move that sent Cabrera to Atlanta for Javier Vazquez. I spend some time breaking down the legendary career of the great Ty Cobb and pose a question:, who is the greatest MLB player of all time?

PASSED BALL SHOW #37 7/19/2012 Part 1 WITH PAUL SPOLJARIC; On part 1 of the Passed Ball Show, @john_pielli speaks with former Blue Jays LHP Paul Spoljaric. Among the topics are the change in the use of bullpens over even the past 10 years, what he feels about innings limits and the babying of highly rated pitchers and how he was converted into a reliever after being a starter his entire minor league career. I start by ripping the loyalty of NY sports fans, talk about what teams are still in the race and finish by giving reasons why all MLB pitchers want to be starters.

PASSED BALL SHOW #36 7/12/2012 Part 2 WITH BOY MEETS MACHINE IN STUDIO; On part 2 of the PBS, with Boy Meets Machine in studio, the Bill Pulsipher story is finally revealed. Another acoustic performance and then discussion about how much of a jerk Marlins team president David Samson is, would MLB players today fight for their country, and why pitchers always want to be starting pitchers. We also question Tony LaRussa being the All Star manager and discuss why starting pitchers will never go deep into games again.

PASSED BALL SHOW #36 7/12/2012 Part 1 WITH BOY MEETS MACHINE IN STUDIO; @john_pielli is joined in studio by Boy Meets Machine as they perform a couple of acoustic songs live. They talk about how they created and wrote the Passed Ball Show theme song. We also touch on topics such as how Freddy Garcia gets people out and why Chris Berman is still calling the home run derby. Also hear about why Matt Harvey needs to be called up now, how the Marlins should have a representative in this year's All Star Game and why the players don't care about the ASG like they did years ago.

PASSED BALL SHOW #34 6/28/2012 Part 2 WITH SNY ANCHOR AND GEICO SPORTSNIGHT HOST KIRK GIMENEZ; On Part 2 of the PBS, @john_pielli speaks with SNY Anchor and host of Geico Sportsnight Kirk Gimenez. Kirk explains the difference between working for a national network (ESPN) and a local, New York-centric network. He lets us know what his favorite sports are and why he is so passionate about what he does. He also reveals why he stopped live tweeting on the air during his TV program. I also make the case on how the Chicago White Sox are for real, discuss an underrated trade that helped both teams, how the 1980 Astros would have been with a healthy JR Richard and how close the Phillies are to being read their last rites.