Softball Diaries

This week we break down the 'cult classic', Squeeze Play! No interview, just a rollicking panel of experts who hate-watched this softball movie. How did this movie get made? We attempt to answer. Thanks to Zak Krone, Justin Siebel, Stef, and Erika for helping to understand and legitimize this haphazardly constructed battle of sexes comedy went wrong. Squeeeeze play.

Ed Ricci is an honest man who likes the simple things: a gin and diet ginger ale, sports talk radio, dressing up like Frank Sinatra. Ed remembers the golden years of Conshohocken, and knows exactly why things are no longer great (to daughter Stephanie's discomfort). Steph's parents' first date is unbelievably perfect, unlike Ed's opinion of Buco! Oh yeah! A classic Dad episode, sure to enlighten, amuse, and question why we live in the big city when Conshohocken has a bar with Ed as the bartender AND the beer-olympics. We also recap three or four games. Papa, Papa, Papa-Ricci!

From the swamps of Virginia emerges a baseball playing bass player, who you are about to get to know. Andrew Abbott came to Philadelphia during the Left and Right diaspora, but what happened next will shock you. We talk tourism, ice cream scoopin', and learn which MLB star's brother sucks. Plus a recap of another tie game! And thats Abbott it.

Reigning Buco / Gross's Beer of the Game Award Winner Rachel Sanders checks back in with the SD crew. Zack Gross, filling in for MIA Buco, seeks advice from Sanders. She happily obliges on the professional, personal, and spiritual. We recap a 'Cione Instant Classic', and premiere the new 'Whats in the box?!' segment. Always Rach for the Stars.

As spring turns into summer, the boys and girls of Philadelphia descend upon rec center fields; the ritual of the crack of the bat, the smell of Zack Gross, the sound of Bell Biv DeVoe. WE'RE BACK BABY! New year, new field, new time, same rules (more or less). Listen to Buco and Klego kick off the season and make bold predictions. Season six baby!

Time to give out awards and superlatives related to our weekly softball game. Who takes home the most prestigious award, best wigs? Everyone voted, we counted them. Listen to us mention your name, among others! DRUMROLL PLZ

This week on the SD: longtime player Jesse Carah. While in Jesse's beautiful South Philly solarium, the gang talks growing up, getting a job, and being terrified of that creaking sound downstairs...oh god it's definitely a burglar! We recap another game and talk about Halloween. Don't just be scared, listen today.

The Sultan of Sicily, the Behemoth of Bologna. Dan Martino was born to hit the long ball. Where did the power come from? Why does he play a version of baseball from 150 years ago?? Is it because he is afraid of the oncoming robot revolution? All answered this week on the Diaries. We also did three (thorough?) recaps. Hear ye, hear ye, indeed.

Two weeks ago a game ended in a tie. Three months ago Thatcher was just a guy. Thatcher was all alone. Now Thatcher knows Jon Stone. That tie was captained by these two. To commemorate everything, they have appeared, as a couple, on this week's Diaries! Put your ears on this podcast to figure out how they met, how they settled the tie, what causes Thatcher the most pain, and what celebrity Jon is NOT related to.

THEN WE MADE THEM PLAY THE NEWLYWED GAME!!

Buco and Kleger are proud to have the disarmingly handsome Noah Rush on this week. Together we discuss the big issues; where Noah shops, sweet or savory, whether or not he was in a reggae band in college. Maybe you already know Noah from being featured in a famous series of books his mom wrote? Rush 2116 baby!