The Baseball Book Club

In the third installment of The Best of The Baseball Book Club, we talk about the long endured curse over the Chicago Cubs and the moment that ended it for them on a rainy night in Cleveland. 

Plus some classic baseball terminology and Leroy reviews a book on scorekeeping in baseball. 

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In this Best of The Baseball Book Club episode, we bring together some of our favorite conversations in baseball history and culture.

We talk about how the Deadball Era became the Liveball Era with rule changes, equipment, and strategy transforming the game forever. Then we spotlight Hall of Famer Frank Thomas (The Big Hurt), his impact on modern hitting, and his place among the greatest power hitters in MLB history.

The episode also features five unforgettable pitching oddities—rare moments of unusual performances that show us just how weird and wonderful baseball can be.

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In this special Best Of episode, we revisit two unforgettable moments that helped shape baseball’s mythology.

First, we look back at the legend of Bo Jackson—a once-in-a-generation athlete whose power, speed, and sheer presence still feel larger than life. Then, we rewind to one of the most flawless performances the game has ever seen: Sandy Koufax’s perfect game. A night when precision, dominance and history aligned under the lights. A radio broadcast of the final inning, with Vin Scully's play calling, is included. 

From raw athletic brilliance to pitching perfection, this episode celebrates baseball at its most iconic—stories that never fade, no matter how many times they’re told.

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In this episode of The Baseball Book Club, John Cheslock and Leroy Estep look into the latest Hot Stove activity as teams shuffle rosters and prepare for a new baseball season. The conversation blends current baseball news with the historical perspective that defines the show.

Leroy brings a Hot Corner spotlight on Kirby Puckett, examining the good, the bad, and the complicated legacy of one of Minnesota baseball’s most beloved figures. He'll take a look at Puckett’s on-field greatness, his place in baseball history, and how time reshapes the way we remember icons.

John then reflects on baseball on the radio—why it still matters, how it connects generations of fans, and why the sound of a ballgame on the AM dial remains one of the sport’s most enduring traditions. Along the way, there’s plenty of classic Baseball Book Club banter and a little extra fun stuff mixed in.

If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe to the show, leave a review and tell a friend. Every listen helps keep the signal humming through the static.

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The crew is back together for a special, offseason episode. Leroy chimes in with a Hot Corner and John will speak with a guest as they discuss what may be the greatest decade of baseball. 

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Few pitchers in baseball history combined intelligence, precision and dominance like Christy Mathewson, Greg Maddux and Pedro Martinez. 

In the season finale, John and Leroy examine what set these three legends apart — from Mathewson’s artistry with his fadeaway pitch, to Maddux’s unmatched command, to Pedro’s electric presence in the 1990s and early 2000s. Each man defining greatness and showing why their names still stand as the gold standard for pitching mastery.

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The Great One, Roberto Clemente, is number 40 on the Posnanski 100 and we'll talk about the life and career of one of Pittsburgh's greatest. 

We will also do some baseball terminology - three terms from Paul Dickson's The Baseball Dictionary. 

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What does it take to show up every single day? In this episode, we'll look into the story of Cal Ripken Jr.—the Iron Man of baseball—who redefined durability and dedication by playing in 2,632 consecutive games. From his rookie days in Baltimore to the night he broke Lou Gehrig’s legendary record, Ripken’s career was more than just his streak and we’ll explore what his legacy meant for baseball. 

We'll also discuss five poignant stories that transcend the game. 

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Still hovering around the Top 50, John and Leroy round out this group of third basemen with a 3-pack including Texas Rangers great Adrian Beltre, Boston Red Sox phenom Wade Boggs and Braves legend Eddie Mathews. 

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John and Leroy discuss the chapter Five Pitching Oddities from Why We Love Baseball, looking at various momentous occasions from some of baseball's greats. Plus, they'll talk about Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones, ranked 54th in The Baseball 100. 

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