When we think of Lou Gehrig, we usually think about one of two things: his tragic early death or his record breaking consecutive games played streak, which began this week 100 years ago. This week, we celebrate the happier of those two aspects of his life and career, looking back at the 2,130 games that made up Gehrig's incredible accomplishment. Through it, you get a sense of just how determined, exceptional, and lucky Laruppin' Lou was until the moment his luck and body gave out.

Plus, happy birthday to Terry Kennedy and Johnny Mostil!

And farewell to Billy Smith, Tony Blanco, Octavio Dotel and Nate Oliver.

Due to a personal conflict, Mike was unable to help with a new episode this week. So, in honor of Memorial Day, we are re-running a very early episode of TWIB History, in which Mike and Bill celebrate the life and career of Eddie Grant, an underappreciated Phillies, Reds, and Giants third baseman who gave his life in the Argonne Forest in the closing days of World War I. Grant's sacrifice was commemorated by the Giants 104 years ago this week with a touching memorial at the Polo Grounds, which was stolen after the Giants' final game there and disappeared from the historical record. Also happy birthday to Larry Jackson and Eric Davis.

Bobby Doerr is not talked about much outside of Boston these days, but was a pretty big deal back in the 1940s, when he suddenly elevated his game to become a perenial All Star and a Hall of Fame caliber player. The Red Sox recognized that 37 years ago this week, when they made him just the third player to have his number retired by the club. Mike and Bill look back on the career of this largely silent Hall of Famer, finding one of the biggest prospects of all time, a surprising and mysterious mid-career improvement, and a long legacy of not being talked about, which is probably how Doerr liked it.

Plus, happy birthday to Jack Sanford and Joe Harris!

And farewell to Tommie Reynolds and Rich Rollins.

It's one of the most iconic records in sports, Joe DiMaggio's unbelievably improbable 56 game hitting streak, that began 84 years ago this week. With Kyle Schwarber's 47 game on-base streak now snapped, Mike and Bill thought it was appropriate to revisit the greatest streak of them all, going step by step through this incredible accomplishment and marvel at the talent and luck it took to ultimately pull it off. Plus, happy birthday to Chicken Wolf and Gentleman Jim Hickman!

Sometimes it takes a while for a prospect to reach his full potential. Sometimes, all it takes is five starts. That's what happened with Kerry Wood, who not only pitched the game of his life 27 years ago this week, but possibly the greatest game anyone has ever pitched, striking out 20 Astros batters while walking zero and allowing one scratch hit. Mike and Bill look back on this game, the phenomenon Wood caused, and on his surprisingly impressive career, even though it was derailed by injuries. 

Plus, happy birthday to Victor Starffin and Larry Hisle!

One of the most awe-inspiring superstars of all time, Jimmie Foxx didn't start out that way, joining Connie Mack's Athletics at the age of 16. Foxx spent three years mostly ridiing the bench while he matured, during which, 100 years ago this week, he collected his first hit. Mike and Bill look back on The Beast's incredible career and sad end and find a lovable good-natured man who turned into a monster with a bat in his hands.

Plus, happy birthday to Chris Carpenter and Nip Winters!

And farewell to Jim Breazeale and Art Shallock.

Every great story begins somewhere, and the world home run king's journey to 868 career home runs began 66 years ago this week, when Sadaharu Oh hit his first career home run. To celebrate that, and the man who became a baseball god on the other side of the globe, Mike and Bill talk to MLB.com's Michael Clair. During the Tokyo Series to kick off the 2025 regular season, Michael scored a rare interview with the great Oh-san, and has lots to say about what it's like to meet a living legend.

Plus, happy birthday to Mickey Morandini and Ted Easterly!

And farewell to Sandy Valdespino and Frank Saucier.

Between the generations of three inning late game relievers like Rollie Fingers and Goose Gossage and the one inning high leverage relievers like Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman, there was Lee Smith. Smith bridged the gap between these groups, starting his career as a stopper and ending it as a closer. Along the way, 32 years ago this week, Smith set the major league record for career saves, which lasted until Trevor Hoffman and Mariano Rivera blew past him in the 2000s. Mike and Bill look back at the life and career of one of the most intimidating pitchers of all time, and find a self-described "country boy" who stumbled into his life's calling.

Plus, happy birthday to Kid Elberfeld and Hal Morris!

And farewell to Scott Sauerbeck and Bobby Malkmus.

The Joker famously believed that all it took to drive someone insane was one bad day. But Gordon didn't have to go through what MLB pitchers did 25 years ago this week, on April 7, 2000, when batters hit a combined 57 home runs around the league, setting a new record. Mike and Bill look back on this absolutely wild day and the players who made it so, finding significant milestones, the start and end of careers, and a whole lot of weirdness.

Plus, happy birthday to Red Smith and Fred Frankhouse!

And farewell to Eddie Fisher and Felipe Montemayor.

55 years ago this week, if the story is to be believed, a truck waited at a rest area in the middle of Utah, waiting to find out if it should travel west or east. In the balance hung the hopes of two cities that each wanted a big league baseball team. In Part 1 of a two part episode, Mike and Bill look at the troubled first year of the Seattle Pilots and the messy process that left them on the verge of moving to Milwaukee. Plus, happy birthday to Gary Pettis and Tommy Holmes!

Part 2: Bud Selig and the Birth of the Brewers: https://thisweekinbaseballhistory.libsyn.com/episode-195-bud-selig-and-the-birth-of-the-brewers-part-2