There are so many ways in which Edgar Martinez's career might not have happened. He could have missed the open tryout where he was discovered. He might have become disheartened by his extended minor league apprenticeship. The Mariners might have been dissuaded by the potentially debilitating vision problems he fought hard to overcome. But it did, fortunately for Seattle, because 30 years ago this week, the first truly great designated hitter in baseball history lined The Double down the left field line in the ALDS against the Yankees, sending Seattle to the ALCS for the first time. In celebration, Mike and Bill look back at Edgar's Hall of Fame career and find maybe the most unlikely franchise icon of all time.

Plus, happy birthday to Oil Can Boyd and Jim Bagby Sr!

And farewell to Lee Elia and Joe Coleman.

The decades of baseball in Brooklyn were mostly marked by one failure after another until the club got their act together in the 1940s. Still, the Dodgers seemed uniquely capable of breaking their fans' hearts until 70 years ago this week, when they finally beat the Yankees to claim their one and only World Series in their original home. That moment in the sun was all too brief, however, as they'd pack up and move to the West Coast just two years later. This week, Mike and Bill look back at that one perfect moment in Brooklyn, when all seemed right with the world and the Dodgers were finally world champs.

Plus, happy birthday to Eddie Murphy and Johnny Podres!

And farewell to Bill Denehy and Bobby Jenks.

Mike's doing better after his bout with pneumonia, but his voice is still on the fritz this week. So we have one more classic episode of TWIBHistory for you before we get back to business of recording new material. Apologies all around, but the good news is that we get the chance to rebroadcast one of the most compelling and tragic stories we've done.

Lyman Bostock was one of the most dynamic young stars in the American League, compared favorably with Rod Carew and predicted to win multiple batting titles. He was one of the early benefactors of free agency, was quickly becoming one of the most popular players in the game, and may have been on a Hall of Fame track. But 41 years ago this week, Bostock was the victim of a senseless shooting and died, leaving his fans wondering what might have been. Mike and Bill look back on his brilliant career that ended far too soon and the tragedy of both his death and travesty of justice that followed.

Plus, happy birthday to Jeffrey Leonard and Jon Garland.

So, it turns out Mike has pneumonia. He's getting better. But while we wait for him to complete his rehab assignment, please enjoy this re-release of Episode 168 on Kens Griffey Sr. and Jr. 

Baseball is a game that is most often passed down from one generation to the next. But some of those handoffs are more effective than others, like with the the Griffeys, Kens Sr. and Jr., who hit back-to-back homers 35 years ago this week, the first and only time a father and son have done that in baseball history. Mike and Bill look back at the life and career of Ken Sr, the excitement of Griffey-mania in Seattle, and a unique accomplishment in the history of baseball.

Plus, happy birthday to Heinie Groh and Rick Wise!

Please excuse Mike this week, as he is dealing with some laryngitis and was on restricted duty during this episode. But Bill certainly stepped up as the pair celebrate the life and career of the great Davey Johnson to mark his passing at the age of 82. Johnson was a star as a player and a superstar as a manager, leading the Mets to their second championship in 1986 and adding significant value to basically every team he helmed. But he also had a pugnacious and self-destructive streak that seemed to undermine him everywhere he went even as he succeeded beyond all expectations.

Plus, happy birthday to Mike Hampton!

And farewell to Billy Hunter.

Baseball is a beautiful game when it's played well. But when it isn't...well, you get games like one that occured 103 years ago this week, when the Phillies and Cubs squared off in the highest scoring game of all time. 51 hits, 21 walks, and 9 errors later, the teams had collaborated to produce 49 runs, of which only 28 were earned. What exactly went wrong here and who were the players who had to suffer through such indignity? Mike and Bill look back on an anti-classic to try and figure it out.

Plus, happy birthday to Garry Maddox and Tom Candiotti!

And farewell to Hosken Powell and Ed Mickelson.

Apologies for an extra re-run this month. Mike is dealing with a personal thing, and we will be back with a new episode next week.

Some people podcast about history. Some people witness it. Melissa Ludtke made it happen, successfully fighting back against Bowie Kuhn and Major League Baseball to ensure women in journalism could be on equal footing with male sportswriters. Mike, Bill and Mike Duncan (@MikeDuncan) talk with her about that experience, about the importance of representation for women in baseball, and about the book she was working on at the time. This book is now finished and is called Locker Room Talk: A Woman's Struggle To Get Inside. It's fantastic.

Perhaps nothing unites more baseball fans than the shared experience of playing Little League Baseball. But, until 1974, only boys were allowed to play. After that, it took until 1984, 41 years ago this week, before the first girl played in Little League's crowning jewel, The Little League World Series. On this auspicious anniversary, Mike and Bill look back at the origins and history of Little League Baseball, and of the Little League World Series itself. And, aside from a few significant bumps in the road, they find what's mostly a pretty feel-good story for once.

Plus, happy birthday to Buck Weaver and Diego Segui!

And farewell to Diego Segui, Bob Heffner, and Matt Murray.

Every now and again, Mike and Bill like to take a break from the exciting world of actual baseball history and delve into the much more relaxing regular season games where nothing historic happens to talk about whatever strikes their fancy. The randomizer this week chose September 11, 1987's contest between the Pirates and Phillies. In the process of talking about the game, they share about Kevin Gross, the MLB Corporate All Stars, the best platoons, all the guys the Yankees traded away in the '80s, and Juan Soto's walk rate.

Plus, happy birthday to Patron request Jose Cruz Sr and to Alex Fernandez!

And farewell to Johnny O'Brien and Ron Taylor.

With Mike on vacation this week, we dig once again into our archives to present a classic TWIB History. One of the best ballplayers and most incredible athletes in modern history, Dave Winfield's baseball career should speak for itself. Unfortunately, two figures get in the way of that: George Steinbrenner and a stupid seagull, which was accidentally killed by a Winfield warmup toss 42 years ago this week. Mike and Bill examine all Winfield's life, including the conflicts that came to overshadow so much of what he accomplished, but reserve time to marvel at what a singular talent Winfield was. Plus, happy birthday to Frank Howard and Tim Wakefield!