This Week In Baseball History

When he was elected to the Hall of Fame, he was touted as the most feared hitter of his era. But by the time the Red Sox released him 35 years ago, Rice was looking old before his time, hobbled from various injuries and poor eyesight. On the anniversary of the end of his career, Mike and Bill look back at a controversial Hall of Fame choice to figure out what all the fuss was actually about.

Plus, happy birthday to Mitch Williams and Roosevelt Harris!

And farewell to Doug Bird, Harry Chappas, Minnie Mendoza and Ed Kranepool.

Prior to Babe Ruth and Judge Landis, perhaps no person was as synonymous with baseball as Ban Johnson, the visionary who founded the American League, outfought the National League, and ran the National Baseball Commission until the Black Sox scandal. But his tenure was not always a smooth one, and he was not well liked. So much so that 104 years ago this week, the Yankees, Red Sox, and White Sox all tried to abandon the AL and form a super Senior Circuit with the NL teams. While that plan was thwarted, it signalled the beginning of the end for Johnson's reign, which Mike and Bill look back at this week.

Plus, happy birthday to Tommy Leach and Jim McCormick!

And farewell to Bob Blaylock and Wayne Graham.

Few men in baseball have been as universally beloved as Buzzie Bavasi, who took over the Dodgers front office 69 years ago this week. Joining Mike and Bill to discuss Buzzie's life and 45 year career is his son, Bob Bavasi of Japanball.com. Plus, happy birthday to Brad Radke and Mickey Rivers!

The Red Sox's World Series road always seems, one way or another to run through New York. And most of the time, the Yankees have proven an effective road block. It certainly seemed that way 20 years ago this week, until the Sox complete the most improbable comeback in baseball history, toppling the Yankees in the 2004 ALCS and their way to their first championship in 86 years. Mike and Bill look back at a historic team and its historic run for glory that is stiil so vivid in their memories.

Plus, happy birthday to Juan González and Vern Stephens!

Just 20 years old, Fernando Valenzuela took the world by storm in 1981, becoming an international superstar and spawning a phenomenon with his screwball. And 40 years ago this week, Fernandomania culminated in both the National League Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Awards, the only time a player has won both in the same season. Mike and Bill look back at that amazing season and Fernando's long subsequent career. Plus, happy birthday to Dick Stuart and Adam Dunn!

It was only seven years before the Mets won their first championship, but it must have seemed like 70, as they struggled to not to lose 100 games every year. But 50 years ago this week, they finally did, finishing off a miracle season by felling the mighty Orioles in five games. Mike and Bill go through the early history of the Mets and their amazin' championship season. Plus, happy birthday to Eddie Yost and Al Brazle!

The Washington Senators' history has been virtually abandoned by major league teams, so you'd be forgiven if you didn't know that 100 years ago this week, thanks to a heroic effort by the great Walter Johnson, the Senators won their only World Series. Mike and Bill look back at this surprising championship club, the opposing and heavily favored New York Giants, and the Series that pitted them against one another.

Plus, happy birthday to Alfredo Griffin and Ping Bodie!

And farewell to Don Wert and Pete Daley.

The proverbial "they" say that any hero who lives long enough sees himself become a villain.  While that may or may not be true, no baseball player fully inhabited both roles as thoroughly as Pete Rose, whose death this week at the age of 83 marks the end of a turbulent life. Rose found himself at the top of the sporting world over and over, but his personal demons and abhorent conduct off the field left hiim permanently banned from the game and reviled by many. In recognition of his accoomplishments and his place in baseball history, Mike and Bill look back at Charlie Hustle's life and career, warts and all.

Plus, happy birthday to Harry Steinfeldt and Earl Wilson!

And farewell to Jim Brady and Mike Cubbage.

Despite his career ending in ignomy 104 years ago this week, Joe Jackson remains a larger than life figure iin baseball and in American culture. But so much of how we picture Jackson is wrong, says former executive director of the Shoeless Joe Museum Dan Wallach (@shoelesspodcast). We talk with Dan about the man behind the myth and why it persists.

Plus, happy birthday to Bernard Gilkey and Urban Shocker!

And farewell to Jim Umbarger and Doug Creek.

The best hiitter of the 1980s is, beyond a doubt, either Tony Gwynn or Wade Boggs, two remarkably diifferent people and players who, nonetheless, both slashed singles and doubles all over every park they played in. Boggs, though, added tremendous patience to his game, making it remarkable that he was able collect his 200th hit for the sixth year in a row 36 years ago this week when he was also walking 100 times a year. On the anniversary of this impressive accomplishment, and in the wake of the news that Boggs is battling prostate cancer, Mike and Bill look back at the singular career of one of baseball's best third basemen.

Plus, happy birthday to Mickey Tettleton and George Uhle!

And farewell to Mike Ferraro, Gary Dotter, Reyes Moronta, and Denny Lemaster.