By far the most successful attempt to create a third major league began in earnest 107 years ago this week in a hotel in Indianapolis. It fizzled out after two years, but left a legacy that still governs the professional game today. Mike and Bill leaf through the short life of the Federal League, and how we still feel the effects of its rebellion more than a century later. Plus, happy birthday to Carl Furillo and Ruppert Jones!

It was a punchline across the country 47 years ago this week, when Yankees pitchers Fritz Peterson and Mike Kekich announced they had decided to switch families the previous winter. Like many trades, this one turned out to be pretty one-sided, as Kekich's life and career were upended in the aftermath. Mike and Bill look back at what made this seem like such a good idea to the four adults, and how it all fell apart into a sad mess. Plus, happy birthday to Jeff Burroughs and Ron Gant.

You'd be hard pressed to find a better combo in baseball's Golden Age than Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale, the twin aces of the LA Dodgers. But the pair also were also shrewd negotiations who realized their power together when they announced 54 years ago this week that they'd be holding out. Mike and Bill look back at their holdout, how they exerted pressure on the Dodgers before free agency, and how they set the stage for other battles decades later. Plus happy birthday to Pepper Martin and Dickey Pearce.

Bar none, the most iconic style choice in Major League Baseball history is probably Rollie Fingers's handlebar mustache. The closer's signature 'stache was his calling card and, when given the chance to extend his career by shaving it 34 years ago this week, he refused. Mike and Bill look back at one of the first modern closers, the first man to 300 saves, and the most exquisitely groomed player in history. Plus, happy birthday to Elroy Face and Big Ed Brandt, and farewell to Tony Fernandez.

Despite being largely forgotten today, Oscar Charleston was perhaps the greatest and most popular Negro Leaguer of his day and one of the best players in baseball history. With special guest Jeremy Beer, whose biography of Charleston just won the Harold and Dorothy Seymour Medal, Mike and Bill learn about who Charleston was on and off the diamond, what his world was like, and why he has been left out of so many histories of the game. Plus, happy birthday to Jim Barr and Tex Hughson!

There has never been an infield that has played together longer, more often, or perhaps better than the Dodgers' incredible combination of Steve Garvey, Davey Lopes, Bill Russell, and Ron Cey, a dynamic foursome that lasted 9 years and 833 starts together. But it all came to an end 38 years ago this week, when Lopes was traded away. Mike and Bill examine the long and excellent careers of all four players, together and apart, and what ended their incredible run after they finally won their championship.

In 1912, Jim Thorpe was the greatest athlete in the world. But by the end of January, 1913, he surrendered his Olympic medals in shame after evidence surfaced of him playing pro baseball four years earlier. 107 years ago this week, the most famous man in America to a three year contract. Mike and Bill examine Thorpe's road to this spectacle, the controversy he endured, and what happened after he finally did make the Majors. Plus, happy birthday to Kaiser Wilhelm and Pete Runnels.

There are no excuses, only reasons for what Marty Bergen did 120 years ago this week, when a lifetime of paranoia and mental illness culminated in the murder of his family, and the suicide that shocked a the rural community he lived in, and the baseball community at large. Mike and Bill look back on the troubled life of Bergen, and his attempts to get help in an era where none was forthcoming, and marvel at how little we've improved in 12 decades years. Plus, happy birthday to Rusty Greer and Chick Gandil.

The news shocked Detroit when the city found out one of its heroes, Hank Greenberg, had been sold to the Pittsburgh Pirates. But the reason for the deal, which happened 73 years ago this week, is even crazier. Mike and Bill dig into the long and eventful life of one of baseball's best sluggers, his struggles against anti-Semitism, his heroic service to his country, and the misunderstanding that ended his time in Motor City. Plus, happy birthday to Bill Madlock and Rance Mulliniks!

Hoyt Wilhelm did everything unconventionally. He didn't look like a ballplayer. He threw soft, almost entirely knuckleballs. And unlike other knucklers, he stayed almost exclusively in the bullpen. But he was exceptionally effective, and 35 years ago this week his brilliance on the bump was recognized with an election to the Hall of Fame, the first reliever honored. Mike and Bill look back on his illustrious career and what made him so singular. Plus, happy birthday to Jim Gantner and Schoolboy Rowe.