Sadly, baseball lost one of its brightest stars this week, Tigers icon Al Kaline. Mike and Bill devote this episode to the underappreciated virtuoso with the bat and in the field, who accomplished pretty much everything a person can on a ballfield and spent the rest of his life solidifying his status as Mr. Tiger. Plus, happy birthday to Nate Colbert and Claude Passeau!

Baseball is vastly richer because of the characters who have become part of the game's legend. And no one was more of a character than Mets pitcher Hayden "Sidd" Finch, who was unveiled by Sports Illustrated 35 years ago the day this episode drops. Mike and Bill go through the mysterious and surprising career of a true phenom, including his downfall and mysterious disappearance, and the lives he touched. Plus, happy birthday to Tommy Herr and David Dahl.

There is no denying that Pete Rose is one of the biggest figures in baseball history, and one of the greatest players of all time. There is also no denying, 31 years after Sports Illustrated revealed that he had gambled on his own team multiple times over multiple seasons, that he is one of the most controversial. Mike and Bill go through the tumultuous downfall of Rose and his many fruitless attempts to get back into the game following his permanent banishment. Plus, happy birthday to Mike Smith and Clyde Milan!

In a slight departure this week, Mike and Bill take a listener suggestion to focus on the influenza epidemic that swept across the globe in 1918 and lingered into 1920. That epidemic did have some effects on the game and played a role in further driving a wedge between the players and the owners that many say contributed to throwing of the 1919 World Series. Mike and Bill examine this horrifying epidemic, its effect on the sport and its players 102 years ago, and how, in spite of tragedies within the game, baseball as an institution got very lucky. Plus, happy birthday to Buddy Myer and Kevin Youkilis!

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.