Dave Dravecky's comeback was described as something out of a storybook. It was a miracle. It was short-lived as, 30 years ago this week, his attempt to return from cancer surgery on his pitching arm ended on the mound in the most gruesome way imaginable. Mike and Bill look back on the career of Dravecky, what made his comeback so easy to root for, and the end of his career so heartbreaking. Plus, happy birthday to Sid Gordon and Danny Murphy!

Two of the best pitchers of the Dead Ball Era faced off 109 years ago this week, putting up matching goose eggs for 16 innings before the game between the Athletics and White Sox was called on a account of darkness. It serves as a perfect jumping off point to discuss the fantastic new graphic non-fiction book Baseball Epic: Famous and Forgotten Stars of the Dead Ball Era with author and illustrator Jason Novak. Plus, happy birthday to Claude Osteen!

Pete Rose has become one of the most polarizing and controversial figures in baseball history. But before that, he was the brash and charismatic star of one of the greatest teams in baseball history. And 41 years ago this week, Rose's 44 game hitting streak was snapped by the Atlanta Braves. At the request of Patreon supporter Steve Harmon, we dig into the rise and prime of one of baseball's most over and underrated players. Plus happy birthday to Dick Simpson and Joe Nuxhall.

Lefty Grove is one of the ten best pitchers of all time. But because of a late start to his major league career, 78 years ago this week, the A's and Red Sox legend won the last game of his career, his 300th. Mike and Bill look back at his legendary career and why it got started so late. Plus, happy birthday to Cliff Johnson and Roy McMillan!

Very few players in the 20th century transformed the way baseball was perceived as much as Jim Bouton, the hotshot Yankees starter who, after arm injuries and a trade to the Seattle Pilots, wrote perhaps the greatest baseball book of all time. Bouton passed away last week, so Mike and Bill talk about his life, his book, and the legacy of both, along with special guest Craig Calcaterra (@craigcalcaterra) of NBC Sports. Plus, happy birthday to Terry Pendleton!

We have spent a lot of time over 107 previous episodes making fun of former Commissioner Bowie Kuhn, but this episode we really take the time to catalogue what made him such an exceptionally frustrating boss of baseball on the 48th anniversary of Kuhn reversing course and deciding that Negro Leaguers would be full members of the Hall of Fame. We talk about the unlikely hero who popularized the idea and the tumultuous process by which it finally became a reality. Plus, happy birthday to Bill Melton and Bob Bailor!

Walter Johnson was probably the greatest pitcher of the first half of the 20th century until suddenly feeling his age in 1920. Weirdly, that was also when he threw one of the greatest games of his career, his only no-hitter, 99 years ago this week. Mike and Bill talk with Steven Goldman (@gostevengoldman) about The Big Train's career and legacy, and about how no one keeps a candle lit in the memory of those old Senators. Plus, happy birthday to Al Newman and Cesar Tovar, and farewell to Tyler Skaggs.

Few second basemen could match Cubs great Ryne Sandberg, and, of those, few could match Sandberg's epic performance 35 years ago this week, when he singlehandedly brought his team back from the brink of defeat against Bruce Sutter and the Cardinals on national TV. With Bill off this week, Mike digs through Sandberg's life and career, including his strange retirement and comeback. Plus, happy birthday to Joe Kuhel!

There may have never been an athlete as singular as Bo Jackson, a two sport star whose potential and flashes of brilliance tantalized the world until it all came crashing down. On the 33rd anniversary of him signing with the Kansas City Royals, Mike and Bill look back on Bo's careers, his downfall, his comeback, and his legacy. Plus, happy birthday to Wally Joyner and Doug Mientkiewicz!

Bernard Malamud's iconic novel The Natural has many inspirations, but its most iconic may be the shooting of Roy Hobbs. The inspiration for it occurred 70 years ago this week, when Eddie Waitkus was gunned down in his hotel by an obsessive fan. We go through the life of Waitkus, the tragic shooting that changed everything, its aftermath for both victim and perpetrator, and the seminal work it inspired. Plus, happy birthday to Dusty Baker and Dave Cash!