The parade of questionable Hall of Fame outfielders continue, as Mike and Bill celebrate Chuck Klein being elected to Cooperstown by the Veterans Committee 45 years ago this week. Klein put together some of the greatest seasons in baseball history, but in some of the weirdest contexts in baseball history, before suddenly flaming out. What happened? And did the strange conditions in which he played make his election a mistake? Like life, it's all very complicated!

Plus, happy birthday to Ewell Russell and Terry Mulholland!

And farewell to Don Secrist, Jeff Torborg, Tommy Brown, and Bobby Cuellar.

Despite being a fine player for 17 seasons and a World Series hero three times over, Harry Hooper is one of the least discussed Hall of Famers in 2025. But 124 years ago this week, he was the only man who could replace Joe Jackson and return credibilty to the White Sox, who acquired him from Boston. On this anniversary, Mike and Bill look back on one of the best outfielders of the young American League to see what made him the man for the job.

Plus, happy birthday to Jim Konstanty and Paul Konerko!

And farewell to Félix Mantilla and Bob Veale.

Over more than a century, the Yankee pinstripes have perhaps become the most iconic uniform element in all of sports, instantly identifiable to fans everywhere. And 113 years ago this week, the New York then Highlanders announced they'd be wearing them for the first time. Mike and Bill looks back at the history of the uniform pinstripes, as well as the Old English D on Tigers uniforms, the Athletics' continued association with elephants as they migrated across the country, and more!

Plus, happy birthday to Ray Brown and Wilbur Cooper!

And farewell to Mark Bradley, Jim Lawrence, and Brian Matusz.

Mike accidentally deleted his description of the 6th inning and the unappreciated efforts of Frank McCormick from this week's episode, and so re-presents it here. Apologies!

With the baseball history cupboard relatively bare this week, Mike and Bill fire up the ol' randomizer, which settles on an early season Reds and Pirates game from April 24th, 1937. In the process of talking about the game, they learn about Paul Waner, Frank McCormick, pitchers who refuse to allow home runs, batters who don't strike out, Forbes Field and more!

Plus, happy birthday to Logan Hensley and Wally Pipp!

And farewell to Juan Jaime, Gary Sutherland, Lenny Randle and Brent Billingsley.

After threatening for years, Mike and Bill finally get around to the short-lived Senior Professional Baseball Assocation to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the league's only championship. How did this glorious thing come to be and why did it fail? What happened in between? Was its downfall inevitable, or could the idea actually work today? All these questions will be answered (or at least speculated about)!

Plus, happy birthday to Roger Peckinpaugh and Orval Overall.

And farewell to Roberto Gomez, Jack DiLauro, Ron Locke, and Wayne Simpson.

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.

More maligned than most inductees into the Baseball Hall of Fame, Earle Combs has developed an unfair reputation over the last decade or so as one of the worst choices of the old Veteran's Committee, 55 years ago this week. Mike and Bill look back at the Kentucky schoolmaster to see whether that reputation is warranted and find a much better player than they expected.

Plus, happy birthday to Charley Gelbert and Bibb Falk!

And farewell to Bob Kelly, Gail Henley, Al Fitzmorris, and Rico Carty.

In 1961, Chuck Dressen told Bob Uecker that there was no place in baseball for a clown. But Uecker proved him wrong over the next 64 years, becoming a beloved backup catcher, World Champion, scout, broadcaster, actor, raconteur and, eventually, Hall of Famer. He became the very manifestation of the American Dream, the son of an immigrant and high school dropout who found success through hard work, talent, good humor, and kindness. He turned being the butt of a joke into an art form over 90 years. This week, as Mike and Bill mourn his passing, they celebrate one of the great lives and people in baseball history.

Plus, happy birthday to Jon Matlack and Chick Gandil!

And farewell to Don Ferrarese, Al Ferrara, Don Young and Tommy Smith.

Apologies for the truncated version of this episode that appeared initially. This has been rectified in this re-posting.

Bernice Gera tried exceptionally hard to become one of baseball's pioneers. And, in many ways, she succeeded when, 53 years ago this week, a court ordered the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues to hire her as the first professional female umpire in minor league history. But her story is also an indictment of the culture of baseball, as she was hounded and bullied out of the sport by the worst misogynits on and off the field after umpiring just one game. Her story is a reminder that Baseball has always resisted change, often with threats of violence, that would allow it to be more inclusive, even when that change would have no effect on the game itself.

Plus, happy birthday to Ed Sartwood and Bob Forsch!

And farewell to Bud Daley, Gaylen Pitts, Rudy May, and Ray Semproch.