Back When There Was Baseball
78 episodes Last Updated: May 02, 24
Step into the golden era of America's Pastime with "Back When There Was Baseball." Uncover the untold stories, thrilling triumphs, and heart-wrenching trials of the sport's most iconic figures, spanning from the mid-1960s to the mid-1980s - a transformative era when the baton was gracefully handed from titans like Hank Aaron, Orlando Cepeda, Mickey Mantle, and Willie Mays to the new generation of legends like Johnny Bench, George Brett, Mike Schmidt, and Nolan Ryan.
Each episode of "Back When There Was Baseball" is more than a mere retrospective; it's a journey through time. We weave together the intricate narratives of these athletes' careers, personal lives, and the broader socio-political context of their times. This is where you'll find the real drama, the human stories behind the home runs and record-breaking performances.
But our journey won't stop there. We'll occasionally veer off the beaten path, reaching back into the 1950s - a time many argue was the apex of Major League Baseball. Expect special episodes dedicated to this remarkable decade, spotlighting its most distinguished players and most memorable games.
"Back When There Was Baseball" is more than a podcast; it's your ticket to the front row of history. Whether you're a baseball enthusiast, a history buff, or simply someone who loves a good story, this podcast is your gateway to an era of baseball that shaped the game we know and love today. So, grab your cap, dust off your mitt, and join us for a fascinating journey into the heart of baseball's most legendary moments.
Episodes
We have a special podcast this week to discuss Tommy John surgery and how pitching has evolved from our time period Back When There Was Baseball (mid-1960s through the mid-1980s) to today. We are joined by Rich Hand, former MLB pitcher from the 1970s, and one of the best, if not the best, pitching coaches in MLB history, Leo Mazzone. Rich and Leo provide their perspective on these topics. This is a fascinating podcast and should provide you some insight into the current state of pitching compared to the years we cover Back When There Was Baseball.
Apr 25, 2024
Back When There Was Baseball: Bill North
We revisit the success of the "Swingin' A's" this week. Our guest is Bill North who arrived in Oakland in 1973 and played there through the 1978 season. Bill was part of two World Series championships (1973-1974) and appeared in the 1975 ALCS along with the 1978 NLCS and World Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He led the league in stolen bases twice (1974 and 1976) while playing a stellar center field. Bill was successful in both leagues and can be summed up as a WINNER. Join us Back When There Was Baseball with a look back into the 1970s with one of the best center fielders of that era.
Apr 18, 2024
Back When There Was Baseball: Earl Stephenson
Earl Stephenson joins us on the podcast this week. Earl pitched in the Majors/Minors from 1967-1979. He had to endure military service which disrupted his progress early on. Earl was a left-handed pitcher that, whatever the reason, never seemed to get a chance. He had a really good season with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1972 but was abruptly traded to Philadelphia after the season. He had some really good years at AAA after that but was never called up. Earl recalls his career in baseball and provides some insight which answers some of the questions about his career. Enjoy this trip Back When There Was Baseball with our guest, Earl Stephenson.
Apr 11, 2024
Back When There Was Baseball: Brant Alyea
We are airing this podcast this week in honor of Brant Alyea, who passed away on February 4, 2024. Brant Alyea joins us this week on the podcast. He had an illustrious career at Hofstra University on the hardwood playing for Butch van Breda Kolff and also on the baseball diamond. Brant signed a free agent contract with the Cincinnati Reds in 1962, then the Washington Senators chose him in the first-year minor league draft in November of the same year. Brant talks about the influence Coach Ted Williams had on him as well as his two years in Minnesota before playing for the Oakland A's in 1972. Brant earned the starting spot in right field for the A's in 1972 before pulling a groin muscle in August of that year, which sidelined him for the rest of his career. Look Back When There Was Baseball at the career of Brant Alyea and what it was like playing in the American League from the late 1960s through the early 1970s.
Apr 04, 2024
Back When There Was Baseball: Bob Galasso
Bob Galasso joins us on the podcast this week. Bob had a short, but very interesting career in the Majors. He came out of Connellsville High School (PA) and his high school did not have a baseball team. After being founded in American Legion ball, he ended up converting to a pitcher shortly after joining the Orioles organization in the Minors. Bob had to work his way up through the Orioles organization with their great staff at the Major League level (Jim Palmer, Mike Cuellar, Dave McNally, Pat Dobson, Ross Grimsley) and also in the Minors (Mike Flanagan, Scott McGregor, Dennis Martinez). Bob got a break when he was selected in the expansion draft by the Seattle Mariners. He had his best year in 1979 with the Milwaukee Brewers. Enjoy this conversation Back When There Was Baseball with Bob Galasso about how tough it was breaking into the Majors, especially after switching positions.
Mar 28, 2024
Back When There Was Baseball: Bob Beall
Bob Beall is our guest this week. Bob played in the Phillies, Braves and Pirates organizations during his career which lasted from 1970-1981. Bob was drafted in the 28th round of the 1970 June Draft by the Philadelphia Philles out of Oregon State University. Bob actually played some 3rd base as a left-handed fielder at Oregon State, which was very unusual. He worked his way to the Major Leagues and had some significant playing time during the 1978 season with Atlanta. Bob was a switch-hitting line drive hitter during his career and played mostly at 1st base. We hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane to the 1970s Back When There Was Baseball.
Mar 21, 2024
Back When There Was Baseball: Bob Randall
Bob Randall is our guest this week. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers out of Kansas State University in 1969. Bob ended up stuck behind those great Dodger infielders in his stint with L.A. (1969-1975) and could not break into the Big Leagues. He got his break when he was traded to the Minnesota Twins in December of 1975. Bob started at 2nd Base with the Twins in 1976 and had a nice year appearing in 153 games. He then platooned with Rob Wilfong for the next few years, before retiring from the game. Bob then got into collegiate coaching heading the Iowa State team (1985-1995) and then the Kansas Jayhawks club (1996-2002). We hope you enjoy this look at Bob Randall and the Minnesota Twins in the mid-late 1970s, Back When There Was Baseball.
Mar 14, 2024
Back When There Was Baseball: Tom Grieve
Tom Grieve joins us this week. Tom was a 1st round draft pick in the 1966 MLB draft by the Washington Senators. In fact, Tom and his son Ben were the 1st father-son team to both be drafted in the 1st round. He made it up to the Big Leagues in 1970, then in 1972 to stay. Tom was a streaky hitter and finally got a chance to play regularly when Frank Lucchesi became the Texas Rangers manager in 1975-1976. Tom talks about his career as a player, then after baseball, he discusses his career as the Rangers' GM, then their color analyst for many years when we go Back When There Was Baseball.
Mar 07, 2024
Back When There Was Baseball: Tom Burgmeier
Our guest this week is Tom Burgmeier. You should remember Tom as a left-handed relief pitcher mainly in the 1970s, but do you really know how good he was? Tom pitched in the Majors from 1968-1984, had a record of 79-55 with an ERA of 3.23. The last six years of his career his ERA was under 3.00. That is incredible considering he was over 35 each of those years. The 1978 one-game playoff between the Red Sox and Yankees was the only postseason game his teams played in. To accomplish all he did, on mostly sub-par teams, is astounding. We hope you enjoy this trip Back When There Was Baseball with Tom Burgmeier.
Feb 29, 2024
Back When There Was Baseball: Dave Dravecky
Our guest this week is remembered for his great comeback from cancer, then the ending of his career in Montreal. But did you remember how effective he was as a left-handed pitcher in the 1980s? Dave Dravecky joins us this week to talk about his playing days at Youngstown State University through his last MLB game with the San Francisco Giants. He broke into the Majors with the San Diego Padres in 1982 and his career ended in 1989 with the Giants. Dave had an ERA of 3.13 with a career record of 64-57. These are outstanding stats and may have led him to Hall of Fame consideration had he been fortunate enough to play longer. Join us as Dave recalls his career as we go Back When There Was Baseball into the 1980s.