Reading Baseball

Pete Peterson explains why a now demolished ballpark is special enough to him to be called his happy place.

The hot topic at the beginning of the Major League Baseball season was the emergence of torpedo bats.

Pete Peterson explains how Derek Shelton faced an uphill battle in getting the Pirates to be contenders.

The recent death of Pope Francis got Reading Baseball commentator Pete Peterson thinking about his visit to the U.S. nearly ten years ago.

Pete Peterson celebrates the 400th edition of Reading Baseball, which started in 2004.

A new book out this spring highlights the breaking of the color barrier by the Chicago White Sox and Cubs in the 1950's.

A new book is out focusing on the 40th anniversary of the 1985 World Series.

Pete Peterson once again remembers the time Jones became a cover boy when SIU Press reprinted a critically-acclaimed baseball book.

Pete Peterson tells us about a legendary negro league manager who Pete believes was wrongly left out of the Baseball Hall of Fame again.

Baseball has found some innovative ways recently to try and make the game more appealing to fans.

Pete explains how his wife Anita's disgust with her hometown Pirates led her to become a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, just for a fleeting moment.

Since his recent death, the debate has been reignited as to whether Pete Rose should be in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

If the current political atmosphere has you wanting a distraction, commentator Pete Peterson may have just the thing.

The Chicago White Sox set a record with 121 losses in 2024.

Pete Peterson tells us the story of how became the owner of a special glove.

Pete Peterson tells us who he thinks is the greatest living baseball player following the death of Willie Mays.

Pete explains the why his mustache turned out to be a curse for his beloved Pittsburgh Pirates.

Pete Peterson looks at how modern day baseball's day-night doubleheaders are not doubleheaders at all.

Pittsburgh Pirates rookie pitcher Paul Skenes has made a big impression on fans, including our own Pete Peterson.

Pete Peterson explains why his most recent trip to Pittsburgh was extra special.

Pete Peterson recaps Milwaukee's baseball history.

Pete Peterson remembers the great Willie Mays, who died recently at the age of 93.

Pete Peterson has been an avid runner for many years.

Pete Peterson examines the rash of injuries to pitchers already this MLB season.

Herzog died recently at the age of 92.

Pete Peterson examines Hank Greenberg's Hall of Fame career.

Pete Peterson, thanks to Mark Twain, finds a connection between baseball and eclipses.

Pete Peterson recently learned Paul Giamatti's father is the former commissioner of baseball who banished Pete Rose from the game.

The newest inductees into the Baseball Hall of Fame include longtime manager Jim Leyland.

WSIU contributor Pete Peterson brings us his annual piece in honor of Black History Month.

Pete Peterson tells us how a recent article reminded him of those days of going at it on the hardwood at the SIU Arena.

Pete Peterson remembers an chain of events more than 60 years ago that changed his life forever.

Pete Peterson talks about a new baseball book that highlights the magical moments in the game's history.

Pete Peterson remembers Dick Groat, a two-sport athlete who passed away earlier this year.

Pete Peterson explains how laughter is the best medicine to deal with your team's woes.

Pete Peterson remembers how the Pirates and the Cubs often battled for last place during his childhood in the 1950's.

Pete looks back on the rough seasons for the Pirates and the Cardinals.

The St. Louis Cardinals have a statue of Mark McGwire ready if he ever gets elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Pete Peterson describes an intense atmosphere as his family attended a Pittsburgh Pirates game recently.

Commentator Pete Peterson and his wife, Anita, are both retired teachers.

WSIU commentator Pete Peterson remembers his days pumping as as just two states still mandate full-service gas stations.

Pete Peterson's commentary focuses on how a study has determined climate change is helping produce more home runs in Major League Baseball.

Pete Peterson explains how superstitious baseball fans are, especially his own wife.

In his latest commentary, Pete Peterson looks at how quicker games are creating an unexpected problem involving beer sales.

Reading Baseball commentator Pete Peterson talks about the book Straight Man, which was developed into the TV series Lucky Hank.

Pete Peterson's latest edition of Reading Baseball takes a look at the remarkable story of Drew Maggi.

Pete Peterson tells us about his recent trip to a Pittsburgh Pirates-St. Louis Cardinals game in St. Louis.

Pete Peterson explains his view on the new pitch clock in Major League Baseball.

Pete Peterson's latest commentary highlights his childhood memories of opening day and the traditions born out of this special day across MLB.

Pete Peterson talks about his dream of playing professional baseball.

Reading Baseball commentator Pete Peterson takes exception to a Florida school district temporarily banning a children's book about Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente.