Sean and Eds Do Baseball

Eds returns to the bump with the story of how Hog Town's famed Christie Pits came to be. A beautiful park in the heart of Toronto that hosted the city's early softball leagues soon became the site of an event that catalyzed one of the darkest moments in 20th century Canadian history.

Sean keeps throwing and things get out of hand with Van Lingle Mungo. An arm injury, boozing, trade rumours, adultery, and confrontations with his managers lead to the end of his tenure in Brooklyn; and eventually his career, but not before one of the wildest stories in baseball history.

Sean pitches into extra innings starting with the origin and rise of Brooklyn Dodgers star Van Lingle Mungo. One of the best pitchers of the 1930's, Mungo had the unfortunate luck of pitching in front of the Daffy Dodgers,  never experiencing team success despite impressive underlying personal stats. A confrontational personality, drinking and finally an arm injury would seal his fate as a forgotten Dodger great.

Sean and Eds share the tools of ignorance this time and catch a story from special guest pitcher; Sports Reference Director of Design and SABR member Adam Darowski who steps to the mound with a spot start. Adam tells the tale of a 1930's Dominican baseball league that was founded by a ruthless dictator who sought to ride the wave of baseball's popularity to both feed his obsession with power and win the hearts of his countrymen. He details the relatively unknown Latin superstars that made up the rosters  and the defection of many American Negro League players brought in to play for more money, and to their surprise... their lives.

Sean throws a change-up with some late break telling the tragic story of a much hyped Pirates prospect and the scout who promised to stay by his side. Edmead would prove to be everything the organization was hoping he'd be until a routine play in August changed baseball history.

Eds returns to the mound for another tale of Black History with the story of Cecil Cooper. A criminally underrated player who struggled to find a fit in Boston, Cooper was a humble first baseman who eventually found his niche in the small market of Milwaukee, becoming an integral part of one of the most potent line-ups of the 1980's, carving out a place in the Brewers record books and becoming one of the most respected men in baseball on and off the field.

Sean gets on the bump for his first start of 2025 and regales Eds with the story of Luke Easter. A hulking home run hitting, trailblazing black slugger and all around great guy. Easter had a late start to his pro baseball career but made up for it by lying about his age. He'd play until nearly the age of 50, positively impacting hundreds of fans and teammates along the way, before meeting a tragic end.

Eds comes from the windup and kicks high with the life story of the man who some consider to be the luckiest in baseball history; Jack Lohrke. Born in the 20's, Lohrke lived into his 80's but not before becoming one of baseball's greatest cheaters, but not on the field or in his personal life. Jack Lohrke earned the nickname "Lucky" by cheating death.......seven times.

Our 2024 Season Finale! Sean's on the bump with the extra long story of William Ashley Sunday. After a rough childhood, Sunday's speed was enough to earn a spot on the Chicago White Stockings but he would leave after a short career yo serve a bigger purpose! Preaching the word of God like no one had ever seen before.

The boys return to the battery after a short break with the life story of yet another fellow country man; this time it's Phil Marchildon.  In the spirit of Remembrance / Veteran's Day Eds toes the rubber and tells Sean about Phil's humble beginnings on the shores of Georgian Bay, his late start into baseball and his heroic venture to war, where he became a POW and suffered the effects that further curtailed a promising baseball career. 

Sean goes from the windup to tell Eds the wild story of the first official World Series in 1903; as well as the legendary group of fans that helped turn the series in Boston's favour. 101 years later the song they sang would gain new life and Boston would once again win it all in October!

Eds throws a knuckler and continues an October tradition with a story from the MLB postseason, but he also continues a Sean and Eds Do Baseball tradition with a story of the Mets. The Miracle Mets; the key cast members that made them and all the reasons that nickname was so apt. They weren't expected to do much of anything but a perfect chain of events helped the Mets go from mediocrity to might for one miraculous season.

Sean throws a quality start with the story of baseball writer and journalist Melissa Ludtke. Her love of baseball lead her to write for Sports Illustrated but a confrontation with Bowie Kuhn during the 1977 World Series changed baseball for the better and set a precedent for women reporters everywhere. https://www.melissaludtke.com/locker-room-talk

Sean stands atop the hill and delivers a spitball with the short wild life and career of Arthur "Bugs" Raymond. One of the premier spitballers of his day Raymond's NY Giants Manager John McGraw would do all he could to keep his star pitcher sober but to no avail.

Eds steps to the rubber with a fastball. The story of Guelph, Ontario's own William "Bunk" Congalton; who found his way into his local Sports Hall of Fame after a career gardening for a laundry list of colourfully named clubs, but not before he died at the Indians game, at the age of 61 or 59.

Sean winds up with a fastball to tell the story of hard throwing pitcher Moses Yellowhorse. From the Pawnee Nation; Yellowhorse's arm caught the attention of baseball's elite and brought him to the big leagues at a young age. Despite a strong arm and cheers from the Pittsburgh faithful dedicated specifically to young Moses, his career would be very short but very eventful.

Eds heads to the mound with a short outing; telling the story of fellow countryman, The Only Nolan. Born Edward Sylvester Nolan, in Trenton, Canada, Nolan gained what turned out to be one of the most ironic nicknames in baseball history. He stumbled into the major leagues and wouldn't stay long as he could never stray far from controversy. 

Sean twirls a strong outing with the story of Stanley "Frenchy" Bordagaray - who was Basque! Bordagaray made headlines; mostly off the field with his goofy antics and stunts which created some major consternation for his manager Casey Stengel. 

Eds hits the corner with a heater as he blazes through the life story of Hall of Fame Phillie and Broadcasting Legend Don Richie Whitey Ashburn. A story inspired by one fateful afternoon of "Putt-Putt's" career that surely beat the odds.

Sean goes up and in with the story of Joe Sprinz and his attempted record setting catch that on his birthday no less, ended in disaster at the San Francisco World's Fair!  

Eds throws a curveball in a fastball count and brings an old player back onto the roster with a more in depth covering of the life of Randy Bass; the NPB's first American superstar, who due to some poor foresight by his club was railroaded out of town in the most despicable of circumstances. Listen to how those circumstances left a sour taste in the mouth of the Tigers legend and how they created an awful dilemma for the Hanshin GM.

Sean winds up for back to back starts with the tale of two friends brought together by baseball and connected forever by one tragic day on the diamond.

Sean throws a strike with the story of James "Pud" Galvin; a small but mighty pitcher and MLB's first 300 game winner. Galvin's career would be overshadowed by other stars of the 1880's but a revelation from the early 2000's would embroil him in a modern scandal.

Eds returns to the mound with the story of Benny Meyer, a man that Babe Ruth called “the noisiest coacher in either league," who as a young man was given an ultimatum by his father that set him on a path toward a life of baseball.

Sean's on the bump with the story of Wild Bill Hagy. One of the original Superfans who led a section of rowdy fans in the bleachers of Baltimore in the late 1970's. Wild Bill's cheers and dancing made him famous before a falling out with the team led to his arrest. His story even inspired an early episode of the Simpsons.

Eds throws a curveball on his way out of town and tells Sean the story of how a veteran ballplayer in the twilight of his career inadvertently started an underground competition by consuming an ungodly number of Philadelphia Cheesesteak sandwiches while riding the bench one weekend; and how since that day a few MLB personnel have gone to great lengths to claim the crown for themselves.     

Sean brings some heat with the story of Dennis "Oil Can" Boyd and his journey through the big leagues and beyond. Known for being a polarizing figure we dig into the racism and horrific experiences that made The Can who he is!

Eds makes his first start of the 2024 season with a changeup as he tells the life story of Wendell Smith. Smith was integral to the breaking of baseball's colour barrier in the modern era. Inspired to a life of activism by an unfair rejection by the Tigers as a teen, Smith's actions and awareness of societal conditions paved the way for Jackie Robinson and all those who would follow.  "Puddin' Pie" credited to United Artists and Wendell Smith Jr. (1959)

We begin our season just like the MLB, with a trip to Korea! Sean goes to the hill for opening day 2024 and delivers the bloody origin story of the KBO (Korean Baseball Organization) along with the anti-democratic authoritarian leader who wanted to use baseball to placate the South Korean people. 

On the momentous occasion of 100 episodes Sean toes the rubber as Eds and returning alumni and good friends Spencer Levon (pianotuners.ca / FACEPLANT) and Jean Poincelet (Stray Rebel Bullet) strap on the tools of ignorance to hear the story of Michael "Doc" Powers; a man whose defensive prowess as a catcher and his skills as a physician allowed him to have a long career in the majors as a back up catcher. However for some reason the Doctor ignored his own health issues causing him to enter the history books incorrectly as the first man to die from injuries he sustained on a baseball field.

Eds works from inside to outside on the hill as he tells Sean the life story of Ron LeFlore, who by sheer natural talent and a bit of luck managed to make it to the big leagues even though he'd never even played a game of baseball until he landed on the fields of Michigan's Jackson State Prison.

Sean delivers a gem as he tells Eds about the time that all the umps quit. Back in 1999 the umpires in both the National and American Leagues were frustrated enough that they dared to test the MLB brass by resigning en masse to force contract negotiations. The plan would backfire as the union crumbled; costing 22 umps their jobs.

Eds goes high and outside with the story of the 1999 Mets and their rollercoaster ride to the postseason. Bobby Valentine led a squad of ghosts on a magical revenge tour through October but they would run out of aces against a bitter rival in a most unfortunate fashion.

Sean goes up in the zone and tells Eds about the 1986 World Series and the man who took it upon himself to give his team a boost when they needed it the most - even if it meant breaking a lot of laws and endangering some lives.

In honour of Eds' absence in Nashville Tennessee, it's only fitting that we present a re-run of our 55th episode on Hall of Famer and former baseball superstar Charley Pride. Sean tells Eds the story of Black trailblazer Charley Pride. Pride grew up in the cotton fields of Mississippi and was inspired by Jackie Robinson to pursue baseball and to become a Hall of Famer. Pride succeeded and became a superstar with hits around the world; just not on the ball diamond.

Sean spins a curveball, telling Eds about the life and tragic death of George 'Win' Mercer who was one of the best pitchers of the 1890's. On top of that he was a two-way player and a handsome one at that; becoming a fan favourite with the ladies of Washington whose admiration for the young hurler birthed a famous baseball legend.

As the season winds down Eds steps to the rubber and delivers a story inspired by recent events, with the tale of Coaker Triplett, who spent a lifetime on the fringes of major league baseball. A quad-A player who tore the cover off the ball and cemented his name into the history books with one explosive week that would go unmatched for another 85 years.

On the 120th anniversary Sean throws Eds the story of baseball's deadliest day; August 8th, 1903. During a two game double header between the Boston Beaneaters and the home Phillies, an incident outside the stadium would create a chain reaction of events that ended with a dozen tragically killed and hundreds more injured.

With a very special guest in Blake Murphy; Sportsnet Personality and Host of Blue Jays Talk Plus, 10am to 12pm EST and after every Jays game on Sportsnet FAN590, Eds takes to the mound and delivers a performance that goes into extras, as he tells the story of an early 20th-century squad born within the walls of a Wyoming State Prison, and the reason that area politicians kept a very watchful eye.

Sean throws a strike with the story of Sam Crane. A glove first shortstop who kept getting chance after chance to stick in the big leagues. Even after Crane committed a heinous crime, one of baseball's elite continued to go to bat for him. 

In celebration of 90 episodes (the toilet paper anniversary) Sean and Eds put their feet up and welcome award winning author and SABR member Justin McKinney to the show for a highly anticipated spot start. Justin takes to the mound and delivers a short summary of his book; "Baseball's Union Association: The Short, Strange Life of a 19th-Century Major League." (winner of SABR's 2023 Baseball Research Award.)  In just one season the Union Association came and went, had some serious trials and tribulations, and a colourful cast of characters; its a wonder they made it one full season at all, and thankfully Justin is here to tell us most of the story.

Eds returns to the bump with a story of a man whose biographer described him as "the least athletic person apart from Eddie Gaedel to play in the major leagues." Charlie grew up seemingly destined to work the land under the watchful eyes of his younger brothers back home in Kansas, but a trip to the county fair would change not only Charlie's life, but spur the Giants to one of their greatest stretches in team history.

Sean toes the rubber and delivers a changeup with some late break, as he tells the story of Rinku Singh. A former Olympic hopeful in javelin, Singh gives up everything to enter a baseball throwing competition, even though he had never even seen a baseball game before. Singh's life would change and he would end up in the big leagues- but not for baseball. 

Eds returns to toe the rubber with the story of two great entertainers. He begins with the life of Bud Abbott who quit school and joined the family business, following in his father's footsteps through the Northeastern Burlesque wheels, where he would meet his greatest match in Lou Costello; together they would take the entertainment by storm but not without some stormy days of their own. Nonetheless the two men gifted us with one of the greatest comedic bits the world (not just the baseball world) has ever seen.

Sean winds up and tosses a wild one with the life of Gus Weyhing. Gus was not just wild on the mound- setting the MLB record for hit batsmen- but also off the field with numerous arrests and mischieveous moments throughout the pitcher's life. 

Returning to the bump after back to back outings by Sean, Eds tells a story that is part sports documentary part true crime with the story of Brandon Martin. The former first round pick of the Tampa Bay Rays whose inner demons, which had been brushed aside in the name of his career, quickly began to re-surface after becoming one of the organization's highly touted prospects.  Big Thanks to : This is MONSTERS - season 3 episode 4 (YouTube)                          Nathan Fenno - LA Times - Nov19/2020 & April 28/2017

Inspired by the WBC; Sean takes the mound again and delivers the story of Eiji Sawamura. A teenage pitching phenom who got the opportunity to face the best of the best at the young age of 17. Sawamura's career and life would be cut short but he made such an impact that the yearly award for the best pitcher in Japan still bears his name to this day.  

Sean gives Eds a "Balle Courbe" with the story of Jeffrey Loria's early years in baseball and his tumultuous time as owner of the Montreal Expos. Loria would only own the team a few years but his time there left a deep scar in the hearts of Montreal baseball fans and ignited conspiracies about the commissioner's intentions. 

Eds takes the mound once again with a story about "The Bulldog" Jim Bouton and more specifically about Waconah Park. Bouton who "never did anything half way" took it upon himself and some of his friends to fight city hall in order to save an historic landmark in his adopted hometown of Pittsfield. 

Sean winds up and delivers a bit of a screwball detailing the extremely talented Dobie Moore. Arguably the best shortstop to ever play the game; Sean and Eds are joined by guest Andrew Stoeten to discuss Moore's meteoric rise on the field and his sudden violent descent off it.

In celebration of Black History Month; Eds heads to the mound and delivers the story of Dan Bankhead, a man born into the coal country of Alabama during the Jim Crow era who despite setting an historical milestone and cementing his name into the book of legends not once but twice in the same day; is sadly often lost in the lore of baseball history.