Clear the Field Podcast

This Week’s Lineup:- A Listener Introduces Us to New York’s Panfluencer- Baseball and the Quiet Mind- Checking in on Ballpark Stunt Food- Remembering Fantasy Baseball’s Good Old Days- Candy Bar WAR- ABS Update: Don’t FlinchWhat’s This?Every few weeks in “Slap Hits,” Ted and I cover whatever has delighted us from present-day baseball (or sometimes things even further afield) in a lightning round.There will be news (of a kind), opinion, banter when we agree, and arguing when we don’t. We’re looking at items big and small, obscure or viral, we’re going quick, and we’re not stopping to fact-check.Got a Slap Hit?Send us an amusing, baseball adjacent item (interpretation is up to you) you’d like us to mention, bonus points for weird and obscure. Listen to a few episodes of “Slap Hits” and you’ll get the sense of what we like to cover, and it’s often things that don’t get covered elsewhere that delight us the most. If we use it, we’ll credit you for the submission during the show!Email tips and suggestions to clearthefieldpod@gmail.com or leave a comment here on the episode. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.project-318.com

In 1979, Pat Santarone, the groundskeeper at Baltimore’s Memorial Stadium, battled Earl Weaver in a produce showdown for the ages.Highlights- Pat Santarone, a feared and fighting groundskeeper- Two competitors find each other in the minor leagues- The ballpark as a nursery: more light, more water, and more beer- The Tomato Wars claim Boog Powell and Billy Martin- A Spectacular secret ingredient for growing tomatoesSupport UsYou can support Clear the Field by following the show on your favorite platform:Apple Podcasts Spotify RSSGive a Rating, Like, or RestackIf you enjoyed an episode on a platform like Spotify or Apple Podcasts, can you give it a quick rating and let folks know? A 5-Star rating helps our podcast appear as suggested and helps people find us. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.project-318.com

This Week’s Lineup:- Team Randy or Team Cal?- Daikin Park Name That Guitar Instrumental- Hall-of-Fame Photographers- Ballpark Thin Lizzy- Reviewing the World Baseball Classic Policy on Musical InstrumentsWhat’s This?Ted Walker and I decided we couldn’t do a baseball podcast without discussing present-day baseball, so we’re mixing in a new format. We’ll still have our “A format,” where we tell a sideways story from baseball history, but every few weeks in “Slap Hits,” Ted and I will share whatever has delighted us from present-day baseball (or sometimes things even further afield) in a lightning round. There will be news (of a kind), opinion, banter when we agree, and arguing when we don’t. We’re looking at items big and small, obscure or viral, we’re going quick, and we’re not stopping to fact-check. The first one was a lot of fun to make, and we hope you enjoy listening. Got a Slap Hit?We’d also love it if some of you listening out there send us an amusing, baseball adjacent item (interpretation is up to you) you’d like to see us cover, bonus points for weird and obscure. Listen to a few episodes of “Slap Hits” and you’ll get the sense of what we like to cover, and it’s often things that don’t get covered elsewhere that delight us the most. If we use it, we’ll credit you for the submission during the show! Email tips and suggestions to clearthefieldpod@gmail.com. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.project-318.com

Featuring three moments when nature’s most famous nightshade made an impact at the ballpark.Highlights- Back to the (18)90s, complete with a Friends reference- Angry Ladies Day in Cleveland in 1940- Where all the ballpark fruit and vegetables come from- A bench ruling on tomatoes- Gardening on the warning track at Tiger Stadium- Miracle tomatoes promise to change Detroit’s seasonPlease Support UsYou can support Clear the Field by following the show on your favorite platform:Apple Podcasts Spotify RSSGive a Rating, Like, or RestackIf you enjoyed an episode on a platform like Spotify or Apple Podcasts, can you give it a quick rating and let folks know? A 5-Star rating helps our podcast appear as suggested and helps people find us. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.project-318.com

In 1971, the ambitious and erratic owner of the Oakland A’s went all-in to change the number of balls for a walk from four to three.Highlights- A “wildly eccentric” owner goes to the library and gets a history of the base-on-balls- A visiting Nippon Professional Baseball team beats the A’s at their own game- The A’s owner puts words into the commissioner’s mouth to force the Angels to play- Charlie Finley pivots to somebody else’s idea, the designated hitter rule, and finds what he was looking for all along This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.project-318.com

In 1971 (and 1969 and 1970), light aircraft used Chavez Ravine for target practice.Highlights- Vin Scully, aeronautics expert- A blurb of a bombardment in 1970- Animals on the grounds, flour from the skies- Siege weapons at the ballpark? Really?- Post-game speculation worthy of a ‘90s action movie- Another unexpected target across the country? Paul asks questions. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.project-318.com

In 1942, the wartime scrap effort costs the war-bound Giants a game.Highlights- Let’s Play Eight at the Polo Grounds- Highlights from New York City’s Junk Drawers- A youth movement as the Giants head off to war- A mostly inexplicable crowd surge- How America used “stuff” to win World War II This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.project-318.com

In 1942, major league baseball turned a few of New York’s green cathedrals into makeshift junk yards.Highlights- FDR nationalizes the National Game- What scrap metal meant to the war effort- Dispatches from the Junk Drawer War- The Dodgers pitch in to help New York meet its quota- A scramble at the Ebbets Field “scrap gate”- Next time: Metal mania moves to Manhattan This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.project-318.com

In 1969, the Cubs’ famous fans had an incredibly special relationship with the team. In 1970, they didn’t.Highlights- The Bleacher Bum org chart- The most special fan relationship- A funereal end to 1969- Mistakes were made, sayeth the Cubs' owner.- The vibes shift at Wrigley Field in 1970- Big Brother at the ballparkFurther Reading:https://www.project-318.com/p/the-break-up This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.project-318.com

In 1907, Detroit’s ebullient manager tried to save his voice by coaching with a whistle and blew his way into trouble.Highlights- Some surprising HBP trivia- Breaking down early 20th century noisemakers- Verbal managerial subterfuge through the ages- Instruments proliferate and umpires deteriorate- The first-ever World(‘s) Series ejection goes to...you guessed it!Further Reading:Support UsYou can support Clear the Field by following the show on your favorite platform:Apple Podcasts Spotify RSSGive a Rating, Like, or RestackIf you enjoyed an episode on a platform like Spotify or Apple Podcasts, can you give it a quick rating and let folks know? A 5-Star rating helps our podcast appear as suggested and helps people find us.Here on Substack, restacking an episode is one click that really helps us, so if you had fun, please click that button up there on the far right of the episode that has two circling arrows on it.EmailIf you have comments or details that add to our stories or ideas for future installments, send us an email at clearthefieldpod@gmail.com. Gentle corrections are also welcome.Warning: If a comment is particularly enlightening and/or funny, we might read it during a future episode.On Social MediaPaul: Substack InstagramTed: SubstackOriginal Research and Writing: Paul JacksonProduction and Music: Ted WalkerDesign: Ketaki Kulkarni This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.project-318.com

In 1987, the Mets / Cardinals rivalry exploded into a hunt for Howard Johnson’s magic bat.Highlights- Lawn Dart Day is cancelled.- Corking 101- Whitey Herzog’s haphazard investigation.- Howard Johnson’s suspect bat.- Unsatisfying allegations and extrajudicial acquisitions.- Holding your feelings in your mustache.- A harassment campaign leads to a new rule. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.project-318.com

In 1987, sneaky power hitting turned the greatest National League rivalry you’ve never heard of on its head.Highlights- The rivalry that Bud Selig forgot.- Great moments in name-calling.- Lunar charts and ballpark giveaways.- Is Jack Clark the K-Mart of baseball players and what does this mean?- A sprinkle of seat cushions becomes a blizzard.- Tommy Herr sends ‘em home happy and sans posterior support. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.project-318.com

In 1987, Twins pitcher Joe Niekro was found with contraband in his pockets but not necessarily with larceny in his heart.Highlights- A pitching career that just kept going- A sting operation in Anaheim- Caught with red hands and perfect cuticles- Following in Gaylord Perry’s footsteps (and getting lost) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.project-318.com

In 1907, bad weather and a bored crowd mixed to create an on-field mess and a forfeited game.Highlights- Opening Day traditions at the turn of the century- What people did to amuse themselves before cell phones- A surprising lack of police protection leads to a forfeited game- The reformer/crusader who decided to make an example out of baseballFurther ReadingSupport UsYou can support Clear the Field by following the show on your favorite platform:Apple Podcasts Spotify RSSGive a Rating, Like, or RestackIf you enjoyed an episode on a platform like Spotify or Apple Podcasts, can you give it a quick rating and let folks know? A 5-Star rating helps our podcast appear as suggested and helps people find us.EmailIf you have comments or details that add to our stories or ideas for future installments, send us an email at clearthefieldpod@gmail.com. Gentle corrections are also welcome.Warning: If a comment is particularly enlightening and/or funny, we might read it during a future episode.On Social MediaPaul: Substack InstagramTed: Substack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.project-318.com

They are rare today, but forfeits used to be a regular feature of baseball. We’re looking at some of the times teams have managed to beat themselves.Highlights- What’s a forfeit and why didn’t Ron Artest cause one?- An introduction to the Godfather of forfeit scholarship- Ted makes a morbid but very apt comparison- Examples of games that have failed: Missing teams, collective tantrums, and daylight fights This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.project-318.com

In 1959, the Chicago White Sox won the pennant. Bells rang, horns blew, and some people huddled in their basements, awaiting the end of the world.Highlights-Khrushchev’s first hot dog-The 1959 “Go Go” White Sox and the team’s historic pennant drought-Victory in “Baseball Thunderdome”-Sirens interrupt celebrations-Atomic terror in the 1950s-Chicago flunks its civil defense pop quiz-Robert Quinn, the man who thought this was a good ideaFurther Reading/ViewingThe Duck and Cover Pennant - Project 3.18Civil Defense Instructional VideoOn the Beach (featuring Fred Astaire!)A Day Called X This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.project-318.com

In 1981, the Seattle Mariners’ uniforms were stolen from the visitors clubhouse at Arlington Stadium. The game had to go on, so the team needed to find something to wear.Highlights-The scene of the crime: Arlington Stadium in Texas, the hottest park in America-The robbery and aftermath-Raiding the souvenir stand for replacements-The details of a similar crime from 1977…and a possible suspectFurther ReadingThe Seattle Mariners Go Thrifting - Project 3.18 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.project-318.com

In 1938, a “color engineer” had an idea to cut down on major league beanings: make baseballs yellow. The National League president said, “Sure, why not?”Highlights-The devastating 1937 beaning of Mickey Cochrane-Frederick H. Rahr, inventor and possible flim-flam man-The inside man: Larry MacPhail, president of the Brooklyn Dodgers-The yellow ball’s debut at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn-The results of the test and Rahr’s surprising baseball legacyFurther ReadingOf Apples and Lemons - Project 3.18Hall of Fame Feature This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.project-318.com

In 1931, Cubs catcher Gabby Hartnett took heat for fraternizing with Al Capone. Gangsters were an occupational hazard for Prohibition-era baseball players.Highlights-The comings and goings of gangsters at Comiskey Park and Wrigley Field-Al Capone’s favorite player (and how we know)-The day Hartnett ended up in a controversial picture (that helped bring down Capone)-The baseball commissioner’s effort to crack down on players fraternizing with “unsavory characters” (like their wives)Further ReadingSnapped - Project 3.18To Kiki from Al This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.project-318.com