Hardball: MLB History In First Person

As the 75th Anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball was celebrated..it also became time to think about the 50th Anniversary of his passing. Kostya Kennedy has written an EXCELLENT book..TRUE: The Four Seasons of Jackie Robinson. An original way to look back at Jackie's life and career..and the impact of both. Here's my conversation with the author. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Gator" "Louisiana Lightning" A true fan favorite..2X World Champion..A Yankee Captain who is immortalized in Monument Park along with the All-Time Franchise Greats. Humble. Grateful. I hope you enjoy my conversation with one of the guys I grew up watching. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The story of the 1969 Mets can not be told without going back to the beginning. The 120 loss record breaking inaugural season of 1962. We will do that and so much more with our TWO guests this week. Ed Kranepool & Ron Swoboda. 50+ years later..this team resonates as much an ANY in the history of The Game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is a conversation with Hall of Famer and true Broadcast Legend VIN Scully. From his childhood NY roots to his first broadcasting break (a football game!) through some of his memorable days and nights at ballparks across America. The greatest painter of baseballs canvases will share - with the ultimate humility - a life well lived. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you talk about trying to put together an All-Time All-Time starting 9 in Baseball History, the debate can be both entertaining and anger inducing. And when you think about the men who can even be considered for such an honor, you are talking about the 1% of the 1% of the 1%. While you can say George or Brooks or I can say Chipper...we might all really be keeping the seat warm for today's guest on HARDBALL. For your consideration...at 3B: Michael Jack Schmidt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's Episode of HARDBALL is my conversation with Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk. The centerpiece of one of the most iconic moments in sports history, but his 22 year career that was so much more. His stories of rivalries..brawls..and an injury that could have ended it all before it ever got started. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Ryan Express: Nolan Ryan pitched in the Major Leagues for 27 seasons. He struck out more, walked more, hit more batters than any pitcher in history. And it wasn't even close. He did things that were beyond unprecedented..at his age or any other. And if you wanted to know what baseball fans thought of him..he got more votes than ANY pitcher who ever played the game in the 1999 All-Century Team poll. Oh...and 98% of the writers voted in his 1st year of eligibility for The Hall of Fame, Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duke Snider is Brooklyn Royalty. The Duke of Flatbush a Hall of Famer with 5 consecutive 40 HR Seasons. A great defender...his mid 50's production is as good as anyone in The Game. This Episode is also personal, as you'll hear. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joe Morgan was one of - if not the greatest - 2B off All-Time. You'll hear his story of how he overcame the "too small" tag to become a 2X MVP and leader. I spoke with Joe later in his life..and his want to reflect on his life and career was genuinely moving. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the Postseason in full swing, let's spend some time with one of the GREATEST Big Game pitchers of All-Time: Hall Of Famer Whitey Ford. So great he had three nicknames: Whitey. Slick, it's a Casey Stengel "whiskey" thing, and of course…The Chairman of the Board. Because no one has ever been more in charge than when the 5'9" lefty was on the mound. We will go through it all, from open tryout to HOF career...with some amazing storytelling to fill in the blanks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's with a heavy heart that I present my conversation with Brooks Robinson. When I heard of his passing, my mind went immediately to my very first baseball memory: the 1969 World Series and as a now bonafide 6 year old fan, I had a chance to start to appreciate great players. The 1970 World Series...THE BROOKS ROBINSON WORLD SERIES...was an incredible jump off point for a lifelong love of The Game outside of my NY Bubble. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Pete Rose is...." Start with those 3 words and watch what happens. Everyone has an opinion - or 6 - about him. I wanted to be one of the few people who did the "Baseball Conversation" with Pete. Here it is...Joe DiMaggio...Hank..Willie...his All-Time Teammate team (just wait)...the games and at bats... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Al Kaline spent 8 decades with the team that has proudly worn the Old English D since 1904. His talent surpassed only by his grace and class. An All American tale of the boy who dreamed it...then lived it with the Detroit Tigers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 2 is a sit down I did with Hall of Famer and Yankee Legend Phil Rizzuto back in 2001. Easily one of the most beloved Yankees of All-Time..a playing career that started in the 1930's..and a broadcast career that lasted until 1996. That would mean in his 7 DECADES of Yankeedom he saw firsthand more Yankee history than anyone else. He will tell some of those stories..and you will hear the names Ruth/Gehrig/Joe D/Mickey/Whitey/Billy/Roger/Reggie and more. Easily on of my TOP 5 All-Time Guests. HARDBALL Presents Phil Rizzuto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lawrence Eugene "Larry" Doby Episode 28 Being "2nd" was for too long what Larry Doby was known for. I think you will hear today as Larry recounts his life on and off the field that he's been shortchanged by that narrative. The Hall of Famer lived an incredible one. Baseball AND Social History lesson in 3...2... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Dimino in conversation with Stan "The Man" Musial. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

DAVE "THE COBRA" PARKER A 2X World Series Champion..A 7X All-Star..2X L Batting Champion..3X GG Winner.. and the 1978 MVP...and a man whose life has taken a turn..a turn that has led him to a life of teaching and service..See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

DOMINIC PAUL DIMAGGIO "THE LITTLE PROFESSOR" It's hard to be underrated when you are a 7 time All-Star..or you accumulate both the numbers and respect that led Ted Williams to claim the man should be in the Hall of Fame..but the entirety of Dominic DiMaggios career and more importantly life is exemplary. Here he tells some of his story See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we celebrate Jackie Robinson Day..it's an honor to offer up this conversation from the early 2000's. The Public and Private side of the most important moment in baseball history..April 15 1947..and its impact on the Robinson family..The Game..and Society. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David Allen "Davey" Johnson To give you an idea of what 50+ years in Major League Baseball can include if you're lucky..Davey will talk about his relationships with some of the best to ever play & manage The Game. Ted. Hank. Sandy. Earl. The Robinsons. World Series wins and losses and a Bear Bryant story as well. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices