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The Baseball Book Club brings the rich history of baseball to life using classic and contemporary baseball books. With lively discussions, hosts John Cheslock and Leroy Estep reflect on moments in the sport's past as well as the significance it has in our culture today. Ultimately, the goal is to gain a deeper appreciation for the game and build a community of like-minded individuals who share a passion for it.
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Few pitchers in baseball history combined intelligence, precision and dominance like Christy Mathewson, Greg Maddux and Pedro Martinez. In the season finale, John and Leroy examine what set these three legends apart — from Mathewson’s artistry with his fadeaway pitch, to Maddux’s unmatched command, to Pedro’s electric presence in the 1990s and early 2000s. Each man defining greatness and showing why their names still stand as the gold standard for pitching mastery. TheBaseballBookClub@g...
The Great One, Roberto Clemente, is number 40 on the Posnanski 100 and we'll talk about the life and career of one of Pittsburgh's greatest. We will also do some baseball terminology - three terms from Paul Dickson's The Baseball Dictionary. TheBaseballBookClub@gmail.com
What does it take to show up every single day? In this episode, we'll look into the story of Cal Ripken Jr.—the Iron Man of baseball—who redefined durability and dedication by playing in 2,632 consecutive games. From his rookie days in Baltimore to the night he broke Lou Gehrig’s legendary record, Ripken’s career was more than just his streak and we’ll explore what his legacy meant for baseball. We'll also discuss five poignant stories that transcend the game. TheBaseballBookClu...
Still hovering around the Top 50, John and Leroy round out this group of third basemen with a 3-pack including Texas Rangers great Adrian Beltre, Boston Red Sox phenom Wade Boggs and Braves legend Eddie Mathews. TheBaseballBookClub@gmail.com
John and Leroy discuss the chapter Five Pitching Oddities from Why We Love Baseball, looking at various momentous occasions from some of baseball's greats. Plus, they'll talk about Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones, ranked 54th in The Baseball 100. TheBaseballBookClub@gmail.com
John and Leroy talk about the legendary careers of Bob Feller, Nolan Ryan, Warren Spahn and Bob Gibson, four aces that shape baseball history. Plus, hear about wild trade between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Baltimore Orioles that is so rare, it's only happened twice in MLB history. TheBaseballBookClub@gmail.com
Guest Zac Schmitz will join John and Leroy to talk about legend Ken Griffey Jr. who is #48 on the Posnanski 100. Plus Leroy will give us a Hot Corner segment about the feisty Salt Lake Trappers from 1987, a team that holds a professional baseball record that may never be broken. TheBaseballBookClub@gmail.com
In this episode of The Baseball Book Club, John and Leroy explore the Hall of Fame career of Detroit Tigers legend Al Kaline—his legacy, impact, and what made him one of baseball’s purest hitters. Plus, Leroy sits down with author Aaron Fischman to discuss A Baseball Gaijin, a fascinating look at American players finding purpose and second chances in Japan’s professional leagues. TheBaseballBookClub@gmail.com
Shoeless Joe Jackson has been reinstated but for over 100 years his legacy has been tarnished by one scandal. We'll talk about his humble beginnings in South Carolina to how he got the wacky nickname and the 1919 World Series that changed everything for him. We'll get into more baseball terminology and Leroy will talk about Jim Bouton's Ball 4. TheBaseballBookClub@gmail.com
John and Leroy jump back into Joe Posnanski's The Baseball 100 after a few weeks away from doing the countdown. This week they look at The Yankee Clipper, Joe Dimaggio, #56 on the list. Plus they'll talk about a couple of classic World Series moments from 1954 and 1960. TheBaseballBookClub@gmail.com
Sandy Koufax pitched a perfect game and Vin Scully gave us the perfect broadcast for it. We revisit that special night at Chavez Ravine in September of 1965. Former Major League Baseball player Greg Pryor visits the show to talk about his book and his playing days and John gives a dramatic retelling of a Charles Holdefer short story called Heaven. TheBaseballBookClub@gmail.com
In this episode of The Baseball Book Club, we dive into three key terms from Paul Dickson’s The Baseball Dictionary, including a breakdown of the Deadball Era vs. the Liveball Era. We’re also joined by Jeff Orens, author of Selling Baseball: How Superstars George Wright and Albert Spalding Impacted Sports in America, to explore how the sport grew off the field. Perfect for fans of baseball history, terminology, and the game's evolution—on and off the diamond. TheBaseballBookClub@g...
Ring Lardner's Alibi Ike is up for discussion and John will talk with author Charles Holdefer about his short story collection Ivan the Terrible Goes on a Family Picnic. We dig into the joys of historical fiction, how small-town baseball shaped Charles's storytelling, and the time Babe Ruth and Gertrude Stein swapped places in 1926. Plus, we preview a dramatic reading of Holdefer’s short story Heaven, complete with sound effects, coming in two weeks. TheBaseballBookClub@gmail.com
Closing in on the halfway mark of Posnanski's Top 100 list, John and Leroy talk about the entertaining, (in more ways than one), careers of superstars Pete Rose and Reggie Jackson. From Rose’s relentless hustle to Jackson’s October heroics, this episode unpacks what made them unforgettable — both on the field and off it. TheBaseballBookClub@gmail.com
Romantic About Baseball creator Jason Wood stops by for a chat and John and Leroy talk about some funny moments in baseball. TheBaseballBookClub@gmail.com
John and Leroy talk about another three baseball terms from The Baseball Dictionary, and they'll take a look at legends Willie McCovey of the Giants and Mr. Cub, Ernie Banks. TheBaseballBookClub@gmail.com
John and Leroy talk about three pitchers whose careers not only see them earn a spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame, but also reach a height that is among the greatest to ever play the game: The Top 100. TheBaseballBookClub@gmail.com
John and Leroy's discussion of Miguel Cabrera, Frank Thomas and Brooks Robinson highlights each of their contributions to baseball, emphasizing the impact they had on the game which earned them notable spots in The Baseball 100. Cabrera’s offensive prowess, Thomas’s dual-threat of batting and patience, and Robinson’s legendary defense show the different facets of their greatness and why they've become immortalized as some of baseball's all time best. TheBaseballBookClub@gmail.com
Stress is a part of life, especially in the 21st century. Baseball is not immune to that. Managers and baseball players alike experience moments where the job can overwhelm you. John and Leroy talk about some humorous moments when managers lost their cool and guest Danny Coon will talk about the more serious side, when stress can cause much greater problems. TheBaseballBookClub@gmail.com
Leroy's Hot Corner is finally back. The first Hot Corner of Season 2 features Josh Wilker's "Cardboard Gods" and guest Mark Braff, author of Sons of Baseball, talks about his book. TheBaseballBookClub@gmail.com
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