STITCH X STITCH PODCAST

In this episode we connect with Mike Myers, who logged 883 career appearances as a reliever with nine teams over 13 big league seasons. When the affable Chicago native and Iowa State University product wasn’t tasked with the thankless responsibility of facing Barry Bonds, David Ortiz, Jim Thome or Ken Griffey Jr. in a tight spot, he was skillfully navigating the uncertainty of life as left-handed one out guy – aka “LOOGY.’’ Mike immersed himself in union leadership as a young player with the Tigers in the mid-90s and continues to serve the membership in his current role as a special assistant for player services with the MLBPA. Mike talks to a lot of players, and fields inquiries on everything from the pension and benefit plans to the whys and wherefores of moving expenses. If a player has a question, there’s a 99.9 percent chance he’s got the answer. Chapters (00:00:00) - Introduction to Mike Myers(00:01:59) - Growing Up a Cubs Fan in Chicago(00:02:52) - Cold Weather Pitching and High School Days(00:04:38) - Iowa State and Coaching Influences(00:05:37) - Getting Drafted by the Giants(00:06:49) - Life in the Minor Leagues(00:08:30) - Navigating Agents and the Business of Baseball(00:09:32) - Rule 5 Draft and the 1994-95 Strike(00:10:23) - Union Awakening in Marlins Camp(00:12:09) - Major League Debut and Strike Aftermath(00:13:59) - Replacement Players and Strike Pressures(00:15:49) - The Orlando Union Meeting(00:18:23) - Learning Union History(00:19:50) - Becoming a Union Rep(00:21:14) - The Value and Importance of the Pension(00:23:50) - Pensions in Society and Union Dues(00:25:42) - The 2002 CBA Negotiations(00:28:28) - 2004 World Series with the Red Sox(00:30:08) - Moving Around the League and Union Protections(00:32:15) - Family Life on the Road(00:33:57) - Al Kaline's Influence and Becoming a Sidearm Pitcher(00:35:59) - Remembering Don Fehr, Gene Orza, and Michael Weiner(00:38:26) - Working for the MLBPA Today(00:40:27) - Legacy as a LOOGY and Career Pride(00:42:43) - Closing Credits

This week’s guest on “Stitch x Stitch’’ is Steve Rogers, a five-time All-Star who spent his entire 13-year career with the Montreal Expos. Steve was a true workhorse on the mound, ranking third in the major leagues behind Phil Niekro and Steve Carlton in innings pitched from 1974-83. He was also a respected player leader and a key advisor to Marvin Miller and Donald Fehr during a time of rapid change for the union and the game. Steve began working full-time for the Players Association in the late ‘90s and continues to contribute with his historical perspective and encyclopedic knowledge of the union’s pension and benefit plans. His passion for the game and the cause of players burns just as brightly today as it did when he threw his first big league pitch with the Expos in 1973. Chapters (00:00:00) - Stitch by Stitch Podcast(00:02:00) - Steve Rogers on The Yankees Drafting Him(00:08:26) - Tim Rainey on Being Traded by the Expos(00:14:47) - Rose on Becoming a Union Representative(00:18:50) - Mike Myers on the Pension(00:21:19) - Bob Boone on the Negotiations(00:29:01) - Walter Payton on the Strike of 1981(00:35:54) - The Free Agency Controversy(00:41:54) - The Unions' Executive Director Michael Wiener(00:44:37) - Steve Rogers on the Collective Bargaining Cycle(00:49:13) - MLBPA: Stitch by Stitch

This week's guest on "Stitch x Stitch'' is John Albert "Buck'' Martinez, a beloved figure in Toronto and a baseball fixture for nearly 60 years as a player, manager, author and broadcaster. Buck spent 17 seasons as a backup catcher in the big leagues with the Blue Jays, Royals and Brewers, but his impact went well beyond statistics. He was a leader, a respected teammate, and a trusted ally of Marvin Miller and Donald Fehr through some bruising labor confrontations in the 1970s and ‘80s. As Buck awaits induction into the Blue Jays' Hall of Excellence, he reflects upon some of his most memorable moments on the field, in the dugout, in the broadcast booth and the negotiating room. For all that he’s accomplished in the game, he will always be a player at heart. Chapters (00:09:45) - Buck on the Strike of 1972(00:15:44) - The Fight Over Salary Arbitration(00:21:44) - The Strike of 1981

In this episode of "Stitch x Stitch'' we feature Bret Boone, the product of an esteemed, three-generation family of major leaguers. His grandfather, Ray, was a World War II Navy veteran and a 13-year big leaguer. His father, Bob, was a World Champion and seven-time Gold Glove-winning catcher. Bret perpetuated the family legacy with his brother Aaron, making three All-Star teams and winning four Gold Gloves and two Silver Slugger Awards during a 14-year MLB career. Like his dad, Bret played an active role in union leadership, including a stint as the Cincinnati Reds' assistant player representative in 1994-95 during the longest strike in MLB history. He covers a lot of ground in this entertaining and informative sit-down. Chapters (00:00:04) - Brett Boone on His Grandfather's Contribution(00:04:53) - Bob Boone on His Dad's Advice(00:10:08) - Brett Jones on Donald Fear and His Leadership(00:14:11) - Joey Factor on the Baseball Strike(00:21:58) - George Springer on the Players' Strike(00:29:24) - Former Mariners shortstop Yeri Flynn on the PA(00:32:37) - Brett Boone on Baseball's Future(00:34:19) - The MLBPA Stitch by Stitch Podcast

In part 2 of their wide-ranging conversation, Ferguson Jenkins, Andre Dawson and Lee Smith delve further into baseball economics and the changing landscape that paralleled the growth of the MLBPA. Jenkins had to fight for compensation befitting his stature as one of baseball’s elite and most durable starters, and Hawk emerged as a conquering hero from the collusion era when he hit 49 homers, drove in 137 runs and won the National League MVP award in 1987 after a bold gambit allowing the Cubs to fill in the number on a blank contract. The three Cubs discuss the impact of Jackie Robinson, Curt Flood and other trailblazers on the game, and reflect on their own paths from humble beginnings to baseball immortality in Cooperstown. Chapters (00:00:05) - Fergie Jenkins, Andre Dawson and Lee Smith on the Players(00:06:21) - Adam Dawson on His Free Agency(00:13:38) - Andre Dawson on His Contract with the Cubs(00:18:19) - Ferguson Jenkins on the Coalition Era(00:26:11) - Buck O'Neill on the MLB Players' Association(00:34:52) - Steve Carlton on Jackie Robinson's Death(00:36:42) - Jimmy Lee on Playing in Wrigley Field(00:43:11) - Stitch by Stitch