Clear the Field Podcast

Paul Jackson and Ted Walker

Clear the Field is a baseball history podcast about when the game goes sideways. From the sepia-toned malarky of the 19th century game to the psychedelic mayhem of the swingin’ 70s, these true stories of baseball’s forfeits, mad scientists, and general mayhem are brought to you by two writers, history nuts, and lifelong fans. www.project-318.com

  1. 5 MAR

    A Bushel of Tomato Stories

    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 season Please Support Us You can support Clear the Field by following the show on your favorite platform: Apple Podcasts Spotify RSS Give a Rating, Like, or Restack If 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

    33 min

  2. 19 FEB

    A Spring Training Innovation Goes Wrong

    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

    33 min

  3. 4 FEB

    Flour Bombing at Dodger Stadium

    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

    32 min

  4. 24 ENE

    The Children's Forfeit

    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

    37 min

  5. 9 ENE

    "Scrappy" Baseball Promotions in World War II

    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

    38 min

  6. 23/12/2025

    Fencing In the Wrigley Field Bleacher Bums

    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 ballpark Further 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

    42 min

  7. 11/12/2025

    Whistling Past the World Series

    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 Us You can support Clear the Field by following the show on your favorite platform: Apple Podcasts Spotify RSS Give a Rating, Like, or Restack If 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. Email If 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 Media Paul: Substack Instagram Ted: Substack Original Research and Writing: Paul Jackson Production and Music: Ted Walker Design: 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

    41 min

  8. 24/11/2025

    Cork Hunt '87

    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

    33 min
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Clear the Field is a baseball history podcast about when the game goes sideways. From the sepia-toned malarky of the 19th century game to the psychedelic mayhem of the swingin’ 70s, these true stories of baseball’s forfeits, mad scientists, and general mayhem are brought to you by two writers, history nuts, and lifelong fans. www.project-318.com

Información

  • Creador
    Paul Jackson and Ted Walker
  • Años de actividad
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodios
    16
  • Clasificación
    Apto
  • Copyright
    © Paul Jackson
  • Mostrar sitio web
    Clear the Field Podcast