Life At The Ballpark John Frost

 On this episode you’ll hear stories from a 30 year broadcast veteran with the Houston Astros and member of that team's Hall of Fame, who as a boy growing up in central Missouri was mesmerized by the sounds of baseball on the radio and in 1964 followed his favorite team The St. Louis Cardinals through one of baseball’s most bizarre seasons with three teams tied for first place one week to go.  Bill Brown shares how the Cardinals’ championship year of 1964 fueled his love for baseball, and how listening to Harry Caray and Jack Buck on KMOX inspired his dream of becoming a baseball announcer.  

This podcast with Rick Hummel was recorded during Spring Training 2019.   I'm reposting at the news of his passing because of how elequontly he reflects on his life.  You'll hear Rick share about his love for baseball and how he became a sportswriter.   You'll hear about his receiving the phone call informing him that he had been elected the the writer's wing at the Baseball Hall of Fame, the year that Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken, Jr. were inducted.  He shares stories from his (then) 42 years of Cardinals' Spring Trainings, first in St. Peterburg, then when they moved to Jupiter in 1998.  His nickname was “The Commish”, partly for his organizing the NCAA basketball lottery each year but also from the respect he had from his colleagues in the baseball world.  I hear that two former baseball commissioners even referred to him as “The Commish”.   Rick was a very kind man with an encyclopedic knowledge of Cardinals baseball.  I sat within 20 feet of Rick for 23 spring trainings and he always made a point to visit our portion of the press box to say goodbye when spring training wrapped up and he was on his way back to St. Louis.  The 4 “Life at the Ballpark” podcasts we recorded together are some of my favorites, and this is the first.  When I visited Busch Stadium in St. Louis for my birthday a couple of years ago Rick, who the press box is named for, insisted that I have the microphone to announce the game time temperature.   That’s the kind of guy he was.   Honored to know you, sir. 

Tom Ackerman, sports director for KMOX that has covered the St. Louis Cardinals for over 50 years.  Tom shares about how his dad took him to Cardinals' games as a kid and encouraged him to pursue his dream of sports broadcasting.   

 On this episode, you’ll hear stories from a Hall of Fame sportswriter who has covered the St. Louis Cardinals for 50 years, through 7 World Series and 20 postseasons.
You'll hear "The Commish's" opinions on the new rules in baseball, such as the pitch clock, bigger bases, and defensive shift restrictions.  
The Hall of Fame sportswriter also reminisces about a couple of Cardinals' Hall of Famers that we've lost in the last year,  Tim McCarver and Bruce Sutter.  
 

Sports Columnist Ben Frederickson of the St. Louis Post Dispatch shares his thoughts on the Cardinals’ lineup as we begin the 2023 baseball season.   How will rookie Jordan Walker impact the club?   Is the starting rotation strong enough to compete?   Can the fact that they are moving guys around at various positions actually be a strength?  
Ben also reflects on last season's impact of future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols on the team and the city of St. Louis.  

On this episode, you’ll hear stories from the son of Hall of Fame broadcaster Harry Kalas of the Philadelphia Phillies, who is now the voice of the team he grew up rooting for as a kid, the Houston Astros.
Todd shares stories about growing up around the Astrodome while his dad called games when the Astros began play in 1965. Harry Kalas was honored with the Ford C. Frick award as lead play-by-play announcer for Philadelphia Phillies, a position he held for 39 seasons.
Todd began his MLB career with the New York Mets, then spent three seasons with the Phillies where he got to be near his dad.   In 1998 Todd joined the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for their inaugural season before joining the Astros in 2017, where they have reached the postseason every year since Todd’s arrival.
 
Other episodes about the Houston Astros:
Take a walk through the history of the Houston Astros with their official team historian Mike Acosta. Part One Part Two

Houston Astros 30-year veteran broadcaster Bill "Brownie" Brown gives you a very special inside look at the Houston Astros franchise including their worst seasons and best seasons as well as insight into the careers of two Hall of Famers, Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell. Listen Here  
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