Baseball and BBQ

Len & Jeff
  • 5.0 (38)
  • Food
  • Updated Weekly

Two guys just talking about our two favorite passions, Baseball and Barbecue

  1. 4d ago

    Roy Carlson & George Hovsepian: Baseball Cards & BBQ Accessories

    Episode 356 features conversations with Roy Carlson and George Hovsepian. Roy takes us inside the world of vintage baseball card collecting and the stories and history behind the cards, while George, founder of VGASS, shares how his passion for BBQ led him to create an innovative storage system for grilling accessories. Roy Carlson is a longtime Topps baseball cards collector and baseball-card researcher.  He has been collecting since 1969 and specializes in vintage Topps cards, original production material, artwork, and the fascinating stories behind the cards.  He has spent years researching the photographs, artwork, production techniques, and other details hidden behind vintage Topps issues. His research has uncovered fascinating examples of reused photographs, previously unidentified people appearing in team cards, and the ways Topps created and assembled its iconic baseball cards.His extensive research has appeared in Sports Collectors Daily and his work on vintage Topps team cards received a 2024 SABR Baseball Research Award.  Go to https://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com/author/roy-carlson/ to read his articles. Joining us as guest co-host is Anthony Marasco, a longtime friend of the show and passionate baseball fan whose knowledge and enthusiasm make him the perfect person to help explore Roy's amazing collecting journey. George Hovsepian is the founder of VGASS, the Vertical Grill Accessory Storage System. What began as George's attempt to solve his own outdoor-cooking storage problem evolved into a purpose-built system designed to organize grilling accessories while providing additional prep and serving functionality. VGASS describes its system as mobile, wildly configurable, and compatible with different brands of grills and smokers.  After purchasing his first Kamado Joe, George accumulated many  accessories, including deflector plates, drip pans, pizza stones, cast-iron grates, griddles, and more. The problem was figuring out where to put everything. After searching stores, online forums, and specialty retailers without finding the solution he wanted, George decided to build it himself. That idea ultimately became VGASS.  Go to https://vgass.com for more information. Joining us as guest co-host is Chef Ray Sheehan, one of the most recognizable names in the barbecue world and a longtime friend and contributor to Baseball and BBQ. Ray is an award-winning chef, pitmaster, sauce and rub maker, cookbook author, and BBQ educator.  He has spent more than 25 years in the food industry and has competed, judged, written about, and taught barbecue.  Go to https://www.raysheehan.com for more information. We recommend you go to Rogue Cookers website, https://roguecookers.com/ for award-winning rubs, Chef Ray Sheehan’s website, https://www.raysheehan.com/ for award-winning saucess, rubs, and cookbooks, Baseball BBQ, https://baseballbbq.com for special grilling tools and accessories, Magnechef https://magnechef.com/ for excellent and unique barbecue gloves,  Mantis BBQ, https://mantisbbq.com/ to purchase their outstanding sauces with a portion of the proceeds being donated to the Kidney Project, and for exceptional sauces, Elda's Kitchen https://eldaskitchen.com/ To team up against prostate cancer go to https://fansforthecure.org/ for Fans for the Cure, and to subscribe to Bill Chuck's newsletter, Billy-Ball go to  https://billchuck.substack.com/    We conclude the show with the song, Baseball Always Brings You Home from the musician, Dave Dresser and the poet, Shel Krakofsky. If you would like to contact the show, we would love to hear from you. Call the show:  (516) 855-8214 Email:  baseballandbbq@gmail.com Twitter:  @baseballandbbq Instagram:  baseballandbarbecue YouTube:  baseball and bbq Website:  https//baseballandbbq.weebly.com Facebook:  baseball and bbq       Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  2. Aug 12

    Steve Sigler: Building a Baseball Legacy — From the MSBL to the New York State Baseball Hall of Fame

    On this episode of the NYS Halls of Fame Podcast, we welcome Steve Sigler, a true pioneer in adult amateur baseball and the driving force behind the growth of the Men’s Senior Baseball League (MSBL)/Men’s Adult Baseball League (MABL).  In 1985, he placed a simple notice in a Long Island, New York, newspaper looking for men interested in forming a baseball team. That small advertisement became the beginning of something much bigger — a national baseball organization that has helped thousands of players continue doing what they loved as kids and young men: playing baseball.  More than two decades later, Sigler was leading an organization that had grown to 325 local affiliates, 3,200 teams and approximately 45,000 members, with organized amateur baseball being played in communities across the country.  Steve is a member of the Class of 2026 New York State Baseball Hall of Fame. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Steve Sigler: Building a Baseball Legacy — From the MSBL to the New York State Baseball Hall of Fame

  3. Aug 8

    Author Tim Brown Discusses Nolan Ryan | County Smoak's Ken Hess Discusses Virginia BBQ

    Episode 355 features Ken Hess of County Smoak BBQ talking about his culinary journey and building a destination for barbecue lovers. Author Tim Brown discusses his new book Nolan, an in-depth look at the life and legacy of baseball legend Nolan Ryan. Ken Hess is the championship pitmaster and co-owner of County Smoak in Lynchburg, Virginia. Ken shares his journey from classically trained chef to award-winning barbecue pitmaster, discusses why he believes Virginia deserves more recognition in barbecue history, and explains what it takes to build County Smoak, one of Virginia's most celebrated barbecue restaurants.  County Smoak is a family-owned barbecue restaurant founded by Ken and his wife Jessica.  The restaurant combines classical culinary training with traditional wood-fired barbecue techniques, emphasizing Virginia-sourced ingredients and regional barbecue styles. The restaurant has been recognized multiple times as one of Lynchburg's top barbecue destinations.  Go to https://www.countysmoak.com for more information. Tim Brown has covered baseball for more than 30 years and has written two New York Times bestsellers: The Phenomenon with Rick Ankiel and Imperfect with Jim Abbott. He also wrote The Tao of the Backup Catcher. His reporting has earned numerous industry honors, including recognition from the Associated Press Sports Editors.  His latest book is Nolan:  The Singular Life of an American Original which traces the remarkable life of Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan—from his upbringing in Alvin, Texas, through his record-setting 27-year Major League career, and into his life after baseball. More than a sports biography, the book explores themes of family, faith, perseverance, and the enduring legacy of one of baseball's greatest competitors.  Go to https://www.bytimbrown.com for more information. We recommend you go to Rogue Cookers website, https://roguecookers.com/ for award-winning rubs, Chef Ray Sheehan’s website, https://www.raysheehan.com/ for award-winning saucess, rubs, and cookbooks, Baseball BBQ, https://baseballbbq.com for special grilling tools and accessories, Magnechef https://magnechef.com/ for excellent and unique barbecue gloves,  Mantis BBQ, https://mantisbbq.com/ to purchase their outstanding sauces with a portion of the proceeds being donated to the Kidney Project, and for exceptional sauces, Elda's Kitchen https://eldaskitchen.com/ To team up against prostate cancer go to https://fansforthecure.org/ for Fans for the Cure, and to subscribe to Bill Chuck's newsletter, Billy-Ball go to  https://billchuck.substack.com/    We conclude the show with the song, Baseball Always Brings You Home from the musician, Dave Dresser and the poet, Shel Krakofsky. If you would like to contact the show, we would love to hear from you. Call the show:  (516) 855-8214 Email:  baseballandbbq@gmail.com Twitter:  @baseballandbbq Instagram:  baseballandbarbecue YouTube:  baseball and bbq Website:  https//baseballandbbq.weebly.com Facebook:  baseball and bbq       Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  4. Aug 1

    Hot Foot & Pig Island: Roger McDowell, Doug Feldmann & Jimmy Carbone

    Episode 354 features New York Mets legend Roger McDowell and coauthor Doug Feldmann as they share stories from Hot Foot: My Hijinks and Upside-Down Life with the World Champion New York Mets. Then, Jimmy Carbone joins the conversation to talk about his incredible year so far and give a preview of the upcoming Pig Island barbecue celebration. Roger McDowell and Doug Feldmann join us to discuss the book they coauthored, Hot Foot: My Hijinks and Upside-Down Life with the World Champion New York Mets.  The following is taken from the internet, "Roger McDowell dishes on everything from the New York Mets to Seinfeld in this lively new memoir.  Over the course of Roger McDowell's twelve-year career in Major League Baseball, the laughs were never in short supply. His teammates were always on guard, careful not to become the next victim of his dreaded "Hot Foot." McDowell's fun-loving nature, however, was matched only by his tenacity on the pitching mound. Praised as a "battler" and a "gamer" by those same pranked teammates, Roger was all business when he went out between the lines. Priding himself on toughness and reliability, McDowell's 723 big league appearances from 1985 to 1996 were exceeded only by Lee Smith during those years. Responding to every challenge even on the grandest of stages, he helped the irascible 1986 New York Mets fight their way past other teams – and each other – toward a World Series title. Now, forty years later, Roger discusses his earliest beginnings in the game, his climb to professional baseball, and then brings the reader onto the 1986 Mets' roster for all the bus rides, dugout jokes, and locker room antics." Jimmy Carbone is back and we get the chance to catch up on his very busy year as well as discuss his upcoming event, Pig Island NYC.  Pig Island NYC is back for its 17th year on Saturday, September 12, 2026 when more than 20 chefs come together at Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden to serve up some of their best dishes.  For more information or to purchase tickets go to  https://pigisland.com/ We recommend you go to Rogue Cookers website, https://roguecookers.com/ for award-winning rubs, Chef Ray Sheehan’s website, https://www.raysheehan.com/ for award-winning saucess, rubs, and cookbooks, Baseball BBQ, https://baseballbbq.com for special grilling tools and accessories, Magnechef https://magnechef.com/ for excellent and unique barbecue gloves,  Mantis BBQ, https://mantisbbq.com/ to purchase their outstanding sauces with a portion of the proceeds being donated to the Kidney Project, and for exceptional sauces, Elda's Kitchen https://eldaskitchen.com/ To team up against prostate cancer go to https://fansforthecure.org/ for Fans for the Cure, and to subscribe to Bill Chuck's newsletter, Billy-Ball go to  https://billchuck.substack.com/    We conclude the show with the song, Baseball Always Brings You Home from the musician, Dave Dresser and the poet, Shel Krakofsky. If you would like to contact the show, we would love to hear from you. Call the show:  (516) 855-8214 Email:  baseballandbbq@gmail.com Twitter:  @baseballandbbq Instagram:  baseballandbarbecue YouTube:  baseball and bbq Website:  https//baseballandbbq.weebly.com Facebook:  baseball and bbq       Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  5. Jul 25

    From Ballparks to BBQ Pits with Stadium Man Tarri Haina and Orlando Acosta of Gourmet Wood Products

    Our featured guests are Stadium Man Tarri Haina and Orlando Acosta of Gourmet Wood Products. Joining us as special guest co-hosts are Doug Scheiding and Chef Ray Sheehan for conversations about baseball road trips, ballpark experiences, premium cooking wood, and great barbecue on episode 353. Tarri Haina, known throughout the baseball community as Stadium Man, is one of baseball's most passionate ballpark travelers. He's known for documenting his visits to Major League Baseball stadiums, sharing travel tips, unique stadium experiences, and celebrating baseball culture through social media and appearances on baseball podcasts. He has become a recognizable voice among fans who pursue the dream of visiting every MLB ballpark.  Joining Jeff for this discussion is guest co-host Doug Scheiding. Orlando Acosta is a barbecue professional and brand representative for Gourmet Wood Products, a family-owned company that has been producing premium hardwood cooking fuel since 1982. Based in Texas, the company specializes in kiln-dried cooking wood for restaurants, competition barbecue teams, and backyard pitmasters. Orlando's passion is educating cooks on how the right wood can elevate barbecue by improving flavor, consistency, and fire management. Joining us for this discussion is guest co-host Chef Ray Sheehan.  Go to https://www.gourmetwood.com/ for more information We recommend you go to Rogue Cookers website, https://roguecookers.com/ for award-winning rubs, Chef Ray Sheehan’s website, https://www.raysheehan.com/ for award-winning saucess, rubs, and cookbooks, Baseball BBQ, https://baseballbbq.com for special grilling tools and accessories, Magnechef https://magnechef.com/ for excellent and unique barbecue gloves,  Mantis BBQ, https://mantisbbq.com/ to purchase their outstanding sauces with a portion of the proceeds being donated to the Kidney Project, and for exceptional sauces, Elda's Kitchen https://eldaskitchen.com/ To team up against prostate cancer go to https://fansforthecure.org/ for Fans for the Cure, and to subscribe to Bill Chuck's newsletter, Billy-Ball go to  https://billchuck.substack.com/    We conclude the show with the song, Baseball Always Brings You Home from the musician, Dave Dresser and the poet, Shel Krakofsky. If you would like to contact the show, we would love to hear from you. Call the show:  (516) 855-8214 Email:  baseballandbbq@gmail.com Twitter:  @baseballandbbq Instagram:  baseballandbarbecue YouTube:  baseball and bbq Website:  https//baseballandbbq.weebly.com Facebook:  baseball and bbq         Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  6. Jul 24

    Mike Trimboli: USA Hockey President | A Lifetime in Hockey | New York State Halls of Fame Podcast

    Episode 15 features Mike Trimboli, President of USA Hockey, as he shares his remarkable hockey journey, his commitment to growing the game, and his induction into the New York State Hockey Hall of Fame. Mike Trimboli has dedicated more than five decades to the sport of hockey. Before becoming President of USA Hockey, he served as a coach, official, instructor, player development leader, and volunteer administrator. He also enjoyed a distinguished 31-year career with the New York State Police while coaching high school hockey for more than 25 seasons, including leading his team to a New York State championship in 2014. His lifelong contributions to the game were further recognized with his selection as a member of the New York State Hockey Hall of Fame's Class of 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Mike Trimboli: USA Hockey President | A Lifetime in Hockey | New York State Halls of Fame Podcast

  7. Jul 18

    Clemente Museum's Duane Rieder & Duck Camp Dinners' James Beard Award-Winning Chef Jean-Paul Bourgeois

    Episode 352 features Duane Rieder, founder and curator of the Clemente Museum and Chef Jean-Paul Bourgeois, winner of the 2026 James Beard Media Award for Duck Camp Dinners. Duane Rieder is the executive director and curator of the Clemente Museum which is housed in a historic firehouse in the revitalized Lawrenceville section of Pittsburgh.  Engine house 25 has been  meticulously renovated to showcase the world’s largest exhibited collection of baseball artifacts, works of art, literature, photographs, memorabilia, and related materials which focus on Roberto Clemente, his teammates, his personal life, and his humanitarian causes.  Before founding the museum, Rieder built a career as a commercial and sports photographer. In the mid-1990s he was hired to photograph the Clemente family in Puerto Rico, an experience that led to a close relationship with Clemente's widow, Vera Clemente, and ultimately to documenting and preserving the family's archives.  Duane's relationship with the Clemente family gave him access to photographs, personal belongings, documents, and stories that helped shape the museum. Many exhibits emphasize Clemente as a husband, father, and humanitarian in addition to his Hall of Fame baseball career.  Go to https://clementemuseum.com/ for more information. Chef Jean-Paul Bourgeois won a 2026 James Beard Foundation Broadcast Media Award for his streaming docuseries Duck Camp Dinners.  His Texas Tour edition won the Lifestyle Visual Media award, which recognizes excellence in visual media and storytelling that connects food with culture, environment, and outdoor heritage.  Bourgeois spent over a decade in high-end kitchens in New York and California before pivoting to digital storytelling and food journalism.  Duck Camp Dinners  documents the relationship between Louisiana’s hunting culture and environmental conservation. Bourgeois combines professional culinary technique with the outdoor traditions of his hometown, Thibodaux. The series airs across several platforms, including Outdoor America and Tubi. We recommend you go to Rogue Cookers website, https://roguecookers.com/ for award-winning rubs, Chef Ray Sheehan’s website, https://www.raysheehan.com/ for award-winning saucess, rubs, and cookbooks, Baseball BBQ, https://baseballbbq.com for special grilling tools and accessories, Magnechef https://magnechef.com/ for excellent and unique barbecue gloves,  Mantis BBQ, https://mantisbbq.com/ to purchase their outstanding sauces with a portion of the proceeds being donated to the Kidney Project, and for exceptional sauces, Elda's Kitchen https://eldaskitchen.com/ To team up against prostate cancer go to https://fansforthecure.org/ for Fans for the Cure, and to subscribe to Bill Chuck's newsletter, Billy-Ball go to  https://billchuck.substack.com/    We conclude the show with the song, Baseball Always Brings You Home from the musician, Dave Dresser and the poet, Shel Krakofsky. If you would like to contact the show, we would love to hear from you. Call the show:  (516) 855-8214 Email:  baseballandbbq@gmail.com Twitter:  @baseballandbbq Instagram:  baseballandbarbecue YouTube:  baseball and bbq Website:  https//baseballandbbq.weebly.com Facebook:  baseball and bbq       Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  8. Jul 11

    Former MLB Manager Terry Collins and Honey & Co. Daily Authors Itamar Srulovich and Sarit Packer

    Episode 351 features former MLB manager Terry Collins reflecting on his remarkable baseball career, followed by an engaging conversation with Honey & Co. Daily authors and restaurateurs Itamar Srulovich and Sarit Packer. Leonard is joined by his wife, Patty Jarrett, making her first appearance as a special guest co-host, as they explore Itamar and Sarit's culinary journey, their partnership, and the experiences that have shaped their lives together. Terry Collins has managed the Houston Astros, the Anaheim Angels, and the New York Mets in Major League Baseball and the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball.  Terry started his baseball career as a minor league shortstop.  He then went on to manage the Albuquerque Dukes of the Pacific Coast League and the Buffalo Bisons of the International League at the minor league level.  He made his MLB managerial debut in 1994 with the Houston Astros.  His longest tenure came as manager of the New York Mets, where he led them to their first playoff appearance in nine years in 2015, which resulted in a trip to the 2015 World Series.  That same year, Terry won the National League Sporting News Manager of the Year Award. His steady leadership, resilience, and unwavering commitment to player development earned him the distinction of becoming the longest-tenured manager in Mets history.  Beyond the dugout, Terry has continued to serve the game as a special assistant, advisor, and ambassador for baseball. His enduring influence on the sport reflects a lifetime dedicated to leadership, perseverance, and excellence, leaving a lasting legacy that extends far beyond the wins and championships he helped achieve. Itamar Srulovich and Sarit Packer are the award-winning husband-and-wife chefs behind London's beloved Honey & Co. family of restaurants, celebrated for bringing the vibrant flavors and generous spirit of Middle Eastern cooking to the heart of the city. Since opening the original Honey & Co. in 2012, the pair have built a culinary destination renowned for its warm hospitality, exceptional baking, and deeply personal approach to food, later expanding with additional London restaurants, including their most recent addition, Honey & Co. Daily. Both trained in some of London's finest kitchens after beginning their culinary careers in Israel.  Itamar served as head chef for Yotam Ottolenghi before launching Honey & Co., while Sarit trained at Butler's Wharf and the Orrery before leading the pastry teams at Ottolenghi and serving as executive chef at NOPI. Their shared vision combines the rich culinary traditions of the Eastern Mediterranean with contemporary techniques and an unwavering commitment to hospitality. Beyond their restaurants, they are acclaimed cookbook authors whose award-winning books have introduced home cooks around the world to the joy of Middle Eastern cuisine. They are also hosts of the popular podcast Honey & Co:  The Food Sessions.  This interview was conducted during their international book tour for their latest cookbook, Honey & Co. Daily: Easy Food For Your Everyday Pleasure and features  Leonard's wife, Patty Jarrett as special guest co-host.  For more information on Itamar and Sarit and their restaurants and cookbooks go to https://honeyandco.co.uk We recommend you go to Rogue Cookers website, https://roguecookers.com/ for award-winning rubs, Chef Ray Sheehan’s website, https://www.raysheehan.com/ for award-winning saucess, rubs, and cookbooks, Baseball BBQ, https://baseballbbq.com for special grilling tools and accessories, Magnechef https://magnechef.com/ for excellent and unique barbecue gloves,  Mantis BBQ, https://mantisbbq.com/ to purchase their outstanding sauces with a portion of the proceeds being donated to the Kidney Project, and for exceptional sauces, Elda's Kitchen https://eldaskitchen.com/ To team up against prostate cancer go to https://fansforthecure.org/ for Fans for the Cure, and to subscribe to Bill Chuck's newsletter, Billy-Ball go to  https://billchuck.substack.com/    We conclude the show with the song, Baseball Always Brings You Home from the musician, Dave Dresser and the poet, Shel Krakofsky. If you would like to contact the show, we would love to hear from you. Call the show:  (516) 855-8214 Email:  baseballandbbq@gmail.com Twitter:  @baseballandbbq Instagram:  baseballandbarbecue YouTube:  baseball and bbq Website:  https//baseballandbbq.weebly.com Facebook:  baseball and bbq       Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

See All (348)

5
out of 5
38 Ratings

About

Two guys just talking about our two favorite passions, Baseball and Barbecue

Information

  • Creator
    Len & Jeff
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    348
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2022 Baseball and BBQ
  • Show Website
    Baseball and BBQ

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