Two Strike Noise - A Baseball History Podcast

twostrikenoise
  • 4.8 (64)
  • Baseball
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We talk to you about baseball history & have been described as specializing in Boston Red Sox history. Only one of those are true. It’s isn’t the latter.

  1. 3d ago

    Episode 327 - Jim Creighton Baseball's Only Cricket-Related Death

    This week on Two Strike Noise, Jeff and Mark open the show with a tribute to Butch Huskey, the former Met and Mariner who passed away recently. From there, the guys warm up with some batting practice covering Billy Joel and Christie Brinkley's appearance at Game 2 of the 1986 World Series, complete with a camcorder that almost certainly lacked the express written consent of Major League Baseball. They also dig into the surprising smoking culture of Korean baseball, including the union-mandated mid-game smoke break and the hard-boiled eggs that apparently go with it. Jeff highlights Britt Apgar, a 22-year-old pitcher and outfielder for the LA Queens of the newly launched Women's Professional Baseball League, who has overcome a limb difference and an extraordinary set of obstacles to make her mark on the game. The guys also touch on Colby Rasmus's niece Kinley tearing it up at the Little League World Series.   The main topic this week is Jim Creighton, baseball's first superstar, who played when Lincoln was president, helped invent the art of actually trying to get hitters out, and died at 21 in one of the game's oldest and most debated mysteries. Then it's on to Wax Pack Heroes, where Jeff and Mark crack open Upper Deck Choice cans from the home run era — Mike Piazza, A-Rod, J.D. Drew, Jay Bell, Sammy Sosa, and Mark McLemore all make appearances, and Jeff extends his lead on the all-time scoreboard. 00:00 Podcast Intro and Tribute 01:35 Mariners Misery Check In 03:19 Billy Joel Mets Easter Egg 07:17 KBO Smoke Break Mystery 10:19 Women in Baseball Spotlight 16:06 Main Topic: Jim Creighton 56:09 Competitive Gamer Story 57:37 Wrap Up And Plugs Two Strike Noise, baseball history podcast, Jim Creighton, baseball's first superstar, Brooklyn Excelsiors, 1860s baseball, Billy Joel 1986 World Series, Christie Brinkley Shea Stadium, Korean baseball smoking break, Britt Apgar WPBL Women's Professional Baseball League, Colby Rasmus Little League World Series, Butch Huskey, Wax Pack Heroes, Upper Deck Choice cans, Mike Piazza, Alex Rodriguez, Sammy Sosa, J.D. Drew, Jay Bell, Mark McLemore, baseball cards   Connect With Us: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@twostrikenoise Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/twostrikenoise BlueSky: @twostrikenoise.bsky.social Email: twostrikenoise@gmail.com    Don't let your common cards collect dust! Donate them to help spark a child's interest in the game at http://commons4kids.org/.   #baseballhistory #mlb #baseball #BaseballCards #TwoStrikeNoise #popculture

  2. Aug 8

    Episode 326 - The Best Worst Crawfords Team Ever

    The 1935 Pittsburgh Crawfords won the Negro National League championship with four future Hall of Famers on the roster — and their most famous player never put on the uniform all season. Jeff traces how numbers-racket money built a dynasty, why Satchel Paige spent the year pitching in Bismarck, North Dakota instead of Pittsburgh, and how a seven-game series against a first-year New York Cubans franchise came down to a 0-for-10 pinch-hitter in the bottom of the ninth. Also in this episode: a new baseball movie filming with Emma Stone and Chris Pine gets spotted live at a Mets game, Sesame Street's Elmo and Cookie Monster continue their surprise ballpark tour, a George Costanza calzone bobblehead gets announced in the Bronx, and Wax Pack Heroes returns with a batch of 2010s-era cards. Topics: Pittsburgh Crawfords, Negro National League, 1935 Negro National League Championship Series, New York Cubans, Satchel Paige, Gus Greenlee, Oscar Charleston, Josh Gibson, Cool Papa Bell, Judy Johnson, Sam Bankhead, Martin Dihigo, Leroy Matlock, Pat Patterson, Negro Leagues baseball history, Bismarck baseball, House of David baseball, Yankee Stadium 1935, baseball history podcast, vintage baseball cards Connect With Us: YouTube: www.youtube.com/@twostrikenoise Twitch: www.twitch.tv/twostrikenoise BlueSky: @twostrikenoise.bsky.social Email: twostrikenoise@gmail.com Support a Great Cause: Don't let your common cards collect dust! Donate them to help spark a child's interest in the game at http://commons4kids.org/. #baseballhistory #mlb #baseball #BaseballCards #TwoStrikeNoise #popculture

  3. Aug 1

    Episode 325 - Pepper Martin, Who Technically Still Hasn’t Actually Retired

    Before he was a two-time World Series champion and four-time All-Star, Pepper Martin was jumping freight trains to spring training to save a dime. After he retired, he was choking out an umpire in Havana. In between: smoke bombs disguised as a fire emergency, a painting crew that wasn't hired to paint, a hospital room cowboy band concert nobody asked for, a stint running an Oklahoma City hockey team, and a batting line across two World Series that's still a Major League record today. Jeff traces the full career of Johnny Leonard Roosevelt "Pepper" Martin — the Wild Horse of the Osage — from a cotton farm in Temple, Oklahoma to a fistfight in Cuba, with stops at Comiskey Park, the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel (twice), and Branch Rickey's office.   Also in this episode: Jeff and Mark remember Blue Jays closer Duane Ward, who passed away at 62 during a reunion for Toronto's back-to-back championship teams. A position player picks up a two-RBI single off a catcher making his first career pitching appearance. Mets utility man Jose Iglesias/Canelita heads to Broadway for the Buena Vista Social Club musical. And Wax Pack Heroes returns with a batch of 1972 Topps cards sent in by a listener.   Topics: Pepper Martin, Wild Horse of the Osage, St. Louis Cardinals, Gas House Gang, 1931 World Series, 1934 World Series, Philadelphia Athletics, Connie Mack, Branch Rickey, Dizzy Dean, Leo Durocher, Frankie Frisch, Bellevue-Stratford Hotel, Mississippi Mudcats, Oklahoma City Warriors, Miami Sun Sox, Florida International League, Havana baseball history, Vallie Eaves, Duane Ward, Jose Iglesias, Buena Vista Social Club, 1972 Topps, Wax Pack Heroes   00:00 Cold Open Banter 01:31 Remembering Duane Ward 03:14 Pitcher Gets a Hit 05:41 Jose Iglesias Hits Broadway 08:32 Time Machine to Havana 11:17 Pepper Martin Revealed 12:28 From Oklahoma to the Cards 15:39 1931 Breakout World Series 16:46 Vaudeville and Sophomore Slump 21:07 Pranks and Gas House Gang 25:56 Barnstorming and Hospital Hijinks 27:50 Branch Rickey Lays Down Law 30:30 Final All Star and Mud Cats Band 32:23 Minor League Manager and 1944 Return 33:27 Pepper Martin Later Years 34:55 Freight Train To Spring 36:04 Clubhouse Legend Wrap 36:42 Wax Pack Heroes Begins 56:02 Scoreboard And Fan Poll 57:32 Outro And Socials   Connect With Us: YouTube: www.youtube.com/@twostrikenoise Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/twostrikenoise BlueSky: @twostrikenoise.bsky.social Email: twostrikenoise@gmail.com   Support a Great Cause: Don't let your common cards collect dust! Donate them to help spark a child's interest in the game at http://commons4kids.org/.   #baseballhistory #mlb #baseball #BaseballCards #TwoStrikeNoise #popculture

  4. Jul 25

    Episode 324 - We Just Let Bob Kendrick Talk, That’s the Title

    Bob Kendrick, President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, joins Two Strike Noise to talk about the museum's $50+ million capital campaign to build a new 30,000-square-foot facility and Buck O'Neil Education and Research Center in Kansas City. From there the conversation covers the story of Branch Rickey's real first choice to break the color line, why Kansas City Monarchs owner J.L. Wilkinson never saw a dime for Jackie Robinson's contract, the deliberate showmanship of players like Willie Wells and Goose Tatum, the case for Negro Leagues legends most fans have never heard of, and the connection between Banana Ball's Indianapolis Clowns revival and the original barnstorming era.   Also in this episode: Mark and Jeff open with a Family Ties rerun packed with unexpected Yogi Berra trivia, the surprise return of the Baseball Beyond Batting Average podcast, MLB reportedly floating a rain delay to protect World Series primetime ratings, and a ranking of MLB broadcast booths by their color commentators' combined career WAR. Then it's another round of Wax Pack Heroes with a run of vintage 1987 Topps cards.   Topics: Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Bob Kendrick, Buck O'Neil, Jackie Robinson, Branch Rickey, Monte Irvin, Effa Manley, J.L. Wilkinson, Kansas City Monarchs, Bill Veeck, Clark Griffith, Willie Wells, Goose Tatum, Martin Dihigo, Mule Suttles, Bullet Rogan, Biz Mackey, Roy Campanella, Josh Gibson, Shohei Ohtani, Negro Leagues Japan tour, Philadelphia Royal Giants, Banana Ball, Indianapolis Clowns, shadow ball, NLBM capital campaign, Wax Pack Heroes, 1987 Topps   00:00 Welcome to Two Strike Noise 02:10 BP Pop Culture Baseball 04:45 Podcast Shoutout Return 06:02 World Series Rain Delay 08:35 Booth WAR Rankings 12:12 Movie Takes and Tease 13:02 Introducing Bob Kendrick 13:56 Museum Expansion Vision 16:53 Who Broke the Barrier 22:36 Showmanship and Shadow Ball 25:59 Unsung Greats Dihigo 29:29 Modern Players Fit Today 31:55 Negro Leagues in Japan 37:06 Josh Gibson Legends 41:25 Banana Ball and Atmosphere 46:34 How to Support the Museum 48:34 Museum Support Links 48:45 Fundraiser Plans 49:31 Wax Pack Heroes 01:15:38 Wrap Up and Ways to Follow   Connect With Us: YouTube: www.youtube.com/@twostrikenoise Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/twostrikenoise BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/twostrikenoise.bsky.social Email: twostrikenoise@gmail.com   Support the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum: Bob Kendrick and the NLBM are raising funds for a new 30,000-square-foot museum and the Buck O'Neil Education and Research Center in Kansas City. Learn more and donate at www.nlbm.com. Commons4Kids: We pull a lot of commons in Wax Pack Heroes. Donate your unwanted cards to help spark a kid's interest in the game: https://commons4kids.org/C4K   Hashtags: #podernfamily #podnation #baseball #mlb #history #podcast #baseballcards

  5. Jul 18

    Episode 323 - The Baseball Records Guinness Recognizes, Ignores, And Probably Regrets

    A catcher catches a baseball dropped from a blimp and ruins his face in the process, and Jeff and Mark draft baseball players named after months, days, and holidays. Also: the answer to last week's puzzle — how many hits can a team get in one inning without scoring a run? Also in this episode: A Rickey Henderson story from spring training with the Padres. The universal DH debate. The last time a pitcher stole a base in the American League. Zack Hample straps on a chest protector and tries to break an 80-year-old record. Johnny Bench holds baseballs and Blue-Emu has opinions about it. And Wax Pack Heroes returns with 1972 Topps. Topics: Guinness World Records baseball, Joe 'Mule' Sprinz blimp catch, Zack Hample baseball record, Johnny Bench baseballs one hand, Gabby Street Washington Monument, Wilbert Robinson grapefruit drop, pitcher stolen bases history, Gene Nelson stolen base, Rickey Henderson spring training, Universal DH history, calendar player name draft, Daniel Vogelbach nickname, hits without runs baseball rules, Warren Cromartie Japan, 1972 Topps baseball cards, Wax Pack Heroes, Two Strike Noise 00:00 Open Banter 01:52 BP Rickey Storytime 03:29 Danny Burgers Nickname 04:42 Hits Without Runs Puzzle 05:10 Calendar Name Draft 14:20 Universal DH Talk 15:08 Pitchers Stealing Bases 18:21 Six Hits No Runs Answer 21:11 Guinness Record Attempts 22:36 Baseballs Dropped From Sky 27:28 Zack Hample Tries It 30:07 Weird Guinness Baseball Feats 33:25 Blue Emu And Bench Hands 36:29 Guinness Baseball Grip Rules 39:32 Wax Pack Heroes Returns 1:06:35 Wrap Up And Where To Find Us Connect With Us YouTube: www.youtube.com/@twostrikenoise Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/twostrikenoise BlueSky: @twostrikenoise.bsky.social Email: twostrikenoise@gmail.com Support a Great Cause: Don't let your common cards collect dust! Donate them to help spark a child's interest in the game at http://commons4kids.org/

  6. Jul 11

    The Trial of Rabbit Maranville - Hall of Famer or Two Strike Noise Patron Saint

    Rabbit Maranville spent 23 seasons in the National League, holds the all-time putouts record at shortstop, and has been in the Baseball Hall of Fame since 1954. He also faked his own death, got dangled out of a 14th floor hotel window by Jim Thorpe, and dove headfirst through a moving subway car. Jeff makes the case that Rabbit belongs in one Hall of Fame — just not the one in Cooperstown. Also in this episode: A minor league bat boy gets tossed for slamming baseballs into an umpire's mask. Jeff introduces a baseball puzzle and spring training stolen bases. And in this weeks version of Wax Pack Heroes, 2010 Topps. Ump ejects ball boy for aggressive ball delivery - https://www.youtube.com/shorts/rVdC3cDn43w Topics: Rabbit Maranville, 1914 Miracle Braves, Tinker to Evers to Chance, Johnny Evers, Boston Braves history, Baseball Hall of Fame debate, dead ball era baseball, baseball folklore, baseball antics, Jim Thorpe baseball, Ozzie Smith comparison, Brayden Ward stolen bases, Rickey Henderson spring training record, bat boy ejection, 2010 Topps baseball cards, Wax Pack Heroes.    Ump ejects ball boy for aggressive ball delivery - https://www.youtube.com/shorts/rVdC3cDn43w   0:00 Podcast Cold Open 1:32 Bat Boy Gets Tossed 4:45 Brayden Ward Speedster 8:47 Inning Hits Quiz 10:48 The Trial of Rabbit Maranville 12:29 Subway Jewel Heist 15:40 Early Career and Errors 19:27 1914 Braves and Double Plays 23:56 Sobriety and Late Peak 26:22 Chaos Categories Begin 27:06 Holy Rollers and Japan 29:18 Hotel Pranks Gone Wild 31:09 Umpire Antics 32:52 Public Disturbances and Reflection 36:46 Rabbit’s Redemption Arc 37:47 Hall of Fame Case File 39:04 Defense Only Comparisons 41:14 Posthumous Induction Debate 42:18 Vaudeville Rabbit Stories 43:18 Wax Pack Heroes Begins 1:07:43 Wrap Up and Farewell   Connect With Us YouTube: www.youtube.com/@twostrikenoise Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/twostrikenoise BlueSky: @twostrikenoise.bsky.social Email: twostrikenoise@gmail.com   Support a Great Cause: Don't let your common cards collect dust! Donate them to help spark a child's interest in the game at http://commons4kids.org/.   #baseballhistory #mlb #baseball #BaseballCards #TwoStrikeNoise #popculture

  7. Jun 27

    Episode 321 - Waite Hoyt, Murder’s Row Pitcher - Reds Radio Voice

    Jeff and Mark open with light banter before diving into baseball odds and ends, including Aroldis Chapman’s “yes hitter” outing, the show’s odd placement on Red Sox and funny history podcast lists, and White Sox reliever Mike Vassal’s Harry Potter wand-and-hat home run celebration. They share Mets-themed items, from a velvet/velour Mets sweatsuit to the Brooklyn Cyclones’ King of Queens bobblehead night, plus Keith Hernandez’s first-class flight story where a Mets fan doesn’t recognize him until landing. The main history segment spotlights Hall of Fame Yankees pitcher and Reds broadcaster Waite Hoyt, covering his 1920s success, vivid storytelling, off-season funeral home work, and the infamous tale of detouring to Yankee Stadium while transporting a corpse, along with additional Hoyt anecdotes and vaudeville connections. The episode ends with Wax Pack Heroes using listener-sent 1972 cards.   00:00 Cold Open and Catch Up 02:32 Yes Hitter Explained 04:35 White Sox Wizard Gear 07:33 Mets Velvet Tracksuit 08:37 King of Queens Night 10:56 Keith Hernandez Flight Snub 14:13 Waite Hoyt’s Baseball Life 38:09 Wax Pack Heroes Returns 53:21 Sudden Death Rookie Stars 58:26 Wrap Up And Where To Find Us   Connect With Us YouTube: www.youtube.com/@twostrikenoise Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/twostrikenoise BlueSky: @twostrikenoise.bsky.social Email: twostrikenoise@gmail.com   Support a Great Cause: Don't let your common cards collect dust! Donate them to help spark a child's interest in the game at http://commons4kids.org/.   #baseballhistory #mlb #baseball #BaseballCards #TwoStrikeNoise #popculture

  8. Jun 13

    Episode 320 - Julio Franco, You Can't Walk Off the Island

    On this episode of Two Strike Noise, Jeff and Mark cover recent baseball chatter (Jazz Chisholm borrowing gear, a new baseball rom-com, and the 1986 Wally Joyner knife incident) before welcoming Baseball-Reference’s Adam Darowski for a deep dive on Julio Franco, from his Dominican upbringing and Phillies signing through stints with Cleveland, Texas, the White Sox, and extensive play in Japan, Mexico, Korea, and back in MLB with Atlanta and the Mets, highlighting his longevity, unique batting stance, training regimen, and age-related MLB records. They discuss Franco’s production peaks (including a 1991 AL batting title), his global hit totals and Darowski’s conservative “gap-filling” 4,000-hit-club research projecting Franco past 3,000 MLB hits, plus context from Negro Leagues/Latin American history and Hall of Fame considerations. The episode also closes with a 1987 Topps Wax Pack Heroes card pull and Adam’s Immaculate Grid favorites. Awesome shot of Julio and other DR players looking fly AF - https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/portrait-of-mlb-shortstops-rafael-santana-julio-franco-news-photo/957081864?adppopup=true Connect With Us YouTube: www.youtube.com/@twostrikenoise Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/twostrikenoise BlueSky: @twostrikenoise.bsky.social Email: twostrikenoise@gmail.com Support a Great Cause: Don't let your common cards collect dust! Donate them to help spark a child's interest in the game at http://commons4kids.org/. #baseballhistory #mlb #baseball #BaseballCards #TwoStrikeNoise #JulioFranco #DominicanRepublic #ImmaculateGrid #popculture

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4.8
out of 5
64 Ratings

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We talk to you about baseball history & have been described as specializing in Boston Red Sox history. Only one of those are true. It’s isn’t the latter.

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