The Fancestor

Aaron Cameron
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Sports
  • Updated Weekly

The Fancestor is a podcast about that will speak to 30 fans from 30 Major League Baseball teams to determine exactly why we are fans. Through interesting conversations, it strives to understand and explain fandom: how we became fans, the moments that tested our fandom and why - at the end of the day - we are still fans.

  1. 6d ago

    Fans of the Chicago Cubs

    Christian Ruzich - a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan - joins the show to discuss his fandom. He and Aaron discussed memorable seasons including the 1984 team that made it to the NLCS before losing to the Padres, the 1989 surprise season, and the infamous 2003 playoff collapse involving the Steve Bartman incident. They explored the Cubs' struggles to find a consistent third baseman from 1982 to 2002, discussed the controversial retirement and later return of Ryne Sandberg, and examined the Sammy Sosa era including the 1998 home run chase. The conversation culminated in a detailed discussion of the 2016 World Series championship run, with Christian sharing his favorite moments from each playoff series including Javy Baez's home run in game one of the Division Series, Kyle Hendricks' performance against Clayton Kershaw in game six of the NLCS, and the dramatic bottom of the 10th inning in game seven of the World Series. Christian explained that his lifelong fandom stems from being "found" by the team rather than choosing to follow them.

  2. Aug 12

    Fans of the Minnesota Twins

    Dave Filipi -- Head of the Film Department at Ohio State University's Wexner Center for the Arts and lifelong Minnesota Twins fan joins the show to discuss his fandom. He discussed his early memories of listening to Twins games on radio following players like Rod Carew and Kirby Puckett, and the emotional highs of the 1987 World Series championship and the 1991 World Series victory over the Atlanta Braves. Dave reflected on the complex legacy of Kirby Puckett after his retirement and personal issues, and praised Joe Mauer as another beloved Minnesota player. He expressed frustration with current ownership decisions and the team's recent performance, but explained that his lifelong connection to the franchise keeps him invested despite the challenges.

  3. Aug 5

    Fans of the New York Yankees

    Jason Tirotta joins the show to discuss his lifelong Yankees fandom. Jason explained how his father, a Brooklyn Dodgers fan, and godfather, a Mets fan, strategically decided he would become a Yankees fan when he was born. He and Aaron discussed the 1980s Yankees teams, with Jason highlighting his favorite players including Don Mattingly, whom he modeled his play after, and sharing a memorable story about meeting Rickey Henderson outside Municipal Stadium in Cleveland. The conversation covered the Yankees' managerial carousel during the 1980s, the team's struggles in the early 1990s, and the 1996 World Series championship. They also discussed the 1998-2000 dynasty, the controversial Alex Rodriguez era, and Jason's strong criticisms of current manager Aaron Boone. Despite the ups and downs over the years, Jason explained that his Yankees fandom remains deeply rooted in the bonds formed with his father and the enduring connection to the team's history, making the Yankees "part of his identity."

  4. Jul 29

    Fans of Nippon Professional Baseball

    Gabe Lerman joins the show to discuss his passion for Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). Gabe, a Toronto-based fan, shared how he became interested in NPB after visiting Japan. He described his extensive travels across the country, visiting NPB teams by train, and his work with Pacific League TV doing play-by-play and dubbing. Gabe explained the unique traditions of Japanese baseball, including the corporate ownership structure of teams, and the welcoming nature of Japanese fans despite some traditional boundaries. Gabe and Aaron also discussed the challenges NPB faces with player recruitment and retention to MLB, recent stadium development plans, and historical scandals including the "black mist" scandal from the 1960s-1970s and more recent gambling issues. Gabe emphasized the community atmosphere at Japanese ballparks, particularly in the outfield bleachers, and expressed his continued passion for following NPB players who have moved to MLB, particularly highlighting Yoshinobu Yamamoto's success in the 2025 World Series.

  5. Jul 22

    Fans of the Kansas City Royals

    Frank Schloegel - lifelong Royals fan and owner of Woodyard Bar-B-Que - joins the show to discuss Kansas City fandom. Frank shares how he was born into Royals fandom during the team's 1970s and 1980s dynasty, with vivid memories of watching the 1985 World Series and being captivated by players like Bo Jackson and George Brett. Frank and Aaron discuss the challenging periods in the 1990s when the team struggled, the emergence of pitcher Zack Greinke as a fan favorite, and the excitement surrounding the 2014 and 2015 playoff runs that culminated in the team's first World Series championship in 30 years. Frank expressed mixed feelings about the potential new downtown ballpark being planned, acknowledging the nostalgia for Kauffman Stadium while seeing the benefits of a downtown location, and concluded by emphasizing how deeply rooted his Royals fandom is in his identity as a Kansas City native.

  6. Jul 15

    Fans of the St. Louis Cardinals II

    Dan Borus -- St. Louis Cardinals fan and retired former professor of history -- joins the show. He discusses Cardinals fandom from his start in the late 1950s through the Whitey Herzog-led teams of the late 1980s. Dan discusses attending games at both the original Sportsman's Park and the downtown Busch Stadium, and witnessing the team's World Series victories in 1964 and 1967. He discussed specific players like Bob Gibson, Lou Brock, and Curt Flood, as well as the 1968 World Series loss to the Detroit Tigers, and the 1982, 1985 and 1987 World Series teams. Finally, Dan explains why he still loves his Cardinals and the memories that are forever with him.

  7. Jul 8

    Fans of the Cleveland Guardians

    Lifelong Cleveland Guardians fan Rob Holub joins the show to discuss his fandom. Rob, shared his origins as a fan at Cleveland Municipal Stadium, with family outings and behind-the-fence parties becoming regular traditions. They discussed the team's struggles in the 1980s, the transformation with the opening of Jacobs Field in 1994, and the dominant 1995 season that finished with a World Series loss to the Atlanta Braves. Rob recalled the 1997 season and the heartbreak of losing to the Florida Marlins in the World Series, as well as subsequent playoff heartbreaks including the 2007 ALCS loss to the Boston Red Sox and the devastating 2016 World Series loss to the Chicago Cubs. They also discussed the team's name change from Indians to Guardians in 2021.

  8. Jul 1

    Fans of the Milwaukee Brewers

    Laura Hemming, a 30-year season ticket holder for the Milwaukee Brewers, joins the show to talk about her long-standing fandom with the team. Laura began following the Brewers in 1982 during the "Harvey Wallbangers" era and has maintained her season ticket streak since 1996, despite the team's inconsistent performance throughout the decades. They discussed key moments in Brewers history including the 1982 playoff run, the move from the American League to the National League in 1998, and the transition from County Stadium to Miller Park in 2001. Laura shared personal stories about attending games, her family's historical connection to County Stadium, and her deep appreciation for broadcaster Bob Uecker, who recently passed away. The conversation highlighted Laura's philosophy of enjoying the journey of baseball rather than focusing solely on wins and losses, and her commitment to the team through both highs and lows over more than four decades of fandom.

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5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

The Fancestor is a podcast about that will speak to 30 fans from 30 Major League Baseball teams to determine exactly why we are fans. Through interesting conversations, it strives to understand and explain fandom: how we became fans, the moments that tested our fandom and why - at the end of the day - we are still fans.

Information

  • Creator
    Aaron Cameron
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Aaron Cameron
  • Show Website
    The Fancestor

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