Baseball by the Book – Details, episodes & analysis

Author Steve Gietschier joins us to discuss his new book chronicling baseball history from the 1930s to the 1950s. We discuss how MLB survived the Depression, the rise of the radio, World War II, the end of the color barrier and arrival of big league baseball in California. 

Award-winning author Joe Posnanski returns to the podcast to talk about 50 moments (and more) that tell the story of baseball history and why the sport means so much to so many. 

Mark Armour joins us to discuss the history of cheating in baseball, from the 19th century to current issues like electronic sign stealing and Spider Tack.

In 1955, a group of Black Little Leaguers in South Carolina was denied a chance to play for the chamlpionship because of the color of their skin. Author Chris Lamb joins us to discuss the heartbreaking story of the Cannon Street All-Stars and youth baseball's civil war. 

Raph Carhart joins us to discuss a new SABR collection that looks at how Jackie Robinson's legacy has been reflected and shaped by pop culture and literature. He gives his thoughts on "The Jackie Robinson Story," "42," plus a Broadway play, a comic book, children's books, TV movies and much more. 

Author Peter Golenbock joins us to discuss his new oral history collection, which includes more than a dozen interviews with former baseball players conducted over the course of five decades. From Hall of Famers Mickey Mantle and Roy Campanella to journeyman like Ellis Clary and Kirby Higbe, the players, all now deceased, bring a long-gone era of baseball back to life. 

We're in the catbird seat as author James R. Walker joins us to discuss his biography of legendary baseball broadcaster Red Barber. 

For Jackie Robinson Day, we make this classic bonus episode from our Patreon page available to everyone. Adrian Burgos, Mark Armour and Lisa Alexander join us to take a deep dive look at "Baseball's Great Experiment," by Jules Tygiel.

In the early 20th century, Charlie Murphy was the most successful — and controverisal — owner in the major leagues. Author Jason Cannon joins us to discuss the iconoclast behind the Chicago Cubs dynasty. 

Ted Sullivan, once known as "the Daddy of Baseball," is almost entirely forgotten today. Author Pat O'Neill joins us to discuss the life of the Irish immigrant who discovered Charles Comiskey, took baseball international and coined the word 'fan.'