Pete Rose has passed away at the age of 83. Just a few weeks ago, he left me a message that I'd like to share with you. Rest in peace, Pete.

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Jerry Schwab is my guest on this months Lost Ballparks podcast. From 1946-1957, Jerry and his family lived in an apartment underneath the LF grandstands at the Polo Grounds. His Dad, Matty was the head groundskeeper for the New York Giants. His story is a rare glimpse into a world that few have ever seen; personal relationships with legends of the game, hidden passages, tunnels beneath the stands and the dugouts and clubhouses where history was written.

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Pete Weber, the voice of the minor league Buffalo Bisons (1983-1995),  called many games at historic War Memorial Stadium. He was there while they filmed "The Natural" and joins me on this episode to offer behind the scenes details about that all-time great baseball movie. We also spend time remembering some of the quirks and oddities of baseball's lost minor league ballparks.

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Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins joins me to recount the "when" and "where" of attending his first MLB game, the unconventional method his Dad used to make him a strong pitcher, the trials of playing  in minor league ballparks of the segregated south in the early 1960's, the baseball legend he admired growing up who would become his roommate and surviving 10 cent beer night at Cleveland's Municipal Stadium!

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Jon Miller, the longtime voice of the San Francisco Giants makes his return visit to Lost Ballparks. His first appearance on the podcast quickly became the most downloaded episode in LB podcast history. He is gracious enough to join once again sharing more of his first hand experiences of broadcasting at some of baseball's iconic lost ballparks.

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Mike McDermott began his career at Dodger Stadium as the visiting team batboy in the mid 1960's. He later transitioned to batting practice pitcher for the Dodgers; a position he held for 30 years! He joins me on this episode to talk about a Hall of Famer whose kindness he'll never forget, the time at Candlestick where he caused the game to be stopped and memories of many old, lost ballparks, including a particular goose bump inducing moment at Yankee Stadium.

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Hall of Famer Ted Simmons joins me on this episode to talk about the first big league game his Dad took him to at Briggs Stadium (later named Tiger Stadium), coming back to play there as a major leaguer, catching Bob Gibson's only no-hitter at Three Rivers Stadium and the day he hitched a ride with a rock-n-roll legend.

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Warren Brown's first job was working in the Red's clubhouse at Crosley Field. When the Reds moved into Riverfront Stadium in the middle of the 1970 season, he became one of their batboys. "Brownie" has great stories and wonderful memories to share of both ballparks, Sparky Anderson and the Big Red Machine.

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Rick Dempsey, a member of the Orioles HOF,  joins me on this episode to talk about some of the great Lost American League ballparks of the 70's and 80's, his little league manager who turned out to be ______!!! the stadium where he nearly lost his life, and of course the '83 World Series (he was MVP) and the goose bump inducing '88 World Series! This is one of my all-time favorite interviews. Hope you enjoy it!

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On this Extra Innings episode, Steve Garvey talks about the day he became a Brooklyn Dodger batboy in 1956, the first MLB game he attended as a teenager at Tiger Stadium and his walk off home run to win game 4 of the '84 NLCS that made him a San Diego legend!

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On this episode of the Lost Ballparks podcast, Kent Hrbek, a member of the Twins Hall of Fame, joins me to talk about growing up a short bike ride away from Metropolitan Stadium, what it was like playing for the Twins in the ballpark he grew up going to, the challenges and joys of playing in the Metrodome, his practical joking teammates and of course, being a part of the first Twins championship.

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7X Emmy Winner and longtime ESPN host (Sports Look/Up Close), Roy Firestone joins me on this episode to talk about his love for Old Miami Stadium, his days as a Baltimore Orioles batboy, his lifelong friendship with Brooks Robinson, the day he walked through an abandoned Memorial Stadium with Johnny Unitas and his once-in-a-lifetime interview with members of the 500 HR club (Ted Williams, Ernie Banks, Reggie Jackson, Mike Schmidt and Frank Robinson).

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Denny Matthews, the Royals Hall of Fame Voice, has been calling games in Kansas City since the team's first game in 1969! This is his 56th year with the Royals. He joins me on this month's episode of the Lost Ballparks podcast to talk about K.C.'s Municipal Stadium, The "K",  all things Royals, the first MLB game he ever attended and the ingenious strategy he used to get the Royals job!

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George Toma, 94, has been doing groundskeeping since he was 12 years old. That’s 82 years! The man nicknamed, the "Sodfather" and "the Nitty Gritty Dirt Man" joins me on this episode to talk about being the head groundskeeper in Kansas City at Municipal Stadium for colorful owner Charlie Finley (in the 1950's and 60's), then Royals Stadium.  He has advised and been a part of the grounds installation and upkeep at the past 50 some Super Bowls, more ballparks and stadiums than we have time to mention, the '84 and ’96 Olympics and the 1994 World Cup. And well into his 9th decade of living, he still consults.

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Lost Ballparks Extra Innings: In this extra innings episode HOFer Reggie Jackson shares details of the first major league game he ever attended as a kid; where it was, who he was with, the teams playing that day and who his favorite player was.

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Steve Stone was an All-Star, a Cy Young award winner (He won 25 games in 1980!), and for the past 4 decades has worked in the broadcast booth; first for the Cubs alongside Hall of Famer Harry Caray and since 2005 he has been calling games for the White Sox. He shares vivid details of Comiskey, Wrigley Field, Memorial Stadium, Candlestick and Municipal Stadium and of course some of the best Harry Caray stories I've ever heard! Click here to check out Steve's book.

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Art Shamsky was a key member of the 1969 World Champion New York Mets. He joins me on this episode to talk about that magical year and what it was like playing with Tom Seaver, Pete Rose and Frank Robinson in those Lost Ballparks of the 60's - Forbes Field, Connie Mack Stadium, Crosley Field, the Astrodome and Shea Stadium.

Click here for Art Shamsky's book: After the Miracle: The Lasting Brotherhood of the '69 Mets 

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Extra Innings Episode: Rollie Fingers, a 7X All-Star, 3X World Champion, MVP, Cy Young winner and member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, joins me on this episode to talk about the first MLB game he attended as a kid, his 2 favorite ballparks to pitch in, "Harvey" the mechanical rabbit, historic Rickwood Field, and the 3 days he spent as a member of the Boston Red Sox.

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Andy Strasberg is the author of My 1961. Andy grew up in the Bronx and unlike all of his friends who were Mickey Mantle fans, Strasberg loved Roger Maris. In 1961 he began to make daily journal entries that chronicled his life as a 13 year old Yankee fan, trips to Yankee Stadium with his Father and friends and vivid details of his dreams to 1. Meet Roger Maris. 2. Be given a game used bat by Roger Maris. 3. Be given one of Roger's home run balls. What followed that year and beyond, greatly exceeded even Strasberg's wild expectations. If there was ever a story that should be made into a movie, this is it!

Click here to view Strasberg's book My 1961

Click here to view Strasberg's book Home Runs: Tales of Tonks, Taters, Contests and Derbies

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Rick Rizzs has been calling Seattle Mariners baseball games since 1983! On this episode he talks about growing up in Chicago attending games at Comiskey Park, paying dues in minor league broadcasting, feeling like he could die at any minute calling games at old Cleveland Stadium, the unique peculiarities of Tiger Stadium and the Mariners historic run in 1995. 

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Extra Innings Episode: Johnny Bench  joins me on this episode to talk about the first MLB game he ever attended, memories of Cincinnati's Crosley Field, what Willie Mays told him at the Astrodome in 1968, his 1971 All-Star game home run at Tiger Stadium and obeying his Mom during the 1972 NLCS at Riverfront Stadium.

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Jack Morris was 254 game winner, a 5x All-Star, 4X World Champion, 1991 World Series MVP and a 2018 inductee into the Baseball Hall of Fame. On the premiere episode of season 5, Morris joins me to talk about growing up going to Metropolitan Stadium, his love for the most terrifying sport in human history, pitching at Comiskey Park, Jack Murphy, Tiger Stadium, that magical 1984 season and his return to Minnesota to play for his hometown Twins.

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Fred Lynn was a 9X All-Star and the first player in baseball history to win Rookie of the Year, MVP and a Gold Glove in the same year! He joins me on the season finale to talk about the first game he attended as a kid, all things Fenway Park, that special 1975 Red Sox team, his first All-Star game at County Stadium in Milwaukee, the crazy event that probably cost the Angels the '82 ALCS and much more!

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Denny McLain, 2X Cy Young Award winner, 3X All-Star, AL MVP, 1968 World Champion and the last pitcher in the big leagues to win 30 games in a season, is my guest on this month's episode. Wait 'til you hear why his Mom chose not to let him sign with the Yankees! We're also talking about his first hand experiences in some of baseball's iconic ballparks and of course that magical 1968 season for the Detroit Tigers!

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Tommy John, a 4X All-Star, played 26 seasons in the big leagues racking up 288 wins! He joins me on this week's episode to talk about attending games at Crosley Field as a kid, pitching at Municipal Stadium when he was 18, funny stories of Tommy Lasorda and the surgery that bears his name and revolutionized the pitching position forever!

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Author Rick Vaughn spent more than 30 years working as a baseball executive for the Baltimore Orioles and the Tampa Bay Rays. I just finished his new book "100 years of Baseball on St. Petersburg's Waterfront", a fascinating account of Florida's west coast city (Al Lang Field/Stadium) hosting some of baseball's all-time greats, Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Bob Gibson and so many others. Click here for more info on the book.

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This week I am taking the Lost Ballparks podcast on the road. This episode was recorded at Dodger Stadium. Janet Marie Smith, my guest on this week's podcast, is currently the Executive Vice President of Planning and Development for the Los Angeles Dodgers. The list of ballparks and baseball related structures that she has been responsible for creating, maintaining and/or preserving is historic! They include: Camden Yards, Fenway Park and Dodger Stadium.

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10X All-Star, 2X Cy Young Award Winner and Hall of Famer Tom Glavine is my guest on this week's Lost Ballparks podcast. "Glav" joins me to talk about growing up at Fenway Park (the '75 Series), being drafted by 2 pro sports in 5 days, playing at Fulton County Stadium, baseball superstitions, the hottest ballpark/stadium he ever played in and winning the 1995 World Series.

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For 41 years Ted Leitner was a member of the San Diego Padres broadcast team. He joins me on this episode to talk about the ballpark where he saw his first game as a kid, the so-called "cookie cutter" multi-purpose stadiums of the 70's and 80's, the '84 Padres, the funniest Rick Sutcliffe story I have ever heard and memories of  the late Tony Gwynn and Ted's broadcast partner of 35 years, Jerry Coleman.

Click here to check out Ted's book, "Ted Talks: Uncle Teddy's Fond Memories, Crazy Stories and Heartfelt Reflections."

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Hall of Famer Robin Yount spent his entire 20 year career in a Milwaukee Brewers uniform.  He joins me on this week's episode to talk about attending his first game at Crosley Field in Cincinnati, playing at County Stadium, being teammates with Hank Aaron and spending time with the cast from Major League.

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Pitcher Elroy Face is a Pittsburgh legend and at 94, he is the oldest living former member of the Montreal Expos. He joins me this week to talk about playing in the most exciting World Series in baseball history (1960), having Roberto Clemente as a teammate and what it was like to play at the Polo Grounds, Crosley Field, Yankee Stadium and Forbes Field.

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Larry Young was an MLB umpire from 1983-2007. He called 2 All-Star Games, 2 World Series, worked the ALCS 3 different times, the Division Series 6 different times and is currently an umpire supervisor for MLB. He joins me on this episode to provide his first hand account of what it was like working at many AL Lost Ballparks and the night he was behind the plate for Nolan Ryan's 5,000th strikeout.

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Five-time Emmy Award winner, former ESPN Sports Anchor and National Radio Hall of Famer Charley Steiner will begin his 19th season as a play-by-play announcer for the Dodgers.  He joins me on this episode of the podcast to talk about attending his first games at Ebbets Field, the Polo Grounds and Yankee Stadium.

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Ozzie Smith, "The Wizard of Oz" was a 15X All-Star, World Champion, 13X Gold Glover, NL Silver Slugger and a first ballot baseball Hall of Famer! And on the season 4 premiere of the LB podcast he is talking about growing up across from L.A.'s Wrigley Field, his first game at Dodger Stadium, first MLB hit at Candlestick Park and memories of Busch Stadium in St. Louis!

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At 99 years old (he'll turn 100 in September), The Reverend William "Bill" Greason is the oldest living member of the Negro Leagues. From his heroic service in World War II to his career in the Negro Leagues and Major League Baseball, Greason's journey is one of courage, determination, and a remarkable, unwavering spirit of gratitude.  Enjoy my conversation with a true American hero!

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Brooks Robinson was an 18X All-Star, 16X Gold Glover, 2X World Champion (winning the 1970 WS MVP), AL MVP, a member of the MLB "All Century Team" and a 1st ballot Baseball Hall of Famer.

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I was interviewed this week by my buddy Kevin Pressley...one of the guys who encouraged me to start this podcast. It sure was strange sitting on the other side of the microphone, but hopefully you'll find that his questions and my answers give you sort of a backstage look at Lost Ballparks, how it started, why I do it and why Sandy Koufax called me last month.  Hope you enjoy it! - Mike

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Jerry Reuss, was a 2x All-Star, World Champion (1981 Dodgers) and won 221 games during his 22 year big league career. On this week's episode, he shares stories of the first game he ever attended, pranks he pulled on Tommy Lasorda and Lou Pinella, reflections on Montreal's Jarry Park, Forbes Field, Connie Mack Stadium and the Astrodome, his no-hitter at Candlestick and what he did before the final pitch of game 5 of the 1981 World Series!

Click here to see Jerry's incredible ballpark photographs.

Click here for Jerry's book "Bring in the Right Hander". Highly recommend!

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 After spending 50 years in baseball working as an equipment/clubhouse manager, Frank Coppenbarger has many stories to share. On this week's episode, he talks about the night he spent with the World Series trophy, his legendary neighbor, the day he was sent to the airport to pick up a "Mystery Guest", the 1982 World Champion Cardinals, the cast of characters that made up the 1993 Phillies and all the inside scoop you would expect from someone who spent a half century in a major league clubhouse!

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Hall of Famer Jim Kaat joins me on this episode of the LB podcast to talk about attending his very first MLB game in 1946 at Briggs Stadium, his tryout at Comiskey Park in 1957 and his 25 years pitching in the big leagues including the 1965 World Series at Metropolitan Stadium vs. Sandy Koufax and finally winning a World Series ring at Busch Stadium in 1982.

Click here to check out Jim's book, "Good As Gold"

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Eric Nadel is in his 43rd year broadcasting games for the Texas Rangers. He was a Baseball Hall of Fame 2014 Ford C. Frick winner and on this week's episode he shares some of his Rangers' highlights and stories of growing up going to games at Ebbets Field and the Polo Grounds.

Click here for a copy of Eric and Craig Wright's book "The Man Who Stole First Base".

Click here for a copy of Eric's "Lim-Eric" book.

And here for Craig Wright's "Baseball's Past" blog.

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Tony Oliva, who spent his entire 15 year career with the Minnesota Twins, joins me on this episode of the Lost Ballparks podcast. He was an 8X All-Star, AL Rookie of the Year, Gold Glove winner, 3X batting champion, the first player to win back to back batting crowns in his first two full seasons and was inducted this summer into the Baseball Hall of Fame. 

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What would it be like to have season tickets to watch the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field during the 1950's? Can you imagine what it might be like if in addition to your front row seats you also had an all access pass to go pretty much anywhere on the field you wanted? Richard Stevens  doesn't have to imagine, because as a kid, he actually lived that dream! Stevens' grandfather had box seats dating all the way back to the 1930's. On this bonus episode of the Lost Ballparks podcast Stevens shares his childhood memories of that old ballpark and days and nights spent playing ball with Dodger legends! 

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Red Sox Hall of Famer Rico Petrocelli joins me on this episode to talk about the 1967 "Impossible Dream" Boston Red Sox, his memories of growing up in Brooklyn going to Dodger games at Ebbets Field and the story of how Fenway  almost became a lost ballpark!

Click here to check out Rico's book "Tales from the Dugout" (The 1967 Boston Red Sox).

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Bobby Richardson joins me on this week's episode of the Lost Ballparks podcast. Richardson was the 2nd basemen for the NY Yankees from 1955-1966. He was selected to 7 All-Star teams, played in 7 world series (winning 3 in ’58, ’61 and ’62), was the 1960 World Series MVP, a  5x Gold Glove winner and has many stories to share about Mickey Mantle, Old Yankee Stadium, Forbes Field and the crazy night that Billy Martin had in 1957 that changed Richardson's life forever!

Click here for Bobby's book.

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Pat Hughes, who was elected to the broadcast wing of the Baseball Hall of Fame last year has broadcast more than 6,000 games over a 40+ year career. The longtime radio voice of the Chicago Cubs joins me on this month's episode to reminisce about the first big league game he ever attended and to share his many vivid ballpark memories of Candlestick, Yankee Stadium, Comiskey Park, Tiger Stadium, the Metrodome, County Stadium, Municipal Stadium and Wrigley Field.

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John Asalon was a member of the Cincinnati Reds grounds crew at Riverfront Stadium from 1972-1979. He had a front row seat for some of the biggest games in baseball history. This week, he gives us an inside look at Crosley Field (games he attended as a kid), Riverfront Stadium (where he worked as a teenager) and the Big Red Machine. It's a completely unique perspective that only someone who worked so closely with the team during that decade could provide. Enjoy!

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On this episode Hall of Famer and Chicago Cub legend Billy Williams joins me to talk about the day in 1956 he found out he was going to be signed by the Cubs, the life changing comment that Rogers Hornsby made to him and Ron Santo, his incredible  experiences with Buck O'Neil and Satchel Paige and his first hand account of playing in baseball's great old, lost ballparks.

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Bob Costas has hosted 12 Olympics, 7 Super Bowls, 7 World Series, 10 NBA Finals, has won 29 Emmys (more than any other sportscaster in history) and a Baseball Hall of Fame Ford C. Frick winner. What a thrill it was to talk old ballparks with him!

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RIP Vin Scully 
1927-2022

"Don't let the winds blow your dreams away... or steal your faith in God." - Vin Scully

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