Explore every episode of the podcast Sean and Eds Do Baseball

Our 2024 Season Finale! Sean's on the bump with the extra long story of William Ashley Sunday. After a rough childhood, Sunday's speed was enough to earn a spot on the Chicago White Stockings but he would leave after a short career yo serve a bigger purpose! Preaching the word of God like no one had ever seen before.

The boys return to the battery after a short break with the life story of yet another fellow country man; this time it's Phil Marchildon.  In the spirit of Remembrance / Veteran's Day Eds toes the rubber and tells Sean about Phil's humble beginnings on the shores of Georgian Bay, his late start into baseball and his heroic venture to war, where he became a POW and suffered the effects that further curtailed a promising baseball career. 

Eds heads to the mound with a short outing; telling the story of fellow countryman, The Only Nolan. Born Edward Sylvester Nolan, in Trenton, Canada, Nolan gained what turned out to be one of the most ironic nicknames in baseball history. He stumbled into the major leagues and wouldn't stay long as he could never stray far from controversy. 

Eds goes back to back once again from the fortified fortress of the Alliston studios to tell Sean the tale of a humble man who rose up against early criticism to become one of baseball's most highly touted prospects and sought after free agents, but ultimately whose generous nature brought him to the wrong place at the wrong time.

Eds gets back in the box with the story of the World Series' early days. The Series as we know it today was agreed upon in 1903, but not by Ban Johnson and John McGraw. Two of baseball's most powerful men at the time who were stern adversaries cost the fans of the game the fall classic in 1904 because of, well, reasons I guess. Tune In

Sean and Eds record remotely from the woods in McKellar, Ontario. Sean goes back to back once again with a story from recent baseball history. A story that tells how a rag tag team came together to give a fanbase a glimpse of glory for the first time in nearly two decades. Who then regressed slightly, but then were galvanized in surprising fashion, enough to beat the Giants and an otherworldly performance by Barry Bonds, who none could argue could've still won World Series MVP in a losing effort. 

We said we'd do it and it's finally here. Listen up as Sean tells the ridiculous history that is the life of Charles Finley. A man who's renegade departure from Kansas City left a ripple effect across the major leagues, his building of a dynasty despite his hard headed ways that would derail a less lucky man. Tune In Now.

Sean and Eds were short on studio time this week but still bring you an addendum story to illustrate the strange priorities of the famously eccentric Rube Waddell on a wild night of dancing with the famous Toronto born shortstop Arthur Irwin. 

Eds recounts the life and times of Hammerin Hank Greenberg, the Tigers Superstar Slugger who led Detroit to two World Series. In 1938 Greenberg chased Babe Ruth's home run record all summer long and saw a large spike in walk rate late in the season. Historic rumours allege anti-semitism and some statistical data can point to that conclusion however, some data also proves that correlation may not always equal causation.

Sean gets creative himself in this episode and veers off the base line, surprising Eds with some behind the scenes tales from the set of one of his favourite movies; Major League. Tune in for the stories that may have inspired the film's premise, how the actors were cast, who could actually play, and who may have crossed the foul lines.

Eds switches it up and surprises Sean with a story from culinary history that exists on the fringes of baseball. Listen up to hear the history of the famous ballpark tubular meat treat and where its okay to call it a frank and where to call it a wiener.

Sean tells Eds the story of local Toronto shortstop Arthur Irwin and his crazy life through the game of baseball, from his days as a player to an accomplished scout. Always a controversial figure, dark secrets of Irwin's life came to light after his questionable death. 

Listen up for the conclusion of the John M. Ward and his Players League Saga. You've heard all of the drama leading up to the seasons Opening Day. Now tune in to hear Eds tell Sean how the conflicting schedules affected the competing Leagues and how a little bit of deception goes a long way. Once again the majority of this research came from an excellent essay by Ethan Lewis entitled "A Structure To Last Forever":The Players' League And The Brotherhood War of 1890. Please check it out below. http://www.ethanlewis.org/pl/ch1.html

Sean twirls a strong outing with the story of Stanley "Frenchy" Bordagaray - who was Basque! Bordagaray made headlines; mostly off the field with his goofy antics and stunts which created some major consternation for his manager Casey Stengel. 

Eds answers back with the first part of his own Back 2 Back Episode Jack. Sean listens in to the story of John Montgomery Ward and his leadership through the formation of the Players League. A circuit meant to compete directly with the National League and to raise the status of players from mere employees to entrepreneurs. The majority of this research came from an excellent essay by Ethan Lewis entitled "A Structure To Last Forever":The Players' League And The Brotherhood War of 1890. Please check it out below. http://www.ethanlewis.org/pl/ch1.html

Sean goes back to back and brings Eds a new player profile that is sure to be as entertaining as Lenny Randle himself. Tune in for the story of a man of many hats, a jack of all trades, and an advocate for baseballs growth on the Italian west coast. Its sure to 'blow' you away.

Sean tells Eds the story of Brien Taylor. The young prospect who was quick to rise up the list of names on the clipboards of Yankee scouts in the early 90's. Taylor was drafted with much pomp and circumstance, and could be thought of as a missing cast member of the late 90's Yankee dynasty. Listen in to find why Eds, and a lot of fans outside of New York have never heard of this 1st overall pick. 

Sean and Eds stay 6 feet apart and Eds tells Sean of the greatest pitching performance in the history of baseball. Unmatched to this day, and basically invisible within the MLB record books, Eds attempts to give more credit where credit is due.

Sean and Eds welcome dear friend Maxx into the studio to hear another story from the 1890's. However, in a change up from the typical player profiles they have done Sean tells the origins of umpiring in baseball, and focuses on a man who one could consider a frontiersman behind the backstops.

Sean and Eds welcome their good friend JP to the show all the way from the West Coast on a conference call to the bullpen. Eds throws the old Uncle Charlie and tackles two subjects in one great story that not only explores the catalog of a band as skilled in storytelling as the game itself, but one that also takes an interesting look at one of baseball's sadly misremembered stars. 

Eds pulls the sting and changes things up at the last minute and tells the life story of misunderstood outfielder Jimmy Piersall. One of the most talented fielders in his day, his playful demeanour caused him some trouble that ultimately kept his worst demons at bay.....for the most part.

To shine light on something taking place in the game this season (we hope) Sean tells Eds a collection of stories about some unlucky fans, lawsuits, and a century long battle over safety. TUNE IN NOW!

Listen in as Eds tells Sean another story from the 19th century. One of the craftiest men to ever take the mound and surly as hell. Charles Radbourn would go on to set MLB records, impossible to match today, and be the first to be captured flipping the bird.

Sean and Eds welcome a guest to the studio for the first time to share in the doing of baseball. listen in as Sean tells the story of Mamie Johnson, a scrappy young lady who silenced a lot of doubters on her way to the professional ranks. Selected Reading: A Strong Right Arm: The Story of Mamie Peanut Johnson by Michelle Y. Green

Eds hits the corner with a heater as he blazes through the life story of Hall of Fame Phillie and Broadcasting Legend Don Richie Whitey Ashburn. A story inspired by one fateful afternoon of "Putt-Putt's" career that surely beat the odds.

Eds tells the tale of Marty Bergen, a gifted catcher from the early days of Major League Baseball who may have gone down as one of the greats if he could've gotten the proper help to escape his demons.

On #BellLetsTalk Day, tune in as Sean tells Eds the tragic tale of Blue Jays fans' first hero, Doug Ault. 

Tune In as Sean tells Eds the tale of Boston owner Tom Yawkey and how the Red Sox were the last MLB team to integrate. 

Tune in as Eds tells Sean the story of Cool Papa Bell. The only man ever to claim superiority over the speed of light, and be right.

Listen in as Eds tells Sean the tale of a tiff between Yankee infielder Phil Linz and skipper Yogi Berra which became known as the Harmonica Incident. 

Listen in as Eds tells Sean the now famous story of the Chicago Cubs' nearly unbreakable Billy Goat Curse. The ultimate display of pettiness that broke the hearts of North Chicagoans for over half a century.

Listen in as Sean tells Eds the incredible story of Bill James and the 1914 comeback of the Boston Braves.

Listen to Sean tells Eds a familiar tale. Eddie Waitkus was a naturally skilled ballplayer who transcended the status of celebrity and paid a price for it. Tune in the hear his story right now!  Corrections: Eds incorrectly refers to the false name as Brown when it is in fact Burns

Eds tells Sean the tale of Ray Chapman, the beloved Cleveland shortstop whose contributions on and off the field changed the game of baseball forever.

Sean goes up and in with the story of Joe Sprinz and his attempted record setting catch that on his birthday no less, ended in disaster at the San Francisco World's Fair!

Eds throws a curveball in a fastball count and brings an old player back onto the roster with a more in depth covering of the life of Randy Bass; the NPB's first American superstar, who due to some poor foresight by his club was railroaded out of town in the most despicable of circumstances. Listen to how those circumstances left a sour taste in the mouth of the Tigers legend and how they created an awful dilemma for the Hanshin GM.

Sean winds up for back to back starts with the tale of two friends brought together by baseball and connected forever by one tragic day on the diamond.

Sean throws a strike with the story of James "Pud" Galvin; a small but mighty pitcher and MLB's first 300 game winner. Galvin's career would be overshadowed by other stars of the 1880's but a revelation from the early 2000's would embroil him in a modern scandal.

Eds returns to the mound with the story of Benny Meyer, a man that Babe Ruth called “the noisiest coacher in either league," who as a young man was given an ultimatum by his father that set him on a path toward a life of baseball.

Sean's on the bump with the story of Wild Bill Hagy. One of the original Superfans who led a section of rowdy fans in the bleachers of Baltimore in the late 1970's. Wild Bill's cheers and dancing made him famous before a falling out with the team led to his arrest. His story even inspired an early episode of the Simpsons.

Eds throws a curveball on his way out of town and tells Sean the story of how a veteran ballplayer in the twilight of his career inadvertently started an underground competition by consuming an ungodly number of Philadelphia Cheesesteak sandwiches while riding the bench one weekend; and how since that day a few MLB personnel have gone to great lengths to claim the crown for themselves.     

As the MLB season comes to a close and Sean spends time off with a growing family; the boys revisit an old episode from October of 2020 in which Eds tells Sean, and friend of the show Jean Poincelet about a wild offseason almost 50 years ago that nearly brought a struggling west coast franchise back across the continent and north of the border. This is the story of a volatile era in baseball where expansion was quickly changing the landscape of Major League Baseball, and how one man's renegade actions started a chain of events that would ultimately bring to fruition the dream of another man north of the 49th parallel.   

Sean brings some heat with the story of Dennis "Oil Can" Boyd and his journey through the big leagues and beyond. Known for being a polarizing figure we dig into the racism and horrific experiences that made The Can who he is!

Eds makes his first start of the 2024 season with a changeup as he tells the life story of Wendell Smith. Smith was integral to the breaking of baseball's colour barrier in the modern era. Inspired to a life of activism by an unfair rejection by the Tigers as a teen, Smith's actions and awareness of societal conditions paved the way for Jackie Robinson and all those who would follow.  "Puddin' Pie" credited to United Artists and Wendell Smith Jr. (1959)

We begin our season just like the MLB, with a trip to Korea! Sean goes to the hill for opening day 2024 and delivers the bloody origin story of the KBO (Korean Baseball Organization) along with the anti-democratic authoritarian leader who wanted to use baseball to placate the South Korean people. 

On the momentous occasion of 100 episodes Sean toes the rubber as Eds and returning alumni and good friends Spencer Levon (pianotuners.ca / FACEPLANT) and Jean Poincelet (Stray Rebel Bullet) strap on the tools of ignorance to hear the story of Michael "Doc" Powers; a man whose defensive prowess as a catcher and his skills as a physician allowed him to have a long career in the majors as a back up catcher. However for some reason the Doctor ignored his own health issues causing him to enter the history books incorrectly as the first man to die from injuries he sustained on a baseball field.

Eds works from inside to outside on the hill as he tells Sean the life story of Ron LeFlore, who by sheer natural talent and a bit of luck managed to make it to the big leagues even though he'd never even played a game of baseball until he landed on the fields of Michigan's Jackson State Prison.

Sean delivers a gem as he tells Eds about the time that all the umps quit. Back in 1999 the umpires in both the National and American Leagues were frustrated enough that they dared to test the MLB brass by resigning en masse to force contract negotiations. The plan would backfire as the union crumbled; costing 22 umps their jobs.

Eds goes high and outside with the story of the 1999 Mets and their rollercoaster ride to the postseason. Bobby Valentine led a squad of ghosts on a magical revenge tour through October but they would run out of aces against a bitter rival in a most unfortunate fashion.

Sean goes up in the zone and tells Eds about the 1986 World Series and the man who took it upon himself to give his team a boost when they needed it the most - even if it meant breaking a lot of laws and endangering some lives.