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Almost Cooperstown

Almost Cooperstown

By: Gordon Kolier & Mark Kolier
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About this listen

We're a father & son who love to talk and argue about baseball! Baseball is the professional sport that has the longest history so there is a lot to talk about. We launched Almost Cooperstown noting that baseball contains a long history of players that, for whatever reasons, have been shunned by the electors of the Hall of Fame. Consequently here are many 'Almost' players still waiting their turn for induction. With less than 1.5% of the now more than 23,000 players in the HOF, we feel there should be more players included. In these podcasts we also discuss current seasons & trends. Please send any messages to almostcooperstown@gmail.com.

Baseball articles can be found here: https://almostcooperstown.substack.com/publish/posts

© 2025 Almost Cooperstown Baseball & Softball
Episodes
  • Ep. 641 - Author Stephen Dittmore "Jim Gilliam The Forgotten Dodger" 12.22.25

    Ep. 641 - Author Stephen Dittmore "Jim Gilliam The Forgotten Dodger" 12.22.25
    Dec 22 2025

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    Dr. Stephen W. Dittmore has written a book that needed to be written about Jim "Junior" Gilliam. Gilliam followed HOFer Jackie Robinson through Montreal to Brooklyn and was signed by Branch Rickey. Not quite a HOFer himself, Gilliam was a member of four Dodger World Series winning teams - one in Brooklyn and three in Los Angeles. He played in three different stadiums for the Dodgers.

    Jim did not like being called "Junior" but the nickname stuck around for most of his career. Dr. Dittmore tells us why as he interviewed many in this extremely well-researched biography. The conversation flows easily so give us a listen!

    Merry Christmas and Happy Kwanzaa, (and belated Happy Hanukkah) to all our listeners!

    Intro & Outro music this season courtesy of Mercury Maid! Check them out on Spotify or Apple Music!

    Please subscribe to our podcast and thanks for listening! If you can give us 4 or 5 star rating that means a lot. And if you have a suggestion for an episode please drop us a line via email at Almostcooperstown@gmail.com. You can also follow us on X @almostcoop or visit the Almost Cooperstown Facebook page or YouTube channel. And please tell your friends!

    www.almostcooperstown.com
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    43 mins
  • Tigers bolster bullpen, Mets are confusing their fans & notes from Met fan event Ep. 640 - 12.15.25

    Tigers bolster bullpen, Mets are confusing their fans & notes from Met fan event Ep. 640 - 12.15.25
    Dec 15 2025

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    Closer Robert Suarez goes to Braves who only need to figure out shortstop to be a juggernaut once again. The Tigers signed future HOFer Kenley Jansen & re-signed Kyle Finnegan. Sure doesn't look like a team about to trade 2 time AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal.

    Pete Alonso leaves the Mets and goes to the Orioles! Wow. Kyle Schwarber goes back where he belongs with the Phillies after toying with the Pirates and Reds. Edwin Diaz also left the Mets to be a Dodger. Oh and the Rangers signed Danny Jansen for 2 years and the Jays added another former Met Tyler Rogers.

    Mark went to his first QBC - Queens Baseball Convention which is a fan event for crazy Met fans. We talked about what it was like, the vibe and feeling in the room after an awful week for the Mets.

    Intro & Outro music this season courtesy of Mercury Maid! Check them out on Spotify or Apple Music!

    Please subscribe to our podcast and thanks for listening! If you can give us 4 or 5 star rating that means a lot. And if you have a suggestion for an episode please drop us a line via email at Almostcooperstown@gmail.com. You can also follow us on X @almostcoop or visit the Almost Cooperstown Facebook page or YouTube channel. And please tell your friends!

    www.almostcooperstown.com
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    38 mins
  • Jeff Kent is a Hall-of-Famer, Barry Bonds & Roger Clemens are not Ep. 639 - 12.8.25

    Jeff Kent is a Hall-of-Famer, Barry Bonds & Roger Clemens are not Ep. 639 - 12.8.25
    Dec 8 2025

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    2nd baseman & one-time NL MVP Jeff Kent got into the Hall-of-Fame which few expected including us. Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens did not get 25% of the votes to return to the Contemporary Era ballot in 2028 and now will have to wait until 2031 for what could be their final chance. Kent was great and has the most HRs for a 2B in MLB history. Every player who has the most homers at a position is in the HOF except for Albert Pujols at 1B and Barry Bonds in LF.

    The winter meetings are going on right now in Orlando but there were no Sunday night bombshell trades going into the meetings that started Monday the 8th.

    Intro & Outro music this season courtesy of Mercury Maid! Check them out on Spotify or Apple Music!

    Please subscribe to our podcast and thanks for listening! If you can give us 4 or 5 star rating that means a lot. And if you have a suggestion for an episode please drop us a line via email at Almostcooperstown@gmail.com. You can also follow us on X @almostcoop or visit the Almost Cooperstown Facebook page or YouTube channel. And please tell your friends!

    www.almostcooperstown.com
    Show More Show Less
    26 mins
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