Episodes

  • Back When There Was Baseball: Kevin Kobel
    Oct 23 2025

    Kevin Kobel joins us this week. Kevin came out of Athol Springs, NY which is south of Buffalo on Lake Erie. This is obviously not a good weather area for baseball, but Kevin earned his way to an 11th round draft pick by the Milwaukee Brewers in 1971. He had a fast track to the Majors and appeared in his first game in 1973. Kevin pitched in 1973-1974 and part of 1976 with Milwaukee. He ended up being traded to the Kansas City Royals but was subsequently traded to the New York Mets before appearing in any games. He pitched for the Mets from 1978-1980 until arm problems ended his career. Join us as we take a trip Back When There Was Baseball with our guest Kevin Kobel.

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    40 mins
  • Back When There Was Baseball: Tommy McCraw
    Oct 16 2025

    Tommy McCraw is our guest this week. Tommy, or Mac as he likes to be called, played in the Majors from 1963-1975 with the Chicago White Sox, Washington Senators, Cleveland Indians, California Angels and back with the Indians to finish out his career. Mac played for Ted Williams in 1971 and credits Ted for helping him become a better hitter. He also coached 24 years in the Majors as a hitting coach. Enjoy this trip Back When There Was Baseball as Mac shares some great stories about his baseball career.

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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Back When There Was Baseball: Rance Mulliniks
    Oct 9 2025

    Our guest this week is Rance Mulliniks. Rance played from 1977-1992 for the California Angels, Kansas City Royals and the Toronto Blue Jays. He was traded to the Blue Jays in 1982, where he finally got a chance to play every day. He credits Cito Gaston for elevating his hitting. Rance was also an outstanding glove and for several years in the mid-1980s, was one of the top 3rd basemen in the American League. He became a designated hitter later in his career while he helped Kelly Gruber transition to the starting 3rd baseman. Rance won a World Series in his last season, 1992. Due to a back injury that hampered him early in his career, he was forced to retire after the 1992 season. Enjoy this trip Back When There Was Baseball with our guest Rance Mulliniks.

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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Back When There Was Baseball: Tim Foli
    Oct 2 2025

    Tim Foli joins us on the podcast this week. Tim played in the Majors from 1970-1985. His statistics don't jump out at you, but he was a very good defensive shortstop and hit very well, mostly out of the 2nd spot in the batting order. Tim played for the New York Mets, Montreal Expos, then the Mets again before he was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1979. He and the acquisition of Bill Madlock propelled the Pirates to a World Series championship in that 1979 season. He also filled in for an injured Rick Burleson in 1982 and helped the California Angels to the ALCS. Tim was a very good shortstop in the time he played. Join us when we go Back When There Was Baseball and review the career of Tim Foli.

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    59 mins
  • Back When There Was Baseball: Steve Kealey
    Sep 25 2025

    Steve Kealey joins us this week on our look Back When There Was Baseball. Steve came out of Torrance, California in the mid-1960s where there was a boatload of talent. He was signed by the California Angels in 1966 and made his major league debut in 1968. Steve played for many years in the minors and majors with manager Chuck Tanner who he credits for giving him a chance. He played for the Angels organization until he was traded to the White Sox in March of 1971 where he played again for manager Chuck Tanner. Steve shares some great stories Back When There Was Baseball.

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    48 mins
  • Back When There Was Baseball: Mike Epstein
    Sep 18 2025

    Our guest this week is Mike Epstein. Mike played in the Majors from 1966-1974 with various clubs and was part of the 1972 Oakland A’s world championship team. He went to Cal-Berkeley on a football scholarship but ended up switching to baseball. Mike was nicknamed "Superjew" and played for quite a host of managers, which include Hank Bauer, Gil Hodges, Ted Williams and Dick Williams. Mike has some great stories, so enjoy this trip Back When There Was Baseball.

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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Back When There Was Baseball: Dave Ford
    Sep 11 2025

    Dave Ford joins us this week. Dave was a 1st round draft pick in 1975 by the Baltimore Orioles. He was one of the many hot prospects and dominant pitchers that were a part of the Orioles organization at that time. Listen as Dave talks about the amazing pitching staff of the Orioles during the years he was in their organization (1975-1983) and what it was like to play for Earl Weaver as we go Back When There Was Baseball.

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    48 mins
  • Back When There Was Baseball: Jerry Crawford
    Sep 4 2025

    Our guest this week is former National League umpire Jerry Crawford. Jerry comes from a family of officials. His father Shag was a Major League umpire from 1955-1975 and his brother Joey, was an NBA official from 1977-2016. Jerry started out in the National League in 1976, then became a Major League umpire for the last 10 years of his career, which ended with the 2010 season. He shares some great stories about his career in Major League baseball and working with his umpiring crews. We hope you enjoy Jerry Crawford's perspective as we go Back When There Was Baseball.

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    56 mins