Episodes

  • 281 - "A Most Dramatic Diamond Struggle"
    Mar 16 2026

    On July 10, 1932, after playing 3 double headers in 3 days, Connie Mack's Philadelphia A's faced the Cleveland Indians at Cleveland's League Park. Craziness ensued. The game and players set records that have never been, and are unlikely to be, broken or even approached.

    This is the story of that game.

    We discuss our sources after the outro music.

    Errata: The opening game at Cleveland Stadium was July 31, 1932, not July 21st. Connie Mack was ejected from one game as manager - September 6, 1895, at the Polo Grounds in New York, while manager for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

    Consider supporting Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including those featured in this episode (if any were), through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns.

    Hooks & Runs - https://hooksandruns.buzzsprout.com
    Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com
    Craig on Bluesky (@craigest.bsky.social)
    Rex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook
    https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/
    Hosts Emeriti:
    Andrew Eckhoff on TikTok
    https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffest
    Eric on Facebook
    https://www.facebook.com/ichaboderic/
    Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat)
    www.premiumbeat.com/artist/ikoliks
    This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2026.

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    48 mins
  • 280 - Texans in the Hall: Joe Williams, Andy Cooper and Hilton Smith w/ Thomas Kern
    Mar 9 2026

    Pennsylvania native Thomas Kern has been a Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) member for over 40 years and has several biographical essays about Negro League stars during that time. Thomas joins us this episode to resume our series, "Texans in the Hall" to talk about three great Texas-born pitchers - Joe Williams, Andy Cooper and Hilton Smith. Kern introduces us to all three Texans, from their beginnings in rural Texas to the Texas amateur circuit to the Major Leagues in the Negro American or National League in the 1920s, 30s and beyond.

    Thomas Kern on SABR - https://sabr.org/authors/thomas-kern/

    Joe Williams at Baseball Reference; Andy Cooper at Baseball Reference; Hilton Smith at Baseball Reference.

    Consider supporting Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including those featured in this episode (if any were), through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns

    Hooks & Runs - https://hooksandruns.buzzsprout.com
    Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com
    Craig on Bluesky (@craigest.bsky.social)
    Rex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook
    https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/
    Hosts Emeriti:
    Andrew Eckhoff on TikTok
    https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffest
    Eric on Facebook
    https://www.facebook.com/ichaboderic/
    Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat)
    www.premiumbeat.com/artist/ikoliks
    This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2026.


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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • 279 Five future generals and 1915 Army baseball w/ Dr. Stephen V. Rice, plus Ferris Fain was a gangster
    Feb 23 2026

    Dr. Stephen V. Rice joins us in the first chapter to talk about his recent article in the Baseball Research Journal, "The 1915 Army Baseball Team at West Point: Five Future Generals and an 18–3 Record." In the second chapter, a look at two-time American League batting champion Ferris Fain and his tragic post-career fall. We close the episode with a short concert review. Links:

    • The Society for American Baseball Research - www.sabr.org
    • The Fall 2025 Baseball Research Journal - https://tinyurl.com/brjf2025

    Listeners interested in previous episodes with stories about baseball, music, the military and war should search for episodes 238 (Artie Shaw and World War II), 205 (Bethlehem Steel League), 189 (Baseball players serving in the Chemical Warfare Unit), Episode 169 (Moe Berg was a spy), Episode 168 (Ted Williams and John Glenn), Episode 107 (Baseball players serving in World War II), and Episode 106 (Sam Nahim and the G.I. World Series). Our episode about Rube Waddell is No. 82.

    Consider supporting Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including those featured in this episode (if any were), through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns

    Hooks & Runs - https://hooksandruns.buzzsprout.com
    Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com
    Craig on Bluesky (@craigest.bsky.social)
    Rex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook
    https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/
    Hosts Emeriti:
    Andrew Eckhoff on TikTok
    https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffest
    Eric on Facebook
    https://www.facebook.com/ichaboderic/
    Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat)
    www.premiumbeat.com/artist/ikoliks
    This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2026.



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    52 mins
  • 278 -- The one and onlys, the Grammy Awards and Rex pulls a HOF rookie card!
    Feb 9 2026

    Craig and Rex marvel over things that have happened only once in MLB history, plus comments about the recent Grammy Awards and a baseball card pull.

    Errata - Pat Kelly never managed in the Major Leagues. There was only one José Vizcaíno in the Majors.

    Notes -Khaby Lame sold his likeness for $975 Million https://tappedinculture.substack.com/p/khaby-lame-sold-his-likeness-for

    Consider supporting Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including those featured in this episode (if any were), through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns

    Hooks & Runs - https://hooksandruns.buzzsprout.com
    Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com
    Craig on Bluesky (@craigest.bsky.social)
    Rex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook
    https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/
    Hosts Emeriti:
    Andrew Eckhoff on TikTok
    https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffest
    Eric on Facebook
    https://www.facebook.com/ichaboderic/
    Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat)
    www.premiumbeat.com/artist/ikoliks
    This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2026.

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    1 hr
  • 277 - Buried by History: the 1941 Philadelphia Phillies w/ Justin Klugh
    Feb 1 2026

    Justin Klugh is author of the new book, "Summer of the Cheap Wieners: What the 1941 Phillies Were Up To While Joe DiMaggio Was Making History," (Brookline Books, 2026).

    There are not too many books about teams that lose 111 out of 154 games, but here's one and it's a good one. Justin joins us this episode to discuss how the second division looks.

    Justin Klugh at Baseball Prospectus

    Consider supporting Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including those featured in this episode (if any were), through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns

    Hooks & Runs - https://hooksandruns.buzzsprout.com
    Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com
    Craig on Bluesky (@craigest.bsky.social)
    Rex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook
    https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/
    Hosts Emeriti:
    Andrew Eckhoff on TikTok
    https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffest
    Eric on Facebook
    https://www.facebook.com/ichaboderic/
    Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat)
    www.premiumbeat.com/artist/ikoliks
    This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2026.

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    40 mins
  • 276 - Long Hours, Low Pay and Legendary Music w/ Rob Miller, co-founder of Bloodshot Records
    Jan 12 2026

    In this episode, we talk with Rob Miller, co-founder of Bloodshot Records and author of The Hours Were Long, but the Pay Was Low (3 Fields Books, 2025). Rob shares stories from the early days of building an influential indie label, the realities of DIY music culture, and what it really took to survive on passion, community, and very little money. It’s an honest, funny look at the long hours behind independent music—and why it was all worth it.

    Rob is a Detroit native so of course we discussed Disco Demolition Night (Rob has an interesting angle as a Tiger fan) and why Lou Whitaker is not in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

    Rob Miller's website: https://www.robmillerwriting.com/
    Rob on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robmillerwriting/
    Rob Miller's Bloodshot playlist: https://tinyurl.com/Bloodshot011226

    Please consider supporting Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including those featured in this episode (if any were), through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns

    Hooks & Runs - https://hooksandruns.buzzsprout.com
    Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com
    Craig on Bluesky (@craigest.bsky.social)
    Rex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook
    https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/
    Hosts Emeriti:
    Andrew Eckhoff on TikTok
    https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffest
    Eric on Facebook
    https://www.facebook.com/ichaboderic/
    Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat)
    www.premiumbeat.com/artist/ikoliks
    This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2026.



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    42 mins
  • 275 - Wolverines, Free Agents and the Hooks & Runs Best Albums of 2025
    Dec 29 2025

    What's going on with Michigan football? Craig and Rex look at random baseball news. Also, the Hooks & Runs year-end music review, featuring our favorite albums of 2025.

    Please consider supporting Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including those featured in this episode (if any were), through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns

    Hooks & Runs - https://hooksandruns.buzzsprout.com
    Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com
    Craig on Bluesky (@craigest.bsky.social)
    Rex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook
    https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/
    Hosts Emeriti:
    Andrew Eckhoff on TikTok
    https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffest
    Eric on Facebook
    https://www.facebook.com/ichaboderic/
    Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat)
    www.premiumbeat.com/artist/ikoliks
    This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2025.

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    47 mins
  • 274 - "I Thought I'd Given Up the Circus:" Baseball Promotions w/ Joseph Natalicchio
    Dec 12 2025

    Joseph Natalicchio is the author of "Baseball's Most Outrageous Promotions: From Wedlock and Headlock Day to Disco Demolition Night" (McFarland 2025), released earlier in December. This is a wonderful book - we discuss everything from Disco Demolition Night to the night fans tore apart a ballpark while game played on to why baseball promotions have gotten so boring!

    Joseph was a gracious guest and we hope you enjoy this chat.

    Here is the link to the book at McFarland (link above):
    https://tinyurl.com/promotions121125
    ...or buy the book at the affiliate link below.

    Please consider supporting Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including those featured in this episode (if any were), through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns

    Hooks & Runs - https://hooksandruns.buzzsprout.com
    Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com
    Craig on Bluesky (@craigest.bsky.social)
    Rex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook
    https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/
    Hosts Emeriti:
    Andrew Eckhoff on TikTok
    https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffest
    Eric on Facebook
    https://www.facebook.com/ichaboderic/
    Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat)
    www.premiumbeat.com/artist/ikoliks
    This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2025.



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    46 mins