Baseball Zealot Radio Show #10- coldest week this year and we’re supposed to talk baseball?

We’re in double digits now. We go a little off-topic and bring in Zealot reader and Bear fan Tyler Davis who was unlucky enough to go to the Super Bowl. He gives us his impression of the game. As it always does when he and I talk, the discussion does eventually move to the Cubs … Continue reading “Baseball Zealot Radio Show #10- coldest week this year and we’re supposed to talk baseball?”

We’re in double digits now.

We go a little off-topic and bring in Zealot reader and Bear fan Tyler Davis who was unlucky enough to go to the Super Bowl. He gives us his impression of the game. As it always does when he and I talk, the discussion does eventually move to the Cubs so it’s ok.

Chuck and I jabber about ticket prices at Wrigley and the Cell.

It seems a lot of baseball people passed away recently and he and I do our best to remember them.

And then there were ballplayers still alive that some teams were trying to forget. Will any team pick up Juan Gonzalez?

Take a listen and tell a friend.

 

BZR Show #9- Interview with University of Illinois Head Coach Dan Hartleb

Coach Dan Hartleb from the University of Illinois baseball team is our guest this week on Baseball Zealot Radio. A word about Coach Hartleb… usually when I interview someone “important”, I get a little nervous. One sentence from Coach Hartleb and he put me at ease. He seems like such an easy-going fella. I wonder … Continue reading “BZR Show #9- Interview with University of Illinois Head Coach Dan Hartleb”

Coach Dan Hartleb from the University of Illinois baseball team is our guest this week on Baseball Zealot Radio.

A word about Coach Hartleb… usually when I interview someone “important”, I get a little nervous. One sentence from Coach Hartleb and he put me at ease. He seems like such an easy-going fella. I wonder if that extends to his coaching.

Anyone with even a passing interest in the Illini or college baseball should listen to this podcast episode. He gives a good rundown of the team and its future.

Related Links:

Here is Coach Dan Hartleb’s bio on Fighting Illini’s website.

Also, if this show interests you, Baseball Zealot Radio’s interview with Illini shortstop Shawn Roof is a must-listen. Roof was also easy (and fun) to interview. You’ll find Roof’s interview half-way through our fifth show. Somewhere in there co-host Todd asks him if he ever plays NCAA Baseball (the video game). The response is hilarious.

Chicago Bears

  The Super Bowl. The Chicago Bears play the Indianapolis Colts. Two midwestern cities within 3 hours of each other. The East Coast sports media can stick it. Go Bears! If you’re a Bears fan, check out Bearscast.com. It’s a podcast in the same vein as Cubscast.com but they cover… yeah, the Bears. (Before the … Continue reading “Chicago Bears”

 

bears

The Super Bowl. The Chicago Bears play the Indianapolis Colts. Two midwestern cities within 3 hours of each other. The East Coast sports media can stick it. Go Bears!

If you’re a Bears fan, check out Bearscast.com. It’s a podcast in the same vein as Cubscast.com but they cover… yeah, the Bears.

(Before the Sox fans start whining, there is also a Soxcast.com which believe it or not, I listen to once in a while. It’s pretty good if you’re into the Sox kind of thing).

Anyway, best of luck to the Bears.

Baseball Zealot Radio Show #8: Cubs Convention, Erstad, LaRoche and MLB Umpires

Show # 8 is out. Chuck and Todd finally find an area of disagreement. And it has nothing to do with Mazeroski (well, maybe not this show it doesn’t), They discuss the role of umpires in player/umpire conflicts and how that has changed. We also hit a couple of the Hot Stove topics: Erstad, JD … Continue reading “Baseball Zealot Radio Show #8: Cubs Convention, Erstad, LaRoche and MLB Umpires”

Show # 8 is out.

Chuck and Todd finally find an area of disagreement. And it has nothing to do with Mazeroski (well, maybe not this show it doesn’t), They discuss the role of umpires in player/umpire conflicts and how that has changed.

We also hit a couple of the Hot Stove topics: Erstad, JD Drew, LaRoche.

Tom is back from last weekend’s Cubs Convention and gives a summary of his trip.

Here is the link to the show. Enjoy!

By the way, comments are enabled on the BZR site so feel free to let us know what you think of any particular episode by submitting a comment. I love feedback!

Big League Baseball Report does Pat Hughes

Cub fans may want to take a listen to Big League Baseball Report’s latest show. They interview Cubs’ radio man Pat Hughes. He is always interesting to listen to. Also, Hughes is plugging his latest effort, Baseball Voices which is a CD collection which commemorates some of the best broadcasters in the business. Cub fans … Continue reading “Big League Baseball Report does Pat Hughes”

Cub fans may want to take a listen to Big League Baseball Report’s latest show. They interview Cubs’ radio man Pat Hughes. He is always interesting to listen to. Also, Hughes is plugging his latest effort, Baseball Voices which is a CD collection which commemorates some of the best broadcasters in the business.

Cub fans should also check out A Cub Fan’s Obsession by Phil Zuber, one half of the BLBR team (Joe Aiello is the other half). It’s a relatively new site and chock full of true blue info on the Cubbies.

BZR interviews Baseball Reference’s Sean Forman

If you’re a user of Baseball Reference, definitely check out this week’s episode of Baseball Zealot Radio. We interview Sean Forman the creator and maintainer of the baseball stats web site which will celebrate its seventh birthday next month.

Seems like I’ve been using it for that long. If you use it, I don’t need to tell you how good it is.

Anyway, Sean gives us a “behind-the-scenes” look at one of the most definitive stat web sites out there.

Take a listen.

HOF is the topic of BZR

Baseball Zealot Radio put together a special show in response to the Hall of Fame selection. Hosts Tom and Todd bring in baseball history buff Chuck Lucas as guest host. We, of course talk about Ripken and Gwynn. But we also discuss those who didn’t, why and what their chances are in coming years. When … Continue reading “HOF is the topic of BZR”

Baseball Zealot Radio put together a special show in response to the Hall of Fame selection. Hosts Tom and Todd bring in baseball history buff Chuck Lucas as guest host. We, of course talk about Ripken and Gwynn.

But we also discuss those who didn’t, why and what their chances are in coming years.

When it comes to the baseball past, Lucas is second to none. We had a lot of fun doing the show. I hope you have fun listening to it.

Off-topic here: I need to be careful about chatting with these guys after we’re done recording the show. I ended up making a trade with Todd in our APBA league. I traded him Ray Durham for his 3rd round pick (It’s a continuous ownership league based on last year’s stats). I’m still happy with the deal. I’m hoping to pick up a young outfielder in our rookie draft in March with that pick.

Baseball Zealot Radio puts out (a show)

…we’re not easy or anything. After a short hiatus for the holidays, we’re back. Catch our first 2007 episode with hosts Shawn and I. Shawn advises me on how to get close to the big guys at the Cubs Convention. Dubious methods, I can guarantee you. We have one last discussion about the Hall ballot … Continue reading “Baseball Zealot Radio puts out (a show)”

…we’re not easy or anything.

After a short hiatus for the holidays, we’re back. Catch our first 2007 episode with hosts Shawn and I.

Shawn advises me on how to get close to the big guys at the Cubs Convention. Dubious methods, I can guarantee you.

We have one last discussion about the Hall ballot before it’s too late. Also, we take a good look at Randy Johnson and Barry Zito. Not too close of a look though. Have you seen the Unit’s face when he pitches?

Take a listen to our show.

Next week:

Next week, we’re planning an exciting show. Sean Forman, who maintains Baseball-Reference.com will be our guest. I personally am looking forward to that show. Stay tuned!

What goes on in the mind of a HOF voter?

It’s beyond me. I just listened to an interview on MLB Radio’s Under the Lights with MLB.com reporter Jim Street who has made up his mind who he will vote for in the Hall of Fame vote. He shared his ballot during his interview. It’s not often a radio guest frustrates me twice on separate … Continue reading “What goes on in the mind of a HOF voter?”

It’s beyond me.

I just listened to an interview on MLB Radio’s Under the Lights with MLB.com reporter Jim Street who has made up his mind who he will vote for in the Hall of Fame vote. He shared his ballot during his interview. It’s not often a radio guest frustrates me twice on separate issues but Street managed to do so.

Street tells us that he has voted for Garvey in the past and has voted for him again this year. One reason he claims is because of “his character” and what he did “off the field”. Fine. He’s a fan of Mr, Paternity Suit.

Then he’s asked about Jim Rice. Well, he says Rice “wasn’t the most cooperative” with the media and he wasn’t the most personable.

So he likes Steve Garvey’s off the field character despite the adultery and paternity suit but because Rice wasn’t nicey-nice with the media and was moody in general, he’s going to hold that against him. Forget the fact that there were racial tensions in Boston at the time and maybe Rice was just a moody kind of guy.

Then he goes on to talk about Mark McGwire. He’s not going to vote for Big Mac.

But don’t get the idea that he’s skipping Mac because of steroid issue. No, Street thinks based on McGwire’s stats alone he doesn’t belong. He insists he’s a one-dimensional player. Street even goes as far as to bring up the fact that McGwire only has 12 career stolen bases. Please.

According to Street, “this isn’t a homerun derby”.

I’m looking at Mark McGwire’s entry in Baseball Reference and his Appearances on Leaderboards section is a page and half long. And they’re not ALL related to homeruns.

Sportswriters, if you have a problem with McGwire’s alleged issue with steroids, be honest with it. But don’t justify it by saying that you wouldn’t vote for him anyway because “he only won one Gold Glove.” (another Jim Street gem)

Here’s the Under the Lights interview with Jim Street, MLB.com reporter (the interview is toward the end of the show)

Learning about Curt Flood

As a followup to my post on Marvin Miller and Curt Flood yesterday, I’d like to point you to the Baseball History Podcast who did an excellent overview of Curt Flood’s life and career. He ends the show by reading Flood’s famous letter to Bowie Kuhn. Bob Wright of BHP always does a good job … Continue reading “Learning about Curt Flood”

As a followup to my post on Marvin Miller and Curt Flood yesterday, I’d like to point you to the Baseball History Podcast who did an excellent overview of Curt Flood’s life and career.

He ends the show by reading Flood’s famous letter to Bowie Kuhn.

Bob Wright of BHP always does a good job researching his topic and the end product shows it.