269 - Ralph Branca: Baseball's Everyman w/ Bob Mitchell

Bob Mitchell is a retired professor, award winning advertising creative and tennis teaching pro. He has published 13 books and countless essays and articles, including his most recent book, "Ralph Branca and the Meaning of Life" (McFarland Press 2025). Join us this episode as we take our time machine back to Coogan's Bluff, October 3, 1951, and the pitch that changed everything.(Branca was the Dodger pitcher that thew Giant outfielder Bobby Thomson the fateful pitch that Thomson hit into the bleachers for a walk-off three-run home run that put the Giants into the 1951 World Series).Bob Mitchell's website - https://www.bobmitchellbooks.com/home/You can purchase "Ralph Branca and the Meaning of Life from the publisher, McFarland Press, from any boodstore or online book seller, or from our affiliate link at bookshop.org 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.comEmail: [email protected] on Bluesky (@craigest.bsky.social)Rex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/Hosts Emeriti:Andrew Eckhoff on TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestEric on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/ichaboderic/Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat)   www.premiumbeat.com/artist/ikoliksThis podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2025.