Reading Baseball

Sir David Attenborough is most famous for his pioneering work as a natural historian, broadcaster, and author.

The National Football League Draft took place in Pittsburgh a few weeks ago.

So far in this young Major League Baseball season, the St. Louis Cardinals are outperforming the experts' preseason predictions.

Pete Peterson discusses the pros and cons of the Major League Baseball's automated ball-strike system.

Pete Peterson tells us about taking his wife Anita to a Saluki baseball game earlier this season and how she "stole" his hot dog.

Pete Peterson talks about a Chicago newspaper edition sent to him on the death of the legendary Babe Ruth.

Pete Peterson remembers one of Pittsburgh's most beloved ballplayers.

The Los Angeles Dodgers continue to add more free agents and outspend every other franchise in the sport.

Pete Peterson thoroughly enjoyed this past season's playoff run.

Pete Peterson recounts what it was like for him to live through what he calls the saddest Thanksgiving.

As the 2025 World Series ends, we look back at one of the craziest fall classics in history.

St. Louis baseball fans have a rich tradition to remember.

Pete Peterson examines Redford's celebrated role in The Natural.

The NFL blackout rule used to keep fans from seeing their favorite team play home games.

Pete Peterson looks at entertainment-focused baseball teams, including the Savannah Bananas of today.

Pete Peterson pays homage to this summer’s NubAbility Camp in Du Quoin by looking at some of baseball’s limb-different players over the years.

A book entitled This Old Man is an account of what it’s like to be old.

Baseball fans love the game’s history.

Pete Peterson describes how being a Pittsburgh Pirates fan, especially recently, proves there is crying in baseball.

Pete Peterson takes a look at a new book out about Earl Weaver that highlights his roots to St. Louis and the Cardinals.

Pete Peterson explains why a now demolished ballpark is special enough to him to be called his happy place.

The hot topic at the beginning of the Major League Baseball season was the emergence of torpedo bats.

Pete Peterson explains how Derek Shelton faced an uphill battle in getting the Pirates to be contenders.

The recent death of Pope Francis got Reading Baseball commentator Pete Peterson thinking about his visit to the U.S. nearly ten years ago.

Pete Peterson celebrates the 400th edition of Reading Baseball, which started in 2004.

A new book out this spring highlights the breaking of the color barrier by the Chicago White Sox and Cubs in the 1950’s.

A new book is out focusing on the 40th anniversary of the 1985 World Series.

Pete Peterson once again remembers the time Jones became a cover boy when SIU Press reprinted a critically-acclaimed baseball book.

Pete Peterson tells us about a legendary negro league manager who Pete believes was wrongly left out of the Baseball Hall of Fame again.

Baseball has found some innovative ways recently to try and make the game more appealing to fans.

Pete explains how his wife Anita’s disgust with her hometown Pirates led her to become a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, just for a fleeting moment.

Since his recent death, the debate has been reignited as to whether Pete Rose should be in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

If the current political atmosphere has you wanting a distraction, commentator Pete Peterson may have just the thing.

The Chicago White Sox set a record with 121 losses in 2024.

Pete Peterson tells us the story of how became the owner of a special glove.

Pete Peterson tells us who he thinks is the greatest living baseball player following the death of Willie Mays.

Pete explains the why his mustache turned out to be a curse for his beloved Pittsburgh Pirates.

Pete Peterson looks at how modern day baseball's day-night doubleheaders are not doubleheaders at all.

Pittsburgh Pirates rookie pitcher Paul Skenes has made a big impression on fans, including our own Pete Peterson.

Pete Peterson explains why his most recent trip to Pittsburgh was extra special.

Pete Peterson recaps Milwaukee's baseball history.

Pete Peterson remembers the great Willie Mays, who died recently at the age of 93.

Pete Peterson has been an avid runner for many years.

Pete Peterson examines the rash of injuries to pitchers already this MLB season.

Herzog died recently at the age of 92.

Pete Peterson examines Hank Greenberg’s Hall of Fame career.

Pete Peterson, thanks to Mark Twain, finds a connection between baseball and eclipses.

Pete Peterson recently learned Paul Giamatti’s father is the former commissioner of baseball who banished Pete Rose from the game.

The newest inductees into the Baseball Hall of Fame include longtime manager Jim Leyland.

WSIU contributor Pete Peterson brings us his annual piece in honor of Black History Month.