All Episodes - Hooks & Runs
This is a podcast about baseball, music and culture. Our podcast includes interviews with news makers in the sports and music world plus commentary from the co-hosts on interesting current and historical events. Hooks & Runs releases a new episodes every Thursday.
View Podcast Details196 Episodes
251 - Talking Talking Heads w/ Jonathan Gould
Jonathan Gould's latest book is "Burning Down the House: Talking Heads and the New York Scene That Transformed Rock" (Meridian Books 2025). Gould has previously written books about The Beatles and Otis Redding -- his shorter works appear in The New Yorker. Gould is a New York City native; he attended ballgames at The Polo Grounds as a child and is a Mets fan.Jonathan Gould's Website - https://www.jonathangouldauthor.com/You can support 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: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Craig 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 Tik TokEric on FacebookMusic: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2025.
250 - The Clout or an Out Club
Three players in big league history have more than one career home run but no other hits. Two were players that got only a cup of coffee or two in the big leagues; the third, believe it or not, was a pitcher. We have their stories. Plus - the Rafael Devers trade, reflecting on Sly Stone and Brian Wilson, and some 1989 baseball cards.Errata: Nolan Fontana was claimed off waivers by the Angels, not the Dodgers. Andy van Slyke won 5 Gold Glove Awards, not 3. Houston replaced Bill Virdon with Bob Lillis in 1982, not Hal Lanier. On June 28, 1997, David Wells wore Babe Ruth's cap, valued then at $35,000, for one inning during a pitching performance - the Yankees fined Wells $2,500. In September 1988, Dave Dravecky was diagnosed with a desmoid tumor in his left arm. He attempted a return in 1989. In his second appearance during a pitch in the fifth inning his humerus bone snapped. Doctors amputated his left arm in 1991 after discovering the tumor had returned.Episodes mentioned:Ep. 72 - Seeing the World Through Baseball w/ Cousin Wolf (Matt Halvorson). Wolf's album, "Nine Innings," is available here (https://cousinwolf.bandcamp.com/album/nine-innings).You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including books 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 Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Hosts Emeriti:Andrew Eckhoff on Tik TokEric on FacebookMusic: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2025.
249 - He Went Two for Five the Next Game w/ Beverly Winter-Donaho
In April 1950, Jim Martin, a catcher for the West Texas New Mexico League’s Pampa Oilers, was violently struck by lightning during a game in Abilene, Texas. He not only survived the strike but he played the next game, going two for five. This week, Martin's daughter, Beverly Winter-Donaho, joins us to discuss Martin and his time in the minors during the 40s and 50s. In part two, Craig visits PNC Park and what's left of Forbes Field in Pittsburgh.Errata: Joe Nuxhall made his Major League debut, pitching for the Cincinnati Reds, on June 10, 1944. He was 15 years, 316 days old. You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including books 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 Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Hosts Emeriti:Andrew Eckhoff on Tik TokEric on FacebookMusic: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2025.
246 - Remembering the St. Louis Browns w/ Ed Wheatley
Ed Wheatley, president of the St. Louis Browns Historical Society, joins us this week to discuss the Browns, an American League team from 1902 to 1953. Wheatley is the co-author of "St. Louis Browns: The Story of a Beloved Team" (Reedy Press 2017), which was selected best book published on baseball in 2017 by Sports Collectors Digest and nominated for the Larry Ritter Award as the best book on baseball published in 2017 by Society for American Baseball Research.Wheatley was also technical advisor for the award winning PBS documentary " The St. Louis Browns - The Team Baseball Forgot" (2018) and was executive producer of the award winning sequel "A Baseball Legacy - Fans Remember the St. Louis Browns" (2019).Ed Wheatley on Facebook, at Reedy Presshttps://www.facebook.com/edward.wheatley.56/https://reedypress.com/author/wheatley/ed-wheatley/The St. Louis Browns Historical Society webpagehttps://www.thestlbrowns.com/Stream "The St. Louis Browns - The Team Baseball Forgot" https://tinyurl.com/baseballforgotStream "A Baseball Legacy - Fans Remember the St. Louis Browns"https://tinyurl.com/fansrememberHooks & Runs - https://hooksandruns.buzzsprout.com/ Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Craig 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 Tik TokEric on FacebookMusic: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2025.
245 - Disco Was Fun! Baseball, Music & Culture in 1978 w/ David Krell
David Krell is author of "1978: Baseball and America in the Disco Era," (University of Nebraska Press, 2025). His book explores the wild 1978 major league season with features on the American League East race that went to a 163rd game, iconic players from the era like Pete Rose and Dave Kingman and cultural flashpoints from film, TV and music. In this interview, Krell gives us a glimpse into this tumultuous, pivotal year in American history and culture.SPOILER ALERT: This episode contains a spoiler if you have not seen "Saturday Night Fever."David Krell's website, Twitter/X. (https://davidkrell.com/) (https://x.com/davidkrell) Errata: Burt Convy was not in the Made for TV movie "Murder at the World Series." "Catfish" Hunter is credited with saying, "When you open a Reggie bar it tells you how good it is."You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including books 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 Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Hosts Emeriti:Andrew Eckhoff on Tik TokEric on FacebookMusic: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2025.
244 - Power Outage! The 1979 Houston Astros
This week, Craig and Rex take a deep dive into the 1979 Houston Astros, the only team since 1947 to hit fewer than 50 home runs while posting a winning record and also the last team to hit more triples than home runs in a single season. Also, The Sex Pistols are back on the road, without Johnny Rotten. Even punks get nostalgic.Errata: The Cardinals in 2024 went 8 straight games without a home run, not 18. A&M defeated Yale by 6 points in the NCAA first round, not whatever it was Craig said. The object crash near Roswell NM was in 1947. Cliff Williams is still AC/DC's bassist.Past episodes mentioned: The Sam Rice episode is No. 228. The Bill Virdon episode with David Jerome and Shirley Virdon is No. 144. The Old Ballparks episodes were Nos. 127, 184, and 186.You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including books featured in this episode (if any were), through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.com Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Hooks & Runs on TwitterCraig 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 Tik TokEric on FacebookMusic: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2025.
242 - Disturbed Concert Stories, 2025 MLB Predictions, and Tommy (the Film)
This week, Disturbed declares war on the Bulls' championship banners during a show at United Center, plus Motley Crue at MinuteMaid (Daiken) and the greatest Journey concert ever. Craig makes his 2025 MLB predictions - try not to laugh. The podcast concludes with the boys reviewing "Tommy," the 1975 Ken Russell film based on The Who's 1969 album of the same name. The film stars Roger Daltry, Ann-Margret, Oliver Reed and other many actors (Jack Nicholson) and rock stars (Tina Turner). The review includes Craig and Rex musing about their favorite rock star performances in film.Errata: Arnel Pineda is still the lead singer for Journey. Tommy's father died in the war? Jim Jarmusch directed "Down by Law." He did not produce it. Frank Sinatra was not in "The Longest Day," You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including books featured in this episode (if any were), through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.com Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Hooks & Runs on TwitterCraig 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 Tik TokEric on FacebookMusic: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2025.
241 - The Hard Luck 11: Pitchers that threw 9+ inning, complete game 1-hitters and lost
Since 1901, in the American and National Leagues, 11 pitchers have thrown 9+ inning, complete game 1-hitters and lost. These include a pitcher that pitched both games of a double-header on the day, a pitcher that took a perfect game into the 13th inning only to lose and a pitcher that gave up an extra-inning, walk-off home run to lose. This week, a tale of the hard luck pitchers who pitched their best game only to come up short.Errata: In 1988, 46.5% of starting pitchers threw 100 or more pitches in their start - by 2014, that number had dropped to 13.1%. Rocky Nelson hit a single to move Bill Virdon to third base, not a fly ball. Lyn Lary's bunt that scored the first run in Bobo Newsom's loss was scored a fielder's choice, not a single as it appears from the description. The Deadball Era was the era from 1901-19 - Craig flubbed that somehow.Episodes mentioned:212 - Ken Johnson has a secretYou can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.com Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Hooks & Runs on TwitterCraig 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 Tik TokEric on FacebookMusic: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2025.
240 - Texans in the Hall: Greg Maddux, plus, Arenado, Rose, Golden State Entertainment and Tales of the Tape.
This week Craig and Rex continue their series on native Texans in the Baseball of Fame with 355-game winner Greg Maddux. Also, the Nolan Arenado trade talks will not go away, Pete Rose's family petitions the Commission to lift the all-time hits leader's lifetime ban now that his life is over, the Golden State Warriors own a record label and what do you know - some baseball players lie about their height.Notes on the show: The Travis Stern episode about baseball and theater in the deadball era is No. 225. Here is the link to the Sports Illustrated story mentioned in the episode. Gaylord Perry did indeed win 300 games -- he won 314 to be exact.No 225 - https://tinyurl.com/stern225SI article - https://tinyurl.com/hooksheightYou can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.com Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Hooks & Runs on TwitterCraig 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 Tik TokEric on FacebookMusic: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2025.
239 - Willie McCovey: Remembering a Forgotten Superstar w/ Chris Haft
Author Chris Haft's new book, Willie McCovey: A Giant Among Giants (University of Nebraska Press, 2025) adds to the baseball literature by examining the life and baseball times of perhaps the most forgotten member of the 500-home run club. Haft's look at this great Giant superstar is long overdue. He joins us this week to discuss the great and powerful Willie Mac.In Chapter 2, Craig and Rex consider what impact Alex Bregman signing with Boston will have on both teams. In Chapter 3, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees are released and you know what that means.Chris Haft's Twitter/X = @goodforballAll Chris Haft's books are available through his Amazon author pagehttps://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00539Y0POChris Haft's book at Univ. of Neb. Press: https://www.nebraskapress.unl.edu/nebraska/9781496241962/a-giant-among-giants/Errata: There have been 24 perfect games in baseball history, not 18. Craig mispronounced Kristian Campbell's first name. Mike Ivie was the first overall draft pick in 1970 by the San Diego Padres -- Ivie hit .269 with 81 home runs in his career.You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.com Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Hooks & Runs on TwitterCraig 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 Tik TokEric on FacebookMusic: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2025.
238 - Artie Shaw's Nightmare: The Big Band Sound Goes to War w/ Michael Doyle
Author and journalist Michael Doyle's new book, Nightmare in the Pacific: The World War II Saga of Artie Shaw and His Navy Band (Univ. of North Texas Press, 2025) is an adventurous tale and a must read. Shaw, a leading big band leader into the early 1940s, joined the Navy a few months after Pearl Harbor. He formed a Navy big band of accomplished and to varying degrees roguish musicians and led them across the Pacific during the war, entertaining troops, finding trouble and dealing with grueling hardships. Michael Doyle joins us this week to give a preview of this book and musicians at war.Michael Doyle's website: www.doyleauthor.comYou can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.com Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Hooks & Runs on TwitterCraig 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 Tik TokEric on FacebookMusic: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2025.
235 - Texans in the Hall: Ross Youngs w/ David King
Journalist and author David King joins us in part 1 to talk about Ross Youngs, who was born in Shiner, Texas, in 1897, and later played 10 seasons for John McGraw's New York Giants. In that time he was a key player on four National League pennant and two World Series title teams. A career .322 hitter, Youngs fell ill during the 1926 season and later died at age 30 from kidney disease. The Veterans' Committee elected Youngs to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972.King is author of Ross Youngs: In Search of a San Antonio Baseball Legend (History Press 2013).In part two, Craig and Rex talks about some musical artists that are not in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, but should be (or so they think). They are:Iron Maiden (listen to "Phantom of the Opera")The B-52s (listen to "Rock Lobster")Anthrax (listen to "Bring the Noise")Soundgarden (listen to "Fell On Black Days")Motörhead (listen to "Ace of Spades")Sonic Youth (listen to "Teen Age Riot")You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.com Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Hooks & Runs on TwitterCraig 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 Tik TokEric on FacebookMusic: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2025.
234 - The Miracle Braves of 1914, part 2
This week concludes our two-part series about the Miracle Braves of 1914 and concludes with Rex and Craig discussing Billy Wagner and the recent Hall of Fame balloting results.Episodes mentioned:157 - R.E.M.'s Murmur at 40 w/ Tony Fletcher.You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.com Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Hooks & Runs on TwitterCraig 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 Tik TokEric on FacebookMusic: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2025.
233 - The Miracle Braves of 1914, Part 1
This week Craig and Rex begin a two-part series on the Miracle Braves of 1914.The early 20th Century was not kind to the Boston Braves (previously, the Beaneaters, the Doves and the Rustlers). Mired in the second division for years with frequent ownership changes, an outdated ballpark and few prospects, Boston entered the 1914 season with second year manager George Stallings, some promising new ballplayers and faint hopes to crack the National League's first division. However, after being swept in July 4th double header, the Braves were back in familiar territory - deep in last place, 15 games behind the mighty New York Giants.What happened next resulted in baseball's greatest come from behind story ever. The Braves caught fire and made a mockery of the National League West, wining by 10 games over the Giants, the league's three-time defending champions. Part One of this two-part series looks at the Braves remarkable season and sets the stage for the World Series against the American League powerhouse Philadelphia Athletics.You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.com Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Hooks & Runs on TwitterCraig 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 Tik TokEric on FacebookMusic: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2025.
106 - Baseball Rebels w/ Professor Peter Dreier (From the Vault)
Rex and I are taking two weeks to recover from the holidays and holiday travel and will be back January 16 with the first episode of Season Six. Here are the show notes from our Episode 106:-------------------------------------------This week Professor Peter Dreier (Occidental College) joins Hooks & Runs to discuss his new book, "Baseball Rebels: The Players, People and Social Movements That Shook Up the Game and Changed America" (Univ. Nebraska Press, 2022), co-authored with Prof. Robert Elias. The conversation covers not only well known names in baseball history like Bill Veeck and Larry Doby but also little known players almost forgotten by history. You'll hear amazing stories about people like Octavius Catto, Sam Nahem, Jackie Mitchell and more. This is a highly recommended book.Dreier and Elias, incidentally, also released a companion book, "Major League Rebels: Baseball Battles Over Workers' Rights and American Empire" (Rowman & Littlefield, 2022)."Previously on Hooks & Runs" - Professor Jeremi Duru on Curt Flood (Ep. 104).Check It Out:Prof. Dreier recommends The History Channel's documentary, "After Jackie"Rex recommends the new single from Megadeth, "We'll Be Back."Andrew recommends "Operation Mincemeat," starring Colin Firth and available on Netflix.Craig recommends the new album from a reunited Porcupine Tree, "Closure/Continuation." This is "Of the New Day." You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.com Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Hooks & Runs on TwitterCraig 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 on Tik TokEric on Facebook Opening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved. This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, 2025, all rights reserved.
46/50 - From the Vault: Our Interview with Larry Lester and the Best and Worst Super Bowl Halftime Performances (From the Vault)
Craig and Rex are taking two weeks off so we reached into the vault this week to present two segments from shows past.The first segment is our January 2021 interview with Larry Lester, baseball historian and co-founder of the Negro League Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri. This interview took place just a few short weeks after MLB officially recognized seven leading Negro Leagues from 1920 to 1948 as Major League Baseball. We talked about the process for researching and certifying Negro League statistics and snapshots of Negro League stars like Josh Gibson and Cool Papa Bell. In the second segment, Eric and Craig presented their favorite and least favorite Super Bowl half-time performances. This segment ran in February 2021, just after The Weeknd's performance at Super Bowl LV in Tampa. You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.com Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Hooks & Runs on TwitterCraig 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 on Tik TokEric on FacebookMusic: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2025.
232 - It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over: The 1973 New York Mets w/ Len Ferman, The Sports Time TravelerTM
Len Ferman's new book, The 1973 Mets - You've Got to Believe, is a day to day saga about a Mets team that that rallied from last place with a 61-71 record on August 31 to win the National League East with an 82-79 record. The Eastern Division race that year saw five teams still in the hunt for the title in the season's final week. In the end, the Mets won the title outright on the season's final day with just 5 games separating the champs from the fifth place Chicago Cubs. The Mets shocked the 99-win Cincinnati Reds in the five-game NL Championship series then stretched the Oakland A's, the defending World Series champs, to seven games before coming up short. The team featured the great Willie Mays in his final season and future Hall of Famer Tom Seaver, the 1973 NL Cy Young Award winner. Len Ferman's The Sports Time TravelerTM website has links to his Substack, podcast, where to buy the book and other resources.thesportstimetraveler.comErrata: The Atlanta Braves finished the 1973 season against the Houston Astros for a two-game series in Atlanta. Henry Aaron hit home run No. 713 against Houston's Jerry Reuss in the series opener, but did not homer in the season's final game the next day against Houston's Dave Roberts and Don Wilson. Atlanta's manager in 1973 and for much of 1974 was Aaron's former Atlanta teammate and former Houston Astro, Eddie Matthews. The Pirates lost the final game of the 1973 season to the San Diego Padres 5-3You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.com Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Hooks & Runs on TwitterCraig 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 Tik TokEric on FacebookMusic: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2024.
231 - The 2024 Hooks & Runs Year End Music Review
Craig & Rex review their favorite albums of 2024 while Craig mourns Kyle Tucker being traded by Houston to the Cubs.Errata: The MJ Lenderman lyric on "Wristwatch" is " a wristwatch that tells me I'm on my own," not "I'm all alone." Col. Mandrake is a character in Stanley Kubrick's Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb. Bob Hunter, Los Angeles Herald-Examiner, first referred to the Cincinnati Reds as "the Big Red Machine" on July 4, 1969. The moniker stuck as the Reds began the 1970 season 70-30 on their way to the National League pennant.You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.com Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Hooks & Runs on TwitterCraig 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 Tik TokEric on FacebookMusic: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2024.
230 - Lou Gehrig Goes to Hollywood
This week Craig and Rex look at Lou Gehrig's lone Hollywood film, "Rawhide" (1938), filmed in January 1938. The film stars Gehrig (playing himself) and Texas native Smith Ballew (Palestine), Hollywood's first singing cowboy as the film's protagonists. Evalyn Knapp plays Gehrig's sister (part protagonist) and Ballew's love interest in the film. Errata: There is a car shown in the very first scene in Rawhide after all.This movie is available to view on YouTube at no charge. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RsQEYIBE9w You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.com Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Hooks & Runs on TwitterCraig 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 Tik TokEric on FacebookMusic: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2024.
229 - Texans in the Hall: Willie Wells, "El Diablo," Was Ahead of His Time w/ Dr. Bob Luke
Dr. Bob Luke, author of "Willie Wells: 'El Diablo' of the Negro Leagues," joins us this week as Hooks & Runs begins a new series featuring native Texans that have been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. We begin with Willie Wells, "El Diablo," an all-time great shortstop born in Austin in 1905, give or take, and who played and managed in the Negro Leagues, in Cuba, in Canada and in Mexico for over 20 years. In part 2, Craig and Rex talk about Blake Snell's and Yusei Kikuchi's new contracts, Kyle Finnegan's non-tender, the horrific "Golden At-Bat" gimmick Rob Manfred has proposed, and whether the NCAA needs to get involved to prohibit "planting the flag" and the inevitable scuffles that ensue.This episode mentions our interviews with Larry Lester (No. 46) and Peter Dreier (No. 106).You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.com Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Hooks & Runs on TwitterCraig 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 Tik TokEric on FacebookMusic: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2024.
228 - Close But No Cigar III: Sam Rice, 2,987 career hits.
Outfielder Sam Rice played 20 seasons in the Major Leagues - all but one with the Washington Nationals (later, the Senators). Rice retired from the game with 2,987 hits, 13 shy of the coveted mark of 3,000, making him the player that came the closest to reaching that milestone. In this episode, we look at Rice's sometimes tragic, often triumphant life.Selected Sources:Stephen Able, "Sam Rice," Society for American Baseball Research (sabr.org).Stanley Milliken, "White Sox Win 6-2," Washington Post, August 8, 1915,C. Norman Willis, "Washington Senators: All-Time Greats," (Xlibris 2003).Gregory H. Wolf, "October 10, 1925: Senators Sam Rice makes dazzling catch to preserve victory in Game 3 - or did he?" Society for American Baseball Research (sabr.org).You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.com Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Hooks & Runs on TwitterCraig 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 Tik TokEric on FacebookMusic: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2024.
227 - Gavy Cravath: The Deadball Era's Home Run King w/ Rick Reiff
Rick Reiff is our guest this week to discuss his essay in the Fall 2024 Baseball Research Journal, "Gavy Cravath's Hall-Worthy 200 Home Runs." Cravath, a late arrival, played 11 seasons in the Major Leagues and led the National League in home runs in six of those seasons, from 1913 to 1919. Cravath also led the Senior Circuit in RBI twice, in on base percentage twice and slugging percentage three times. Despite being the preeminent home run hitter in the Deadball Era, Cravath remains on the outside looking in for Hall of Fame induction. Reiff makes the case to remedy this.In part 2, Craig and Rex talk about the Rays playing their 2025 regular season at the Yankees' spring training home, the latest billion-dollar boondoggle to return the Houston Astrodome, an aging eyesore, to usefulness and how to turn a juice box to an ice box.Errata: Craig, its the Donner Party, not the Bonner Party.You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.com Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Hooks & Runs on TwitterCraig at 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 Tik TokEric on FacebookMusic: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2024.
226 - Baseball's Most Unusual Feats
This episode was recorded on November 5.Craig and Rex analyze some of baseball's rarest achievements, ranging from Johnny Vander Meer's back to back no-hitters, Fernando Tatis belting two grand slams in the same inning off the same pitcher. Of course we mention Guy Hecker's 7 runs scored in a 9 innings game, a singular feat that has stood for 138 years. Also this episode, Gerrit Cole's $144 million dance with free agency after the World Series came to an end plus the Hall of Fame's Classic Era Committee's nominees.You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.com Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Hooks & Runs on TwitterCraig at 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 Tik TokEric on FacebookMusic: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2024.
225 - Heroes, Villains and Fools: Baseball and Theater in the Deadball Era w/ Travis Stern
Dr. Travis Stern's new book, "Ballplayers on Stage: Baseball, Melodrama, and Theatrical Celebrity in the Deadball Era" (Univ. of Tennessee Press, 2024) explores the relationship between professional baseball and professional theater in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Stern joins us in this episode to talk about his book and the how baseball and the theater contributed to the rise of the American culture, culminating with Babe Ruth's emergence as a national hero in the early 1920s. Stern is an Associate Professor of Theater Arts at Bradley University.Travis Stern on Bluesky (@travisstern.bsky.social)Travis Stern at Bradley UniversityIn Part Two, Craig went to a Duster show and talks about Duster, the show and the unusual opening act, Dirty Art Club.Errata: At one point Stern mentions seeing the "Yankees and Mets." We believe he meant to say "Yankees and Dodgers" as the Mets were not a team in the Deadball Era.Episodes mentioned or discussed:205 - Baseball at War: Working and Playing Ball in the Bethlehem Steel League w/ William Ecenbarger (https://tinyurl.com/hooks2051114)82 - Rube Waddell Would Make A Hell of a Movie w/ Prof. Alan H. Levy (https://tinyurl.com/Hooks821114) You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.com Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Hooks & Runs on TwitterCraig at 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 Tik TokEric on FacebookMusic: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2024.
224 - The Professor's Mysterious Concoction
Craig and Rex contemplate the end of the 2024 baseball season as the Dodgers took the first three World Series games from the Yankees. They then turn their attention to the 1949 film "It Happens Every Spring," starring Ray Milland, Jean Peters and Paul Douglas. It's a screwball comedy with a baseball-related plot. Thumb's up all around. Finally, a few words about a North Carolina man that combined artificial intelligence with internet bots to try to take on the online music business. The man is innocent until proven guilty, of course.Justice Dep't press release in the AI, music bot case. You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.com Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Hooks & Runs on TwitterCraig at BlueskyRex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Hosts Emeriti:Andrew Eckhoff on Tik TokEric on FacebookMusic: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2024.
223 - Close But No Cigar II: Barry Bonds, 1,996 RBI
Five players in MLB history have driven in 2,000 run in their career. Barry Bonds concluded his amazing 22-year career 4 RBI short of 2,000. This week we examine Bonds' career and try to find out how he came up short.Also this week, Craig and Rex with their favorite new albums released the third quarter of 2024.Errata: The reports are Bonds' head circumference grew by 1 to 1.5 inches, not that his hat size grew by 1.5 sizes. The book, "Love Me, Hate Me: Barry Bonds and the Making of an Antihero," by Jeff Pearlman, released in 2006, not 2007. The book is available through our affiliate link below or wherever you buy books.-->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.com Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Hooks & Runs on TwitterCraig at BlueskyRex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Hosts Emeritus:Andrew Eckhoff on Tik TokEric on FacebookMusic: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2024.
222 - Rex Trolls Craig's Pre-Season Predictions: "You Might As Well Have Run Over Him With a Truck"
This week Craig and Rex review Craig's sketchy pre-season predictions and ruminate about the on-gong MLB playoffs.Errata: Met closer Edwin Diaz has one year left on his contract, not three.-->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.com Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Hooks & Runs on TwitterCraig at BlueskyRex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Hosts Emeritus:Andrew Eckhoff on Tik TokEric on FacebookMusic: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2024.
221 - The 1964 Philadelphia Phillies
After beating the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium 3-2 to wrap up a 6-4 road trip, the Phillies cam home leading the National League by 6.5 games with 12 games to play. What followed remains the most dramatic late-season collapse in Major League history. The Phillies lost 10 straight games, including all seven on the following home stand, and finished one game behind St. Louis. In this episode, Craig and Rex review the Phillies 1964 season, trying to answer the question: Who is to blame for the Great Philadelphia Phillies Collapse of 1964?Errata: After Philadelphia's 6-4 loss to Milwaukee on September 26, the Phillies had lost six in a row and eight of their last nine. After beating St. Louis 1-0 on October 2, the Mets' record was 52 wins, 108 losses.-->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.com Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Hooks & Runs on TwitterCraig at BlueskyRex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Hosts Emeritus:Andrew Eckhoff on Tik TokEric on FacebookMusic: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2024.
220 - In an Instant It Was All Gone: The Ray Chapman Story w/ Scott H. Longert
Author Scott H. Longert joins the show this week to talk about his latest book, "Love and Loss: The Short Life of Ray Chapman" (Ohio Univ. Press 2024). Cleveland shortstop Ray Chapman was hit by a pitched ball in the temple during a ballgame against the Yankees at the Polo Grounds on August 16, 1920. He succumbed to his injuries the next morning. He is the only player in Major League history to die from injuries sustained during an MLB ballgame. Longert's book examines Chapman's idyllic life and his sudden, tragic death, combining detailed research with compassion for the ballplayer and his family, friends and teammates. Scott Longert's website - https://scottlongert.com/ Scott Longert on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/scott.longertOhio Univ. Press - https://www.ohioswallow.com/9780821425664/love-and-loss/Errata - Shohei Ohtani hit 54 home runs and stole 59 bases this season. -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.com Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Hooks & Runs on TwitterCraig at BlueskyRex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Hosts Emeritus:Andrew Eckhoff on Tik TokEric on FacebookMusic: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2024.
219 - Myths, Legends and Pete Browning, Baseball's Original Louisville Slugger w/ Tim Newby
In the great John Ford western, "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance," a reporter says, "When the legend becomes fact, print the legend." Few 19th Century players muddled the waters between fact and legend as did the great Louisville slugger, Pete Browning. Author Tim Newby's new book "The Original Louisville Slugger: The Life and Times of Forgotten Baseball Legend Pete Browning" ( University Press of Kentucky, 2024) dives into Pete's wild story head first, separating legend from fact and delivering an engaging and rewarding book. Newby is our guest this week to talk about myths, legends, Pete Browning and baseball in the wild and untamed 19th Century.Tim Newby's The Original Louisville Slugger is available through the publisher, through the Hooks & Runs affiliate site (see the link below) or wherever you buy your books.Tim Newby on Twitter/X (@Tim_Newby9)Tim Newby on Instagram (@tim_newby9)-->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.com Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Hooks & Runs on TwitterCraig at BlueskyRex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Hosts Emeritus:Andrew Eckhoff on Tik TokEric on FacebookMusic: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2024.
218 - The Flying Dutchman, Honus Wagner w/ Arthur D. Hittner
Our guest this week is Arthur D. Hittner, author of "Honus Wagner, The Life of Baseball's Flying Dutchman," Revised Edition (McFarland, 2024). Originally published in 1996, Hittner's book won the prestigious Seymour Medal for best baseball historical or biographical book in 1997. Wagner led the National League in batting 8 times and hit .324 in his storied career. Over 100 years after his last Major League game, The Flying Dutchman is still considered by many to be the greatest shortstop who ever played. Hittner's revised edition brings Wagner to life for a new generation of fans.Arthur D. Hittner's Website: www.hittnerbooks.com/-->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.com Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Hooks & Runs on TwitterCraig on BlueskyRex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Hosts Emeritus:Andrew Eckhoff on Tik TokEric on FacebookMusic: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2024.
217 - We are Getting Worried About Justin Verlander
Justin Verlander is struggling in his latest return from the injury list. Roger Maris would have celebrated his 90th birthday in the 10th -- he died in 1985. We noticed a lot of pretty famous people were born or grew up Maris's home town of Hibbing, Minnesota (pop. 16,000), including a couple of Hall of Famers (Maris is not one). Finally, Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge and the Chicago White Sox are chasing milestones, for better or worse, and Matt Chapman bet big on himself -- and it paid off!Errata: Matt Chapman and Alex Bregman are not so far apart in age after all.-->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Hosts Emeritus:Andrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffest Eric on FacebookLink: https://www.facebook.com/ichabodericEmail us: hooksandruns@protonmail.comMusic: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum.
216 - Celebrating the Baseball Road Trip w/ Timothy Malcolm
Timothy Malcolm wrote the newly revised and updated, "Moon Baseball Road Trips: The Complete Guide to All the Ballparks, with Beer, Bites, and Sights Nearby" (Moon Travel, 2024) being released September 10. He joins us this week to talk about baseball road trips, favorite ballparks and how baseball contributed to revivals in many large American cities. In part 2, Rex and Craig talk about why pitchers are pitching fewer and fewer complete games and how the long ball threat from the line-up's top to bottom has impacted how teams manage pitching staffs.Timothy Malcolm on BlueskyThe book at Moon TravelErrata: The 1930 Philadelphia Phillies lost 102 games, not however many Craig said (unless he said 102). The designated first sullied America's Pastime in 1973, not 1971. Episodes Mentioned:143 - The Rays Are Getting Their New Stadium w/ Dr. Elizabeth Strom (OK, not specifically mentioned, but relevant) (https://www.buzzsprout.com/875794/12443077).133 - We Weren't Rained Out, We Were Rained In w/ Roger Metzger (https://www.buzzsprout.com/875794/11991967)127 - The Old Ballparks Project, Part I (our discussion of the Baker Bowl and Shibe Park (Connie Mack Stadium) in Philadelphia (https://www.buzzsprout.com/875794/11755593) -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Hosts Emeritus:Andrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffest Eric on FacebookLink: https://www.facebook.com/ichabodericEmail us: hooksandruns@protonmail.comMusic: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum.
215 - Close But No Cigar I: Bobby Mathews, 297 Career Wins
Bobby Mathews pitched in three major leagues from 1871 to 1887 and ended his career with 297 career wins. Why did he stop playing when he was so close to 300? This episode looks into Mathews' career as well as wins as a statistical category and 300 wins as a significant career milestone to kick off this series about players who came very close, but did not quite reach landmark career totals.Errata: Justin Verlander made one start for Houston before going on the injured list in 2020.Episodes Referenced:213 - Talking 1890 Players League Blues w/ Robert Ross Major Sources:Brian McKenna, "Bobby Mathews," Society for American Baseball Research website, www.sabr.org.Frank Vaccaro, "Origins of the Modern Pitching Win," 2013 Baseball Research Journal.The source for all player statistics is baseball-reference.com.Too many contemporary newspapers accounts to list here. -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Hosts Emeritus:Andrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffest Eric on FacebookLink: https://www.facebook.com/ichabodericEmail us: hooksandruns@protonmail.comMusic: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat Lic.) Music: Title: "Inscencer (1 hour)"; Artist: P C III; Link: Free Music Archive; License: CC By 4.0 (https://tinyurl.com/ccby4hooks) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum.
214 - The 1961 Phillies: A Cavalcade of Losses
On August 6, 2024, the dreadful Chicago White Sox beat the Oakland A's 5-1 at the Coliseum. This win snapped a 21-game losing streak, the longest losing streak in the Majors in 36 years. The Philadelphia Phillies own the modern record losing streak, 23 games, set in 1961. This episode, Craig and Rex will look back on that record losing streak.Episodes Referenced:212 - Ken Johnson Has a Secret-->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Hosts Emeritus:Andrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffest Eric on FacebookLink: https://www.facebook.com/ichabodericEmail us: hooksandruns@protonmail.comMusic: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum. Errata: Babe Ruth made one pinch hitting appearance in the 1915 World Series.
213 - Talking 1890 Players League Blues w/ Robert Ross
Professor Robert Ross, author of The Great Baseball Revolt: The Rise and Fall of the 1890 Players League (2016) joins us this week to discuss the first attempt at unionization by Major League players -- the Brotherhood of Professional Base Ball Players which had formed in the mid 1880s. The Brotherhood joined forces with supportive magnates to form the Players League in 1890. Unfortunately, the league lasted just one season before folding. The Players League though included many top players from that time including future Hall of Famers Hugh Duffy, John Montgomery Ward and pitcher "Old Hoss" Radbourn. In part two, Craig and Rex talk about mispronouncing names, whether betting is allowed on a baseball podcast, and more speculation on baseball in the 2028 Olympics.Robert Ross's Point Park Univ. page, on Twitter/XBuy The Great Baseball Revolt from the publisher, from our bookshop.org affiliate link below, or wherever you buy books.Errata: If the season ended on the day Craig and Rex recorded this episode, the AL wild card teams would be New York, Kansas City and Minnesota, not Boston. South African native Gift Ngoepe, an infielder, played for Pittsburgh in 2017 and Toronto in 2018, totaling 54 at bats and hitting .222 over the two seasons.Episodes Mentioned:211 - The Money Went Dry, The Liquor Went Wet: The Life & Times of Bob Caruthers w/ Dave Heller 205 - Baseball at War: Working and Playing Ball in the Bethlehem Steel League w/ William Ecenbarger (segment on the real life "Natural")104 - When Sport Defeated Law: The Curt Flood Case w/ Prof. Jeremi Duru -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Hosts Emeritus:Andrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffest Eric on FacebookLink: https://www.facebook.com/ichabodericEmail us: hooksandruns@protonmail.comMusic: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum.
212 - Ken Johnson Has a Secret
This week Craig and Rex take a deep dive into Houston's Jose Abreu and Rafael Montero contract fiascos and come away glad we're not the Angels. In Part 2, Ken Johnson did something on an April week night in 1964 that had never been done before in a Major League game - and hasn't been done since.Errata: Mike Trout, if healthy, could have played a possible 648 games since 2020.-->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Hosts Emeritus:Andrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffest Eric on FacebookLink: https://www.facebook.com/ichabodericMusic: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum.
211 - The Money Went Dry, The Liquor Went Wet: The Life & Times of Bob Caruthers w/ Dave Heller
Journalist, author Dave Heller joins us this week to discuss his new book, "Parisian Bob Caruthers: Baseball's First Two-Way Star" (McFarland 2024). Caruthers played in the American Association and National League from 1884 to 1893 where he led the AA in wins twice and played with distinction in the outfield when he was not pitching. In this interview, Heller takes us back to a time and place when baseball, baseball players and America itself were wild and untamed.In part 2, Craig and Rex briefly discuss a controversial Astro trade and speculate on baseball in the Olympic Games come 2028.Dave Heller on TwitterDave's book at McFarlandBooks.com Source:Scott Louder, "Bryce Harper, Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge endorse MLB players in the 2028 Olympics, an idea that might be gaining steam," Philadelphia Inquirer at msn.com.-->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Hosts Emeritus:Andrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffest Eric on FacebookLink: https://www.facebook.com/ichabodericMusic: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum.
210 - Craig Goes to Cleveland.
Craig reports on his short getaway to Cleveland, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Progressive Field. The hosts speculate on stadium drama in Oakland, Tampa and Anaheim. The Mariners blew a 10-game lead in the American League West over a 24-game period, but will anyone remember in October if Seattle hangs on to win the division anyway? Craig and Rex glance at famous late-season collapses in baseball history. We want All-Stars in their team uniforms and the national anthem performance at Monday's home run derby is a microcosm on what's wrong with the modern music business in 2024.Links:Jason Burke, "Interesting Wrinkle to Oakland A's Relocation Saga" Oakland A's on SI, July 19, 2024.Neal deMause, "Rays owner Stu Sternberg set to win approval of $1B+ stadium subsidy after giving free tickets to city councilmember" Field of Schemes, July 18, 2024.Noah Biesiada, "Angels Get Millions for Cancellation of Stadium Sale After FBI Investigation," voiceofoc.com, July 15, 2024.Episodes Referenced:205 - Baseball at War: Working and Playing Ball in the Bethlehem Steel League w/ William Ecenbarger 189 - Baseball, Chemical Warfare and The Great War w/ Jim Leeke 172 - They Were Two People Desperate to Stay in the Game w/ Bob LeMoine 163 - A Journey Through Mallparks w/ Prof. Michael T. Friedman143 - The Rays Are Getting Their New Stadium w/ Dr. Elizabeth Strom 88 - Please Do Not Burn Down the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 45A - Shavermetrics w/ Scott Russell and Bill "Spaceman" Lee (Radio Edit) -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Hosts Emeritus:Andrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffest Eric on FacebookLink: https://www.facebook.com/ichabodericMusic: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum.
209 - Rex Goes to Minute Maid
Rex attended his first in-person Major League game this week - his Rangers beat Craig's Astros and Rex did an okay job suppressing the urge to be a sore winner. Also this week, a look at standings going into the All-Star Break, Wander Franco may be in big trouble, Randy Hennis had a short, brilliant career for Houston and Rex has a few things to say about Globe Life's robot bartenders.For the record, in Texas' 4-2 win over Houston Sunday, Josh Sborz got out of the bases loaded, none out jam in 7 pitches in the Astros fifth. Jacob Latz needed 7 pitches to get out of a one-out, two men on jam in the 7th innings and in the frame, Kirby Yates got three outs with two men on 4 pitches.Errata: Whit Merrifield was not a Rookie of the Year, but he has been a 3-time All-Star. Five players have been suspended for prohibited gambling this season - one for life. The Astros were 65-97 in 1991. Sources - Information about the seedy Wander Franco case in Dominican Republic is here. The story on robot bartenders at Globe Life is here. -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Hosts Emeritus:Andrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffest Eric on FacebookLink: https://www.facebook.com/ichabodericMusic: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum.
208 - We Are Not Miracle Workers: The Post-Beryl Episode
Hurricane Beryl dealt a blow to our hometown but 36 hours after it passed Hooks & Runs is on schedule against all odds. This week, Craig and Rex riffing on the upcoming Baseball Hall of Fame inductees, Adrián Beltré, Todd Helton, Jim Leyland and Joe Mauer (with an obligatory dig along the way on Journey and Bon Jovi from Craig), speculating about Ichiro's chances for unanimous induction, Billy Wagner's chance for induction at all in 2025, updating plans for the podcast's College Football Preview episode and looking over our best of second quarter album selections. Errata: Craig guessed right - the HOF induction is July 21. Adrián Beltré also played for the Dodgers and Red Sox. Mark Grace slashed .303/.383/.442 for his career; Will Clark slashed .303/.384/.497. On the road, Todd Helton slashed .287/.386/.469. The Marlins won their second World Series title in 2003, not 2001. Jim Leyland's record in Detroit was 700-597 in eight seasons. Saul Zaentz owned Fantasy Records and produced "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." Rex meant to say "Nurse Ratchet." We bleeped the player Craig called "the baseball equivalent of Journey" because Craig thinks he's actually a better player than that. Craig meant to say "ERA plus" not "OPS."Best of Second QuarterCraig's PicksHonorable Mention - Outlander, "Acts of Harm"Selection - DIIV, "Frog in Boiling Water"Rex's pickKerry King - "From Hell I Rise"Episodes Mentioned:189 - Baseball, Chemical Warfare and The Great War w/ Jim Leeke 167 - College Football Preview: It's All an Arms Race w/ Gabey Lucas 115 - On College Football's Changing Landscape w/ Grant McGalliard (Purple Theory) -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Hosts Emeritus:Andrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffest Eric on FacebookLink: https://www.facebook.com/ichabodericMusic: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum,
207 - Fourth of July Fireworks and 20-Game Losing All-Stars
In part one, Craig and Rex recall some memorable Fourth of July baseball fireworks featuring the ubiquitous Guy Hecker, the irrepressible Boom Boom Beck and the simply legendary Rick Camp. In part two, they discuss the three Expansion Era (1961-2024) pitchers who made an All-Star team then went on to lose 20 games in the season. Also, Bobby Bonilla Day and what may have brought an end to teenagers playing in the Major Leagues.The three pitchers, by the way, are Turk Farrell, 1962 Colt-.45s; Mel Stottlemyre, 1966 New York Yankees; and Steve Rogers, 1974 Montreal Expos. This is notable only because in the Rick Camp Game, the New York Met pitching coach who made a 3:20 a.m. visit to the mound prior to Rick Camp coming to the plate was none other than Mel Stottlemyre. Here is the Rick Camp Game video on YouTube.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcZIs1tIGlgErrata: Boom Boom Beck was 12-20 in 1933, not 1934. Nate Andrews was 14-20 with a 2.57 ERA in 1943, not 1942. The Yankees first African American player was Elston Howard in 1955 -- only the Phillies (1957), Tigers (1958) and Red Sox (1959) among pre-expansion teams took longer to sign African American players. The Texas Rangers drafted David Clyde in 1973, not 1974 or 75.Episodes Mentioned:195 - Looking Back at Houston's 1963 All-Rookie Lineup 183 - Len Koenecke's Sad and Tragic Trip Home w/ Bill Lamb (32:10, Delahanty) 149 - You Gotta Be Smart to Play This Game w/ Bill Bonham 127 - The Old Ballparks Project, Part I (42:00, neighborhood bars)75 - If It's Something That Happens, It's Going to Be a Sad Day In Baltimore (27:00, Guy Hecker's record day) -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Hosts Emeritus:Andrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffest Eric on FacebookLink: https://www.facebook.com/ichabodericMusic: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum,
206 - 1901 and the Chaotic Birth of Modern Baseball w/ Timothy J. Zarley
Timothy Zarley has written a wonderful new book, "1901: The War of the Baseball Magnates." (Yelraz Publishing 2024) about the chaotic birth of what we now call baseball's modern era. We talked about some of the franchise movements, contract battles (and lawsuits) with players and the backroom dealings that brought competition to the National League, opened new markets for American's pasttime, and triggered a series of events that led to the first AL/NL World Series in 1903.The episode opens with a tribute to the great Willie Mays and Craig accepts blame for the Aggies' disappointing loss in the College World Series final round. Zarley's interview begins around the 10 minute mark.Timothy Zarley website: https://www.timothyzarley.comErrata: When Mays caught Vic Wertz long fly in the 1954 World Series, Larry Doby was on second base, not third. Doby likely could have scored had he tagged -- but he didn't. Doby only got as far as third base.-->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2024, all rights reserved.
205 - Baseball at War: Working and Playing Ball in the Bethlehem Steel League w/ William Ecenbarger
Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and author William "Bill" Ecenbarger is our guess this week to discuss his latest book, "Work, Fight, or Play Ball: How Bethlehem Steel Helped Baseball's Stars Avoid World War I" (Temple University Press 2024). The book chronicles how Bethlehem Steel's "safe shelter" industrial league in 1917 and 1918 helped Major League players like "Shoeless" Joe Jackson, Dutch Leonard and a young Babe Ruth avoid the draft and military service during World War I. In part two, Craig and Rex discuss the possible real-life "Natural."William Ecenbarger's websiteSources, Part Two: Rob Edelman, "Eddie Waitkus and “The Natural”: What is Assumption? What is Fact?" (sabr.com accessed June 17, 2024)Jack Bales, "The Show Girl and the Shortstop: The Strange Saga of Violet Popovich and Her Shooting of Cub Billy Jurges" (sabr.com accessed June 17, 2024)Errata: Homestead Gray Luke Easter hit the first home run into the center field bleachers at the Polo Grounds in 1948. Easter went on to play for Cleveland in the American League. Leon Cadore (Brooklyn) and Joe Oeschger (Boston) battled 26 innings to a 1-1 tie on May 1, 1920. Game time: 3 hours, 50 minutes. 3Com held the naming rights for the old Giant ballpark at Candlestick from 1995 to 2002 (the Giants left for what is now Oracle Park after the 1999 season).Episodes Mentioned:189 - Baseball, Chemical Warfare and The Great War w/ Jim Leeke 186 - "I've Got Babe Ruth" The Old Ballparks Project, Part 3 184 - Class Warfare in Detroit!: The Old Ballparks Project, Part 2 148 - Baseball Is the Story of America w/ Derick McDuff 127 - The Old Ballparks Project, Part I -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2024, all rights reserved.
204 - Sid Needed Floppy Shoes: The Road to Almost w/ Darryl Rhoades
Darryl Rhoades has been entertaining audiences with his music and comedy for over half-a-century. As founder and leader of Hahavishnu Orchestra and later as a solo artist, Rhoades recorded several albums and toured across the United States. Rhoades once even opened for The Sex Pistols! He has been featured in Rolling Stone, Village Voice and High Times. Kurt Loder (Rolling Stone, MTV) described Rhoades as, ”one of the most savagely gifted writer/performers in the country today.” Rhoades' new biography, "The Road to Almost: The Lean Years, 1950-2024," is a funny and fascinating read - a witty tour de force recounting Rhoades' time with characters like Frank Zappa, Leon Redbone, the Sex Pistols, Jan Hooks and Negro League Hall of Famer Buck Leonard. If laughter is the best medicine, Rex and Craig were fit as fiddles after this interview.Darryl Rhoades official site: https://music-comedy.com/See below for our bookshop.org affiliate link or by the book from Rhoades' website or any major bookseller.Errata: Felix Mantilla reached on an error, Eddie Matthews sacrificed Mantilla to second, Henry Aaron drew an intentional walk and Joe Adcock his a three-run home run off Harvey Haddix in the bottom of the 13th, or so it seemed. Lew Burdette was the winning pitcher for Milwaukee - a 13-inning, 12-hit shutout. Enos Slaughter's score from first on a single (officially, and probably incorectly, a double) during the 1946 World Series was called the "Mad Dash."Episodes Referenced:198 - Johnny Mize: Born to Hit w/ Jerry Grillo Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2024, all rights reserved.
203 - Magical Matagorda Bay w/ Kimberly Ridley
Kimberly Ridley has written "Matagorda Magic: The Hidden Life of a Texas Bay" (Texas A&M University Press 2024) about our very own Matagorda Bay estuary right here in our home county on the Texas Gulf Coast. Kimberly joins the podcast this week to talk about the book and her experiences visiting our county and the Matagorda Bay estuary. "Matagorda Magic" includes wonderful illustrations by Rebekah Raye.In part 2, Rex and Craig talk about baseball's latest gambling scandal plus reaction to Major League Baseball incorporating Negro League statistics into the MLB database.Kimberly Ridley's website: https://www.kimberlyridley.org/Episodes mentioned:190 - The Jason Lane Phenomenon: Every Pitcher Tells a Story 46 - A Journey Through the Negro Leagues w/ Larry Lester -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2024, all rights reserved.
202 - They've Got a Show About Everything!
This week Rex and Craig take on Ángel Hernández's retirement, interference & the infield fly rule, Jose Abreu's return, Austin Maddux's arrest and arraignment, Ranger Suarez's hot start, The Chicago White Sox' not-so-hot start, the half-marathon Mom & the pros and cons of embellishing the truth, and the Memorial Day standings and a new album from Riot V.Episodes Mentioned:197 - Bill Veeck, The Second Act w/ Dan Helpingstine 190 - The Jason Lane Phenomenon: Every Pitcher Tells a Story 46 - A Journey Through the Negro Leagues w/ Larry Lester -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2024, all rights reserved.
201 - One Year Wonders - Closers Edition
This week, Craig and Rex talk about closers who had one great year then -- nothing after that, along with anticipating Francis Ford Coppola's new film.-->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2024, all rights reserved.
200 - Baseball and National Tragedy: The RFK Assassination w/ Fred Frommer
Fred Frommer is an author, journalist, editor and sports and politics historian. He is a regular contributor to The Washington Post, where his stories often top the paper's "most read" sports and history sections. This week, for our 200th episode, Frommer joins us to discuss how Major League Baseball and its teams responded to the June 1968 assassination of New York Senator and presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy. We were honored to have Frommer on the podcast and hope you enjoy this journey back to a tumultuous time in both baseball's and our nation's history.In part two, Rex and Craig follow-up on last week's Mötley Crüe discussion; consider Craig's thoughts on the recent Slowdive concert he attended in Houston; analyze the nice neat bow into which the Shohei Ohtani gambling scandal has apparently been wrapped; and commiserate Rex over the Texas Rangers getting swept this past weekend by the lowly Colorado Rockies.Fred Frommer's official website: https://www.fredfrommer.com/Fred Frommer's Washington Post article on the assassination: https://tinyurl.com/rfkep200Fred Frommer on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ffrommerEpisodes Mentioned:199 - The Good, the Not Really That Bad and the Ultimately Ugly 104 - When Sport Defeated Law: The Curt Flood Case w/ Prof. Jeremi Duru -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2024, all rights reserved.
199 - The Good, the Not Really That Bad and the Ultimately Ugly
This week Craig and Rex review three newish releases -- Beyonce's brilliant "Carter Country," Pearl Jam's not so bad "Dark Matter" and Motley Crue's ugly new single "Dogs of War." Also this episode, some trivia answers, how AI impacts music from both a creator and fan perspective, black light baseball, the Rangers' big inning, Astro woes continue, and a blockbuster trade involving the Marlins and Padres. Sources include: Rocket, "Industry Source: Bob Rock Used AI Technology to Compose Songs for Motley Crue's New Album (themetalden.com, last accessed 05/09/2024); Rocket, "Confirmed: Scott Stapp to Replace Vince Neil (But Only in the Studio) (themetalden.com, last accessed 05/09/2024); Olivia Perreault, "Billy Eilish Fans Slam Ticket Prices as Tour Sales Struggle (ticketnews.com, last accessed 05/09/2024); Nathan Smith, et al., "AI songs that mimic popular artists raising alarms in the music industry" (abcnews, last accessed 05/09/2024); Ryan Phillips, "Summer League Baseball Team to Play Glow-in-the-Dark Game Under Blacklights," (si.com, last accessed 05/09/2024).Episodes Referenced:140 - Hey, That's Not Fleetwood Mac! w/ Rich EnglerErrata: Zager & Evans' 6-week run at No. 1 with "In the Year 2525" ended the week of August 16, 1969, not April 16. Z&E's follow up single, "Mr. Turnkey," peaked at No. 106 on the Billboard Hot 100. Wade Boggs played in Tampa for two seasons, a shade more than a minute and a half. Has Craig ever heard of MacKenzie Gore? Joel Youngblood started August 4, 1982 in the line-up for the Mets at Chicago and finished the day in Philadelphia as a Montreal Expo. Both Youngblood hits - the one in Chicago and the one in Philadelphia, were against future Hall of Fame pitchers. -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2024, all rights reserved.
198 - Johnny Mize: Born to Hit w/ Jerry Grillo
Jerry Grillo, author of "Big Cat: The Life of Baseball Hall of Famer Johnny Mize," (Univ. of Nebraska Press, 2024) joins us this week for a wide-ranging, fast-paced interview about this legendary Cardinal, Giant and Yankee first baseman. Grillo was an energetic guest and Mize's amazing life provides plenty of material to talk baseball. Grillo's book, by the way, is fantastic -- click the bookshop.org link below to order.Jerry Grillo's official website: https://jerrygrillowriter.com/Jerry Grillo - Earthling, on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jerry.grillo.94Johnny Mize on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BigCatMizeEpisodes Mentioned:45A - Shavermetrics w/ Scott Russell and Bill "Spaceman" Lee (Radio Edit) 106 - Baseball Rebels w/ Professor Peter Dreier 107 - Bert Shepard, Lou Brissie & Baseball During World War II 169 - John Glenn, Ted Williams and the Power of Friendship w/ Adam LazarusErrata/Omissions: Mickey Mantle popped out immediately prior to Johnny Mize's 3-run home run in the 1952 World Series, Game 5. The Brooklyn Dodgers traded Sam Nahem (Ep. 106) with 3 other players and cash to St. Louis in exchange for Hall of Famer Joe Medwick and pitcher Curt Davis in June 1940. Nahem and Mize were teammates in 1941 - Nahem was 5-2 with a 2.98 ERA in 26 appearances for the Cardinals that year. -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2024, all rights reserved.
197 - Bill Veeck, The Second Act w/ Dan Helpingstine
Author Dan Helpingstine has written several books about baseball in Chicago, including, "South Side Hitmen: The Story of the 1977 Chicago White Sox," and "The Cubs and the White Sox: A Baseball Rivalry, 1900 to the Present." Helpingstine is a life-long White Sox fan - his 2023 essay about Bill Veeck's second tenure as the White Sox owner is the subject for this show.Check out our bookshop.org affiliate link below for links to Helpingstine's booksIn Part 2, Rex and Craig consider the Astros' plight, examine a challenge facing the WNBA stemming from a Caitlin Clark interview gone horribly wrong (we removed the reporter's name as he's milked this for enough clicks, but IYKYK), remember the last Boy of Summer, pitcher Carl Erskine, who died last week at age 97, and review the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductions.Dan Helpingstine's website is here (https://danhelpingstine.com/).Helpinstine's essay in SABR's The National Pastime Journal is here (https://tinyurl.com/veeck042824).Selected sources:"Dave Portnoy blasts ‘pervert’ Indy Star columnist Gregg Doyel for creepy Caitlin Clark exchange," by Andrew Battifarano, New York Post, April 17, 2024."Columnist's awkward exchange with Caitlin Clark gets creepier as second comment surfaces," by Scott Thompson, .foxnews.com, April 18, 2024.Episodes mentioned:196 - If You're Going to Let Foreigner in You Might as Well Let Them All In191 - Hound Dog: The Song that Changed Popular Music and America w/ Ben Wynne -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2024, all rights reserved.
196 - If You're Going to Let Foreigner in You Might as Well Let Them All In
On this Rex and Craig agree -- Foreigner is a boring band. And it is an outrage that Foreigner is nominated for induction to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame while Iron Maiden and Soundgarden are not. Then again, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has been a joke for a long time. Why stop now?Rex and Craig review this year's nominees and cast our (imaginary) ballots. Oh, and that Peter Frampton, Jack Bruce video is here.Also this episode, Caitlin Clark and the WNBA, Coachella woes, injured pitchers everywhere and the Astros woes. Errata: There is, in fact, a Hip Hop Hall of Fame and it's located in New York City. Past Episodes Discussed:152 - R.E.M.'s Murmur at 40 w/ Tony Fletcher-->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2024, all rights reserved.
195 - Looking Back at Houston's 1963 All-Rookie Lineup
The Houston Colt-.45's started an all-rookie lineup on September 27, 1963, the one and only time in Major League Baseball history a team has done this. Houston eventually played a remarkable 16 rookies in the game, another MLB record unlikely to be challenged any time soon. Rex and Craig take a look this week at this lineup to see which rookies panned out and which did not. They found a wide range or careers, from the brilliant to the disappointing to the tragic.Errata: The Las Vegas Golden Knights were an expansion team. It was the wife of the Kansas City Royals' owner that made public statements critical of Jackson County MO voters.Sources:For player statistics as always, Baseball-Reference.comSteve Glassman, "September 27, 1963: Houston Colt .45s start a lineup of all rookies" at the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR.org) https://tinyurl.com/45allrookie1.Rory Costello, "Jay Dahl" at https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/jay-dahl/Rex and Craig also pulled information from Wikipedia and Astros Daily (http://www.astrosdaily.com/).-->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2024, all rights reserved.
194 - West Texas Baseball: The Alpine Cowboys and the Pecos League w/ Kristin Cavness
Kristin Cavness is the general manager of the Alpine Cowboys, the only truly independent team in the independent Pecos League (the other 15 teams are owned and operated by league). The Cowboys are owned and operated by a locally-controlled non-profit that keeps Alpine's strong baseball history alive. The team plays their home games at historic Kokernot Field, dubbed by Sports Illustrated's Nicholas Dawidoff in 2016 as the "Yankee Stadium of Texas." Cavness gives us a fun behind the scenes look at independent baseball in West Texas.In Part 2, Rex and Craig discuss the Astros' dreadful start, the team's knack for throwing no-hitters and our favorite music releases for the first quarter 2024.Episodes referenced in this episode:34 - If You Take Batting Practice There You're Gonna Have to Fight Rattlesnakes w/ Bill Rogan Links: Alpine Cowboys 2024 schedule -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2024, all rights reserved.
193 - The Hooks & Runs American League Preview w/ Bayleigh Von Schneider
Bayleigh Von Schneider co-hosts Soxy Chicks, a podcast about Red Sox and White Sox baseball. She returns this week to Hooks & Runs for our annual American League preview. Von Schneider also shared some thoughts on Jordan Montgomery's landing spot (we didn't know yet it would be Arizona), Shohei Ohtani's gambling woes and the perils trying to compete in the hyper-competitive American League East plus more. Join us for this fast moving conversation.Bayleigh Von Schneider on TwitterBayleigh Von Schneider on Soxy Chicks at YouTube-->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2024, all rights reserved.
192 - The Hooks & Runs National League Preview w/ Sara Sanchez
Sara Sanchez, who writes and podcasts at Bleed Cubbie Blue, BaseballHQ and the Fantasy Feud podcast, returns to be Hooks & Runs' first three-time guest for our 2024 National League outlook. Sara is a talented, engaging baseball journalist and analyst who deserves your attention. She always delivers the goods.A lot happened between the recording on March 18 and the release on March 25 including Blake Snell signing with the Giants that evening and a few days later, a shocking and somewhat confusing gambling scandal -- can we call it a scandal yet -- involving mega-involving Dodger superstar Shohei Ohtani broke.Sara Sanchez on BlueSkySara Sanchez on TwitterSara Sanchez on Bleed Cubbie Blue and BCB podcastSara Sanchez on BaseballHQSara Sanchez at Fantasy Feud-->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2024, all rights reserved.
191 - Hound Dog: The Song that Changed Popular Music and America w/ Ben Wynne
Dr. Ben Wynne, Ph.D. (Univ. of N. Georgia) is our guest this week to talk about his latest book, "A Hound Dog Tale: Big Mama, Elvis and the Song that Changed Everything" (Louisiana State Univ. Press 2024). This is a fascinating interview about a song that was a major rhythm & blues hit for Big Mama Thornton and a ground-breaking success for Elvis Presley a few years later. Through his research, Wynne is able to explain how this song through is many incarnations and having spurred two major lawsuits defined and re-defined the culture and business of popular music in the years that followed and to this day. This book is highly recommended!Errata: Craig got the title wrong both times ... it's "A Hound Dog Tale...," not "Hound Dog...."-->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2024, all rights reserved.
190 - The Jason Lane Phenomenon: Every Pitcher Tells a Story
Former Houston Astro Jason Lane is one of 21 pitchers in MLB history that have pitched or pitched at least 10 innings in the big leagues with a career ERA below 1.00. The list includes both Negro League players and players that played in the National Association (1871-75).We are looking at the background and history for all 21 players in this episode -- stories that include unfortunate injuries, bad luck, military service, returns home and other fates.Oh, believe it or not, one of the 21 players is a Baseball Hall of Fame inductee!In Part 2, Rex leads a review and discussion about the new motion picture, "Dune, Part Two."Errata: The correct name of the Negro League baseball database is Seamheads.com. Episodes Mentioned:189 - Baseball, Chemical Warfare and The Great War w/ Jim Leeke180 - When Your Cosplay Turns Into the Truth 142 - The 1919 Black Sox w/ Jacob Pomrenke 107 - Bert Shepard, Lou Brissie & Baseball During World War II 106 - Baseball Rebels w/ Professor Peter Dreier -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2024, all rights reserved.
189 - Baseball, Chemical Warfare and The Great War w/ Jim Leeke
This week's guest is Jim Leeke, author of the new book, "The Gas and Flame Men: Baseball and the Chemical Warfare Service during World War I" (Potomac Books, 2024). This is the Leeke's fifth book about baseball and the Great War authored by Leeke, a retired journalist, copywriter and U.S. Navy Veteran. We thoroughly enjoyed this chat.This interview discusses players such as Hall of Famers Eppa Rixey, Christy Matthewson and Ty Cobb that served in the Army's Chemical Warfare Service during the "The Great War."Leeke's other books on Baseball and The Great War are:"Ballplayers in the Great War: Newspaper Accounts of Major Leaguers in World War I Military Service" (2013) (co-edited);"Nine Innings for the King: The Day Wartime London Stopped for Baseball, July 4, 1918 (2015); "From, the Dugout to the Trenches: Baseball During the Great War (2017); and"The Best Team Over There: The Untold Story of Grover Cleveland Alexander and the Great War" (2021) -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2024, all rights reserved.
82 - Rube Waddell Would Make A Hell of a Movie w/ Prof. Alan H. Levy (Jan. 2022)
Life got in the way this week so we reached back into the archives for this interesting interview with Prof. Levy in January 2022. Here are the show notes from that episode:This week we discuss Hall of Fame southpaw, Rube Waddell with his biographer, Professor Alan Levy. Levy, a professor of history at Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania, published, "Rube Waddell: The Zany, Brilliant Life of a Strikeout Artist" in 2000. Waddell was not only one of baseball's most talented pitchers in the first decade of the last century -- he stands out as one of the most colorful and unpredictable personalities as well. Join us for this exciting interview about one of baseball's most interesting personalities. Errata: In 1901, they were the Chicago Orphans, not the Chicago Cubs, as we discussed in Episode 77. -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat)
188 - Fast Car, the Super Bowl, and Tik Tok Stories
Rex and Craig are on the case, from Luke Combs' "Fast Car" cover and performance at the Grammy Awards Show with songwriter Tracy Chapman; to our review of this year's Super Bowl halftime show starring Usher and friends; to our inquiring why some people get so triggered by Taylor Swift to Houston Astros pitchers and catchers reporting. Also, Craig has a couple of Tik Tok stories. Errata: Not really an error, but the quote from the Whatever Podcast is, "It's very convenient that women waited until after one of the most deadly and brutal wars to secure their right to vote." The vampire's name in "Nosferatu" (1922) was Graf Orlok, played by Max Schreck. The film starring Willem Defoe was "Shadow of the Vampire," not "Kiss of the Vampire." Craig replaced "Possum Kingdom" with Delta Spirit's "How 'Bout It." It's not made clear, but Nicky Minaj settled with Tracy Chapman. The "Mark" in Devo is Mark Mothersbaugh. Some LinksChris Willman, "Nicki Minaj Agrees to Pay Tracy Chapman $450,000 in Settlement Over Unauthorized Sample," Variety.com, January 8, 2021.Nick DeRiso, "Why Don't Rock Bands Play the Super Bowl Halftime Show Anymore?" at UltimateClassicRock.com, February 7, 2024.Max Pilley, "Dua Lipa thinks people don’t want pop stars to be 'political' or 'smart'" NME.com January 21, 2024. -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2024 all rights reserved.
187 - There's Something Special About Baseball w/ Harris Cooper, Ph.D.
Harris Cooper, Ph.D. is the Hugo L. Blomquist Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Neuroscience at Duke University and for our more immediate purposes author of "Finding America in a Minor League Ballpark: A Season Hosting for the Durham Bulls" (Skyhorse, 2024). He is our guest this week to talk about his book and the joys of baseball.Errata: Ron Shelton wrote and directed "Bull Durham."Episodes Mentioned148 - Baseball Is the Story of America w/ Derick McDuff -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2024, all rights reserved.
186 - "I've Got Babe Ruth" The Old Ballparks Project, Part 3
This week Craig and Rex conclude the three-part series ranking the first generation concrete and steel ballparks build prior to the Great Depression. This episode includes the Polo Grounds and Yankee Stadium in New York City, Comiskey Park and Wrigley Field in Chicago and Fenway Park in Boston. Episodes Mentioned127 - The Old Ballparks Project, Part I184 - Class Warfare in Detroit!: The Old Ballparks Project, Part 2Sources:Philip J. Lowry, "Green Cathedrals: The Ultimate Celebration of Major League and Negro League Ballparks (Walker & Co. 2006).Al Kamen, "High Court Throws Out Baseball Suit," Washington Post (Oct. 12, 1988) (accessed January 13, 2024).Wikipedia for the ballparks and ball clubs mentioned and the sources cited therein.www.baseball-reference.com-->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2024, all rights reserved.
185 - Finding Our Voices on College Radio w/ Katherine Rye Jewell
Professor Katherine Rye Jewell (Fitchburg State) joins us this week to discuss her new book "Live from the Underground: A History of College Radio" (Univ. North Carolina 2023). Jewell relates in her wonderful book and this interview how college radio progressed from a sleepy "left of the dial" collegiate training ground to a major force in the popular music business, and the struggles and controversies students and administrators confronted along the way. Professor Jewell on Twitter/X, Linktree The Links:Professor Katherine Rye Jewell:https://katejewell.wordpress.com/Professor Jewell is on Twitter: https://twitter.com/katisjewellProfessor Jewell is on Linktree; https://linktr.ee/katherinejewellLive from the Underground at University of North Carolina Press:https://uncpress.org/book/9781469677255/live-from-the-underground/If you enjoyed this episode you will probably enjoy:134 - An Inside Look at College Radio w/ Ana Cubas 102 - SST Records & The Sound of the Underground w/ Jim RulandJust for fun -- The Replacements, "Left of the Dial," from their 1987 LP "Tim."-->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2024, all rights reserved.
184 - Class Warfare in Detroit!: The Old Ballparks Project, Part 2
It's been a minute but Rex and Craig this week pick up the old ballparks project started in Episode 127. Andrew, Craig and Rex ranked the 14 brick, concrete and steel ballparks build between 1909 and 1923 (with the Baker Bowl, built in 1895 thrown in for good measure) based upon several factors we don't remember and didn't exactly follow. This episode includes the middle tier - the ballparks that emerged from the process ranked 6-10. Also this week Hooks & Runs remembers Merv Connors, a ballplayer who played parts of two seasons for the White Sox in the late 1930s.Episodes mentioned:172 - They Were Two People Desperate to Stay in the Game w/ Bob LeMoineErrata: Craig, it's Comiskey Park, not Comiskey Field. Craig, it was Ralph Terry, not Bill Terry. Craig, Ralph Kiner led the National League in home runs every year from 1946 to 1952, not from 1947 to 1954. Mazeroksi's blast was the first walk-off home run in World Series history, not in history. The Yankees outscored the Pirates in the 1960 World Series 55-27, not 54-27.Sources:Philip J. Lowry, "Green Cathedrals: The Ultimate Celebration of Major League and Negro League Ballparks (Walker & Co. 2006).Al Kamen, "High Court Throws Out Baseball Suit," Washington Post (Oct. 12, 1988) (accessed January 13, 2024).Wikipedia for the ballparks and ball clubs mentioned and the sources cited therein.www.baseball-reference.com -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2024, all rights reserved.
183 - Len Koenecke's Sad and Tragic Trip Home w/ Bill Lamb
Bill Lamb is our guest this week to discuss the sad and tragic Len Koenecke. Koenecke played three seasons for the Brooklyn Dodgers during the Great Depression. The Dodgers released Koenicke in September, 1935 while the team was in St. Louis and sent him home to New York by plane with two other players. Koenecke never made it home in a story filled with both mystery and tragedy.Bill Lamb, an award-winning researcher and writer with the Society of American Baseball Research (SABR) and Koenecke's biographer on the SABR to relive Koenecke's life, baseball career and fateful journey on that September day and night in 1935. Bill Lamb's biographical essay about Len Koenecke.Errata: Len Koenecke set a fielding percentage record for National League outfielders in 1935. That record was broken by Harry Craft in 1940. The first qualifying National League center fielder to field 1.000 in a season was Curt Flood in 1966 -- the most recent was Brandon Nimmo in 2022.Episodes referenced:142 - The 1919 Black Sox w/ Jacob Pomrenke 159 - Hidden Histories: Baseball's Deadball Era Photographs w/ Jim Chapman178 - Called Up to the Major Leagues w/ Zak Ford -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2024, all rights reserved.
182 - Mr. Johnson's Blues: The Inconvenient Lonnie Johnson w/ Julia Simon
Julia Simon's book, "The Inconvenient Lonnie Johnson," is new in paperback via Penn State University Press. This book, originally released in late 2022, examines the life and times of New Orleans blues and jazz great Lonnie Johnson through his music, from his first cut, "Mr. Johnson's Blues," on Okeh Record in the mid 20s to his unforgettable ballads and jazz songs in the 1960s. Simon describes the traits that make Johnson inconvenient for scholars and music fans alike in her book and in this interview brings this talented and often misunderstood master of the guitar, violin and voice to life. Visit Julia Simon at California-Davis, and on Facebook.-->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2024, all rights reserved.
181 - "It's Kinda Emo:" The 2023 Hooks & Runs Year-End Music Review
We are closing the books on 2023 and that means it is time for the eagerly anticipated Hooks & Runs Best of 2023. This year we do not disappoint - here is a list of artists mentioned in the show, more or less in order: Brothers Osborne, Waxahatchie, Little Nax X, Saxon, The Weather Station, Nothing More, Michael Schenker Group, Gregor Barnett, Taylor Swift, Phoebe Bridgers, Bon Iver, Rosanne Cash, Sufjan Stevens, Guns & Roses, Hollywood Roses, Boris, Iron Savior, Primal Fear, Metal Church, Overkill, Girlschool, Tygers of Pan Tang, Judas Priest, Foghat, Uriah Heep, Blue Öyster Cult, Eaerch, The Bug, Flowdan, Drive By Truckers, Sonic Youth, Coheed & Cambria, Deafheaven, Pestilence, Third Stone, Breaking Bottles and Shane Jenkins. Artists making the cut in our respective Top Fives are for Craig, The National, Lydia Loveless, Margo Price, Slowdive and Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit. For Rex, it's Jag Panzer, L.A. Guns, Dokken, Nita Strauss and KK's Priest.We opened the show with some thoughts on the Jonathan Owens interview on The Pivot -- the part about his marriage to Simone Biles.Errata: The 2024 Olympics are in Paris, France. L.A. Guns is led by Tracii Guns. Axl Rose was a member of the Hollywood Roses with Izzy Stradlin. Slash, Stephen Adler and Tracii Guns had also been members of Hollywood Roses. Rex and Craig need to work on their Guns & Roses mythologies. Judas Priest guitarist Glen Tipton suffers from Parkinson's Disease. Blue Öyster Cult released their last album in 2020 - the album before that was released in 2001. -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2023, all rights reserved.
180 - When Your Cosplay Turns Into the Truth
In this episode, Carolina Panther attendance woes; the Houston Oilers are back, baby; what are the Kansas City Royals up to; Shohei Ohtani's most unusual opt-out; a game of chicken in Tampa/St. Pete; plus Craig and Rex review the brilliant Sam Pollard documentary, "The League" (2023) about Negro League baseball.Past episodes referenced:46 - A Journey Through the Negro Leagues w/ Larry Lester76 - A Baseball Season When Hitters Reigned Supreme w/ Lee Freedman142 - The 1919 Black Sox w/ Jacob Pomrenke143 - The Rays Are Getting Their New Stadium w/ Dr. Elizabeth Strom 179 - Ohtani is a Dodger and Astros are at the Crossroads -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2023, all rights reserved.
179 - Ohtani is a Dodger and Astros are at the Crossroads
This week Rex and Craig discuss Shohei Ohtani's record contract to play for the Los Angeles Dodgers and decision time for Houston in the wake of an SB Nation article that ranks the Astro farm system 30th out of 30 teams going into 2024. The co-hosts also muse on Florida State's omission from the college football playoffs and the KISS farewell tour, which to nobody's surprise was no farewell at all.Other relevant links - On Shohei Ohtani's endorsement income. Errata: Chris Caupano was an All-Star in 2006. The Muppets band was Dr. Teeth & the Electric Mayhem. -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2023, all rights reserved.
178 - Called Up to the Major Leagues w/ Zak Ford
Zak Ford released a fascinating book this fall, "Called Up: Ballplayers Remember Becoming Major Leaguers" (McFarland Press 2023). Ford's book is an oral history that includes interviews with 109 former and curren tMajor League players from the 1960s to the present. The players related their experiences and memories being called up for the first time to the big leagues. Ford revisits some of these stories in this interview while also discussing the process to write an oral history and the format's unique storytelling capacity.For more information about Zak, his social media links and his book, visit calledupproject.com.-->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2023, all rights reserved.
177 - Who is the Baseball Equivalent to Percy Sledge or Journey?
Craig and Rex riff on New Mexico State beating Auburn, Texas A&M is really proud of beating Abilene Christian and Sam Houston, the 2024 Hall of Fame ballot, who might be the baseball equivalent to Journey, MLB owners approve Oakland's move to Las Vegas and the Rolling Stones are going on tour.Episodes Mentioned:143 - The Rays Are Getting Their New Stadium w/ Dr. Elizabeth Strom163 - A Journey Through Mallparks w/ Prof. Michael T. Friedman -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2023, all rights reserved.
176 - Chopped and Screwed: Houston's Hip Hop Heritage w/ Langston Collin Wilkins
Professor Langston Collin Wilkins (Wisconsin-Madison) joined us this week to talk about his newly released book "Welcome 2 Houston: Hip Hop Heritage in Hustle Town" (Univ. of Illinois Press, 2023), exploring "the relationship between music creation, place attachment and local heritage within Houston, Texas’ hip hop music scene." We talked about the role of neighborhoods, the "chop and screw sound that is synonymous with Houston hip hop and local legends within the scene such as Geto Boys, Bun B and DJ Screw.In part two, Craig and Rex discuss Jimbo Fisher's buyout and Craig Counsell leaving Milwaukee for Chicago. Professor Wilkins' Website (http://langstonwilkins.com/)His Instagram (@Street_Folk)His Twitter/X (@StreetFolkLCW)His Houston Hip Hop Spotify PlaylistEpisodes Mentioned:102 - SST Records & The Sound of the Underground w/ Jim Ruland -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2023, all rights reserved.
175 - Classic Rock and the Pros & Cons of Nostalgia w/ Bob Ruggiero
Rock journalist Bob Ruggiero (Houston Press) joins the show this week to talk about his latest book, "The Classic Rock Bob Reader," released earlier this year. The book compiles interviews Ruggiero has conducted in over a quarter century in journalism. We talked about the classic rock's (and rock's) future as a genre as well as some of the many interviews in the book including Eddie Van Halen, Doug Clifford, Ronnie James Dio and more.-->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2023, all rights reserved.
174 - Todd Haynes, Bob Dylan and "I'm Not There" w/ Noah Tsika
Film historian and critic Noah Tsika, Professor of Media Studies at Queens College, City University of New York has a new book, "I'm Not There," being released on November 14. The book reflects on director Todd Haynes' 2007 film "I'm Not There," a wonderful, creative film about Bob Dylan. Professor Tsika joins us this week to discuss the book, the film and much, much more. The episode begins with Craig and Rex ruminating further on the Houston Astros' home woes. -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2023, all rights reserved.
173 - You Can't Make the World Series Playing Like the Mets at Home Apparently
The Houston Astros 2023 season came to a close this week with Houston once again losing 4 home games in a 7 game series. Houston! We have a problem and the problem is playing in Houston! Also in this episode, the Hooks & Runs post-season awards, the Rolling Stones new album, "Hackney Diamonds," our third quarter new music picks and Craig review the Deer Tick, Country Westerns show at the Houston Heights Theater from last week.Episodes Mentioned52 - I Dig Attitude More Than the Sound of It w/ Country Westerns Third Quarter New Music SelectionsRex - Nita Strauss, "The Call of the Void" (Sumerian Records, 2023). This is the song "Surfacing."Craig - Slowdive, "everything is alive" (Dead Oceans 2023). This the album's opening cut, "shanty." Honorable mention: Lydia Loveless, "Nothing's Gonna Stand in My Way Again" (Bloodshot Records, 2023) ("Runaway"); Sonic Youth, "Live in Brooklyn NY 2011" (Silver Current 2023) ("Sugar Kane") -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2023, all rights reserved.
172 - They Were Two People Desperate to Stay in the Game w/ Bob LeMoine
Bob LeMoine is the author of "When the Babe Went Back to Boston: Babe Ruth, Judge Fuchs and the Hapless Braves of 1935." The book recounts the story about Babe Ruth's final MLB season - about two months with Judge Emil Fuchs' Braves. Ruth by then was 40, out of shape and wholly at loss on the baseball field. Ruth hit .181 in 92 plate appearances for a financially strapped Braves team that finished 38-115 for the year. Ruth only lasted two months with the Braves, retiring on May 30. He added to his legend though with a grand finish - a 3-home run day at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh on May 25. LeMoine presents a fascinating story about two men - Ruth and Fuchs - who were brought together for one brief moment in history through their desperation to stay in Major League Baseball.Episodes mentioned in this episode:136 - The 1969 Seattle Pilots & the Early Expansion Era w/ Andy McCue -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2023, all rights reserved.
171 - In Baseball, Anything Can Happen w/ Mike Felder
On July 18, 1994, the Houston Astros overcame an 11-0 deficit in the Astrodome to defeat the St. Louis Cardinals 15-12. Houston Astro outfielder, Mike Felder, drove in the tying run in the Astros' 11-run sixth inning and later in the frame scored the go-ahead run. Felder, a 10-year Major League veteran, joins the show this week to talk about that game, his career and how to hit a knuckleball among other things. Felder went on to become a Major League and collegiate coach - he now coaches baseball at Contra Costa College in San Pablo, California.ERRATA - According to Baseball-Reference.com, Mike Felder hit his first home run in County Stadium, Milwaukee. Paul Gibson, a southpaw from Southampton NY, played 9 seasons in the Major Leagues with the Tigers, Mets and Yankees. He won 22 games, saved 11 in 319 MLB appearances. This is an MiLB write-up on El Paso's 35-21 win over Shreveport. -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2023, all rights reserved.
170 - How the West Was Won
The Houston Astros were in first place in the American League West only 18 game days in 2023, but they ended the year with another divisional title and a first round bye. In this episode Craig and Rex look at the Astros furious final weekend run to the title, Kyle Tucker's bizarre did he or didn't he chase to a 30/30 season and the four wild card match-ups. We wrap up the episode discussing the movement to retire Roberto Clemente's number 21 league wide and we return to the Astros' retired number fetish.Errata; "Kill the Umpire" (1950) starred Wiliam Bendix and Una Merkel. Did Craig really say, "Houston played good?" -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2023, all rights reserved.
169 - John Glenn, Ted Williams and the Power of Friendship w/ Adam Lazarus
Adam Lazarus (https://www.adamlazarusbooks.com/) joins the show this week to discuss his wonderful new book, "The Wingmen: The Unlikely, Unusual, Unbreakable Friendship Between John Glenn and Ted Williams" (Citadel Press, 2023). This is a fast-paced discussion starting with Glenn and Williams in battle as fighter pilots during the Korean Conflict through the space program, Williams' legendary post-conflict career in Boston, Glenn's long political live and more. Lazarus offers powerful insight into the nature and power of friendship and how friendship can grow and endure despite differences. -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2023, all rights reserved.
168 - Moe Berg: Good Field, No Hit, All American w/ Katie Sanders
Katie S. Sanders (www.katiessanders.com) is a freelancer based in New York City who writes about innovation, history, and fascinating people/things overlooked by history and media. She joined this podcast this week to discuss the enigmatic and mysterious Moe Berg, a long-time back-up catcher for five Major League teams in the 20s and 30s who later earned a Medal of Honor for his spy efforts for the Office of Strategic Services during World War II. Sanders, whoThe documentary, "The Catcher Was A Spy," directed by Aviva Kempner: https://spybehindhomeplate.org/The Ben Lewin directed motion picture "The Spy Behind Home Plate," starring Paul Rudd and Sienna Miller.The Nicholas Dawidoff book, "The Spy Behind Home Plate" is available at our Bookshop.org link below.Katie Sanders' article, "How Moe Berg went from playing for 5 MLB teams to being a US spy in WWII who thwarted Nazi efforts to build a nuclear bomb."Katie Sanders' article discussed in the episode on the spy Pierre Julien Ortiz.-->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2023, all rights reserved.
167 - College Football Preview: It's All an Arms Race w/ Gabey Lucas
Gabey Lewis is a Seattle based writer, editor and stand up comic who contributes to UW Dawg Pound, a Washington Huskies football blog on SB Nation. She joins us this week to discuss the Pac-12's implosion, the aftermath and the outlook for the 2023 college football season.Gabey Lucas on InstagramGabey Lucas on Substack (The Everett Flabbergasters)Gabey Lucas on TwitterGo see Gabey Lucas at the Hell Yes Festival in New Orleans, Nov. 15-20, 2023.]Errata: Alabama played at Texas in 2022 - this year's game in at Alabama. Texas A&M's coach before Mike Sherman was Dennis Franchione. -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2023, all rights reserved.
166 - From Rural Texas to Aggieland to Dodger Stadium w/ Doug Rau
Doug Rau pitched 9 seasons in the Major Leagues compiling an 81-60 record with a 3.35 ERA. He was a starter for the Los Angeles through their 1970s heyday, playing for managers Walter Alston and Tommy Lasorda and with great Dodger players like Steve Garvey, Dusty Baker, Rick Monday and many, many more. In this episode Rau reflects on growing up in rural Texas west of Houston, achieving All-American status at Texas A&M, and spending the 1970s, or most of those years, in the Dodger rotation.Episodes Referenced:133 - We Weren't Rained Out, We Were Rained In w/ Roger Metzger.149 - You Gotta Be Smart to Play This Game w/ Bill BonhamErrata: Dick Allen hit 3 home runs off Doug Rau during Rau's career, not 4. -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2023, all rights reserved.
165 -Suds Series Stories w/ J. Daniel
J. Daniel is our guest this week to talk about his new book "Suds Series: Baseball, Beer Wars and the Summer of '82." The Book is a comprehensive look at baseball and the larger culture in the season following the sport's first major labor conflict and its 1981 split season disaster. Daniel weaves the season's developments with pop culture references and the high-stakes battles between Budweiser and the Cardinals against Miller and the Brewers for both baseball and beer supremacy.In part two, Andrew and Craig comment on the Pac-12's implosion and the exciting pennant race brewing in the National League Central.J. Daniel's website is 80sbaseball.com. He is on Twitter (X) @jdaniel2033, and on Facebook at 80sbaseball -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the book featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) Disclosure: The University of Missouri Press provided Hooks & Runs with a pre-publication copy of "Suds Series: Baseball, Beer Wars and the Summer of '82. This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2023, all rights reserved.
164 - You're Playing to Win, You're Rebuilding, or You're the Cubs
In this week's episode, Andrew, Craig and Rex discuss Colorado's sudden decision to bolt to the Big 12, some early trade deadline musings, Bartolo Colon's retirement announcement almost 5 years since his last Major League appearance and bands we would like to see come out of retirement.Episodes Mentioned;152 - R.E.M.'s Murmur at 40 w/ Tony FletcherErrata: The New York Yankees were 14 games behind the Boston Red Sox on July 17, 1978, but rallied to win the division in a one-game playoff. Red Sox pitcher Bill "Spaceman" Lee discussed that season in our Episode 45A - Shavermetrics w/ Scott Russell and Bill "Spaceman" Lee (Radio Edit). Allen Collins, not Albert Collins, played guitar for Lynyrd Skynyrd. Following Gary Rossington's death, Artimus Pyle is the only surviving band member from before the plane crash.-->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the book featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) Disclosure: The University of Texas Press provided Hooks & Runs with a pre-publication copy of "Quantum Criminals." This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2023, all rights reserved.
163 - A Journey Through Mallparks w/ Prof. Michael T. Friedman
This week, Professor Michael T. Friedman (Univ. of Maryland) is our guest to discuss his book "Mallparks: Baseball Stadiums and the Culture of Consumption" (Cornell Univ. Press 2023). We analyzed the future of baseball stadiums by looking at the past, from Union Grounds in the 1860's to Fenway Park (1912), Dodger Stadium (1960), Camden Yards (1993) to the newest parks & developments proposed for Las Vegas and Tampa/St. Petersburg. -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the book featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2023, all rights reserved.
162 - Would You Trade Shohei Ohtani?
With less than two weeks to go until the 2023 trade deadline, the question on everyone's mind is -- what will the Angels do with Shohei Ohtani? Andrew and Craig weigh in an also look at whether the Astros should deal from their bare farm system for pitching help. Also in this rare music-free episode, more on the All-Star game, plus what's the deal with old people gatekeeping who gets to wear classic rock band t-shirts?-->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2023, all rights reserved.
161 - A Summer Spectacular w/ Bill Rogan & Erik McLaren
With summer vacation travels upon us, this week's episode mixes a little old with a little new. In part 1, our 2020 interview with Bill Rogan, author of "Life Ain’t the Same in the Pecos League: A Rookie Manager Navigates Baseball’s Most Notorious Independent League." Bill wrote the book about his 2019 season at the helm for the Tucson Saguaros in the independent Pecos League. This interview was a blast to do and if you missed it in 2020, here is your chance to catch it.In part 2, our recent interview with Erik McLaren, a writer and host of Religious Wars, a podcast that looks at history through a lens of conflicts in faith. Erik joins us to discuss his thoughts on how religious themes, ideas and images are presented in Western popular music. The conversation includes Elvis Presley, George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Joan Osborne and many more artists. We examined how different artists incorporate religious and spiritual themes into their music. Thank you to Erik for sharing his time with Hooks & Runs.Chapters:2:00 Bill Rogan: Life Ain't the Same in the Pecos League29:29 Erik McLaren, Spiritual Themes in Popular Music Bill Rogan, Life Ain't the Same in the Pecos LeagueErik McLaren: Religious Wars Podcast (https://www.religiouswarspodcast.com/)Errata: Bob Dylan won a Grammy Award in 1980 for the song "Gotta Serve Somebody" (Best Rock Performance, Male), not "Slow Train." -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2023, all rights reserved.
160 - Astro Fans May be a Little Spoiled
This week the Hooks & Runs, giddy from Houston's thrilling 12-11 win over Texas Monday afternoon, examine the complaints and criticisms against Dusty Baker. Is it possible that after owning the American League West lock, stock and barrel since 2017 Astro fans have become spoiled by success? Texas is not going to give this race away -- Houston will have to earn it, there will be bumps along the way, and Dusty Baker will forever be Dusty Baker and all that entails.Hooks & Runs best of second quarter, 2022.Rex: Tygers of Pan Tang, "Bloodlines." HM: Metallica, "72 Seasons," Overkill, "Scorched," Metal Church, "Congregation of Annihilation."Andrew: Noah Kahan, "Stick Season," actually released in mid-2022, which makes us wonder about Andrew's calendaring skills.Craig: Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit, 'Weathervanes"Previous Episodes Mentioned150 - The RRHoF Episode: We Can't Have Too Many Rock Bands -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the book featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2023, all rights reserved.
159 - Hidden Histories: Baseball's Deadball Era Photographs w/ Jim Chapman
Old photographs offer "the hidden history of the game in plain sight," and no one knows that better than Jim Chapman, the author of "Baseball Photography of the Deadball Era.” Chapman also operates the website Chapman Deadball Collection which includes some photographs with commentary from his captivating collection. In this interview, Chapman provides a fascinating and comprehensive look at how photography and photographs in that era documented and shaped the game into America's Pastime.The Chapman Deadball Collection: https://chapmandeadballcollection.com/The Baker Bowl with Honus Wagne: https://tinyurl.com/bakerbowl062923Errata: The Philadelphia Phillies won their franchise first World Series title in 1980. West Side Grounds was 340 to left field, 560 to center field and 316 down the right field line. Two of Ed Delahanty's four home runs on July 13, 1896 at West Side Grounds. -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the book featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2023, all rights reserved.
158 - Too Many Injured Pitchers for Comfort
This week we discuss the continued drama in Oakland and Las Vegas, whether Luis Arraez is a legitimate .400 threat, the Houston Astros' dire injury situation, and a new Beatles song on the books thanks to artificial intelligence - will AI be good, bad or indifferent for musicians and music fans?Errata: The Kansas City Royals won the World Series in 2015 ... The Vegas Golden Knights (NHL) lost in the Stanley Cup finals in their inaugural season, but won the Cup in 2023 ... Las Vegas is also home to the Las Vegas Raiders (NFL) and Las Vegas Aces (WNBA) ... Stevie Nicks sold her songwriting catalog to Primary Wave ... Don Kessinger, Not Doug Kessinger.Link: Vikki Nauman, "AI Can Hurt or (Hopefully) Help the Music Business: Here's How" (Variety, June 8, 2023). -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the book featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2023, all rights reserved.
157 - Steely Dan, Quantum Criminals & the Reality of What Is w/ Joan LeMay
London & New York based artist Joan LeMay (a Texas native) has illustrated a fascinating new book authored by Alex Pappademas, "Quantum Criminals: Ramblers, Wild Gamblers and Other Sole Survivors from the Songs of Steely Dan" (Univ. of Texas Press 2023), released earlier this Spring. Joan joins Hooks & Runs in this episode for a wild ride discussing the derelicts, drifters, slackers, scofflaws, hopeless romantics and mythical creatures that populate the iconic Steely Dan song catalog. Her paintings brought to life familiar characters like Daddy G, the Major Dude, Snake Mary and dozens more, providing the visual and aesthetic foundation for this unique and entertaining project. Rolling Stone's Rob Sheffield accurately called "Quantum Criminals," "one of the sharpest, funniest, and best books ever about any rock artist." Hooks & Runs wholly concurs - this book is highly recommended.Joan LeMay website: https://www.joanlemay.com/Joan LeMay Instagram: @joanlemayEpisodes Mentioned: None -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the book featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) Disclosure: The University of Texas Press provided Hooks & Runs with a pre-publication copy of "Quantum Criminals." This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2023, all rights reserved.
156 - Baseball, Literature and "The Body Scout" w/ Lincoln Michel
This week writer, novelist and editor Lincoln Michel joins us to discuss his 2021 baseball-themed cyperpunk novel "The Body Scout" and his 2021 essay "Why is Baseball the Most Literary of Sports?" This turned into a fun conversation that also dives into baseball in science fiction, Robert Coover's "The Universal Baseball Association," what exactly is cyberpunk, and the steroid era's aftermath.In part 2, Andrew and Craig contemplate some baseball related time travel questions.Lincoln Michel's website (https://lincolnmichel.com/)The Body Scout at bookshop.org:https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns"Why is Baseball the Most Literary of Sports" on Literary Hub (lithub.com)Episodes referenced:136 - The 1969 Seattle Pilots & the Early Expansion Era w/ Andy McCue-->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the book featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2023, all rights reserved.
155 - The Oakland A's vs the Mendoza Line
This week, Andrew and Craig contemplate whether or not the Oakland A's can beat the Mendoza Line (.200), as this is published, the A's are 12-46 (.207). Also this week, The Rangers are for real, Jose Abreu is making us worried, when does a musical artist or band become a just a nostalgia act and more.Episodes Mentioned this Week152 - R.E.M.'s Murmur at 40 w/ Tony Fletcher 150 - The RRHoF Episode: We Can't Have Too Many Rock Bands Errata - Who's going to tell Andrew Lance McCullers did not attend LSU? Hall of Fame inductees included Kate Bush, Cheryl Crow, Missy Elliott, George Michael, Willie Nelson, Rage Against the Machine, and The Spinners. -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the book featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2023, all rights reserved.
154 - Fernandomania Revisited w/ Erik Sherman
Erik Sherman (erikshermanbaseball.com) is a baseball historian and the New York Times best-selling author of King of Queens, Life Beyond Baseball with the '86 Mets. His most recent book, Daybreak at Chavez Ravine: Fernandomania and the Remaking of the Los Angeles Dodgers (Univ. of Nebraska Press, 2023) relives and sheds new light on Dodger great Fernando Valenzuela's path from rural Mexico to Major League superstardom in the 1980s. Sherman discusses his book and Valenzuela's legacy in this episode.Episodes Referenced:Ep. 61 - Dodger Stadium Should Not Exist w/ Eric Nusbaum -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the book featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2023, all rights reserved.
153 - Jose Altuve Returns!
Andrew and Craig discuss Jose Altuve's return from his broken thumb to the Astro line-up, the Astros' recent hot streak and more.Episodes Mentioned:Episode 98 - "If You Miss Pitchers Hitting, Check Out the Astro Catchers" (the favorite obscure album episode)Errata: The 1988 Baltimore Orioles started the season 0-21 on their way to a 54-107 season. Framber Valdez threw 104 pitches in Sunday's complete game shutout win. -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the book featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2023, all rights reserved.
152 - R.E.M.'s Murmur at 40 w/ Tony Fletcher
Tony Fletcher is a rock journalist and author of a dozen books including "Perfect Circle: The Story of R.E.M.," initially published in 2003 and expanded twice since. He joins us on the podcast this week to discuss R.E.M.'s legendary debut album and "Murmur," released 40 years ago, April 12 and the band's music career, which spanned over 30 years. Fletcher's latest book is "The Best of Jamming!" about his days in his native Great Britain as a fanzine publisher in the 70s and 80s, and we also discussed his travel and lifestyle podcast "One Step Beyond."Tony Fletcher's official webpage (tonyfletcher.net)Tony Fletcher's podcast, "One Step Beyond."Tony Fletcher's podcast, "The Jamming! Fanzine Podcast."-->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the book featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2023, all rights reserved.
151 - You Can't Get Revenge for November by Winning the Next April
Andrew, Craig and Rex discuss why it costs so much to go see Taylor Swift and baseball current events. Episodes Referenced:Ep. 52 - I Dig Attitude More Than the Sound of It w/ Country Westerns Ep. 138 - Béisbol, Fiestas y Monster Dogs w/ Jesús Granados Ep. 140 - Hey, That's Not Fleetwood Mac! w/ Rich EnglerEp. 143 - The Rays Are Getting Their New Stadium w/ Dr. Elizabeth Strom -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the book featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2023, all rights reserved.
150 - The RRHoF Episode: We Can't Have Too Many Rock Bands
Andrew, Craig and Rex cast their mythical Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ballots and ponder whether or not it is possible to have too many rock & roll bands inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Also this week, the Astros get north of .500 by sweeping the Braves, the A's look historically bad and our first quarter 2023 music recommendations.MusicAndrew - NoneRex - Saxon, "More Inspirations"Craig - Gaz Coombes, "Turn This Car Around," and Margo Price, "Strays"Episodes referenced:143 - The Rays Are Getting Their New Stadium w/ Dr. Elizabeth Strom76 - A Baseball Season When Hitters Reigned Supreme w/ Lew Freedman Errata: Earl Weaver managed Baltimore, not Oakland. -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the book featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2023, all rights reserved.
149 - You Gotta Be Smart to Play This Game w/ Bill Bonham
Bill Bonham pitched 10 seasons for the Cubs and the Reds from 1971-80, appearing in 300 games, winning 75 and pitching almost 1,500 innings. In this episode we learn about Bonham's journey from undrafted free agent out of UCLA to his life as a Major League pitcher in the 1970s.Bill Bonham at baseballreference.com:https://tinyurl.com/bonham041923The Rick Monday incidenthttps://tinyurl.com/monday042023Errata: Ferguson Jenkins completed 30 of 39 starts in 1971, not 27 (Bill) or 29 (Craig). Bonham was drafted in the 31st round by the Angels in June 1966, in the 4th round in January 1967 by the Angels, and in the 31st round by the Orioles in June 1967. Not an error but worth noting that Rich Reuschel won 214 games in his career and pitched to age 42. Craig was thinking pre-expansion - in the '70s teams played 18 games in their division (not 22) and 12 games against team in the other division.-->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the book featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2023, all rights reserved.
148 - Baseball Is the Story of America w/ Derick McDuff
Film critic and writer Derick McDuff (Underrated podcast) joins us this week to discuss baseball in film. We talked about whether baseball and time travel would mix, subject ideas for baseball films we'd like to see and why baseball is such fertile ground for filmmakers. We also each revealed our Top 5 baseball-related films.Check out Underrated podcast on Apple (https://tinyurl.com/ep148B)Errata: The Harry F. character created by Eliot Asinof in "Eight Men Out" does make an appearance in John Sayles' film adaptation. Barry Levinson directed "The Natural," a film based upon the book by Bernard Malamud. Craig botched the title to the film "Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings," starring Billy Dee Williams, James Earl Jones and Richard Pryor. -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the book featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsEmail us! hooksandruns@protonmail.comAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2023, all rights reserved.
147 - Looking Back: The Top Ten Astro Prospects of 2013
In this special Easter weekend episode, recorded March 21, we look back at the Houston Astros' pre-season top ten prospects, according to John Sickels Minor League Ball blog. There are some familiar names (Carlos Correa, Lance McCullers, Jr.) and some unfamiliar (Jarred Cosart, Rio Ruiz) along with some forgotten (Domingo Santana) and one Astro fans wish they could forget. On the whole, a solid crop of prospects with some big stars mixed in with hard-luck stories and players that just never made the final jump to become a big league regular. This is the first in a series for Hooks & Runs in 2023, focusing on Astro drafts and prospects. -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the book featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterLink: https://twitter.com/CraigEstlinbaumAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2023, all rights reserved.
146 - The Game Is Designed to Beat You Up w/ Lee Lowenfish
Baseball writer and cultural historian Lee Lowenfish joins us this week to discuss his new book, "Baseball's Endangered Species: Inside the Craft of Scouting By Those Who Lived It." Lowenfish's book begins with Branch Rickey and the birth of the Major League Baseball farm system through the beginnings of the MLB amateur draft in 1965 to the present day with challenges brought on by analytics and reduced reliance on the personal observation and connection with young players scouts historically provided to teams. Learn more about our guest at LeeLowenfish.com.Lee Lowenfish & his book was featured in an Our Town review by Jack Ahern on April 3 (https://tinyurl.com/ourtownep146). -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including the book featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterLink: https://twitter.com/CraigEstlinbaumAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2023, all rights reserved.
145 - The Automotive Industry is Not Coming Back to Detroit and Neither is Baseball
This week, Craig's busted bracket, the World Baseball Classic and our fearless predictions for the 2023 MLB season.-->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN-->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterLink: https://twitter.com/CraigEstlinbaumAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2023, all rights reserved.
144 - Bill Virdon's Baseball Life w/ David Jerome & Shirley Virdon
Dr. David Jerome's new book, "Bill Virdon: A Life in Baseball" is about Bill Virdon, the National League Rookie of the Year in 1955 and a fixture as the Pittsburgh Pirate outfield for a decade. Later, Virdon served as a coach and manager in the big leagues. From 1975 until 1982, Virdon managed the Houston Astros, leading the team to its first divisional title in 1980. We're joined in the interview by Virdon's widow, Shirley who shared some special memories of her favorite ballpark and how she met Bill. The couple celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary a few weeks before Bill passed away in November 2021.Previously on Hooks & Runs is from Episode 133 - "We Weren't Rained Out, We Were Rained In w/ Roger Metzger"-->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN -->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterLink: https://twitter.com/CraigEstlinbaumAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat)This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2023, all rights reserved.
143 - The Rays Are Getting Their New Stadium w/ Dr. Elizabeth Strom
Dr. Elizabeth Strom joins us this episode to talk about the Tampa Bay Rays' new stadium project announced in late January. She has a unique insight - first, she has covered the Rays' years-long quest for a stadium upgrade for DRaysBay.com, the Rays blog on SBNation since 2016. She is also an associate professor in the School of Public Affairs at the University of South Florida in Tampa. where she researches in housing issues as well as urban politics & policy. She provides a fascinating look into how public-private stadium projects are evolving to serve their teams, fans and communities.In part 2, Rex rates Rolling Stone magazine's top ten heavy metal songs of all time - five of which are either Black Sabbath songs from 1970 or songs by Black Sabbath adjacent artists with none released after 1988."Previously, on Hooks & Runs" - Jacob Pomrenke, Episode 142.Errata - The Rays were in the World Series in 2020, not 2019 - Craig knew that. How to support Hooks & Runs: -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN -->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterLink: https://twitter.com/CraigEstlinbaumAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat)This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2023, all rights reserved.
142 - The 1919 Black Sox w/ Jacob Pomrenke
Jacob Pomrenke (jacobpomrenke.com), editor of "Scandal on the South Side: the 1919 Chicago White Sox" and current Director of Editorial Content for the Society of American Baseball Research (SABR). He joins us this week to talk about the 1919 Black Sox and the culture of gambling in sports, then and now.Please consider ordering "Scandal on the South Side" through our Bookshop.org link below to help support the podcast, or if you are a SABR member, use your membership links for special deals on the book.The Eight Black Sox Out were:Eddie Cicotte - PitcherOscar "Happy" Felsch - Right FieldCharles "Chick" Gandil - First Base"Shoeless" Joe Jackson - Left FieldFred McMullin - Utility InfielderCharles "Swede" Risberg - ShortstopBuck Weaver - Third BaseLefty Wiliams - PitcherNBA official Tim Donaghy pleads guilty to conspiracy in the 2007 NBA betting scandal (CNN story). The ClearBuckWeaver.com website has correspondence relating to efforts through the 2010s made by Buck Weaver's descendants to get the third baseman reinstated. Errata: Lefty Williams faced 5 batters, not 6 (Craig was right the first time) in Game 8. He allowed 4 hits (2 singles, 2 doubles) and retired the leadoff batter on an infield fly. To clarify the timeline, the Chicago grand jury referenced in the interview met in September 1920. The American League suspended the eight charged players in March 1921 and the jury acquitted them that August. The new commissioner, Judge Landis, issued the lifetime ban the next day. -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN -->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterLink: https://twitter.com/CraigEstlinbaumAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat)This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2023, all rights reserved.
141 - Checking in on MLB's Top Ten Off-Season Stories
With Citrus and Cactus League games underway, Craig and Rex check in on baseball's top ten off-season stories.-->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN -->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterLink: https://twitter.com/CraigEstlinbaumAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat)This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2023, all rights reserved
140 - Hey, That's Not Fleetwood Mac! w/ Rich Engler
Rich Engler has promoted rock concerts in and around Pittsburgh PA for over 50 years - at everything from small clubs to major stadiums such as Three Rivers Stadium, the Pittsburgh Steelers' former home stadium. Engler joins Hooks & Runs this week to talk about highlights from his career in the music business, including being the first person to promote the infamous fake Fleetwood Mac tour in January 1974.Engler wrote, "Behind the Stage Door: A Promoter's Life Behind the Scenes" in 2014. This book has been made into a documentary with the same title released in September 2022 to most streaming services. Buy the book at Engler's website (richengler.com) or on the Hooks & Runs page at Bookshop.org (link below). This is the website (behindthestagedoor.com) for the documentary, including streaming options.Engler promoted what turned out to be Bob Marley's final show on September 23, 1980, at the Stanley Theater, an event included in the documentary. This is a soundboard recording of that show (https://tinyurl.com/marley092380). The Fleetwood Mac imposters? They went on to form Stretch and had a No. 16 hit single, "Why Did You Do It?" -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN -->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterLink: https://twitter.com/CraigEstlinbaumAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat)This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2023, all rights reserved
139 - Free Agency Watch, Waters' Dark Side and Rihanna's 15 Minutes
With pitchers and catchers reporting on the 16th for Houston and by the weekend for all teams, we look at the unsigned 2023 free agents and their prospects, particularly regarding any possible Astro interest. The unsigned include Trevor Bauer, Yuli Gurriel and some utility options for the Astros. Also this week, The Astros sign Christian Javier to a 5-year deal, Roger Waters is re-recording "Dark Side of the Moon" for some reason and our thoughts on Rihanna's Super Bowl performance.Errata: A Google search shows no shortage of people or media talking about Chris Stapleton's emotion performance of "The Star Spangled Banner" prior to the Super Bowl. Andrew pronounced Michael Wacha's last name correctly the first time. The 1998 Super Bowl (The Evil Beaver Bowl) featured Green Bay vs Denver, not Green Bay vs Minnesota. -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN -->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandrunsCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterLink: https://twitter.com/CraigEstlinbaumAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat)This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2023, all rights reserved
138 - Béisbol, Fiestas y Monster Dogs w/ Jesús Granados
Jesús Granados is the Director of Operations for Sultanes de Monterrey, a Mexican League baseball team. Granados talked about creating the Monterrey game day experience and bringing Major League Baseball to Monterrey and Mexico for the first time in 19 years in 2018. Along the way, no-hitters, Guns & Roses and Monster Dogs. Monterrey pre-game.Laurita la Cartera on FacebookGuns & Roses in Monterrey (probably NSFW)-->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN -->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thehooksandruns Craig Estlinbaum on TwitterLink: https://twitter.com/CraigEstlinbaumAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat)This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2023, all rights reserved
137 - Silver Springs Forever
Ozzy retires from touring, Fleetwood Mac's "Silver Springs" is flooding Craig's Tik Tok For You page, a minimalist Grammy Awards show preview and is Shohei Ohtani worth $50 million per year?Larry Mestel, Primal Wave CEO, interview -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN -->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/ thehooksandruns Craig Estlinbaum on TwitterLink: https://twitter.com/CraigEstlinbaumAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat)This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2023, all rights reserved
136 - The 1969 Seattle Pilots & the Early Expansion Era w/ Andy McCue
Author Andy McCue joins Craig and Rex this week to talk about his 2022 book, "Stumbling around the Bases: The American League’s Mismanagement in the Expansion Eras," and his recent article from the Fall 2022 SABR Baseball Research Journal, "The Doomed Pilots of 1969: The Results of Advice Ignored." McCue takes us on a whirlwind journey through the expansion era's first decade, focusing on the unforgettable 1969 Seattle Pilot debacle. Don't miss this one!Andy McCue's SABR Pagehttps://sabr.org/authors/andy-mccue/"Stumbling Around the Bases" at Bookshop.org (affiliate)https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns"The Doomed Pilots..." at SABRhttps://sabr.org/journal/article/the-doomed-pilots-of-1969-the-results-of-advice-ignored/Errata: The Seattle SuperSonics began play in Seattle in 1967. SABR stands for the Society FOR American Baseball Research (sabr.org). -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN -->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/ thehooksandruns Craig Estlinbaum on TwitterLink: https://twitter.com/CraigEstlinbaumAndrew Eckhoff on Tik TokLink: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat)This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2023, all rights reserved
135 - You Can Either Be A Sports Writer or You Can Be An Expert
The promised Part 2 to the Ballparks Project is still in the works, we promise. In the meantime, Craig and Andrew riff on the Hall of Fame ballot, Pink Floyd experiences the Dark Side of "Woke" and the Houston Rodeo, a big deal around these parts, will be here before we know it.This is the link to the Hall of Fame Tracker. This is a link to Aaron Williams' Upoxx article about the Pink Floyd dust-up . Here are links to the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo performers for 2023 and all-time (including Lassie).Check It Out Redux:Andrew recommends Greywind's 2020 album "Afterthoughts." This is the title cut. Errata: We don't think George Jones sold a billion records, but we would not be surprised if his sales were in the 9 figures. The Houston Rodeo moved from the Sam Houston Coliseum to the Astrodome in 1966. -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN -->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/ thehooksandruns Craig Estlinbaum on TwitterLink: https://twitter.com/CraigEstlinbaumAndrew Eckhoff on Tik Tok (it's true!)Link: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat)This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved
134 - An Inside Look at College Radio w/ Ana Cubas
Ana Cubas has been program director at WNYU, the student-run radio station at New York University - she joins Hooks & Runs this week to give us an inside look at the business. Oh, she drops some cool new music recommendations too.Andrew joins in the second have as we catch up on the amazing Carlos Correa saga which apparently ended earlier this week with Correa making full circle back to the Twins.Here are links to Ana Cubas on Instagram and to her work at Paste Magazine.-->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN -->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/ thehooksandruns Craig Estlinbaum on TwitterLink: https://twitter.com/CraigEstlinbaumAndrew Eckhoff on Tik Tok (it's true!)Link: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat)This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved
133 - We Weren't Rained Out, We Were Rained In w/ Roger Metzger
Roger Metzger, a native Texan, was the Astros' starting shortstop for the Houston Astros from 1971 to 1977. During that time, Metzger won a Gold Glove, led the Majors in triples twice and made many good friends and wonderful memories .Metzger joins up this episode to kick-off Season 4 sharing some of these memories about Houston Astro baseball in the 1970s. We talked about the night a baseball game at the Astrodome got rained out, Metzger hitting his first Major League home run off Hall of Famer Bob Gibson, playing with Houston legends like Cesar Cedeno and J. R. Richard and much more. -->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN -->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/ thehooksandruns Craig Estlinbaum on TwitterLink: https://twitter.com/CraigEstlinbaumAndrew Eckhoff on Tik Tok (it's true!)Link: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat)This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved
132 - The Hooks & Runs Best of 2022 Year-End Music Review
Hooks & Runs closes Season 3 with its annual best of 2022 music review. Artists featured are, in order of appearance, Riot Act, Saxon, Tygers of Pan Tang, Tokyo Blade, Michael Schenker Group, Post Malone, Joji, Frank Turner, The Front Bottoms, Nothing More, Amanda Shires, Just Mustard, Spoon, Wilco, Gregor Barnett, Skid Row, Grim Reaper, Jimi Hendrix Experience, My Chemical Romance, Duster, The Rolling Stones and Anaïs Mitchell.Also this episode - Carlos Correa signs with the Giants (Post Script: not so fast there...) and Cecily Strong leaves Saturday Night Live.-->Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsN -->You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Errata: After we recorded this broadcast, the Giants balked on Correa after receiving results from Correa's physical. The Mets immediately came to terms with Correa and his agent, Scott Boras and as this is being typed on Christmas day, the Mets have similar concerns. According to Cot's Contracts, the Mets have an opening day 2023 payroll of $365 million (including Correa), which is about $150 million over the luxury tax mark. This would result in a $111 million tax.Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/hooksandrunspcCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterLink: https://twitter.com/CraigEstlinbaumAndrew Eckhoff on Tik Tok (it's true!)Link: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat)This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved
131 - Bowl Preview & Predictions w/ Amy Weinland Daughters
Award-winning author and college football guru Amy Daughters returns to Hooks & Runs for our annual bowl preview and predictions episode. Daughters writes for fbschedules.com, a must-bookmark website for information about college football. Her latest book, "Dear Dana: That Time I Went Crazy and Wrote all 580 of My Facebook Friends a Handwritten Letter," won a Bronze Medal in the World Peace category in the 2022 Living Now Book Awards.You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing Daughters' books through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandrunsErrata: The bowl game Craig though he was remembering was the 2018 Cheez-It Bowl game between California and TCU - TCU won 10-7 in overtime in a game each team threw four interceptions. The game Craig was trying to think of was the 2008 Sun Bowl - an epic struggle Oregon State won 3-0 against Pittsburgh.Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/hooksandrunspcCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterLink: https://twitter.com/CraigEstlinbaumAndrew Eckhoff on Tik Tok (it's true!)Link: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat)This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved
130 - Don't Pay for Past Performance w/ Alex Boyajian
Alex Boyajian (Chaotically Intolerant, Gridiron Chaos) returns to discuss whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie, our thoughs on Mike Leach, the post-Xander Bogaerts Red Sox, free agency's ebb and flow, an article from Rolling Stone magazine and the pros and cons of getting mixed up with the Kardashian family. Alex was our guest in Episode 122 and we were happy he agreed to return to talk baseball and more. The Rolling Stone article is: Andy Greene, "The Fifty Worst Decisions in Music History," Rolling Stone, November 28, 2022.Errata: Mike Leach was 9-3 against Texas A&M. Since 2019, Stephen Strasberg has 8 starts, a 1-4 record, a 6.68 ERA. He has been paid $105M (before the Covid-19 short season adjustment) and has $140M to go on his contract the next four seasons. Jose Abreu hit 30 home runs in 2021, not 33; and he hit 15 home runs in 2022, not 15. Great White and Whitesnake played Rice Stadium in Houston TX in July 1988. Elvis Presley died August 16, 1977. Reggie Bush is an on-air football analyst for Fox Sports - he dated Kim Kardashian at one time. The new Kardashian TV show is called "The Kardashians."Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/hooksandrunspcCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterLink: https://twitter.com/CraigEstlinbaumAndrew Eckhoff on Tik Tok (it's true!)Link: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat)This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved
129 - Frostbite in August and other Bizarre Baseball Injuries
Baseball players have found creative ways to sustain injuries through the years, from turning off the alarm clock to buttering a roll to taking a bite from a microwaved donut to playing Guitar Hero. The week, the Hooks & Runs crew examines these and other injuries and asks why baseball players are so susceptible to such bizarre mishaps. When, for example, is the last time you heard about a professional football or baseball player tearing a meniscus delivering a shaving cream pie to a teammate's face ... or for that matter, shaking hands.Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsNCheck It OutRex tells us about the Front Bottoms concert he attended at Emo's in Austin.Craig recommends "Trainwreck: Woodstock '99," a three-part Netflix documentary released in Austin 2022. Errata: Adam Eaton was a Padre, not a Brewer when he suffered his paring knife injury and later submitted to Tommy John surgery. John Smoltz retired with 213 career wins. Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/hooksandrunspcCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterLink: https://twitter.com/CraigEstlinbaumAndrew Eckhoff on Tik Tok (it's true!)Link: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat)This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved
128 - On Anonymous Club, the Film w/ Danny Cohen
Danny Cohen's debut feature film, "Anonymous Club" is a documentary about Australian musican, singer and songwriter Courtney Barnett, a Hooks & Runs (well, Craig) favorite. Cohen joins us this episode to discuss Barnett, the film and the unique process employed to achieve the final result. Anonymous Club debuted in the US at SXSW in March 2022 and is currently available on streaming services. Oh yeah - the Astros signed Jose Abreu this week too.Danny Cohen: https://dannycohen.com/Anonymous Club: https://www.anonymousclubfilm.com/Anonymous Club official trailerHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs Discord - https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsNHooks & Runs playlists on Spotify - https://tinyurl.com/hooksspotifyHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/hooksandrunspcCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterLink: https://twitter.com/CraigEstlinbaumAndrew Eckhoff on Tik Tok (it's true)Link: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat)This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved
127 - The Old Ballparks Project, Part I
The Old Ballpark Project, Part I: Next Thing You Know You're in Baltimore.This week features part one in the three-part old ballpark project. The parks featured this week ranked 11-15. If you cannot access the links on your platform, go here:https://hooksandruns.buzzsprout.com/15. The Baker Bowl, PhiladelphiaPhoto: Shibe Park in the foreground, The Baker Bowl in the backgroundYahoo: Babe Ruth's next-to-last game, at The Baker Bowl, May 29, 1935.14. Crosley Field, CincinnatiAn early Crosley Field photo13. Ebbets Field, BrooklynThe Lost Ballparks, Ebbets Field, You Tube12. Sportsman's Park, St. LouisSportsman's Park - Field Level, 194611. Shibe Park (Connie Mack Stadium), PhiladelphiaLast Game at Connie Mack Stadium, YouTubeCheck It OutAndrew - Pup's Live EP, "Pup Unravels Live In Front of Everyone They Know"Craig - Caitlin Rose first album since 2013, "CAZIMI," released November 18Rex - Sex Machineguns' new single "Burn"Errata: Leo Durocher managed briefly in Japan after leaving the Houston Astros.Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs Discord - https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsNHooks & Runs playlists on Spotify - https://tinyurl.com/hooksspotifyHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/hooksandrunspcCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterLink: https://twitter.com/CraigEstlinbaumAndrew Eckhoff on Tik Tok (it's true)Link: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat)This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved
126 - Culture Turns Out to Win in the Long Run w/ Matt Harlan
Matt Harlan is a "troubadour of the first degree," and a guiding light in the Houston folk and Americana scene for over a decade. Harlan has released five studio albums and has earned a devoted following in the American Southwest and in Europe. He has won several songwriting awards and appeared in the film "For the Sake of the Song: The Anderson Fair Story." He joins us this episode to talk about his latest LP, "Best Beasts;" Texas music's enduring popularity in Europe; and the Houston music scene in the pandemic's aftermath. Also this episode, a few thoughts on the Hall of Fame's Contemporary Baseball Era ballot and yes, Craig already has Albert Bell buyer's remorse. "Catching On," "Best Beasts," and "Elevator Ride" appear courtesy of Matt Harlan. All rights are reserved to him. Thank you, Matt!Matt Harlan's official website: https://www.mattharlan.com/Matt Harlan on Bandcamp: https://mattharlan.bandcamp.com/. Support artists by purchasing their music at shows or via Bandcamp."Catching On" on You Tube: https://tinyurl.com/hooks126mhco"Best Beasts" on You Tube: https://tinyurl.com/hooks126mhbb NOTICE: THE LYRICS ARE NOT SAFE FOR WORK"Elevator Ride" on You Tube: https://tinyurl.com/hooks126mherHooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs Discord - https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsNHooks & Runs playlists on Spotify - https://tinyurl.com/hooksspotifyHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/hooksandrunspcCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterLink: https://twitter.com/CraigEstlinbaumAndrew Eckhoff on Tik Tok (it's true)Link: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Theme Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat)This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved
125 - The Astros Won the World Series Title This Weekend
Rex and Craig this week dive into the Astros stirring three game run to clinch the 2022 World Series and review how many players started their professional careers with meager signing bonuses, were low round draft picks or were acquired by Houston for a song. Meanwhile, Houston as seen over $600 million in guaranteed player contracts walk out their door - and they keep finding replacements and keep winning. At least so far.Check It OutRex: The Canadian metal band Caldron's 2012 single "Nitebreaker"Craig: Black Box Recorder's Luke Haines and REM guitarist Peter Buck released their second album, "All the Kids are Super Bummed Out" on Cherry Red Records. This is "The British Army Is On LSD."Errata: Sorry, but we forgot to turn off the air conditioner - that's usually Andrew's job. Don Larsen's perfect game was Game 5.Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs Discord - https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsNHooks & Runs playlists on Spotify - https://tinyurl.com/hooksspotifyHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/hooksandrunspcCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterLink: https://twitter.com/CraigEstlinbaumAndrew Eckhoff on Tik Tok (it's true)Link: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat)This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved
124 - Philadelphia Rain and Taylor Swift's Midnights
The Astros split the first two with Philadelphia in Houston as Justin Verlander's World Series woes continue. A Game 3 weather postponement in Philadelphia brings out the conspiracy buffs. Taylor Swift's "Midnights" breaks records. Join the Hooks & Runs Discord Communityhttps://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsNCheck It OutCraig recommends Emily Scott Robinson's EP "Built on Bones: Songs for Macbeth." This is "Men and Moons."Andrew recommends The Front Bottoms, appearing in Austin this week. This is "Twin Sized Matress." The video is NSFW!Rex recommends the 2018 film "The Catcher Was A Spy" (2018), starring Phil Rudd.Errata: Madison Baumgarner has allowed 1 earned run in 36 World Series innings pitched. Taylor Swift signed with Republic Records and Universal Music Group in late 2018. As for the Swift documentaries, Craig was referring to "Miss Americana" (2020) on Netflix; Andrew was referring to "folklore: the long pond studio sessions" (2020) on Disney+ -- glad we finally got that straight. Here's an article on mandatory conscription in South Korea and BTS. It's "Songs for Macbeth "... not "about Macbeth."Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs Discord - https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsNHooks & Runs playlists on Spotify - https://tinyurl.com/hooksspotifyHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/hooksandrunspcCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterLink: https://twitter.com/CraigEstlinbaumAndrew Eckhoff on Tik Tok (it's true)Link: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat)This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved
123 - World Series Preview Plus Who Needs Elton John Anyway?
The Houston Astros return to the World Series for the fourth time in six years - we have a preview and our predictions. Elton John cancels (not reschedules, cancels) his November 4 show at Minute Maid Park - it conflicts with Game 6. Andrew's goose is cooked. Join the Hooks & Runs Discord Communityhttps://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsNCheck It Out:Andrew - Kenshi Yonezu, "Kick Back," which debuted No. 1 on Billboard's Japan chart on October 19.Craig - Charley Crocket's new album "The Man From Waco," released September 9 on Son of Davy/Thirty Tigers. This is the single "I'm Just a Clown."Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs Discord - https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsNHooks & Runs playlists on Spotify - https://tinyurl.com/hooksspotifyHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/hooksandrunspcCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterLink: https://twitter.com/CraigEstlinbaumAndrew Eckhoff on Tik Tok (it's true)Link: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat)This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved
122 - The Ones Complaining Are the Ones That Lost w/ Alex Boyajian
Join the Hooks & Runs Discord Communityhttps://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsNAlex Boyajian from Chaotically Intolerant (links below) joins us this week to discuss all things baseball including the ideal playoff format for baseball, the just completed divisional series, the upcoming league championship series, the Judge vs Ohtani debate and more.Chaotically Intolerent podcast on:Anchor: https://anchor.fm/chaoticallyintolerantYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMc4gN53W3MjC8C4BjNWLug Alex Boyajian on Twitterhttps://twitter.com/boyajianalex29Check It Out:Rex - Loose Helmet's Demo on Bandcamp (NSFW, you are warned)Alex - Man of Steel, Black Adam, The Simpons.Andrew - Nothing More's new album "Spirits;" this is the band's official video for "Best Times."Craig - Preoccupations' new album "Arrangements," released September 9, 2022. This is the song "Slowly."Errata: To Craig's surprise, the San Diego Padres had the fifth highest opening day payroll in 2022. The Chicago Dogs play in the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball with team like the Milwaukee Milkmen, the Kansas City Monarchs and Winnipeg Goldeyes. The Padres were 44-37 at home and 45-36 on the road - the only team in the playoffs that had a better record on the road. Aaron Judge had 16 more home runs than his nearest competitor, Kyle Schwarber, who it 46. This gap is the largest since 1932. Tennessee's next opponent is not Vanderbilt - it's Tennessee-Martin.Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs Discord - https://discord.gg/tT8d3pVUsNHooks & Runs playlists on Spotify - https://tinyurl.com/hooksspotifyHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/hooksandrunspcCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterLink: https://twitter.com/CraigEstlinbaumAndrew Eckhoff on Tik Tok (it's true)Link: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat)This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved
121 - About That Yordan Alvarez Home Run!
Join our Discord - see below for links!We start this week's episode in the cheeriest of moods following Yordan Alvarez's dramatic walk-off home run to give Houston a 1-0 lead in the best of five Divisional Series with Seattle. From there we contemplate whether home field advantage any big advantage at all in baseball, meditate over how much if at all the 5-days rest will effect the four teams that earned byes, and gravitate to the recent Right Said Fred vs. Beyoncé kerfuffle.Check It OutCraig - John Fullbright's new album "Liar." This is "Unlocked Doors."Rex - Cobra Spell's new single "Flaming Heart."Andrew - Paramore's new single "This is Why."Errata: The Padres, not the Phillies won more games on the road than at home in 2022, after adding in the Wild Card round results. The NFL blackout rule has been suspended (not overturned) since 2015. Vanilla Ice released "Ice Ice Baby" in August 1990, which technically is the last year of the 1980's in a way. Beyoncé's self titled LP was nominated for a Grammy Best Album in 2014, not "Lemonade," which came next. Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs Discord - https://discord.gg/RS46RfFjKQHooks & Runs playlists on Spotify - https://tinyurl.com/hooksspotifyHooks & Runs on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/hooksandrunspcCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterLink: https://twitter.com/CraigEstlinbaumAndrew Eckhoff on Tik Tok (it's true)Link: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved.
120 - We Are Not Meteorologists
The Seahawks and Lions produce an improbable Scorigami as Andrew wrestles with the concept. The Braves sweep the Mets and prove the Hooks & Runs teams are not meteorologists. The playoffs are all but set. Aaron Judge hits No. 62. Craig goes to an Astro game and has too much time on his hands. Rex sees Riot Act at Warehouse Live. Check It OutRex recommends Riot Act's 2020 single "Overdrive."Craig recommends The Black Angels' new album "Wilderness of Mirrors," released September 16 on Partisan Records - this is "El Jardin."Andrew recommends Atrial's new single "Respect the Set."Errata: The movie is "Crazy Heart," the song is "The Weary Kind," and the actor is Jeff Bridges. The 13th Floor Elevators was an Austin band that broke up in 1969. Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs Discord - https://discord.gg/RS46RfFjKQHooks & Runs playlists on Spotify - https://tinyurl.com/hooksspotifyHooks & Runs on TIkTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hooksandrunsHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/hooksandrunspcCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterLink: https://twitter.com/CraigEstlinbaumAndrew Eckhoff on Tik Tok (it's true)Link: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved.
119 - Dylan's "Time Out of Mind" at 25 w/ Prof. Quentin Miller
Join our Discord community - https://discord.gg/E43RK8Fk. This week, Prof. D. Quentin Miller (Suffolk) joins us to discuss Bob Dylan's Grammy winning album Time Out of Mind on its 25th Anniversary. What does a great album mean to us in the streaming age? Also, more historic home run balls, Cleveland's surge, Astro & Dodger firsts, and more baseball as the season draws to a close.Check It Out:Prof. Miller recommends "Shuggie Bain," a novel by Douglas Stuart (not Douglas Adams).D. Quentin Miller at Suffolk Univ. - https://tinyurl.com/hooksmiller Books by D. Quentin Miller at bookshop.org - https://tinyurl.com/hooksdqmbooks Errata: The book about the album Prof. Miller reviewed is "Dreams and Dialogs in Dylan's Time Out of Mind," by Graley Herren (2021). The second Dylan single released before Rough and Rowdy Ways in 2020 was "I Contain Multitudes." Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.comHooks & Runs Discord - https://discord.gg/E43RK8FkHooks & Runs playlists on Spotify - https://tinyurl.com/hooksspotifyHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/hooksandrunspcCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterLink: https://twitter.com/CraigEstlinbaumAndrew Eckhoff on Tik Tok (it's true)Link: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/Opening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved.
Ep 118 - They Hadn't All Been Shot
When William Howard Taft, our 27th president, began a tradition by throwing out the first pitch at the Washington Senators' opening day game in 1910, three presidents had been assassinated in the prior 45 years - the equivalent today of having three presidents assassinated while in office since 1977. Yet, Taft went to that ballgame on a whim that afternoon and sat right on the front row, by the Senators' dugout. It was a different time. Today we discuss ceremonial first pitches, presidential and otherwise. Also, the pennant races take shape and do the Padres have buyers' remorse?Baba Booey's first pitch 50 Cent's first pitchJohn Daly's first pitchPresident Harry S Truman's first pitchCheck It Out:Links may be NSFWAndrew recommends Magnolia Park's 2-song EP "Addison Rae"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLN1Gh13X9MRex recommends Culture Factory's collector's edition reissue of Samson's "Shock Tactics" from 1981. This is "Riding with the Angels"https://culturefactory-usa.com/product/samson-vinyl-lp-shock-tactics-coke-bottle-green-vinyl/Craig recommends "The Woman King," a film starring Academy, Emmy and Tony Award winner Viola Davis ("Fences") and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood ("Love & Basketball").https://www.thewomankingmov.com/Errata: The Blue Jays, not the Rays, were in 2nd place when H&R recorded this episode. The Florida - Georgia rivalry is known as the "World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party." SEC schools actually produce a lot of lawyers and doctors, including one who is a co-host. Nolan Ryan was born in 1947. "One Bitten Twice Shy" originally appeared on Ian Hunter's first solo album (self-titled).Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.com (see the LinkTree)Hooks & Runs Discord - https://discord.gg/E43RK8FkHooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/hooksandrunspcCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterLink: https://twitter.com/CraigEstlinbaumAndrew Eckhoff on Tik Tok (it's true)Link: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/Opening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved.
Ep 117 - Who is Aaron Judge Really Chasing?
Aaron Judge had 55 home runs with 20 games to play as when Hooks & Runs recorded this episode - Judge is chasing Roger Maris's team and AL 61-home run record, but is anyone ever going to challenge Bonds' MLB record 73. Given that Judge is 21 home runs ahead of his nearest competition (Mike Trout), that day is hard to imagine. Also this week, a look at the controversial MLB rules changes for 2023 and the NBC/NFL's Ozzy Osbourne problem. Check It OutCraig - Shemekia Copeland's latest album, "Done Come Too Far," released August 19 on Alligator Records.Rex - King Diamond's 1989 single "Sleepless Nights."Andrew - "The Patient," a limited series psychological thriller starring Steve Carell and Domhnall Gleeson that debuted August 30 on FX and Hulu. Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.com (see the LinkTree)Hooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/hooksandrunspcCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterLink: https://twitter.com/CraigEstlinbaumAndrew Eckhoff on Tik Tok (it's true)Link: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/Opening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved.
Ep. 116 - You Didn't Tell Me There Would Be Snakes
This week on Hooks & Runs, an appreciation for Wash Allen and The Wash Allen Show, a Houston institution; Craig made a guest appearance on the Chaotically Intolerant Podcast; on being a week early in our college football episode; our two cents on the 2023 MLB schedule and its balanced format; revisiting the Jeff Bagwell trade; who's hot & who's not with a month to go in the MLB season plus Check It Out!Links:Chaotically Intolerant: https://linktr.ee/chaoticallyintolerant Check It OutAndrew recommends "Welcome to Wrexham," an FX " docuseries tracking the dreams and worries of Wrexham, a working-class town in North Wales, UK, as two Hollywood stars take ownership of the town’s historic yet struggling football club." The two stars are Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds.Link: https://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/welcome-to-wrexhamRex recommends UFO's 1977 single "Lights Out," and has best wishes for a quick recovery for the band's singer, Phil Mogg, who suffered a major heart attack last week as the band prepared to kick off its farewell tour.Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7Gjj-mLpUkCraig recommends Pat Green's first album in seven years, "Miles and Miles of You." This is the title cut.Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvZbtthTJZ8Errata: Kōtarō Isaka's book upon which the film "Bullet Train" is based was originally titled "Maria Bītoru," which translates to "Maria Beetle." Publishers sold the book in the US under the title "Bullet Train." Five NFL teams have made the playoffs with sub-.500 records - Cleveland (4-5) and Detroit (4-5) (go figure those two) in the lockout-shortened 1982 season, Seattle (7-9) in 2010, Carolina (7-8-1) in 2014 and Washington (7-9) in 2020. The 1962 NY Mets finished 40-120-1. The song is called "Take Me Out to a Dance Hall." Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.com (see the LinkTree)Hooks & Runs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/hooksandrunspcCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterLink: https://twitter.com/CraigEstlinbaumAndrew Eckhoff on Tik Tok (it's true)Link: https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffestRex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/Opening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved.
Ep. 115 - On College Football's Changing Landscape w/ Grant McGalliard (Purple Theory)
Hooks & Runs takes a brief detour from the pennant races to look at the 2022 college football season and in particular, the sport's changing landscape as the FBS conferences confront realignment, new TV deals, changes to the playoff system and more. Grant McGalliard, co-host of Purple Theory, a podcast about college football numbers and narratives, focusing on TCU and the Big 12, joins us in studio (our first in-studio guest) to play what-if as to the various scenarios making the circuit. After that discussion, the Astros injury situation, hard times in Boston & San Francisco, a really expensive Mickey Mantle baseball card plus, of course, "Check It Out."Errata: Scott Frost was 19-7 at UCF, not 25-1. The split national championship we had in mind was Colorado & Georgia Tech in 1990. BYU won an outright title in 1984; Colorado's title share was aided in substantial part by a free fifth down in their game that year ('90) against Missouri, which is how the Tigers got into the discussion. Colorado's Coach, Bill McCartney, did not exactly follow in Carl Snavely's footsteps in the 1990 fifth down game's aftermath. North Carolina, as Craig mentioned at first, beat Florida A&M last week, not Florida State, as he said later. Check It Out:Andrew recommends HBO's "Game of Thrones" prequel, "House of the Dragon." Don't get us started!Grant recommends the single "Tornados" by Kentucky-based singer-songwriter Dalton Mills, from his 2020 self-titled LP.Craig recommends the new single from Rich O'Toole, "Love on a Sunday" (YouTube // Amazon download). Rich was our guest on the podcast in Episode 83 early in 2022. Hooks & Runs Website, Twitter, BuzzsproutCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterAndrew Eckhoff on Tik Tok (it's true)Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on FacebookOpening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved.
Ep. 114 - The Dog Days Find 14 Teams Chasing 7 Playoff Bids
Several teams are chasing either a Central Division title or a wild card bid - this week we look at these teams and handicap the races for the 7 playoff spots not seemingly claimed by the two New Yorks, Houston, Atlanta and the Dodgers.Check It Out:Andrew recommends "The Blacktounge Thief," a recent book by Christopher Buehlman.Craig recommends a live performance of Eminem's "Lose Yourself," by the decorated Australian singer-songwriter Kasey Chambers.Errata: The Red Sox (not the Reds) had the 20-7 (not 20-6) stretch earlier in 2022. Randy Johnson was 10-1 with a 1.28 ERA in 11 starts for Houston 1998. Houston lost in the division series round. Justin Verlander was 5-0 with a 1.06 ERA in 5 starts for Houston in 2017. May 25 to August 23 is closer to three months, not four. Milwaukee beat the Dodgers 4-0 on Monday, August 22, 2022. Hooks & Runs Website, Twitter, BuzzsproutCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterAndrew Eckhoff on Tik Tok (it's true)Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on FacebookOpening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved.
Ep. 113 - The Ringworm vs The 340 Million Dollar Man
This week, Fernando Tatis, Jr., is suspended 80 games for violating MLB's performance enhancing drug policy, Houston loses Michael Brantley for the year, Does anybody remember Ken Giles, an important anniversary for Guy Hecker and SMU alums pick the wrong time to cut corners.Check It OutRex remembers Grim Reaper front man Steve Grummett who passed away this week at 62 by recommending their 1983 album "See You in Hell." NSFW? Who knows?Craig recommends Just Mustard's sophomore effort, "Heart Under," released May 2022.Andrew recommends the new Brad Pitt film "Bullet Train," which Rex and Craig immediately describe as "Cannonball Run meets The Silver Streak." Errata: The Eric Dickerson car was a Trans Am, not a corvette. Former Texas Governor Bill Clements' antics with SMU are chronicled in this story. Hooks & Runs Website, Twitter, BuzzsproutCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterAndrew Eckhoff on Tik Tok (it's true)Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on FacebookOpening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved.
Ep 112 - In the Cold Grey Light of Dawn
The Angels deliver an unusual MLB first, The race for the best record in the American League tightens. A look at the Jordan Montgomery, Harrison Bader trade between the Yanks and Cards, Lance McCullers' rehab assignment in Sugar Land and Jacob deGrom's return to Queens. Do the Padres regret dealing so many prospects? Should we pay attention to any Central Divisions? Plus, our weekly recommendations on Check It Out! Check It Out:Craig says check out ZZ Top's new album, "Raw ('That Little Ol' Band From Texas' Original Soundtrack), recorded live at the legendary Gruene Hall in Gruene, TX. Check out "Heard It on the X."Rex says check out "The Sandman" on Netflix. The first episode premiered on August 5, 2022 - the show stars Tom Sturridge and Boyd Holbrook.Andrew says check out the Electric Callboy - their new album, "Tekkno" arrives next month. Hooks & Runs Website, Twitter, BuzzsproutCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterAndrew Eckhoff on Tik Tok (it's true)Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on FacebookOpening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved.
Ep. 111 - Juan Soto (Age 23) is a Padre and Other Trade Deadline Adventures
After a debate over slowcore vs shoegaze, Andrew, Craig and Rex discuss three major acquisitions for the Houston Astros, the San Diego Padres blockbuster deal for Juan Soto and Josh Bell (and the Washington Nationals prospect haul in return) and other assorted trade deadline deals. They also dismissed the idea that the Angels would ever consider trading Shohei Ohtani and evaluated Mike Trout's Hall of Fame bona fides if he (God forbid!) never plays or never plays up to Mike Trout standards again. Finally, as usual, our check it out recommendations. Check It OutCraig - Amanda Shires' new album "Take It Like A Man" (July 29, PTO). This is title cut.Andrew - Post Malone's album "Twelve Carat Toothache." This is "Insane."Rex - The 1969 film "Shinsengumi," directed by Tadashi Sawashima and starring Toshirô Mifune ("Shogun").Hooks & Runs - Website, Twitter, BuzzsproutCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterAndrew Eckhoff on WeeWorld (dead link)Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on FacebookOpening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved.
Ep. 110 - Does Houston Really Need to Trade for Josh Bell - or Anyone?
This week Andrew and Craig review the 2022 All-Star Game and examine, Toronto's 28-5 blowout win over Boston and Houston's options as the trade deadline approaches.Errata: TV has blurred catcher's signs since 2021. As of the recording date, the Yankees were 65-30, not 65-35. Check It Out:Andrew is looking forward to the recently announced Trivium show at the Houston House of Blues and John Wick IV, announced for a March 2023 release.Craig: Gleemer's new EP, "Here At All" released on Bandcamp July 14. Hooks & Runs Website, Twitter, BuzzsproutCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterAndrew Eckhoff on StumbleUpon (dead link)Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on FacebookOpening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved.
Ep. 109 - A Blood Red (Mid)Summer (Classic)
In this week's episode, recorded an hour before the All-Star game first pitch, Andrew, Craig and Rex discuss the 2022 All Star Game in Los Angeles, Juan Soto's contact and the Nationals' Soto dilemma, the Mariner and Oriole hot streaks, Wynona Ryder, Game of Thrones and the Coheed & Cambria concert last weekend at the Whitewater Ampitheatre in New Braunfels. Check It OutCraig - Coheed & Cambria's latest, "Vaxis II: A Window of the Waking Mind."Rex - Violence's new EP, "Let the World Burn"Andrew: Nightlife's 2021 EP "New Low"Errata: It was the 2002 All Star Game in Miller Park that ended in a 7-7 tie. Joe Niekro was on the team but did not pitch in 1979, not 1981. Juan Soto is under team control, not player control, through 2024. The Orioles were 11-2 in their last 13 games, not last 2 games, going into the All Star break. The venue in Austin, Texas, is the Austin 360 Amphitheater.Hooks & Runs - Website, Twitter, BuzzsproutCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterAndrew Eckhoff on This Is My Jam (dead link)Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on FacebookOpening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved.
Ep 108 - The Wax Pack (Ep. 36) w/ Professor Brad Balukjian
This week amid summer travel, we are rerunning our interview with Professor Brad Bajukjian who discusses his 2020 L. A. Times bestseller and an NPR Best Book of 2020, "The Wax Pack: On the Road in Search of Baseball's Afterlife." Hooks & Runs will return next week.Check It Out:Craig recommends John Doe's latest release, "Fables in a Foreign Land." This is the first single, "Never Coming Back." Hooks & Runs - Website, Twitter, BuzzsproutCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterAndrew Eckhoff on Pownce (dead link)Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on FacebookOpening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved.
Ep. 107 - Bert Shepard, Lou Brissie & Baseball During World War II
Following last week story from Professor Peter Dreier about Sam Nahem and the G. I. World Series in Europe, 1945, Craig and Rex dive deep into baseball during World War II. Today, the stories of Bert Shepard and Lou Brissie, two American heroes who suffered horrific injuries in battle but overcame to pitch in the Major Leagues. Also, Craig and Rex survey the players who served and were later inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame -- some of whom saw combat and earned commendations. Check It OutRex - The Netflix series "Stranger Things," now in its 4th season and in particular, Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn) performing Metallica's "Masters of Puppets," on his custom B.C. Rich Warlock guitar.Craig - The Linda Linda debut album "Growing Up," released April 8, 2022, on Epitaph Records. This is the song "Racist, Sexist Boy." The Pitchfork review Craig mentions is here; Vattica's Tik Tok page is here.Last Week on Hooks & Runs - Ep 106, "Baseball Rebels w/ Professor Peter Dreier"Errata: Jackie Robinson played baseball at UCLA. The "the" parade caught Craig napping -- it's just L7. At the time, it was THEN Senator Joe Biden.Hooks & Runs - Website, Twitter, BuzzsproutCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterAndrew Eckhoff on Makeoutclub (dead link)Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on FacebookOpening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved.
Ep. 106 - Baseball Rebels w/ Professor Peter Dreier
This week Professor Peter Dreier (Occidental College) joins Hooks & Runs to discuss his new book, "Baseball Rebels: The Players, People and Social Movements That Shook Up the Game and Changed America" (Univ. Nebraska Press, 2022), co-authored with Prof. Robert Elias. The conversation covers not only well known names in baseball history like Bill Veeck and Larry Doby but also little known players almost forgotten by history. You'll hear amazing stories about people like Octavius Catto, Sam Nahem, Jackie Mitchell and more. This is a highly recommended book.Dreier and Elias, incidentally, also released a companion book, "Major League Rebels: Baseball Battles Over Workers' Rights and American Empire" (Rowman & Littlefield, 2022)."Previously on Hooks & Runs" - Professor Jeremi Duru on Curt Flood (Ep. 104).Check It Out:Prof. Dreier recommends The History Channel's documentary, "After Jackie"Rex recommends the new single from Megadeth, "We'll Be Back."Andrew recommends "Operation Mincemeat," starring Colin Firth and available on Netflix.Craig recommends the new album from a reunited Porcupine Tree, "Closure/Continuation." This is "Of the New Day."Hooks & Runs - Website, Twitter, BuzzsproutCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterAndrew Eckhoff on Gather.com (dead link)Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on FacebookOpening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved.
Ep. 105 - First Home Run Ball Exchange Rates and Other Tall Tales
This week, Andrew, Craig and Rex riff on the Astros' amazing two immaculate inning game, Jeremy Pena's injury and his replacements, the price for a first MLB home run ball, squabbles among Orioles' team owners, and the line-up for this week's Glastonbury festival. We closed by going "off the rails" in the "Check It Out" segment.Errata: The Astros acquired Phil Maton last year in the Myles Straw trade with Cleveland. Phil Neikro's 6 wild pitch game was August 4, 1979. Yuli's brother is Lourdes. He plays for Toronto. There have been 23 official perfect games, not 16. The Nashville NHL team is the Predators - Craig got it right the first time. The Tampa ballpark lease expires in after the 2027 season. Oakland's expires in after the 2024 season. It's Donald T. Sterling.Check It Out:Andrew recommends R. F. Kuang's "The Poppy War" (Harper Voyager 2018)Craig recommends the latest from Steve Earle & the Dukes; a Jerry Jeff Walker tribute album titled "Jerry Jeff," released May 27 on New West. Rex recommends the Planet of the Apes reboot trilogy released 2011-17.Hooks & Runs - Website, Twitter, BuzzsproutCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterAndrew Eckhoff on Bebo (dead link)Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on FacebookOpening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved.
Ep. 104 - When Sport Defeated Law: The Curt Flood Case w/ Prof. Jeremi Duru
Professor Jeremi Duru, a nationally recognized sports law expert, joins us this week to talk about a baseball-related U.S. Supreme Court case, Flood v. Kuhn, decided 50 years ago this week (June 19, 1972, to be exact). The case sparked the movement that birthed the free agency era in baseball and sports.Curt Flood was an All-Star and Gold Glove center fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals during their 1960's heyday. The Cardinals won 2 World Series titles, in 1964 and 1967, and Flood played a big role for both teams. After the 1969 season though, the Cardinals traded Flood to the Philadelphia Phillies. Flood protested the trade and ultimately sued Major League Baseball -- a lawsuit that cost Flood his career.Professor Duru leads us through the background, Flood's career, the lawsuit and the aftermath, ultimately reminding us that Curt Flood deserves to be remembered today as an excellent baseball player as well as a trailblazer for athlete's rights. You can follow Professor Duru on Twitter and LinkedIn.References:Flood v. Kuhn on Wikipedia.Professor Duru recommends: Brad Snyder, "A Well Paid Slave: Curt Flood's Fight for Free Agency in Professional Sport" (Plume, 2007) for further reading about Curt Flood.Curt Flood's career statistics at Major League Baseball.Check It Out:Professor Duru recommends "Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber" (2022) on Showtime , a series he recently binged, and Matthew Walker's "Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams" ( Scribner 2018). Craig recommends Wilco's new album "Cruel Country," a return to Wilco's alt-country roots. This is the title track.Rex recommends the German thrash-metal band Kreator's new album "Hate Über Alles," released June 10th on Nuclear Blast Records. This is the title track.Andrew recommends the new single by Joji, "Glimpse of Us." Hooks & Runs - Website, Twitter, BuzzsproutCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterAndrew Eckhoff on Mixx (dead link)Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on FacebookOpening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved.
Ep. 103 - Andrew's Ryan Pressly Anxiety Exposed!
This week, Craig shills Hooks & Runs' Spotify playlists; the gang discusses Houston signing Yordan Alvarez to a 6-year, $115M contract and also, the 2022 luxury tax results. Check It Out!Rex: Anthrax is releasing their 40 year anniversary record, "Anthrax XL," on July 15 -- they are streaming "Aftershock" as a teaser this week.Andrew: Andrew went fishing this week and came back with sea shanties on the brain. He recommends The the British folk group Longest Johns and the first song on their January 2022 album "Smoke and Oakum," the Stephen Foster tune "Hard Times Come Again No More."Craig: Long-time Craig favorite, The Drive-By Truckers, released their latest LP, "Welcome 2 Club XIII" on May 20th (ATO Records). This is the album's first single, "The Driver." This song is NSFW.Errata: Aaron Judge is actually on pace to hit 64 home runs and drive in 133 runs. The Oakland A's ballpark is called Oakland Coliseum. Hooks & Runs - Website, Twitter, BuzzsproutCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterAndrew Eckhoff on Musical.ly (dead link)Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on FacebookOpening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved.
Ep. 102 - SST Records & The Sound of the Underground w/ Jim Ruland
Jim Ruland ("Forest of Fortune," "Do What You Want: The Story of Bad Religion") joins us this week to discuss his wonderful new book "Corporate Rock Sucks: The Rise and Fall of SST Records" (available at your local indie bookstore or at bookshop.org). Black Flag, Hüsker Dü, The Minutemen, Sonic Youth, Screaming Trees and so many more influential bands called SST home from its founding in the very early 1980's into the '90s. Ruland's thoroughly researched and very accessible book chronicles these bands and SST's, well ... rise and fall. Also this week, we look at the MLB standings as baseball crosses the Memorial Day threshold. We also talked about this video and this one. Check It Out!Andrew: Stephen Sanchez, "Until I Found You"Rex: Traitors Gate, "Devil Takes the High Road" reissueCraig: Delta Spirit's new album "One Is One," released May 20. The band released the album's first single, "What's Done is Done" (NSFW) on March 21, World Down Syndrome Day.Errata: It's a safety pin, not a clothes pin. Ruland was correct - as we recorded the episode was being recorded, the Dodgers and Yankees were tied for MLB's best record. For some reason, Craig kept mispronouncing Hüsker Dü, as though it was a Nebraska band. It was Mark McGuire, not Albert Pujols. We really should have asked Andrew about Cindy. Hooks & Runs - Website, Twitter, BuzzsproutCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterAndrew Eckhoff on This Is My Jam (dead link)Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on FacebookOpening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved.
Ep. 101 - Exile on Main Street at 50 w/ Christian Bonner & Tim Lindsey
Christian Bonner and Tim Lindsey have a wonderful podcast, "Under the Radar: A Rolling Stones Podcast," so we invited them to our show to discuss the Rolling Stones' classic double album, "Exile on Main Street," fifty years after its release. We had a fun time talking about our favorite cuts, how the album rates in the Stones' catalog and what explains the album's enduring popularity and influence. Errata: The Rolling Stones' Zilker Park show occurred 2006, not 2005. Marty Robbins released "El Paso" in 1959, not 1958. Hooks & Runs - Website, Twitter, BuzzsproutCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterAndrew Eckhoff on 43 Things (dead link)Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on FacebookOpening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved.
Ep. 100 - Crane & Cashman, Beyond the Thunderdome!
The Texas Rangers guaranteed half a billion dollars this off-season to a pair of middle infielders who are hitting a combined .209 through May 19th. Sure, it's early, but we guess someone in Arlington - maybe the guy that promoted the contracts - is more than a little nervous about this. Also this week, Jake Odorizzi's injury, a look at the Austin City Limits Festival headliners. And finally, we propose a way Houston's Jim Crane and the Yankees' Brian Cashman can settle their war of words once and for all -- a cage match!Check It Out!Rex: "The Last Gentlemen of War: The Raider Exploits of the Cruiser Emden," a book by R. K. LochnerCraig: The Rolling Stones' new release, "Live at El Mocambo." (this is "Hot Stuff")Andrew: My Chemical Romance's new single "Foundations of Decay." Hooks & Runs - Website, Twitter, BuzzsproutCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterAndrew Eckhoff on Streetlife (dead link)Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on FacebookOpening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved. '4mgf5twk'
Ep. 99 - Keeping the Faith & Wildest Dreams
This week the gang gloats over an Astro hot streak, wonder if Joey Votto's days as a regular player in Cincinnati will be over sooner than we thought, reconsiders whether Eric Hosmer is a legitimate 3,000 hit candidate, weighs in on baseball players defecting from Cuba (and Cuba's response), dissects umpire Dan Bellino's bizarre um ... interaction with Madison Bumgarner last week (and the declining quality of umpiring or refereeing across sports generally), and applauds or ridicules (or both) the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's inductees.Read Matt Martel's essay, "Madison Bumgarner’s Ejection Was Actually About an Umpire’s Unrequited Love" at Sports Illustrated (May 4, 2022). Check It Out:Andrew: Sam Raimi's "Dr. Strange and the Multiverse of Madness," which stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Elizabeth Olsen, among others.Rex: Matt Reeves' "The Batman," starring Robert Pattinson and Zoë Kravitz.Craig: Duster's fourth album, "Together," released April 1 on Numero Group.Hooks & Runs - Website, Twitter, BuzzsproutCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterAndrew Eckhoff on Lifeknot (dead link)Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on FacebookOpening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved.
Ep 98 - If You Miss Pitchers Hitting, Check Out the Astro Catchers
This week Hooks & Runs revisits the 3,000 hit club discussion from last week and then dives into the Astros 2022 season after 23 games. The episode wraps with Andrew, Craig and Rex discussing their favorite "obscure" albums.Errata: The Astros used 32 pitchers in 2021. That Devo song is called "Jocko Homo." Rex's use of "NewWob" is actually "NWOBHM" and stands for New Wave of British Heavy Metal. Hooks & Runs - Website, Twitter, BuzzsproutCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterAndrew Eckhoff on Friendster (dead link)Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on FacebookOpening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved.
Ep. 97 - Were We Too Stupid to Find Out How Phones Work?
The Yankees fought tooth and nail in court to keep "The Letter" sealed -- now it has been leaked and the MLB press uses it to remind everyone the Astros "cheated" to win the 2017 World Series. Or did they? Also this week -- Miguel Cabrera rapped his 3000th career this - who will be next? Did Hooks & Runs jinx Roki Sasaki? The Reds are awful, the A's home attendance is worse and the new Nicholas Cage film.Episodes Mentioned: We first discussed Hecker's Hitters in Episode 75. Our thoughts on reforming the NFL's absurd overtime rules were presented in Episode 84.Errata: Yadier Molina announced last Fall that 2022 would be his final MLB season. Robinson Cano needs more than 240 hits to reach 3,000. Check It Out:Andrew: Nicholas Cage's new film, "The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent"Craig: Kurt Vile's new album, "(watch my moves)" Hooks & Runs Website, Twitter, BuzzsproutCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterAndrew Eckhoff on FriendFeed (dead link)Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on FacebookOpening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved.
Ep. 96 - Is Giving Up an Intentional Walk with the Bases Loaded a Winning Move?
Since 1950, three teams have issued bases loaded intentional walks and in those games, the teams issuing the intentional RBI walk are undefeated. Of course, sample size matters. Nonetheless, Craig and Rex explore this and other amazing stories from the early games in the 2022 baseball season. Hooks & Runs Website, Twitter, BuzzsproutCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterAndrew Eckhoff on Jaiku (dead link)Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on FacebookOpening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved.
Ep. 95 - What Might Have Been for Clayton Kershaw w/ Avery Hamel
Avery Hamel (website) writes at Over the Monster, Girl at the Game, Diamond Digest. She also hosts the Basically Baseball podcast. She joined us this week to discuss the first almost week of games. She also graded my fantasy draft and talked about her new favorite show on Disney + Check It Out:Avery: The new Disney+ series "Moon Knight," starring Oscar Isaac and May .Calamawy Craig: The new album by Father John Misty, " Chloë and The Next 20th Century." Hooks & Runs Website, Twitter, BuzzsproutCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterAndrew Eckhoff on Zoopy (dead link)Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on FacebookOpening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved.
Ep 94 - Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., Is Absolutely Terrifying (AL Preview) w/ Bayleigh Von Schneider
Bayleigh Von Schneider (Twitter) writes at SB Nation's Over the Monster and podcasts -- just about everywhere. She is a Red Sox fan living on the west coast. This week she joins Hooks & Runs for our American League preview. We discussed the Blue Jay's bandwagon effect, The Ray's endless bag of tricks that keep them competitive in the well-heeled east, the Tigers as a potential A.L. sleeper and whether or not the Mariners can overtake Houston in the West, plus a whole lot more. Bayleigh's podcasts are The Pesky Report, Soxy Chicks, Bubbly & Baseball, Sweet Sweet Garbage (movies), Freshly Rotten (movies), and Damn It, Degrassi (the show). Check It Out:Rex: The Brazilian band Massacration, "Metalglara"Bayleigh: Ti West's new film "X"Craig: The new release from Band of Horses, "Things Are Great" Hooks & Runs Website, Twitter, BuzzsproutCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterAndrew Eckhoff on Google Buzz (dead link)Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on FacebookOpening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved.
Ep. 93 - "I'm Just Presuming the Rockies Don't Have a Plan" (NL Preview) w/ Sara Sanchez
Sara Sanchez (on Twitter) returns to Hooks & Runs this week for her 2022 National Preview. Sara writes at Bleed Cubbie Blue and co-hosts that site's podcast, Cuppa Cubbie Blue. Sara is bullish on the Brewers, Dodgers (who isn't), bearish on the Rockies and Pirates (who isn't) and warns not to sleep on the Miami Marlins. Sara is a font of knowledge so take advantage. Craig reveals his '22 pre-season NL picks and why he always picks the Cardinals in the N.L. East.Errata: The Mariners won 116 games in the 2001 season. Check It Out:Craig: Ian Noe's new album, "River Fools & Mountain Saints."Sara: A new network sit-com, "Abbott Elementary" on ABC/Hulu Hooks & Runs Website, Twitter, BuzzsproutCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterAndrew Eckhoff on Kiwibox (dead link)Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on FacebookOpening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved.
Ep. 92 - The Post-Lockout Free Agency Cavalcade
The first week post lockout led to free agent signings galore with now former Astros Carlos Correa and Zach Greinke going to Minnesota and Kansas City respectively. The big names are off the board with Trevor Story heading to Boston, so for Astro fans, all hopes rest with the talented but inexperienced Jeremy Peña. Beyond that, players moving all over, including Freddie Freeman, Kenley Jensen and Kris Bryant.Check It Out:Andrew: "Inferno" by PolyphiaCraig: "In/Out/In" by Sonic YouthRex: "Mind Freeze" by Haunt Hooks & Runs Website, Twitter, BuzzsproutCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterAndrew Eckhoff on Friendster (dead link)Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on FacebookOpening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved.
Ep. 91 - Play Ball!
Craig and Rex discuss the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, Texas A&M's omission from the NCAA Tournament, and more Dolly Parton news. Errata: The MLB post-season expands under the new CBA to 12 teams, not 12 games. Dolly Parton's book, "Run Rose Run" is co-authored by James Patterson. Our Rock & Roll Hall of Fame episode is No. 88. Dolly Parton's recording of "I Will Always Love You" reached No. 1 on the Country Charts two times, originally in 1974 and again in 1982. Whitney released her version in 1992. The Kanye, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé dust-up occurred at the 2009 MTV Music Awards.Check It Out:Rex: Nathan Lowell's book series "The Golden Age of the Clipper Series."Craig: The new release from The Weather Station, "How Is It That I Should Look at the Stars" Hooks & Runs Website, Twitter, BuzzsproutCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterAndrew Eckhoff on Six Degrees (dead link)Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on FacebookOpening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved.
Ep. 90 - We Finally Talk About the Lockout and it Ends Two Days Later, Go Figure
This week we finally dove head first into the lockout's thorniest issues, including the salary cap, universal DH, expanded playoffs, international draft and the draft lottery. Naturally, and thankfully, the players and owners came to an agreement roughly 48 hours later to end the lockout meaning baseball is back! Opening Day has been pushed only to April 7, meaning an abbreviated Spring Training plus what promises to be frenzied activity to sign free agents, including Carlos Correa, Trevor Story and Clayton Kershaw to name three. Good times.Contract and team salary information comes from Cot's Contracts. Highly recommended. All information from the site quoted on the show were accessed March 7, 2022.Errata: The actual quote from Tommy Lasorda is: "No matter how good you are, you're going to lose one-third of your games. No matter how bad you are you're going to win one-third of your games. It's the other third that makes the difference.” It's 16 teams that would not make the playoffs if there were a 14-team playoff, not 15 teams out. Finally, it's "length of the game" or "pace of play," not "length of play." Hooks & Runs Website, Twitter, BuzzsproutCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterAndrew Eckhoff on tribe.net (dead link)Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on FacebookOpening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved.
Ep. 89 - Less About the Individual Song; More About the Brand w/ Mike Ethan Messick
Mike Ethan Messick, quite frankly, is among the very best Texas singer-songwriters and that's saying something. He has quietly released three albums in the last decade plus - "Bootlegger's Turn," "The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday ," and his latest, "How Close We Came." We were happy to have Mike join us this episode to discuss his latest project and his experiences coming up in the Texas A&M music culture in the late 90's & early aughts that gave us Roger Creager, Granger Smith and so many more talented singer-songwriters. We also discussed how streaming, social media and changes in recording technology have impacted Texas music, continuing a popular theme on Hooks & Runs - how different generations consume and relate to music.Mike Ethan Messick on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Amazon. Check It Out:Andrew: Excused AbsenceRex: Riot is coming to San Antonio!Mike Ethan Messick: David Touchton, "Wishing Well" (review), and Joe Tidwell, "Live at the Redbird" (review)Craig: Beach House, "Once Twice Melody," a 2-CD album released on February 18. Hooks & Runs Website, Twitter, BuzzsproutCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterAndrew Eckhoff on Playfire (dead link)Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on FacebookOpening music: "What It Is" by Mike Ethan Messick from the album "How Close We Came." Closing music: "Blue on Blue" by Mike Ethan Messick from the album "How Close We Came." The music for this episode is used with the artist's permission -- all right are reserved to him.This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved.
Ep. 88 -- Please Do Not Burn Down the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
In 2016, Dave Bry wrote an article in The Guardian suggesting the best way to celebrate the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction that year was to go to Cleveland and burn the museum to the ground. Now, that's a little extreme, but let's be honest -- when it comes to the RRHOF there is a little something for everyone to hate. It's too exclusive. It's too inclusive. That's not rock & roll. Why won't you let me play with my old band. The tickets are too damn expensive. And so on. The new crop of RRHOF nominees are out and this week the Hooks & Runs crew cast their vote. And despite what Rex (and Dave Bry), the rock & roll hardliner in the crew says, no, we really do not want you to burn down the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. And yeah, we get it -- that's not a very rock & roll thing to say.Check It Out:Andrew: bbno$ & Rich Brian, "edamame [Miky Woodz Remix]"Rex: Riot Act's new single, "Stand or Fall"Craig: The Menzingers singer, songwriter, guitarist Gregor Barnett's debut solo LP, "Don't Go Throwing Roses in My Grave"Errata: "Jocko Homo," not "Mondo Jocko." That's just embarrassing. Hooks & Runs Website, Twitter, BuzzsproutCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterAndrew Eckhoff on 43 Things (dead link)Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on FacebookOpening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved.
Ep. 87 - Keep your Philandering Discrete and Other Life Lessons from the Show
We did not know what we were getting into when we decided to do a segment on the least valuable careers for MLB Rookie of the Year winners. There are some interesting tales here involving players drafted in other sports, barroom brawlers, errant shaving cream pies, drunken horseplay, hit songs, indiscreet philandering and in some cases, really bad luck. But hey, no matter what happens after, winning the Rookie of the Year Award is something special and they can't take that away. Also, our take on Super Bowl LVI's halftime show.Here is that regional hit single, "Go Joe Charboneau." Bob Hamelin's baseball card is so bad Josh Levin wrote an essay about it at Slate.com. We ranked our best and worst Super Bowl halftime performances in our Episode 50.Check It Out:Andrew: Frank Turner's new album, "FTHC" has hit the streets.Rex: Saxon released their 24th album, "Carpe Diem," earlier this month.Craig: Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder released his first solo album since 2011, "Earthling," last week.Errata: Walt Dropo's hometown is Moosup CT; Dropo was drafted by the BAA's (pre-cursor to the NBA) Providence Steamrollers in 1947, not the mid-1950's; Chris Coghlan hit .372 in the second half of the 2009 season. Hooks & Runs Website, Twitter, BuzzsproutCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterAndrew Eckhoff on Xanga (dead link)Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on FacebookOpening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved.
Ep. 86 - On the Decline in African American Participation in Baseball w/ Kahron Spearman
Kahron Spearman (on Twitter) is a writer, journalist, radio show host and content creator in Austin, Texas. His recent essay, "Why Major League Baseball is Losing Black Players," in The Daily Dot caught our attention and we knew we had to invite him to Hooks & Runs. We had an engaging conversation on this subject plus on the heels of ESPN's Top 100 players in baseball list, how do we assimilate Negro League stars into baseball discussions as a matter of course. That plus a few thoughts on the Texans' hiring Lovie Smith and Check It Out. Check It OutAndrew -- "Murderville" on NetflixCraig -- Anaïs Mitchell's self-titled major label debut, released January 28, 2022.Kahron -- Animal Collective, "Time Skiffs" and J Dilla, "Donuts" Errata: It's Bradford Doolittle, not Brandon.Hooks & Runs Website, Twitter, BuzzsproutCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterAndrew Eckhoff on StumbleUpon (dead link)Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on FacebookOpening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved.
Ep. 85 - Andrew Has Pitchfork in Hand But Is Not Ready to March Just Yet
This week, Andrew, Rex and Craig examine the Hall of Fame baseball writers' vote that saw David Ortiz just over the 75% vote for induction with Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Sammy Sosa, to name three, falling short in in their final year for eligibility. We discuss that trio's possible path to induction as well as this year's six veteran's committee selections. Hooks & Runs reflects upon Jack Powell, the only pitcher in the top ten in career MLB losses that is NOT in the Baseball Hall of Fame. The show concludes with the trio riffing on Ted Gioia's essay in TheAtlantic.com, "Is Old Music Killing New Music?" Spoiler alert! We answer "yes!" but old music has a lot of help.Check It OutRex -- No selectionAndrew -- No selectionCraig -- Ian Noe's single, "Pine Grove" from the upcoming album "River Fools & Mountain Saints," due for release March 25, 2022.Errata: Joe Burrow will be the first quarterback to win a Heisman, a National Championship and a Super Bowl game if his Bengals full off the feat this weekend. The first NFL and still only NFL player to accomplish the feat was Marcus Allen.Hooks & Runs Website, Twitter, BuzzsproutCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterAndrew Eckhoff on Meercat (dead link)Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's) on FacebookOpening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast and this episode are copyrighted by Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved.
Ep 84 - NFL Owners Duking It Out at Midfield and Other Overtime Ideas
This weekend's Kansas City win over Buffalo has people in a fevered frenzy discussing the NFL's archaic overtime rules. In this episode, Andrew, Craig offer their solutions. Also, MLB may not be able to solve their labor woes, but the damn sure can put a stop to Tampa's crazy Sister City scheme with baseball-starved Montreal. Finally a look at team name changes in the American League and other assorted defunct leagues through the decades. Hooks & Runs Website, TwitterCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterAndrew Eckhoff on Google Plus (dead link)Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's) on FacebookOpening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast and episode is copyrighted by Craig Estlinbaum, 2021, all rights reserved.
Ep. 83 - "I Want to See Everything," w/ Rich O'Toole
Texas Country artist Rich O'Toole joins Hooks & Runs again for another episode talking "17 Wild Horses," chili recipes, life on the road and batting practice vs tailgating and more. O'Toole is engaging and informative as usual - you do not want to miss this episode.Rich O'Toole on his Website, Twitter, Instagram, Spotify. Hooks & Runs Website, TwitterCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterAndrew Eckhoff on Friendster (dead link)Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on FacebookOpening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast and episode is copyrighted by Craig Estlinbaum, 2021, all rights reserved.
Ep. 82 - Rube Waddell Would Make A Hell of a Movie w/ Prof. Alan H. Levy
This week we discuss Hall of Fame southpaw, Rube Waddell with his biographer, Professor Alan Levy. Levy, a professor of history at Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania, published, "Rube Waddell: The Zany, Brilliant Life of a Strikeout Artist" in 2000. Waddell was not only one of baseball's most talented pitchers in the first decade of the last century -- he stands out as one of the most colorful and unpredictable personalities as well. Join us for this exciting interview about one of baseball's most interesting personalities. Errata: In 1901, they were the Chicago Orphans, not the Chicago Cubs, as we discussed in Episode 77. Hooks & Runs Website, TwitterCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterAndrew Eckhoff on Rupture (dead link)Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's) on FacebookOpening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast and episode is copyrighted by Craig Estlinbaum, 2021, all rights reserved.
Ep. 81: Bowl Prediction and WAR Draft Results
This week, Craig and Rex score the 2021 Hooks & Runs Bowl Prediction and WAR Draft results and tackle other odds and ends in the sports world. Hooks & Runs Website, TwitterCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterAndrew Eckhoff on MySpace (dead link)Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on FacebookOpening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. Bumper music, "She Sways in the Wind," by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast and episode is copyrighted by Craig Estlinbaum, 2021, all rights reserved. deghD6waHcJk2AoN7Eqc
Ep. 80 - Piano Legs, Sliding Billy, Piggy and Wahoo: Baseball's Oldest Records Pt. 2
This week Andrew and Craig (and Rex) revisit baseball's oldest records -- individual records that date to the 19th Century and are still standing. This week it's most stolen bases in a game, most consecutive at-bats reaching base safely, most career triples and most wild pitches in an inning. Plus, we inadvertently learn a little about Detroit's oldest suburb. In Chapter 2, the bowl season is increasingly in shambles thanks to COVID-19 and other sports are not unaffected which raises the question -- do MLB owners have any incentive to negotiate with COVID back on the march? Hooks & Runs Website, TwitterCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterAndrew Eckhoff on MySpace (dead link)Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on FacebookOpening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. Bumper music, "She Sways in the Wind," by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast and episode is copyrighted by Craig Estlinbaum, 2021, all rights reserved.
Ep 79 - The Hooks & Runs Best of 2021 Year-End Music Review
Hooks and Runs presents their Best of 2021 Year-End Music Review, including our Top Ten albums of 2021, best song, best re-issue, best under-the-radar song, best cover and best video. Artists Recognized: Rise Against, Deafheaven, Silk Sonic, Miko Marks & The Resurrectors, Lucero, Morgan Wade, Adele, The War on Drugs, Little Nas X, The Weather Station, KK's Priest, Bad Bunny, Austin Meade feat. Koe Wetzel, Lilli Lewis, Frank Turner, Gruff Rhys, Rich O'Toole, Taylor Swift, The Pretenders, Parker McCollum, Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit, Brittany Spencer, Phoebe Bridgers, Jackson Wang & Internet Money, and Cousin Wolf.This is "Robber" from our No. 1 record, "Ignorance" by The Weather Station. This is Andrew's favorite video, "Drive You Home," by Jackson Wang & Internet Money. This is "Kevin Elster" by Cousin Wolf, Craig's favorite video. Check out or Best of 2021 playlist on Spotify for all the songs.Episodes Mentioned:Ep. 20, "New York” w/ Rich O'Toole"Ep. 51, "Triathlons w/ Tiffany & Caitlin; Whiskey Jam w/ Ward Guenther"Ep. 72, "Seeing the World Through Baseball w/ Cousin Wolf (Matt Halvorson)"Ep. 75, "If It's Something That Happens, It's Going to Be a Sad Day In Baltimore"Errata: Miko Marks & the Resurrectors, not Revelators. The War on Drugs won a Grammy for Best Rock Album, not Rock Record.Hooks & Runs Website, TwitterCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterAndrew Eckhoff on Google+ (dead link)Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on FacebookOpening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. Bumper music, "She Sways in the Wind," by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast and episode is copyrighted by Craig Estlinbaum, 2021, all rights reserved.
Ep. 78 - The 2021 Bowl Preview w/ Amy Daughters
Author and college football writer (fbschedules.com) Amy Daughters (links below) joins Hooks & Runs this week for our annual bowl preview episode. We also discussed the realignment madness, Sam Houston State's move to FBS and the busy coaching carousel. It goes without saying that the predictions are for entertainment purposes only, so wager at your own risk. Besides, basing your bowl game bets on what you hear in a baseball podcast is just God's way of telling you that you have too much money. In Chapter Two, a look back at "The Natural" (1984).Amy Daughters' websiteAmy Daughters on InstagramAmy Daughters on Twitter Hooks & Runs Website, TwitterCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterAndrew Eckhoff on Google+ (dead link)Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on FacebookOpening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. Bumper music, "She Sways in the Wind," by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast and episode is copyrighted by Craig Estlinbaum, 2021, all rights reserved.
Ep. 77 - Bridegrooms, Orphans and Perfectos! Oh My!
In Chapter One this week, the Houston Rockets' unprecedented winning streak; a big loss by Oklahoma City; and which is more boring - a blowout basketball game or a blowout baseball game? In Chapter Two, Bridegrooms, Orphans and Perfectos, oh my! The gang takes a look at National League team name changes through the decades. In Chapter Three, our review of "Malfunction: The Dressing Down of Janet Jackson," the New York Times produced documentary on the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show incident now streaming on Hulu.Errata - The Astros, not the Rockets, were accused of sign stealing. Jim Rooker did not pitch on the Pirates' World Series winning team in 1971 -- he was a Royal that year. Brooklyn got the nickname "Robins" from their manager, Wilbert Robinson. The reference to "When Doves Cry," was intentional -- the reference to "Off the Wall" was not.Episodes Mentioned:Episode 50 - Modern Spins on Country Themes w/ Angela Stefano Episode 73 - 14 Runs, 7 Hits, 3 Walks, 1 HBP and 5 Senator Errors LaterCheck It Out!Andrew says check out The Great British Bake-Off.Craig says check out his No. 1 song on Spotify Wrapped, "Under the Pressure," by The War on DrugsHooks & Runs Website, TwitterCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterAndrew Eckhoff on Friendster (dead link)Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's) on FacebookOpening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. Bumper music, "She Sways in the Wind," by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast and episode is copyrighted by Craig Estlinbaum, 2021, all rights reserved.
Ep. 76 - A Baseball Season When Hitters Reigned Supreme w/ Lew Freedman
Lew Freedman is a journalist and prolific author whose latest book, "1930: The Story of a Baseball Season When Hitters Reigned Supreme," examines baseball's most offensive season. Teams hit over .310, an entire league hit .300 and pitchers ran for cover. Freedman, who covered sports for the Chicago Tribune and Philadelphia Inquirer, among others. This was a fun discussion about baseball at the lively ball era's height and colorful players like Lefty O'Doul, Babe Ruth, Hack Wilson and Lefty Grove roamed the diamond.In Chapter Two, Andrew and Craig review a busy Thanksgiving week that saw MLB teams spend over half-a-billion dollars on free agents as the CBA deadline looms.Errata: The four-hour long 5-3 game was April 1, 2021 - the Pirates beat the Cubs at Wrigley by that score -- 11 total hits between the two teams plus 15 walks and 1 hit batter. Game time: 4 hours, zero minutes. The Spanish Flu epidemic in the United States took over 600,000 lives according to records. The "Rodriguez" signed by Detroit, of course, is Eduardo Rodriguez.Check It Out!Andrew says check out Frank Turner's new album, "FTHC" and the songs, "Miranda," "Non Serviam," and "Haven't Been Doing So Well."Craig says check out the new documentary from The New York Times, "Malfunction: The Dressing Down of Janet Jackson." The director is Jodi Gomes ("The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty)Hooks & Runs Website, TwitterCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterAndrew Eckhoff on Xanga (dead link)Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's) on FacebookOpening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. Bumper music, "She Sways in the Wind," by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast and episode is copyrighted by Craig Estlinbaum, 2021, all rights reserved.
Ep. 75 - If It's Something That Happens, It's Going to Be a Sad Day In Baltimore
But really now, should Hooks & Runs be trolling the Orioles? In Chapter 1, Andrew and Craig explore Lady Antebellum's rebranding controversy, MLB's major award winners, and Justin Verlander's deal with the Astros. In Chapter 2, they kick off a series on baseball records that are over 100 years old, and in Chapter 3, a nostalgic look back to Pearl Jam's "Ten" and Nirvana's "Nevermind," released 30 years ago this late summer, early fall.Errata: Lady A's first band was known as " Lady A & the Baby Blues Funk Band." Craig is correct; Bill Virdon managed the Astros in 1980. Bob Lillis replaced him during the 1982 season, then Hal Lanier led Houston to the ALCS in his first year as Houston's manager in 1986. Bill Joyce was a player-manager, common in the 19th century. Allan Travers got paid $50.00, not $25.00 like the other players. Then is was called St. Joseph's College, not university. Roger Clemens became the first to strikeout 20 in a nine-inning game on April 29, 1986.Check It Out!Andrew says check out Taylor Swift's "Red (Taylor's Version)."Craig says check out Courtney Barnett's "Things Take Time, Take Time."Rex says check out Riot Act's new song, "Wanted."Hooks & Runs Website, TwitterCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterAndrew Eckhoff on FriendFeed (dead link)Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on FacebookOpening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. Bumper music, "She Sways in the Wind," by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast and episode is copyrighted by Craig Estlinbaum, 2021, all rights reserved.
Ep. 74 - Roller Derby & Sci-Fi & Coaching Carousels & Moneyball
Andrew and Craig begin the episode with Q & A; from the college football coaching carousel to early free agent signings to the Rockets' futility to the roller derby's Guardians' lawsuit against baseball's guardians to Carlos Correa's status to progress (or not) on baseball's collective bargaining negotiations. From there, chapter two looks back at the film "Moneyball," ten years after its release.Errata: The Cleveland Buckeyes played in the Negro American League, not the Negro National League; Oakland won 103 games in 2002, not 101; Cleveland broke the A's AL consecutive wins record in 2017 with 22 straight wins; while Jeremy Giambi was out of the Majors in 2003; he played 52 minor league games in 2004-05. Check It Out!Andrew says DON'T check out the new film "The Eternals;" watch "The Outlaw Josey Wales" instead.Craig says check out the new self-titled album by Golden & Rust (Lew Card and Joey Kneiser).Rex says check out "Dune," the new film starring Timothée ChalametHooks & Runs Website, TwitterCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterAndrew Eckhoff on Friendster (dead link)Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's) on FacebookOpening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. Bumper music, "She Sways in the Wind," by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast and episode is copyrighted by Craig Estlinbaum, 2021, all rights reserved.
Ep. 73 - 14 Runs, 7 Hits, 3 Walks, 1 HBP and 5 Senator Errors Later
This week, Andrew and Craig take a final, wistful look at the 2021 World Series and are happy they do not have to spend to off-season grousing over a blown call or single lost opportunity They also review the crowded free agent shortstop field, Justin Verlander's possible return to Houston and Buster Posey's retirement. In Chapter 2, a look at baseball's biggest innings, starting with a 17 run inning in Boston in the early 50's and wrapping up with a crazy 14-run inning in Griffith Stadium in 1920. In Chapter 3, Led Zeppelin's fourth album turned 50 on November 8th -- do we really care? Errata: The Astros offered Carlos Correa a 5-year deal, not a 6-year deal. Check It Out!Andrew says check out Eric Jager's book, "The Last Duel: A True Story of Crime, Scandal, and Trial by Combat in Medieval France," now a major motion picture starring Matt Damon. Craig says check out the new album by The War On Drugs, "I Don't Live Here Anymore," and the songs "Change" and "Occasional Rain."Hooks & Runs Website, TwitterCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterAndrew Eckhoff on MySpace (dead link)Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's) on FacebookOpening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. Bumper music, "She Sways in teh Wind," by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast is copyrighted by Craig Estlinbaum, 2021, all rights reserved.
Ep. 72 - Seeing the World Through Baseball w/ Cousin Wolf (Matt Halvorson)
As World Series, Game Six gets underway, Craig and Andrew welcome Cousin Wolf, the indie-folk music project by Matt Halvorson, a Seattle-based musician, songwriter, artist, and activist. Cousin Wolf has released videos and songs this year about some interesting, compelling baseball players - players like Jackie Robinson, Lou Gehrig, Carl Mays to name three. These songs, nine ultimately, will be released in the album, "Nine Innings," next year. You can hear the songs on Cousin Wolf's website (see the link above), buy the songs on his Bandcamp page, and see his videos on his YouTube page. Wolf/Halvorson, is thoughtful, creative, relatable and a stone-cold baseball fan -- all characteristics we love at Hooks & Runs. In part two, Andrew and I analyze the World Series's first five games that left Houston trailing three games to two coming back to the Juice Box. We know how that ends though so ... enough about that.Thank you Cousin Wolf for permission to use "Kevin Elster" and "Roger Maris" on the show. All rights are reserved to the artist.Errata: The song clip after the interview is from "Roger Maris," not "Lou Gehrig." Kevin Elster hit 24 home runs in 1996, not 25.Our Guest:Matt Halvorson on TwitterCousin Wolf on Twitter, SpotifyShow MentionsThis Daniel Okrent's book "Nine Innings," which is referenced in the show.Frank Turner, "Love Forty Down" on YouTube.Check It Out!Andrew says check out Keshi, "Beside You" Craig says check out My Morning Jacket, "In Color" from their new self-titled LP..Rex says check out Tygers of Pang, "White Lines"Hooks & Runs Website, TwitterCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterAndrew Eckhoff on MySpace (dead link)Rex von Pohl (Krazy Karl's) on FacebookOpening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast is copyrighted by Craig Estlinbaum, 2021, all rights reserved.
Ep. 71 - The Quest for a Gentleman's C
In this episode, Craig and Andrew break down the Astros vs Braves World Series. Not surprisingly, both predict the Astros to win but not entirely without reservation. In the second segment Andrew grades Craig's pre-season individual award selections. Craig's picks from Episode 55.Check It Out!Craig: Miko Marks & the Resurrectors, "Race Records" on SpotifyAndrew: Nothing More, "Fade In/Fade Out" (Abbey Road acoustic) on SpotifyPrevious Episodes Referenced:Ep. 55 - The New York Mets and the N. L. East w/ Allison McCague Social MediaCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterHooks & Runs Website, TwitterEmail: hooksandruns@protonmail.comMusic: "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.Sound & Production: Rex von PohlEditing: Craig Estlinbaum Copyright Craig Estlinbaum 2021, All Rights Reserved.
Ep. 70 - Hooks & Runs Returns!
Hooks & Runs' one-month summer hiatus turned into almost four but we're back, now recording live at Shades Nightclub, in west Bay City. In this episode, Craig and guest co-host Andrew look at the League Championship Series that we now know produced a Houston Astro vs Atlanta Brave World Series. Also, a foray into the inevitable Babe Ruth vs Shohei Ohtani comparison plus Andrew grades Craig's preseason predictions. Previous episodes referenced:Ep. 53 - The Colorado Rockies & the NL West w/ Noah YinglingEp. 54 - The Seattle Mariners & The A.L. West w/ Ryota NishinoEp. 55 - The New York Mets and the N. L. East w/ Allison McCagueEp. 56 - The Chicago White Sox & the A. L. Central /w Brett BallantiniEp. 58 - The Toronto Blue Jays & the A. L. East w/ A. J. AndrewsEp. 59 - The Chicago Cubs & the N. L. Central w/ Sara SanchezSocial MediaCraig Estlinbaum on TwitterHooks & Runs Website, TwitterEmail: hooksandruns@protonmail.comMusic: "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.Sound & Production: Rex von PohlEditing: Craig Estlinbaum
Ep. 68 - Do We Have Your Attention?
Lot's on the plate this episode ... the Astros are riding high with a 10-game winning streak; the Giants just keep winning; a fun college baseball trivia game; Carl Nassib doesn't want attention and a look at the NBA conference finals.
Ep 67 - He's Leading the Majors in Walks While Hitting .157
Chapter 1 - Fun With Statistics. The Astros wrapped up a 6-3 road trip wherein they hit .325 and are looking ahead to a key 4-games series back home against the White Sox. Also, strange statistics from Yasmani Grandal, Jacob deGrom and, of course, Shohei Ohtani. Why did so many people attend Johnny Vander Meer's second no-hitter, remembering former Astro Tim Tolman and a look at spin rates. Chapter 2 - When the Legend Becomes Fact, Print the Legend. A look at the controversial casting decision in Channel 5's mini-series "Anne Boleyn" and separating truth from myth at the Alamo.The episode with our review of "Hamilton?" That's Episode 22
Ep 66 - People are Hungry for Live Music w/ Cillea Houghton
With concert tours and festival announcements coming down the pike almost daily, Hooks & Runs turns to Cillea Houghton, a Nashville-based freelance writer and creator. She writes about the country music scene mostly--her work has been featured in No Depression, Variety, USA Today, Taste of Country, Sounds Like Nashville just to name a few. She joins Eric and Craig this week to talk country music, including artists returning to the road, the 2021 festival scene, and the uncertain future for independent venues. They also discussed some new and emerging artists in Nashville plus Alan Jackson and Randy Travis weighing in on the age old question--What is or is not country music anyway? Cillea provide some new perspectives and a breath of fresh--don't miss this one!In Chapter Two, Eric & Craig talk about Rob Zombie's new project (a much anticipated Munsters reboot), The Floyd Mayweather, Logan Paul exhibition fight, The latest Roger Waters, David Gilmour feud, and baseball. This week's topics included the Astros 5-4 homestand just completed, possible new team names for the Cleveland Indians, an update on the 2021 Hooks & Runs WAR draft and struggles for the Diamondbacks.
Ep. 63 - I Want Anthony Rizzo Chirpin' at Freddie Freeman w/ Kevin Edelson (Closer Monkey)
Sit and Listen To It Rain!In this episode Eric and Craig welcomed Kevin Edelson from Closer Monkey, one of our favorite websites. Closer Monkey tracks all 30 MLB bullpens and meticulously tracks the bullpen hierarchies. We discussed dozens of closers, past closers and potential future closers plus trends like position players taking the mound, closers in free agency and more. If you are a fantasy players, and especially a daily fantasy players, do not sleep on this website and service.Chapter 2 - Crosstown Traffic. In Chapter 2, Eric and Craig examine the surprising Albert Pujols to the Dodgers deal, The injury bug hits the Dodgers and Mets, the return of the broken hand after punching the dugout wall, the Astros are playing great baseball and a look at the red-hot Giants and the ice-cold Twins.Chapter 3 - The Marfa Tapes. In Chapter 3, Eric and Craig review the great new record by Miranda Lambert, Jack Ingram and Jon Randall, "The Marfa Tapes."
Ep 61 - Dodger Stadium Should Not Exist w/ Eric Nusbaum
Eric Nusbaum published a compelling first book last Spring, "Stealing Home; Los Angeles, the Dodgers and the Lives Caught in Between"---the story how Los Angeles condemned and violently evicted families in three Mexican-American neighborhoods to give to the Dodgers. This week, Nusbaum joins us to talk about his wonderful book and how clearly this almost forgotten story from L.A.'s past resonates in these times. Do not sleep on this book!In Chapter Two, another week in baseball with the up-and-down Astros showing signs of life following their COVID-related slump. The Astros top-5 prospects have been assigned to Minor League teams as that season finally begins this week. Eric and Craig take a deep dive into the baseball-wide hitting slump that has driven batting averages below and strikeout rates above the 1968 season---heretofore the standard for offensive futility. Only Mike Trout and a few others so far seem immune to the pitchers' wiles.The chapter ends with Eric and Craig riffing on a recent Cubs/Braves blowout that saw the Cubs bring in three position players to pitch. The duo also looked at Jay Jaffee's "Position Players are Suddenly -- and Probably Fleetingly -- Decent at Pitching," (Fangraphs, April 30) to discuss trends in this strange but at times highly entertaining baseball phenomenon (do you ever see linebackers come in to take snaps under center in blowouts)?In Chapter Three, Eric and Craig take on George Varga's article in the San Diego Union Tribune that asks if we really need more octogenarian rock stars? The article is "Bob Dylan and Charlie Watts Will Soon Turn 80. More Music Legends are Rocking Out Past Retirement Age," published April 25.
Ep. 59 - The Chicago Cubs & the N. L. Central w/ Sara Sanchez
This week Hooks & Runs wraps up its series on the six MLB divisions with Sara Sanchez who discusses the Chicago Cubs, the division and a quick "real or mirage" game with a few hot starters. Sanchez is a contributing writer at Bleed Cubbie Blue, podcasts at Cuppa Cubbie Blue and is a contributor at FanGraphs. In Chapter Two, Eric and Craig lament the Astros COVID-19 troubles and the current losing streak, take on some interesting experimental rule changes proposed for the independent Atlantic League, the NFL's new numbering rules and high school class song mania.
Ep. 52 - I Dig Attitude More Than the Sound of It w/ Country Westerns
Country Westerns self-titled debut album released last summer and later landed on many best-of 2020 lists, including our own (Ep. 43). This week we have the Country Westerns - guitarist Joey Plunket, drummer Brian Kotzur and bassist Sabrina Rush - who talked about the winding road that brought them together, the band's progress to the Fat Possum record deal and their debut album, and musician life during COVID-19. We also found out they are baseball fans -- Joey grew up with the Braves, Brian the Astros and Sabrina the Cubs (that collective heartache must drive their music, right?). Find this wonderful album on Amazon and Bandcamp or if possible, your local independent record store. Buy this record, put it on repeat and thank us later if you haven't listened already -- and go see their show when the road clears.In Chapter Two, and early look at Spring Training after the first weekend of games. Also, Eduardo Rodriguez returns after missing the 2020 season with COVID-19 complications and looked strong in his first simulated game., Scott Kazmir returns to MLB as a Giant non-roster invitee, hoping to make a Major League Roster for the first time since 2016. There is also the Spring Training 20-pitch rule, evaluating the major free agent signings and, out of the blue, our take (and Craig's wife's) take on J. J. Watt signing with the Cardinals.In Chapter Three, Taylor Swift re-recorded her smash hit single "Love Story" and the entire second album from which it originates, "Fearless," which releases in Spring. Love Story had predictable immediate success on the country charts so Swift wins another round, in a big and sobering way, against her longtime nemesis Scooter Braun and former record label, Big Machine. No doubt, to be continued!.
Ep 51 - Triathlons w/ Tiffany & Caitlin; Whiskey Jam w/ Ward Guenther
After a week in deep freeze and power adventures that shuttered last week's episode, Hooks & Runs returns with two interviews. First up, Tiffany and Caitlin Saunders, hometown extreme racers now residing in Austin. For several years now, Tiff and Cait have traveled the country and globe competing in Ironman competitions. We talked with them about the progression from beginner racer to Ironman, their travels to South Africa to compete in the 2018 Ironman World Championships, swimming in the frigid Indian Ocean, and racing at Daytona (without the cars).Whiskey Jam is a major independent music showcase in Nashville known for helping break artists like Maren Morris, Jon Pardi and Brother Osborne. Whiskey Jam founder Ward Guenther joins us on Hooks & Runs this week as the showcase enters its second decade. Guenther also hosts two shows on Apple Radio -- The Ward Guenther Show and Country Roads. This interview offers a fun insider's view on how young artists struggle for exposure in the competitive Nashville market.In Chapter 3, Eric and Craig offer their thoughts on the 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees.
Ep. 50 - Modern Spins on Country Themes w/ Angela Stefano
Eric and Craig this week continue their interest in how fans engage, interact and consume music in the streaming age. Today's guest, Angela Stefano, editor in chief of TheBoot.com, a leading Nashville-based country and Americana music blog, has some interesting ideas about the subject. The discussion begins with Eric Church's recent announcement on releasing three separate albums in April and how that might be received as the album as a stand-alone art form has diminished importance. From there, the discussion moved to country album tracks that catch fan's interest, becoming a popular fan-favorite "deep track." The interview wraps with the trios take on Blake Shelton's new single "Minimum Wage," and the challenge artists have employing traditional country themes in the social media age.In Chapter Two, "At the Half," Eric and Craig present their all-time best and worst Super Bowl halftime performances. As regular listeners might imagine, there isn't much agreement between the two co-hosts but the dialog takes a nice walk down memory lane with Super Bowl halftimes past -- the good, the bad and the ugly.In Chapter Three, "Cardinal Steal," Eric and Craig talk about the week's baseball news, including the Nolan Arenado trade, the Trevor Bauer signing, the Myles Straw MLB.com radio interview.
Ep. 47 - They Were All in Love with Songs w/ Tamara Saviano
Our guest this week is Tamara Saviano, author, journalist, publicist and Grammy-nominated record producer, who is releasing this spring her documentary about Guy and Susanna Clark called "Without Getting Killed or Caught." Saviano, a long-time friend and collaborator with the Clarks has made a wonderful film that tells the story how Clark and his contemporaries like Townes Van Zandt, Rodney Crowell, Steve Earle and others created an influential songwriting community in Nashville and in Texas in the 1970's. But of greater importance, Saviano's film brings to the fore and highlights Susanna Clark, an accomplished songwriter and artist in her own right. The documentary stars Academy-Award winning actor Sissy Spacek, who gives voice to Susanna throughout the film. We also discussed some challenges making the a documentary such as this and releasing one during a worldwide pandemic. This will be a must-see film for us at Hooks & Runs -- click on the links above for more information.Chapter 2 - Hall of Famer Hank Aaron passed away last week at age 86. We look back on his legendary career and amazing life, including his chase for the record-breaking 715th career home run that spanned from the final games in 1973 to the first week in the 1974 season. Aaron faced and overcame not only intense publicity generated by the elongated home run chase, but also racially motivated attacks and death threats. Co-host Craig was a pre-teen in these years and talks about his memories living through that exciting time. It's been a rough stretch for baseball fans -- ten Hall of Fame players have passed away since April 2020, including two former Astros - Joe Morgan and Don Sutton. Losing Hank Aaron really hurts.Chapter 3 - The baseball hot stove is heating up as the Cactus and Grapefruit League seasons are around the corner. We examine George Springer's contract with Toronto and how other free agents who signed $100 million contracts after turning 31 have fared. It isn't pretty. Eric and Craig also discuss Kirby Yates to Toronto, Michael Brantley to Toronto, no wait, back to Houston, The Jameson Taillon trade from Pittsburgh to the Yankees and Brad Hand signing with Washington for more money that Washington would have had to pay Hand had they just claimed him off waivers back in November. Baseball signings and trades are just getting started - this will be a regular feature 'til Opening Day.
Ep. 46 - A Journey Through the Negro Leagues w/ Larry Lester
Larry Lester, the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) Negro League Committee Chair and co-founder of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City joined us for an exclusive interview this week.Lester, also a prolific author Harry Chadwick Award winner for his exhaustive research into Negro Leagues history, spoke about Major League Baseball's long overdue recognition of the Negro Leagues as Major League Baseball. We discussed the process taken to compile Negro League statistics that will be merged into National and American League statistics. We discussed with Lester legendary players from the Negro Leagues like Josh Gibson, Cool Papa Bell and native Texan, Willie "The Devil" Wells and others. Lester chairs the annual Jerry Malloy Negro League Conference which will be in Birmingham in late July. He has also written and edited numerous Negro League biographies, anthologies and historical non-fiction books that are available on Amazon. Lester is a treasure trove of information about this fascinating time in Major League history - we could have talked for hours!We wrapped up the episode discussing Houston's troubled pro sports scene, including the James Harden trade and Rocket rebuild, the Texans' disgruntled star quarterback and tumultuous front office, and the Astro's signings and arbitration status as George Springer prepares to land elsewhere in free agency (looks like Toronto).
Ep. 45A - Shavermetrics w/ Scott Russell and Bill "Spaceman" Lee (Radio Edit)
In this episode Eric and Craig interviewed author Scott Russell. Russell has released an authorized biography, "The Spaceman Chronicles: The Life of the Earthling Named Bill Lee," about, unsurprisingly, Bill "Spaceman" Lee -- not only a talented pitcher but perhaps more notably among the most colorful characters in Major League Baseball history, As it happened, Bill Lee phoned in to the show a few minutes into the interview (the first Hook & Runs call-in ever!) and hilarity ensued. Let's see, the quartet covered Lee's stellar 14-year career, the infamous Red Sox collapse of 1978, Lee's later resurgence in Montreal, changing the locks on Bob Dylan's house in Malibu, Lee's recipe for a return civility to our culture and whether sabermetrics or shavermetrics makes for better pitching outcomes. And there's much, much more! Lee and Russell were a treat to have on the show and Russell's book is a must-read for anyone who wants to relive (or live for the first time) the crazy world that was 1970's Major League Baseball - especially Lee's corner of it.Incidentally, you can buy the book on Amazon (see link above) or through the publisher, Stillwater River Publications of Pawtucket RI. Interested in a Bill Lee autographed copy? We're told emailing info@stillwaterbooksri.com is a good first step toward obtaining one.Also, Craig recently discovered the raging social media controversy -- whether or not beans belong in chili. It goes without saying Eric has been on top of it from day one. Eric and Craig work their way through the matter, eventually settling on a possible resolution, but as this is typed, that resolution is been found wanting. This topic will likely be revisited next week.
Ep. 44 - The Genre is Out of the Bottle w/ Adam Gussow
Hooks & Runs welcomes Adam Gussow, Professor of English and Southern Studies at the University of Mississippi, musician & recording artist and author of "Whose Blues? Facing Up to Race and the Future of Music" (North Carolina Press, 2020). Gussow's book is a virtual social and cultural encyclopedia covering blues history from its earliest days to the present where blues music is omnipresent around the globe. In this interview we tackle both the ongoing debate about who owns music as well as riffing on stories about blues legends like Robert Johnson, Son House through to modern blues artists like Southern Avenue and Shemekia Copeland. This was a fun, informative interview - don't miss out!In Chapter Two, Eric and Craig report the results from the Hooks & Runs Bowl Challenge with minimal gloating from Eric. They also discuss the Texas Longhorn program after Tom Herman was let go following a 32-point bowl win over Colorado and after the controversial decision to hire as his replacement Steve Sarkisian, Alabama's offensive coordinator.
Ep. 43 - The Hooks & Runs Year-End Music Review
In this, the final episode before season 2 begins next week, Eric and Craig review their top albums from 2020 along with some favorite songs, favorite under the radar albums, most disappointing albums and top cover songs. We know 2020 has been tough on everyone and appreciate everyone who listened and made our first year a success. Have a safe and happy new year and all the best for 2021!
Ep. 36 - 11,341 Miles, 123 Cups of Coffee and the Wax Pack w/ Brad Balukjian
In this episode we welcome our guest Brad Balukjian, scientist, journalist, champion of the underdog and author of the 2020 best seller "The Wax Pack: On the Open Road in Search of Baseball’s Afterlife." In 2015, Balukjian started with a single pack of baseball cards and criss-crossed the country in a quest to find the players in the pack. Balulkjian turned the road trip into an L.A. Times best selling book earlier this year and he joins us this week to talk about the experience and the book.Also, the Jeff Luhnow lawsuit filed against the Houston Astros for breach of contract brings the scandal to a new level and opens the potential to finally learn the truth about what looks from afar like a poorly conceived and executed cover-up. Also, Eric and Craig reconsider Kevin Costner's Academy Award winning masterpiece "Dance With Wolves" 30 years after its release earlier this week.For more information on Brad Balukjian and his book, visit bradbalukjian.com, waxpackbook.com and on Twitter, @waxpackbook. Opening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved.
Ep. 34 - If You Take Batting Practice There You're Gonna Have to Fight Rattlesnakes w/ Bill Rogan
Eric and Craig interview Bill Rogan, author of "Life Ain't The Same In The Pecos League: A Rookie Manager Navigates Baseball's Most Notorious Independent League." Rogan, an author, broadcaster, journalist and life-long baseball fanatic, managed the Tucson Saguaros in the Pecos League in 2019 and wrote this book about the experience. Bill has a million stories from that experience -- we appreciate him sharing a few with us.In Chapter 2, we examine new reporting on the MLB sign stealing episode following former Astro GM Jeff Luhnow's interview with a local television station and speculate how MLB's failures in the matter might lead to problems for the game in 2021. Opening and closing music, "Caroline" by Craig Estlinbaum. All rights reserved.This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2022, all rights reserved.