Back When There Was Baseball

Jim Price passed away on August 7, 2023. I conducted this interview with Jim in April of 2021. We are re-airing this as a tribute to his life and career. Jim Price is our guest this week. He is currently the color analyst for Detroit Tigers radio broadcasts and has been announcing for almost 30 years. Jim was a member of the 1968 World Series Champion Detroit Tigers. He came out of Hershey (PA) High School to play in the Pittsburgh Pirates minor league system. Jim was acquired by the Tigers in April of 1967 and made his MLB debut that year. He also was instrumental in the founding of the charity Jack's Place for Autism. Listen in as Jim discusses his baseball career as a player and also as an announcer.

Bob Lacey joins me on the podcast this week. Bob was drafted by the Oakland A's in 1972 at the start of the A's dynasty. Bob made it up to the parent club roster in 1977 after the team was dismantled. Bob had some really good years on the mound for the A's from 1977-1980 when they were rebuilding. You have to look at not only a player/pitcher's statistics, but on what type team they played on. When you look at Bob Lacey, he had some productive seasons with a below-par ball club. We go Back When There Was Baseball this week into the mid-late 1970s with our guest Bob Lacey.

Pitcher Dick Bosman is our guest this week on the podcast. Dick had a very good MLB career on mostly poor teams. Dick was the Washington Senators opening day pitcher for four consecutive seasons and that says something! He threw a no-hitter for the Cleveland Indians on July 19, 1974 against the powerful Oakland A's. He then finished his career with the three-time World Champion A's. Listen as Dick recalls some great stories Back When There Was Baseball.

This week, we are going back to the 45th anniversary of "Birdmania". For those who don't remember, this was in 1976 with Mark "The Bird" Fidrych setting Tiger Stadium in a frenzy with his pitching performance and antics on the mound. Fidrych passed away in 2009, but we have his personal catcher, Bruce Kimm, to talk about that magical season of 1976 for the Detroit Tigers and "The Bird". Kimm caught Fidrych at Evansville (AAA) in 1975 and followed that up in 1976 as his personal catcher on his starts for the Detroit Tigers. Bruce Kimm has gone unnoticed in years past, but we recognize the importance he had in being "The Bird's" battery mate. Listen in as we go back 45 years to that magical season of 1976 and "Birdmania". Open configuration options

Pitcher Danny Boone was the lightest pitcher to pitch in MLB history. He is listed in the stats at 5'8" tall and 150 lbs. Dan will relate that he was closer to 130 lbs. Dan is a descendant of THE Daniel Boone. His first name is Danny, even though MLB, along with other statistical websites, list it as Daniel. Danny started out in the California Angels farm system in 1977. He got his chance in 1981 after he was released by the Angels and signed by the San Diego Padres. Dan had a good season in 1981, but he was always told he was too small and didn't throw hard enough. That is very interesting as he was the top pitcher for the Padres in 1981 for strike outs per nine innings (Top 12 pitchers by innings). Dan also had an 8-year hiatus before coming back and pitching with the Baltimore Orioles in 1990. Enjoy this trip Back When There Was Baseball with our guest Danny Boone.

Our guest this week is Frank DiPino. Frank pitched with several teams and was very effective, mostly through the 1980s. He started out with Milwaukee and unfortunately was traded before appearing in the 1982 World Series. He then played with Houston and was traded in the middle of the 1986 season before he was able to appear in the NLCS against the N.Y. Mets. Frank played effectively in the league from 1981-1993 with an ERA under 4.00 and a record close to .500. Frank has some great stories, so sit back and listen Back When There Was Baseball.

Our guest this week is Ron Stone, former Philadelphia Phillies outfielder from 1969-1972. Ron started his career in the Baltimore Orioles organization, then was chosen by the Kansas City A's in the Rule 5 MLB draft in 1966. He played 26 games for the A's and had good numbers, but the A's sent him back to the Orioles in July of that same year. He was blessed to be traded to the Phillies in 1969 where he would get a chance to play. Ron played in the last Phillies game at Connie Mack Stadium (1970), then opened up Veterans Stadium the next year on the new "artificial turf". Take a trip with us Back When There Was Baseball to 1970, Ron Stone's best year of his MLB career.

We go back in the time machine this week to the late-1960s through the mid-1970s with our guest Bobby Valentine. You should recognize that name, but maybe as an MLB manager. We focus on his playing career this week. Bobby was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1968 as the 5th overall pick. He was sent to rookie ball in Ogden, Utah, along with teammates Bill Buckner, Tom Paciorek, and Steve Garvey, to name a few, and Tommy Lasorda managed that team. Bobby got to the Big Leagues quickly, but his career was marred by injuries. He could play multiple positions, and before the injuries, he could run and hit well. Bobby was destined to be an outstanding player, but as we often discuss on this podcast, he had to overcome numerous injuries. Please look at the image below of an old knee brace. This is a replica of the one Bobby wore during his career. Join us as we go Back When There Was Baseball with Bobby Valentine.

We are privileged to have long-time American League umpire Al Clark as our guest this week. Al umpired from 1976-2001 and was a member of the umpiring crew in the 1978 AL East one-game playoff in Fenway Park between the Red Sox and Yankees (the famous Bucky Dent HR game). Al also umpired in the 1983 and 1989 World Series. You will not want to miss his discussion of that 1978 playoff game and the "Earthquake" World Series. Al Clark is the only umpire in MLB history of Jewish descent and was the only umpire to wear his name on his cap from 1976-1999 (AL). Al is very generous with his time and always an honor to interview. Open configuration options Open configuration options

There were only three players in MLB history that started the year in the Minor Leagues and made the MLB All-Star game. Our guest his week, Bill Dawley, was one of them. Bill started in the Cincinnati Reds farm system in 1976 and finally got his shot in the Big Leagues when traded to the Houston Astros. He had a good 3-year stint with Houston from 1983-1985 compiling a 22-13 record with 21 saves all out of the bullpen. Bill shares some great stories when we travel back to the 1980s on Back When There Was Baseball.

Our guest this week is Tom Carroll, who played most of his career in the Cincinnati Reds system. Tom was a 6th-round draft choice in 1970 out of North Allegheny High School in Wexford, PA. He worked his way up the ladder as a pitcher and finally got his call up to the majors in 1974 at the age of 21. When Don Gullett fractured his thumb in 1975, Tom was called up and was a major part of the Reds' 1975 World Series-winning team. Unfortunately for Tom, injuries curtailed his career. Join us Back When There Was Baseball as Tom talks about those great years playing for the Reds.

We are discussing utility infielders on today's podcast. When you think of utility infielders in the 1970s era, Jack Brohamer comes to mind. Utility infielders are a special breed. They do not play every day. They are asked to pinch hit, pinch run and also enter a game in the latter innings for defensive purposes. These players come into a game cold and are asked to perform at the highest of levels. Jack played in the Majors from 1972-1980 with the Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, and Boston Red Sox. He factored into the Red Sox 1978 season, where they tied for first place in the AL East with the NY Yankees. He was also the only player to hit a home run in shorts. Listen as Jack describes what it was like being a utility infielder Back When There Was Baseball.

Our guest this week is Juan Berenguer, better known as Senor Smoke, El Gasolino, the Panama Express, or Pancho Villa. Juan was the first Panamanian baseball player to win a World Series, and he won two (Detroit 1984 and Minnesota 1987). He started with the New York Mets in the late 1970s but became an outstanding relief pitcher for the Twins and Braves toward the latter part of his career. We hope you enjoy this talk with Juan as he relives that 1984 Detroit Tigers championship, along with the 1987 Twins championship and the Atlanta Braves run in the early 1990s.

We are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 1973 Oakland A's ball club this week with our guest Nancy Finley. The A's won the World Series 3 consecutive years (1972-1974), and Nancy was a part of these seasons. Nancy is the daughter of GM Carl Finley and the niece of owner Charlie Finley. She shares stories about those years, along with the rebuilding of the A's in the early 1980s. Nancy also wrote a book entitled Finley Ball, which focuses on the years starting with Kansas City, the move to Oakland, and culminating with the three world championships.

We are blessed to have one of the greatest pitching coaches of all time with us this week. Leo Mazzone joins us to talk about his career as a pitching coach and how he was able to keep the Atlanta Braves in contention each year with his stable pitchers. In the 1990s, it was Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and John Smoltz, along with a 4th pitcher throughout the decade. He talks about not only the top three but also how he was able to consistently have a 4th starter. Leo also talks about what he learned from Johnny Sain Back When There Was Baseball.

We are privileged to speak with pitcher Joe Sambito this week. Joe took part in two of the best League Championship series in history (1980 NLCS Phillies/Astros and 1986 ALCS Angels/Red Sox). He became a left-handed short relief specialist for the Astros and overcame arm trouble to work his way back and help the Boston Red Sox get to the World Series in 1986. Sit back and listen to Joe talk about working his way to the big leagues and how he adapted into the short relief specialist role he succeeded in during the late 1970s through the early 1980s.

Our guest this week is the 1965 National League Rookie of the Year. His name is Jim Lefebvre, and he played with the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1965-1972, then continued his career in Japan for four more years. Jim also managed the Mariners, Cubs, and Brewers, as well as the Chinese National Team. He has some great insight into his playing and managing days both in the States and the Far East and the comparisons between the game when he played it compared with today.

Don Money joins us on the podcast this week. Don played in the Majors from 1968-1983. He started out in the Pittsburgh Pirate organization but got his break when he was traded to the Phillies. He was a shortstop in the organization but later moved to 3rd Base to make room for Larry Bowa. Don was traded at the end of the 1972 season to the Milwaukee Brewers, where he finished his career. Don was able to play all of the infield positions along with DH. He was part of that great Brewers team in 1982 that lost to the Cardinals in the World Series in 7 games. Enjoy Don revisit his career when we go Back When There Was Baseball.

Do you remember the Disco Demolition Night in 1979? If so, the crew chief of that event is our guest this week. His name is Dave Phillips, and he was an umpire in the American League from 1971-2002. Dave recalls that event in Comiskey Park, along with his ejection of Gaylord Perry for throwing an illegal pitch and other events in a long umpiring career. Sit back and enjoy Dave talk about the stories from Back When There Was Baseball.

This week on Back When There Was Baseball, Rex and Steve take a look back at a "control/finesse" pitcher, which you don't see very often in today's game. His name is Charlie Leibrandt and he pitched in the majors from 1979 through 1993 with the Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals, Atlanta Braves and Texas Rangers. He appeared in 5 games (starting 4) of the 1985 ALCS and World Series, throwing 31 2/3 innings. He also pitched in the 1991 and 1992 postseason. Listen and relive those great baseball years from the late 1970s through the early 1990s.

American League Umpire, Bill Haller, passed away on August 20, 2022. We are re-airing this podcast conducted in 2020 as a tribute to Bill. Bill umpired in the American League for 21 years (1961, 1963-1982) and is considered one of the best umpires in MLB history. You can still see the iconic Earl Weaver "incident" on YouTube where Bill was mic'd for an upcoming documentary. We were very blessed to share an interview with Bill as he discussed the game of baseball as it was when he umpired, compared to the game today. He shared many stories during his career that are priceless. Bill was a one-of-a-kind, downright genuine person and was very candid in this interview. Sit back and enjoy Back When There Was Baseball!

We have a rare treat for you this week. Our guest played with Willie Mays, Orlando Cepeda, Ted Williams, Pete Rose, Frank Robinson, Tony Oliva, Harmon Killebrew, and Rod Carew, to name a few. His name is Al Worthington, and he pitched in the Majors from 1953-1969. He was in the dugout when Willie Mays made that great catch in the 1954 World Series and with the Giants when they moved from New York to San Francisco. Al also played in another World Series with the Minnesota Twins in 1965. When his career ended, he got into coaching and guided Liberty University for 13 seasons with a career record of 343-189-1. Enjoy this look Back When There Was Baseball with our esteemed guest, Al Worthington.