Midnight Library of Baseball

Ep. 2: Part 2, The Greatest Myth in Baseball History Feb 27, 2025

In this episode, I explore the nature of the dysfunctional relationship between White Sox teammates, and the bitterness of one player that may have cost his teammates their baseball careers. Also, I’ll have some fun discussing the extraordinary history that might have been written if not for this life-changing scandal.

Ep. 1: The Greatest Myth in Baseball History Feb 20, 2025

The 1919 Black Sox World Series fix and the 1921 trial are fascinating for not only what we know, but for what we are still discovering a hundred years later. From myths about motivations to cheat, to misperceptions of the some of the greatest ballplayers of all time, this story has it all. In this episode, with the help of some experts, I debunk some of the biggest myths and shed light on what was really happening in 1919, and the years leading up to a scandal that rocked the nation

Season 3 Teaser and Review Contest Announcement Jan 16, 2025

Here's a brief teaser for season 3, where I open with a 3-part series on the fascinating 1919 Black Sox scandal and the endless myths that surround the event. I also describe a review contest and some of the prizes I'll be giving away.

Ep. 14: In Search of a Catch Dec 13, 2024

In the finale of Season 2, I talk with hall of fame historian Tim Wiles about a real-life Field of Dreams story that predated W.P. Kinsella’s book by ten years. Did Kinsella know about this field and draw inspiration from it? I’ll also share some final thoughts about this film, and discuss my own story around Field of Dreams, and baseball overall.

Ep. 13: The Field Dec 07, 2024

In this episode, we delve into the fascinating collision of fantasy and reality surrounding the iconic field in Dyersville, Iowa. Truth is often stranger than fiction—and this magical ballfield is no exception. Join us as we uncover extraordinary stories and remarkable occurrences that have unfolded on this small farm long after the cameras stopped rolling.

Ep. 12: After Iowa Nov 28, 2024

In this episode, we reveal the pivotal edits made just before the film’s release, including a bold title change that angered many involved. We also examine how audiences across the country responded to a small-scale debut that ended up catching fire.

Ep. 11: Heartbeat of a Dream Nov 21, 2024

What composer James Horner attempted with Field of Dreams had never been done. In this episode, we look at the unorthodox, emotional score that Horner created on the fly. We also discuss a man who has played catch more than 900 days in a row, and the impact he’s had on countless lives.

Ep. 10: Better Than Magic Nov 07, 2024

In this episode, I explore more of the strange happenings on set, and the amazing coordination of the final scene. I also discuss the incredible story of Dwier Brown, who was processing the recent death of his father as he worked to embody the role of the father in Field of Dreams.

Ep. 9: Magic Tricks Revealed Nov 01, 2024

In this this episode, I discuss with cast and crew the magic that took place when everyone finally landed in Iowa, and we explore the many amazing tricks that allowed audiences to fall so deeply into a seemingly ordinary world. For example, in a time before CGI, what do you know when the corn that would not grow for months, suddenly grows taller than the leading man?

Ep. 8: Almost in Field of Dreams Oct 24, 2024

In this episode, I crack open long-forgotten archives and discuss the many well-known actors considered for Field of Dreams, and the equally fascinating stories of the actors who eventually got the parts.

Ep. 7: A Little Help From My Friends Oct 17, 2024

For years, Phil Alden Robinson had been struggling to get his favorite book, Shoeless Joe, turned into a film. When he finally got his wish, it was more than he bargained for. Pressure and anxiety nearly brought Robinson and Field of Dreams to a screeching halt. In this episode, I discuss what saved Robinson and his film. I also reveal a real-life Doc Graham hidden among the crew, and I dig into the most “Field of Dreams” story there ever was, linked to two people integral to the movie.

Ep. 6: The Five-Year Itch Oct 10, 2024

W.P. Kinsella never saw the father-son relationship as the central emotional story in his book, Shoeless Joe. This is just one of many revelations in Episode 6, where I follow the path of writer/director Phil Alden Robinson, who roamed the streets of Hollywood for years with the vision of what Shoeless Joe would become on the big screen. But it was this very struggle and years of failure that led to what many called a magical script.

Ep. 5: Catcher in the Corn Oct 03, 2024

When J.D. Salinger learned that he was a character in W.P. Kinsella’s novel, Shoeless Joe, he threatened a lawsuit, which led to Salinger being rewritten as Terence Mann for the film. But this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to coincidences and controversies between J.D. Salinger, W.P. Kinsella, and their iconic novels. In this episode, I explore the question, would Field of Dreams exist without J.D. Salinger and The Catcher in the Rye?

Ep. 4: Eddie Scissons Syndrome Sep 26, 2024

1 out of every 5 men claiming to have played professional baseball was lying, according to the Baseball Hall of Fame in the 1990s. But there was no name for this phenomenon, until author W.P. Kinsella created a fictional character named Eddie Scissons. Stranger still, two men in real life decided to study cases of Eddie Scissons syndrome, and what they found blew their minds.

Ep. 3: Lost and Found in Translation Sep 19, 2024

There are many great moments from Field of Dreams taken directly from the novel, Shoeless Joe, but there are also key differences in both. Some of the additions and changes in Field of Dreams led to a better story, but some of the deleted characters and stories from the novel are wonderful gems worth discussing, including a very meaningful part cut from Terence Mann’s final speech.

Ep. 2: Field of Contradictions Sep 12, 2024

Unlike many predestined stories of artists, author W.P. Kinsella was born and raised to NOT write the novel, Shoeless Joe. In this episode, I explore the many fascinating contradictions that made Kinsella such an interesting character, and that led to stories no one else in the world could write.

Ep. 1: The Bluff Sep 05, 2024

In this first episode, I explore the crazy story of editor Lawrence Kessenich, who was instrumental in helping W.P. Kinsella turn a 16-page short story into a full novel. Along the way, there were many improbable occurrences and treacherous hazards that nearly derailed the project. But born from this struggle was a bond that would last generations.

Season 2 Trailer Aug 23, 2024

The making of Field of Dreams, across countries and continents, is a story of vision, of redemption, and of slowing down and appreciating the people and things in your life that matter. This season, I will talk to actors, directors, and other fascinating men and women in the film industry. I will also talk with you, the fans, about your stories of baseball and Field of Dreams. I will trace the film back decades to improbable imaginings and encounters, to daunting casting and production disasters, to unlikely and uplifting box office performances, and finally, to what Field of Dreams and a little field in Iowa mean to people today. I can't wait to start the journey on September 5!

Ep. 25: The Tools of Ignorance, Part 4 - The Invisible Man May 28, 2024

For the final episode of season 1, I dive into the major league catcher and the tools that make him what he is today. Because of his equipment, the catcher is literally masked, but there are so many other areas where he is overlooked and underestimated. In this episode, I explore these areas, and why they have come to be.

Ep. 24: The Tools of Ignorance, Part 3 - Action and Glory May 20, 2024

In this episode, I dive into the origins of the baseball bat, the number one piece of marketing equipment in the history of the game. I also discuss the colorful stories of the inspirational, stubborn, superstitious men who wielded this instrument of hope and despair.

Ep. 23: The Tools of Ignorance, Part 2 - Glove Affairs May 14, 2024

What began as an object of great shame eventually turned into the most intimate relationship between a ballplayer and an object. Come along on this fascinating journey of the baseball glove, from infamy to celebration, honor, and love.

Ep. 22: The Tools of Ignorance, Part 1 May 05, 2024

In this episode, I explore the history of the baseball, and some surprising facts about what was initially used inside a baseball. I also discuss changes to the ball that greatly affected the game, and how a few additional simple changes could help evolve the game for the better.

Ep. 21: Three Home Run Races and How They Changed Baseball Apr 24, 2024

The three major home run races in baseball history were between six very different men. In this episode, I explore these mythic figures, and discuss how they were a product of their times and also instrumental in shaping what came next.

Bonus Episode: Mark Armour and Dan Levitt Stop By The Library Apr 15, 2024

I had the pleasure recently of sitting down with Dan Levitt and Mark Armour, authors of the book, Intentional Balk: Baseball’s Thin Line Between Innovation And Cheating. We dig into the gray areas of cheating, what cheating and innovation have meant to baseball, baseball fans, and Mark and Dan. We also discuss where the game is headed and what kind of cheating and innovation we might see in the future.

More info about the book is at https://intentionalbalkbook.com and the book can also be found at https://www.amazon.com/Intentional-Balk-Baseballs-Innovation-Cheating/dp/B09ZZXTB7G

Ep. 20: More core stats are lies? Say it ain't so, Joe Apr 08, 2024

In terms of traditional stats that have misled fans, players, and managers for decades, the pitcher win is a whopper. In this episode I discuss the origins and many examples and reasons why wins and saves have been so problematic, and also why we love them all the same.

Ep. 19: When Stats Lie and We Have to Say Goodbye Mar 31, 2024

A few of the pillars of baseball statistics contain serious flaws, but it can be hard to turn away from them. In this episode, I discuss the historical reasons for trusting these stats, the consequences of this trust, and the reasons why so many closed their eyes to the truth for so long.

Ep. 18: Barnstorming and the Most Perfect Baseball Mar 25, 2024

Before there were leagues in baseball, there was barnstorming, and as major league baseball expanded, with its rules, revenue, and discrimination, barnstorming remained to remind players and fans what baseball was, when stripped down to nothing but the game.

Ep. 17: Substances in Baseball, Then and Now Mar 19, 2024

In this episode, I explore the origins and background of various popular substances in Major League Baseball, and the entertaining and heartbreaking stories that go with them. From Dock Ellis pitching a no-hitter on LSD, to the tragic end to one of the best players in the game in his prime, to the debate of performance enhancing drugs and some surprising arguments.

Ep. 16: The Untold Story of Tobacco in Baseball Mar 11, 2024

There are a lot of surprising twists and turns in the history of tobacco in Major League Baseball. In this episode, I will answer why smokeless tobacco was so popular during the origins of baseball, why it then almost disappeared, and how it roared back despite its known dangers.

Ep. 15: The Natural Vs Field of Dreams Mar 03, 2024

I’ve written about both The Natural and Field of Dreams, so I thought it would be fun to compare the two films, based on a number of different criteria, to see, in the end, which film came out ahead.

Bonus Episode: Author Jason Turbow Visits the Library Feb 26, 2024

In this episode, I talk with Jason Turbow, author of “The Baseball Codes, the Unwritten Rules of America’s Pastime,” about his updated views on the code since writing the book and viewing the changes in baseball.

Ep. 14: The Code Feb 19, 2024

People think they know what they saw in 1993 between Nolan Ryan and Robin Ventura, just like they think they know what they saw in the 1996 collision between Albert Belle and Fernando Vina. But they don’t, because behind the scenes, the code was dictating the behaviors and actions of players. In this episode, I break down some of the most important and interesting elements of the code, elements that the baseball world works hard to keep secret.

Ep. 13: Searching for the Real Natural Feb 12, 2024

Before Roy Hobbs of “The Natural,” there was Eddie Waitkus, a star of the Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies, whose forgotten true story was more fascinating than the fiction that came after.

Ep. 12: The Strange and Wondrous Life of Rick Ankiel Jan 29, 2024

In this episode, I dive into the life and career of Rick Ankiel, whose unbelievable twists and turns are only surpassed by the amazing relationship he developed with a baseball team and baseball town.

Bonus Episode: Rounders Host Jeffrey Lambert Visits the Library Jan 23, 2024

In this episode, Jeffrey Lambert, host of the podcast, Rounders, stops by to chat with me about what makes baseball so different from other sports, and why we love it so much. We also discuss cultural shifts that have affected the game, as well as some of our favorite all-time baseball books.

Ep. 11: The Echo of Donnie Moore Jan 16, 2024

People who remember relief pitcher Donnie Moore often connect Moore’s role in what Al Michaels called “the most dramatic hour of sports I’ve ever seen," to Donnie Moore, three years later, shooting his wife and himself. In this episode, I explore the deeper story that sheds light on what happened on July 18, 1989.

Ep. 10: The Echo of Bill Buckner Jan 09, 2024

In part 1 of a three-part series, I trace the echoed story of Bill Buckner and his infamous error back to the source, and back even before that, to get a full picture of what happened before, during, and after the game, so that we can understand what we lose when we begin to see the echo as the story.

Ep. 9: The Could Have Beens Dec 30, 2023

In this episode, I'll explore the true story of Doc Moonlight Graham from Field of Dreams, and other men who could have been known for a major league baseball career, but ended up being known for something else entirely.

Ep. 8: Will a Female Ever Play Major League Baseball? Dec 23, 2023

In this episode, I’ll explore the reasons why there has not been a female at the highest level of baseball, and the factors involved in a female making it to the big leagues. And by the end of the episode, I will be asking a completely different question.

Ep. 7: Trick or Cheat Dec 16, 2023

In this episode, I explore one of the most famous moments in baseball history, and how this moment might be the result of cheating. I also discuss the culture of cheating in baseball, and if there's a problem with cheating.

Ep. 6: How Much Did They Actually Make? Dec 04, 2023

In this episode, I do a deep dive into the history of baseball salaries, how much players actually made compared to today, and the many ways players supplemented their income. I also discuss a new way for minor league prospects to cash in on the major league experience.

Ep. 5: Gambling: Savior And Destroyer Of Baseball Nov 04, 2023

Gambling was instrumental in the formation and spread of professional baseball, but it has also been a toxic part of the game. Today, we look at this love-hate relationship.

Ep. 4: They Used To Do That? Nov 04, 2023

In this episode, we take a look at some current practices that separate baseball from other sports. We also discuss a few rules and realities that used to exist, like pitchers throwing the ball underhand, and players playing full seasons bare-handed.

Ep. 3: Why The Knuckleball Is So Successful And So Rare Nov 04, 2023

A few major league pitchers have found enormous success in the knuckleball, paving careers that outlasted most of their contemporaries. But for all its power and effectiveness, the knuckleball is almost nonexistent in today’s game, and has rarely been used by more than a handful of pitchers in any decade since its creation. In today’s episode, we find out why.

Ep. 2: How Ray Chapman’s Death Saved Future Lives Nov 04, 2023

In 1920, Ray Chapman was killed by a pitch, the only major league player ever to be killed during gameplay. Many players owe their added safety to the obvious and not-so-obvious changes that took place following Chapman’s death. In this episode, we explore the events that led to Chapman’s death, and baseball’s grudging modernization.

Ep. 1: Did Lou Gehrig Have Lou Gehrig’s Disease? Nov 04, 2023

Lou Gehrig is one of the most famous and well-loved baseball players of all time. In the United States and other countries, Gehrig is also the namesake for ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), a neurodegenerative disease. In this episode, we examine the possibility that Gehrig did not have the disease, and the ramifications of this possibility.

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