In this episode we're joined by Mark Shirk, a former political science professor who's an avid baseball fan. You're able to find Mark on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, "Exploring Baseball History" under the handle of @bballhist where he regularly posts baseball content.
During our time with Mark we learn about his contrarian nature as a youngster, choosing to support the Don Mattingly-led New York Yankees rather than the more geographically appropriate Philadelphia Phillies. Mark notes that during his formative years his parents noticed his interest in baseball and began feeding him books on baseball history along with baseball cards and, thus, began his lifelong fascination with the history of the American Pastime.
We also discover that Mark is a proponent of a "Big Hall" (e.g. including more indcutees in the National Baseball Hall of Fame), has ideas about what the future of baseball might look like (hint: he favors agressive expansion), his evolution as a sports fan, and a long-term baseball book project he continues to mull that focuses on ex-Negro League players who came along at the wrong time following integration and didn't really get a good shot playing in the Major Leagues. Players like Buster Clarkson, Marvin Williams, Sam Jethroe, and Luke Easter.
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