Shows
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 19: What if They Lived in Each Other's Time?It’s easy to compare numbers on paper, but what happens when we do a deep dive into the times and worlds in which Cal Ripken Jr and Lou Gehrig lived? In this final episode of Season 3, I pull back the curtain on what training, medicine, culture, and competition looked like for each man in his day, to get a much better idea of where each man stood in the realm of baseball legacy.
2025-08-0154 min
Midnight Library of BaseballBonus Episode: Robert Elias Stops By the LibraryI had the pleasure recently of sitting down with prolific baseball author Robert Elias. We talk about the amazing and overlooked life of ballplayer Danny Gardella, the man of a thousand nicknames who receives little credit for how significantly he changed the game. You can find Elias’s book on Amazon, but send a message to midnightlibraryofbaseball@gmail.com for a discount code.
2025-07-2852 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 18: Legacy in Only 2,131 StepsIn this episode, I explore several key factors that would have helped or hurt Gehrig and Ripken Jr in their pursuit of the consecutive game streak. This comparison will also shed light on each player’s baseball legacy. Who had it harder, considering the times. The answer might not be what you think.
2025-07-2643 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 17: The Man Behind The StreakMost people know Lou Gehrig as the Iron Horse, as the man who played more games than any other player, until Cal Ripken Jr. They know him as one of the best players in baseball history, period, and the man who had a disease named after him. In this episode, I shed light on lesser-known stories about the man, and how some hidden traits and tendencies point to the real motivations behind his wish to play indefinitely without taking a break.
2025-07-1758 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 16: The Third ManCal Ripken Jr and Lou Gehrig are well known for their consecutive game streaks. But what about the third man on the all-time list? Had circumstances been slightly different, his name would be the name we all know, we all talk about. And yet, most of us have never heard of him. Tonight, I move his fascinating story from the dark corners of history, into the light.
2025-07-0329 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 15: From Obscurity to Immortalityn the early 1900s, there was no such thing as a consecutive games streak, because nobody followed it. Until a man named Al Munro Elias brought the statistic into the public consciousness. Even then, few players actively chose to pursue the streak. So of all the people to attempt this feat, of all the people to do what no one else had come close to doing after Lou Gehrig, why Cal Ripken Jr? In this episode, I try to get to the bottom of this question.
2025-06-2937 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp 14: The StreakThe consecutive game streak is not just something that happened with Cal Ripken Jr. The whole, fascinating story involves Lou Gehrig, dozens of aspiring ballplayers, statistical pioneers, and a rollercoaster of emotions, perceptions, and changed minds regarding a record people ignored, ridiculed, and finally, revered.
2025-06-2134 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp 13: Why Didn't He Just Try?Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis is known in baseball history as the man who saved baseball, the man who took charge, and acted. But he is also known as the man who did nothing in some of the biggest issues to ever occur in the major leagues? Was he a man who intentionally stood in the way of human rights and progress, or was he simply a man of his time?
2025-06-1236 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp 12: Here Comes The JudgeIn the second part of this 3-part series, I dive into Kenesaw Mountain Landis’ transition from federal judge to first baseball commissioner, and what happens when the judge gets down to business. Lives will be destroyed. More conspiracies uncovered. But while he’s cleaning up baseball, Landis is also willfully preventing millions of Americans from enjoying the game. The man seen as a saint, as a tough-as-nails hero, is not quite as shiny and pure as advertised.
2025-06-0537 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp 11: The Commissioner Who Would be KingFor all the known controversies and unbelievable stories surrounding Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis, there are just as many mysteries. In this episode, I dig into the origin story of the man who shaped baseball like no other commissioner in the history of the game.
2025-05-2437 min
Midnight Library of BaseballBonus Episode: Author and journalist Scott Miller stops by the libraryI sit down with Scott Miller to discuss his new book about the relevance of managers, fifty years ago, and today. I love the overlooked and misunderstood parts of the game, and during our conversation, Scott Miller does not disappoint.
2025-05-1549 min
All About Baseball with Byron CopleyYou Need to Listen to “The Midnight Library of Baseball”"The Midnight Library of Baseball," by Ben Orlando, is the podcast that inspired me to create "All About Baseball," and my podcast is loosely modeled after Orlando's. I want to share Orlando's podcast with you because it is worth listening to. I just finished his three-part series on the 1919 World Series, and if you think that there's nothing more to say or write about the Black Sox' Scandal, I invite you to listen to check out Orlando's, with the help of several other authorities on the subject, fresh perspective on the event that shook the nation to its foundation.
In...2025-05-1014 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 10: The Secret History of Night BaseballIn this episode, I uncover some hidden stories and unforeseen outcomes of night games in Major League Baseball, including a son who learned, after his father’s death, how integral his father had been in the development of lights in the game.
2025-05-0932 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 9: The Game that Feared the DarkIn this episode, I dig into the question, why did it take Major League Baseball 55 years to introduce the night game, when the first night game actually occurred in 1880? I’ll explore the reasons, and the overlooked consequences to millions of fans.
2025-05-0230 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 8: The Haunted GameWhat do hauntings look like in baseball, and where are ghosts most entrenched? In this episode, I answer these questions, and I explore some of the fascinating, overlooked elements of the most well known curse in baseball history.
2025-04-2644 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 7: Sorry Ray. This guy did it first.In this episode, I try to solve the mystery of why Larry Luebbers spent the equivalent of $300,000 to rebuild Crosley Field on his farm, ten years before a fictional character named Ray Kinsella would decide to accomplish a similar feat.
2025-04-1734 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 6: The Baseball ReliquaryIn this episode, I dive deep into the story of a baseball museum described as both a compliment to and antithesis of Cooperstown, a place where players and people are recognized for their contributions and character, not their statistical accomplishments. A place that has been overlooked and undersold. A place that deserves more attention.
2025-04-0435 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 5: Bridging the ChasmIn this episode, I dive into the extraordinary life and career of Lefty O’Doul—a baseball legend whose impact on the game goes far beyond his unorthodox playing days. Despite his remarkable contributions both on and off the field, he remains absent from the Baseball Hall of Fame. Why has he been overlooked, and what can we learn from this amazing story?
2025-03-2750 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 4: Fallen Through the CracksChuck Klein put together one of the greatest five seasons in Major League history, and yet he was forgotten for thirty years, until an unlikely intervention by President Richard Nixon. In this episode, I’ll discuss Klein’s many miraculous feats, including nearly hitting five home runs in one game. I’ll also explain why he was forgotten, and what happened to change people’s minds.
2025-03-2031 min
Midnight Library of BaseballBonus Episode: Former MLB Pitcher Jerry Blevins Stops by the LibraryWhen I came across the article on Sports Illustrated titled, “Don’t Kid Yourself, Field of Dreams is a Bad Movie,” I had to talk with Jerry Blevins to hear his story. And it’s not what you think. We also talk about his incredible journey from a college walk-in to a long major league career. And see his hat? That’s connected to a surprise I didn’t see coming.
2025-03-1341 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 3: Part 3, The Greatest Myth in Baseball HistoryIn the finale of this 3-part series, I dive into the myths and misconceptions about Shoeless Joe Jackson, one of the most well-known ballplayers to fans and non-fans around the world, including his actual role in the 1919 World Series fix, contradictory evidence about his performance in the series, and insights into the question: did Joe Jackson pull off one of the greatest long cons in baseball history?
2025-03-0634 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 2: Part 2, The Greatest Myth in Baseball HistoryIn 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.
2025-02-2750 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 1: The Greatest Myth in Baseball HistoryThe 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
2025-02-2057 min
Midnight Library of BaseballSeason 3 Teaser and Review Contest AnnouncementHere'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.
2025-01-1602 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 14: In Search of a CatchIn 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.
2024-12-1331 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 13: The FieldIn 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.
2024-12-0741 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 12: After IowaIn 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.
2024-11-2841 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 11: Heartbeat of a DreamWhat 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.
2024-11-2131 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 10: Better Than MagicIn 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.
2024-11-0733 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 9: Magic Tricks RevealedIn 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?
2024-11-0143 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 8: Almost in Field of DreamsIn 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.
2024-10-2445 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 7: A Little Help From My FriendsFor 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.
2024-10-1735 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 6: The Five-Year ItchW.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.
2024-10-1040 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 5: Catcher in the CornWhen 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?
2024-10-0329 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 4: Eddie Scissons Syndrome1 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.
2024-09-2636 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 3: Lost and Found in TranslationThere 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.
2024-09-1930 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 2: Field of ContradictionsUnlike 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.
2024-09-1248 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 1: The BluffIn 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.
2024-09-0550 min
Midnight Library of BaseballSeason 2 TrailerThe 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...2024-08-2301 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 25: The Tools of Ignorance, Part 4 - The Invisible ManFor 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.
2024-05-2836 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 24: The Tools of Ignorance, Part 3 - Action and GloryIn 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.
2024-05-2049 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 23: The Tools of Ignorance, Part 2 - Glove AffairsWhat 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.
2024-05-1440 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 22: The Tools of Ignorance, Part 1In 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.
2024-05-0525 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 21: Three Home Run Races and How They Changed BaseballThe 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.
2024-04-2449 min
Midnight Library of BaseballBonus Episode: Mark Armour and Dan Levitt Stop By The LibraryI 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/B09ZZXTB7G2024-04-151h 04
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 20: More core stats are lies? Say it ain't so, JoeIn 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.
2024-04-0833 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 19: When Stats Lie and We Have to Say GoodbyeA 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.
2024-03-3132 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 18: Barnstorming and the Most Perfect BaseballBefore 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.
2024-03-2541 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 17: Substances in Baseball, Then and NowIn 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.
2024-03-1936 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 16: The Untold Story of Tobacco in BaseballThere 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.
2024-03-1128 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 15: The Natural Vs Field of DreamsI’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.
2024-03-0322 min
Midnight Library of BaseballBonus Episode: Author Jason Turbow Visits the LibraryIn 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.
2024-02-2629 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 14: The CodePeople 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.
2024-02-1944 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 13: Searching for the Real NaturalBefore 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.
2024-02-1250 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 12: The Strange and Wondrous Life of Rick AnkielIn 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.
2024-01-2935 min
Midnight Library of BaseballBonus Episode: Rounders Host Jeffrey Lambert Visits the LibraryIn 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.
2024-01-2342 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 11: The Echo of Donnie MoorePeople 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.
2024-01-1624 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 10: The Echo of Bill BucknerIn 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.
2024-01-0925 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 9: The Could Have BeensIn 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.
2023-12-3027 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 8: Will a Female Ever Play Major League Baseball?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.
2023-12-2328 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 7: Trick or CheatIn 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.
2023-12-1632 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 6: How Much Did They Actually Make?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.
2023-12-0423 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 5: Gambling: Savior And Destroyer Of BaseballGambling 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.
2023-11-0418 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 4: They Used To Do That?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.
2023-11-0415 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 3: Why The Knuckleball Is So Successful And So RareA 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.
2023-11-0419 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 2: How Ray Chapman’s Death Saved Future LivesIn 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.
2023-11-0414 min
Midnight Library of BaseballEp. 1: Did Lou Gehrig Have Lou Gehrig’s Disease?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.
2023-11-0421 min