Baseball And Bbq

Episode 317 features Frank Santopadre, Emmy-winning writer and baseball pop culture savant and Tom and Natalie Painter from The Briner with products designed to improve your cooking skills Frank Santopadre is an Emmy-winning comedy writer and producer for television, radio, and live events, currently working as a staff writer on ABC Television's, The View. He was also the co-producer and co-host of Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal Podcast.  The show was known for its deep dives into classic Hollywood, interviewing entertainers, actors, directors, writers, and other show business figures.  Frank has contributed to many shows, including The View, The Howard Stern Show, and Comedy Central Roasts.  He received a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Informative Talk Show as a producer of The View.  Frank's latest endeavor is the podcast, Fun for All Ages.  Frank is a huge baseball fan with a vast wealth of pop culture knowledge.    Tom Painter and Natalie Painter are the father and daughter duo from Turkey Tom P

Episode 316 features legendary Hall of Fame pitcher, Walter Johnson's grandson, Henry Thomas and the Seattle Mariners kitchen supervisor and smoker of meats, Chef Dillon Scott Henry W. "Hank" Thomas is the grandson of the legendary Hall of Fame baseball pitcher Walter Johnson.  He is the author of the biography Walter Johnson: Baseball's Big Train, and has dedicated himself to preserving his grandfather's legacy after Walter Johnson passed away when Henry was only eight months old.  Hank does an excellent job of preserving his grandfather's memory and offers us a unique look at one of the first five members of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Dillon Scott is the kitchen supervisor and smoker of meats for the Seattle Mariners.  Dillon shares stories of what it is like to cook for a Major League Baseball team.  There are dietary needs to be aware of, international foods which must be well cooked, and even favorite family recipes of the players which may need preparation.  Dillon takes us behind the scenes f

Episode 315 features Andre Ceballos of Screamin' Eagle BBQ and Jeffrey Orens, author of Selling Baseball: How Superstars George Wright and Albert Spalding Impacted Sports In America Andre Ceballos is a member of the veteran-based barbecue team, Screamin’ Eagle BBQ.  The team has four members: Andre (founder and USMC combat veteran), Clint (Army combat veteran), Shane, and Josh.  They compete in SCA and RCA events, along with multiple local events and charity drives. They hope to change the face of barbecue with a few goals, bring people together, make people smile, bring men’s mental health issues forward, have fun, and most importantly put family first. Jeffrey Orens is an author who is a member of the Society for American Baseball research.  His work has appeared in History Magazine and True West Magazine.  His newest book is Selling Baseball:  How Superstars George Wright and Albert Spalding Impacted Sports In America.  The book explores the nineteenth century which was a time of rapid growth and developme

Episode 314 features the founder and executive director of the New York State Baseball Hall of Fame, Rene LeRoux and the creator of Kick Ash Basket, Chad Romzek Rene LeRoux is the founder and executive director of the New York State Hall of Fame’s for baseball, basketball, and hockey.  Rene returns to the show to discuss the outstanding 2025 baseball class which will be inducted during the November dinner in Troy, New York.  The inductees are Mike Turo, Joe Panik, Gary Carter, Brian Cashman, Frank Catalonotto, Brian Cogan, Chris Dedrick, Jim Kaat, Brother Robert Kent, Marc Levine, Tom McNamara, Jack O'Connell, Kevin Barrett, Scott Steltz, Rick Wolff, Brian McGan, and Hal Richman.  Rene discusses the inductees, some stories behind their selections, various reactions at receiving this great honor, as well as other exciting items not to be missed.  For more information on the New York State Baseball Hall of Fame go to http://www.nysbhof.com/home.html Chad Romzek is the creator of Kick Ash Basket.  The company st

To honor his memory we are rereleasing episode 93 featuring former NFL Pro Bowler, Nick Mangold who joined us to talk barbecue and football. On the same episode we had former MLB pitcher, Jerry Reuss who pitched in the Major Leagues for 22 years. Nick Mangold played center in the National Football League for 11 years as a member of the New York Jets, was a seven time Pro Bowl selection and considered by many to be one of the best at his position.  He also makes one heck of a BBQ sauce and is determined to have his sauce take its place among the finest and most well known names on store shelves everywhere.  The passion with which he played football is the same passion he gives Seventy Four BBQ (74 BBQ), which are the line-up of sauces he is rolling out.  We had fun speaking with Nick regarding his playing career and how he transformed from a home kitchen sauce maker into a sauce king who is managing to make others take notice as he puts out a superb tasting product. What does family planning and a beard have t

Episode 313 features country music singer and professional baseball player, Bryce Hensley and pitmaster for the Generation Q Barbecue competition team, Kevin Tatgenhorst Bryce Hensley was destined to perform in front of a crowd whether as a baseball player or a singer.  In the 2018 MLB draft he was chosen by the Kansas City Royals.  If it had not been for the pandemic he may still be pitching, but when the players were sent home at the start of the pandemic, Bryce made the decision to pursue his other passion as a country music singer.  Bryce received his first guitar at age five, but baseball season came and the guitar was put aside.  However, over time, Bryce picked the guitar back up and taught himself the basics.  He played select shows and performed at local dive bars while home on breaks from school, but kept a sole focus on his baseball career which culminated in his being drafted.  However, Bryce made the decision to pursue his other passion as a country music singer.  For more information on Bryce He

Emmy Award winning sports broadcaster and International Boxing Hall of Fame member, Steve Albert discusses his new book, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Broadcast Booth and Bullhorn BBQ's champion pitmaster, Rob Arocha discusses his winning team, his podcast, and baseball. Steve Albert is an Emmy Award winning sportscaster, providing play-by-play for the New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets, Golden State Warriors, New York Mets, Phoenix Suns, New York Arrows, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Cleveland Crusaders, and New York Jets.  He has worked as the sports anchor at WCBS-TV, WNBC-TV, WWOR-TV, and did morning sports reports on WABC radio.  He covered major boxing fights on Showtime Championship Boxing, including the infamous "Bite Fight" between Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield.  He is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.  He joined us to discuss his book, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Broadcast Booth in which he chronicles the ups, downs, and unforeseen mish

Episode 311features Kris Benson, former Major League Baseball pitcher and National College Baseball Hall of Fame member and Rick Manzi, pitmaster from the Anonymous Q cooking team Kris Benson is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who was drafted first overall in 1996 by the Pittsburgh Pirates.  In addition to playing for the Pirates, he also played for the New York Mets, Baltimore Orioles, Texas Rangers, and Arizona Diamondbacks.  Kris was an outstanding college player with Clemson University and this has earned him induction into the 2025 class of the National College Baseball Hall of Fame.  Kris was also a member of the 1996 USA Olympics team which won a bronze medal.  In recognition of various community service and charity efforts, Benson has been honored with the Pittsburgh Pirates team Roberto Clemente Award, the Thurman Munson Award, the Joan Payson Award, and the New Jersey Sports Writers Humanitarian of the Year Award. Rick Manzi is one half of the husband and wife duo behind the Anonymous Q cooki

Episode 310 features The Barbeque Princess, Leslie Roark Scott who is from a family with an important deep-rooted barbecue history and Jim Leeke the author of Big Loosh: The Unruly Life of Umpire Ron Luciano Leslie Roark Scott is known as The Barbeque Princess.  She is the owner and pitmaster of Ubons Restaurant in Yazoo City, MS, and is the chief pitmaster of Ubons Competition BBQ Team. Leslie was a featured chef at the James Beard House and she and her crew can be seen on the Food Network shows Chopped, SmokeMasters, Beat Bobby Flay, BBQ USA, as well as BBQ Pitmasters and Smoked. The Ubons competition team has won titles across the country including the Houston Live Stock and Rodeo BBQ, Memphis in May, and The Jack Daniels World Championships. Jim Leeke is a journalist, copywriter, and author.  His latest book is Big Loosh: The Unruly Life of Umpire Ron Luciano.  Big Loosh is the biography of Ron Luciano, an outsized figure who was a Major League Baseball umpire in the 1970s, worked in broadcasting, publish

Episode 309 is a rare triple play as New York Times bestselling author, Jane Leavy discusses her newest tome, Make Me Commissioner, Brian and Larry Paris of Smokin' Bliss BBQ are joined by guest co-host, Doug Scheiding to discuss barbecue, and Gary Mack of Mets Musings Reflects on Davey Johnson. Jane Leavy is the author of the New York Times bestsellers, The Big Fella:  Babe Ruth and the World He Created, The Last Boy:  Mickey Mantle and the End of America's Childhood, and Sandy Koufax:  A Lefty's Legacy.  She joins us to discuss her newest book, Make Me Commissioner:  I Know What's Wrong With Baseball and How To Fix It.  The book explores her love of baseball, features questions and answers with some of the game's greatest, including Joe Torre, Dave Roberts, Jim Palmer, Dusty Baker, and many more. Jane offers her ideas on ways to improve the game as well as discussing what is great with the game.  The hour we spent with Jane includes a lot from the book, but so much more as we experience the personality and

Episode 308 features B.T. Leigh's Sauces & Rubs founder, Brian Leigh and author of The Franchise: Toronto Blue Jays: A Curated History of the Jays, Keegan Matheson Brian Leigh is the founder of B.T. Leigh's Sauces & Rubs.  He is a PBS cooking competition show alum and was a contestant on The Great American Recipe.  As stated on the B.T. Leigh's website for their award-winning sauces and rubs, "We're serious about creating unique flavor combinations that will keep you coming back for more. Our sauces and spice blends combine familiar and unfamiliar ingredients to create tastes that you won't find anywhere else."  Brian tells us all about his barbecue journey.  For more information and to order B.T. Leigh's Sauces & Rubs go to https://btleighs.com/ Keegan Matheson has covered the Toronto Blue Jays since 2017 and joined MLB.com in 2019.  He appears regularly on television and radio programs across Canada as an MLB analyst.  His new book is, The Franchise: Toronto Blue Jays: A Curated Histor

Episode 307 features the author of L.A. Story:  Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and a Season for the Ages, Bill Plunkett and the founder of TD's Brew & BBQ, Tearl Dunlap Bill Plunkett is an award-winning sportswriter who covers the Los Angeles Dodgers beat for the Orange County Register, and has written about baseball in Southern California for nearly 25 years, including a separate stint on the Los Angeles Angels beat. He is a Hall of Fame voter whose work has appeared in Baseball America and Baseball Digest and he is a frequent guest on the MLB Network, ESPN, and SportsNet LA.  His new book is L.A. Story:  Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and a Season for the Ages.  It is an in-depth look at the 2024 season which had drama, records, magic, and ended with a World Series Championship for the Dodgers. Tearl Dunlap is the TD behind the extremely popular award-winning sauces and rubs of TD's Brew and BBQ.   Wonderful products, an incredible work ethic, and an uncanny ability to sell have combin

Episode 306 features the Baseball Hall of Fame sportswriter,  Bill Madden and the inventor of the FlipGrill, Andrew Barnhart Bill Madden has been an active baseball writer since 1970 and was the New York Yankees beat writer for the New York Daily News from 1980 to 1988 before being promoted to national baseball columnist.  He is the author of many baseball books and is with us to discuss his latest book, Yankees, Typewriters, Scandals, and Cooperstown:  A Baseball Memoir.  In 2010 he received the Hall of Fame's J.G. Taylor Spink Award, the highest honor of the Baseball Writers Association of America and is a member of the Writers Wing of the Basball Hall of Fame. Andrew Barnhart loved cooking on his Big Green Egg.  However, Andrew thought something was missing and that was how to turn chicken quarters without tearing the skin.  His thoughts turned to the flipping racks used on professional chicken pits, "If an open pit can make amazing BBQ chicken, a Kamado with its controlled environment should be able

Episode 305 features pitmaster, podcaster, and teacher, Andy Groneman and San Francisco Giants superfan, Norm Coleman Andy Groneman is the head cook of the Smoke On Wheels BBQ team and has amassed hundreds of awards.  Beyond competitions, Andy has spent many years teaching barbecue classes and, at the time of our discussion, had taught more than 60,000 students.  He also developed and sells a barbecue sauce, injection, and marinade, under the Smoke On Wheels label.  In addition to all of that Andy has been a fixture on television and media, with his latest as co-host with Todd Johns on the BBQ Radio Network. Norm Coleman is a lifetime San Francisco Giants fan, a baseball historian, and an avid collector.   Norm has been to major league games in 45 different ballparks.  He was a vendor at Candlestick Park in the 1960’s.  Norm attended his 60th San Francisco Giants opening day this season and was bestowed the nickname “Superfan” by the CBS San Francisco affiliate, KPIX Channel 5.  His collection of sports memor

Episode 304 features former Major League Baseball player, Jim Gosger with guest co-host, Anthony Marasco and the Seattle Butcher's Wife, Misty Banchero with guest co-host, Doug Scheiding Jim Gosger played in the major leagues for 10 seasons between 1963 and 1974, for five different teams primarily as an outfielder.  The teams included the Boston Red Sox, Kansas City/Oakland Athletics, Seattle Pilots, New York Mets, and Montreal Expos.  Jim played baseball in a fascinating Era with some teams which have either moved or changed names, as well as with some outstanding players.  His stories from 10 major league seasons are both fascinating and funny and we are honored to have him share them.   Misty Banchero has established her brand as the Seattle Butcher's Wife.  Her mission is to share her journey and to inspire more women to step up to the grill.  Misty's journey into live fire cooking began when she married into a third-generation butcher family.  With a deep appreciation for barbecue and meat preparation, M

Episode 303 features a discussion on the Major League Baseball career of the legendary Hall of Fame pitcher, Waite Hoyt.  Jimmy Carbone and Sean Ludwig talk about whole hog cooking and the upcoming barbecue event, Pig Island NYC.  Hunter Breshears of Plainville Farms and Leidy's Premium Meats takes us to a New York Mets game. Tim Manners is a writer, communications consultant and baseball fan.  He is a former FM-radio disc jockey, publicist and magazine publisher. His latest project is Schoolboy: The Untold Journey of a Yankees Hero which he co-wrote with baseball great Waite Hoyt, even though Hoyt had been deceased for almost 40 years before Tim began the project. That story and so much more are in the book and we touched upon some of it in our discussion.  Waite Hoyt signed with the New York Giants in 1915 when he was a junior in high school.  When he was younger, he was faced with the possibility of having both hands amputated, but overcame that and a lot more to become the best pitcher for the New York Ya

Episode 302 features Girls With Guts author and barbecue fiend, Debbie Gonzales and Talking Baseball With Major League Stars author, Wayne Stewart Debbie Gonzales is an author and a self-described barbecue fiend.  She joins us to discuss her latest book, Girls with Guts:  The Road to Breaking Barriers and Bashing Records.  It is a childrens book with a very strong message as it highlights the achievements of women athletes.  The story celebrates strength, endurance, and athleticism of women and girls throughout history.  In addition to discussing her book, we talk about Debbie's love of barbecue.  She loves making it, eating it, and watching shows about it.  She has a passion for her writing and her barbecue and shares all of that and much more. Wayne Stewart is a professional writer and sports historian.  He is the author of 40 books and has joined us to discuss his latest project, Talking Baseball With Major League Stars. The book features over 45 years of interviews and is an entertaining and illuminating

Episode 301 features Donna Muscarella, President of the Elysian Fields SABR Chapter and Steven Chase, founder of Steve's Original Sauces      Donna Muscarella is a baseball enthusiast, photographer, and mixed-media artist.  Hinchliffe Stadium, one of the few Negro Leagues ballparks still standing, is a repeat subject of Donna’s creative compositions.  In 2021, she released her debut trading card set, which used her photography of the historic ballpark on the card fronts.  The card backs featured information about Hinchliffe’s Negro Leagues ties.  Donna’s Hinchliffe photography appeared on Forbes.com, in the third edition of Turnstyle:  The SABR Journal of Baseball Arts, and her card set was featured on the SABR Baseball Cards Blog.  She has covered events at Hinchliffe Stadium for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and the Charles J. Muth Museum of Hinchliffe Stadium.  Donna serves as president of the Elysian Fields (Northern New Jersey) Chapter of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR).  Go to  ht

Celebrating our 300th episode with Emmy winner, David Wild, writer for the Grammy Awards and Rolling Stone magazine and barbecue pitmaster legends, Moe Cason and Bob Trudnak, plus special congratulatory messages David Wild  is an award-winning writer, producer, and longtime Rolling Stone magazine contributing editor.  Prior to Rolling Stone he wrote for Esquire magazine.  He has written or produced scores of major specials including the Grammy Awards, Oscars, Emmys, and the Academy of Country Music Awards.  Additionally, he has written books on the television shows, Friends and Seinfeld.  He now co-hosts the podcast, Naked Lunch with Phil Rosenthal.  David is a huge baseball fan, beginning in his youth as a New York Mets fan and as an adult changing his allegiance to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Moe Cason AKA Big Moe is an award winning pitmaster who has toiled for many years creating his well respected brand, Moe Cason Barbeque and his instantly recognizable, Big Moe persona.  Moe is a television personality, co

Episode 299 features former Major League Baseball pitcher and a member of the 2000 World Series Champion New York Yankees, Denny Neagle and the inventor of the barbecue Grill Fighter cleaning tool, Marvin Weinberger. Denny Neagle is former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for six teams over a 13-year career, including the Minnesota Twins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees, Colorado Rockies, and Tampa Bay Devil Rays.  He earned a World Series ring as a member of the 2000 World Series Champion New York Yankees.  Denny regales us with stories from his stellar playing days which includes being named a two-time All-Star as well as being the National League wins leader in 1997.  Denny had a reputation for his outstanding sense of humor and his train whistle impression which he performs for us. Marvin Weinberger is an entrepreneur  who identifies a problem and tries to invent a solution.  As a lover of the outdoors, including barbecue, Marvin has invented several products