Baseball And Bbq

Episode #138 Features a Rare Triple Play with Major League Baseball Hall of Fame Pitcher, Jim Kaat, Barbecue News Magazine Publisher, Kell Phelps, and Podcaster, Gary Mack Jim Kaat writes in his new autobiography, Good As Gold:  My Eight Decades In Baseball,  "I am one of the few people alive who can truly say that virtually every dollar I have earned as an adult has been because of my involvement in the game of baseball, a game I have loved since 1945 when I was about seven years old."  The eight decades Jim writes about are filled with incredible stories of the many people he has been associated with in his 25 years as a player, his time as a pitching coach, and his many years as a broadcaster.  One such story is how Jim had the chance to be a "bonus baby" but his father knew best and helped Jim make a difficult decision that positively shaped his future.  Jim was a left-handed pitcher for the Washington Senators / Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yanke

Episode 137 features Former MLB Umpire, Dale Scott and David Maluff of Full Moon Bar-B-Que with Guest Co-host, Doug Scheiding of Rogue Cookers Dale Scott has been a Major League Baseball umpire for almost 40 years.  Spending that much time in the game has given Dale many stories which he shares in his autobiography, The Umpire Is Out:  Calling the Game and Living My True Self which he wrote along with Rob Neyer.  Dale was an umpire for so many memorable games, including one in which he ejected Billy Martin who had both kicked and thrown dirt on Scott.  In 2014 Scott came out as gay and Dale shares what life was like as he tried to keep his private life and professional life separate.  From 1985 to 2017 he had the opportunity to interact with some of the most fascinating characters and greats of the game.  The path to becoming a Major League umpire is filled with a lot of bumps, twists, and curves.  Dale's book has a plethora of these entertaining stories.  He even indulged us as we asked him to eject Jeff fro

Episode #136 features Authors, John Coulson and John Sherdel and a return visit with Champion Pitmaster, Doug Scheiding John Coulson is the author of Wee Willie Sherdel:  The Cardinals' Winningest Left-Hander.  John Sherdel is Wee Willie's grandson and an important contributor to the book.  Wee Willie performed many great feats on the diamond. Since his retirement in 1932, he remains the Redbirds’ winningest left-hander and fourth all-time winner. Willie also pitched the third-most games and the fourth-most innings.  He was also an outstanding hitter.  Among Cardinals' pitchers, Sherdel has the fourth-most career home runs and the fifth-best batting average for his .337 in 1923.  His contemporaries included over 90 Hall of Famers and some of the greatest players of all-time including Ruth, Gehrig, Ty Cobb, and Rogers Hornsby.  Author Coulson and grandson Shredel are determined to have Wee Willie enshrined in the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame, and we agree that is where he deserves to be.     Doug Scheiding

Episode #135 features Former MLB Pitcher, Glendon Rusch, Hog Farmer, Tank Jackson, Pitmaster, Tuffy Stone, and a Special Visit and Offer for Our Listeners from Ray Sheehan of BBQ Buddha Glendon Rusch is a left-handed former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Kansas City Royals, New York Mets, Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres and Colorado Rockies.  He also has a reputation, apparently well deserved, of having been one of the nicest people in baseball.  In September 2006 he was diagnosed with a life-threatening blood clot in his lung, but he was able to mount a comeback and pitch again.  Legendary manager and two-time Baseball and BBQ podcast guest, Bobby Valentine once described Glendon as one of the gutsiest pitchers he ever coached.  In 2000, he won 11 games for the New York Mets, helping them get to the World Series.  Glendon is a huge fan of the music group, Pearl Jam, and did quite well in our name that  Pearl Jam song game. Tank Jackson raises hogs used by some of the fines

Baseball and BBQ Episode #134 features author, John Rosengren and pitmasters, Chris Lilly, Grant Pinkerton, and John Wheeler John Rosengren is an award-winning journalist and author.  His latest book is Classic Baseball:  Timeless Tales, Immortal Moments.  His feature articles, profiles, and essays have appeared in more than 100 publications.  The following is taken from the "About John" section of his website,  https://www.johnrosengren.net/  "I once interviewed a woman shot in the head by hijackers and left for dead on the tarmac.  I raced my bike against Greg LeMond in South Africa (and beat him). I played a tennis match against the world’s top-ranked wheelchair tennis player (and lost). I channeled a 330-pound Samoan, a retired NFL nose tackle who is gay (Esera Tuaolo, for his memoir). I played softball on snowshoes in the summertime (wood chips spread across the infield). I rapped a base hit off former Twins pitcher Rick Aguilera.  I listened to a nurse tell me the story of prying a shotgu

Episode #133 features Chef, Reuben Harley aka Big Rube and New York Yankees Public Address Announcer, Paul Olden, and an Extra Special Rant from Co-host, Jeff Reuben Harley is known to everyone as Big Rube.  We invited him on to discuss the product he created, Diamond Dirt Rub which is perfect for your grilled foods and can be found at baseballbbq.com https://baseballbbq.com/products/big-rubes-diamond-dirt-rub.  Big Rube's love of fashion and baseball helped turn a passion for throwback jerseys into the marketing plan that helped Mitchell & Ness cross over from a niche supplier of old jerseys to older men into a pop-culture phenomenon. Throughout his career, Big Rube has used cooking to fuel his passion, selling homemade cakes, operating a food truck, and cooking in pop-ups to satisfy hungry customers. Over many acts of a varied career, Big Rube has become an accomplished photographer, a fashion designer, and a sought-after chef.  We talk about so many things, including his mother being a seamstress for M

Episode #132 features New York Post columnist, Phil Mushnick and Magnechef founder, Alfredo Infante with his son, AJ Phil Mushnick is a newspaper sports columnist for the New York Post.  He writes it like he sees or hears it, and he is unafraid to speak his mind.  We have been long-time readers and on many occasions have purchased the newspaper exclusively for his column.  Surprisingly, he is the first guest to put our names together and ask us if we knew of a baseball player named, Jeffrey (Jeff) Leonard (Jeff Leonard played 14 seasons in the Major Leagues.)   We should probably call this episode fun with Phil.  We talk about the game of baseball and the various streaming services you have to pay for in order to watch all the games.  Doug Adler, Mike Francesa, John Sterling, pet peeves, instant replay, and the state of the media today; are just some things on which Phil offers his opinions.  Phil is candid, entertaining, and very funny.  This is an episode where complaining never sounded so good.  Alfredo In

Baseball and BBQ Episode #131 features part 2 with Bob Kendrick, President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and Erica Blaire, Winner of BBQ Brawl, Season 2. Bob Kendrick is president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, https://nlbm.com/ and was our very first podcast guest.  We are so glad to have this incredible storyteller back.  Part two includes lots of information and stories about Negro League players who were great, but may not be as well known.  We talk about two-way players and how the Negro Leagues had a few who were absolutely amazing.  Bob shares his thoughts and feelings on his friend, Buck O'Neil who has received the long-overdue honor of being inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, as well as other players who finally received their due and those should get in but have not.  Just when you think we are ending the conversation, we get started on the very successful "tipping your cap" idea, which went viral.  Part two also features additional tal

Bob Kendrick, President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and Erica Blaire, Winner of BBQ Brawl, Season 2 join us on episode 130. Bob Kendrick is president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, https://nlbm.com/ and was our first podcast guest.  We are so glad to have this remarkable storyteller back for a third visit.  With so much to discuss we divided our conversation into two parts.  In part one, we discuss April 15, 1947, the date that Jackie Robinson broke the Major League Baseball color line when he started at first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers.  We also talk about the greatness of Hank Aaron and the hellacious treatment, including numerous death threats, Aaron was forced to endure as he was close to breaking the famous career home runs record of 714 set 33 years prior by Babe Ruth.  Aaron breaking the record was an incredible accomplishment, but it could have turned into a tragedy, and Bob explains it all.  We also speak about Bob's amazing podcast, Black Diamonds, and wha

Episode 129 is overflowing with guests as we are joined by Michael Massiglia known as Messy Mike, owner of Messy Mike's Barbecue & Catering, Shane McBride, and Matt Abdoo from Pig Beach BBQ talking about an important fundraiser,  and David Krell, noted baseball author. Michael Massiglia aka Messy Mike was an electrician for many years and, by his own admission, he was an ok one, but not great and certainly not happy in his chosen career field.  The story Messy Mike tells of how barbecue became his passion and lead him to his new career as the owner of a food truck/catering company called Messy Mike's Barbecue & Catering will make you question whether you heard things correctly.  It amazed and intrigued us as well, and yes you heard him right.  He did take his wedding money and purchased a very expensive smoker without having any idea what he was doing.  From there the story gets crazier.  His food truck is located at 161 Rockingham Road, Derry, NH, and is open from Thursday to Sunday during the hours

Sandy Alderson, New York Mets team president and Ray Sheehan, BBQ Buddha founder and cookbook author are exceptional and because of them, episode 128 is a Baseball and BBQ show you will not soon forget. Sandy Alderson is the New York Mets team president and previously served as the New York Mets general manager, putting together the team that played in the 2015 World Series.  Prior to that he enjoyed successful tenures as general manager for the Oakland Athletics and the chief executive officer for the San Diego Padres.  After graduating from Dartmouth College in 1969, Sandy joined the United States Marine Corps and served a tour of duty in Vietnam.  When his military service ended he attended Harvard Law School, became a lawyer, joined a law firm, and not more than five years later he followed one of the law firm's partners to the Oakland Athletics front office.  Sandy talks about what makes a good general manager,  being in the 1989 World Series when a powerful earthquake struck, and winning with a "sm

Baseball and BBQ Episode #127 features former MLB pitcher, Steve Trachsel and special guest co-host/champion pitmaster, Doug Scheiding.  Trachsel enjoys talking baseball, but he seems to really love talking about barbecue and wine.  Great baseball and barbecue talk are found here. Steve Trachsel was a Major League pitcher for 16 years.  Known primarily for his time with the Chicago Cubs and the New York Mets, he also played for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, the Toronto Blue Jays, and the Baltimore Orioles.  His baseball journey includes being a once-proud member of the Long Beach State Dirtbags and playing in the College World Series.  Steve hit three career home runs and his first was hit off of Curt Schilling.  He possessed an incredible ability to remain on the field and give his teams well-pitched innings, usually throwing more than 200 per year.  His bobblehead is rare, and it is one of the most sought after at the New York Mets Fantasy Camp.  16 years in the Major Leagues are bound to produce some memorable

Episode 126 features Maybelle Blair and Shirley Burkovich, former All American Girls Professional Baseball League players who inspired the movie, A League of Their Own and Amy Mills, known as the heiress of barbecue Maybelle Blair and Shirley Burkovich are women who loved playing baseball, were great at it, and were excited to have the opportunity to make money doing it.  If you are a fan of the movie, A League of Their Own which reintroduced America to the real-life All American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) then you will enjoy listening to their wonderful stories.  Ask Maybelle how she is and she will say, "Pretty good for this old gal, and it is a good day when you wake up on this side of the grass."  Shirley played for three AAGPBL teams from 1949-1951, one of which is the famous Rockford Peaches.  Maybelle served as inspiration for the character, Mae Mordabito aka All the Way Mae played in the film by Madonna.  Ask Maybelle how much Madonna's character resembled her, and she will

Baseball and BBQ Episode #125 features a rare triple play as we speak with former Major League Baseball player, Nelson Figueroa, Barbecue Hall of Fame inductee, David Knight, and Los Angeles Angels spring training correspondent, Gary Looney Nelson Figueroa loves baseball, a fact that cannot be denied.  Drafted 833rd overall by the New York Mets in the 30th round of the 1995 Major League Baseball draft, the man affectionately known as Figgy spent the next 19 years playing in the Major Leagues as well as other leagues all over the world, not just for the money, but because he loved playing ball.  in 2015, shortly after hanging up his spikes for good, he began his second career phase as the pre and post-game analyst for the New York Mets broadcasts on SNY.  All of this is discussed on the show, but we will have to have him back on as a few days after we spoke he began career phase three as the new pitching coach for the Staten Island FerryHawks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. David Knight was in

Jeff Mangold, strength and conditioning coach for the 1998-2000 World Series Champion, New York Yankees and Rusty Monson, Utah's Salt City Barbecue pitmaster and podcast host make episode #124 an outstanding show.   Jeff Mangold served as the head strength and conditioning coach for the New York Yankees from 1984-1988 and from 1998-2006.  During his tenure, the Bronx Bombers won nine straight American League East Titles, appeared in five World Series, and won three World Series Championships in 1998, 1999, and 2000.  Jeff also worked for the New York Mets from 1993 to 1996 and designed the strength and conditioning facilities at both Yankee and Shea stadiums.  Jeff is the author of Power and Pinstripes:  My Years Training the New York Yankees.  The book is filled with incredible stories from both of his times with the NY Yankees, which includes interactions with George Steinbrenner, Yogi Berra, Billy Martin, and Lou Piniella.  Jeff worked with the Core Four of the World Series Champions, Derek Jeter, Jorge Po

Baseball and BBQ Episode #123 features barbecue savant, Derrick Riches, guest co-host, Doug Scheiding, and The Metsian Podcast's, Mike Lecolant and Sam Maxwell.  Derrick Riches started writing about barbecue, on-line, more than 25 years ago.  He has reviewed tons of products, written hundreds of recipes, judged barbecue competitions, and has traveled the world exploring all aspects of grilled and smoked food.  Writer of several cookbooks, his latest is The Complete Guide to Smoking Meat:  100 Smokin' Good Recipes for BBQ and More.  Derrick's appearance is exactly what a podcast which is half dedicated to barbecue needs.  For more on Derrick go to https://www.derrickriches.comMike Lecolant and Sam Maxwell are Brooklyn, New York residents and proud New York Mets fans.  They offered their unique perspective on Gil Hodges and his Baseball Hall of Fame candidacy in episode 106.  When that portion of the interview was over we kept recording and learned more about their entertaining, The Metsian Podcast on which the

Episode #122 features Mitch Benjamin, pitmaster, restaurateur, and cookbook author and Brett Mandel from the company, Baseball BBQ with a big announcement.  We refer to them as "perfect guests" as they talk about baseball and barbecue.    Mitch Benjamin got his dream job after college, working for the TaylorMade golf company in Kansas City, where he met Baseball Hall of Famer, George Brett while also discovering his love of barbecue and honing his outstanding pitmaster skills.  There are numerous stories along the way, but eventually all of this lead to Mitch becoming known as Meat Mitch, and that is just the beginning.  In addition to his barbecue competition wins, Mitch has wonderful stories to tell of the time he had his food, specifically ribs, devoured by former MLB player, John Kruk as well as cooking for Derek Jeter's retirement celebration.  He recently opened the restaurant, Meat Mitch BBQ and has an outstanding selection of Meat Mitch products, including rubs and sauces at https://meatmitch.com/  In

Baseball and BBQ #Episode 121 features former Major League Baseball catcher, Josh Thole and pitmaster, Matt Dallman from Live Coals Barbeque   Josh Thole is a former Major League Baseball catcher who played for the New York Mets and the Toronto Blue Jays.  He has a special place in the heart of Mets fans as he was behind the dish for the first and, up to this point, only no-hitter in the 59-year franchise's history.  Josh has a great sense of humor and wonderful stories to share, one of which involves a garage full of people waiting for him to be selected in the MLB Draft.  Catching a knuckleball pitcher is one of the hardest things for a catcher, and Josh did it quite well as he became knuckleballer, R. A. Dickey's favorite receiver.  In 2012 Josh was part of the trade, along with Dickey and a few others that brought catcher, Travis d'Arnaud and Noah Syndergaard aka Thor from the Blue Jays to the Mets.  We finished recording and Josh brings up his love of barbeque, which, along with being a great guest, give

Episode 120 features part 2 with Barbecue Hall of Famer, Ardie Davis, and BBQ rubs and sauces creator, Denny Mike and a discussion with baseball umpire, Perry Barber.    Ardie Davis aka Remus Powers, Ph.B. is a 2016 Barbecue Hall of Fame inductee in the celebrity/humanitarian category.  Ardie is a founder of the American Royal Barbecue Sauce Contest which is the world's largest sauce contest.  He is a charter member of the KCBS, instrumental in the development of the Certified Barbecue Judge curriculum, and author of the oath recited by each judge prior to judging a contest.  Ardie has written numerous BBQ books.  He has also been interviewed by the History Channel regarding barbecue, on more than one occasion.  In 2003 he was named a Kansas City Barbecue Legend by the Kansas City Star.  We affectionately referred to him as barbecue royalty and you would be hard pressed to find anyone who would say otherwise.         Dennis Michael Sherman is known by thousands of satisfied customer's as Denny Mike.  Since 20

In episode 119 we pull off a rare triple play as we have three outstanding guests; author, Dan Joseph, Barbecue Hall of Fame member, Ardie Davis, and BBQ rubs and  sauces creator, Dennis Michael Sherman aka Denny Mike.    Dan Joseph joined us on episode 51 to discuss his book, Last Ride of the Iron Horse: How Lou Gehrig Fought ALS to Play One Last Championship SeasonSeason and he returns to regale us with stories about Pistol Pete Reiser found in his latest book, Baseball's Greatest What If:  The Story & Tragedy of the Brooklyn Dodgers' Pistol Pete Reiser.  If Reiser's first season and a half was any indication, not only was he on his way to a Hall of Fame career, but he was on his way to becoming one of the game's greatest.  Unfortunately, part of what made Pistol Pete great, was his willingness to put his body on the line no matter what the outcome, and that included crashing into several outfield brick walls.  Dan presents Reiser's story in such a way that by the end of the book you will feel awful tha