Baseball And Bbq

Ring in the New Year with author, Dale Perelman and tales of baseball's legendary Chuck Tanner plus Barbecue Renaissance Man, Ray Blazick and not one, but two huge rants   Dale Perelman is a prolific writer who lives in New Castle, Pennsylvania, the same town which a legendary baseball lifer lived, loved, and called home.  Dale's latest book, Chuck Tanner and the Pittsburgh Pirates is all about his town's famous resident who spent a career in baseball both as a player and manager. He lead the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1977 to 1985 and helped capture the 1979 World Series. Tanner was key in developing the relief pitcher through his work with Goose Gossage and he played a role in the careers of numerous players such as Willie Stargell, Dave Parker and more. Through extensive research and interviews, author Dale Perelman presents the life and career of Chuck Tanner. Ray Blazick is a lover of barbecue and has been perfecting his craft while sharing his barbecue strategies.  He works to make his barbecue interesting

Jonathan Mayo, Author of Smart, Wrong, and Lucky and Meat Dave's, Dave Williamson, Comedian, Pitmaster, and Podcaster Jonathan Mayo has been a writer for MLB.com since 1999, focusing on the MLB Draft and minor league prospects since 2003.  His new book is Smart, Wrong, and Lucky:  The Origin Stories of Baseball's Unexpected Stars is a fascinating look at how MLB teams find diamonds in the rough.  The book explores how first impressions measure up to their aftermaths:  the draft, years of progression, and for a talented few, major league success.  Jonathan profiles a diverse range of modern stars and looks at them through the eyes of those who noticed them first as prospects.  Featuring exclusive interviews with scouts, players, coaches, and more.  Go to https://pvtcbroadcastexperts.weebly.com/biographies/jonathan-mayo for more information on Jonathan. Dave Williamson was once named “Best Comedian in Miami” by the Miami New Times and he is one of the funniest pitmasters.  Dave tours heavily, both headlining hi

Celebrating the Show's 6 Year Anniversary with Sportscaster, Kenny Albert and Willingham's BBQ, Paul Holden Kenny Albert is a sportscaster and the son of NBA sportscaster, Marv Albert and the nephew of sportscasters Al Albert and Steve Albert.  He is the only sportscaster who currently does play-by-play for all four major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada.  He has written the book, A Mic For All Seasons:  My Three Decades Announcing the NFL, NHL, NBA, MLB, and Olympics which chronicles his illustrious sportscasting career.  Albert gives us a brilliant look behind the scenes as he pulls back the curtain and reveals his life and the hard work and dedication he has given to become tops in his field. Paul Holden is the current owner of Willingham's, a world-championship BBQ products company and competition team celebrating over four decades of excellence. Founded in 1983 by BBQ Hall of Fame Pitmaster, John Willingham, the company has earned a reputation as one of the world's top BBQ prod

Called Up Author, Zak Ford and an Encore Presentation with Barbecue Renaissance Man, Andy Husbands Zak Ford is a chapter leader with the Society for American Baseball Research and serves on the advisory committee of the Pacific Coast League Historical Society.  As fans of the game we love hearing the players stories of the moment they learned they were being called up to the Major Leagues sometimes referred to as "The Show" and for some details of what happens when they first arrive.  In his book, Called Up:  Ballplayers Remember Becoming Major Leaguers, Zak has interviewed more than 100 players who debuted between 1961 and 2018 and delights readers with stories which run the gamut from humorous to heartwarming.   Andy Husbands was a guest on episode 110 and the listener feedback was exceptional so we felt the need to play it again.  Andy is an award-winning chef, author, and pitmaster as well as a television personality.  He is the owner of five Smoke Shop BBQ restaurants located throughout Boston,

Former New York Yankees Media Relations Executive, Rick Cerrone and Chef Ray Sheehan with a Barbecue Holiday Gift Giving Guide Plus Jeff's Two Cents Rick Cerrone was recently inducted into the New York State Baseball Hall of Fame.  It was a well deserved honor for a man who has been a part of the baseball scene in New York and elsewhere for almost 50 years.  He is quite humble as he starts off the interview by crediting his high school guidance counselor for starting him on his career path, but without his talents and strong work ethic this career does not happen; beginning in 1977 when he founded Baseball Magazine.  Rick's many jobs in baseball have included working on the public relations staffs for two Baseball Commissioners, co-hosted the radio show, The Sports Connection, and worked as Public Relations VP for the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Rick finally achieved his dream job when he became the New York Yankees public relations executive, a job he held for 11 seasons while working for George Steinbrenner and a

Kansas City Royals Television Host, Joel Goldberg and discovering Kankay Grills with Lara, Federico and Tomas Joel Goldberg has been a member of the Kansas City Royals television broadcast since 2008, serving as the host of every pregame and postgame show on FOX Sports Kansas City.  We discuss Joel's career path and all the great things he has done including winning a 2001 Mid-America Emmy for sports reporting and covering multiple championship teams in Major League Baseball and the National Football League.  Joel is a fellow podcaster with his show, Rounding the Bases.  More information on Joel Goldberg can be found at https://joelgoldbergmedia.com/ Kankay Grill is an Argentine company making exceptional grills.  Two of the companys' founders, Federico Schaer and Tomas Beutin and the designer of their numerous grills, Lara Dittmar join us and discuss the company and the Argentinian grill experience.  They want to create the best products to generate unforgettable moments around the fire.  Their philosopy is,

Smokin' Hoggz BBQ's, Bill Gillespie and ESPN and CBS Radio's, Robin Lundberg Plus Discussion on the New York State Baseball Hall of Fame Dinner Bill Gillespie is the founder of the the Smokin' Hoggz BBQ team.  His team has won hundreds of awards and has claimed the Grand Championship at both the Jack Daniel's World Championship Invitational Barbecue and the American Royal World Series of Barbecue Invitational.  He shares his vast cooking knowledge in four outstanding books, Hot and Fast BBQ on Your Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker, Secrets to Smoking on the Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker and Other Smokers, The Smoking Bacon & Hog Cookbook, and The Secrets to Great Charcoal Grilling on the Weber.  In addition to being an excellent competition cook and outstanding cookbook author , Bill also has a delicious lineup of sauces and rubs.  We are joined by Doug Scheiding.  For more information on Bill and Smokin' Hoggz BBQ or to order his products go to https://www.smokinhoggzbbq.com/ Robin Lundberg is a sports broadc

We travel back to 1935 with Babe Ruth Author, Bob LeMoine and the Sauce is the Boss with Sweet Baby Ray's, Dave Raymond, a 2023 Barbecue Hall of Fame inductee. Bob LeMoine loves baseball and this love began at a very early age.  He would lay in bed at night, listening to his small transistor radio and cheer on the Boston Red Sox.  Bob is fascinated with Boston and 19th-century baseball history.  His latest project is When the Babe Went Back to Boston:  Babe Ruth, Judge Fuchs and the Hapless Braves of 1935.  It is a fascinating look at Babe Ruth after his time with the New York Yankees ended and he tried to pursue a a second act career as a manager as well as all else from that time until his death.  Babe Ruth is considered by many to be the greatest baseball player and this book provides much more interesting information on his life. Dave Raymond aka Sweet Baby Ray has many years of experience in the barbecue industry. In 1982, Dave and his lifelong friend Mike O’Brien used the sauce which Dave's brother Larr

A Great Episode with Grill Girl, Robyn Lindars, Tony Gwynn Biography Author, Scott Kingdon, Guest Co-host, Doug Scheiding, and Jeff's Two Cents Robyn Lindars is the creator of GrillGirl.com.  She is a recipe developer who loves anything cooked over fire. She has a passion for teaching others how to create their own smoked foods, from creative smoked cocktails to classic brisket. She competes on a barbecue team and is a trained Florida BBQ Association judge. Her editorial and recipe content has been featured in numerous publications, including USA Today's USA Weekend, The Huffington Post, and Rachael Ray EveryDay.  Robyn has madse numerous television appearnaces including, The Today Show and the Food Network's, Chopped Grill Masters.  We surprise Robyn by having Doug Scheiding join us as he knows Robyn very well and asks her some great questions. Scott Kingdon is an exceptional writer who has chosen to write the biography of one of the greatest and most likeable players to ever don a Major League Baseball unif

Grand Slam with New York State Baseball Hall of Fame Founder and Executive Director, Rene LeRoux and James Hare, Founder of Cucamonga Cattle Co. Rene LeRoux is the founder and executive director of three New York State Hall of Fame’s, baseball, basketball, and hockey.  He spearheaded a mammoth undertaking when he took a hall of fame which was known for its annual induction dinner and online list of inductees and turned it into a brick and mortar baseball lover's destination in Gloversville, New York.  Rene discusses the 2023 induction class and delights us with his wonderful stories.  Go to http://www.nysbhof.com/home.html for more information on the New York State Baseball Hall of Fame. Jame Hare is the founder of the Cucamonga Cattle Co., maker of fine barbecue rubs and sauces. He is also a Kansas City Barbeque Society judge. "Cucamonga Cattle Company came about from the love of great food. After spending the better part of 30 years barbecuing for family and friends, James discovered that he was not sa

Hot Stuff with 1989's MLB American League Rookie of the Year, Gregg Olson and Aaron Epstein, Founder of Coney Island Saucery Gregg Olson was a relief pitcher who played for 14 years in the Major Leagues. In 1989, Olson became the first reliever to win the American League Rookie of the Year Award as he set an American League rookie record with 27 saves and had a 5–2 mark with a 1.69 ERA and 90 strikeouts in 85 innings.  Gregg was a member of 10 MLB teams during his playing career, but it is as a member of the Baltimore Orioles where Olson enjoyed the most success and is a member of the team's Hall of Fame.  Gregg is also a member of the National College Baseball Hall of Fame as well as being a member of the Nebraska High School Hall of Fame along with his dad, famed 35 years high school coach, Bill Olson. Aaron Epstein is the founder of Coney Island Saucery, specializing in premium hot sauces.  Aaron's fondest childhood memories were of trips to Coney Island with his dad and brother. Aaron's hot sauces are exc

Almost Cooperstown's, Gordon and Mark Kolier and Blazing Star BBQ's, Mike Starr make this a can't miss episode Gordon and Mark Kolier are the father and son hosts of the Almost Cooperstown podcast.  This family duo loves to talk and argue about baseball.  They launched the podcast "noting that baseball contains a long history of players that, for whatever reasons, have been shunned by the electors of the Hall of Fame."  They discuss that with us as well as the current season as that is what they often discuss on their show.  You can learn more about their podcast at https://www.almostcooperstown.com/   Mike Starr is the founder of Blazing Star BBQ, makers of barbecue sauces and rubs.  Mike is a 21 year US Air Force Veteran and has traveled all over the world. From Blazing Star's website, "During my travels I have experienced some unique cultures and tasted some unique foods. Now, I am bringing unique flavors from my world travels to your backyard."  Mike discusses his barbecue journey, the

Let's Play Two With MLB Network's, Brian Kenny and Bear Mountain BBQ's, Levi Strayer Brian Kenny is a studio host for MLB Network and a boxing play-by-play announcer for Fox Sports.  He is the host of the weekday program MLB Now, known as “the show for the thinking fan."  He previously worked for ESPN, where he won three Emmys, and had his own show on ESPN Radio named, The Brian Kenny Show.  He is also the host of the Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies in Cooperstown, New York.  Brian's love of baseball comes through loud and clear. Levi Strayer knows the importance of using quality products when he cooks and he is proud to work for Bear Mountain BBQ, makers of premium wood pellets, wood chips, and wood chunks.  As their website says, "We’ve spent the past 30 years crafting premium quality wood pellets for those that are passionate about BBQ.  We wanted to add rich, smoky flavor to food without using anything artificial."  Levi explains how their products are made and why Bear Mountain

It's a Rare Triple Play with No Crying In Baseball Author, Erin Carlson, Smoke Sweats BBQ's, Anthony Scerri, and Blue Smoke's Executive Chef, Bret Lunsford Erin Carlson is a culture and entertainment journalist, and the author of three Hollywood history books.  She joins us to discuss her latest project, No Crying in Baseball: The Inside Story of A League of Their Own: Big Stars, Dugout Drama, and a Home Run for Hollywood.  The book is an outstanding look at the people, including the cast, and the story involved with the making of the movie which more than 30 years after its release has become a beloved classic.  Erin's work appears in many publications, including Vanity Fair and Town and Country. Anthony Scerri is the founder and owner of Smoke Sweats BBQ.  Based in Brooklyn, NY, Anthony is taking his love for barbecue and with many marketing tools, including having barbecue popups, he is bringing his unique style to the New York and surrounding areas masses.  We met Anthony at Jimmy Carbone's Pig Island eve

Mickey Callaway, Former MLB Player, Pitching Coach, and Manager and Brian Leigh of Award Winning, B.T. Leigh's Sauces and Rubs Mickey Callaway is a former Major League Baseball player who pitched for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Anaheim Angels, where he earned a World Series ring, and the Texas Rangers.  His professional playing career ended as a player for the Hyundai Unicorns in Korea in the KBO where he was a two-time league All-Star.  Soon after his playing career ended Mickey started coaching and worked his way up to an outstanding stint as pitching coach for the Cleveland Indians as he guided the pitching staff through an incredible season in 2016 which saw the team get to within a game of winning the World Series.  In 2017, Mickey was named the manager of the New York Mets.  Mickey was an extremely positive manager and his positive energy was felt throughout the discussion as he spoke about his baseball career. Brian Leigh is the founder of B.T. Leigh's Sauces & Rubs.  He is a PBS cooking competition

Why We Love Baseball with Author, Joe Posnanski and Exceptional Barbecue Talk with Pork Mafia's, Phil Wingo and Guest Co-host, Doug Scheiding Joe Posnanski is a #1 New York Times bestselling author.  He has written for The Athletic, Sports Illustrated, NBC Sports and The Kansas City Star.  He has been named National Sportswriter of the Year by five different organizations and is the winner of two Emmy Awards. He joined us on episode 115 to discuss his book, The Baseball 100 and he has followed up that superb book with his latest project, Why We Love Baseball:  A History In 50 Moments.  Some of the moments will be ones you think you know quite well and others you may or not have heard of, but each of them includes something special which will make it as if you are hearing about them for the first time.  Joe has a unique writing and speaking style, both of which are evident from our discussion. Phil Wingo is the founder of Pork Mafia's championship sauces and rubs .  We met Phil at Pig Beach during the Jeff Mic

Former New York Met, Ed Kranepool and author, Gary Kaschak join us to discuss their new book and Forge to Table Knives founder, Noah Rosen recounts the company's humble beginning while Jeff gives his two cents. Ed Kranepool was only 17 years old in 1962 when the expansion team, New York Mets were formed and he then spent the next 18 years wearing blue and orange.  Kranepool was an important member  of the 1969 Miracle Mets and when he retired after the 1979 season at the age of 34, he was the all-time Mets leader in 10 major statistical categories, including games, at-bats, hits, and total bases.  Kranepool joins us to discuss his new book, The Last Miracle:  My 18-Year Journey with the Amazin' New York Mets which he wrote with Gary Kaschak.  Ed is a member of the New York Mets Hall of Fame and beloved by New York Mets fans worldwide.  We are thrilled he is back for his second appearance.   Gary Kaschak has written another exceptional book and we are honored he has joined us with Ed Kranepool for this in dept

It's a triple play with author, Kirk McKnight, food event producer, Jimmy Carbone, Baseball BBQ's, Brett Mandel, and guest co-host, Ray Sheehan Kirk McKnight is a nationally published author specializing in sports journalism. His latest book is The Voices of Baseball: The Game's Greatest Broadcasters Reflect On America's Pastime. Baseball broadcasters are the voice of the game. They know the intimate details of the team, the stadium, and the history of their club. This book covers every stadium in major league baseball, recounting the greatest moments to take place within their walls as told by the most renowned broadcasters in the game, past and present. Kirk has interviewed some of the best play by play broadcasters and the conversations are exceptional. Jimmy Carbone is a New York City-based restaurateur, event producer, and radio host.  Jimmy is the brainchild behind former East Village bar, Jimmy's No. 43, and continues to produce several treasured craft food and drink events in New York City, including

Celebrating Episode 200 In Kansas City With NLBM President, Bob Kendrick, Former MLB Player, Ed Hearn, and BBQ HOF Member, Ardie Davis Episode 200 was not going to pass without us doing something special and so we took the show to Kansas City where baseball and barbecue are part of the city's foundation.  While there we had the pleasure of spending time with three previous guests. Bob Kendrick is president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri and was our very first podcast guest almost six years ago.  After his first appearance he joined us two more times and each discussion was even better than the one before.  This was our first time meeting in person and we were overjoyed to meet Bob as we greatly respect his talents as a baseball historian, phenomenal storyteller, and an incredible steward of the game.  We talked about his passion for the museum, the history it preserves, and the stories it tells.  Go to https://www.nlbm.com/ for more information on Bob and the museum. Ed Hearn is

Shea Hello's, Casey Lynn and Elda's Kitchen's, Brie Blackford Provide Their Unique Perspectives Casey Lynn grew up a New York Mets fan and now is channeling his team's love into his company, Shea Hello Media, a digital multimedia sports company focusing on the New York Mets and Major League Baseball.  He began with a daily newsletter and has added a podcast which he co-hosts with former Major League Baseball pitcher, Bill Pulsipher.  We discuss how he started and where he wants to take this.  More information on Casey Lynn and Shea Hello Media can be found at https://linktr.ee/sheahellomedia Brie Blackford is the co-founder of Elda’s Kitchen, maker of wonderful sauces.  Brie returns for an update on her latest products which are part of two new product lines and provides insight on what it takes to make it in a very competitive business.  She is inspired by the wonderful cooking and hospitality of her grandmother, Elda Abronzino.  The sauces are vegan friendly, contain no MSG or preservatives, are non-GMO, gl