This year marks the 100th anniversary of the infamous Black Sox scandal, in which eight members of the Chicago White Sox were banned from baseball for throwing the World Series. Author Jacob Pomrenke joins us to discuss his book, plus the classic "Eight Men Out" and several other books on the Black Sox and their legacy.
Books mentioned:
"Eight Men Out," by Eliot Asinof
"Burying the Black Sox," by Gene Carney
"Black Sox in the Courtroom," by William Lamb
"Shoeless Joe," by W.P. Kinsella
"Shoeless," by David Fleitz
"Say it Ain't So," by Donald Gropman
"The Ginger Kid," by Irving Stein
Featured song: "New Era Rag," James Scott.
From Ty Cobb to Derek Jeter, baseball has always been inseparable from advertising. Author Roberta J. Newman joins us to discuss her look at the long, intertwined history of two American institutions.
Featured song: "Baseball, Hot Dogs, Apple Pie and Chevrolet," 1970s commercial.
In 1968, major pitchers dominated as never before as hitters looked helpless at the plate. Author Sridhar Pappu joins to discuss Bob Gibson, Denny McLain, Don Drysdale, Luis Tiant and the rest of the hurlers who defined the year of the pitcher.
Featured song: "White Light/White Heat," the Velvet Underground.
More than six decades after they left Flatbush, the Brooklyn Dodgers continue to resonate in the American imagination, particularly in pop culture. Author David Krell joins us to discuss the legacy of Rickey, Robinson, Reese and the rest of the Boys of Summer.
Featured song: "(I Used To Be A) Brooklyn Dodger," Dion.