Two Strike Noise - A Baseball History Podcast
We talk to you about baseball history & have been described as specializing in Boston Red Sox history. Only one of those are true. It’s isn’t the latter.
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Episodes
Saturday Jun 13, 2026
Saturday Jun 13, 2026
On this episode of Two Strike Noise, Jeff and Mark cover recent baseball chatter (Jazz Chisholm borrowing gear, a new baseball rom-com, and the 1986 Wally Joyner knife incident) before welcoming Baseball-Reference’s Adam Darowski for a deep dive on Julio Franco, from his Dominican upbringing and Phillies signing through stints with Cleveland, Texas, the White Sox, and extensive play in Japan, Mexico, Korea, and back in MLB with Atlanta and the Mets, highlighting his longevity, unique batting stance, training regimen, and age-related MLB records. They discuss Franco’s production peaks (including a 1991 AL batting title), his global hit totals and Darowski’s conservative “gap-filling” 4,000-hit-club research projecting Franco past 3,000 MLB hits, plus context from Negro Leagues/Latin American history and Hall of Fame considerations. The episode also closes with a 1987 Topps Wax Pack Heroes card pull and Adam’s Immaculate Grid favorites.
Awesome shot of Julio and other DR players looking fly AF - https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/portrait-of-mlb-shortstops-rafael-santana-julio-franco-news-photo/957081864?adppopup=true
Connect With UsYouTube: www.youtube.com/@twostrikenoiseTwitch: https://www.twitch.tv/twostrikenoiseBlueSky: @twostrikenoise.bsky.socialEmail: twostrikenoise@gmail.com
Support a Great Cause: Don't let your common cards collect dust! Donate them to help spark a child's interest in the game at http://commons4kids.org/.
#baseballhistory #mlb #baseball #BaseballCards #TwoStrikeNoise #JulioFranco #DominicanRepublic #ImmaculateGrid #popculture
Saturday Jun 06, 2026
Saturday Jun 06, 2026
On May 17, 1998, David Wells showed up to Yankee Stadium having slept maybe two and a half hours, running on coffee, a single pancake, and whatever was left of Saturday night. He then threw the 15th perfect game in Major League Baseball history in front of 49,820 people who were mostly there for a Beanie Baby. That's the story this week.
We go deep on the whole thing — the legendary SNL after-party that didn't happen, the cast members who swear they were there and provably weren't, the Mandela Effect that turned one hungover pitcher into baseball mythology, and what Wells actually did in the nine years after the game nobody thought he had left in him.
Also in this episode: Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice stop by Letterman to deliver a top 10 list, Steve Garvey turns up as an extra in The Godfather Part II, Wade Boggs earns his nickname on the set of Cheers, and we finally finish that pack of 2003 Topps with Alfonso Soriano, Shawn Green, Al Leiter, and Sean Casey.
Topics include: David Wells perfect game, 1998 New York Yankees, SNL Mandela Effect, Jimmy Fallon David Wells party, Beanie Baby day Yankee Stadium, Chuck Knoblauch throwing yips, Tim McClelland umpire, Don Larsen perfect game, Dock Ellis no-hitter, Dallas Braden perfect game, David Cone knuckleball, Rickey Henderson Hall of Fame, Wade Boggs Cheers, Steve Garvey Godfather, 2003 Topps baseball cards, baseball history podcast, Two Strike Noise
00:00 Open
01:06 Rickey & Rice on Letterman
05:26 Garvey in Godfather
07:18 Boggs on Cheers
10:10 Towel Toss Ejection
12:40 Wells Perfect Game Intro
15:48 Gout and Yankees Context
19:10 The Mystery Party Night
23:28 Hangover to Perfection
30:37 Perfect Game Tension
33:00 Knoblauch Saves It
34:23 Twins Stall Tactics
35:26 Ninth Inning Drama
37:31 Perfect Game Celebration
38:51 Aftermath And Trivia
45:06 SNL Mandela Effect
47:33 Wax Pack Heroes Returns
01:00:50 Final Cards Winner
01:04:11 Wrap Up And Plugs
Connect With Us
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@twostrikenoise
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/twostrikenoise
BlueSky: @twostrikenoise.bsky.social
Email: twostrikenoise@gmail.com
Support a Great Cause: Don't let your common cards collect dust! Donate them to help spark a child's interest in the game at http://commons4kids.org/.
#baseballhistory #mlb #baseball #BaseballCards #TwoStrikeNoise #popculture
Saturday May 30, 2026
Saturday May 30, 2026
The mailbag delivers. Listener emails this week include a baseball honeymoon, a Jeopardy-funded wedding (not a typo), and a fan who shipped over APBA game materials and a stack of 1972 Topps cards. That last one matters by the end of the episode.
In BP, Jeff and Mark work through the week's oddities: batters watching their own strikeout replays in real time, the phrase "circuit clout" making a comeback, Elmo showing up in the Phillies booth alongside John Kruk, Jazz Chisholm wearing Giancarlo Stanton's pants to break a slump, and a genuinely strange roster trivia note involving the Marlins, Cardinals, and Twins.
The main segment is 1988. Specifically, what happens when a pitcher gets so locked in that the league starts to feel likeit's 1968 all over again. Orel Hershiser threw 59 consecutive scoreless innings that year — breaking Don Drysdale's record — and won the Cy Young while doing it. Jeff puts it in context against Bob Gibson's 1968, the last time people seriously asked whether pitchers had broken the sport.
The episode closes with Wax Pack Heroes, using the 1972 Topps cards the listener sent in.
00:00 Cold Open and Welcome00:18 On Location and Mariners Talk01:31 Mailbag Honeymoon Baseball Stories04:15 APBA Surprise and Wax Packs07:19 BP Big Screens and Circuit Clouts09:11 Elmo in the Broadcast Booth10:52 Jazz Chisholm Wears Stantons Pants13:22 Weird MLB Three Team Trivia15:01 NCIS New Orleans Baseball Cameos16:54 Year of the Pitcher Part Deux44:35 Wax PackHeroes01:07:10 Thanks Plugs Signoff
Connect With UsYouTube: www.youtube.com/@twostrikenoiseTwitch: https://www.twitch.tv/twostrikenoiseBlueSky: @twostrikenoise.bsky.socialEmail: twostrikenoise@gmail.com
Support a Great Cause: Don't let your common cards collect dust! Donate them to help spark a child's interest in the game at http://commons4kids.org/.
#baseballhistory #mlb #baseball #Yankees #RedSox #Cal #BaseballCards #TwoStrikeNoise
Saturday May 16, 2026
Saturday May 16, 2026
Jeff and Mark return and open with BP topics including Bobby Witt Jr.’s inside-the-park homer and a minor-league inside-the-park home run created when a fielder slid on a ball and unknowingly plugged it under the turf. They discuss Cal Raleigh ending an 0-for-38 slump by showering in full uniform, then going on the IL, and debate complaints about constant in-stadium audio at Yankee Stadium, including claims Aaron Judge wants Madison Square Garden-style energy and even signals the production booth. In Tales from the Dugout, Mark explains “Eddie Sissons Syndrome” for exaggerated baseball biographies, while Jeff shares an 1883 carrier-pigeon score delivery system and the story of Clarence “Climax” Blethyn’s dentures biting him during a slide. The show ends with Wax Pack Heroes from 2003 Topps, and there's a manager card!.
00:00 BP Weird Baseball Moments
15:04 Grounds Crew to Dugout Tales
16:36 Eddie Sissons Syndrome
20:43 Pigeon Scoreboard in 1883
23:30 Dentures Bite Back Story
30:34 Wax Pack Heroes
46:58 Streams and Signoff
Connect With Us
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@twostrikenoise
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/twostrikenoise
BlueSky: @twostrikenoise.bsky.social
Email: twostrikenoise@gmail.com
Support a Great Cause: Don't let your common cards collect dust! Donate them to help spark a child's interest in the game at http://commons4kids.org/.
#baseballhistory #mlb #baseball #Yankees #RedSox #Cal #BaseballCards #TwoStrikeNoise
Saturday Apr 04, 2026
Saturday Apr 04, 2026
Jeff and Mark kick off their opening day episode of Two Strike Noise by mocking the Giants’ version of the viral 9-9-9 challenge (mini hot dogs and one beer split into flight glasses) and complaining about MLB games being scattered across too many streaming platforms. They share quirky baseball items and stories, including a Royals rookie oversleeping, an MLB/Mountain Dew promo tied to 420-foot homers, Rays jerseys containing pieces of Tropicana Field’s hurricane-damaged roof, and a collector seeking ticket stubs from all 2,499 Carlton Fisk catching games. They then run through notable opening day history: Ruth homering at the first Yankee Stadium game (1923), Walter Johnson’s 15-inning shutout (1926), Bob Feller’s opening day no-hitter (1940), painted-stand suit stains in Boston (1946), Jackie Robinson’s debut (1947), the Seattle Pilots’ makeshift stadium (1969), Hank Aaron tying Ruth (1974), and umpire John McSherry’s fatal on-field heart attack and Marge Schott’s reaction (1996). And an episode wouldn't be complete without ripping some old baseball cards and playing Wax Pack Heroes.
00:00 Show Intro and Banter
01:15 Opening Day Vibes
01:37 Giants Botch 999
05:35 Baseball Streaming Chaos
09:00 MLB Seinfeld Style Oversleep
10:08 Mountain Dew 420 Promo
11:20 Rays Roof Jersey Patch
12:28 Carlton Fisk Ticket Hunt
13:50 First Pitch Record Story
17:26 Rolling Out Opening Day History
17:38 Yankee Stadium Ruth Homer
18:40 Walter Johnson 15 Innings
20:05 Feller Opening Day No No
22:44 Braves Green Paint Disaster
24:24 Jackie Robinson Debut
25:10 Seattle Pilots First Game
25:43 Stadium Chaos Opener
26:33 Hank Aaron Ties Ruth
28:13 Umpire Tragedy 1996
33:45 Wax Pack Heroes
47:40 Outro And Plugs
Connect With Us
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@twostrikenoise
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/twostrikenoise
BlueSky: @twostrikenoise.bsky.social
Email: twostrikenoise@gmail.com
Support a Great Cause: Don't let your common cards collect dust! Donate them to help spark a child's interest in the game at http://commons4kids.org/.
#baseballhistory #mlb #baseball #Yankees #RedSox #Cal #BaseballCards #TwoStrikeNoise
Saturday Mar 21, 2026
Saturday Mar 21, 2026
Jeff and Mark open discussing Hideki Matsui’s scheduled lecture at the Japan Society of Fertilization and Implantation and how he became an ‘expert’ on the subject. They review minor-league rule experiments, including moving second base again, check-swing challenges, limiting batter timeouts, counting PitchCom issues as mound visits, reducing disengagements, and allowing starters to re-enter, plus a DH-related idea. They cover an NPB postseason rule expanding “ghost wins” in the Climax Series and MLB’s spring training re-measurements to calibrate automated strike zones, noting several players’ height changes. In “Tales from the Dugout,” they recount 1900 Giants players rescuing people from a fire before a game that ended in a stalled tie, a 1944 Reds-Braves game finished in 1:15 on 58 pitches, and odd baseball card stories involving Mike Proly’s empty-bench card and forged Little Sun autographs. The episode ends with a 2003 Topps Wax Pack Heroes matchup.
00:00 Podcast Cold Open
00:51 Matsui Fertility Lecture
02:35 Minor League Rule Experiments
07:06 NPB Ghost Wins Debate
08:33 Measuring Strike Zones
13:45 1900 Fire Rescue Antics
18:19 1944 Speedrun Game
22:51 Mike Proly is Missing Card
26:48 Little Sun Set Tease
27:47 Roper Over Jeter Chase
29:46 Backdoored Autograph Scandal
31:10 Mystery Card Hunt Segment
32:44 Wax Pack Heroes Begins
52:01 Wrap Up and Listener Teams
Connect With Us
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@twostrikenoise
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/twostrikenoise
BlueSky: @twostrikenoise.bsky.social
Email: twostrikenoise@gmail.com
Support a Great Cause: Don't let your common cards collect dust! Donate them to help spark a child's interest in the game at http://commons4kids.org/.
#baseballhistory #mlb #baseball #Yankees #RedSox #Cal #BaseballCards #TwoStrikeNoise
Saturday Mar 14, 2026
Saturday Mar 14, 2026
Jeff and Mark open this week’s episode with some unique baseball history notes, including Andre Dawson’s Hall of Fame plaque, Ramon Laureano’s scratched spring start due to his new best boy, a forgotten Jay Johnstone’s prank, a “Very Reverend” arrested for stealing baseball card packs, and the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp using “Honey Drippers” as an alternate identity. The main story spotlights Browns outfielder Ken Williams’ remarkable 1922 season during Babe Ruth’s early suspension, detailing his league-leading power, 30–30 milestone, record feats, lack of MVP votes, a corked-bat controversy, and head injuries that helped end his career. The episode closes with Wax Packs Heroes from a 2003 Topps pack featuring some Hall of Famers and some not even close Hall of Famers.
00:00 Podcast Intro and Banter
01:24 Hall of Fame Cap Debate
03:41 Weird Spring Training Injuries
05:14 Jay Johnstone Prank Story
06:26 Reverend Card Theft Bust
09:20 Honey Drippers Name Revival
10:57 Main Story Ken Williams Begins
34:29 Wax Pack Heroes Returns
47:36 Wrap Up Plugs Farewell
Connect With Us
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@twostrikenoise
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/twostrikenoise
BlueSky: @twostrikenoise.bsky.social
Email: twostrikenoise@gmail.com
Support a Great Cause: Don't let your common cards collect dust! Donate them to help spark a child's interest in the game at http://commons4kids.org/.
#baseballhistory #mlb #baseball #Yankees #RedSox #Cal #BaseballCards #TwoStrikeNoise
Saturday Mar 07, 2026
Saturday Mar 07, 2026
Jeff and Mark open with BP updates including Ben Davis cutting his kneecap to the bone with a chainsaw and Matt Waldron being hospitalized after hemorrhoid surgery, plus an immaculate-grid note that Josh Gibson pitched once and Cool Papa Bell pitched extensively with a winning record. They discuss Mets pitcher Ryan Lambert boosting velocity by eating up to 30 raw eggs a day and debate how baseball phrases dominate everyday language. The main topic covers the Indianapolis Clowns, a Negro American League team that blended high-level play with choreographed comedy (including the “magic circle,” a first baseman on stilts, and barnstorming life under segregation) while still winning, including the 1950 pennant, and featuring a brief 1952 stint by Henry Aaron before the Braves bought his contract for $10,000. They add that the Clowns signed women players like Toni Stone and inspired the film The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings, then finish with a 2003 Topps Wax Pack Heroes round featuring players like Hideo Nomo, Alfonso Soriano, Orlando Hudson, Roberto Alomar, Larry Walker, and “Young Bong.”
00:00 Podcast Cold Open
00:54 Ben Davis Chainsaw Massacre
03:41 Dude Wipes and Waldron
05:33 Immaculate Grid Oddities
08:38 Raw Eggs for Velocity
11:28 Baseball Phrases Everywhere
15:16 Meet the Indianapolis Clowns
34:25 Wax Pack Heroes
50:13 Wrap Up And Plugs
Connect With Us
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@twostrikenoise
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/twostrikenoise
BlueSky: @twostrikenoise.bsky.social
Email: twostrikenoise@gmail.com
Support a Great Cause: Don't let your common cards collect dust! Donate them to help spark a child's interest in the game at http://commons4kids.org/.
#baseballhistory #mlb #baseball #Yankees #RedSox #Cal #BaseballCards #TwoStrikeNoise
Sunday Mar 01, 2026
Sunday Mar 01, 2026
Jeff and Mark open the episode by diving into some Pacific Northwest baseball deep-cuts, starting with the 14-year career of Darnell Coles and the search for his possible lone existing mural. They cover a run of opening day oddities, including Tuffy Rhodes’ three-homer barrage against Doc Gooden in '94 and Harry Caray’s confusion over fans spending their honeymoon at Wrigley Field. The guys also look at the current state of Rookie of the Year droughts for the Padres and Guardians and mourn the loss of the MLB.tv discount to the "ESPN corporate machine."
The main feature covers the complex life of Jackie Jensen, the only man to play in a Rose Bowl, a World Series, and an MLB All-Star Game. From his "Golden Boy" status at Cal to being the hand-picked successor to Joe DiMaggio—only to be usurped by Mickey Mantle—the story follows Jensen's MVP peak in Boston and the paralyzing "AV-Phobia" that eventually forced him out of the game. The episode closes with a high-stakes Wax Pack Heroes battle featuring 2003 Topps.
00:00 Welcome01:23 The Darnell Coles Deep-Dive04:59 Opening Day '94: Tuffy Rhodes vs. Doc Gooden07:59 Harry Caray Questions the Youth of America11:30 ROTY Droughts15:07 RIP MLB.tv Discounts and Sunday Night Local Broadcasts18:39 Main Story: The Life and Legend of Jackie Jensen44:36 Wax Pack Heroes: Big Hurt, Albert Pujols, and a Chris Snelling55:36 Wrap-Up
Connect With UsYouTube: www.youtube.com/@twostrikenoiseTwitch: https://www.twitch.tv/twostrikenoiseBlueSky: @twostrikenoise.bsky.socialEmail: twostrikenoise@gmail.com
Support a Great Cause: Don't let your common cards collect dust! Donate them to help spark a child's interest in the game at http://commons4kids.org/.
#baseballhistory #mlb #baseball #Yankees #RedSox #Cal #BaseballCards #TwoStrikeNoise
Saturday Feb 14, 2026
Saturday Feb 14, 2026
Jeff and Mark open the episode with early-season baseball energy (NCAA baseball starting, spring training nearing, and WBC chatter) before noting the passing of relief legend Elroy “Roy” Face and revisiting stories tied to Ralph Terry. They share a run of baseball oddities and news, including the White Sox adding bidets at a Japanese player’s request while misspelling his locker name, Hideo Nomo sausage race, and former Yankees pitcher Kei Igawa’s acting debut. They also discuss Puerto Rico WBC insurance issues, including Bad Bunny offering to cover premiums for Carlos Correa and Francisco Lindor, plus the Rangers’ planned Nolan Ryan bloodied-jersey replica giveaway tied to the Bo Jackson line drive.
The main feature is a career-focused tribute to recently deceased Tigers legend Mickey Lolich, from his childhood accident that helped turn him into a left-hander to his workhorse peak to his iconic 1968 World Series performance. The episode closes with the Wax Pack Heroes game from a 2003 Topps pack, along with show plugs and contact info.
00:00 Welcome Back to Two Strike Noise + Baseball Is Back01:23 RIP Elroy “Roy” Face: The Baron of the Bullpen04:59 Square-Dance Caller Dad & Other Roy Face Oddities05:56 Japan Notes: Murakami, White Sox Bidets & a Name-Tag Fail07:59 Baseball Players Are Children: NoMo’s Sausage Race & More09:10 More Japan: Iga’s Acting Debut + Kuroda as TV Murderer11:30 WBC Injuries & Insurance: Hamate Bones and Bad Bunny Steps In13:07 Nolan Ryan Bloodied Jersey Giveaway (And the Ventura Mix-Up)14:39 Main Story: The Life and Legend of Mickey Lolich31:06 Time for Wax Pack Heroes: Mitch Roasted, Scoreboard Update & New Topps Hunt49:36 Wrap-Up: Final Score, Where to Find the Show, Streams, Email & Baseball’s Back
Connect With UsYouTube: www.youtube.com/@twostrikenoiseTwitch: https://www.twitch.tv/twostrikenoiseBlueSky: @twostrikenoise.bsky.socialEmail: twostrikenoise@gmail.com
Support a Great Cause: Don't let your common cards collect dust! Donate them to help spark a child's interest in the game at http://commons4kids.org/.
#baseballhistory #mlb #AddieJoss #MickeyLolich #AllStarGame #BaseballCards #TwoStrikeNoise #DeadBallEra