Two Strike Noise - A Baseball History Podcast

Episode 42 - Stealing Signs

Despite Mark’s computer taking it’s last breath, we still managed to cover the history of stealing signs in MLB baseball. The Astros might be the latest to be accused but they are far from the first. From the Hartford Dark Blues to Ty Cobb to the Shot Heard Round the World, signs have been pilfered as long as they’ve been used. Mark also takes on the first round of the Great Nickname Quiz. Can you score higher than our resident nickname expert? Will Mark remember who the One Dawg is, finally? And what would a baseball history podcast be without a story about Mark Twain?
Astros Sign Stealing Mega Threads!
Jomboy breakdown - https://twitter.com/Jomboy_/status/1194348775965437952
Reddit thread with tons of video - https://www.reddit.com/r/baseball/comments/dw1u4g/astros_sign_stealing_video_footage_megathread_for/
SI article about history of sign stealing - https://www.si.com/mlb/2019/11/13/sign-stealing-baseball-history
Ringer article - https://www.theringer.com/mlb/2019/11/13/20963519/houston-astros-sign-stealing-scandal-2017-jeff-luhnow
Accusations that both Joey Cora and Carlos Beltran were involved in 2017 - https://www.si.com/mlb/2019/11/14/astros-sign-stealing-alex-cora-carlos-beltran?utm_source=reddit.com

Episode 41 - Unwritten Rules & Bats

They aren’t written down but we’re talking about them anyways, baseball’s unwritten rules. When is it ok to bunt when you’re being no hit? How should you always approach home plate? What is the magic word that every ump will toss you for using? We’ll tell you about them, just don’t write them down for the love of all that’s holy! Also, what’s up with baseball bats? How did we get from using spokes from a wagon wheel to ax handle bats? We review the history of bats as well as some unique stories and models that have been used throughout the history of the game. This week’s Wax Pack Heroes sees us opening 1991 Topps.
 
Wax Pack Heros on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvh7epD-mqT9qCIV7CNqhog
We pull ALOT of commons in Wax Pack Heroes. If you've got those Tom Foley or Ernest Riles cards just sitting around you can donate those commons to charity and maybe spark a child's interest in baseball and collecting. Find out more here: http://commons4kids.org/

Episode 40 - Tales from the Dugout v8

We had so many shorter stories from last week, we did it again, Tales from the Dugout. This week we cover bats, no hats for bats, just bats. We've already covered how part of Tinker to Evers to Chance didn’t speak for 30 years, this week we discuss if they are really the best double play trio or just a catchy poem, And finally, if you thought the Reds and Phillies played the first night game in 1935 you are wrong, 50 years wrong! Plus, we talk Johnny Damon and his reality tv appearances. And finally, another round of Wax Pack Heroes with ‘89 Topps, who will hit the lottery this week?
 
Career K’s by inning - https://twitter.com/MaxSportsStudio/status/1187823998144602113?s=19Now it can be heard on YouTube! - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6VfixA28AoDetailed info for streaming for all baseball leagues world wide - https://wordsabovereplacement.com/baseball-streaming-guide/Wax Pack Heros on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvh7epD-mqT9qCIV7CNqhog
We pull ALOT of commons in Wax Pack Heroes. If you've got those Tom Foley or Ernest Riles cards just sitting around you can donate those commons to charity and maybe spark a child's interest in baseball and collecting. Find out more here: http://commons4kids.org/

Episode 39.5 - World Series

We're back for a second time this week! The World Series and the season have ended. Jeff and Mark put a bow on the Fall Classic where nobody enjoyed much advantage at home . MVP, free agency and a couple of World Series facts as we all start the long wait for pitchers and catchers to report. 

Episode 39 - Tales from the Dugout v7

Tales from the Dugout returns with a compilation of short stories from the past including a baseball episode of The Twilight Zone and two members of the vaunted double play combination, Tinker to Ever to Chance, take a 33 year vow of silence. Mark and Jeff also discuss the old school/new school takes on this year’s World Series and of course Baby Shark. We play another round of Wax Pack Heroes with ‘88 Donruss, who will hit the lottery this week?
Rickey Henderson playing a version of Wax Packs Heroes. https://sports.yahoo.com/rickey-henderson-relives-1989-world-163013766.htmlDetailed info for streaming for baseball leagues world wide - https://wordsabovereplacement.com/baseball-streaming-guide/Wax Pack Heros on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvh7epD-mqT9qCIV7CNqhogNo Crying in Baseball Podcast - https://www.nocryinginbball.com

Episode 38 - Nashville Sounds Batboy Ronnie Jordan

Are you tired of Mark’s stories of when he was a bat boy back in the 90’s? This week we got somebody else to give us some udpated ones. Ronnie Jordan (@Reagan_Jordan1) joins the show to talk about being the Nashville Sounds batboy this past season. While stadiums and players have changed, the pranks played on batboys apparently remain the same. We find out which stains are harder to get out, pine tar or mud for rubbing up baseballs. Wax Pack Heroes is back with some updated rules. Mustaches and Hall of Famers will be celebrated. Plus, what baseball celebrities re-tweeted us this week?
Follow our guest, Ronnie Jordan, @Reagan_Jordan1 as well as the mMississippi State Hockey team @MissStateHockey.
Father Aloysius Travers Baseball Reference page - https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/traveal01.shtml
And because nobody can ever get enough of the Berenguer Boogie - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rd0-1PMFfEY
We pull ALOT of commons in Wax Pack Heroes. If you've got those Tom Foley or Ernest Riles cards just sitting around you can donate those commons to charity and maybe spark a child's interest in baseball and collecting. Find out more here: http://commons4kids.org/

Episode 37 - Chalmers Award & Cheating

For the second week in a row, Nap Lajoie gets screwed out of a batting award! This time it’s the Chalmers Award. What’s the Chalmers Award, we had no clue either but be sure we’ll break it down. Also, cheating in baseball. It happens. It happens alot actually, but to get caught is something different. Note to self, if you have a thumbtack on you to scruff the ball, don’t wipe the sweat from your forehead with that hand! That’s how you get caught! More stories of how players have been busted bending the rules. Plus, our first ever Two Strike Noise Useless Baseball Quiz. Can you beat Mark’s score?
Jomboy Mike Fiers breakdown - https://jomboymedia.com/2019/05/09/mike-fiers-throws-a-no-hitter-a-breakdown/
TWO STRIKE NOISE USELESS BASEBALL QUIZ  Vol. 1
How many former catchers started the 2019 season as managers? 
How many teams don’t wear their last names on the back of their home whites or road grey jerseys (alternates ignored)? Bonus - How many teams have no alternate jerseys?
This White Sox center fielder was nicknamed the “One Dog”. 
There are only 2 MLB franchises to never appear in the World Series as of 10-15-19. Name them. 
Which player was not named ROY? Mike Trout (2012), Albert Pujols (2001), Chipper Jones (1995), or Scott Rolen (1997) 
There were 31 no hitters thrown in the 1990’s. Which of these pitchers did not throw one of them? Dwight Gooden, Roger Clemens, Bob Milacki or Francisco Cordova .
Name as many 1990’s nicknames with "Big" in them as you can.  
In the decade of the 80’s, Rickey Henderson lead the league in steals 9 times. Who bested him in the 1987? 
Besides The Sultan of Swat, name Babe Ruth’s other 3 nicknames. 
In their most productive 5 year span, who hit more HR’s? Babe Ruth, McGwire, Barry Bonds or Griffey Jr.?
 

Episode 36 - Pasquel Delahanty

We jump into the way back machine this week. Jorge Pasquel, possibly more than Branch Rickey, pushed MLB into integration. Learn about the man you’ve probably never heard of that lead the way for baseball to finally be welcome to all. Big Ed Delahanty was the Mike Trout of the 1890’s. A 5 tool player, this Hall of Famer died under mysterious circumstances at Niagara Falls. Hear about one of baseball’s most tragic figures. We visit a couple of rules from baseball’s infancy and discuss how they would play today. Plus, more wax pack heroes!
Ed Delahanty resources:
https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/d835353d
http://baseballegg.com/2017/09/06/was-ed-delahanty-murdered/
2019 Exit Velo: http://m.mlb.com/statcast/leaderboard#exit-velo,r,2019
We pull ALOT of commons in Wax Pack Heroes. If you've got those Tom Foley or Ernest Riles cards just sitting around you can donate those commons to charity and maybe spark a child's interest in baseball and collecting. Find out more here: http://commons4kids.org/

Episode 35 - Tales from the Dugout v6

How long do you think walk up music for batters has been around? A decade? Maybe two? Try a century! We explore the Royal Rooters of Boston. Mazel tov! The Israeli team has become the first team to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics baseball tournament. A former member of the Israeli national team, Adam Greenberg faced only a single pitch in his MLB debut in 2005. Unfortunately it hit him in the head. Thanks to a fan sourced effort, he made it back for another AB in 2012! And it was bound to happen! A coach was tossed for arguing automated balls and strikes in the Atlantic League. Wait until you hear who it was. Plus, we pull our most valuable card ever in wax pack heroes!
Adam Greenberg At Bats:
2005 Debut - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBUHLQGV9MA2012 At Bat - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBCtSzpAjrs
History of Walk Up Music - https://www.mlb.com/cut4/the-complete-history-of-the-walk-up-song
We pull ALOT of commons in Wax Pack Heroes. If you've got those Tom Foley or Ernest Riles cards just sitting around you can donate those commons to charity and maybe spark a child's interest in baseball and collecting. Find out more here: http://commons4kids.org/

Episode 34 - Nolan Ryan

We made it to show 34, so we HAD to talk about Mark’s all time favorite player, Nolan Ryan. So many strikeouts, and we recap every one of them! Just kidding, but we do talk about his numerous records, achievements and a couple of Rickey Henderson-related feats. We also talk about the end of a couple of era’s as the regular season winds down as well as some post-season legends who made their debuts this week. Plus, wax pack heroes!
Mike Feirs' beard google results. See what inspired him. https://i.imgur.com/9h5zHfS.jpg
Nolan Ryan for the next generation. Spittin' verses like 99 MPH fastballs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMu1wr7FlCQ&feature=share
We pull ALOT of commons in Wax Pack Heroes. If you've got those Tom Foley or Ernest Riles cards just sitting around you can donate those commons to charity and maybe spark a child's interest in baseball and collecting. Find out more here: http://commons4kids.org/