Two Strike Noise - A Baseball History Podcast

Episode 29 - Changing the Rules

Would you rather see a game at the Field of Dreams or the Polo Grounds? Who do you want calling that game? Vin Sculley or Bill Walton (we thought it was weird too but that White Sox-Angels game was really fun)? What level of rock star do you have to be to leave a game, do a show, then go back to your seat to catch the end of a 14 inning game? And can either of us pronounce the name of said rock star’s band? Also, changing the rules of baseball is a tedious process with hits and misses. We discuss whether the latest proposals being tested in the minors will ever see the light of day in the majors after Mark witnesses some in person. Plus more Wax Pack Heroes.
 
We've been pulling ALOT of commons lately in Wax Pack Heroes. If you got those Tom Foley Expo 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 28 - Curt Flood

What 3 time All Star was once traded for 500 Teddy Ruxpins? What former Athletics and Reds pitcher game Mark his TV when he was called up to the big leagues? If you round up all the major league baseball players, ever, what percentage of Dodger Stadium would they fill up? Impress your friends with these topics that only we are brave enough to talk about. Also, Curt Flood. Every player to ever put on a Major League uniform owes him a great debt. He gave up his own career to help those who came after him, forcing the MLB to give up its Reserve Clause and grant p[layers free agency. Plus more Wax Pack Heroes.
 
 

Episode 27 - Billy Martin (Manager)

Billy Martin loved being a Yankee so much, that despite being fired 4 previous times, he still went back for a fifth time! The yelling, the bar room brawls and the dirt kicking were all part of the package. But Billy Martin got results. They might not have lasted long, but atleast you knew what you were getting when you hired the fiery Martin. More Wax Pack Heroes. We can’t possibly pull two worse packs than last week, right?
Martin Ejected from the World Series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4v2qon-V8w
Martin kicking & throwing dirt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkPUCn5ulf8
Miller lite ad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOVHc4hcCX4
 
 

Episode 26 - Position Changes & Bob Uecker

Position players pitching is becoming more and more common, But what about permanently? This week we look at players who have successfully switched positions. Plus, Mr. Baseball, Bob Uecker. What he lacked on the diamond he has more than made up for on the small and big screen. The colorful and amusing career of Wisconsin’s favorite son. Can we top last week’s Wax Pack Heroes where we raked in well over $3?!?
First Tonight Show appearance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JXq_tF4skE
Miller Lite, Front Row - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPh4iF76LbU
Major League, Harry Doyle - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_wc9JvTXGc
Hall of Fame Induction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7dG5HCKeWA
More Miller Lite:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUPeO0MbBgc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLcU2tQNftA
More Carson:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMkG69bD2iQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8DYdu4OveA
 

Episode 25 - Hall of Fame Past & Future

This week we track the history of the Hall of Fame from a single room to the expansive showroom it is today. This year boasted the first unanimous selection, ever. 83 years and countless immortals but the BWAAA finally broke the seal. Plus, we look forward to next year and beyond. Who will get in and will there be another unanimous selection? Plus our most successful Wax Pack Heroes ever!

Episode 24 - Tales from the Dugout v5

Tales from the Dugout returns! Short stories about the awesomeness that was Tony Gwynn. A 9-inning major league game in 31 minutes? But how you say, we tell you! Plus a minor leaguer smokes Griffey, Jr. And A-Rod in a HR contest and Yogi Berra. If we need to say more than Yogi Berra you must not know who Yogi Berra is, so listen and find out. Plus more Wax Pack Heroes!
Arias HR Derby - https://www.kiro7.com/news/exclusive-video-alex-rodriguez-ken-griffey-jr-and-_nzhnj/246553570

Episode 23 - 1998 King Kelly

All the All-Star facts you need to know! The history of the All-Star game broken down. Most HR's, most games played and who was the youngest and oldest to participate? As promised, beyond McGwire and Sosa, there was ALOT more going on during the 1998 season. Plus, King Kelly was the first true superstar of the game. From taking advantage of there only being one umpire to being the subject of the first best selling recorded song, King was the man. 
Debuts:
Twink Twining - https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/twinitw01.shtml
Satchel Paige - https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/paigesa01.shtml
Dan Wilson Inside the Park Grand Slam - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HopOu36AxPU
Yankees-Orioles Brawl for It All -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKIHNsf8O_A
Mariners-Roylas Turn Ahead the Clock - https://www.mlb.com/cut4/19th-anniversary-of-seattle-mariners-turn-ahead-the-clock-game/c-242436084
Slide Kelly Slide - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6ykGDmrgJI&t=10s

Episode 22- Absolute Bunts (London Series)

This week we are excited to welcome Jon from the Absolute Bunts (@absolutebunts) podcast. Jon hails from England and gave us his thoughts on the MLB's first ever foray into Europe. Jon attended both the Workout Day as well as the second game of the series and gave us his insights to the event as well as a feel for how baseball is perceived in the UK. He also allowed us to share some of his incredible baseball parody songs. You have not heard a song about umpires until you have heard Cowboy Joe West, immortalized in song set to Go West by The Village People/Pet Shop Boys. You also get to hear Mark use the phrases "chap" and "across the pond"! 
Absolute Bunts on mlb.com - https://www.mlb.com/news/london-series-brings-out-british-mlb-fanatics
Don Zimmer Gilette ad - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xaf-WXFAR74
 

Episode 21 - All About Oregon (Baseball)

This week, Ben from the Diamonds & Roses podcast joins Jeff and Mark to talk all about the history of baseball in the state of Oregon as well as expansion talk and bringing the MLB to the PDX. We talk about some of the great nicknames some of the historical teams from the Beaver State, including the Beavers, the independent Portland Mavericks with 2nd baseman Kurt Russell (yes, that Kurt Russell!) and what exactly would be the best name for a new MLB team in Portland? Also, we know the Save is a stupid stat, but it became a statistic for a pretty stupid reason. Find out why.
 
Diamonds & Roses podcast home - https://dandrpodcast.wordpress.com 
Portland Diamond Project - https://portlanddiamondproject.com/
Name your cow, get more milk - https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/agriculture/farming/4358115/Cows-with-names-produce-more-milk-scientists-say.html
 

Episode 20 - Former Rainers Asst. GM Kevin Kalal

Jeff and Mark are joined by former Tacoma Tigers/Rainiers Assistant General Manager Kevin Kalal. Kevin spent 17 years working for the Tacoma AAA baseball team and shares some great stories about Reggie Jackson turning on "Reggie" for the press, Max Patkin painting a blue streak with his tongue and later with a pen and the time Ken Griffey, Jr. went rouge while on a rehab assignment.