The 27th Inning

Former Cincinnati Post and ESPN writer Jerry Crasnick joins the show this week to talk about his career writing about Major League Baseball. He shares stories from his beginnings covering Boston sports, to his time in Cincinnati where he wrote about Pete Rose's gambling suspension, the 1990 World Series and Marge Schott's Saint Bernard, and his time at ESPN and new career with the MLB Players Association. Along the way he also offers advice for those who dream of entering the field of sports journalism and shares some of his favorite stories that he's written.

On May 9, 2010, Landon Powell became one of 22 men in Major League Baseball history to catch a perfect game. But before he reached that moment, a minor league career plagued with injuries threatened to keep him from ever appearing in a major league game. On this week's episode of The 27th Inning, Powell joins the show to talk about his journey to overcome several major leg injuries that threatened his career. Along the way, you'll hear his memories of playing in the College World Series with South Carolina, his thoughts on being a part of baseball history, and his work now as the head coach of the North Greenville University baseball team. 

Today, September 15, 2021, Major League Baseball once again celebrates Roberto Clemente Day. On today's bonus episode of The 27th Inning, you'll hear from former Mets first baseman Ed Kranepool, Mets outfielder Art Shamsky and Pirates pitcher/outfielder Dick Hall, as they share their memories of Roberto Clemente. To honor Clemente's legacy today and to help make a difference to those in need, please consider making a $21 donation to the Roberto Clemente Foundation. You can learn more about their work and how to donate at robertoclementefoundation.com

New York Mets first baseman Ed Kranepool joins the show this week to talk about his 18-year career with the New York Mets. A member of the inaugural 1962 squad, Kranepool shares his memories of the early years of Mets baseball, as well as his thoughts on the impact that Gil Hodges had on the team as manager during their World Series championship season in 1969. You'll also hear in this episode his thoughts on the game today, and his appreciation towards the New York fans.

On today's episode of The 27th Inning, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum Vice President and Curator Dr. Raymond Doswell joins the show to talk about the history of the Negro Leagues and some of its notable figures — including former players like Josh Gibson and Buck O'Neill, the work of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the recent elevation of several Negro Leagues to major league status.

To commemorate the 101 year anniversary of the Negro National League, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum is trying to raise $101,000 to help continue their efforts to expand and preserve the many stories of the Negro Leagues. To help them in their efforts, consider making a donation today at nlbm.com/donations/

Former Los Angeles Dodgers General Manager Fred Claire comes on the show this week to talk about his journey from growing up as a Reds fan, to becoming the general manager of the Dodgers, to helping build the 1988 World Series championship team. During this hour-long conversation Claire talks in depth about several of the notable transactions he was involved in throughout his career and his memories of friends that he made during his time in the Dodgers organization. Now, he works to help promote the work of City of Hope after the staff and workers there helped him through his battle with skin cancer. HIs book, "Extra Innings: Fred Claire’s Journey to City of Hope and Finding a World Championship Team" describes his career with the Dodgers and his experiences with City of Hope while fighting cancer, and all net proceeds from sales of his book are donated directly to City of Hope. You can find his book now on Amazon, and be sure to check out cityofhope.org to learn more about their organization, and to donate and help make a difference today.

On the final day of the 2021 MLB Draft, listen to this compilation of former players as they talk about their memories of being drafted by a Major League Baseball franchise. In this bonus episode, you'll hear from: Mike Moore (1981 Rd 1), Lary Sorensen (1976 Rd 8), Landon Powell (2004 Rd 1), Chris Shelton (2001 Rd 33), Brent Lillibridge (2005 Rd 4), Scott Bradley (1981 Rd 3), Mark Wohlers (1988 Rd 8), Bronson Arroyo (1995 Rd 3), Bret Saberhagen (1982 Rd 19), Jerry Reuss (1967 Rd 2), Benny Agbayani (1993 Rd 30) and Lyle Overbay (1999 Rd 18)

Former pitcher Ila Borders comes on the show in this week's episode to talk about her journey as one of the first women to play in men's professional baseball. She recounts the challenges that she faced and the triumphs that she achieved over her career playing in college — where she earned fame as the first woman to both win a collegiate baseball game and earn a baseball scholarship — and her career playing in independent league baseball with the St. Paul Saints, Duluth-Superior Dukes, Madison Black Wolf and Zion Pioneerz. She now enjoys her second career as a firefighter, where she also works to help promote inclusivity and diversity in the fire service through her organization, Fire Up Bootcamp. Check out their website at fireupbootcamp.com to learn more about their mission and how you can donate and help them in their cause.

In the first installment of the Legends of the Game bonus series, you'll hear from former pitcher and outfielder Dick Hall, who spent 19 years in MLB playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Kansas City Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies and Baltimore Orioles. Over the course of this episode, Hall will recount stories ranging from his first experiences playing baseball as a child, to being signed by the Pirates, to playing in Mexico to winning the World Series in Baltimore in 1970. Along the way, you'll also hear his memories of his former teammate Roberto Clemente, as well as the experiences that helped improve his performances at the plate and on the mound that led to a successful 19-year career in Major League Baseball.

Longtime NCAA coach and former Miami Marlins scout James Vilade joins the show this week to talk about some of the highlights of his coaching career, what he looks for when scouting players and what fans can be looking for as well when they're watching the game. He also gives us a quick scouting report on his son — Colorado Rockies prospect Ryan Vilade — and talks about the work being done by The Keeper of the Game Foundation, which he started back in 2014. Make sure to check out keeperofthegame.org to see how you can help make a difference today.

For the first time on The 27th Inning, you'll hear from two guests in this episode: Tommy John III — the author of Minimize Injury, Maximize Performance: A Sports Parent's Survival Guide — and his father, four-time All-Star pitcher Tommy John. First, listen to Tommy John III (1:58) talk about his own playing career, how he got into the world of sports rehabilitation, and his thoughts on both the surgery that prolonged his father's career, and the rising trend of significant sports-related injuries affecting children. Then, former White Sox, Dodgers and Yankees pitcher Tommy John (33:14) speaks on his career and some of its memorable moments, the process he went through with the surgery that is now linked to his name, and his thoughts on whether he believes he should be in the Hall of Fame.

In the longest episode yet of The 27th Inning, longtime Cincinnati Reds pitcher and 2004 World Series champion Bronson Arroyo talks about memories from his career, being a part of the Boston Red Sox team that broke the Curse of the Bambino, the importance of music in his life, and his thoughts on the issue of foreign substances being used by pitchers, as well as the possibility of the designated hitter rule being expanded into the National League. 

Two-time All-Star and 1981 World Series champion Jerry Reuss talks about his pitching career that saw him play from 1969 to 1990 for eight different teams — most notably the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

Former New York Mets outfielder Benny Agbayani talks about his journey from Hawaii to playing in New York, his 2000 season in which he etched his mark in the memories of Mets fans, his career playing in Japan and what he has been doing since retiring from the game.

In the first episode of The 27th Inning, long time MLB first baseman Lyle Overbay discusses his career, as well as memories of his major league debut, his experience with fans in Milwaukee, being on the field when Hall of Fame pitcher Mariano Rivera threw his final pitch, and his new career coaching high school baseball.