Keith Moreland #416/72T

 

This week, a player immortalized in a Steve Goodman song...it's Zonk! Keith Moreland was a two sport athlete (also playing defensive back) for the Texas Longhorns before focusing on baseball. After making the Phillies as a backup catcher, he won a ring in 1980, then was traded to the Cubs where he was moved to the outfield, first base, and third base. He was a big part of the 1984 NL East champs and had a few good offensive seasons. His defensive misadventures were referenced in A Dying Cubs Fan's Last Request by Steve Goodman. He went on to a long career as a baseball and football announcer!
Topics: water football, Hook'em Horns, Cool as Ice, Go Cubs Go

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Brian Dayett #136

 

This week, we discussed a player and coach who recently passed away after a long battle with Parkinson's...it's Bama, Brian Dayett. Dayett was almost cut from his minor league team...but turned it around to become Southern League MVP. He was a backup for the Yankees and Cubs and then spent some time in NPB. He was a long time coach before illness forced him to retire. He passed away on September 7, 2025 at the age of 68. 

Topics: Nicknames, XYZ, Nippon Ham Mascots

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Mike Boddicker #725

 

This week, the Orioles last 20 game winner, a 1983 champ...Mike Boddicker! Boddicker was a dominant pitcher in the baseball hotbed of Norway, Iowa and was a two way star for the Iowa Hawkeyes. He stepped into the rotation in 1983 and was a huge part of the Orioles run to the World Series title. He had his best individual season in 1984, winning 20 and making the All Star team. After a few years as the best pitcher on a bad team he was traded to Boston for Brady Anderson and Curt Schilling. It seems lopsided, but Boddicker was solid and helped the Red Sox make the playoffs twice. In retirement he has started the Boddicker Foundation helping families fighting childhood cancer. 

Topics - Norwegians, bourbon raffles, foshballs

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Bob Knepper #151

This week, a guy who got into trouble for his opinions off the field while putting up some solid numbers on the field. Bob Knepper was a two time all star and won 146 games for the Giants and Astros. He also was once named "Neanderthal of the Year" by the National Organization of Women for his comments about a female umpire and generally about gender relations. What better time to revisit these statements than in the aftermath of Jen Pawol appearing behind the plate in an MLB game, finally breaking the glass ceiling for female umpires! 

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Bonus Episode! Live from Oracle Park

 

Co-host David took a trip out west and took in a Giants game with past guest Jeff from the Two Strike Noise podcast! They also opened a fantastic pack of 1988 Topps cards and they recorded some live content remembering some dudes, see the results here:

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Nelson Santovenia #102T

 

This week, a Miami baseball legend who was an Expos catcher for a few years...Nelson Santovenia! Nelson won two different college titles and was a first round draft pick over a 13 month span. He won the 1981 NJCAA title with Miami Dade College and then the 1982 College World series with the University of Miami. He then struggled for a few seasons in the minors, considered quitting, and then in 1987 broke out at AAA and earned a brief call up. He caught nearly 300 games in MLB and has had a long coaching career in high school, the minors, and now back at Miami-Dade College. 

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Jim Presley #285

 

This week, an All Star third baseman for the 80s Mariners...Jim Presley! Presley was a power hitter with a good glove, and a lot of strikeouts for some interesting, if not successful, Seattle teams. He made the 1986 All Star Game and hit 27 home runs with 107 RBIs, including 2 walk off Grand Slams that season. He also struck out 172 times and rarely walked. He had a long career as hitting coach for, among others, the Marlins, Orioles, and Diamondbacks. 

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