Lou Whitaker #770

This week, we discussed one of the best second basemen of the 1980s...it's Lou Whitaker!  Adam Darowski⁠ of Baseball Reference and the “Building the Ballot” podcast joins us to make the Hall of Fame case for Sweet Lou! In December 2019, the Modern Baseball Era Committee met. Whitaker received 6 votes, he needed 12 for induction. He may get another chance in 2026. Lou's career traditional stats rank favorably with other 2B in the Hall. As for advanced stats, Whitaker’s career WAR (75.1) is the eighth-highest of any position player outside the Hall. He played 19 seasons, all with the Tigers, was 1978 ROY, won a World Series, was a 5x All-Star, 4x Gold Glove winner and 3x Silver Slugger winner.

Other topics include the Era Committees, Magnum PI, and a trip to the RBI Baseball corner!

Listen:

Links:

• Card 770 on ⁠Beckett⁠
• ⁠SABR Bio⁠ by John Milner⁠
• "⁠How Lou's Forgetfulness Landed Him in the Smithsonian⁠"
• ⁠Building the Ballot⁠: The Baseball Hall of Fame's Era Committee
• Lou's 1984 ⁠World Series highlights:⁠
• Lou and Tram on ⁠Magnum, P.I.
• Trammell talks about Lou

DeWayne Buice #649

 

This week’s episode subject spent many years in the minors (across 3 countries), a short time in the majors, had a very good rookie season as a 30 year old...and that same year made a major impact on trading cards. It is Upper Deck co-founder DeWayne Buice! 

Other topics include: spooky cards, Buice pronunciation, and super scout George Genovese. 

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Ron Hassey #46T/458

This week, a catcher who was traded 3 times in a year between the White Sox and Yankees...it's Ron Hassey! Ron won a College (and MLB) World Series, has a spot in Cooperstown (thanks to 2 perfect games), and was a solid hitting catcher for 6 teams over 14 seasons! 

Other topics include: musical theater introductions, Dune, Phil Hartman, wine, and rescue dogs!  

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Steve Bedrosian #407 and #440

This week, Steve "Bedrock" Bedrosian! The 1987 Cy Young winner, yes really, Steve led the NL in saves and set a record for consecutive saves. He also holds an odd starting pitcher record (most starts without a CG)! His 1987 season was very good for a closer, he went 5–3 with a 2.83 ERA with a league-leading 40 saves. He later pitched for the Giants, won a World Series in 1991 for the Twins, and returned to Atlanta to close out his career. His son Cam Bedrosian also pitched in MLB. Cam is one of three sons of former Cy Young Award winners (along with Kyle Drabek and Vance Law) to reach the big leagues.

Topics include: P-Funk, Armenia, saving cats from trees, RBI Baseball sidearmers, and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

Listen:

Links:

Card ⁠440 ⁠and ⁠407 ⁠on Beckett

Follow-up: ⁠Grandma's Reds Scorebook⁠⁠

NBCSports "⁠How in the world did Phillies reliever Steve Bedrosian win the '87 Cy Young⁠?"

Steve and Cam ⁠save a cat from a tree

1987 ⁠All-Star Game wild play:

• It's Always Sunny in Philadephia: "⁠Mike Schmidt⁠":

Jack Lazorko #601

 

This week we discussed a well travelled pitcher who Peter Gammons once suggested was the "best modern defensive pitcher." Italian league champion and MVP, amateur hockey goalie, “this week in baseball” legend…Jack Lazorko! Jack pitched for the Brewers, Tigers, Mariners, Angels, and a bunch of international stops! Jack became a hero of the pod after this episode. 

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Benito Santiago #7/404/693/699

 

This week, likely our only 4 card episode...Benito Santiago! Benito was nearly orphaned at 3 months old. He was 1987 NL Rookie of the Year after a rookie record 34 game hit streak! He played 20 MLB seasons, was 5x all star and 4x gold glove winner. Other topics include: RBI Corner, PEDs, throwing out runners from your knees, how to anger your pitching staff, and a bunch of teams you forgot Benito played for.

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Tom Niedenfuer #242

 

This week's card, a notable closer who may make Dodger fans cringe...Tom Niedenfuer! Tom is perhaps best remembered for two unfortunate home runs he allowed in the 1985 NLCS. He was a very good reliever for the Dodgers for 6+ seasons, winning the 1981 World Series and posting dominant numbers in 1983 - 1.90 ERA in 94.2 innings with a 0.887 WHIP. 

Other topics - King of Kong, Casey at the Bat with Elliott Gould, GO CRAZY FOLKS, and more. 

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