Baseball History Podcast

Robert Moses “Lefty” Grove was born March 6, 1900 in Lonaconing, Maryland. He had a blazing fastball and a temper to match.

Jack Roosevelt Robinson was born January 31, 1919 in Cairo, Georgia. The most historically significant baseball player ever, Jackie Robinson was the first black man to play in the major leagues in the 20th century, to win the MVP award, and to be elected to the Hall of Fame.

Theodore Samuel Williams was born in San Diego, California on August 30, 1918. It has been argued that he was the greatest hitter in the history of baseball. Williams was a two-time American League Most Valuable Player winner, led the league in batting six times, and won the Triple Crown twice.

Ernest “Ernie” Banks was born January 31, 1931 in Dallas, Texas. He played his entire career with the Chicago Cubs from 1953 to 1971. He will always be “Mr. Cub,” the most popular player the Cubs ever had.

George Edward Waddell was born October 13, 1876 in Bradford, Pennsylvania. Waddell was a remarkably dominant strikeout pitcher in an era when batters mostly slapped at the ball to get singles.

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Bobby Lee Bonds was born March 15, 1946 in Riverside CA. Noted for his outstanding combination of power hitting and speed, he was the first player to have more than two seasons of 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases, doing so a record five times.

Peter Edward “Pete” Rose Sr. was born April 14, 1941 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Nicknamed Charlie Hustle, Rose played from 1963 to 1986 and is best known for his many years with the Cincinnati Reds. He had more than 200 hits in a season 10 times, led the league in hits in seven seasons, and is the most prolific switch-hitter in history. He is the only player to play 500 games at five different positions.

Henry Louis “Hank” Aaron was born February 5, 1934 in Mobile, Alabama. Aaron is best known for setting the Major League record for most home runs in a career at 755, surpassing the previous mark of 714 by Babe Ruth.

Thurman Lee Munson was born June 7, 1947 in Akron, Ohio. After fewer than 100 minor league games, Munson became the Yankees’ starting catcher in 1970. The Yankees went from a mediocre team to back-to-back World Championships and Munson rivaled Carlton Fisk in the American League as the decade’s top catcher.