Baseball History Podcast

Roger Eugene Maris was born September 10, 1934 in Hibbing, Minnesota. With one extraordinary season Roger Maris secured his place in baseball history. And yet his establishment of the major league home run record in 1961 proved to be more of a personal curse than a professional triumph.

Presentation at the SABR 41 Convention by Francisco E. Balderrama. Mexican American Baseball in Los Angeles: A Pictorial History of Baseball from East LA to Dodger Stadium

Gary Merle Geiger was born on April 4, 1937, in Sand Ridge, Illinois. One has to wonder just how good Gary Geiger would have been if he hadn’t had so many physical ailments and mishaps.

Presentation at the SABR 41 Convention by Bryan Soderholm-Difatte. Fielder Jones, the Offensive Efficiency Paradox of his Hitless Wonders, and How They Stunned the Cubs in the 1906 World Series by Playing Against Type

Charles August Risberg, nicknamed “Swede,” was born October 13, 1894 in San Francisco, CA. Risberg was a light-hitting, rifle-armed shortstop who played a key role in baseball’s biggest scandal. He was a rising young player in the American League when he was banned from the game at age 25.

Presentation at the SABR 41 Convention by Phils Birnbaum. Examining Home Field Advantage

James Evan Perry, Jr. was born October 30, 1935 in Williamston, North Carolina. Perry was tall, trim right-handed pitcher who overcame the knock that he was “too nice” to win consistently in the Major Leagues. He went on to win the American League Cy Young Award in 1970.

Interview from the SABR 41 convention with John Simpson.  In Search of the Greatest Game Ever Played in Dixie

Jack Houston Rothrock was born March 14, 1905 in Long Beach, CA. He is sometimes listed as John Rothrock but his given name was Jack. Rothrock was a switch-hitting utility player who performed at all nine positions. He was a line drive hitter and aggressive baserunner with little power but good speed.

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