This week’s lineup:

- A teaspoon of loose bodies

- Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania is going to the Squonks: https://www.milb.com/lehigh-valley/team/theme-nights

- Ted’s idea for saving baseball

- A baseball Pokemon mystery

- Pittsburgh hosts the world’s most famous marmot

What’s This?

Every few weeks in “Slap Hits,” Ted and I cover whatever has delighted us from present-day baseball (or sometimes things even further afield) in a lightning round.

There will be news (of a kind), opinion, banter when we agree, and arguing when we don’t. We’re looking at items big and small, obscure or viral, we’re going quick, and we’re not stopping to fact-check.

Got a Slap Hit?

Send us an amusing, baseball adjacent item (interpretation is up to you) you’d like us to mention, bonus points for weird and obscure. Listen to a few episodes of “Slap Hits” and you’ll get the sense of what we like to cover, and it’s often things that don’t get covered elsewhere that delight us the most. If we use it, we’ll credit you for the submission during the show!

Email tips and suggestions to clearthefieldpod@gmail.com or leave a comment here on the episode.

In 1925, one of the largest crowds in Comiskey Park’s history evaded some of the most sophisticated crowd control instruments then known to man.

Highlights

- An overflow crowd and the one rope to wrangle them all

- The seat cushion falls into the wrong hands once again (”the boys from the stockyards”)

- Joe Sewell singlehandedly finishes the baseball game

- Translating 1920s baseball idioms

- Ray Knode’s big moment in history

- The fans on the field party their way into a forfeit

Support Us

You can support Clear the Field by following the show on your favorite platform:

Apple Podcasts Spotify RSS

Give a Rating, Like, or Restack

If you enjoyed an episode on a platform like Spotify or Apple Podcasts, can you give it a quick rating and let folks know? A 5-Star rating helps our podcast appear as suggested and helps people find us.

Here on Substack, restacking an episode is one click that really helps us, so if you had fun, please click that button up there on the far right of the episode that has two circling arrows on it.

Email

If you have comments or details that add to our stories or ideas for future installments, send us an email at clearthefieldpod@gmail.com. Gentle corrections are also welcome.

Warning: If a comment is particularly enlightening and/or funny, we might read it during a future episode.

On Social Media

Paul: Substack Instagram

Ted: Substack

Original Research and Writing: Paul Jackson

Production and Music: Ted Walker

Design: Ketaki Kulkarni

This week’s lineup:

- A Minute of Actual Baseball Information (and why we’ll never discuss the Astros again)

- Ted Reports from an Out-of-Print Baseball Book Paradise

- Brad Lidge’s Second Act:

- Enjoying the Origin of the Immaculate Grid on My Baseball History

- Pokemon Gloves:

- Appreciating the Home-Run Fakeout:

- Alva Noë and the Philosophy of the Strike Zone

- ABS Update: Itchy Heads and Accidental Challenges

What’s This?

Every few weeks in “Slap Hits,” Ted and I cover whatever has delighted us from present-day baseball (or sometimes things even further afield) in a lightning round.

There will be news (of a kind), opinion, banter when we agree, and arguing when we don’t. We’re looking at items big and small, obscure or viral, we’re going quick, and we’re not stopping to fact-check.

Got a Slap Hit?

Send us an amusing, baseball adjacent item (interpretation is up to you) you’d like us to mention, bonus points for weird and obscure. Listen to a few episodes of “Slap Hits” and you’ll get the sense of what we like to cover, and it’s often things that don’t get covered elsewhere that delight us the most. If we use it, we’ll credit you for the submission during the show!

Email tips and suggestions to clearthefieldpod@gmail.com or leave a comment here on the episode.

In 1900, high-tech cheating involved a board, a telegraph, and a very long length of wire.

Episode Highlights:

- Christy Mathewson explains sign-stealing

- Morgan Murphy and Pearce Chiles, baseball’s Butch and Sundance

- An anonymous informant tells the Reds to follow the wires

- A puddle, a board, and a telegraph buzzer

- The only King Ralph reference you’ll hear this week

- Schemes proliferate throughout the “noble” National League

Support Us

You can support Clear the Field by following the show on your favorite platform:

Apple Podcasts Spotify RSS

Give a Rating, Like, or Restack

If you enjoyed an episode on a platform like Spotify or Apple Podcasts, can you give it a quick rating and let folks know? A 5-Star rating helps our podcast appear as suggested and helps people find us.

Here on Substack, restacking an episode is one click that really helps us, so if you had fun, please click that button up there on the far right of the episode that has two circling arrows on it.

Email

If you have comments or details that add to our stories or ideas for future installments, send us an email at clearthefieldpod@gmail.com. Gentle corrections are also welcome.

Warning: If a comment is particularly enlightening and/or funny, we might read it during a future episode.

On Social Media

Paul: Substack Instagram

Ted: Substack

Original Research and Writing: Paul Jackson

Production and Music: Ted Walker

Design: Ketaki Kulkarni

This Week’s Lineup:

- A Minute of Actual Baseball Information

- Tatsuya Imai’s “Wrong-Way” Slider

- Ketel Marte and Freddie Freeman Hug It Out

- Nelson Cruz’ Very Fine Display

- The Brewers’ Clubhouse “Turtle”

- A Home Run Call Legacy

- Pittsburgh’s Blue-Collar Home Run Celebration

What’s This?

Every few weeks in “Slap Hits,” Ted and I cover whatever has delighted us from present-day baseball (or sometimes things even further afield) in a lightning round.

There will be news (of a kind), opinion, banter when we agree, and arguing when we don’t. We’re looking at items big and small, obscure or viral, we’re going quick, and we’re not stopping to fact-check.

Got a Slap Hit?

Send us an amusing, baseball adjacent item (interpretation is up to you) you’d like us to mention, bonus points for weird and obscure. Listen to a few episodes of “Slap Hits” and you’ll get the sense of what we like to cover, and it’s often things that don’t get covered elsewhere that delight us the most. If we use it, we’ll credit you for the submission during the show!

Email tips and suggestions to clearthefieldpod@gmail.com or leave a comment here on the episode.

In 1977, a new-fangled technology had the umpires hunkered down.

Highlights

- A game for Luddites

- Ted Turner’s wonderful toys

- Ask for permission or forgiveness?

- Why we didn’t replay balls and strikes for 50 years

- The fallible machine

Support Us

You can support Clear the Field by following the show on your favorite platform:

Apple Podcasts Spotify RSS

Give a Rating, Like, or Restack

If you enjoyed an episode on a platform like Spotify or Apple Podcasts, can you give it a quick rating and let folks know? A 5-Star rating helps our podcast appear as suggested and helps people find us.

Here on Substack, restacking an episode is one click that really helps us, so if you had fun, please click that button up there on the far right of the episode that has two circling arrows on it.

Email

If you have comments or details that add to our stories or ideas for future installments, send us an email at clearthefieldpod@gmail.com. Gentle corrections are also welcome.

Warning: If a comment is particularly enlightening and/or funny, we might read it during a future episode.

On Social Media

Paul: Substack Instagram

Ted: Substack

Original Research and Writing: Paul Jackson

Production and Music: Ted Walker

Design: Ketaki Kulkarni

This Week’s Lineup:

- A Listener Introduces Us to New York’s Panfluencer

Thanks to NYY expert Jeff for introducing us to the incredible Freddie “Sez” Schuman. Here’s a little clip of Freddie in action:

- Baseball and the Quiet Mind

- Checking in on Ballpark Stunt Food

- Remembering Fantasy Baseball’s Good Old Days

- Candy Bar WAR

- ABS Update: Don’t Flinch

What’s This?

Every few weeks in “Slap Hits,” Ted and I cover whatever has delighted us from present-day baseball (or sometimes things even further afield) in a lightning round.

There will be news (of a kind), opinion, banter when we agree, and arguing when we don’t. We’re looking at items big and small, obscure or viral, we’re going quick, and we’re not stopping to fact-check.

Got a Slap Hit?

Send us an amusing, baseball adjacent item (interpretation is up to you) you’d like us to mention, bonus points for weird and obscure. Listen to a few episodes of “Slap Hits” and you’ll get the sense of what we like to cover, and it’s often things that don’t get covered elsewhere that delight us the most. If we use it, we’ll credit you for the submission during the show!

Email tips and suggestions to clearthefieldpod@gmail.com or leave a comment here on the episode.

In 1979, Pat Santarone, the groundskeeper at Baltimore’s Memorial Stadium, battled Earl Weaver in a produce showdown for the ages.

Highlights

- Pat Santarone, a feared and fighting groundskeeper

- Two competitors find each other in the minor leagues

- The ballpark as a nursery: more light, more water, and more beer

- The Tomato Wars claim Boog Powell and Billy Martin

- A Spectacular secret ingredient for growing tomatoes

Support Us

You can support Clear the Field by following the show on your favorite platform:

Apple Podcasts Spotify RSS

Give a Rating, Like, or Restack

If you enjoyed an episode on a platform like Spotify or Apple Podcasts, can you give it a quick rating and let folks know? A 5-Star rating helps our podcast appear as suggested and helps people find us.

Here on Substack, restacking an episode is one click that really helps us, so if you had fun, please click that button up there on the far right of the episode that has two circling arrows on it.

Email

If you have comments or details that add to our stories or ideas for future installments, send us an email at clearthefieldpod@gmail.com. Gentle corrections are also welcome.

Warning: If a comment is particularly enlightening and/or funny, we might read it during a future episode.

On Social Media

Paul: Substack Instagram

Ted: Substack

Original Research and Writing: Paul Jackson

Production and Music: Ted Walker

Design: Ketaki Kulkarni

This Week’s Lineup:

- Team Randy or Team Cal?

- Daikin Park Name That Guitar Instrumental

- Hall-of-Fame Photographers

- Ballpark Thin Lizzy

- Reviewing the World Baseball Classic Policy on Musical Instruments

What’s This?

and I decided we couldn’t do a baseball podcast without discussing present-day baseball, so we’re mixing in a new format. We’ll still have our “A format,” where we tell a sideways story from baseball history, but every few weeks in “Slap Hits,” Ted and I will share whatever has delighted us from present-day baseball (or sometimes things even further afield) in a lightning round.

There will be news (of a kind), opinion, banter when we agree, and arguing when we don’t. We’re looking at items big and small, obscure or viral, we’re going quick, and we’re not stopping to fact-check. The first one was a lot of fun to make, and we hope you enjoy listening.

Got a Slap Hit?

We’d also love it if some of you listening out there send us an amusing, baseball adjacent item (interpretation is up to you) you’d like to see us cover, bonus points for weird and obscure. Listen to a few episodes of “Slap Hits” and you’ll get the sense of what we like to cover, and it’s often things that don’t get covered elsewhere that delight us the most. If we use it, we’ll credit you for the submission during the show!

Email tips and suggestions to clearthefieldpod@gmail.com.

Featuring three moments when nature’s most famous nightshade made an impact at the ballpark.

Highlights

- Back to the (18)90s, complete with a Friends reference

- Angry Ladies Day in Cleveland in 1940

- Where all the ballpark fruit and vegetables come from

- A bench ruling on tomatoes

- Gardening on the warning track at Tiger Stadium

- Miracle tomatoes promise to change Detroit’s season

Support Us

You can support Clear the Field by following the show on your favorite platform:

Apple Podcasts Spotify RSS

Give a Rating, Like, or Restack

If you enjoyed an episode on a platform like Spotify or Apple Podcasts, can you give it a quick rating and let folks know? A 5-Star rating helps our podcast appear as suggested and helps people find us.

Here on Substack, restacking an episode is one click that really helps us, so if you had fun, please click that button up there on the far right of the episode that has two circling arrows on it.

Email

If you have comments or details that add to our stories or ideas for future installments, send us an email at clearthefieldpod@gmail.com. Gentle corrections are also welcome.

Warning: If a comment is particularly enlightening and/or funny, we might read it during a future episode.

On Social Media

Paul: Substack Instagram

Ted: Substack

Original Research and Writing: Paul Jackson

Production and Music: Ted Walker

Design: Ketaki Kulkarni

In 1971, the ambitious and erratic owner of the Oakland A’s went all-in on changing the number of balls for a walk from four to three.

Highlights

- A “wildly eccentric” owner goes to the library and gets a history of the base-on-balls

- A visiting Nippon Professional Baseball team beats the A’s at their own game

- The A’s owner puts words into the commissioner’s mouth to force the Angels to play

- Charlie Finley pivots to somebody else’s idea, the designated hitter rule, and finds what he was looking for all along

Further Reading

Support Us

You can support Clear the Field by following the show on your favorite platform:

Apple Podcasts Spotify RSS

Give a Rating, Like, or Restack

If you enjoyed an episode on a platform like Spotify or Apple Podcasts, can you give it a quick rating and let folks know? A 5-Star rating helps our podcast appear as suggested and helps people find us.

Here on Substack, restacking an episode is one click that really helps us, so if you had fun, please click that button up there on the far right of the episode that has two circling arrows on it.

Email

If you have comments or details that add to our stories or ideas for future installments, send us an email at clearthefieldpod@gmail.com. Gentle corrections are also welcome.

Warning: If a comment is particularly enlightening and/or funny, we might read it during a future episode.

On Social Media

Paul: Substack Instagram

Ted: Substack

Original Research and Writing: Paul Jackson

Production and Music: Ted Walker

Design: Ketaki Kulkarni

In 1971 (and 1969 and 1970), light aircraft used Chavez Ravine for target practice.

Highlights

- Vin Scully, aeronautics expert

- A blurb of a bombardment in 1970

- Animals on the grounds, flour from the skies

- Siege weapons at the ballpark? Really?

- Post-game speculation worthy of a ‘90s action movie

- Another unexpected target across the country? Paul asks questions.

One More Thing

Now you know why there’s a rooster in the podcast title card.

Further Reading

Support Us

You can support Clear the Field by following the show on your favorite platform:

Apple Podcasts Spotify RSS

Give a Rating, Like, or Restack

If you enjoyed an episode on a platform like Spotify or Apple Podcasts, can you give it a quick rating and let folks know? A 5-Star rating helps our podcast appear as suggested and helps people find us.

Here on Substack, restacking an episode is one click that really helps us, so if you had fun, please click that button up there on the far right of the episode that has two circling arrows on it.

Email

If you have comments or details that add to our stories or ideas for future installments, send us an email at clearthefieldpod@gmail.com. Gentle corrections are also welcome.

Warning: If a comment is particularly enlightening and/or funny, we might read it during a future episode.

On Social Media

Paul: Substack Instagram

Ted: Substack

Original Research and Writing: Paul Jackson

Production and Music: Ted Walker

Design: Ketaki Kulkarni

In 1942, the wartime scrap effort costs the war-bound Giants a game.

Highlights

- Let’s Play Eight at the Polo Grounds

- Highlights from New York City’s Junk Drawers

- A youth movement as the Giants head off to war

- A mostly inexplicable crowd surge

- How America used “stuff” to win World War II

One More Thing

Further Reading

Support Us

You can support Clear the Field by following the show on your favorite platform:

Apple Podcasts Spotify RSS

Give a Rating, Like, or Restack

If you enjoyed an episode on a platform like Spotify or Apple Podcasts, can you give it a quick rating and let folks know? A 5-Star rating helps our podcast appear as suggested and helps people find us.

Here on Substack, restacking an episode is one click that really helps us, so if you had fun, please click that button up there on the far right of the episode that has two circling arrows on it.

Email

If you have comments or details that add to our stories or ideas for future installments, send us an email at clearthefieldpod@gmail.com. Gentle corrections are also welcome.

Warning: If a comment is particularly enlightening and/or funny, we might read it during a future episode.

On Social Media

Paul: Substack Instagram

Ted: Substack

Original Research and Writing: Paul Jackson

Production and Music: Ted Walker

Design: Ketaki Kulkarni

Highlights

- FDR nationalizes the National Game

- What scrap metal meant to the war effort

- Dispatches from the Junk Drawer War

- The Dodgers pitch in to help New York meet its quota

- A scramble at the Ebbets Field “scrap gate”

- Next time: Metal mania moves to Manhattan

Further Reading and Watching

Roosevelt’s December 8 speech to Congress:

A film on wartime recycling narrated by the head of the War Production Board:

Help Support Clear the Field

You can support Clear the Field by following the show on your favorite platform:

Apple Podcasts Spotify RSS

Give a Rating, Like, or Restack

If you enjoyed an episode on a platform like Spotify or Apple Podcasts, can you give it a quick rating and let folks know? A 5-Star rating helps our podcast appear as suggested and helps people find us.

Here on Substack, restacking an episode is one click that really helps us, so if you had fun, please click that button up there on the far right of the episode that has two circling arrows on it.

Email

If you have comments or details that add to our stories or ideas for future installments, send us an email at clearthefieldpod@gmail.com.

Warning: If a comment is particularly enlightening and/or funny, we might read it during a future episode.

On Social Media

Paul: Substack Instagram

Ted: Substack

Original Research and Writing: Paul Jackson

Production and Music: Ted Walker

Design: Ketaki Kulkarni

In 1969, the Cubs’ famous fans had an incredibly special relationship with the team. In 1970, they didn’t.

Highlights

- The Bleacher Bum org chart

- The most special fan relationship

- A funereal end to 1969

- Mistakes were made, sayeth the Cubs’ owner.

- The vibes shift at Wrigley Field in 1970

- Big Brother at the ballpark

Further Reading:

Support Us

You can support Clear the Field by following the show on your favorite platform:

Apple Podcasts Spotify RSS

Give a Rating, Like, or Restack

If you enjoyed an episode on a platform like Spotify or Apple Podcasts, can you give it a quick rating and let folks know? A 5-Star rating helps our podcast appear as suggested and helps people find us.

Here on Substack, restacking an episode is one click that really helps us, so if you had fun, please click that button up there on the far right of the episode that has two circling arrows on it.

Email

If you have comments or details that add to our stories or ideas for future installments, send us an email at clearthefieldpod@gmail.com. Gentle corrections are also welcome.

Warning: If a comment is particularly enlightening and/or funny, we might read it during a future episode.

On Social Media

Paul: Substack Instagram

Ted: Substack

Original Research and Writing: Paul Jackson

Production and Music: Ted Walker

Design: Ketaki Kulkarni

In 1907, Detroit’s ebullient manager tried to save his voice by coaching with a whistle and blew his way into trouble.

Highlights

- Some surprising HBP trivia

- Breaking down early 20th century noisemakers

- Verbal managerial subterfuge through the ages

- Instruments proliferate and umpires deteriorate

- The first-ever World(‘s) Series ejection goes to...you guessed it!

Further Reading:

Support Us

You can support Clear the Field by following the show on your favorite platform:

Apple Podcasts Spotify RSS

Give a Rating, Like, or Restack

If you enjoyed an episode on a platform like Spotify or Apple Podcasts, can you give it a quick rating and let folks know? A 5-Star rating helps our podcast appear as suggested and helps people find us.

Here on Substack, restacking an episode is one click that really helps us, so if you had fun, please click that button up there on the far right of the episode that has two circling arrows on it.

Email

If you have comments or details that add to our stories or ideas for future installments, send us an email at clearthefieldpod@gmail.com. Gentle corrections are also welcome.

Warning: If a comment is particularly enlightening and/or funny, we might read it during a future episode.

On Social Media

Paul: Substack Instagram

Ted: Substack

Original Research and Writing: Paul Jackson

Production and Music: Ted Walker

Design: Ketaki Kulkarni

In 1987, the Mets / Cardinals rivalry exploded into a hunt for Howard Johnson’s magic bat.

Highlights

- Lawn Dart Day is cancelled.

- Corking 101

- Whitey Herzog’s haphazard investigation.

- Howard Johnson’s suspect bat.

- Unsatisfying allegations and extrajudicial acquisitions.

- Holding your feelings in your mustache.

- A harassment campaign leads to a new rule.

Further Reading

Support Us

You can support Clear the Field by following the show on your favorite platform:

Apple Podcasts Spotify RSS

Give a Rating, Like, or Restack

If you enjoyed an episode on a platform like Spotify or Apple Podcasts, can you give it a quick rating and let folks know? A 5-Star rating helps our podcast appear as suggested and helps people find us.

Here on Substack, restacking an episode is one click that really helps us, so if you had fun, please click that button up there on the far right of the episode that has two circling arrows on it.

Email

If you have comments or details that add to our stories or ideas for future installments, send us an email at clearthefieldpod@gmail.com. Gentle corrections are also welcome.

Warning: If a comment is particularly enlightening and/or funny, we might read it during a future episode.

On Social Media

Paul: Substack Instagram

Ted: Substack

Original Research and Writing: Paul Jackson

Production and Music: Ted Walker

Design: Ketaki Kulkarni

In 1987, sneaky power hitting turned the greatest National League rivalry you’ve never heard of on its head.

Highlights

- The rivalry that Bud Selig forgot.

- Great moments in name-calling.

- Lunar charts and ballpark giveaways.

- Is Jack Clark the K-Mart of baseball players and what does this mean?

- A sprinkle of seat cushions becomes a blizzard.

- Tommy Herr sends ‘em home happy and sans posterior support.

Further Reading

Support Us

You can support Clear the Field by following the show on your favorite platform:

Apple Podcasts Spotify RSS

Give a Rating, Like, or Restack

If you enjoyed an episode on a platform like Spotify or Apple Podcasts, can you give it a quick rating and let folks know? A 5-Star rating helps our podcast appear as suggested and helps people find us.

Here on Substack, restacking an episode is one click that really helps us, so if you had fun, please click that button up there on the far right of the episode that has two circling arrows on it.

Email

If you have comments or details that add to our stories or ideas for future installments, send us an email at clearthefieldpod@gmail.com. Gentle corrections are also welcome.

Warning: If a comment is particularly enlightening and/or funny, we might read it during a future episode.

On Social Media

Paul: Substack Instagram

Ted: Substack

Original Research and Writing: Paul Jackson

Production and Music: Ted Walker

Design: Ketaki Kulkarni

In 1987, Twins pitcher Joe Niekro was found with contraband in his pockets but not necessarily with larceny in his heart.

Highlights

- A pitching career that just kept going

- A sting operation in Anaheim

- Caught with red hands and perfect cuticles

- Tin foil hat time and a too-close look at the video evidence.

- Following in Gaylord Perry’s footsteps (and getting lost)

Further Reading

Watch the glorious video—and keep a very close eye on catcher Sal Butera’s hands…

And enjoy Joe Niekro’s “aw shucks” performance on David Letterman’s show:

Support Us

You can support Clear the Field by following the show on your favorite platform:

Apple Podcasts Spotify RSS

Give a Rating, Like, or Restack

If you enjoyed an episode on a platform like Spotify or Apple Podcasts, can you give it a quick rating and let folks know? A 5-Star rating helps our podcast appear as suggested and helps people find us.

Here on Substack, restacking an episode is one click that really helps us, so if you had fun, please click that button up there on the far right of the episode that has two circling arrows on it.

Email

If you have comments or details that add to our stories or ideas for future installments, send us an email at clearthefieldpod@gmail.com. Gentle corrections are also welcome.

Warning: If a comment is particularly enlightening and/or funny, we might read it during a future episode.

On Social Media

Paul: Substack Instagram

Ted: Substack

Original Research and Writing: Paul Jackson

Production and Music: Ted Walker

Design: Ketaki Kulkarni

In 1907, bad weather and a bored crowd mixed to create an on-field mess and a forfeited game.

Highlights

- Opening Day traditions at the turn of the century

- What people did to amuse themselves before cell phones

- A surprising lack of police protection leads to a forfeited game

- The reformer/crusader who decided to make an example out of baseball

Further Reading

Support Us

You can support Clear the Field by following the show on your favorite platform:

Apple Podcasts Spotify RSS

Give a Rating, Like, or Restack

If you enjoyed an episode on a platform like Spotify or Apple Podcasts, can you give it a quick rating and let folks know? A 5-Star rating helps our podcast appear as suggested and helps people find us.

Here on Substack, restacking an episode is one click that really helps us, so if you had fun, please click that button up there on the far right of the episode that has two circling arrows on it.

Email

If you have comments or details that add to our stories or ideas for future installments, send us an email at clearthefieldpod@gmail.com. Gentle corrections are also welcome.

Warning: If a comment is particularly enlightening and/or funny, we might read it during a future episode.

On Social Media

Paul: Substack Instagram

Ted: Substack

Original Research and Writing: Paul Jackson

Production and Music: Ted Walker

Design: Ketaki Kulkarni