Listen Now

It's one of the most famous pitches ever, even though it officially never happened, and didn't even appear in a game that would have counted. A Randy Johnson fastball that, at just the wrong time and just the wrong place, collided with a mourning dove in Tuscon, Arizona, that exploded in a puff of feathers 22 years ago this week. Zach Buchanan (@ZHBuchanan)'s oral history of this moment is the most definitive and entertaining account of the game and pitch that we could ask for, and Zach joins Mike this week to talk about the pitch, the context behind it, and his article. Plus, happy birthday to Bill Wambsganns!

Perhaps the greatest father/son pitching duo in baseball history, Luis E. and Luis C. Tiant pitched at least a total of 29 years at the big league level, and an unknown number of other seasons in the Caribbean and for high quality barnstormers. While they could not be more different on the mound, they were both exceptional, as the St. Louis Cardinals found out 87 years ago last week (we're a week late with this episode), when Luis Sr. beat them in Cuba in an exhibition contest. Mike and Bill look back at the long and exceptional career of two pitching geniuses, neither of whom are given nearly enough credit today. Plus, happy birthday to Johnny Callison and Elmer Valo!

Few, if any, non-players have had a bigger impact on the game of baseball than Marvin Miller, the legendary head of the MLB Players Association, who was elected to his position at the head of the union 57 years ago this week. With the help of Fangraphs senior writer Jay Jaffe (@Jay_Jaffe), Mike and Bill look back at his life and accomplishments, as well as players' unsuccessful efforts to organize before Miller taught them how. Then MLB.com's Michael Clair (@michaelsclair) stops by to help wish Kent Tekulve and Joe Carter happy birthdays.

Pie Traynor was widely regarded in his time, and for long after it, as the best third baseman in baseball history and earned the honor, 75 years ago this week, of being the first third baseman elected to Cooperstown by the BBWAA. Yet, today he is largely forgotten and mocked as one of the least deserving members of the Hall of Fame. Why? What are we missing? Mike and Bill look back at a remarkably consistent career to try and figure it out. Plus, happy birthday to Kelly Gruber and Johnny Blanchard!

The '60s were such a great time for the counterculture. For people rebelling against injustice, prejudice, and war. But Denny McLain didn't care about any of that. He was just kind of a jerk. And 53 years ago this week, he was suspended by Bowie Kuhn for helping fund an illegal sports book operation. How did he get involved in such a shady operation, how did that lead to the downfall of baseball's last 30 game winner, and what exactly was his problem anyway? Mike and Bill look back on a life and talent that seems largely wasted. Plus, happy birthday to far more productive members of society Dick Siebert and Tommy Henrich!

When the American League declared war on the National, it caused all kinds of chaos. Dissatisfied and underpaid players like Napoleon Lajoie abruptly switched leagues, as Nap did 122 years ago this week. But, while the most prominent, Lajoie was far from the only jumper. Mike and Bill dig through those who took a leap of faith to see what teams landed big fish and which shouldn't have even bothered making the effort. Plus, happy birthday to Don Hoak and Max Flack!

Perhaps no one shaped the public perception of baseball as America's pastime more than Albert Goodwill Spalding. Pitcher, team executive, owner, tycoon, politician and pseudo-historian, there wasn't anything on which Spalding tried to leave his mark. That mark is still visible in many ways today, including on the balls themselves used by Major League Baseball, manufactured by his namesake company, which was founded 147 years ago this week. Mike and Bill look back in awe at everything Spalding managed to accomplish, for better or for worse, in his globe-spanning life. Plus, happy birthday to Wilson Redus and Bob Ferguson!

After two straight weeks mentioning Sal Bando and his brother Chris, Mike and Bill were alarmed to find out that Bando passed away. They're pretty sure it's a coincidence. Nevertheless, one of the most underrated players of all time deserves an episode discussing his life and his place as one of the central players of the 1970s. And also, it might soothe any vengeful spirits to say nice things about him. Plus, happy birthday to Chico Carrasquel and Mike Caldwell!

Sometimes it's hard being brothers. It's even harder being brothers when you're the black sheep of the family. The guy who has to watch his sibling, who shares so much of your DNA, exceeds all your wildest hopes and dreams while you're left behind. Not that we're speaking from experience or anything. But, after he signed with the Giants 116 years ago this week, Henry Mathewson could probably tell us all what it felt like. Taking inspiration from Christy's kid brother, Mike and Bill look back at six siblings who failed to live up to their family name. Plus, happy birthday to Steve Balboni and Mike Lieberthal!

Who cares who the best team of all time is? We want to know who the most dominant is. What team didn't just defeat their competition, but routed and embarrased them? Mike and Bill turn to special guests Steven Goldman (@gostevengoldman) and Rob Mains (@cran_boy) to answer this question, since their fantastic series of articles for Baseball Prospectus this offseason is trying too uncover just that.  Plus, happy birthday to Sonny Siebert and Walker Cooper!

The last of the legal spitballers, Burleigh Grimes moistily made his way toward the Hall of Fame 104 years ago this week when he was traded from the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Brooklyn Robins. He would immediately take to his new team and become one of the best pitchers in the National League. Mike and Bill look back at the long, conflict-filled career that ushered out baseball's wetter, grosser past.  Plus happy birthday to Webster McDonald and Luis Sojo!

Shrouded by time, the Union Association has gone almost ignored by baseball historians in recent years, dismissed as an inferior league that doesn't belong in the same ballpark as the American, National, or even the Federal Leagues. But, as special guest Justin McKinney shows in his new book, Baseballl's Union Association: The Short, Strange Life of a 19th Century Major League, that doesn't matter as much as what the league and the men who made it up can teach us about the game's early history and the lengths the National League and American Association would go to make sure they were the only games in town. Plus, happy birthday to Cecil Cooper and Zoilo Versalles!

We have entire websites and a whole industry devoted to reselling tickets these days. But in 1920, Rube Marquard was arrested for trying to scalp his World Series tickets to an undercover cop. Marquard's arrest would lead to his trade from Brooklyn 102 years ago this week. Mike and Bill take the opportunity to look back on the surprisingly scandal-filled life of one oof the Hall of Fame's least effective players. Plus, happy birthday to Bill Nicholson and Ken Hill!

With Gaylord Perry's passing last week, Mike and Bill are reposting their profile of the big righthander from 2019, on the 37th anniversary of the only day he was ejected for doctoring the baseball. RIP to one of the greatest pitchers and characters in baseball history! Plus, happy birthday to Dick Donovan and Shano Collins!

Perhaps more than any other sport, baseball is a game that seems to have cultivated weirdos. It's a home for people who probably wouldn't fit in anywhere else. Maybe the weirdest of those is Turk Wendell, who signed a three year, $9,999,999.99 contract with the Mets 22 years ago this week. Mike and Bill use this as an excuse to talk about him and several of their other favorite weirdos from the annals of baseball history. Plus, happy birthday to Mike Scioscia and Wayne Garrett!

When they moved to Atlanta, the Braves decided to leave some things behind in Milwaukee. Their stadium. Their loyal fans. And the greatest pitcher in team history to that point, Warren Spahn. Like an old sofa, he was left on the sidewalk and picked up by the Mets 58 years ago this week, ending an incredible era of Braves baseball. Would the old lefty have anything left in the tank and make his old club rue the day? Mike and Bill look back on Spahn's life and career to find out. Plus, happy birthday to Dick Bartell and Leon Cadore!

As the most electrifying pitcher in baseball at the time, the trade of Pedro Martinez from the Expos to the Red Sox overshadowed everything else 25 years ago this week, including an expansion draft. Pedro was simply too exquisite to be adequately captured in words, but Mike and Bill have decided to try. Plus, happy birthday to Johnny Kling and Jimmie Piersall

With Mike sidelined this week, please enjoy this classic episode of TWIB History. From its founding in 1939 through 1973, Little League Baseball refused to let girls play, and was deeply and intransigently committed to that position until a New Jersey court decision forced them to relent only 46 years ago this week. Mike and Bill look back on the history of women and girls playing baseball prior to that decision and the suit that forced Little League Baseball to welcome girls. They are also joined by Dr. Justine Siegal (@justinebaseball) of Baseball For All to discuss her journey as a player, coach, and advocate for girls to have access to the game. Plus, happy birthday to Dwight Evans and Edgardo Alfonzo.

Everything ends, but some things end better than others. The way the Oakland A's dynasty of the 1970s ended was one of those others. At the request of a patron, Mike and Bill look back at how everything finally fell apart for good 46 years ago this week, and fight over who was responsible for that. Plus, happy birthday to Joe Adcock and Mark Portugal!

Despite its name, the World Series was purely an American affair 89 times in a row, until the Toronto Blue Jays won the AL pennant and beat the Braves 30 years ago this week to take the trophy back home to Canada. How did they doo it? Mike and Bill talk about how the team was built, their exceptional regular season performance, and the team effort that won them the championship. Plus, happy birthday to Patsy Dougherty and Rafael Belliard!