About this podcast
Step into the golden era of America's Pastime with "Back When There Was Baseball." Uncover the untold stories, thrilling triumphs, and heart-wrenching trials of the sport's most iconic figures, spanning from the mid-1960s to the mid-1980s - a transformative era when the baton was gracefully handed from titans like Hank Aaron, Orlando Cepeda, Mickey Mantle, and Willie Mays to the new generation of legends like Johnny Bench, George Brett, Mike Schmidt, and Nolan Ryan.
Each episode of "Back When There Was Baseball" is more than a mere retrospective; it's a journey through time. We weave together the intricate narratives of these athletes' careers, personal lives, and the broader socio-political context of their times. This is where you'll find the real drama, the human stories behind the home runs and record-breaking performances.
But our journey won't stop there. We'll occasionally veer off the beaten path, reaching back into the 1950s - a time many argue was the apex of Major League Baseball. Expect special episodes dedicated to this remarkable decade, spotlighting its most distinguished players and most memorable games.
"Back When There Was Baseball" is more than a podcast; it's your ticket to the front row of history. Whether you're a baseball enthusiast, a history buff, or simply someone who loves a good story, this podcast is your gateway to an era of baseball that shaped the game we know and love today. So, grab your cap, dust off your mitt, and join us for a fascinating journey into the heart of baseball's most legendary moments.
Episodes
The newest 20 of 178 episodes
- Back When There Was Baseball: Jack Brohamer · 53 minWe are discussing utility infielders on today's podcast. When you think of utility infielders in the 1970s era, Jack Brohamer comes to mind. Utility infielders are a special…
- Back When There Was Baseball: Mac Scarce · 49 minMac Scarce joins us on the podcast this week. Mac came out of Florida State University and is the only pitcher we interviewed that was a reliever his entire career. He was…
- Back When There Was Baseball: Mike Garman · 48 minMike Garman is our guest this week. Mike pitched in the Majors from 1969-1978 and was the 3rd overall pick out of the 1967 MLB Draft by the Boston Red Sox. He pitched for the Red…
- Back When There Was Baseball: Ron Hunt Tribute · 49 minWe are fortunate to have Tad Myre as our guest this week. Tad wrote the SABR article on Ron Hunt. Ron passed away on July 15, 2026, at the age of 85. He played from 1963-1974 in…
- Back When There Was Baseball: Joe Sambito · 56 minWe are privileged to speak with pitcher Joe Sambito this week. Joe took part in two of the best League Championship series in history (1980 NLCS Phillies/Astros and 1986 ALCS…
- Back When There Was Baseball: Ernie Camacho · 51 minErnie Camacho joins us on the podcast this week. Ernie signed with the Oakland A's after being drafted in the 1st round of the 1976 June Draft out of Hartwell College. Ernie was…
- Back When There Was Baseball: Rick Bladt · 40 minRick Bladt joins us on the show this week. Rick played in the Major/Minor Leagues from 1966-1977. He was a non-drafted free agent in 1966 signed by the Chicago Cubs. He played…
- Back When There Was Baseball: Charlie Leibrandt · 47 minThis week on Back When There Was Baseball, Rex and Steve take a look back at a "control/finesse" pitcher, which you don't see very often in today's game. His name is Charlie…
- Back When There Was Baseball: Steve Luebber · 53 minSteve Luebber joins us this week. Steve played in the Major/Minor Leagues from 1967-1988. He made his Major League debut with the Minnesota Twins in 1971 and had stints with the…
- Back When There Was Baseball: Randy McGilberry · 59 minFormer Major League pitcher Randy McGilberry joins us this week. Randy was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in 1975 out of Louisiana Tech University. He made it up to the Big…
- Back When There Was Baseball: Jack McKeon · 43 minFormer Major League manager Jack McKeon joins us this week. Jack signed his first contract in 1949 and played several years in the Minor Leagues but never made it to the Majors…
- Back When There Was Baseball: Jim Lefebvre · 1 h 3 minOur guest this week is the 1965 National League Rookie of the Year. His name is Jim Lefebvre and he played with the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1965-1972 then continued his career…
- Back When There Was Baseball: Jim York · 34 minJim York joins us on the podcast this week. Jim had a storied road to his signing with the Kansas City Royals. He started his college career at Cerritos Junior College and the…
- Back When There Was Baseball: Willie Lozado · 47 minWillie Lozado joins us on the podcast this week. Willie played his high school baseball in Brooklyn, NY, then migrated to Miami Dade College. He was signed as a non-drafted free…
- Back When There Was Baseball: Pete LaCock · 40 minPete LaCock joins us this week on the podcast. Pete went to William Howard Taft Charter High School in Woodland Hills, CA surrounded by Hollywood stars as his father, Peter…
- Back When There Was Baseball: Leo Mazzone · 45 minWe are blessed to have one of the greatest pitching coaches of all time with us this week. Leo Mazzone joins us to talk about his career as a pitching coach and how he was able…
- Back When There Was Baseball: Dave Phillips · 1 h 1 minDo you remember the Disco Demolition Night in 1979? If so, the crew chief of that event is our guest this week. His name is Dave Phillips and he was an umpire in the American…
- Back When There Was Baseball: Don Money · 57 minDon Money joins us on the podcast this week. Don played in the Majors from 1968-1983. He started out in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization but got his break when he was traded…
- Back When There Was Baseball: Jim Kern · 1 h 13 minWe are pleased to host one of the best relief pitchers in MLB history. Jim Kern joins us this week. He won the American League Rolaids Relief Man Award in 1979 and was one of the…
- Back When There Was Baseball: Father's Day Special · 45 minTwo members of the PennSports.live family had fathers who played in the Minor Leagues and this episode will honor those fathers. My co-host, Steve Schaaf's father, Charles Dean…







