Did you know the gates of free agency in Major League Baseball swung open not with a bang, but with a lockout? Join host Matt on this episode of the Pastball Podcast as we journey back to 1976, a pivotal year in baseball history. Uncover the gripping story of MLB's first-ever owner-initiated lockout, a direct response to players challenging the iron grip of the reserve clause.

We'll delve into the groundbreaking efforts of figures like Curt Flood and Marvin Miller, trace the seismic 1975 ruling that paved the way for free agency with Andy Messersmith, and explore the owners' desperate attempt to slam the door shut. Discover how their lockout ultimately failed, ushering in an era of unprecedented player power.

Hear how superstars like Reggie Jackson and Catfish Hunter cashed in on groundbreaking contracts, forever altering the financial landscape of the game. This isn't just about dollars and cents; it's the story of a movement, a moment when players stood up and declared their worth beyond the diamond.

Tune in to understand the forgotten showdown of 1976 – the lockout that unexpectedly opened the gates to modern MLB.

Step back in time with Past Ball Podcast host Matt to September 1, 1971, a monumental day in baseball history. In Episode 135, we delve into the story of the Pittsburgh Pirates, the first Major League Baseball team to field a starting lineup comprised entirely of Black and Latino players. Discover the significance of Rennie Stennett, Gene Clines, the legendary Roberto Clemente, Willie Stargell, Manny Sanguillén, Dave Cash, Al Oliver, Jackie Hernández, and the formidable Dock Ellis taking the field together.

Explore the social context of a nation grappling with racial division and how this seemingly unplanned act by manager Danny Murtaugh resonated far beyond the baseball diamond. We'll recount the Pirates' victory that night against the Phillies and their subsequent World Series triumph just a month later, underscoring the powerful message this diverse and talented team sent to the world: that talent knows no color. Join us as we honor this historic lineup and the enduring legacy of a team that demonstrated the potent combination of diversity and dominance in America's pastime. Tune in for a powerful and unforgettable chapter from baseball's rich history.

Relive the moment a single, catastrophic blown call in the 1985 World Series between the Royals and Cardinals didn't just cost St. Louis a game, but arguably the championship. Join Matt as we delve into the chaos of Game 6, the uproar over umpire Don Denkinger's safe call on Jorge Orta, and the devastating ripple effect that altered the series, impacted a franchise, and ultimately shifted how Major League Baseball viewed the integrity of the game. This is more than just a bad call; it's a story of heartbreak, controversy, and the slow march towards instant replay.

What happens when the baseball season splits in half—and your team has the best record but still misses the playoffs? Welcome to 1981. In this episode of the Pastball Podcast, host Matt unpacks the chaos of the MLB players' strike, the bizarre “split season” format, and how the Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals got robbed. It's a wild ride through labor disputes, playoff confusion, and one of the weirdest years in baseball history.

🎧 Hit play to explore the season that nearly tore America’s pastime apart.

They dominated the regular season. They steamrolled the playoffs. They broke an 88-year curse. So why does no one talk about the 2005 Chicago White Sox? In this episode of the Pastball Podcast, host Matt takes you through the overlooked greatness of one of baseball’s most efficient and underappreciated World Series runs. From Ozzie Guillen’s fiery leadership to four straight complete games in the ALCS, this is a championship story that deserves to be remembered.

🎧 Press play and discover why history hasn’t been fair to one of MLB’s most dominant teams.

Was it hustle or was it havoc? In this explosive episode of the Pastball Podcast, host Matt dives into the unforgettable 1970 MLB All-Star Game collision between Pete Rose and Ray Fosse. Discover how a single play in an exhibition game ignited decades of debate, changed one career forever, and redefined the meaning of “playing to win.” If you're a fan of baseball history, legendary moments, or heated sports controversy, this is the story you need to hear.

🎧 Tune in now to relive the play that shook the baseball world—and still has fans talking.

Welcome back to Pastball Podcast, where we relive baseball’s weirdest, wildest, and most head-scratching moments. Today, we’re talking about a man who could launch a baseball into orbit—but when it came to base-running, things got... complicated.

In this episode, we break down Jose Canseco’s legendary mishaps on the basepaths, including:

⚾ How a six-time All-Star and 40-40 club member led the league in getting caught stealing in 1986.

⚾ The infamous 1993 base-running blunder with the Rangers, where he got doubled off first base like a rookie.

⚾ His time in Oakland, where teammates and even Tony La Russa knew every trip around the bases was an adventure.

⚾ Why despite all the gaffes, Canseco’s power and larger-than-life personality kept him in the game (and in baseball lore).

When it came to home runs, Canseco was elite. When it came to base-running? Let’s just say he wasn’t exactly Rickey Henderson.

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April 15, 1947. Jackie Robinson stepped onto the field for the Brooklyn Dodgers, forever changing baseball by breaking the color barrier. But while Robinson made history, Phillies manager Ben Chapman made headlines for all the wrong reasons.

In this episode of the Pastball Podcast, we examine one of the ugliest yet most pivotal moments in baseball history—when Chapman and the Phillies taunted Robinson with relentless racial slurs. But here’s the twist: Chapman’s cruelty didn’t break Robinson. It backfired.

We’ll cover:

⚾ How Jackie Robinson’s composure under fire united his Dodgers teammates.

⚾ Why the Phillies’ actions forced Major League Baseball to take notice.

⚾ The infamous PR stunt where Chapman was forced to pose with Robinson—and how history truly judged them both.

⚾ The lasting impact of this moment on baseball and society.

Jackie Robinson is a legend. Ben Chapman? A cautionary tale. Baseball has a long memory, and this is one chapter it won’t forget.

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