Hall of Famer Ted Simmons joins me on this episode to talk about the first big league game his Dad took him to at Briggs Stadium (later named Tiger Stadium), coming back to play there as a major leaguer, catching Bob Gibson's only no-hitter at Three Rivers Stadium and the day he hitched a ride with a rock-n-roll legend. Send us a text Support the show If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and follow the podcast. Want to access to photos, bonus content and exclusive merch? Visit LostB...
Jul 31, 2023•18 min
Warren Brown's first job was working in the Red's clubhouse at Crosley Field. When the Reds moved into Riverfront Stadium in the middle of the 1970 season, he became one of their batboys. "Brownie" has great stories and wonderful memories to share of both ballparks, Sparky Anderson and the Big Red Machine. Send us a text Support the show If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and follow the podcast. Want to access to photos, bonus content and exclusive merch? Visit LostBallparks.com a...
Jul 24, 2023•28 min
Rick Dempsey, a member of the Orioles HOF, joins me on this episode to talk about some of the great Lost American League ballparks of the 70's and 80's, his little league manager who turned out to be ______!!! the stadium where he nearly lost his life, and of course the '83 World Series (he was MVP) and the goose bump inducing '88 World Series! This is one of my all-time favorite interviews. Hope you enjoy it! Send us a text Support the show If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and ...
Jul 17, 2023•39 min
On this Extra Innings episode, Steve Garvey talks about the day he became a Brooklyn Dodger batboy in 1956, the first MLB game he attended as a teenager at Tiger Stadium and his walk off home run to win game 4 of the '84 NLCS that made him a San Diego legend! Send us a text Support the show If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and follow the podcast. Want to access to photos, bonus content and exclusive merch? Visit LostBallparks.com and become a Patreon. Follow us on Instagram, Fac...
Jul 14, 2023•9 min
On this episode of the Lost Ballparks podcast, Kent Hrbek, a member of the Twins Hall of Fame, joins me to talk about growing up a short bike ride away from Metropolitan Stadium, what it was like playing for the Twins in the ballpark he grew up going to, the challenges and joys of playing in the Metrodome, his practical joking teammates and of course, being a part of the first Twins championship. Send us a text Support the show If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and follow the pod...
Jul 10, 2023•32 min
7X Emmy Winner and longtime ESPN host (Sports Look/Up Close), Roy Firestone joins me on this episode to talk about his love for Old Miami Stadium, his days as a Baltimore Orioles batboy, his lifelong friendship with Brooks Robinson, the day he walked through an abandoned Memorial Stadium with Johnny Unitas and his once-in-a-lifetime interview with members of the 500 HR club (Ted Williams, Ernie Banks, Reggie Jackson, Mike Schmidt and Frank Robinson). Send us a text Support the show If you enjoye...
Jul 03, 2023•44 min
George Toma, 94, has been doing groundskeeping since he was 12 years old. That’s 82 years! The man nicknamed, the "Sodfather" and "the Nitty Gritty Dirt Man" joins me on this episode to talk about being the head groundskeeper in Kansas City at Municipal Stadium for colorful owner Charlie Finley (in the 1950's and 60's), then Royals Stadium. He has advised and been a part of the grounds installation and upkeep at the past 50 some Super Bowls, more ballparks and stadiums than we have time to menti...
Jun 26, 2023•26 min
Lost Ballparks Extra Innings: In this extra innings episode HOFer Reggie Jackson shares details of the first major league game he ever attended as a kid; where it was, who he was with, the teams playing that day and who his favorite player was. Send us a text Support the show If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and follow the podcast. Want to access to photos, bonus content and exclusive merch? Visit LostBallparks.com and become a Patreon. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and X....
Jun 23, 2023•7 min
Steve Stone was an All-Star, a Cy Young award winner (He won 25 games in 1980!), and for the past 4 decades has worked in the broadcast booth; first for the Cubs alongside Hall of Famer Harry Caray and since 2005 he has been calling games for the White Sox. He shares vivid details of Comiskey, Wrigley Field, Memorial Stadium, Candlestick and Municipal Stadium and of course some of the best Harry Caray stories I've ever heard! Click here to check out Steve's book. Send us a text Support the show ...
Jun 19, 2023•33 min
Art Shamsky was a key member of the 1969 World Champion New York Mets. He joins me on this episode to talk about that magical year and what it was like playing with Tom Seaver, Pete Rose and Frank Robinson in those Lost Ballparks of the 60's - Forbes Field, Connie Mack Stadium, Crosley Field, the Astrodome and Shea Stadium. Click here for Art Shamsky's book: After the Miracle: The Lasting Brotherhood of the '69 Mets Send us a text Support the show If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review...
Jun 12, 2023•45 min
Extra Innings Episode: Rollie Fingers, a 7X All-Star, 3X World Champion, MVP, Cy Young winner and member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, joins me on this episode to talk about the first MLB game he attended as a kid, his 2 favorite ballparks to pitch in, "Harvey" the mechanical rabbit, historic Rickwood Field, and the 3 days he spent as a member of the Boston Red Sox. Send us a text Support the show If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and follow the podcast. Want to access to photos,...
Jun 09, 2023•12 min
Andy Strasberg is the author of My 1961 . Andy grew up in the Bronx and unlike all of his friends who were Mickey Mantle fans, Strasberg loved Roger Maris. In 1961 he began to make daily journal entries that chronicled his life as a 13 year old Yankee fan, trips to Yankee Stadium with his Father and friends and vivid details of his dreams to 1. Meet Roger Maris. 2. Be given a game used bat by Roger Maris. 3. Be given one of Roger's home run balls. What followed that year and beyond, greatly exce...
Jun 05, 2023•43 min
Rick Rizzs has been calling Seattle Mariners baseball games since 1983! On this episode he talks about growing up in Chicago attending games at Comiskey Park, paying dues in minor league broadcasting, feeling like he could die at any minute calling games at old Cleveland Stadium, the unique peculiarities of Tiger Stadium and the Mariners historic run in 1995. Send us a text Support the show If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and follow the podcast. Want to access to photos, bonus ...
May 29, 2023•42 min
Extra Innings Episode: Johnny Bench joins me on this episode to talk about the first MLB game he ever attended, memories of Cincinnati's Crosley Field , what Willie Mays told him at the Astrodome in 1968, his 1971 All-Star game home run at Tiger Stadium and obeying his Mom during the 1972 NLCS at Riverfront Stadium . Send us a text Support the show If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and follow the podcast. Want to access to photos, bonus content and exclusive merch? Visit LostBall...
May 26, 2023•10 min
Jack Morris was 254 game winner, a 5x All-Star, 4X World Champion, 1991 World Series MVP and a 2018 inductee into the Baseball Hall of Fame . On the premiere episode of season 5, Morris joins me to talk about growing up going to Metropolitan Stadium, his love for the most terrifying sport in human history, pitching at Comiskey Park, Jack Murphy, Tiger Stadium , that magical 1984 season and his return to Minnesota to play for his hometown Twins. Send us a text Support the show If you enjoyed this...
May 22, 2023•24 min
Fred Lynn was a 9X All-Star and the first player in baseball history to win Rookie of the Year, MVP and a Gold Glove in the same year! He joins me on the season finale to talk about the first game he attended as a kid, all things Fenway Park, that special 1975 Red Sox team, his first All-Star game at County Stadium in Milwaukee, the crazy event that probably cost the Angels the '82 ALCS and much more! Send us a text Support the show If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and follow th...
Mar 08, 2023•31 min
Tommy John, a 4X All-Star, played 26 seasons in the big leagues racking up 288 wins! He joins me on this week's episode to talk about attending games at Crosley Field as a kid, pitching at Municipal Stadium when he was 18, funny stories of Tommy Lasorda and the surgery that bears his name and revolutionized the pitching position forever! Send us a text Support the show If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and follow the podcast. Want to access to photos, bonus content and exclusive ...
Mar 01, 2023•26 min
Author Rick Vaughn spent more than 30 years working as a baseball executive for the Baltimore Orioles and the Tampa Bay Rays. I just finished his new book "100 years of Baseball on St. Petersburg's Waterfront" , a fascinating account of Florida's west coast city (Al Lang Field/Stadium) hosting some of baseball's all-time greats, Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Bob Gibson and so many others. Click here for more info on the book. Send us a text Support the show If you en...
Feb 25, 2023•24 min
This week I am taking the Lost Ballparks podcast on the road. This episode was recorded at Dodger Stadium. Janet Marie Smith, my guest on this week's podcast, is currently the Executive Vice President of Planning and Development for the Los Angeles Dodgers. The list of ballparks and baseball related structures that she has been responsible for creating, maintaining and/or preserving is historic! They include: Camden Yards, Fenway Park and Dodger Stadium. Send us a text Support the show If you en...
Feb 22, 2023•40 min
10X All-Star, 2X Cy Young Award Winner and Hall of Famer Tom Glavine is my guest on this week's Lost Ballparks podcast. "Glav" joins me to talk about growing up at Fenway Park (the '75 Series), being drafted by 2 pro sports in 5 days, playing at Fulton County Stadium, baseball superstitions, the hottest ballpark/stadium he ever played in and winning the 1995 World Series. Send us a text Support the show If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and follow the podcast. Want to access to p...
Feb 15, 2023•39 min
For 41 years Ted Leitner was a member of the San Diego Padres broadcast team. He joins me on this episode to talk about the ballpark where he saw his first game as a kid, the so-called "cookie cutter" multi-purpose stadiums of the 70's and 80's, the '84 Padres, the funniest Rick Sutcliffe story I have ever heard and memories of the late Tony Gwynn and Ted's broadcast partner of 35 years, Jerry Coleman . Click here to check out Ted's book, "Ted Talks: Uncle Teddy's Fond Memories, Crazy Stories an...
Feb 08, 2023•40 min
Hall of Famer Robin Yount spent his entire 20 year career in a Milwaukee Brewers uniform. He joins me on this week's episode to talk about attending his first game at Crosley Field in Cincinnati, playing at County Stadium, being teammates with Hank Aaron and spending time with the cast from Major League. Send us a text Support the show If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and follow the podcast. Want to access to photos, bonus content and exclusive merch? Visit LostBallparks.com and...
Feb 01, 2023•23 min
Pitcher Elroy Face is a Pittsburgh legend and at 94 , he is the oldest living former member of the Montreal Expos. He joins me this week to talk about playing in the most exciting World Series in baseball history (1960), having Roberto Clemente as a teammate and what it was like to play at the Polo Grounds, Crosley Field, Yankee Stadium and Forbes Field. Send us a text Support the show If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and follow the podcast. Want to access to photos, bonus conte...
Jan 25, 2023•29 min
Larry Young was an MLB umpire from 1983-2007. He called 2 All-Star Games, 2 World Series, worked the ALCS 3 different times, the Division Series 6 different times and is currently an umpire supervisor for MLB. He joins me on this episode to provide his first hand account of what it was like working at many AL Lost Ballparks and the night he was behind the plate for Nolan Ryan's 5,000th strikeout. Send us a text Support the show If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and follow the pod...
Jan 18, 2023•34 min
Five-time Emmy Award winner, former ESPN Sports Anchor and National Radio Hall of Famer Charley Steiner will begin his 19th season as a play-by-play announcer for the Dodgers. He joins me on this episode of the podcast to talk about attending his first games at Ebbets Field, the Polo Grounds and Yankee Stadium. Send us a text Support the show If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and follow the podcast. Want to access to photos, bonus content and exclusive merch? Visit LostBallparks....
Jan 11, 2023•40 min
Ozzie Smith, "The Wizard of Oz" was a 15X All-Star, World Champion, 13X Gold Glover, NL Silver Slugger and a first ballot baseball Hall of Famer! And on the season 4 premiere of the LB podcast he is talking about growing up across from L.A.'s Wrigley Field, his first game at Dodger Stadium, first MLB hit at Candlestick Park and memories of Busch Stadium in St. Louis! Send us a text Support the show If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and follow the podcast. Want to access to photos...
Jan 04, 2023•33 min
Brooks Robinson was an 18X All-Star, 16X Gold Glover, 2X World Champion (winning the 1970 WS MVP), AL MVP, a member of the MLB "All Century Team" and a 1st ballot Baseball Hall of Famer. Send us a text Support the show If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and follow the podcast. Want to access to photos, bonus content and exclusive merch? Visit LostBallparks.com and become a Patreon. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and X....
Nov 30, 2022•7 min
I was interviewed this week by my buddy Kevin Pressley...one of the guys who encouraged me to start this podcast. It sure was strange sitting on the other side of the microphone, but hopefully you'll find that his questions and my answers give you sort of a backstage look at Lost Ballparks, how it started, why I do it and why Sandy Koufax called me last month. Hope you enjoy it! - Mike Send us a text Support the show If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and follow the podcast. Want ...
Oct 26, 2022•28 min
Jerry Reuss, was a 2x All-Star, World Champion (1981 Dodgers) and won 221 games during his 22 year big league career. On this week's episode, he shares stories of the first game he ever attended, pranks he pulled on Tommy Lasorda and Lou Pinella, reflections on Montreal's Jarry Park, Forbes Field, Connie Mack Stadium and the Astrodome, his no-hitter at Candlestick and what he did before the final pitch of game 5 of the 1981 World Series! Click here to see Jerry's incredible ballpark photographs....
Oct 19, 2022•41 min
After spending 50 years in baseball working as an equipment/clubhouse manager, Frank Coppenbarger has many stories to share. On this week's episode, he talks about the night he spent with the World Series trophy, his legendary neighbor, the day he was sent to the airport to pick up a "Mystery Guest", the 1982 World Champion Cardinals, the cast of characters that made up the 1993 Phillies and all the inside scoop you would expect from someone who spent a half century in a major league clubhouse! ...
Oct 12, 2022•28 min
