Infinite Inning 283A: Charlie's Legs, a Covid Mini-Episode
Due to a case of Covid, we have a mini-episode this week in which the pandemic is ruminated upon and a catcher of ancient days bungles the dismount.
May 04, 2024•20 min
The Infinite Inning
The Infinite Inning is a journey to the past to understand the present using baseball as our time machine. America's brighter mirror, baseball reflects, anticipates, and even mocks the stories we tell ourselves about our world today. Baseball Prospectus's Steven Goldman shares his obsessions: history from inside and outside of the game, politics, stats, and Casey Stengel quotations. Along the way, we'll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?
Last refreshed: ⓘ
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more
Episodes
Infinite Inning 283: The Way We Go Mad Today
A cluster of insanity among 19th century players with Louisville, starring a Gladiator and a Chicken, with resonance to the present day. Plus we visit a forgotten MVP-level season authored by Silent George Stone, pause for a what-if moment with Whitey Herzog as Rockies manager, and so much more. Gibberish by Timbre, Metrostock99, JohnLaVine333, Vtrmrll, Djgriffin, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Casual Observer. Bell by Nlux. The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steve...
Apr 27, 2024•1 hr 13 min
Infinite Inning 282: Committed to Glaring Mistakes
For very personal but with luck very premature reasons, we ask whether the great Giants manager John McGraw ever made peace with his father and explore the confused timeline of his passing before briefly discussing a badly failed prospect from the extremely early Yankees, with stops along the way. The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman discusses the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stat...
Apr 20, 2024•41 min•Ep. 282
Infinite Inning 281: Night of the Ambulance Horse
Christy Mathewson pitches one of his worst best games and John McGraw gets ejected, though probably not because of his umbrella; Gene Woodling smokes a pipe while playing for the Mets; and does complete conformity make for better ballplayers, with or without their choice of peanut butter? The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman discusses the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdo...
Apr 13, 2024•1 hr 3 min
Infinite Inning 280: Romancing the Cobbian Poodle
A Yankees player’s marriage goes wrong faster than he could steal bases and Judge Landis makes a category error. The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman discusses the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Inf...
Apr 06, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 280
Infinite Inning 279: Murder in My Heart for the Ump
A return engagement for Pepper Martin in which he loses his cool in a big way and we consider an obscure reliever… With a cameo from the late M*A*S*H star McLean Stevenson? The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman discusses the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Al...
Mar 30, 2024•50 min•Ep. 279
Infinite Inning 278: Delia's Gone
Young Ruth Nollard meets the wrong baseball player in 1900, and we realize that in some ways very little has changed, plus a number of famous players come to the border and some try to turn them away. Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussion of stalking, possible sexual assault, and murder. The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman discusses the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect st...
Mar 23, 2024•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 278
Infinite Inning 277: No Boxers, No Briefs, No Mercy
In which the hazards of playing baseball without first properly girding one’s loins is investigated through the person of Pepper Martin, with other plentiful stops along the trail. The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explor...
Mar 16, 2024•1 hr 1 min
Infinite Inning 276: The One With the Anatomical Impossibility
The host is sick, Dizzy Dean is overweight, and an umpire threatens to do the impossible to a rookie second baseman. The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations ...
Mar 09, 2024•47 min•Ep. 276
Infinite Inning 275: Saving Mr. Williams
A pitcher has a dominant game despite accusations that his balls are greasy, and then we go to the immediate postwar period to discuss the early days of the Cold War, its relationship to the current election, and what should be the fundamental goal of all governments: Keep Ted Williams on the field. Sources for this Episode include: In the Time of the Americans (David Fromkin); The United States and the Origins of the Cold War (John Lewis Gaddis); Strategies of Containment (Gaddis); The Cold War...
Mar 02, 2024•1 hr 40 min
Infinite Inning 274: Who Looks Out for the Lookouts?
This week, a lighthearted look at a Hall of Famer who spent four games demolishing one of Casey Stengel’s early teams and then an extended discussion of a catcher and a pitcher who both had off-the-field habits that rendered them (or should have) unfit to play. Trigger Warning: There is an extended discussion of domestic violence and sexual assault, in sometimes graphic terms, in this episode. “Crazy Horse Intro” by Groan Aderic-Agi. The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of ...
Feb 24, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 274
Infinite Inning 273: All the Three-Fingered Young Dudes
In which a veteran pitcher gets the last strikeout of his career in a meaningless inning and yet the moment is somehow triumphal—or tragic, depending on your point of view—and several pitchers with missing fingers make an appearance but not all of them experience equal success. The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with f...
Feb 17, 2024•1 hr 4 min
Infinite Inning 272: The Schiappacasse Files
A forgotten left-handed great goes to Augusta and finds three other players in search of a destiny, but none of them gets precisely what he wants, and the Red Sox bring back a managerial great to turn things around—but does he? The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at larg...
Feb 10, 2024•1 hr 13 min
Infinite Inning 271: Pigeon of the American Mind
A shortstop has two wives (but finds time to invent the padded glove), a .330-hitting outfielder is driven off because of his tan, and a Native American pitcher wills himself to begin again—but not until cutting up with America’s most ubiquitous bird. TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains a brief discussion of suicide. The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss ...
Feb 03, 2024•53 min•Ep. 271
Infinite Inning 270: The HOBE Factor
This week a discussion of sadism as a way to pass the time with two tales from the early 20th century, one involving a violent Red Sox second baseman and the other an obnoxious Yankees shortstop named after the wrong condiment, plus more rioting fans, players who studied dentistry for no reason, a manager who got ejected for wearing a mask (not Bobby Valentine) and a personal encounter with Morgo the Globulous. The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, r...
Jan 27, 2024•57 min
Infinite Inning 269: Between the Fire and Us
Kate Claxton’s Six Rules for Staying Young versus Satchel Paige’s, plus the changing nature of public danger; more on fighting in baseball, with some 1924 ejections; more on Ed Kontechy, the “Bohemian Chocolate-Dropper,” and what that means (plus “enrober-strokers?”); umpires versus photographers in Cincinnati; have you ever tried Kipling, the biggest tomato, so much more! The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Co...
Jan 20, 2024•58 min•Ep. 269
Infinite Inning 268: A Broom of Twigs as Are We All
Infinite Inning 268: A Broom of Twigs as Are We All Casey Stengel, Winston Churchill, the 1962 Mets, Lavengro , what a besom is, Theodore Roosevelt, the Reverend Dr. Russell M. Brougher, the efficacy of prayer, Ed Konetchy, infidelity and early marriages, early chocolate beverages, Hernan Cortes, polyamory in the early 20th century Phillies ownership suite, managed by a dentist, dear old dad, Bobo Newsom, Shanty Hogan, Dadaism, the Marx Brothers, and the Beatles, Bob’s dad and the 1940 World Ser...
Jan 13, 2024•59 min•Ep. 266
Infinite Inning 267: We Talk About Bruno
A World War II hero battles his way back to the mound and is given both rough and tender treatment by Ted Williams, a discussion of the Black Sox and the 14th Amendment, and the wildest pitching day in history fails to end a career. The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at...
Jan 06, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 267
Infinite Inning 266: Ukulele at a Gunfight
The last episode of 2023! A pitcher undergoes a questionable treatment on his arm and loses a unique oral talent, a utility infielder gets drunk, violent, and convicted, and a clarification about Jackie Robinson’s political mission to San Francisco. The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines ...
Dec 30, 2023•59 min•Ep. 266
Infinite Inning 265 Sing As We Go? I Prefer Not To
Famous last words, including Casey Stengel’s, a shortstop who liked semi-pro leagues better than the majors (and desperately needed a dermatologist), and an argument about moral relativism which ends in a pyramid of skulls. The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. E...
Dec 23, 2023•59 min
Infinite Inning 264: The One Without Peckinpaugh
No Peckinpaughs were hurt in the recording of this episode, but we do visit the 1925 World Series, where Babe Ruth makes a dad joke that tempts fate, check in on a pitcher who may or may not have been a war correspondent, consider the greatest double-play combinations of all time, and question when getting to be a major league manager is less of an opportunity than it first appears, starring the Angels and what might have been the worst clubhouse of all time. The Infinite Inning is not only abou...
Nov 14, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 264
Infinite Inning 263: Grunting at the Guesser
In which a rookie’s arrogance (mildly) tests Earl Weaver and a pitcher nicknamed “Bucher Boy” prompts a mass ejection event. The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quo...
Oct 07, 2023•44 min•Ep. 263
Infinite Inning 262: It's Not That We Don't Want You
We begin with a player whose bid for a major league roster spot was deflected by fish-on-human violence and whose sense of humor was deflected by something more tragic, then we turn to Jose Urias’s second arrest for domestic violence and take a tour through player misbehavior both inside and outside the institution of marriage. Transition music by ERH and Klankbeeld. The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran...
Sep 12, 2023•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 262
Infinite Inning 261: A Torkelson Torkels Whatever He Does
Could there have been a Tigers first baseman more ill-fated than Spencer Torkelson? Yes, by far, especially when his manager thought he couldn’t play and his own trainer tried to bake him. Plus, an early player gets in touch with his inner divinity and faces fatal consequences—but always dresses the part. The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s pres...
Aug 15, 2023•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 261
Infinite Inning 260: Uncle John's Band Gave Me a Rash
A wide-ranging episode in which we cover the greatest pitching staffs of all time, Ted Lyons, Al Lopez, Tony Cuccinello, an underachieving White Sox team, and a first baseman named Supply. The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions...
Jul 23, 2023•1 hr 49 min•Ep. 260
Infinite Inning 259: The War Within Joe Dugan and Other Tales of Quitting
The namesake of a Hall of Fame pitcher and pioneer of the game opts not to become a player but turns into a star nonetheless, while a third baseman who wasn’t a star (but was sometimes celebrated as one) tries to find a way to live with himself—and Philadelphia fans. The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outsi...
Jun 30, 2023•1 hr 40 min•Ep. 259
Infinite Inning 258: Only Harmless Rebellions
The Yankees stash one of the game’s founding generation in their press box and a traded player gets sweet revenge against the manager who dissed him, possibly with his buttocks. Plus, players object to nun costumes, look like babies, and are blocked by famous Pittsburgh outfielders. SUPPORT THE INFINITE INNING: Visit our Patreon page . The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional...
Jun 02, 2023•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 258
Infinite Inning 257: In Immensity One Lonelier Than You
Two tales of players punished by time and sundry other flaws. First, Jimmy Dykes loses his legs, then Hall of Famer Al Simmons loses his career, his wife, his life, and his final bottle. Plus: A brief complaint about the present Yankees. The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the cultu...
May 14, 2023•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 257
Infinite Inning 256: Welcome the Bear Inside
A brief history of Popup John, original Yankee, and his run-in with Ring Lardner, while another great writer explains a crusade against injustice in terms of a pitcher’s love-life. Plus the usual sidelights and digressions, from Luis Arraez to falsely-accused exhibitionist baseball writers. The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and ...
Apr 30, 2023•1 hr 3 min
Infinite Inning 255: After Jackie Robinson Day What
The annual arrival of Jackie Robinson Day brings tales of an early series between Rube Foster’s Giants and Ty Cobb’s Tigers, one that proved a point without changing anything, while a Hall of Fame pitcher levels a strange accusation against the National League regarding Robinson receiving preferential treatment—but even if it were true, would it have been wrong? Plus notes on the abandonment of A’s history and more. The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldm...
Apr 21, 2023•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 255
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android