Hooks & Runs

Scipio Spinks rose from junior college ball in Chicago to the Major Leagues with Houston and St. Louis. He pitched 5 seasons before injuries derailed his promising career. Spinks talks about his pitching in the late 60s and early 70s, the wind at Candlestick, the heat at Busch and hitting his one and only home run as a big leaguer. Today, Spinks resides in Houston where he is head coach for the University of Houston-Downtown Gator collegiate club baseball team. Spinks has coached the Gators to the NCBA World Series in Alton, Illinois twice. Episodes Featured: 133 - We Weren't Rained Out, We Were Rained In w/ Roger Metzger Errata: Stu Miller was the pitcher blown off the mound in the 1961 All-Star Game at Candlestick ... Jim Presley hit 19 home runs with 72 RBI with Atlanta in 1990 - he signed with the Padres and was released after hitting .136 in his first 20 games as a Padre ... Robby Thompson was caught stealing 4 times on June 27, 1986 ... Please consider supporting Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including those featured in this episode (if any were), through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - https://hooksandruns.buzzsprout.com Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Craig on Bluesky (@craigest.bsky.social) Rex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Hosts Emeriti: Andrew Eckhoff on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffest Eric on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ichaboderic/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) www.premiumbeat.com/artist/ikoliks This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2025.

Joe Morgan, a native of Bonham, Texas, a small town near the Oklahoma border, is generally regarded as baseball's greatest second basemen in the post-World War II era. Originally Colt-.45 then Astro, Houston traded him to Cincinnati after the 1971 season is perhaps Houston's most ill-fated (and bone-headed) trades. Morgan went on to win two Most Valuable Player Awards with the Big Red Machine. Also this episode - three coaches fired already in the NCAA FBS season, the Astros are on life support, the Padres clinch, festivals are faring no better than the Astros Episodes Mentioned this Week 133144 195232244258 Please consider supporting Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including those featured in this episode (if any were), through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - https://hooksandruns.buzzsprout.com Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Craig on Bluesky (@craigest.bsky.social) Rex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Hosts Emeriti: Andrew Eckhoff on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffest Eric on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ichaboderic/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) www.premiumbeat.com/artist/ikoliks This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2025.

The fallout from the 1919 World Series gambling scandal rocked the baseball world when the affair broke into the public's view late in the 1920 season. Just when baseball emerged from that threat, two of baseball's biggest stars, Ty Cobb and Tris Speaker, found themselves immersed in betting scandal arising from a seemingly meaningless game late in the 1919 season. The scandal led to acrimony, finger-pointing and three major resignations. Ultimately, the two stars were cleared and they returned to baseball in 1927, but the reverberations were felt for years to come. Naturally, Babe Ruth figures in the story as well Dan Taylor, the voice of the Fresno Grizzlies, wrote "Baseball at the Abyss: The Scandals of 1926, Babe Ruth, and the Unlikely Savior Who Rescued a Tarnished Game" (Rowman & Littlefield 2023) about the scandal and the stars put under the spotlight. Taylor joins us this week to talk about gambling in baseball, which has emerged the last two seasons as an on-going challenge for the sport. Dan Taylor on Twitter (https://x.com/WritinGuy) Please consider supporting Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including those featured in this episode (if any were), through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - https://hooksandruns.buzzsprout.com Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Craig on Bluesky (@craigest.bsky.social) Rex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Hosts Emeriti: Andrew Eckhoff on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffest Eric on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ichaboderic/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) www.premiumbeat.com/artist/ikoliks This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2025.

Andrew "Rube" and William "Bill" Foster were half-brothers born in Calvert, Texas, 25 years apart. Rube (b. 1879) left home in the late 90s to pitch for barnstorming teams deep into the late teens. He established his name as a top pitcher in the circuit as well as a savvy businessman. In 1920, he organized the Negro National League, the first and leading organized Black baseball league. Bill (b. 1904) left the South in 1918 to look for work and play baseball and after catching on with the Memphis team in the NNL, eventually landed on his older brother's Chicago American Giants. He is regarded as the best left-handed pitcher in the Negro Leagues. He pitched the American Giants to titles in 1926 and 1927, then was the winning pitcher in the first East-West All-Star Game in 1933. Both brothers were inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame posthumously. Rube Foster on Seamheads, SABR Bill Foster on Seamheads, SABR Robert Charles Cottrell, "The Best Pitcher in Baseball: The Life of Rube Foster, Negro League Giant (New York University Press, 2004). Errata: Henry Mathewson had zero wins in his big league career, not one. Please consider supporting Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including those featured in this episode (if any were), through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - https://hooksandruns.buzzsprout.com Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Craig on Bluesky (@craigest.bsky.social) Rex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Hosts Emeriti: Andrew Eckhoff on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffest Eric on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ichaboderic/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) www.premiumbeat.com/artist/ikoliks This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2025.

Bill Bevens came within one out of throwing the first World Series no-hitter in Game 4. Also, a look at the pennant and wild card races plus some 1988 Topps baseball cards. Errata: The Giants were 14-14 in August, 9-15 in July. In the second half so far, Texas is 24-19, Seattle is 22-21 and Houston is 20-23. San Diego went 23-43 after the All-Star Break in 2021 and for some reason Craig thinks they collapse like this every year. San Diego was 43-20 in the second half in 2024. Pete Reiser won the NL batting title in 1941, not 1945. Craig was thinking of Mickey Mahler when he should have been thinking of Mike Mason. Wade Boggs played 5 seasons for the Yankees before going to Tampa; he also admitted to drinking 73 beers on a flight, not 57. Clint Hurdle turned down a football scholarship to the University of Miami, but he turned it down to sign with the Royals. Please consider supporting Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including those featured in this episode (if any were), through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - https://hooksandruns.buzzsprout.com Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Craig on Bluesky (@craigest.bsky.social) Rex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Hosts Emeriti: Andrew Eckhoff on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffest Eric on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ichaboderic/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) www.premiumbeat.com/artist/ikoliks This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2025.

David Krell is a returning guest and the author of "Bo Belinsky: The Rise, Fall and Rebound of a Playboy Pitcher," (McFarland & Co., 2025) the first full-length biography of Bo Belinsky. David Krell's official website (https://www.davidkrell.com) David Krell's Twitter (https://x.com/davidkrell) Please consider supporting Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including those featured in this episode (if any were), through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - https://hooksandruns.buzzsprout.com Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Craig on Bluesky (@craigest.bsky.social) Rex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Hosts Emeriti: Andrew Eckhoff on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffest Eric on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ichaboderic/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) www.premiumbeat.com/artist/ikoliks This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2025.

Eddie Mathews played 17 seasons in the big leagues and is the only player to play for the Braves in Boston, Milwaukee and Atlanta. He hit 512 home runs in his career and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1978. This week Hooks & Runs continues its series, Texans in the Hall, by looking back at Mathews' career. Also this episode Shohai Ohtani's latest off-the-field skirmish; Mike Trout's decline, Guy Hecker's big day and Hooks & Runs' favorite release for the second quarter 2025. Representative Sources: Guy Curtright, "A Brave in Three Cities," February 19, 2001, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, page 6. Don Fleitz, "Eddie Mathews," https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/eddie-mathews/, last accessed August 14, 2025. Joe Heiling, "Mathews Happy Over Chances With Astros," January 1, 1967, Houston Post, page 18. Frank Hyland, "Aaron to Play? Check the Weather," Atlanta Journal-Constitution, April 6, 1974, page 13. Wayne Minshew, "Kuhn Edict Still Angers Mathews," Atlanta Journal-Constitution, April 1, 1974, page 26. Joe Reichler, "Spahn Pitches Distance in 7-5 Thiller," October 7, 1957, Janesville Weekly Gazette, page 12. John Wilson, "Astros Acquire Eddie Mathews," January 1, 1967, Houston Chronicle, page 21. John Wilson, "Astros Trade Ed Mathews to Detroit," August 18, 1967, Houston Chronicle. Dick Young "Braves Cop, 7-5, in 10; Tie Series," New York Daily News, page 48. Statistics, box scores and more at https://www.baseball-reference.com/. This is Turnstile's song "Seein' Stars," from their 2025 album "Never Enough." Errata: In 1999, there were 9 future Hall of Famers on the Hall of Fame ballot, not 4. Please consider supporting Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including those featured in this episode (if any were), through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - https://hooksandruns.buzzsprout.com Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Craig on Bluesky (@craigest.bsky.social) Rex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Hosts Emeriti: Andrew Eckhoff on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffest Eric on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ichaboderic/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) www.premiumbeat.com/artist/ikoliks This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2025.

Rick Wise pitched 18 seasons in the big league, beginning with is rookie year for the 1964 Philadelphia Phillies. He won 188 games in that span and achieved some notable milestones, including becoming the only pitcher in Major League history to pitch a no-hitter and hit 2 home runs in the same game. Wise was also the winning pitcher in Game 6 of the 1975 World Series - considered by many to be among the greatest World Series games ever played. Rick joins Hooks & Runs this week to reflect on his long baseball career. Errata - Rick allowed runs at old Sportsman's Park in 1964, but he did not allow any earned runs. The first night game in MLB history was in Houston in 1963, not 1962. Bernie Carbo and Dwight Evans hit home runs in Game 3 of the '75 World Series, not Game 6. Please consider supporting Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including those featured in this episode (if any were), through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - https://hooksandruns.buzzsprout.com Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Craig on Bluesky (@craigest.bsky.social) Rex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Hosts Emeriti: Andrew Eckhoff on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffest Eric on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ichaboderic/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) www.premiumbeat.com/artist/ikoliks This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2025.

Colorado of all teams highlights the week with a wild come-from-behind win at home against Pittsburgh. Hooks & Runs' favorite teams made big splashes at the trade deadline. MLB's microbets investigation snares Cleveland All-Star pitcher Emmanuel Clase - lockers have been cleared out, so this looks serious. Where are they now? Hooks & Runs follows up on the players suspended in last year's gambling scandal. The TV Dolls, Loose Helmet, Ozzy's funeral and "I've Got the Music in Me" closes. Errata: It's Leo De Vries, not Luis. We're sure there are others. Hooks & Runs - https://hooksandruns.buzzsprout.com Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Craig on Bluesky (@craigest.bsky.social) Rex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Hosts Emeriti: Andrew Eckhoff on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffest Eric on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ichaboderic/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) www.premiumbeat.com/artist/ikoliks This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2025.

Bo Carter is the Executive Director for the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and an inductee into the College Sports Communicators Hall of Fame. He was media relations director for the Southwest Conference (SWC) and Big 12 Conference for a combined 22 years. His essay, "Southwest Conference Baseball HIstory," was appears in The National Pastime: Baseball in Texas and Beyond (Society of American Baseball Research (SABR), 2005). Carter has been a SABR member since 1993. Bo Carter on SABR - https://sabr.org/authors/bo-carter/ "Southwest Conference Baseball History" - https://sabr.org/journal/article/southwest-conference-baseball-history/ National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association - https://www.sportswriters.net/ncbwa/ Errata: On further review, Southwestern's Curt Walker was not the first former SWC player to reach the majors, though he was the first to enjoy a substantial MLB career. Maybe that's for another episode? Hooks & Runs - https://hooksandruns.buzzsprout.com Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Craig on Bluesky (@craigest.bsky.social) Rex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Hosts Emeriti: Andrew Eckhoff on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffest Eric on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ichaboderic/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) www.premiumbeat.com/artist/ikoliks This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2025.

Topics this week: Tampa Bay Rays sale; A Shoeless Joe's Hall of Fame promotion; The All-Star Game; The USA vs. The World; Late Night TV is in trouble; BananaBall may entertain some, but it isn't baseball; Manfred wants a salary cap; MLB's tickets are overpriced for a reason; an Ozzy Osbourne post-mortum; making money while making music. Errata: A Houston business consortium was bidding to buy the St. Louis Cardinals in the early 1950's, not the St. Louis Browns. The National League, not the American League had the early 6-run lead in the 2025 All-Star game. Episodes Mentioned: Ep. 251, "Talking Talking Heads w/ Jonathan Gould." Please consider supporting Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including those featured in this episode (if any were), through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - https://hooksandruns.buzzsprout.com Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Craig on Bluesky (@craigest.bsky.social) Rex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Hosts Emeriti: Andrew Eckhoff on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@hofffest Eric on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ichaboderic/ Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) www.premiumbeat.com/artist/ikoliks This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2025.

Frank Robinson was born in Beaumont, Texas, raised in Oakland, California, and established himself among baseball's most feared hitter and fierest competitors for over a decade. Robinson had over 2,900 hits, hit 586 home runs and drove in over 1,800 runs over 21 big league seasons that included two part-time years as Cleveland's player-manager. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982. Links: Frank Robinson's career stats at Retrosheet: https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/R/Probif103.htm. George Brett's pine-tar incident: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbEHAsZxRYo. Sources: Sources for this episode include and among others, Lou Smith, "Reds Trade Off Frank Robinson," The Cincinnati Enquirer, December 10, 1965; Paul Ritter, "Fan Opinion Varies on Robby's Trade, The Cincinnati Enquirer, December 10, 1965; Maxwell Kates, "Frank Robinson," https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/Frank-Robinson/, and available sources cited there; Stats and box scores at Baseball Reference and Retrosheet. You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including those featured in this episode (if any were), through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - https://hooksandruns.buzzsprout.com Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Craig on Bluesky (@craigest.bsky.social) Rex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Hosts Emeriti: Andrew Eckhoff on Tik Tok Eric on Facebook Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2025.

This week on the show, baseball's microbets scandal, another Topps pack - this time from 1986 - and Ozzy's "farewell" concert. Errata: Whitey Herzog was not the Royal's manager in 1983's Pine Tar Game. The team's manager was Dick Howser. Fernando Valenzuela pitched his only career no-hitter in his final season with the Dodgers. Not an errata, but Len Dykstra suffered a stroke in early 2025 - Hooks & Runs hopes his troubles are behind him and that his recovery is quick and complete. Past Episodes Referenced 154 - Fernandomania Revisited w/ Erik Sherman https://www.buzzsprout.com/875794/episodes/12920115 165 -Suds Series Stories w/ J. Daniel https://www.buzzsprout.com/875794/episodes/13382724 You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including those featured in this episode (if any were), through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - https://hooksandruns.buzzsprout.com Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Craig on Bluesky (@craigest.bsky.social) Rex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Hosts Emeriti: Andrew Eckhoff on Tik Tok Eric on Facebook Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2025.

Film critic Cassandra Hager (Cinefied) joins us this week to reflect on "Jaws," released 50 years ago last month. Cassandra Hager on Cinefied - https://www.cinefied.com/cassandrahager Cassandra Hager on Twitter - https://x.com/TheMovieMermaid Cassangra Hager All Links - https://cassandrahager.carrd.co/ Errata - "Airplane '74" and "Airplane '77"were actually "Airport '75" and "Airport '77." Jacqueline Bisset was in "The Deep," not "Jaws: The Revenge;" something for which I'm sure she's quite grateful. You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including those featured in this episode (if any were), through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - https://hooksandruns.buzzsprout.com Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Craig on Bluesky (@craigest.bsky.social) Rex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Hosts Emeriti: Andrew Eckhoff on Tik Tok Eric on Facebook Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2025.

Jonathan Gould's latest book is "Burning Down the House: Talking Heads and the New York Scene That Transformed Rock" (Meridian Books 2025). Gould has previously written books about The Beatles and Otis Redding -- his shorter works appear in The New Yorker. Gould is a New York City native; he attended ballgames at The Polo Grounds as a child and is a Mets fan. Jonathan Gould's Website - https://www.jonathangouldauthor.com/ You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including those featured in this episode (if any were), through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - https://hooksandruns.buzzsprout.com Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Craig on Bluesky (@craigest.bsky.social) Rex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Hosts Emeriti: Andrew Eckhoff on Tik Tok Eric on Facebook Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2025.

Three players in big league history have more than one career home run but no other hits. Two were players that got only a cup of coffee or two in the big leagues; the third, believe it or not, was a pitcher. We have their stories. Plus - the Rafael Devers trade, reflecting on Sly Stone and Brian Wilson, and some 1989 baseball cards. Errata: Nolan Fontana was claimed off waivers by the Angels, not the Dodgers. Andy van Slyke won 5 Gold Glove Awards, not 3. Houston replaced Bill Virdon with Bob Lillis in 1982, not Hal Lanier. On June 28, 1997, David Wells wore Babe Ruth's cap, valued then at $35,000, for one inning during a pitching performance - the Yankees fined Wells $2,500. In September 1988, Dave Dravecky was diagnosed with a desmoid tumor in his left arm. He attempted a return in 1989. In his second appearance during a pitch in the fifth inning his humerus bone snapped. Doctors amputated his left arm in 1991 after discovering the tumor had returned. Episodes mentioned: Ep. 72 - Seeing the World Through Baseball w/ Cousin Wolf (Matt Halvorson). Wolf's album, "Nine Innings," is available here (https://cousinwolf.bandcamp.com/album/nine-innings). You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including books featured in this episode (if any were), through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - https://hooksandruns.buzzsprout.com/ Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Craig on Bluesky (@craigest.bsky.social) Rex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Hosts Emeriti: Andrew Eckhoff on Tik Tok Eric on Facebook Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2025.

In April 1950, Jim Martin, a catcher for the West Texas New Mexico League’s Pampa Oilers, was violently struck by lightning during a game in Abilene, Texas. He not only survived the strike but he played the next game, going two for five. This week, Martin's daughter, Beverly Winter-Donaho, joins us to discuss Martin and his time in the minors during the 40s and 50s. In part two, Craig visits PNC Park and what's left of Forbes Field in Pittsburgh. You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including books featured in this episode (if any were), through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - https://hooksandruns.buzzsprout.com/ Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Craig on Bluesky (@craigest.bsky.social) Rex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Hosts Emeriti: Andrew Eckhoff on Tik Tok Eric on Facebook Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2025.

In this episode, we talk with Doug Wilson, author of Let's Play Two: The Legend of Mr. Cub, the Life of Ernie Banks (Rowman & Littlefield, 2019), to explore the life and legacy of one of baseball’s most beloved figures. Doug shares insights into his research process, the hidden layers of Ernie Banks’ personality, and what makes this Hall of Famer’s story still resonate today. From growing up in segregated Dallas, Texas, to becoming a two-time MVP and a beacon of positivity on and off the field, Ernie Banks’ journey is not only a baseball story—it's a human story. Doug discusses the complexities behind the cheerful "Let’s play two!" slogan and the cultural and personal weight Banks carried with grace. In Part Two of this episode, we dive into two very different but equally fascinating conversations. First, in a decision that warms Rex's heart, the league has finally removed several long-deceased (and one not so long deceased) players from its permanently ineligible list. Second, Craig shares his experience seeing Deafheaven, one of his favorite artists, at a recent Austin concert. You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including books featured in this episode (if any were), through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - https://hooksandruns.buzzsprout.com/ Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Craig on Bluesky (@craigest.bsky.social) Rex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Hosts Emeriti: Andrew Eckhoff on Tik Tok Eric on Facebook Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2025.

Craig and Rex are taking a break in May giving them a change to feature some favorite episodes from the archives and you an chance to catch up on other episodes you may have missed or wish to revisit. This episode from the vault features our interview with Tamara Saviano, author, journalist, publicist and Grammy-nominated record producer, and writer and co-director of the documentary "Without Getting Killed or Caught." The documentary tells the story about the life and career of Guy and Susanna Clark, the larger-than-life Texas songwriters who were so deeply influenced Texas music from the 1970s to today. Also in the episode, the co-hosts talk about the then recent passing of Henry Aaron and reflect on his chase for the career home run mark in 1973 and 1974. The show note for Episode 47 are here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/875794/episodes/7495681 Hooks & Runs will return with a new episode on June 5. You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including books featured in this or past episodes through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - https://hooksandruns.buzzsprout.com/ Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Craig on Bluesky (@craigest.bsky.social) Rex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Hosts Emeriti: Andrew Eckhoff on Tik Tok Eric on Facebook Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2021, 2025.

Craig and Rex are taking a break in May giving them a change to feature some favorite episodes from the archives and you an chance to catch up on other episodes you may have missed or wish to revisit. This episode from early 2023 is our interview with Roger Metzger, the Houston Astros' Gold Glove winning shortstop in the 1970s. Hooks & Runs will resume with new episodes on June 5. The show notes for Episode 133 are here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/875794/episodes/11991967 Hooks & Runs will return with its next episode on June 5. You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including books featured in this or past episodes through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link. https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns Hooks & Runs - https://hooksandruns.buzzsprout.com/ Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com Craig on Bluesky (@craigest.bsky.social) Rex (Krazy Karl's Music Emporium) on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/ Hosts Emeriti: Andrew Eckhoff on Tik Tok Eric on Facebook Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat) This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2025.