The Infinite Inning is an ongoing podcast that exists at the intersection of baseball, history, politics, and culture. Steven Goldman uses stories set in the past to create analogies to today’s events, whether in sports or in our world at large. He also talks to an array of guests, among them a regular rotation of co-hosts.
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Amanda Smith (Disaster Girls podcast, Le Renard Argente) returns to cope with the pandemic, discuss emotional distance in disaster films, dating while living a public life, and the Dodgers’ up-and-down start. Plus tales: The Braves stake a hat on a pair of rookie outfielders and a third baseman for not being famous tells a story of his own.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Schulmerich, Worthington, and Seize the Day*Harry Eisenstadt’s Sand Crab Yarn (and Roman Quinn Too)*Amanda Smith: Transition to Unemployment*Introverts, Extroverts, and the Pandemic*Flamingo Evolution*The Really Crafty Cows*Human-Neanderthal Relations*Maneating-Tiger Movie*Insomnia Cure: STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE*Lambert the Sheepish Queen Singer*ELEPHANT WALK*Why Are Disaster Films Cathartic?*Not Engaging with CONTAGION during a pandemic*Korean Baseball Knows How to Have Fun*“Young Lady Looking for Self-Expression”* “Stupid and Hilarious” in Dating*Are You Over Kenley Jansen?*Ballplayers and Writers Age Quickly*Deep Thoughts with Cody Bellinger*No One Applauds the Los Angeles Sunset*Goodbyes.
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 than you thought possible. Along the way, they’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?
Cliff Corcoran (The Cycle newsletter) returns to run down the state of the early season, plus tales: Death stalks the Polo Grounds and Gallen and Bumgarner meet Dizzy and Paul.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Multiple Fatalities at the Polo Grounds*Dizzy but Not Daffy*Cliff Corcoran: Rougned Odor and the Yankees*Low Offensive Levels/The Strikeout Rate*A Strikeout Was Just Another Out*How We Watch Now*Fix Baseball (No Forks)*Dodgers v. Padres*Dodgers Depth-Magic*Padres Appreciation Society*Joba Chamberlain/Dinelson Lamet*Lightning Round: Is It Real? Red Sox*Royals*A’s*Mariners*Mets*Phillies*Brewers*Giants*Buster Posey for the Hall of Fame?*Goodbyes.
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 than you thought possible. Along the way, they’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?
David Roth returns to talk baseball and social responsibility during our still-ongoing pandemic. Plus tales: Pee Wee Reese undeflected and Casey Stengel taunts a cross-eyed pitcher (and throws up his breakfast).
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Pee Wee Reese’s Journey*Casey and the 1922 Tour of Japan*David Roth: Owning a Zamboni*Baseball-is-Back Euphoria*Pow! Bullpen Management*The Clubhouse 15 Percent Has the 85 Percent Hostage*Tailgating Analogy*Andrelton Simmons Will Not Explain Himself*Super-Aggrieved on Social*Immediate Feedback*The Michael Conforto Game*It’s Not Yet Real (Salvador Perez Fluke Stats)*Nimmo Revelations*Goodbyes.
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 than you thought possible. Along the way, they’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?
Luke Epplin, author of OUR TEAM: The Epic Story of Four Men and the World Series that Changed Baseball, talks about three key players and one owner who made the 1948 Cleveland team the unique creation it was. Plus tales: No-hitters don’t influence the future and a Casey Stengel rule is applied to Domingo German.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Joe Musgrove, No-Hitters, and Fate*Mike Marshall, Casey Stengel, Domingo German*Luke Epplin: Why 1948?*The Browns and Eddie Gaedel Project*Veeck, Paige, Doby, and Feller*Veeck’s Highs and Lows*Veeck’s Leg*Veeck on the Make (Steve Cohen)*Feller and Paige in Their Times*Feller’s Racial Blinders*When Feller Intentionally Pitched His Arm Off*Finding Larry Doby*Doby and Segregation*Bill McKechnie Cameo*The First Fine Careless Rapture*Goodbyes.
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 than you thought possible. Along the way, they’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?
Andrew Maraniss, author of Singled Out: The True Story of Glenn Burke, discusses the abuse heaped on the majors’ first openly gay player. Plus tales of a Pacific Coast League trainer who was singled out in a different way, plus two murders and Major League Baseball’s moving the All-Star Game out of Georgia.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Fate Hunts a Trainer*MLB and Voting While Black in Georgia*Andrew Maraniss: Sports, Social Justice, and Perry Wallace*Glenn Burke: No Resolution*Bad Timing*What Does Who You Sleep With Have to Do With How You Can Hit?*What if Burke Had Been a Better Player?*Burke: Oppositional and Beloved*The Second High Five*Burke vs. Lasorda*Burke the Athlete*Glenn and Spunky*Al Campanis: It Wasn’t Just “Nightline”*Burke, Billy Martin, and the Dying A’s*Did Baseball Do Enough to Help?*Dusty Baker: Great Guy*“Owing”*Have the Dodgers Changed? A Possible Example*Coming Attractions: Inaugural Ballers*Lenn Sakata Mention Alert*Goodbyes.
(“Ambience, Night Wildlife, A.wav” by InspectorJ (www.jshaw.co.uk) of Freesound.org.)
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 than you thought possible. Along the way, they’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?
Jesse Spector returns for a super-sized episode! The third annual Infinite Inning Opening Day song! Ted Williams says never let anyone change your swing! Is Miguel Andujar doing this old-time Dodger’s career swan dive? Will the 2021 Tigers be more fun to watch than the 2021 Red Sox? These and other questions await within!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Carl Yastrzemski, Ted Williams, the Bad Science Teacher, and the Ordeal of Self-Determination*The Third Annual Infinite Inning Opening Day Song: Champions of the Heart*Miguel Andujar and Billy Grabarkewitz*Jesse Spector: Beards and Haircuts*Violins for Cleveland*Sunderland/Red Sox*How Long Will Mets Ownership Be Hot To Trot?*Colorado Rockies Dysfunction*The Ian Desmond Follies*The Yankees After 2003*A Full Season of Devil Williams and Other Delights*Dead as a Doornail Teams*Goodbyes*Encore: Opening Day Songs 2019 and 2020, The American Game and Opening Day.
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 than you thought possible. Along the way, they’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?
Lincoln Mitchell returns to discuss his new book “The Giants and Their City: Major League Baseball in San Francisco, 1976-1992,” a tome redolent with cold Candlestick nights and hot Crazy Crab days. Plus tales: Casey Stengel uses some overly esoteric signs, rookies have short-lived breakouts, and more.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Blinking Lights and Spitting Signs*Harl! The Musical*Lincoln Mitchell: Why the Giants So Bad Between Willie Mays and Barry Bonds?*How a Farm System Dies*Will Clark and Robbie Thompson Arrive*Vida Blue vs. Cruel Fate*Can the Bay Area Support Two Teams?*Why Did Four Ballpark Ballot Initiatives Fail?*And Then the Earthquake*Fay Vincent Tries to Make Things Worse*Al Rosen and Kevin Mitchell*What If: The Tampa Bay Giants?*The Counterintuitive Crazy Crab*Summer at Candlestick Park Was Winter Everywhere Else*What if the Giants Had Moved?*Goodbyes.
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 than you thought possible. Along the way, they’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?
Craig Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus returns to discuss Baseball Prospectus 2021, highlight some of the best comments, and debate the best approach to writing about players: Plus tales: Did Duster Mails do in one season what other players do in 20? And should a manager be fired for being too blunt with the boss? The Cubs did it.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Duster Mails: All-Time Great in One Season*Manager Fired for Candor*Craig Goldstein: The 26th or the 28th Annual*BP in the Pandemic*Sticking to Sports During the Plague*The Baseball Prospectus Annual*The Seranthony Dominguez and Evan Marshall Comments*Songs from “The Simpsons” and Other Changes*The Dodgers Won (Will There Ever Be Another Party?)*When Your Team is Too Late to Win*Goodbyes.
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 than you thought possible. Along the way, they’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?
Matthew Trueblood (Baseball Prospectus, Penning Bull newsletter) talks about the Twins, the Mariners, disparate batting styles, and using the Cubs as a self-diagnostic. Plus Rogers Hornsby is mean to Duster Mails and Duster Mails is mean to himself.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
When Cruelty was the Point for Rogers Hornsby*Don’t Run Yourself Down, Duster Mails*Matthew Trueblood: Taking Notice of Player Quirks*Tim Anderson and Non-Conformity*Constructing Trevor Bauer*Willie Wilson as Object Lesson and Why Banjo Hitters Can No Longer Play*The Sammy Sosa: Persona Non-Grata*Power Rankings in the Winter*Kevin Mather-Induced Disillusionment*Should the Cubs Extend Javier Baez?*Lone Ranger Trivia*Luis Arraez and His Knees*Schwarber vs. Pederson*Goodbyes.
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 than you thought possible. Along the way, they’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?
Matthew Trueblood (Baseball Prospectus, Penning Bull newsletter) talks about the Twins, the Mariners, disparate batting styles, and using the Cubs as a self-diagnostic. Plus Rogers Hornsby is mean to Duster Mails and Duster Mails is mean to himself.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
When Cruelty was the Point for Rogers Hornsby*Don’t Run Yourself Down, Duster Mails*Matthew Trueblood: Taking Notice of Player Quirks*Tim Anderson and Non-Conformity*Constructing Trevor Bauer*Willie Wilson as Object Lesson and Why Banjo Hitters Can No Longer Play*The Sammy Sosa: Persona Non-Grata*Power Rankings in the Winter*Kevin Mather-Induced Disillusionment*Should the Cubs Extend Javier Baez?*Lone Ranger Trivia*Luis Arraez and His Knees*Schwarber vs. Pederson*Goodbyes.
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 than you thought possible. Along the way, they’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?
Cliff Corcoran returns to talk some actual my-first-baseman-is-better-than-yours with regards to the AL East, free agent Jackie Bradley, Jr, and Juan Soto’s defensive capabilities. Plus, ex-Mariner Kevin Mather steps in it and the Herculex Body Battery cures all!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Herculex Body Battery Sees All, Cures All*Pie in the Sky When You Die in Seattle*Cliff Corcoran: The comprehensive Cycle*Spencer Torkelson’s Freshman Dorm Moment*“Don’t Know How to Smile,” Starring Charlie Morton*What if the Phillies Didn’t Try to Fix Their Bullpen?*Will the Nationals be Competitive*Juan Soto’s Glove*How to Value Jackie Bradley, Jr.*Bret Gardner vs. Aaron Hicks vs. Bradley*A Glance Towards Kevin Mathers*Goodbyes.
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 than you thought possible. Along the way, they’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?
Solo-mini-diet episode in which there are stories of people getting hit, both in the sort of fun baseball way and also the sad other kind. Also, a look at San Diego Padres scolds.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Art Fletcher, Oil-Man (Not that Kind)*The Price of Ice in Pittsburgh*Odubel Herrera/Joe Giradi/Sherry Magee*Let Fernando Tatis, Jr Play (For What He’s Worth)!*Goodbyes.
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 than you thought possible. Along the way, they’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?
Mark Armour (Joe Cronin: A Life in Baseball, and Paths to Glory: How Great Teams Got That Way, SABR Board President) talks about the Hall of Fame shortstop, MLB’s retroactive changes to the Negro League’s standing, and great baseball history books. Plus tales of Lou Gehrig, Eleanor Gehrig, and milkfat.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Eleanor’s Bracelet and Ival’s Two Pounds of Butter*Eleanor Gehrig Alone*Mark Armour: The SABR Bio Project*The Missing Biographies*Why Joe Cronin?*A Portly Shortstop on His Knees*Segregation Apologist*Cronin Was in the Mainstream*The Revised Status of the Negro Leagues*What’s It Like Being on the SABR Board?*The Greying of SABR*The Greatest Baseball History Books/Bill James’ Strengths*Goodbyes.
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 than you thought possible. Along the way, they’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?
Kevin Goldstein returns! Plus, tales of a pitcher who shouldn’t and Lou Gehrig: Great American.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A Day in the Life of the Zion Hill… Billies*Lou Gehrig Knew*Kevin Goldstein: The best restaurants in San Pedro de Macoris*The Moment You Found Out*Carlos Correa Claps Back*The Email*The Best Way to Understand What the Rockies Are Doing*Billion-Dollar Franchises*Racism in the Dominican Republic*Evaluating Teenage Players in the Dominican*“These Kids Are My Heroes”*Make-Up Digs*Evil Platoon Left Fielder*Tools Players and Short Guys*Personal Cheeseballs*Goodbyes.
WARNING: There are a few cusswords in this episode. Shelter your parrot lest he be corrupted.
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 than you thought possible. Along the way, they’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?
Will Leitch returns to deflate the hero narrative in sports. Plus tales: Phil Niekro is prematurely dismissed and Home Run Baker runs all the way home.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Phil Niekro and Positive Uncertainty*Home Run Baker Goes Home (Then Goes Home Again)*Will Leitch: Family Man*Not Judging the Pandemic Risk-Takers*History Has Its Eyes on Tom Verducci*Clemens and Bonds Retconned*Henry Aaron “Ignored” Racism/The Sanctification of Aaron*A Convention in Cleveland/Escapism*The Wrong “Grierson & Leitch” Episode*“The Great Waltz”*How Lucky*Gilkey, Lankford, and Brian Jordan*Goodbyes.
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 than you thought possible. Along the way, they’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?