Hardball MLB's First Person History

02/10/2023

A New Episode of HARDBALL PODCAST just got posted.

https://pionairepodcasting.com/hardball/

This week..it's my conversation with Brooks Robinson from the early 2000's. I have another one that I think I will post with Jim Palmer and Earl Weaver at some point.
I just thought that some of you might want to hear a few minutes with him..and I hope as an Orioles fan..a Baseball fan..or just a fan of a decent human being who happened to play baseball..the opening and close will conjure up some good memories.
Please Share if u can

Hardball with Chris Dimino is a podcast almost 20 years in the making. Sportscasting icon Chris Dimino is the most insightful baseball interviewer you’ve ever heard and his rapport with professional athletes is unmatched. Tune in each week for conversations — not “interviews” — with some o...

15/07/2022

How it started.
How it's going.
8 years.
YMCA to CONCORDE.
In Colorado for The Nationals..and one last trip around The Travel Soccer Sun with this one.

11/02/2021

https://omny.fm/shows/hardball/playlists/podcast

Hey Guys
Bittersweet Episode with Tigers great Willie Horton.
I've gotten to know Willie over the years..and we caught up on the day of Hank Aaron's passing..and for the first time ever I called a guest back to do a "part II"..I'll explain in the introduction.
We go beyond baseball.
The 1967 riots in Detroit
The 1968 WS Title
And the messages he has received and delivered over the course of 62..62!!..years
Al Kaline. Billy Martin. Stories of men and games.
Please share if you can..
Thanks so much

22/01/2021

https://omny.fm/shows/atlanta-braves/hank-aaron-2001?in_playlist=hardball!podcast

It's an incredibly sad day for the world of Baseball for sure..but it goes much deeper than that.
It's been my pleasure..my honor..to be able to call Hank a "Baseball Friend"
I will put together my thoughts on how unlikely a kid from Staten Island New York could get so lucky spend the time I did with him..and what it was like to have this man say nice things about our relationship over the years.
For now..this is one of the moments I had to share with..
The True Homerun King.
(Always loved the ease of these conversations)

Share if you can..love to have baseball fans hear from Hank today

21/01/2021

https://omny.fm/shows/hardball/playlists/podcast

HARDBALL PODCAST
Episode 28
HOFer Larry Doby

There are certain people in sports whose narrative goes way beyond the field..court..stadium.
Larry Doby is one of those people.
You might think you know his story..but there is so much to the man..both on and off the field.
I hope you enjoy my conversation with Mr. Doby..done about 6 months before his passing in 2003.
(I love the opening and close of this one as well. Thanks Keith Ippolito)
Please subscribe and share/rate and review if so inclined
Thanks
Chris

06/01/2021

https://omny.fm/shows/hardball/playlists/podcast

In honor of Episode 26 of HARDBALL PODCAST..my conversation with Brooklyn Dodger Carl Erskine..I'm going to give away this 1st Edition copy of
THE BOYS OF SUMMER.
If you subscribe..rate AND review HARDBALL on Apple Podcast..you qualify.
Hope you enjoy this Episode and others

13/07/2020

HARDBALL PODCAST
Episode 24
Tracy Stallard/Ralph Terry/Jack Fisher

https://omny.fm/shows/hardball/clips

If you love Firsthand First Person accounts of the Games Greatest Moments..this Episode is for you. More history packed into this one than any other Episode.

What if I told you the 3 men who gave up these HRs..Roger Maris' 61st..Bill Mazeroski's Game 7 WS Ending Walkoff..and Ted Williams last AB of his Career..could be found in one place..to tell THESE stories and so many more?

Welcome into HARDBALL

Almost 2 hours of INCREDIBLE storytelling..Yankee Greats..The Birth of the Mets..redemption..
And why if you don't know Tracy Stallard..the funniest player I've ever spoken to..you should.

Ralph Terry in his 80's with the recall of a man half his age.

And Fat Jack Fisher..who will tell you whether Ted was ever close to tipping his cap..as well as fill you in on the other historic moments he was directly involved in.

Subscribe..Download..Please Share and on ITunes/IPhone Rate and Review HARDBALL if you can.

Look forward to your feedback
Chris

10/07/2020

HARDBALL PODCAST
https://omny.fm/shows/hardball/clips

Hey Everybody
If you can name a few of these ballparks..and want to hear firsthand accounts of the men who played in them..HARDBALL is for you.

Listening to/subscribing to HARDBALL (hit the subscribe button on any of the Podcast Providers and get a notification when a new Episode drops) and you'll hear stories of the greatest to EVER play the game..the games and moments that live forever.

Catch up this weekend on previous Episodes..and on Sunday night we'll drop a very special edition.

Tracy Stallard/Ralph Terry/Jack Fisher..about an hour and a half of 3 pitchers who were involved in these moments

Mazeroski HR
Ted Williams last AB HR
Roger Maris 60th & 61st

And about 25 other stories..and you'll hear the names of a couple of dozen HOFers throughout.

Please Share this Post..to friends and any Baseball groups on here you belong to..

Last thing for any and all of you who have kids who play baseball and soccer.
I've partnered up with D-Bat and TOCA Football and we are going to be giving away..FREE..hour long sessions and training for both sports if you listen.

There is NO better deal in the Podcast world.

Love to hear your thoughts on what you've heard so far
Thanks
Chris

27/06/2020

HARDBALL PODCAST
Episode 22
HOFer Marvin Miller

https://omny.fm/shows/hardball/clips

If you don't know much..or really anything about Marvin Miller..and what role he continues to play in the Baseballs Owners vs Player relationship..you need to hear this one.

My 2001 conversation with the MLBPA's first Executive Director is as timely as anything you are hearing and reading about baseball in 2020.

Whether you believe he was the best or worst thing to ever happen to the game..you need to understand his role and the impact he had on all professional sports and now College Athletics..38 yrs after his last official day on the job.

And if you don't know who the man pictured with him here is..time to get a history lesson on two of the most important people and game changers in sports history.

Let me know what you think..and if you were ever going to share HARDBALL with your friends/baseball/sports fans..this Episode might be the one.

29/05/2020

HARDBALL PODCAST
EPISODE 19
HOFer Ron Santo

https://omny.fm/shows/hardball/clips…

Can't wait for you to hear this one.
From 2002..My biggest takeaway?
"Mans Man".
Pre HOF election..he talks of whether he should have been in..the 1969 season & a medical diagnosis that almost derailed his career before it started.

I know Ernie Banks is the face of the Cubs..and rightfully so.
But Ron Santo in my opinion was the Heartbeat..and his time in the booth proved NO ONE was a bigger Cub Fan/Cub Man.

19/05/2020

HARDBALL PODCAST
Episode 18
Elden Auker

https://omny.fm/shows/hardball/elden-leroy-auker

You might not know his name..but boy you're going to want to hear his stories.

Before his passing he was the last living man to face Babe Ruth..that's here.

We will talk about how he almost single-handedly stopped Lou Gehrig's games played streak..and you will hear how even 60+ yrs after the fact..he was still troubled talking about Lou's health and being one of the first to know about his condition.

A Hank Greenberg story to remind us about Anti-Semitism and the one time he found out about Hanks reaction to it.

An amazing life that started in the most rural of Kansas towns..to being declared the Greatest Athlete in Kansas St. History.

Subscribe. Download. Rate and Review on Apple. And if you enjoy it..please Share here and by letting some baseball fans know what HARDBALL is

Thanks
Chris

13/05/2020

HARDBALL PODCAST
Episode 17
HOFer Tony Gwynn

https://omny.fm/shows/hardball/clips…

Bittersweet this week. I hope I explain my affinity for Tony well in the introduction..and you enjoy hearing the man himself talk Baseball..hitting..and just enjoying being Tony.

Download. Rate/Review/Share

6/11/93: With the bases loaded and two outs, Tony Gwynn hits a three-run double to give the Padres a 5-4 win in the bottom of the 9th Check out http://m.mlb....

13/05/2020

6/11/93: With the bases loaded and two outs, Tony Gwynn hits a three-run double to give the Padres a 5-4 win in the bottom of the 9th Check out http://m.mlb....

04/04/2020

HARDBALL PODCAST
Episode 13
HOFer Nolan Ryan

https://omny.fm/shows/hardball/clips

Hey Everybody
Haven't posted here in a few weeks..and been asked to PLEASE keep Episodes coming.
Can I ask for your help in actually DOWNLOADING & LISTENING and spreading the word to people you think might be interested

I remember doing this one because when I spoke to Nolan to set it up he told me he
"Wouldn't be much good at this.." as he
"Didn't talk much about himself.." AND
he didn't know if it was
"Much of a story.."

30 minutes later..I would wholeheartedly disagree

Texas born.
Texas bred.
This man is no Drugstore Cowboy.
He's the Real Deal.

From Alvin Texas to Cooperstown

Hope you enjoy hearing from The Quiet Man

Thanks to Keith Ippolito for putting this together. You're the best.

Download & Listen.
Spread the word..please share..and give a listen to the back Episodes of youve just found us

If you listen on APPLE..please Rate & Review

17/03/2020

HARDBALL PODCAST
Episode 11
A Special Edition This Week

My conversations with BOTH Ed Kranepool and Ron Swoboda as we talk about the 1969 Miracle Mets..

We actually begin with how and why both signed with the club (pre 1965 draft) and made their way to the Majors..and how they along with the team waded through all of the losing to get the Most Amazing Season in Baseball History.

Casey. Seaver. Hodges...and the Summer and Fall of '69.

The Black Cat
Steve Carltons 19 K LOSS to the Mets
Playoff Underdogs to both The Atlanta Braves & The Baltimore Orioles
The Ed Sullivan Show
A Las Vegas Engagement...

And I'll explain why this team was so important to so many people even to this day

You don't have to be a Met fan to enjoy the story of the ultimate underdog and how it happened

Hope you enjoy this one..and I ask again to not only share this page here on Facebook..but to spread the word of HARDBALL to everyone who loves a good story

https://omny.fm/shows/hardball/clips

10/03/2020

HARDBALL PODCAST
Episode 10
Edward Charles Ford

One of my favorite conversations ever.
From growing up idolizing Joe DiMaggio to becoming his teammate.

Mickey. Billy. Casey. Yogi. Roger.

Here are 3 things you need to know.

54 years after throwing his last October pitch..he still has more World Series wins than any pitcher in history.

Wh**ey Ford DID NOT go into Cooperstown in his 1st year of eligibility (criminally stupid)

My dad..a Brooklyn Dodger fan..didn't like the Yankees one bit. But he loved Wh**ey Ford.

And there is so much more in this one.

You'll love the opening and closing of this Episode..Thanks Keith Ippolito..(wait til you hear the Reggie story)..and the reason Wh**ey was instrumental in Episode 2's guest Phil Rizzuto.

I loved the time with Wh**ey..and it turned into a nice "baseball friendship" over the years.
I hope you enjoy it. And share it.

Subscribe and download here..and thanks again for finding HARDBALL

https://omny.fm/shows/hardball/clips

10/03/2020

HARDBALL PODCAST
Episode 10
The Chairman of the Board

Coming Tuesday..one of my ALL-TIME FAVORITE Conversations
(This is the reason Wh**ey told Phil Rizzuto to sit down with me)

This says it all
My dad..a Brooklyn Dodger fan..hated the Yankees..LOVED Wh**ey

From his days playing PAL baseball to his tryouts to Yankee Titles..

Can't wait to have you hear this one

Subscribe tonight if you haven't yet

https://omny.fm/shows/hardball/clips

08/03/2020

HARDBALL PODCAST
In honor of making it to Episode 10 (Thanks!)..if we get 200 new subscribers & 500 Downloads of previous 9 Episodes before #10 drops on Tues..I'm giving this away to someone in our little HARDBALL World

Kevin Costner will be a guest on an upcoming Episode

Subscribe on ur podcast provider
(If you're an Apple podcast person..give HARDBALL a rating if you can)

https://omny.fm/shows/hardball/clips

03/03/2020

HARDBALL PODCAST
Episode 9
Mr. Tiger Al Kaline

Hope you have an interest in the conversation from 2018..when the Hall of Famer..now in his 8th decade with the Tigers..and I discussed his journey from the inner city of Baltimore to Cooperstown.

Why he signed with the Tigers (for a LOT less money)..In the Majors at 18..Batting Title at 20.

Hits (3007)/HRs (399)/Gold Gloves (10)
All Star Games (18) and so much more including:

The Greatest Player he has ever seen
Why he wore the #6 (not his first #)
How the game has changed
Going to the Hall of Fame
Lifelong Baseball Friendships

And what the 1968 World Series REALLY
means to him

Subscribe and Download here..catch up on previous Episodes..use the Podcast provider of your choice

https://omny.fm/shows/hardball/clips

25/02/2020

HARDBALL PODCAST
Episode 8
Michael Jack Schmidt

If u can argue a guy is a member of MLB's All-Time starting 9..he had a Hell of a run.

Mike & I discuss why no one was knocking down his door..and why he had to walk on at Ohio University.
His first contract negotiation.
His assessment of his abilities.
Why he walked away and how he hopes he is remembered.

You will hear about his relationship with the city and fans of Philadelphia from his Hall of Fame speech..and the memorable calls of his career as well.

Subscribe/Download and spread the word when you can

https://omny.fm/shows/hardball/clips

25/02/2020

How about this guy for
HARDBALL PODCAST
Episode 8

Drops Tuesday Feb 25th

Subscribe and Download here and get caught up on previous Episodes

https://omny.fm/shows/hardball/clips

18/02/2020

HARDBALL PODCAST
Episode 7 Bo Jackson

It's easy sometimes to "look the part"
It's much more difficult to "play the part"
It's even more difficult when everything looks easy.
When "touched by God" is the easiest way to explain what you are seeing..knowing you really have never seen it before.
It's hard to have everything end perfectly..with a bow after the lights come up.
It's hardest of all to walk away with grace when it doesn't.
This is some of the Bo Jackson story

Me & Bo on
First position as a kid. The Yankees? Why he chose college. His self assessment as a player. Hitting bombs..and most importantly 2 promises to his mom.
Upper right corner..hit subscribe..please share as well

PLEASE..upper right hand corner..hit the Podcast symbol and subscribe
Hit the arrow and download and share

Thanks and hope you enjoy Bo talking baseball

https://omny.fm/shows/hardball/vincent-edward-bo-jackson

16/02/2020

Never has footage of "a couple of guys" taking BP been more needed than with all of the nonsense around baseball this past week

https://youtu.be/IHGsrBa4vaM

Lots of things to see on this channel "Guy Jones" https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpUBuSn_Io93AMpOSw88afQ Link to original video. https://www.youtube.com/wa...

16/02/2020

Here's a link to a Tweet to vote on who will be the man featured next

HARDBALL PODCAST
Whatcha waiting for. 6 Episodes in & we are "thisclose" to almost actually mattering (that's not an official podcast thing..just a feeling)
Find us..subscribe/download/listen
How about u guys pick Episode 7

"Miracle Mets" story
HOFer 3B
Patient X in his words

https://twitter.com/chrisdimino/status/1229060165225328641?s=20

11/02/2020

HARDBALL PODCAST
Episode 6 - HOFer and WWII Veteran
Monte Irvin

My conversation with Mr Irvin from 2002..and a perfect example of "Why" I started this podcast.

Incredible stories of The Negro Leagues..Satchel..Josh Gibson and others..

Monte will tell you the the firsthand account of his role in the breaking of the color barrier in the Majors..and the story you didn't know about how HE could have been the man to do it..

His thoughts 60 years later about how his 3 years served in Europe changed his career..

Please let everyone you know who has an interest in not only baseballs history but American history to give it a listen

SUBSCRIBE TO HARDBALL PODCAST & DOWNLOAD on your favorite podcast provider

https://podbay.fm/podcast/1493970390

06/02/2020

HARDBALL PODCAST
Episode 5 - HOFer Carlton Fisk

THIS is what a catcher looks like

https://youtu.be/QqupB5DpnU4

How everyone who sees this can
Subscribe..Listen..Share

Thanks

Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/0YcqngDkNlS6kfXX97buWB?si=0cahqqpRS8mqgJ1ZRFeFLw…

Apple
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hardball-podcast/id1493970390…

Stitcher
https://stitcher.com/s?fid=496501

Podcast App
https://podcast.app/hardball-podcast-p954218/?utm_source=ios&utm_medium=share

Hardball with Chris Dimino is a podcast almost 20 years in the making. Conversations.  Not "interviews”... I promise not interviews.  Conversations that I have had with some of the greatest players and others who have been a part of some of the biggest moments in baseball history.&nb...

04/02/2020

HARDBALL PODCAST
Episode 5 - HOFer Carlton Fisk

My conversation with the man at the center of one of sports most iconic moments in sports history..and his 22 year career built upon a foundation of New England stoicism & work ethic.

From an early almost career ending injury/brawls/Deion/leaving Boston/Tom Seaver's 300th win and more..

Find HARDBALL PODCAST on
Apple/Spotify/Stitcher/Google

Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/0YcqngDkNlS6kfXX97buWB?si=ge95M2wLRr2xM_t_7hBxrw

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https://t.co/fMh9dzk4Vc?amp=1

Stitcher
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Google
https://podcast.app/hardball-podcast-p954218/?utm_source=ios&utm_medium=share

Please Subscribe and Download
Please Share to any and all who you think might be interested

Thanks so much

Chris

02/02/2020

HARDBALL PODCAST
Episode #5 - ??

Thinking of going to Boston..and maybe over to Chicago as well

You guys help me decide
Old School vs Older School

My conversation with
Johnny Pesky or Carlton Fisk?

If you haven't..please Subscribe and DOWNLOAD the Episodes

And remember..you don't have to be a fan of a "guys team"..just a fan of the stories/games/moments and FIRSTHAND HISTORY of The Game

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Apple
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hardball-podcast/id1493970390

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Please Share to any and all
Thanks