153 Slivers The Clown

Eds makes his final start of the season with a screwball and dazzles with the life story of Pepper Martin. Born Johnny Leonard Roosevelt Martin from humble beginnings on an Oklahoma cotton farm, Martin rose to the big leagues and earned the moniker Pepper for his colourful personality. Pepper became a World Series hero to St. Louis fans and an integral member of the famed "Gas House Gang" and perhaps most interestingly, leader of the hillbilly Mississippi Mudcats band.   

Sean throws a gem with story of Bill Bevens who had a short but memorable career. Bevens pitching career was not perfect but on one day in October 1947 he almost solidified himself in baseball lore. Instead, everything ended in a split second. 

Eds makes the first start of the 2026 postseason and pitches a meatball over the heart of the plate; a pitch meant to be slugged over the fence by hitters the likes of Bill Serena. "Wild Bill" eventually enjoyed a 6 year stint in the major leagues but not before he and his fellow Lubbock Hubbers laid waste to the competition in the class C West Texas- New Mexico League in 1947. Serena compiled astonishing numbers all season long but had a postseason performance that draws comparisons to baseball greats the likes of Jackson, Mantle, and even Babe Ruth.

Sean throws a curveball with the story that connects two people who never met. Cory Lidle made some questionable decisions on his path to the big leagues and got into some hot water with his teammates a few times once he got there. He was a solid mid-rotation starter but his career would end tragically; forever connecting him to Kathleen Caronna and another tragic accident that happened a decade earlier.

Eds makes another start and throws Sean a slider with the story of the worlds first radio announcer Harold Wampler Arlin. From humble beginnings, the son of a farmer became an engineer at the Westinghouse company and by being at the right place at the right time he in turn became responsible in part for the birth of an entirely new medium and industry. Harold Arlin called the very first baseball radio broadcast and then many years returned to the booth in a full circle moment that truly illustrated the beauty of the game.

Sean toes the rubber and tells Eds the story of Clarence “Brick” Owens - After a 4th of July mishap. Brick Owens' life would change course as he decided to pursue a Major League umpiring career instead of one as a player. He would somehow survive scandal and many violent incidents eventually making it to the big leagues (where he then got punched by Babe Ruth.)

Eds steps to the slab and delivers a slow ball with the story of Carlos Paula. From humble beginnings in Havana, Cuba where Paula took any job that would help put food on the table for his family, he rose to the big leagues and became the first black man to play for the Washington Senators. His major league career was not long but Carlos was undeniably great and left no more excuses to an organization seemingly reluctant to integrate.  

Frank Oakley was born in Europe but would bring America's pastime to millions of people across the United States. Oakley never played professionally, he wasn't an executive or an umpire. No, he was a clown and his one man baseball pantomime made him more rich and famous than any player of the day could possibly imagine.    

Eds and Sean make a call to the bullpen and invite award winning author Justin McKinney to make a spot start. Justin gives the boys a glimpse at the life and career of Billy Geer. Geer networked his way to the majors during the early days of baseball and later lived a life on the road; seeing almost every country in the world. Sure it sounds like a lavish lifestyle and it could have been if he didn't spend it outrunning the law. Check out the full story and all the criminal details in Justin's book, "The Shortstop Was a Crook: The Sordid Baseball Life and Crimes of Billy Geer." available for pre-order wherever books are sold. https://www.amazon.com/Shortstop-Was-Crook-Sordid-Baseball/dp/1476699895 https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/the-shortstop-was-a-crook-the-sordid-baseball-life-and-crimes-of-billy-geer_justin-mckinney/55999963/?srsltid=AfmBOorHgtcA9yJJ1PctYBfL4ci2QiPs5yZStNNoZucxaq3xwE6tYA2L#edition=73689031&idiq=85540715  

Eds steps back to the bump and delivers the story of Lip Pike; the first Jewish star of baseball. One of the 19th century's brightest stars, Pike set the pace for all sluggers of the day. He never stayed in one place for long but his consistency at the dish was unmatched in both average and slug; at one time accounting for almost 1 in 5 home runs hit in one season. Lip Pike displayed incredible powers on the field and helped usher early baseball into a new age. He even bested an equine foe in an incredible display of speed.