Backwards K Pod

Jackie Robinson

This week we honor the great Jackie Robinson on his 104th birthday, with a biographical look at this true American patriot. Jackie Robinson and Babe Ruth are probably the two most historically significant baseball players ever. While Ruth certainly changed the way the game would be forever played, Jackie change the way Americans thought, and set the country on course, to becoming the major superpower on the planet.
#JackieRobinson #MacRobinson #AdolfHitler #KansasCityMonarchs #JoeLouis #MontrealRoyals #BrooklynDodgers #BranchRickey #RachelRobinson

Ernie Banks; Let’s Play Two

This week we begin BKP, with a posthumous salute to Sal Bando, who finally succombed to his five year battle with cancer, Friday January 20, 2023, at his home in Wisconsin. From his 1965 College World Series title and MVP, to his three consecutive MLB World Series crowns, with the A's from 1972-1974, Captain Sal was one helluva player. He also was the first Brewers free agent sign in 1977, and led the Krew to their first winning season in 1978, as well as the franchise's first post season appearance in !981. He would later serve nine years as a Brewers GM.
We will miss you Cap. Rest in peace, godspeed and time will not dim the glory of your deeds.
Then we will break down the story of Mr Cub, Let's Play Two, Ernie Banks. From his humble beginnings in Dallas, Texas, to his tours in the Negro Leagues, to his life as a North Chicago icon, he lived an amazing life. He is arguably one of the most humble, loyal and optimistic baseball player who ever lived. Today, on the 8 year anniversary of his death, we celebrate his life at Backwards K Pod.
#ErnieBanks #ChicagoCubs #RonSanto #BillyWilliams #PhillipWrigley #FergusonJenkins #BillHand #NewYorkMets #PatJarvis #LeoDurocher #JackieRobinson

U.S Presidents and Baseball

Almost every single U.S President has some sort of connection to the game of baseball, whether it was good, bad or indifferent. From tossing the opening day first pitch, hosting teams in the Oval Office, or even receiving free lifetime passes, Presidents and baseball go together like America and apple pie. A smashing duo, that goes all the way back to the One... George Washington who was seen playing, the adopted English game of Rounders, in camp, while his colonial militia rebels were trapped by British forces at Valley Forge.
This week i examine the connection between baseball and U.S Presidents, as well as the rise of a young country.....
#GeorgeWashington #JohnAdams #AbrahamLincoln #WilliamTaft #CalvinCoolidge #HarryTruman #DwightEisenhower #JohnKennedy #RichardNixon #RonaldReagan #GeorgeHWBush #GeorgeWBush

History Of Mascots

The history of baseball mascots, goes all the way back to at least the 1880's. In those days, they weren't the cute, lovable, furry creations, we see in the modern game today. They were live humans or animals, and they were considered more like good luck charms.
In 1964, baseball did away with live mascots, with the creation of Mr Met. The very first mascot as we understand them to be today. Soon after, other teams began jumping into the mascot game. The Phillies even enlisted the services of Muppets and Sesame Street creator Jim Henson, to create and design the iconic Phillie Phanatic.
This week, BKB pays tribute to the mascot, as I give you the background and orgin story of all 28 current mascots, in the majors today.
Players, managers, coaches and GM's come and go, but like the fan, the mascot is in it for the long haul. They serve as a conduit between fan and team, as well as tell the team's regional story and traditions.
#SanDiegoChicken #PhilliePhanatic #MLB #Captain #TheBird #Slider #SouthPaw #JimHenson #TheParrot

The 1989 Earthquake Series

At the end of the 1989 MLB season, and after 47 years of co-existence in the same baseball region. The San Francisco Giants were set to face off with the Oakland A's for baseball supremacy. With the A's jumping out to a quick two games to none advantage, the fans of the Giants were showing up in force at Candlestick Park, to support their team.
Game three, October 17th, 1989, never got underway, as the baseball crazy region of Oakland and San Francisco, were rocked by an earthquake, measuring 6.9 on the richter scale. The wave of excitement going into the series between the two geographic rivals, quickly becomes secondary, as ordinary citizens in both cities began doing extraordinary things to save lives.
This is the story of sadness, heroes and the most anti-climatic Series in baseball history, because of a confluence of once in a lifetime events.
#OaklandAthletics #SanFranciscoGiants #BayBridge #CypressAquaduct #LomaPrietaEarthquake #SanAndreasFault #WillClark #KevinMitchell #JoseCanseco #RickeyHenderson #MarkMcGwire #TimPeterson #BenjyYoung

The Yankee Clipper; Joltin Joe DiMaggio

In 1968, songwriter Paul Simon asked the question, " Where have you gone Joe DiMaggio?" in the hit song, Mrs. Robinson. This week BKP host Jake Robinson, anectodotally re-ask the very same question, as Backwards K Pod does a deep dive into the history, and the mystique of Joltin Joe Dimaggio, the Yankee Clipper.
He was one of those rare athletes like Babe Ruth, Muhammed Ali and Michael Jordan, who trancended sports, and became a part of the American conscience during the 20th Century. He was the end of a bygone era. During the days when men wore suits and a hat.
On the field and in the public eye, Joe displayed the elegance and grace that made him special. From his youth in San Francisco, to his amazing baseball career with the New York Yankees, to his marriage to glamour girl Marilyn Monroe. Backwards K Pod brings this icon back to life, with his amazing story.
#JoeDiMaggio #NewYorkYankees #PacificCoastLeague #BabeRuth #MarilynMonroe #HitStreak #Dodgers #RedSox #TedWilliams

Mr Baseball Bob Uecker

This week, BKP examines the life and times of Milwaukee Brewers radio and TV play by play announcer, Mr Baseball Bob Uecker.
How does a former player who carries a -1 WAR a .200 batting average and 14 career home runs, in a six year mediocre career make it to the Baseball Hall Of Fame? By being one of the funniest, wittiest, storeytellers to ever grace the baseball universe, of course. The self depricating funnymen, who is almost always the butt of his own jokes, has forged a 50 year broadcasting career, for his beloved Brew Krew.
During that time, he has entertained us with his comedy through TV shows like Mr Belvedere during the 1980's and the movie Franchise Major Leagues as the unforgettable Harry Doyle. He had memorable spots on the Johnny Carson Late Night Show, WWE Wrestlemania III, Miller Lite, Taste Great, Less Filling Campaign and so much more. The man has even had an impact on the baseball lexicon of languge. All these things in itself, are impressive, and were well earned by Uek. As hilarious as Uecker is, the man is baseball through and through and he has honed his skills to become one of the greatest baseball broadcasters who has ever lived.
I also have soccer guru, Abel Rosario call in and wrap up what went down in the 2022 World Cup in Quatar.
#BobUecker #MilwaukeeBrewers #BudSelig #DickGroat #SandyKoufax #ArtMahaffey #HankAaron #TimMcCarver #GaylordPerry #FergusonJenkins

Gaylord Perry

In 1966, the San Francisco Giants had a young, talented 27 year old pitcher, with unrealized potential, floundering as the eleventh man on a ten man man pitching staff. In his previous three seaons of big league ball, Gaylord Perry was mired in mediocrity with a 24-30 record and an ERA in the high fives.
Thankfully, the Giants would trade for Braves pitcher, Bob Shaw, who taught the young Perry the ways of the infamous spitball. There were so many spitball pitcher in the 1960's, but no pitcher in the history of the game, threw it with Perry's accuracy and control. With two sliders, a four seam fastball, a changeup, a curve, a forkball and the nefarious spitball in his arsenal, Gaylord would turn around his stagnant career and pitch his way all the way to the Baseball Hall Of Fame. In Gaylord's own words, getting away with it, is the easy part. Learning to pitch loaded balls with velocity and accuracy, is the hard part and demands constant practice.
This is a tribute to the icon who passed away 13 days ago. Rest In Peace Gaylord. Godspeed. Time will not dim the glory of your deeds'
#GaylordPerry #SanFranciscoGiants #ClevelandIndians #TexasRangers #SanDiegoPadres #SeattleMariners #AtlantaBraves #NewYorkYankees #KansasCityRoyals #BobShaw #BillyMartin #SpitBall