Rounders: A History of Baseball in America

Today's episode is about women in baseball. I sat down with author Al Lautenslager to talk about his new book, Leveling the Playing Field: Women Breaking Barriers in Major League Baseball Coaching and Leadership.

This conversation digs into how we went from zero women on MLB coaching staffs in 2011 to over 40 today, and what that tells us about the future of the game.

Al shares insights from his interviews with front office execu...

Baseball in Ireland? Yeah, it’s a thing—and it’s got a history that might surprise you. This week, we’re heading across the Atlantic to explore how America’s pastime found its way onto the Emerald Isle.

We’ll talk about the pioneers, the setbacks, the unlikely heroes, and how baseball carved out a niche in a country better known for hurling and Gaelic football.

So grab a pint, settle in, and let’s learn about the story of bas...

Baseball isn’t just a game—it’s a reflection of America itself. And nowhere is that more true than in small towns and cities, where the sport isn’t just played—it’s part of the community’s identity.

This week, I sit down with author Will Bardenwerper to talk about his new book, Homestand: Small Town Baseball and the Fight for the Soul of America. We dive into what baseball means to small-town life, the challenges these communities f...

Before the modern Orioles, there was a National League dynasty that changed baseball forever—then disappeared.

This week, I sit down with authors and historians Tom Delise and Jay Seaborg to talk about the 1890s Orioles, the wild tactics of “Foxy” Ned Hanlon, and why this team left a permanent mark on the game—despite being erased from the league.

Purchase Jay and Tom's book, "Foxy Ned Hanlon: The Baseball Life of a Hall...

Author and historian Paul D. White joins the show to expose the barriers that kept Negro League legends out of Cooperstown for so long —and why work isn't done yet.

Check Out Paul's Work:

• Buy his book "Cooperstown's Back Door: A History of Negro Leaguers in the Baseball Hall of Fame”

• ⁠Amazon⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠Barnes & Noble⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠McFarland⁠⁠

• Subscribe to Paul on Substack (⁠Lost in Left Fiel...

A century before Pete Rose and the Black Sox, one man made history for all the wrong reasons.

Ichiro Suzuki. Billy Wagner. CC Sabathia. These baseball greats are headed to Cooperstown as the 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame inductees.

Join us as we rate if the writers made the right picks, who missed selection this year, and our personal choices for players that deserve enshrinement in the Hall.

Don’t forget to grab your order of Magic Mind by heading to magicmind.com/JANrounders, with discount code ROUNDERS20 for up to 56%...

A rising star in Major League Baseball, an All-Star career ahead of him, and a senseless act of violence that shocked the sports world .

In this episode of Foul Play Files, we look at the tragic murder of Lyman Bostock—a player who was just hitting his prime when his life was taken far too soon.

Note: This episode is part of an ongoing series entitled “Foul Play Files." Each episode re-examines a criminal case involving a pr...

Imagine a world where the MLB had teams like the Orlando Sun Rays or the Indianapolis Arrows. What about a franchise in Mexico City or a Toronto team that isn’t the Blue Jays?

Today, we’re diving into the stories of nine MLB expansion teams that almost happened but didn’t.

Note: There's even more 'listicle' episodes where you can hear my top rankings for baseball history-related topics. Check out other options in this topic s...

What if I told you there’s a pitch so unpredictable, it defies physics and leaves even the best hitters guessing?

In the latest installment of our "Top 9 Facts" series, we’re examining the lesser-known highlights and stories surrounding the career of the one and only Rickey Henderson.

In the mid-1980s, a drug scandal rocked Major League Baseball. The case centered around several players from multiple teams, including some future Hall of Famers, who were found to be using cocaine and even helping distribute drugs to other clubs. 

Last week, we looked at how the sport started and grew in Australia. In this episode, we follow the league’s growth in popularity, where the sport is today in Australia, and profile some of the most famous players from the country to play in Major League Baseball.

In a new series I’m calling “Baseball Abroad” we’re looking at how the sport arrived in countries around the globe, how it grew in popularity, famous players representing national pride, and where the game we love stands today in terms of national interest and dominance.

On June 18, 2024, baseball lost one of its greatest players, Willie Mays. Mountains of articles and profiles have honored and recapped his amazing career.

The New York Giants, established in 1883, are a cornerstone of baseball history, boasting legendary players like Christy Mathewson, Willie Mays, and Mel Ott.