Author Chris Haft's new book, Willie McCovey: A Giant Among Giants (University of Nebraska Press, 2025) adds to the baseball literature by examining the life and baseball times of perhaps the most forgotten member of the 500-home run club. Haft's look at this great Giant superstar is long overdue. He joins us this week to discuss the great and powerful Willie Mac.
In Chapter 2, Craig and Rex consider what impact Alex Bregman signing with Boston will have on both teams. In Chapter 3, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees are released and you know what that means.
Chris Haft's Twitter/X = @goodforball
All Chris Haft's books are available through his Amazon author page
https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00539Y0PO
Chris Haft's book at Univ. of Neb. Press:
https://www.nebraskapress.unl.edu/nebraska/9781496241962/a-giant-among-giants/
Errata: There have been 24 perfect games in baseball history, not 18. Craig mispronounced Kristian Campbell's first name. Mike Ivie was the first overall draft pick in 1970 by the San Diego Padres -- Ivie hit .269 with 81 home runs in his career.
You can support Hooks & Runs by purchasing books, including books featured in this episode, through our store at Bookshop.org. Here's the link.
https://bookshop.org/shop/hooksandruns
Hooks & Runs - www.hooksandruns.com
Email: hooksandruns@protonmail.com
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https://www.facebook.com/people/Krazy-Karlz-Music-Emporium/100063801500293/
Hosts Emeriti:
Andrew Eckhoff on Tik Tok
Eric on Facebook
Music: "Warrior of Light" by ikolics (via Premium Beat)
This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2025.
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