Peanuts, Popcorn & Crackerjacks
Peanuts, Popcorn & Crackerjacks is a baseball and entertainment industry podcast hosted by Jeff Santo, a writer/director and son of Hall of Fame baseball player, Ron Santo.
Episodes
Jeff talks with Mike Murphy, one of the original Chicago Cubs’ Bleacher Bums whose wild and passionate fandom captured national attention during the unforgettable 1969 season, and he shares some incredible stories. Then Jeff crackerjack calls Spiro’s Deli and Peter Nestos to see if the This Old Cub sandwich is available yet.
(Mike’s full interview available with subscription in season 1.)
Jeff and Christie discuss Jeff’s recent acting experience in an A-list pop star's music video. Then, Jeff sits down with former MLB shortstop Shawon Dunston to talk about being the #1 overall pick in the draft, breaking into the big leagues, the legendary Shawon-O-Meter, and the invaluable lessons he learned from veteran teammates. And Jeff crackerjack calls Mike Gomoll of Joey’s Song.
In this episode, Jeff chats with Kansas City Royals legend Willie Wilson about the 1980s Royals, his breakthrough into the bigs, how he became a switch-hitting batting champ, and his equation for hitting triples. Then Jeff crackerjack calls Joey Banks who’s working on a movie set.
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In this special episode, Jeff and Christie dive into the Netflix series The Clubhouse: A Year With The Red Sox. They explore the emotional highs and lows captured on screen, the advantages of portraying the mental side of the game, and how teams can use this kind of storytelling to better engage their audiences. It’s a deep look at sports, psychology, and the power of connection.
Jeff chats with Pat Asanti, a first generation Italian-American, who left his strict family life in Long Island, NY, for life as an actor in Hollywood. He tells his incredible family story from Italy to America and back, his struggles and successes as an actor, and the rise of his bakery from his grandmother’s recipes. Then Jeff crackerjack calls his buddy Jim McCauley who has a new podcast about three 60-year-olds with fifty years...
Jeff and Christie discuss the new torpedo bats. Then Jeff speaks with Dodgers legend Ron Cey, “The Penguin,” about his immense minor league stats before playing in one of the greatest infields of all time, getting nurtured by Tommy Lasorda, what he thinks about baseball today, and more! Then Jeff crackerjack calls his friend Peter Nestos of Spiro’s Deli to see if he can get a sandwich named This Old Cub.
Jeff and Christie talk about Tokyo baseball. Then Jeff speaks with distinguished cinematographer Richard Crudo (American Pie, Justified) about his incredible career, learning from the legendary Gordon Willis (The Godfather), and his passion for baseball. And Jeff crackerjack calls his friend of 50 years, Mike McPhilliamy, to talk about their neighborhoods growing up.
We’re back! Jeff and Christie discuss the new ump rule. Then Jeff speaks with Cubs Broadcaster and former player Ron Coomer about growing up a Cubs fan, how he got into baseball and became a broadcaster, and calling the 2016 World Series. Jeff crackerjack calls Tony Cahn from Waveland Events to reminisce about the 2025 Northside Fantasy Baseball Camp.
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Jeff and Christie discuss the HOF inductees and the possible new rule called the Golden-At-Bat. Then Jeff sits down with the multi-hyphenate man of entertainment, Brigham Avery, who talks about his lineage in entertainment, his show Hollywood and Ivy on the Marquee Network, and his next project, Let There Be Light, and how he got into comedy and producing comedy. And Jeff’s crackerjack call is Jim Flood, the Cubs’ 1969 bat boy who ...
Jeff and Christie have a fun chat about the new robotic umpires. Then Jeff speaks with legendary comedian Tom Dreesen about his journey from humble beginnings to his larger-than-life career, including opening for Frank Sinatra, appearing on the Tonight Show, and his love for the Cubs. Jeff crackerjack calls Karl Marquardt, an organizer for Northside Baseball Fantasy Camp.
Jeff and Christie open by talking about their current project. Then Jeff talks with former Cubs’ pitcher and co-host of MLB’s Intentional Talk, Ryan Dempster. They discuss this World Series matchup, the mental game of baseball, what makes a winning team, his friendship with Ron Santo, and baseball today. Then Jeff crackerjack calls his buddy Jim McCauley to hear about his recent visit to Baseball’s Hall of Fame.
In this episode, Jeff and Christie discuss Pete Rose. Then Jeff speaks with Sharon Pannozzo, the Cubs' longtime Director of Media, about how she got into the business, the obstacles she had to overcome, calling Ron Santo to tell him he didn't make the Hall of Fame, and working with Sammy Sosa. Then Jeff crackerjack calls David Gue, author of the new book The Baseball Hall of Fame: A Fan’s Perspective.
Jeff talks with legendary announcer Joe Buck about his incredible career, following his father’s footsteps and finding his own style, calling the 2016 World Series, and much more. Then Jeff crackerjack calls writer and Gino’s East LA owner Tod Himmel.
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Jeff and Christie talk about the loss of Christie’s mom. Then Jeff speaks with All-Star 1st baseman Sean Casey, “the Mayor,” about his career: drafted by the Indians, traded to the Reds, being a workhorse at the plate, and eventually becoming the hitting coach for the Yankees. Then Jeff crackerjack calls his childhood friend Jim Rosenberger.
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We're back! Releasing this exclusive content for you all to hear. In this episode, Jeff talks with first base coach of the 1969 Cubs, Joe Amalfitano. They discuss Joe’s first meeting with the infamous Leo Durocher, Ron Santo's prowess at the hot corner, the ride of ’69, and so much more. And Jeff crackerjack calls Christie's Godfather, Chips Conlon and gets her Godmother, Paula, too.
In this episode, Jeff and Christie discuss The Bikeriders and new merch. Then Jeff speaks with actor Kevin Chapman about working for the Mayor of Boston, his early childhood with an alcoholic war veteran father and mother from the nuns in Biddeford, ME, his leap into acting and getting Mystic River, and more. And Jeff crackerjack calls his childhood babysitter, Vonna Contino.
In this episode, Jeff and Christie discuss the TV series Dark Matter. Then, Jeff talks with screenwriter Mike Skelton about their similar paths into Hollywood and the different roads from there forth, Mike selling scripts to studios and Jeff with his indie spirit. And Jeff crackerjack calls Bobby Biittner, son of Cubs Larry Biittner, to talk about their shared experiences.
In this episode, hockey legend Chris Chelios talks about his incredible journey through multiple continents, from taking a boat to Australia to learning how to fight in Canada to competing in the 1984 Olympics in Sarajevo under armed watch to his recent honor of getting his number retired by the Chicago Blackhawks. Then Jeff Crackerjack calls his childhood friend and college roommate, Pat Walsh.
In the intro, Jeff and Christie get real about the struggle of the independent journey. Then Jeff chats with writer/producer/director Rob Weiss (Entourage, Ballers) about his trajectory into Hollywood, his hit TV shows, and writing Hells Angels together for Fox2000. Then, Jeff crackerjack calls Andy Masur, who worked in the booth with Ron and Pat Hughes at WGN.
Cool insight and great stories in this episode. Jeff interviews Cubs catcher Jody Davis to discuss that great ’84 season. Then Jeff crackerjack calls Matt Boltz, the audio engineer for WGN when Ron Santo was in the booth.
Thanks for listening! Please follow and share. If you enjoy what you hear and would like to support us and receive exclusive content, please visit our Patreon page. Email questions to Jeff at jeff....
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