Skip Nipper’s Nashville Baseball Podcast

Nashville high school baseball goes way back, as far back as there have been school teams, helping to set the foundation of local sports.

One of the more exciting years I have read about was in 1956, when a few of the high school teams that no longer exist have strong programs, excellent athletes, and paved the way for the continued love of baseball in Nashville.

I often want to relive those days myself, and that post-season in 1956 ...

Nashville's unique baseball charm is evident in its rich history of amateur leagues, some dating back to the 19th Century. These leagues were not just about competition, but also about the whimsical "for the championship of the city" challenges that added a special flavor to the game.

Listen to one of the great years for amateur baseball was 1928, a year that saw the continuation of older leagues and the formation of ...

To attract fans to Nashville's opening day in 1947, the Nashville Tennessean published a report on the history of Sulphur Dell by J. D. Brown. I read this article in the podcast; it gives a detailed account of when the ballpark was transformed into its present configuration at the time.

Moreover, opening day marked a significant milestone in Buster Boguskie's career as a Vols player. His first home game was a hit with the ...

In 1938, a consolidation of farm clubs between Brooklyn and Nashville was agreed upon at an all-day conference in Cincinnati between Larry MacPhail, the new Dodgers boss, and Nashville owner, Fay Murray.

But for the outbreak of World War II and Murray’s death, the new relationship could have rivaled Branch Rickey’s farm system.

In this episode, I tell about MacPhail’s career decisions impacting Nashville baseball.

Want to stay in...

In the final season of the Nashville Vols in 1963, general manager Ed Doherty declared August 30 as "George Archie Night" at the ballpark—a fitting tribute to a local hero.

Archie was a coach for the Nashville Vols at the time, an unpaid position at home games, and that’s how he was dressed when he was honored that night: in his Vols uniform.

In this episode you will learn about this dedicated baseball man's career fro...

Stephen W. Dittmore has over 20 years of experience as a higher education administrator and professor. He received a PhD from the University of Louisville in 2007 and holds bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism from Drake University.

His recently published book is an excellent account of the life of one of Nashville’s favorite baseball sons, most often referred to in local circles as “Junior” Gilliam. In this podca...

My brother Jim ("Jimbo," to me, mostly shortened to just "Bo") and I learned everything there was to know about The Game from our Dad, Virgil Nipper: how to throw, indeed, and how to hit.

Jim sent me one of his unique perspectives not long ago as a letter on our lives at the ballpark. Bo remembers many things better than I do, and his letter helped me recall an earlier, more peaceful time. I hope it does the same...

In 2005, the Nashville Sounds won the Pacific Coast League championship, the first pennant for the ball club since 1982.

Teams are often pre-judged for success on where they are in the standings on Memorial Day.

In this episode, you will learn about that great season and how the first two months of the PCL season marked the future for the Sounds!

Want to stay in touch? Find me here:

X: mrsulphurdell
Instagram: @nashville_...

In what I have often termed, “the greatest coup in the history of the Southern Association”, on November 8, 1938, Nashville club owner Fay Murray shocked baseball fans, Southern Association moguls, and everyone in between by announcing he had convinced Larry Gilbert, the New Orleans Pelicans veteran manager, to become the Nashville Vols manager, replacing Chuck Dressen.

In this episode, I tell about the special bond between Murray a...

A baseball museum in Nashville could be a fantastic addition to the city's cultural landscape. Nashville already has strong ties to baseball, with a strong amateur baseball foundation, the Nashville Sounds, and the possibility of an MLB stadium in the future.

A museum could showcase the history of baseball in the city, highlight its Negro League teams, and feature historical events of all aspects of local baseball.

What do you t...

Will General is the marketing director for Music City Baseball, the initiative is to bring MLB to Nashville as the "Nashville Stars.”

He joined me to tell me how he is leading efforts to grow the Stars brand and how honoring the Negro Leagues’ legacy Is an essential ingredient to that end.

Another ingredient is a new design concept and brand partnership with New Era Cap, the leading headwear brand in the world.

I hope you will li...

Umpires have been criticized and disparaged for years, yet they continue to uphold the integrity of the game. The pay scale is pretty good, but defending one's decision in the old days could lead to fights among players, managers, and fans.

The umpire's job can often become a thankless one, too, as being judge and jury usually leads to having to take cover. But they stand their ground, showing resilience in the face of adv...

On April 19, 1963, opening night in Knoxville before 2,827 fans to begin the season, Eddie Crawford stepped to the plate as the third batter in the first inning for Nashville, becoming the first Negro player to play in a regular season game for the Vols.

Although he did not finish the year with the Vols, his claim to Nashville baseball history stands. In this episode you will learn about Crawford's five-year career in pro baseb...

We often think of Tennessee State and Fisk Universities as institutes of higher learning in Nashville for African American students. Did you know at one time there was another Black university?

Founded in 1866 as the Nashville Normal and Theological Institute by the American Baptist denomination, it was renamed in 1874.

A baseball team was formed in 1884 and played at least until the end of the 19th Century. Listen to this episode to...

Would you venture a guess as to which year was Nashville professional baseball’s first championship?

The answer is 1895, and the team had an unusual name: Seraphs. Other members of the Southern League were Atlanta, Evansville, Little Rock, New Orleans, Memphis, Mobile, and Montgomery, and the pennant was not awarded until the season was over.

What is a Seraph, you ask? In this episode, I’ll answer that question and tell about the dec...

Before joining the Nashville Vols, Buddy Gilbert spent two seasons in Savannah, a Cincinnati Reds farm club, just like Nashville. One of his teammates in 1957 was Curt Flood, a 19-year-old prospect who played third base for the ball club.

Flood would go on to be a star player for the St. Louis Cardinals. He would become well-known for challenging Major League Baseball's reserve clause, too, but early in his career he was impact...

In this episode, I tell about a special group of Nashville baseball fans and give special tribute to one of them. In 2003 Oktoberfest in Germantown, I first met Pete Mason who shared a special story that occurred at Sulphur Dell.

Pete recently passed away, and I want to honor his memory as a way to express my appreciate his special friendship. I hope you will listen!

Want to stay in touch? Find me here:

X: mrsulphurdell...

When asked how I feel about MLB coming to Nashville, I do not hesitate to answer, and in this episode you will hear me tell what my stance is.

Controversial? No, not when many share the same feelings I do. Taking a stand, having an opinion, and making a stance are necessary to hold true to one’s feelings.

I hope you will listen to mine!

Want to stay in touch? Find me here:

X: mrsulphurdell
Instagram: @nashville_baseball

i hope you enjoyed hearing Mark Aubrey in Part One, because we continue talking about Knoxville baseball, the Negro Southern League, and University of Tennessee baseball in Part Two!

Mark has researching skills like few others, and you can learn more by visiting his websites http://oldknoxvillebaseball.blogspot.com/ and https://bbsas.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

Want to stay in touch? Find me here:

X: mrsulphurdell
Insta...