Talking Baseball With Ed Randall

When a baseball player receives the ultimate honor of being voted into the Hall of Fame, they normally find out by receiving a phone call alerting them of the news. On the latest episode of Talkin' Baseball, Ed Randall is joined by the Secretary Treasurer of the BBWAA Jack O'Connell, the man who delivers the good word to the newest inductees, to talk about some of his favorite discussions with jubilated Hall of Famers.

With the Chicago Cubs winning their first championship in over 100 years, many great stories from fans of the once Loveable Losers have flooded in. The former PR director of the Cubs and former GM of the Los Angeles Dodgers Ned Colletti joins Talkin' Baseball's Ed Randall to tell him about a promise that was made 71 years ago regarding the 2016 World Series champions.

With the announcement of the 2017 Baseball Hall of Fame class coming next week, the ballots that have been released so far have shown an uptick in votes for the controversial Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens. On this episode of Talkin' Baseball with Ed Randall, Ed spends time talking with sports columnist Christine Brennan following her column regarding why Hall of Fame voters shouldn't go soft on the two former big leaguers.

Anthony Varvaro was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in 2005 and found success in the Majors while pitching with the Atlanta Braves. With a career 3.23 ERA as a relief pitcher, Varvaro found himself pitching with the Pawtucket Red Sox in 2016. At age 31, Anthony decided it was time for a career change to help the public. Talkin' Baseball's Ed Randall talks with the native New Yorker about his story that led him to trading in his glove and joining the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey police force.

Cubs fans of all ages were elated when the loveable losers finally won their first World Series since 1908 this past season. No one was more excited than former Cubbie "Sweet-Swinging" Billy Williams. Talkin' Baseball's Ed Randall talks with the Hall of Fame outfielder about the emotion of this past World Series and his first-hand experience of the enormous turnout for the Cubs' victory parade.

While many among the baseball world were focused on the trades and deals being made at the 2016 Winter Meetings, baseball journalist Claire Smith was announced as the winner of the 68th J.G. Taylor Spink Award. The highest honor for a baseball journalist, Smith will be the first female recipient of the award and will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame this upcoming summer in Cooperstown. Talkin' Baseball's Ed Randall talks with Claire about her journey that led her to receiving this honor, despite all the adversity she had to overcome in her professional career.

Tom Reich is one of baseball's first player agents and he carries a successful track record along with him. Talkin' Baseball's Ed Randall spends some time with Tom live at the Winter Meetings to discuss how he became a baseball agent and the learning experiences that came along with it. They also discuss a memorable tale of the late Hall of Famer, Ralph Kiner.

As a two-time NL Manager of the Year and manager of the 2003 World Series champion Florida Marlins, Jack McKeon has set his place in baseball lore. Nicknamed "Trader Jack" during his general manager days, he has seen a lot in the game he loves. Talkin' Baseball's Ed Randall speaks with Jack McKeon live at the 2016 Winter Meetings about his experience, as well as who was the first person to give him his famous nickname.

The life of a baseball player can take you in many directions once your playing days are behind you. This is something that former Reds pitcher, and now current President of the New York Penn League, is familiar with. Talkin' Baseball's Ed Randall sits down with Ben Hayes live from the Winter Meetings to discuss his journey into his current position, as well as recalling tales from his Minor League days.

In celebrating the 10th year since the inception of the Fans For the Cure charity, Talkin' Baseball's Ed Randall sits down with MLB.com's Tim McMaster live from the Winter Meetings to discuss his work with the nonprofit charity. By working with several leagues and teams, Ed has been able to raise awareness for prostate cancer and provide screenings for those in need.

Roland Hemond has spent 67 years of his life in baseball and is the quintessential five-tool executive. Talkin' Baseball's Ed Randall sits down with the baseball lifer at the 2016 Winter Meetings to talk about his life and his start in Hartford in 1951. They also talk about the best Winter Meetings story ever, when in 1975, Roland sat in the lobby making trades for the White Sox.

Dennis Bair spent a total of nine seasons pitching in the Minor Leagues after being drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 1995. After spending time in the Reds and D-Backs organizations, Dennis would have to retire due to several arm surgeries. Although his playing days were behind him, Bair would recollect a documentary he saw in the late 90s pertaining to a missing child and would use that inspiration to help create BairFind, a foundation that believes more can be done in the search for missing children and for their families. Talkin' Baseball's Ed Randall talks with Dennis about his playing days and the story that led him to creating his foundation.

The continued debate of whether or not an MVP can be named while playing on a last place team is a theme that usually comes to be during MLB's award season. This was a similar case when Andre Dawson won the award in 1987. The Hawk that season slugged 49 home runs with 137 RBIs while playing on the 76-85 Chicago Cubs. Talkin' Baseball's Ed Randall discusses this subject with the Hall of Famer himself, Andre Dawson, to see his opinion on this timeless debate.

How legitimate is the "Curse of Rocky Colavito"? Talkin' Baseball's Ed Randall asks the man himself, Rocky Colavito, about this so-called Indians curse and how it came to be.

Just 11 weeks after Jackie Robinson broke baseball's color barrier in 1947, the Cleveland Indians signed centerfielder Larry Doby from the Negro Leagues. The "Buzz Aldrin of baseball" as his teammate Bob Feller once dubbed him, Doby would go on to have a career that would land him a spot amongst the immortals in Cooperstown. Talkin' Baseball's Ed Randall talked with Larry Doby Jr., the son of the Hall of Famer, about his fathers' lasting impact on the game of baseball and the city of Cleveland.

Cubs fans are some of the most loyal in the game, waiting 108 years to see their Cubbies earn another World Series Championship. Talkin' Baseball's Ed Randall caught up with Dan Von Behren, a lifelong fan, to recall his first Cubs memories, how he stayed loyal through the 80's and to talk about the infamous Steve Bartman.

What's it really like to throw a home run ball back to the field? Talkin' Baseball's Ed Randall and ESPN Chicago radio host Mike Murphy discuss how Murphy was a part of the original Wrigley Field Bleacher Bums, the etiquette rules when it comes to the wave and predictions for the rest of the World Series.

Billy Blitzer is the Cubs' longest tenured scout, and he has waited his whole life for the team to win another World Series. Talkin' Baseball's Ed Randall caught up Blitzer to reflect on his time in the Cubs organization and what it would be like to see a championship banner raised in his lifetime.

Eddie Robinson, the last living member of the 1948 Indians World Series championship team, can recall this season like it was yesterday. Talkin' Baseball's Ed Randall caught up Robinson to reflect on the championship season, spotlight the five Hall of Famers on the team including Satchel Paige and how Robinson crossed paths with Terry Francona way back when.

Doc Edwards' impact on the game of baseball is immeasurable. Talkin' Baseball's Ed Randall caught up with the former player and manager to find out what it was like managing five future Major League managers, learn more about his relationship with World Series-bound manager Terry Francona and how much of himself he sees in these five men he helped mentor.