Dan Lovallo

I was saddened to hear of the passing of Hank Aaron, at one time Major League baseball's all-time home run hitter. Aaron, 86, died on Jan. 22. His passing brought back memories for me, as I harkened back to the time I gave the baseball Hall of Fame player a ride back to his hotel. I recall the story in this latest episode of The Baseball Beat.

University of Connecticut icon Dee Rowe died on Sunday. He was 91. Rowe was much admired, not only at UConn but throughout sports. He was not only a successful coach of the UConn men's basketball team, he later became a successful fundraiser and goodwill ambassador for the university. How many know that Dee Rowe was also a big baseball fan, who frequently visited New Britain Stadium? When William Dowling and Coleman Levy purchased the New Britain Rock Cats in 2000, they not only revived a stagnant franchise, they reached out to many people, among them Rowe. When Rowe visited the ballpark, he would always make sure to drop by and visit Rock Cats voice Jeff Dooley and me in the broadcast booth. Occasionally he would sit in on the broadcast, including the night of July 19, 2000. I was calling the play-by-play, while Rowe talked baseball and UConn basketball. At the time, the men's hoop program had been riding a 10-year high as one of the best programs in the nation. The Rock Cats, then the AA aff

Was Bob Feller the greatest Cleveland Indian? You can make an argument in his favor. Dec. 15, 2020 will mark 10 years since the passing of the Hall of Fame pitcher. I had planned to release the interview I recorded with Feller in 1983 around this date, not knowing the story would break that Cleveland will be changing its team name. As for Feller, when I taped the interview with him he was touring the country, putting on pitching exhibitions, before minor league baseball games. I was in Kinston, NC, broadcasting for the Toronto Blue Jays A ball club in the Carolina League, when Feller passed through. He gave me a marvelous interview and even sat in the booth with me, during the game, to provide commentary. I do not pretend to know what Feller might have said about Cleveland changing its nickname, but I do know a lot of what he said about pitching in the interview could easily apply to today. In the interview, we talk about his pitching philosophy, how he pitched to Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio

David Dahl, non-tendered by the Colorado Rockies on Dec. 2, will be a good acquisition for some MLB club now that he is a free agent. I explain why in my opening comments of the podcast. How many recall Max Patkin, the "Clown Prince of Baseball?" I had the chance to interview him on June 14, 1984 and he was terrific. Patkin, who was nearing 65 at the time of the interview, performed his antics on baseball fields across the country, until 1995. By the way, "the Chicken" to which Patkin refers was the "Famous Chicken," Ted Giannoulas. I interviewed Ted too and will resurrect that interview on a future podcast. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z61l4QMCb8E

The World Series is over and now the real fun begins. Major League baseball is faced with a myriad of challenges, not the least of which is what will happen to the minor leagues? MLB's agreement with the NAPBL has expired. Once separate entities, with MLB clubs supplying the minor leagues with their players, MLB will now bring the NAPBL under its wings, exerting total control over the minor league framework. Franchises will be contracted and other major changes will be made. To that end, I thought it would be a great time to delve into my archives and post two interviews I recorded with author and former newspaper journalist Andrew Linker of Harrisburg. Linker is a walking encyclopedia about minor league baseball, and I always look forward to our conversations, when visiting Harrisburg. His books remind us of how important the minor league landscape is to baseball's overall fabric. I can only hope that the "Lords of Baseball" will remember this in their redesign of the minor league template. Be

Now that Major League Baseball's expanded post season is underway, you will be hearing plenty from commentator John Smoltz. The former Atlanta Brave and Hall of Fame pitcher does a superb job, providing insight for FOX and the MLB Network. With the Atlanta Braves attempting to win their first post season series in 19 years and Smoltz a major part of baseball's post season broadcasts, David O'Brien thought it a good time to write a story about the trade that sent Smoltz from the Detroit Tigers to Atlanta. Entitled "What if the Braves had not traded Doyle Alexander for John Smoltz?" O'Brien's story immediately caught my eye, because I was there, when word was received about the trade. I provide the background in my latest podcast.

In 1973 I interviewed Willie Mays and Tug McGraw, during a New York Mets media day for radio stations on the Mets' network. At the time, I was a teenager interning at the radio station in my hometown of Torrington, CT. Dan Lovallo interviews Willie Mays To say I was nervous to interview arguably the greatest player in the game in Mays, would be an understatement. The interview was awkward and lasted about 75 seconds, but I am including it in this podcast, because how often does a teen get to interview Willie Mays? I am also including the interview with McGraw, who died in 2004, because it was the opposite of the Mays' interview. The closer for the Mets was gracious, perhaps sensing how nervous and young I was. Coincidentally, the father of award-winning country singer Tim McGraw, turned out to be one of the vital cogs for the Mets that season. He led a dramatic September comeback. The Mets went from last place in the Eastern Division to winning it and advancing to the World Series, before

Terry Tata was 13-years-old, while his friends played sandlot baseball. Instead of playing, he umpired those same games in his hometown of Waterbury, Connecticut. Serving as an arbiter placed him on a path to realize his dream of becoming a major league baseball umpire. A few years back, I interviewed Tata for another podcast I hosted. I decided to dig into the archives and post the interview, because what he says today, resonates as much as when he discussed his career a few seasons ago. Tata umpired MLB games from 1973 to 1999. During that time, he worked four World Series, seven League Championship Series and three All-Star games. In this interview, he shares some of the moments of his illustrious career, including the first MLB game he umpired and what Paul O'Niell said to him, after striking out to end a World Series game at Yankee Stadium. As for changes in the game, including the review of umpires' calls with replay, Tata has some thoughts about that too.

Paul Hensler loves history, baseball and writing and he has been able to turn those passions into a career as an author. Hensler, an adjunct lecturer at Trinity College and Manchester Community College, has written several books on baseball, authored pieces for the Society for American Baseball Research and spoken at several baseball-related symposiums. Hensler writes baseball books I recently interviewed Hensler about his baseball books, including The American League in Transition, 1965-1975: How Competition Thrived When the Yankees Didn't. He has also completed another book about baseball and we talk about that as well. Hensler is making his second appearance on The Baseball Beat. In his first appearance he discussed his book about legendary Connecticut broadcaster and sportscaster Bob Steele. The book is entitled Bob Steele on the Radio: The Life of Connecticut's Beloved Broadcaster. Grenke telegraphs pitches on purpose As always, I get into some of the latest baseball news, including th

Major League baseball players are blaming the lack of video for their hitting woes. J.D. Martinez is among those complaining that players' access to in-game video has been limited because of Covid-19 and recent cheating scandals. How did the players of yesteryear manage without videos? When Pat Crawford died  at a nursing home in Morehead City, N.C. 26 years ago, he wasthe last surviving member of baseball's famous Gashouse Gang, the 1934 St. LouisCardinals team which one the World Series over the Detroit Tigers in seven games.  Hedied three days shy of his 92nd birthday on Jan. 25, 1994. Eleven years before his death, Crawford was living in Kinston, NC, where I wasbroadcasting the Carolina League games of the Toronto Blue Jays affiliate.  Through theclub's owner, Ray Kuhlman, I met up with Crawford in his home.  He graciously gave me ainterview, reminiscing about his baseball playing days, including the Cardinals, for whom heplayed in 1933 and 1934.  Crawford got into two games in that infamous 1934 W

As Covid-19 has thrown baseball a curve ball, the sport is now contemplating seven-inning games. And I remember John McNamara, the former big league manager, who died on July 28, 2020. With the virus sweeping through the Miami Marlins, MLB has had to make some changes on the fly to its already reduced schedule. Among the items under discussion between the owners and the players' association, is doubleheaders consisting of two seven-inning games. In this podcast, I explain why this is a great idea. Also, McNamara, who died at the age of 88, was given a bad rap for being the manager of the Boston Red Sox in the 1986 World Series, for not pulling Bill Buckner for defensive purposes from first base, with the Sox three outs from a World Series title over the Mets. I look back at the interview I did with McNamara, when he was the manager of the Cincinnati Reds in 1979.

With Major League Baseball about to launch its truncated Covid season on July 23, the sport has a golden opportunity to win back the fans. And as I describe in the podcast, charity could be the beneficiary. Believe it or not, it has to with those "fan cut outs" located behind home plate. Plus, how many people remember broadcaster Jerry Coleman? He was beloved in San Diego, where he broadcast Padres games for decades. Coleman, who died in 2014, is in the broadcasters wing of the baseball Hall of Fame. But how many people remember Jerry Coleman the manager? Yes, he managed the Padres for one season and I dip into my archives to play an interview I recorded with manager Coleman in the visitors' dugout at Shea Stadium. Coleman was the only major league player to see active duty in both World War II and the Korean War. And who else can say he was a World Series MVP (1950), roomed with Mickey Mantle and broadcast games with Mel Allen, Red Barber, Phil Rizzuto and Joe Garagiola? Jerry Coleman can.

With less than two weeks to go before the presumptive start of the truncated 2020 Major League baseball season, the Houston Astros have cancelled their summer camp session because of Covid-19. It is the second time the Astros have cancelled a session. What are the implications? I talk about this in my latest podcast. Once again, I dip into my archives and pull out an interview I did with Mike Greenwell from 36 years ago. Greenwell played his entire 12-year career with the Boston Red Sox. When you examine his career statistics, you note they were more than just respectable, they were downright very good. I talk about that, in addition to replaying the interview, which occurred on May 16, 1984, when I was broadcasting games for the Kinston Blue Jays of the Carolina League.

The cancellation of the minor league baseball season for 2020 is a major deal, as I explain in my latest podcast.  I also look back at an interview I did with Johnny Bench on Aug. 24, 1979.  I explain why I delved into my archives to feature this interview on the Baseball Beat and why the approach I used to land an interview with Bench 41 years ago would not work today.

There is no spitting in baseball.  At least in 2020.  As Major League Baseball prepares to launch a truncated 2020 season, it has issued a litany of guidelines in the era of Covid-19.  Among them?  No spitting.  I talk about some of the new rules in place and also remember Eddie Kasko, the manager of the Boston Red Sox for four seasons.  Eddie died three days shy of his 89th birthday on June 24. In talking about Kasko, I also remembered Dick Williams, who managed the Red Sox to the 1967 pennant.  I caught up with Williams, when he was managing the Montreal Expos in 1980 and I replay the short interview I had with him.  Forgive me, if the tape sounds a bit wobbly, as the interview was recorded on a cassette recorder and is some 40 years old. Williams, by the way, was one of the few people to manage pennant winners in both leagues. As promised in the podcast, here is the link to the round table interview I conducted on the extra inning rule. CLICK HERE

In 1973, I had the chance to interview renowned sportscaster, Lindsey Nelson.  At the time I was a teenager and the radio station at which I was interning was part of the New York Mets radio network.  Early in the season the Mets held affiliates day for all of the stations on the Mets network.  Players, manager Yogi Berra and others were available for pregame interviews.  Among the people I caught with that day, almost 50 years ago, was Nelson. Nelson, who is in 13 different Halls of Fame, including the broadcasting wings of the baseball and football halls, had quite a resume.  Not only was he the "Voice of the New York Mets," he later went on to broadcast for the San Francisco Giants and before for that broadcast the "Baseball Game of the Week" on network television. Although Mets' fans remember Nelson, notorious for his colorful sports jackets (he reportedly owned more than 300 of them at one time), on baseball, he also was renowned for broadcasting college football and NFL games.  He  worked golf and ten

Luke Appling Enough of the Houston Astros already.  Also, in this podcast, I replay an interview I did with one of baseball's all-time great hitters, Luke Appling.  However, before replaying the interview, I go on a rant about the over-the-top coverage the Houston Astros are receiving in the early stages of spring training.  It seems the media is determined to ask every player what they think about the cheating scandal.  But I say enough! The Astros are not going to crawl on their hands and knees, begging for forgiveness.  The Astros are not going to give back their 2017 World Series trophy.  And the same players critical of the Astros, are the same players represented by the players association, who also represent the Astros' players and cut a deal with the commissioner's office for immunity in return for being interviewed about the scandal.  Besides, I want to read about the rookie phenom, the pitcher making a recovery, the hitter who has discovered a new way of hitting.  I've read and heard enough about

Dave Stevens, Dan Lovallo MLB is floating the idea of changing its playoff format and I look back at an interview I did over the summer with Dave Stevens.  Those are among the topics I explore in my latest podcast.  My interview with Stevens begins at the 11:31 mark of the podcast. MLB has not officially announced any format change, and any change would have to be approved by the Players' Association, but that didn't stop me from offering an opinion.  And you will note I point out this plan is not as drastic as some might suggest.  I just hope if it comes to pass, baseball makes another change as well, as I point out in the podcast.  (How's that for a tease?) I have interviewed Stevens before, but the occasion of this interview was before a Hartford Yard Goats game this summer at Dunkin' Donuts Park.  The Yard Goats were hosting their annual Disability Dream and Do Baseball Camp the next day and Stevens was going to be among the instructors.  If you go to his website, which I link to in the first paragraph

Before there was the World Champion Washington Nationals, there was the Montreal Expos.  This past summer, while broadcasting games for the Hartford Yard Goats, I caught up with two former teammates on the Expos, Lee Stevens and Mike Mordecai.   At the time, Stevens was the hitting instructor for the Yard Goats and Mordecai was the manager of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. The two not only recalled their time as teammates of the Expos but speculated on a major league baseball franchise returning to Montreal.  An effort is underway to bring a team back to that city, with MLB even giving the green light to a franchise - in this case Tampa Bay - splitting its home season between Tampa Bay and Montreal.  Although logistically, such a duel franchise could be a nightmare, Tampa Bay owner Stuart Sternberg is not ruling out such a move.  

As I write this, the Washington Nationals are one win away from their first trip to the World Series.  The Nats, who stunned the Dodgers last week in the NLDS, are now putting the Cardinals in a stupor with their pitching.  Viewing this dominant performance, I cannot help but think about Washington's Connecticut connection. Remember, Washington was 19-31 in May and fired their pitching coach, replacing him with Paul Menhart.  The Nats pitching has been among the elite, since Menhart became pitching coach.  He grew up in Mystic, CT and attended Fitch High School. Then there is NLCS game three winning pitcher Stephen Strasburg.  He spent one summer in Torrington, as a pitcher with the Torrington Twisters, then a member of the New England Collegiate Baseball League. And let us not forget Jack McKeon, a baseball legend.  McKeon will turn 89 on Nov. 23 and he is still going strong, as an adviser to Nationals' GM Mike Rizzo.  He has been a manager, executive and adviser and among his achievements is winning the