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STITCH X STITCH PODCAST: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Major League Baseball Players Association
The Major League Baseball Players Association has a rich history dating back to its inception under founding executive director Marvin Miller in 1966. The MLBPA's Stitch x Stitch Podcast seeks to tell that story through the eyes of Players, who share their personal recollections of the union's early growth, nine strikes and lockouts, and the contributions of Miller, Curt Flood, Andy Messersmith, and so many other groundbreaking figures. For this project we've interviewed Players whose careers cover a span of seven decades, and collected an oral history that charts the union's path and the bonds that unite Players across generations.Pitch by pitch. Stitch by Stitch.
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- 3 weeks ago55 min
Kent Tekulve on the "We Are Family" Pirates, life in the labor trenches, and the importance of paying it forward
In this episode of "Stitch x Stitch'' we connect with Kent Tekulve, one of the most durable and efficient closers in Major League Baseball history. With his lanky frame, aviator glasses and submarine delivery, the man called "Teke'' was a true baseball original. He overcame long odds to amass 184 saves in 1,050 career appearances, achieving his signature moment when he recorded the final out in the Pirates' 1979 World Series win over the Orioles. Tekulve endeared himself to teammates and fans with his everyman persona and self-effacing humor, but he always rose to the occasion. He took an active role in Players Association leadership and was instrumental in helping the players navigate strikes, lockouts and numerous other tests to their unity and resolve. On the mound and in the bargaining room, he never backed down from a challenge. “Stitch x Stitch’’ is part of a year-long recognition of the 60th anniversary of the union’s founding under executive director Marvin Miller. The weekly podcast is hosted by Jerry Crasnick, associate director of player, agent and media affairs at the MLBPA and a former baseball journalist for more than 30 years. Previous guests include the late Phil Garner, Reggie Smith, Dave Stewart and Rick Monday, the No. 1 pick in the first MLB amateur draft in 1965. PROTECT. DEFEND. ADVANCE. The Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) represents all Major and Minor League Baseball players employed by the 30 MLB clubs. We collectively bargain, protect and advance player rights, amplify player voices, and help shape the future of the game. Website: https://www.mlbplayers.com ️ Podcast: https://www.mlbplayers.com/podcast Follow the MLBPA: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mlbpa X: https://x.com/mlbpa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MLBPA YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MLBPA Stay connected for player stories, exclusive content, podcasts, videos, community initiatives, and the latest MLBPA news. Chapters - Introduction to Kent Tekulve - Childhood as a Reds Fan and Crosley Field Memories - Cut from High School Team and College Path - The Unlikely Tryout and Signing Story - Minor League Life: No Bonus, Low Pay - Leave It Better Campaign: Jake Cronenweth - Developing His Unique Submarine Style - Joining the Pirates Clubhouse and Mentors - Clubhouse Culture: Hazing and Parker vs Garner - 1979 World Series Fame and Pittsburgh Celebrity - Becoming Player Rep and Union Involvement - Marvin Miller and Don Fehr's Leadership Styles - The 1981 Strike and Free Agent Compensation - Fighting the Salary Cap Idea - Paying It Forward to Future Players - Advice for Young Players and Closing Thoughts - Credits and Sign Off
- Oct 10, 202657 min
Jay Bell on the highs, lows and in betweens of two decades in pro ball
In this episode of “Stitch x Stitch” we connect with Jay Bell, a two-time All-Star, Gold Glover, Silver Slugger and 2001 World Series champion over 18 major league seasons. Jay was active in union leadership for much of his career and played a pivotal role in 1994-95, when players held firm during a 232-strike in opposition to a salary cap. As National League player representative, Jay articulated many of the players’ positions publicly, while constantly dispensing information and keeping his fellow players focused and unified behind the scenes. His commitment never wavered, on or off the field. “Stitch x Stitch’’ is part of a year-long recognition of the 60th anniversary of the union’s founding under executive director Marvin Miller. The weekly podcast is hosted by Jerry Crasnick, associate director of player, agent and media affairs at the MLBPA and a former baseball journalist for more than 30 years. Previous guests include the late Phil Garner, Reggie Smith, Dave Stewart and Rick Monday, the No. 1 pick in the first MLB amateur draft in 1965. Chapters - Introduction to Jay Bell - Growing Up on Military Bases - Moving Around as a Military Kid - Drafted by the Twins and Early Struggles - Learning Union History in Cleveland and Pittsburgh - Becoming Player Rep and Understanding the Business - 1990 Arbitration Dispute and Player Perspectives - Leave It Better Campaign: Paul Goldschmidt - Becoming National League Player Rep - Personal Struggles During the 1994 Strike - The August 12th Deadline and Season Cancellation - Defending Player Salaries to Fans - Returning to Play After the Strike - Dealing with Teammates Who Crossed the Picket Line - Fan Reactions and the PR Battle - Reflecting on the Steroid Era - Navigating Suspicion and Maintaining Integrity - Breaking Ozzie Smith's Gold Glove Streak - Signing with the Arizona Diamondbacks - Scoring the Winning Run in the 2001 World Series - The Krispy Kreme Interview Story - Grand Slam Sunday: Changing a Life with a Home Run - Meeting the Family Afterward - Legacy, History, and Unity in the Players Association - Closing Credits
- Oct 5, 202649 min
Ed Lynch on Seaver, Staub, and his baseball education, on and off the field
This week's guest is Ed Lynch, whose passion for the game never wavered across decades as a player, front office executive and scout. Ed grew up a Mets fan in the 1960s and later had the privilege of pitching in the same rotation as his boyhood idol, Tom Seaver. He received an education in baseball labor history from another Mets great, Rusty Staub, and immersed himself in his role as the team's player representative. After his retirement in 1987, Ed obtained his law degree from the University of Miami. He worked in player development in San Diego, spent years as a scout in Chicago and Toronto, and was the Cubs’ general manager during the 1994-95 strike. But he’ll never stop thinking like a player. As Ed told us, “It'll never leave me. I was a player too long.’’ “Stitch x Stitch’’ is part of a year-long recognition of the 60th anniversary of the union’s founding under executive director Marvin Miller. The weekly podcast is hosted by Jerry Crasnick, associate director of player, agent and media affairs at the MLBPA and a former baseball journalist for more than 30 years. Previous guests include the late Phil Garner, Reggie Smith, Dave Stewart and Rick Monday, the No. 1 pick in the first MLB amateur draft in 1965. Future episodes will recognize the contributions of Miller, Curt Flood, Andy Messersmith, Dave McNally, Catfish Hunter and numerous other baseball trailblazers, while emphasizing the bond players share and the mission that has united them across generations. “Stitch by Stitch’’ is available on Apple, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts. Chapters - Introduction to Ed Lynch - Growing Up a Mets Fan in New York and Miami - College Basketball, Baseball, and Draft by Rangers - Traded to the Mets and Big League Debut - 1981 Strike and Return to the Majors - Early Union Influences: Rusty Staub and Marvin Miller - Ken Moffitt and Union Growing Pains - Becoming Player Rep and Union Meetings in Maui - Don Fehr's Rise and Union Leadership - The Hotel Bathroom Grievance Hearing - 1985 One-Day Strike and Media Lesson - Memories of Tom Seaver - Seaver's Trade and Legacy - Law School and Richard Nixon's Recommendation - Becoming Cubs GM During the 1994-95 Strike - Always a Player: Modern Game Concerns and Pitcher Injuries - Closing and Credits
- Sep 28, 202648 min
David Aardsma on the twists and turns of life as an MLB reliever
This week's guest on "Stitch x Stitch'' is David Aardsma, a 2003 first-round draft pick who pitched for eight MLB clubs and made 18 stops in the minors and independent ball during his professional career. "You fall in love with the grind,'' he told us. David shares some entertaining stories about how he met his wife, his days as Barry Bonds' teammate in San Francisco, and his experiences in the negotiating room during collective bargaining. His long and winding journey prompted him to take an active role in player leadership as a member of the Executive Subcommittee, and he gained an appreciated for the importance of the union in protecting the rights of players on issues big and (seemingly) small. He never lost sight of his responsibility to leave it better for the game or the players who followed. “Stitch x Stitch’’ is part of a year-long recognition of the 60th anniversary of the union’s founding under executive director Marvin Miller. The weekly podcast is hosted by Jerry Crasnick, associate director of player, agent and media affairs at the MLBPA and a former baseball journalist for more than 30 years. Previous guests include the late Phil Garner, Reggie Smith, Dave Stewart and Rick Monday, the No. 1 pick in the first MLB amateur draft in 1965. Chapters - Introduction: David Aardsma, First Alphabetically - The Aaron Alphabet Trivia and Jeopardy Fame - Colorado Baseball Roots and High School Days - Penn State to Rice: College Career and Development - Draft Day Memories with the Giants - Minor League Life: Travel, Food, and Conditions - Major League Debut and First Win - Mentors and Veteran Influences - Barry Bonds and Clubhouse Relationships - Life Logistics: Moving, Family, and Marriage - Getting Involved with the Union - The Tokyo Series Incident and Union Awakening - Joining the Subcommittee and Union Philosophy - Salary Arbitration Experiences - Remembering Michael Weiner - Weiner's Style and Approachability - Inside the 2011 CBA Negotiations - Advice for the Next Generation of Players - Reflecting on Teammates and Hall of Fame Talent - Closing Credits
- Sep 21, 202650 min
Todd Stottlemyre on Mickey Mantle, Monument Park and life in a baseball family
Our guest this episode is former big league pitcher Todd Stottlemyre. Todd and his brother, Mel Jr., grew up as self-described “baseball brats’’ who had a blast roaming Monument Park pre-game when their dad, Mel, was the lead dog in the Yankees’ rotation in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Todd lived the dream over 14 seasons as a starter with the Blue Jays and four other clubs, and was a part of back-to-back World Championship teams in Toronto in 1992 and 1993. He received an education in baseball economics in 1994 when players went on strike to fend off a salary cap, commissioner Bud Selig canceled the World Series, and he joined dozens of other players at a camp for unsigned free agents in Homestead, Florida, the following spring. It was a career, a grind and an adventure, all rolled into one. Chapters - Introduction to Todd Stottlemyre - Growing up as a Yankees baseball brat - Memories of Mickey Mantle and Mrs. Babe Ruth - Mel Stottlemyre's legacy and character - Family life split between Washington, Florida, and New York - Draft decisions and choosing college over the Yankees - Signing with the Blue Jays - Earning respect as a rookie in a veteran clubhouse - Breaking through and finding his groove in the majors - World Series memories and the Philly mayor incident - Working with Harvey Dorfman on mindset and focus - The 1994 strike and canceled World Series - Free agency limbo and signing with Oakland - Union solidarity and lobbying in Washington - Lessons from labor history and family perspective - Branch Rickey and Lou Gehrig Awards reflection - Closing credits
- Sep 14, 202643 min
Mike Myers on Life in the Bullpen and Service to Players
In this episode we connect with Mike Myers, who logged 883 career appearances as a reliever with nine teams over 13 big league seasons. When the affable Chicago native and Iowa State University product wasn’t tasked with the thankless responsibility of facing Barry Bonds, David Ortiz, Jim Thome or Ken Griffey Jr. in a tight spot, he was skillfully navigating the uncertainty of life as left-handed one out guy – aka “LOOGY.’’ Mike immersed himself in union leadership as a young player with the Tigers in the mid-90s and continues to serve the membership in his current role as a special assistant for player services with the MLBPA. Mike talks to a lot of players, and fields inquiries on everything from the pension and benefit plans to the whys and wherefores of moving expenses. If a player has a question, there’s a 99.9 percent chance he’s got the answer. Chapters - Introduction to Mike Myers - Growing Up a Cubs Fan in Chicago - Cold Weather Pitching and High School Days - Iowa State and Coaching Influences - Getting Drafted by the Giants - Life in the Minor Leagues - Navigating Agents and the Business of Baseball - Rule 5 Draft and the 1994-95 Strike - Union Awakening in Marlins Camp - Major League Debut and Strike Aftermath - Replacement Players and Strike Pressures - The Orlando Union Meeting - Learning Union History - Becoming a Union Rep - The Value and Importance of the Pension - Pensions in Society and Union Dues - The 2002 CBA Negotiations - 2004 World Series with the Red Sox - Moving Around the League and Union Protections - Family Life on the Road - Al Kaline's Influence and Becoming a Sidearm Pitcher - Remembering Don Fehr, Gene Orza, and Michael Weiner - Working for the MLBPA Today - Legacy as a LOOGY and Career Pride - Closing Credits
- Sep 8, 202650 min
Steve Rogers Reflects on a Lifetime of Service to Baseball
This week’s guest on “Stitch x Stitch’’ is Steve Rogers, a five-time All-Star who spent his entire 13-year career with the Montreal Expos. Steve was a true workhorse on the mound, ranking third in the major leagues behind Phil Niekro and Steve Carlton in innings pitched from 1974-83. He was also a respected player leader and a key advisor to Marvin Miller and Donald Fehr during a time of rapid change for the union and the game. Steve began working full-time for the Players Association in the late ‘90s and continues to contribute with his historical perspective and encyclopedic knowledge of the union’s pension and benefit plans. His passion for the game and the cause of players burns just as brightly today as it did when he threw his first big league pitch with the Expos in 1973. Chapters - Stitch by Stitch Podcast - Steve Rogers on The Yankees Drafting Him - Tim Rainey on Being Traded by the Expos - Rose on Becoming a Union Representative - Mike Myers on the Pension - Bob Boone on the Negotiations - Walter Payton on the Strike of 1981 - The Free Agency Controversy - The Unions' Executive Director Michael Wiener - Steve Rogers on the Collective Bargaining Cycle - MLBPA: Stitch by Stitch
- Aug 28, 202648 min
Buck Martinez on a baseball life well-lived
This week's guest on "Stitch x Stitch'' is John Albert "Buck'' Martinez, a beloved figure in Toronto and a baseball fixture for nearly 60 years as a player, manager, author and broadcaster. Buck spent 17 seasons as a backup catcher in the big leagues with the Blue Jays, Royals and Brewers, but his impact went well beyond statistics. He was a leader, a respected teammate, and a trusted ally of Marvin Miller and Donald Fehr through some bruising labor confrontations in the 1970s and ‘80s. As Buck awaits induction into the Blue Jays' Hall of Excellence, he reflects upon some of his most memorable moments on the field, in the dugout, in the broadcast booth and the negotiating room. For all that he’s accomplished in the game, he will always be a player at heart. Chapters - Buck on the Strike of 1972 - The Fight Over Salary Arbitration - The Strike of 1981
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About STITCH X STITCH PODCAST
The Major League Baseball Players Association has a rich history dating back to its inception under founding executive director Marvin Miller in 1966. The MLBPA's Stitch x Stitch Podcast seeks to tell that story through the eyes of Players, who share their personal recollections of the union's early growth, nine strikes and lockouts, and the contributions of Miller, Curt Flood, Andy Messersmith, and so many other groundbreaking figures. For this project we've interviewed Players whose careers cover a span of seven decades, and collected an oral history that charts the union's path and the bonds that unite Players across generations.Pitch by pitch. Stitch by Stitch.
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