Two Strike Noise - A Baseball History Podcast

twostrikenoise

Jeff and Mark talk about the funny, odd and always entertaining history and characters from the greatest game there is, baseball. It's like if the San Diego Chicken and the Philly Fanatic had a baby that was raised by Max Patkin. Grab a hot dog and an adult beverage and "let's play two!"

  • 1 hour 48 seconds
    Episode 307 - Ross Grimsley: Baseball’s Dirtiest Hair, Slowest Pitch, and Strangest 20 Game Winner

    In this episode of Two Strike Noise, Jeff and Mark dig into one of the strangest success stories of the 1970s: Ross “Scuz” Grimsley, the pitcher who looked like he threw 100 mph and won by barely breaking 50. Before the deep dive, the show warms up with some classic Two Strike Noise chaos — including a bizarre Mariners stat involving pitchers named Erik, Andre Agassi’s son pitching in international baseball, a Japanese pitcher debuting a J-pop–inspired glove, and a listener trivia question that quietly ruins everyone’s confidence. The main event is Grimsley’s improbable career arc. A first-round pick with the Reds, he wins early, gets traded anyway, and becomes the ultimate anti-establishment figure in a league obsessed with clean hair and harder fastballs. With long, greasy hair, turquoise contact lenses, witch-provided lucky stones, and a pitch mix built entirely on deception, Grimsley carved out wins while driving traditionalists insane. The episode wraps up with a lively game of Wax Pack Heroes, where Jeff and Mark open 2002 Topps baseball cards, aiming to accumulate the highest WAR scores while reminiscing about the players featured.

    00:00 Introduction and Opening Banter
    01:01 Baseball Trivia: Mariners and Erics
    03:20 Jaden Agassi and Highlight Sports
    05:14 Unique Baseball Gloves and J-Pop
    07:52 Listener Trivia Question
    10:22 Ross Grimsley's Unconventional Career
    28:36 Wax Pack Heroes: Baseball Card Game
    55:58 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts


    YouTube - www.youtube.com/@twostrikenoise
    Twitch - https://www.twitch.tv/twostrikenoise
    Bluesky - @twostrikenoise.bsky.social
    Facebook -https://www.facebook.com/TwoStrikeNoise/
    Instagram - @twostrikenoise
    E-mail - [email protected]

    We pull ALOT of commons in Wax Pack Heroes. If you've got those Tim Foli or Ernest Riles cards just sitting around you can donate those commons to charity and maybe spark a child's interest in baseball and collecting. Find out more here: http://commons4kids.org/

    #podernfamily #podnation #baseball #mlb #history #podcast #baseballcards

    13 December 2025, 8:16 pm
  • 1 hour 10 minutes
    Episode 306 - Sig Jackuki, The Accidental Ace Who Saved the Saddest Franchise

    In this episode of Two Strike Noise, Jeff and Mark bring listeners the extraordinary story of Sig Jakucki, a talented yet troubled pitcher whose career was marred by alcoholism. Despite his struggles, Jakucki played a crucial role in the St. Louis Browns' only pennant win in 1944. The duo dives into fascinating anecdotes from Jakucki's career, including his minor league antics and his legendary performance in the World Series. The episode rounds off with a competitive session of Wax Packs Heroes, featuring standout baseball cards from the 1998 Upper Deck series.

    00:00 Introduction and Thanksgiving Recap
    01:41 Thanksgiving Baseball Name Game
    02:39 Contemporary Music and Baseball
    07:27 Hall of Fame Voting Discussion
    12:58 Historical Baseball Stats
    16:57 Sig Jakucki: The Browns' Unlikely Hero
    37:06 Wax Pack Heroes
    01:06:54 Wrapping Up and Farewell


    YouTube - www.youtube.com/@twostrikenoise
    Twitch - https://www.twitch.tv/twostrikenoise
    Bluesky - @twostrikenoise.bsky.social
    Facebook -https://www.facebook.com/TwoStrikeNoise/
    Instagram - @twostrikenoise
    E-mail - [email protected]

    We pull ALOT of commons in Wax Pack Heroes. If you've got those Tim Foli or Ernest Riles cards just sitting around you can donate those commons to charity and maybe spark a child's interest in baseball and collecting. Find out more here: http://commons4kids.org/

    #podernfamily #podnation #baseball #mlb #history #podcast #baseballcards

    6 December 2025, 7:51 pm
  • 55 minutes 50 seconds
    Episode 305 - Before Valenzuela, How Mel Almada Broke MLB’s Barrier

    In this episode of Two Strike Noise, hosts Jeff and Mark start with humorous-ish banter and discuss various baseball history topics including a deep dive into the first Mexican-born MLB player, Mel Almada, and his significant contributions to the sport. They also explore the MLB MVP debate and recount a baseball game that caused a stir with international royalty. The hosts engage in a Thanksgiving-themed name game, exploring baseball player names related to the holiday. The episode concludes with the Wax Packs Heroes segment, featuring curated packs from a listener, before Jeff and Mark announce a break for Thanksgiving.

    00:00 Welcome and Introductions
    00:56 Baseball MVP Debate
    03:50 World Series Anecdotes
    10:22 Thanksgiving Themed Name Game
    17:11 Mel Almada: A Baseball Pioneer
    29:48 Wax Pack Heroes
    50:49 Concluding Remarks and Thanksgiving Break


    YouTube - www.youtube.com/@twostrikenoise
    Twitch - https://www.twitch.tv/twostrikenoise
    Bluesky - @twostrikenoise.bsky.social
    Facebook -https://www.facebook.com/TwoStrikeNoise/
    Instagram - @twostrikenoise
    E-mail - [email protected]

    We pull ALOT of commons in Wax Pack Heroes. If you've got those Tim Foli or Ernest Riles cards just sitting around you can donate those commons to charity and maybe spark a child's interest in baseball and collecting. Find out more here: http://commons4kids.org/

    #podernfamily #podnation #baseball #mlb #history #podcast #baseballcards

    22 November 2025, 9:32 pm
  • 57 minutes 2 seconds
    Episode 304 - Ted Kluszewski, Chuck Klein & Captain Kirk Walk Into a Bar

    In this episode of Two Strike Noise, Jeff and Mark recount various intriguing baseball history stories. They discuss the recently concluded World Series that garnered the most viewers since 1991's thrilling series and listen to the funniest baseball joke ever told, according to William Shatner, while sitting atop a horse. Included is an exploration of historic player incidents involving Chuck Klein and Ted Kluszewski. The show touches on baseball's relationship with pop culture, mentioning appearances on The Simpsons and celebrity reputations. The episode concludes with Wax Packs Heroes, spotlighting nostalgic baseball cards and a friendly competition between Jeff and Mark.

    00:00 Introduction and Welcome
    01:43 World Series Recap
    05:26 Dodgers' Position Players Pitching
    08:30 Contemporary Hall of Fame Ballot Discussion
    10:04 MLB's Competitive Golf Tournament
    11:06 Japanese TV Show and Shohei Ohtani
    13:58 Trivia Question and Mascot Weight
    16:34 Dave Winfield & Robin Givens….mom?
    27:09 Chuck Klien, consistant HOFer
    27:46 Snake Deal
    29:46 A Historic Baseball Game in 1960
    34:31 Wax Packs Heroes: Baseball Card Showdown
    51:14 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

    YouTube - www.youtube.com/@twostrikenoise
    Twitch - https://www.twitch.tv/twostrikenoise
    Bluesky - @twostrikenoise.bsky.social
    Facebook -https://www.facebook.com/TwoStrikeNoise/
    Instagram - @twostrikenoise
    E-mail - [email protected]

    We pull ALOT of commons in Wax Pack Heroes. If you've got those Tim Foli or Ernest Riles cards just sitting around you can donate those commons to charity and maybe spark a child's interest in baseball and collecting. Find out more here: http://commons4kids.org/

    #podernfamily #podnation #baseball #mlb #history #podcast #baseballcards

    8 November 2025, 8:03 pm
  • 50 minutes 25 seconds
    Episode 303 - Frank Pastore & John Beradino, They Left Baseball — And Got Famous Anyway

    In this episode of Two Strike Noise, Jeff and Mark dive into a variety of engaging topics. They kick off by discussing baseball players who stand out due to their 6,7 height. Jeff quizzes listeners on Chicago White Sox mascot Southpaw's weight in baseballs. They transition to humorous Pantone color discussions and a potential new curse linked to Colonel Sanders. The hosts reminisce about various '80s baseball movies and reveal Frank Pastor and John Bernardino's surprising careers post-baseball. Wrapping up, they play Wax Pack Heroes with a focus on 1990 Donruss cards, including notable players like Tim Wallach and Jim Abbott.

    00:00 Welcome and Introductions
    00:20 Richie Sexton Studio and Tall Players
    02:14 Trivia Time: South Paw's Weight
    03:14 World Series and Pantone Colors
    04:17 Colonel Sanders and a New Baseball Curse?
    05:24 Bull Durham: The Musical
    07:45 Lou Gehrig's Historic Jersey
    09:38 Seinfeld and Baseball Cards
    12:22 Players with Successful Post-Baseball Careers
    30:31 Wax Pack Heroes: Baseball Card Game
    44:42 Wrapping Up and Listener Engagement

    YouTube - www.youtube.com/@twostrikenoise
    Twitch - https://www.twitch.tv/twostrikenoise
    Bluesky - @twostrikenoise.bsky.social
    Facebook -https://www.facebook.com/TwoStrikeNoise/
    Instagram - @twostrikenoise
    E-mail - [email protected]

    We pull ALOT of commons in Wax Pack Heroes. If you've got those Tim Foli or Ernest Riles cards just sitting around you can donate those commons to charity and maybe spark a child's interest in baseball and collecting. Find out more here: http://commons4kids.org/

    #podernfamily #podnation #baseball #mlb #history #podcast #baseballcards

    1 November 2025, 7:42 pm
  • 1 hour 1 minute
    Episode 302 - Mysterious Walker, Baseball's Mystery Man

    This Halloween, Two Strike Noise digs into the eerie side of America’s pastime — haunted ballparks, ghostly players, and one pitcher who went by so many names they just called him Mysterious Walker.

    Jeff & Mark unearth the weirdest stories ever to cross the foul line:

    • Boris Karloff playing baseball in full Frankenstein makeup

    • Night-shift ghosts at the Baseball Hall of Fame

    • Ghoulish player names and cursed team legends that feel too strange to be true

    Then it’s back to reality — sort of — with another round of Wax Pack Heroes, opening vintage cards and revisiting cult favorites like Al Newman and Pete Incaviglia.

    If you like baseball, Halloween, or stories that make you say “that can’t be real,” this is your episode.

    00:00 Introduction and Halloween Special Announcement
    01:20 World Series Ring Raffle and Spooky Baseball Quotes
    02:56 Hollywood's Monsters Love Baseball
    08:23 Haunted Baseball Hall of Fame
    10:53 Spooky Baseball Names
    17:46 The Mysterious Life of Frederick Mitchell Walker
    33:01 Wax Pack Heroes: Opening the 1987 Tops Pack
    56:50 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

    YouTube - www.youtube.com/@twostrikenoise
    Twitch - https://www.twitch.tv/twostrikenoise
    Bluesky - @twostrikenoise.bsky.social
    Facebook -https://www.facebook.com/TwoStrikeNoise/
    Instagram - @twostrikenoise
    E-mail - [email protected]

    We pull ALOT of commons in Wax Pack Heroes. If you've got those Tim Foli or Ernest Riles cards just sitting around you can donate those commons to charity and maybe spark a child's interest in baseball and collecting. Find out more here: http://commons4kids.org/

    #podernfamily #podnation #baseball #mlb #history #podcast #baseballcards

    25 October 2025, 6:53 pm
  • 53 minutes 35 seconds
    Episode 301 - Ryan Fagan: What Hall of Fame Voters Don’t Say Out Loud

    In this episode of Two Strike Noise, Jeff and Mark cover the weird, the wonderful, and the downright unpredictable in baseball. Jeff pitches a Mariners World Series giveaway that’s either bold or a cruse, depending on your perspective, and the guys break down a marketing face-off between Seattle and Toronto.

    They dig into the latest from Banana Ball — including new teams paying tribute to the Negro Leagues — and wonder if Trevor Bauer’s dominance in Japan is impressive or just a by-product of the league’s current beer shortage. There’s also an urgent public debate over whether the White Sox mascot Southpaw is due for a weigh-in.

    The main feature: part two of Jeff’s conversation with Hall of Fame voter and veteran writer Ryan Fagan, diving into how ballots really get filled out, what voters wrestle with, and how the process could evolve. The episode wraps with another nostalgic pack of Wax Pack Heroes.

    00:00 Introduction and Welcome
    01:18 Mariners World Series Ring Giveaway?
    03:03 Creative Promo Battles: Mariners vs. Blue Jays
    03:56 Savannah Bananas and Negro Leagues Collaboration
    09:07 Japanese Baseball Updates
    12:25 Trivia Time: How Much Does South Paw Weigh?
    15:02 Baseball writer and HOF voter, Ryan Fagan
    34:35 Wax Pack Heroes
    51:20 Wrap up and Goodbyes

    YouTube - www.youtube.com/@twostrikenoise
    Twitch - https://www.twitch.tv/twostrikenoise
    Bluesky - @twostrikenoise.bsky.social
    Facebook -https://www.facebook.com/TwoStrikeNoise/
    Instagram - @twostrikenoise
    E-mail - [email protected]

    We pull ALOT of commons in Wax Pack Heroes. If you've got those Tim Foli or Ernest Riles cards just sitting around you can donate those commons to charity and maybe spark a child's interest in baseball and collecting. Find out more here: http://commons4kids.org/

    #podernfamily #podnation #baseball #mlb #history #podcast #baseballcards

    18 October 2025, 7:39 pm
  • 51 minutes
    Episode 300 - The Baseball Podcast About Nothing, But Also, the Seinfeld Episode

    In this milestone 300th episode of Two Strike Noise, Jeff and Mark are joined by Ryan Fagan, longtime Sporting News writer, Hall of Fame voter, and noted Seinfeld/baseball connoisseur. Together they finally tackle the crossover we’ve all been waiting for — Seinfeld and baseball.

    From Keith Hernandez’s legendary cameo to George Steinbrenner’s unseen hand, the crew breaks down how baseball became the show’s unofficial fifth character. Ryan shares insider context from both the press box and the writer’s room, while Jeff and Mark connect the dots between sitcom absurdity and real-life dugout drama.

    Along the way they revisit the fantasy camp episode, debate which ballplayer cameo aged best, and decide whether the Keith Hernandez two-parter might just be the most enduring sports cameo in television history.

    Episode Timeline

    00:00 Introduction – Episode 300!
    03:10 Batting Practice – Baseball quirks, Operation Shut Down, and Miguel Montero
    09:45 Meet Ryan Fagan – Sporting News, Hall of Fame voter, Seinfeld fan
    13:20 When Baseball Met Seinfeld – Keith Hernandez, fantasy camp, and “The Boyfriend”
    23:40 The Yankees Era – Steinbrenner’s appearances and Costanza’s chaos
    33:25 Cameos & Callbacks – Jeter, Bernie Williams, Paul O’Neill, and beyond
    42:05 Baseball’s Influence on Seinfeld – Competition, rituals, and superstition

    YouTube - www.youtube.com/@twostrikenoise
    Twitch - https://www.twitch.tv/twostrikenoise
    Bluesky - @twostrikenoise.bsky.social
    Facebook -https://www.facebook.com/TwoStrikeNoise/
    Instagram - @twostrikenoise
    E-mail - [email protected]

    We pull ALOT of commons in Wax Pack Heroes. If you've got those Tim Foli or Ernest Riles cards just sitting around you can donate those commons to charity and maybe spark a child's interest in baseball and collecting. Find out more here: http://commons4kids.org/

    #podernfamily #podnation #baseball #mlb #history #podcast #baseballcards

     

    11 October 2025, 9:30 pm
  • 51 minutes 50 seconds
    Episode 299 – Spahn vs. Marichal: Endurance, Willpower, and Willie

    In this episode of Two Strike Noise, Jeff and Mark discuss a historic baseball matchup between Juan Marichal and Warren Spahn, known as the greatest game ever pitched. They dive into the specifics of the 16-inning game where Marichal and Spahn delivered a masterclass in endurance and skill. The episode also features listener e-mail, debut’s and odd baseball names, updates on the latest MLB season, and a Wax Pack Heroes segment that takes a nostalgic look at some classic 1992 baseball cards.

    00:00 Introduction and Hosts' Banter
    00:33 Playoff Tensions and Mariners' Highlights
    04:15 Listener Feedback and Fun Nicknames
    11:05 Baseball Debuts and Retirements
    18:15 The Greatest Baseball Game Ever Pitched
    29:03 Wax Pack Heroes
    46:39 Wrapping Up and Announcements

    YouTube - www.youtube.com/@twostrikenoise
    Twitch - https://www.twitch.tv/twostrikenoise
    Bluesky - @twostrikenoise.bsky.social
    Facebook -https://www.facebook.com/TwoStrikeNoise/
    Instagram - @twostrikenoise
    E-mail - [email protected]

    We pull ALOT of commons in Wax Pack Heroes. If you've got those Tom Foley or Ernest Riles cards just sitting around you can donate those commons to charity and maybe spark a child's interest in baseball and collecting. Find out more here: http://commons4kids.org/

    #podernfamily #podnation #baseball #mlb #history #podcast #baseballcards

    27 September 2025, 7:05 am
  • 1 hour 2 minutes
    Episode 298 - Bo Belinsky, Pitcher, Playboy

    In this episode of Two Strike Noise, Jeff and Mark kick off the show by discussing the sporadic schedule of their monthly baseball history podcast due to studio rentals. They dive into the history of Bo Belinsky, the Los Angeles Angels pitcher known as much for his Hollywood lifestyle as for his on-field performance. Belinsky's remarkable yet tumultuous career is explored, highlighting his brief success, off-field antics, and eventual downfall. The episode also features a detailed discussion on rankings of local TV and radio baseball announcers, with special attention to the Seattle Mariners team. Additionally, the duo engage in another round of Wax Packs Heroes, with Jeff ultimately taking the lead thanks to a lucky pull. They also talk about recent and nostalgic baseball anecdotes, making this episode a blend of history, humor, and friendly competition.

    00:00 Introduction and Banter
    04:11 Baseball Announcers and Rankings
    09:48 Unique Baseball Moments and Trivia
    18:42 Bo Belinsky: The Hollywood Pitcher
    35:32 Wax Packs Heroes Game
    57:37 Final Thoughts and Farewell

    20 September 2025, 6:46 pm
  • 52 minutes 48 seconds
    Episode 296 - The Iron Man of the Mound: Mike Marshall’s 1974 Season

    In this episode of Two Strike Noise, Jeff and Mark open in the Jesus Montero Studio, where an ice cream sandwich has never been more dangerous. From there, the guys dig into a card-collecting dad-and-son duo who cornered the market on Greg Briley, a record-shattering Hall of Fame induction program, and John Kruk’s musings on clocks, vegans, and sandwiches.
    They check in on the Little League World Series, where one Canadian kid has already labeled Juan Soto “overrated,” and highlight professional sluggers who quietly joined the 500-home run club outside MLB. Plus, anniversaries and debuts galore: Nolan Ryan’s 5,000th strikeout, Carmelo Martinez’s fly-ball “weakness,” Big Mac’s towel-wrapped sitcom cameo, and Dustin Pedroia’s Hall of Very Good candidacy.
    The main feature this week is Mark’s deep dive into Mike Marshall — not the Dodgers first baseman, but the 1974 Cy Young–winning reliever whose 106 appearances, 208 innings, and obsession with kinesiology made him one of baseball’s most fascinating arms.
    And as always, we wrap with another round of Wax Pack Heroes — where mullets, mustaches, and manager cards all come into play.

    00:00 Introduction and Studio Banter
    03:17 Baseball Card Collecting Adventures
    06:00 Historic Baseball Memorabilia
    08:16 John Kruk's Hilarious Commentary
    10:00 Little League World Series Highlights
    11:51 500+ Home Run Club
    15:58 Baseball Debuts and Nostalgia
    21:05 Mike Marshall: The Iron Man Reliever
    32:46 Wax Pack Heroes Game
    48:35 Final Thoughts and Outro

    YouTube - www.youtube.com/@twostrikenoise
    Twitch - https://www.twitch.tv/twostrikenoise
    Bluesky - @twostrikenoise.bsky.social
    Facebook -https://www.facebook.com/TwoStrikeNoise/
    Instagram - @twostrikenoise
    E-mail - [email protected]

    We pull ALOT of commons in Wax Pack Heroes. If you've got those Tom Foley or Ernest Riles cards just sitting around you can donate those commons to charity and maybe spark a child's interest in baseball and collecting. Find out more here: http://commons4kids.org/

    #podernfamily #podnation #baseball #mlb #history #podcast #baseballcards

    22 August 2025, 8:47 pm
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