STITCH X STITCH PODCAST Castos https://the-stictch-x-stitch-podcast.castos.com 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. Mon, 10 Aug 2026 09:59:00 +0000 en © 2026 US MX https://episodes.castos.com/5f56cb1d4c9b10-21565693/images/podcast/covers/c1a-402d-5zrqrzjjc1o-dkdbik.png STITCH X STITCH PODCAST https://the-stictch-x-stitch-podcast.castos.com 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. Major League Baseball Players Association episodic 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. MLBPA rguevara@mlbpa.org false https://feeds.castos.com/kd899 yes <![CDATA[Fergie Jenkins, Andre Dawson and Lee Smith Share Their Baseball Journeys]]> Mon, 10 Aug 2026 09:59:00 +0000 Major League Baseball Players Association https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/21988/episode/2563912 https://stitchxstich-podcast.castos.com/episodes/fergie-jenkins-andre-dawson-and-lee-smith-share-their-baseball-journeys In this episode, we’re privileged to sit down with three legendary Chicago Cubs with something very special in common: They all have plaques in Cooperstown. Fergie Jenkins, Andre Dawson and Lee Smith combined to make 18 All-Star Games while putting their impressive individual stamps on the game. Fergie: The staff ace and Cy Young winner with five 300-inning seasons to his credit. Hawk: The consummate blend of power and speed, with that cannon arm in right. And Big Lee, who cast an enormous shadow from the moment the bullpen door swung open in the seventh, eighth or ninth. In Episode 1 of this two-part conversation, the three friends share their baseball origin stories, and talk about their roads to the big leagues and their education in the economics of the game.

Chapters

  • (00:00:00) - Stitch by Stitch Podcast
  • (00:02:13) - Hawk and Lee at the Cubs
  • (00:10:27) - smith on his six-sports career
  • (00:16:41) - Baseball Prospects Get First-Look
  • (00:23:14) - Fergie on the Baseball Uprising
  • (00:31:16) - Marvin Miller on the Strike
  • (00:37:13) - Veteran Influences on NFL Players
  • (00:40:52) - Stitch by Stitch
]]> 9 1 false In this episode, we’re privileged to sit down with three legendary Chicago Cubs with something very special in common: They all have plaques in Cooperstown. Fergie Jenkins, Andre Dawson and Lee Smith combined to make 18 All-Star Games while putting their impressive individual stamps on the game. Fergie: The staff ace and Cy Young winner with five 300-inning seasons to his credit. Hawk: The consummate blend of power and speed, with that cannon arm in right. And Big Lee, who cast an enormous shadow from the moment the bullpen door swung open in the seventh, eighth or ninth. In Episode 1 of this two-part conversation, the three friends share their baseball origin stories, and talk about their roads to the big leagues and their education in the economics of the game.

]]> 00:41:47 <![CDATA[Rick Monday on the First MLB Draft, Dodger History, and Saving the American Flag]]> Fri, 10 Jul 2026 15:53:27 +0000 Major League Baseball Players Association https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/21988/episode/2527753 https://stitchxstich-podcast.castos.com/episodes/rick-monday-on-the-first-mlb-draft-dodger-history-and-saving-the-american-flag Rick Monday joins the MLBPA's "Stitch x Stitch'' podcast and shares stories from six eventful decades in professional ball. Rick made history as the No. 1 pick in MLB's first-ever amateur draft in 1965, and played 19 seasons as an outfielder with the Athletics, Cubs and Dodgers before transitioning to a distinguished career as a broadcaster in LA. He reflects on his interactions with Dodger legends Tommy Lasorda and Vin Scully, his military service, and that memorable day in 1976 when he rescued the American flag from protestors intent on burning it in the Dodger Stadium outfield. He got the baseball bug as a kid in Southern California, and that passion for the game has never waned.

Chapters

  • (00:00:00) - Rick Munday on the Players' Association
  • (00:07:23) - Tommy Lasorda on Becoming a Major Leaguer
  • (00:12:17) - The Draft 1st Pick
  • (00:19:21) - Charlie Finley During the Strike
  • (00:25:08) - The Chicago Cubs' Leo Durocher
  • (00:31:52) - Tommy Lasorda on desecrating the American flag
  • (00:39:44) - The Battle of San Diego
  • (00:40:28) - Vin Scully on His Turnaround
  • (00:44:50) - Vin Scully on Baseball's Future
]]> full 8 1 false Rick Monday joins the MLBPA's "Stitch x Stitch'' podcast and shares stories from six eventful decades in professional ball. Rick made history as the No. 1 pick in MLB's first-ever amateur draft in 1965, and played 19 seasons as an outfielder with the Athletics, Cubs and Dodgers before transitioning to a distinguished career as a broadcaster in LA. He reflects on his interactions with Dodger legends Tommy Lasorda and Vin Scully, his military service, and that memorable day in 1976 when he rescued the American flag from protestors intent on burning it in the Dodger Stadium outfield. He got the baseball bug as a kid in Southern California, and that passion for the game has never waned.

]]> 00:47:14 <![CDATA[Dick Bosman on the 1972 strike, Charles O. Finley and life as a snowmobile salesman]]> Mon, 06 Jul 2026 17:24:16 +0000 Major League Baseball Players Association https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/21988/episode/2520918 https://stitchxstich-podcast.castos.com/episodes/dick-bosman-on-the-1972-strike-charles-o-finley-and-life-as-a-snowmobile-salesman Dick Bosman, this week’s guest on Stitch x Stitch, won an American League ERA title in 1969 and threw a 79-pitch no-hitter against Reggie Jackson, Sal Bando and the World Champion Oakland A’s in 1974, while armed with a fastball that topped out in the mid-80s. He was also a steadfast ally of Marvin Miller, at a time when taking a strong stance on labor matters could be hazardous to a player’s career aspirations. Dick weathered the 1972 strike as the Texas Rangers’ player representative, but he remains convinced that his union advocacy led to him being blackballed from the game at age 32. Fifty years later -- after a long and successful run as a pitching coach and mentor to many -- he shares his memories of a momentous time for baseball labor and the game.

Chapters

  • (00:00:05) - Duane Bosman on the Players Association
  • (00:07:06) - Strike 1, 1972
  • (00:13:25) - Baseball Player in Labor
  • (00:14:23) - Tim Rainey on Working Two Jobs
  • (00:20:43) - Bob Kennedy on Being Blackballed by the Indians
  • (00:25:41) - Tom Leyland on the Fight for Pension
  • (00:31:24) - Stitch by Stitch
]]> full 7 1 false Dick Bosman, this week’s guest on Stitch x Stitch, won an American League ERA title in 1969 and threw a 79-pitch no-hitter against Reggie Jackson, Sal Bando and the World Champion Oakland A’s in 1974, while armed with a fastball that topped out in the mid-80s. He was also a steadfast ally of Marvin Miller, at a time when taking a strong stance on labor matters could be hazardous to a player’s career aspirations. Dick weathered the 1972 strike as the Texas Rangers’ player representative, but he remains convinced that his union advocacy led to him being blackballed from the game at age 32. Fifty years later -- after a long and successful run as a pitching coach and mentor to many -- he shares his memories of a momentous time for baseball labor and the game.

]]> 00:31:53 <![CDATA[Larry Dierker on Willie Mays, the Astros & Baseball’s Union Revolution]]> Mon, 29 Jun 2026 19:05:21 +0000 Major League Baseball Players Association https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/21988/episode/2510004 https://stitchxstich-podcast.castos.com/episodes/woody-woodward-on-hank-aaron-the-big-red-machine-baseballs-economic-revolution-1 Larry Dierker, our latest guest on Stitch x Stitch, broke into the big leagues as a “bonus baby’’ with the Houston Colt .45s in 1964 and celebrated his 18th birthday with a first inning strikeout of Willie Mays. Over the next four decades, he became synonymous with Houston baseball as a two-time All-Star pitcher, Astros manager and team broadcaster. In this episode, Dierker reflects on the formative years of the union and the partnership between Marvin Miller and players that forever changed the game. His memories run the gamut -- from Leo Durocher scattering players with fungoes as they assembled for a union meeting in the outfield to an awkward encounter with a general manager who responded to his request for a raise with silence and a puff of cigar smoke. Dierker shares his story with an eye for detail, a wry sense of humor, and an enduring commitment to the player fraternity and the game he loves.

Chapters

  • (00:00:05) - Larry Durker on His 18th Birthday
  • (00:07:40) - Marvin Miller on Starting a UAW
  • (00:15:36) - Joe Morgan on the Baseball Players' Union
  • (00:17:18) - George Steinbrenner on the Strike
  • (00:26:12) - Marvin Hall on His Pension
]]> 6 1 false Larry Dierker, our latest guest on Stitch x Stitch, broke into the big leagues as a “bonus baby’’ with the Houston Colt .45s in 1964 and celebrated his 18th birthday with a first inning strikeout of Willie Mays. Over the next four decades, he became synonymous with Houston baseball as a two-time All-Star pitcher, Astros manager and team broadcaster. In this episode, Dierker reflects on the formative years of the union and the partnership between Marvin Miller and players that forever changed the game. His memories run the gamut -- from Leo Durocher scattering players with fungoes as they assembled for a union meeting in the outfield to an awkward encounter with a general manager who responded to his request for a raise with silence and a puff of cigar smoke. Dierker shares his story with an eye for detail, a wry sense of humor, and an enduring commitment to the player fraternity and the game he loves.

]]> 00:35:17 <![CDATA[Woody Woodward on Hank Aaron, the Big Red Machine & Baseball’s Economic Revolution]]> Mon, 15 Jun 2026 14:43:25 +0000 Major League Baseball Players Association https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/21988/episode/2493848 https://stitchxstich-podcast.castos.com/episodes/woody-woodward-on-hank-aaron-the-big-red-machine-baseballs-economic-revolution Woody Woodward on Hank Aaron, the Big Red Machine & Baseball’s Economic Revolution

Chapters

  • (00:00:05) - Woody Woodward on the Players' Association
  • (00:04:13) - Henry Aaron's Relationship With His Teammates
  • (00:10:49) - Tom Ley on the Players Association
  • (00:19:45) - Marvin Miller on the Players Association
  • (00:26:39) - Woody Cloninger on the CBA
  • (00:33:55) - Phil Jackson on Marvin Miller and the Players Association
  • (00:39:50) - Woody Woodward on the MLBPA and the Game
]]> 5 1 false Woody Woodward on Hank Aaron, the Big Red Machine & Baseball’s Economic Revolution

]]> 00:44:06 <![CDATA[Sam “Sudden Sam” McDowell on the Birth of the MLBPA and Baseball’s Pre–Free Agency Battles]]> Mon, 08 Jun 2026 11:58:00 +0000 Major League Baseball Players Association https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/21988/episode/2484291 https://stitchxstich-podcast.castos.com/episodes/sam-sudden-sam-mcdowell-on-the-birth-of-the-mlbpa-and-baseballs-pre-free-agency-battles  Six-time All-Star Sam “Sudden Sam” McDowell joins Stitch x Stitch for an unfiltered look at the early years of the MLBPA and the uphill battles Players faced long before free agency reshaped the game. Raised in a Pittsburgh union household, McDowell first encountered Marvin Miller as a child attending a steelworkers’ meeting with his father. He immersed himself in union leadership as a young strikeout machine with the Cleveland Indians in the 1960s, and never hesitated to make his voice heard or his presence felt during the formative years of the MLBPA.

Chapters

  • (00:00:05) - Sam McDowell on The Players Association Podcast
  • (00:08:35) - Sam Clemens on Gabe Paul Ratted Me Out
  • (00:10:52) - Marvin Miller on His Contract
  • (00:17:24) - Marvin Gay Paul on His Early Years as Baseball Representative
  • (00:27:19) - Kirk Flood on the 1972 Strike
  • (00:36:13) - Sandy Koufax on His First Year
  • (00:36:53) - Marvin Hall on Baseball's History
]]> full 4 1 false  Six-time All-Star Sam “Sudden Sam” McDowell joins Stitch x Stitch for an unfiltered look at the early years of the MLBPA and the uphill battles Players faced long before free agency reshaped the game. Raised in a Pittsburgh union household, McDowell first encountered Marvin Miller as a child attending a steelworkers’ meeting with his father. He immersed himself in union leadership as a young strikeout machine with the Cleveland Indians in the 1960s, and never hesitated to make his voice heard or his presence felt during the formative years of the MLBPA.

]]> 00:41:09 <![CDATA[Dave Stewart on Black Aces, 1981 Strike and Growing Up in Oakland]]> Mon, 01 Jun 2026 11:58:00 +0000 Major League Baseball Players Association https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/21988/episode/2463976 https://www.mlbplayers.com/podcast Dave Stewart joins the MLBPA's Stitch x Stitch Podcast with a rare, full spectrum view of baseball’s labor history, shaped by his years as a World Series MVP, Roberto Clemente Award winner, and one of baseball's famed "Black Aces.'' He reflects upon his Oakland roots, the influence of veterans like Dusty Baker, Davey Lopes and Reggie Smith during his formative years with the Dodgers, and the lessons he learned from the 1981 strike. Stewart carried that same passion into his post-career stints as a Player agent and big-league general manager, and he continues to embrace his role as a guardian of the game.

Chapters

  • (00:00:05) - Dave Stewart on the Baseball Players Association
  • (00:07:25) - Dusty Baker, and the Strike of 1981
  • (00:12:45) - The Business of Baseball
  • (00:19:32) - Black Aces on Baseball
]]> full 3 1 false Dave Stewart joins the MLBPA's Stitch x Stitch Podcast with a rare, full spectrum view of baseball’s labor history, shaped by his years as a World Series MVP, Roberto Clemente Award winner, and one of baseball's famed "Black Aces.'' He reflects upon his Oakland roots, the influence of veterans like Dusty Baker, Davey Lopes and Reggie Smith during his formative years with the Dodgers, and the lessons he learned from the 1981 strike. Stewart carried that same passion into his post-career stints as a Player agent and big-league general manager, and he continues to embrace his role as a guardian of the game.

]]> 00:29:05 <![CDATA[Reggie Smith on Civil Rights, Labor Battles, and the Rise of the MLBPA]]> Tue, 26 May 2026 11:53:11 +0000 Major League Baseball Players Association https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/21988/episode/2475191 https://stitchxstich-podcast.castos.com/episodes/reggie-smith-on-civil-rights-labor-battles-and-the-rise-of-the-mlbpa Seven-time All-Star and 1981 World Series champion Reggie Smith joins Stitch x Stitch for a powerful, firsthand look at baseball’s labor history and the civil rights struggles woven into his early career. From confronting racism in minor league towns to absorbing the lessons he learned from Marvin Miller, Jackie Robinson and other influential figures, Smith explains how his experiences shaped his commitment to the MLBPA and the advancement of Players who would come after him.

Chapters

  • (00:00:05) - Reggie Smith on the Baseball Players Association
  • (00:05:38) - Reggie Smith on Jackie Robinson
  • (00:11:47) - Marvin Davis on the Baseball Players' Union
  • (00:17:17) - Being a player rep is an honour
  • (00:18:16) - Tommy John on the Strike of 1972
  • (00:26:57) - Reggie Smith on Kurt Flood's Reserve Clause Challenge
]]> full 2 1 false Seven-time All-Star and 1981 World Series champion Reggie Smith joins Stitch x Stitch for a powerful, firsthand look at baseball’s labor history and the civil rights struggles woven into his early career. From confronting racism in minor league towns to absorbing the lessons he learned from Marvin Miller, Jackie Robinson and other influential figures, Smith explains how his experiences shaped his commitment to the MLBPA and the advancement of Players who would come after him.

]]> 00:30:25 <![CDATA[Phil Garner on Curt Flood, Free Agency & the Rise of Player Power]]> Mon, 18 May 2026 06:30:00 +0000 Major League Baseball Players Association https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/21988/episode/2465283 https://stitchxstich-podcast.castos.com/episodes/phil-garner-on-curt-flood-free-agency-the-rise-of-player-power Phil Garner, the hard-nosed infielder known as “Scrap Iron,’’ joined Stitch x Stitch for a colorful look at the battles that shaped modern baseball, from the early fights over the reserve clause to the birth of free agency, the chaos of collusion, and the replacement spring of 1995. He explained how young Players learned to navigate an all-powerful ownership class, why pioneers like Curt Flood and Andy Messersmith changed the entire sport, and how Marvin Miller’s steady leadership taught Players to debate, organize and stand together.

Chapters

  • (00:00:06) - A message on unity
  • (00:00:27) - Phil Garner on the Players Association
  • (00:09:53) - Phil Garner on Marvin Miller
  • (00:19:15) - The 1981 MLB Players Strike
  • (00:24:22) - Phil Garner on the rise of Player Power
]]> full 1 1 false Phil Garner, the hard-nosed infielder known as “Scrap Iron,’’ joined Stitch x Stitch for a colorful look at the battles that shaped modern baseball, from the early fights over the reserve clause to the birth of free agency, the chaos of collusion, and the replacement spring of 1995. He explained how young Players learned to navigate an all-powerful ownership class, why pioneers like Curt Flood and Andy Messersmith changed the entire sport, and how Marvin Miller’s steady leadership taught Players to debate, organize and stand together.

]]> 00:30:21 <![CDATA[COMING SOON: STITCH x STITCH PODCAST]]> Tue, 20 Jan 2026 13:17:45 +0000 Major League Baseball Players Association https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/21988/episode/2330509 https://stitchxstich-podcast.castos.com/episodes/coming-soon-stitch-x-stitch-podcast COMING SOON: 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.

Chapters

  • (00:00:03) - MLBPA Stitch by Stitch Podcast
]]> trailer 1 false COMING SOON: 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.

]]> 00:01:20