Monthly Archives: April 2022

WGOM Radio

The World’s Greatest Online Magazine Presents The Half-Baked Podcast: 12. Keep On The Sunny Side (Part I)

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Hey, gang, it's been awhile since we rapped at you. Spring is soon approaching and things are... looking cautiously optimistic for Minnesota sports teams?

A lot has happened in a short time. In this (half) episode, we delve deep into the storied history of 2022. First we take a quick look at the CBA agreement and then go through a second by second recap of that fateful mid-March weekend (as well as the other recent signings).

We'll have Part II out before long (featuring a look at the Wild), but we wanted to get this out before the hot stove overtakes our takes. Enjoy!

Keeping Track

Happy Birthday–April 3

Guy Hecker (1856)
Larry Shepard (1919)
Alex Grammas (1926)
Art Ditmar (1929)
Wally Moon (1930)
Jerry Dale (1933)
Hawk Taylor (1939)
Larry Littleton (1954)
Darrell Jackson (1956)
Gary Pettis (1958)
Doug Baker (1961)
Chris Bosio (1963)
Mark Shapiro (1967)
Mike Lansing (1968)
Ryan Doumit (1981)
Kyle Phillips (1984)
Jay Bruce (1987)
Jason Kipnis (1987)

Guy Hecker is one of three pitchers to have won over fifty games in a season.  He is also the only pitcher to have won a batting title.

Larry Shepard managed Pittsburgh in 1968-1969.  Coincidentally, he was replaced by Alex Grammas.

Jerry Dale was a National League umpire from 1971-85.  He pitched in the minors for the Washington (now Minnesota) franchise from 1951-52.

Mark Shapiro was the general manager of the Cleveland Indians from 2001-10 and became president of that club in 2011.

We would also like to wish a very happy birthday to Papa Pirate.

Continue reading Happy Birthday–April 3 →

Keeping Track

Happy Birthday–April 2

Tommy Bond (1856)
Hughie Jennings (1869)
Bill Yancey (1904)
Luke Appling (1907)
Al Barlick (1915)
Vedie Himsl (1917)
Bobby Avila (1924)
Billy Pierce (1927)
Gordon Jones (1930)
Dick Radatz (1937)
Al Weis (1938)
Mike Kekich (1945)
Reggie Smith (1945)
Don Sutton (1945)
Daniel Okrent (1948)
Tom Johnson (1951)
Billy Sample (1955)
Hank Steinbrenner (1957)
Pete Incaviglia (1964)
Curtis Leskanic (1968)
Denny Hocking (1970)
Jon Lieber (1970)

Shortstop Bill Yancey played in the Negro Leagues for fourteen years, later becoming a manager, coach, and scout.

Al Barlick was a National League umpire from 1940-1970.

Vedie Himsl was a longtime coach and scout, primarily in the Cubs organization.  While pitching for St. John's (Minnesota) University, he struck out twenty batters in a game.

Daniel Okrent was one of the creators of the first fantasy baseball league.

Hank Steinbrenner is one of the owners of the New York Yankees, inheriting the team from his father in 2010.

We would also like to wish a very happy birthday to Lucy.

Continue reading Happy Birthday–April 2 →