Baseball – The Sports Fan Project

Fan Teaser Solution: Week 200

August 23, 2026August 12, 2026DouglasTHillLeave a comment

**^{Has it already been a dozen years?}**

We never thought we’d be channelling our inner-Karl Marx here at the #FanTeaser, but when considering this week’s subject, baseball player Mo’ne Davis, Marx’s philsophy that “we make our own history” comes to mind.

Davis made history 12 years ago when she was became the first girl pitcher in the history of the Little League Baseball World Series to throw a complete-game shutout, when she spun a 2-hitter for her Mid-Atlantic Region squad against the Southeast during a 4-0 victory. Among her eight strikeout victims that day was future Major Leaguer, Robert Hassell III. (Hassell later logged one of his team’s two hits against Davis.)

Mo'ne Davis — ^{The Mid-Atlantic Region representative at the 2014 Little League Baseball World Series hailed from Philadelphia. One of its pitchers that year was Mo’ne Davis, then the first girl on a U.S. roster since 2004. (Photo by Gene J. Puskar/The Associated Press)}

Then, earlier this summer, Davis again made history. Leading off and playing centerfield for the Los Angeles Queens of the newly formed Women’s Pro Baseball League, Davis she scored the first run in league history following a 2-run single by Maggie Foxx.

This year’s Little League Baseball World Series began on Wednesday and concludes on Sunday, August 30

^{Davis’ 2-hit, eight strikeout shutout of the Southeast Region’s Nashville team was the first LLBWS shutout by a girl.}

^{Highlights of Mo’ne Davis scoring the first run in WPBL history via the Women’s Sports Now.}

Just to review, The Fan Teaser was the creation of former Ann Arbor News Sports Editor Geoff Larcom. Longtime friend and fellow Ann Arbor News alum, Pat Schutte, took it to heights previously unknown. We aim to keep it alive here at The Sports Fan Project. The cropped photo and the accompanying clue give you an idea as to who or what the image is of. We invite you to use the Comment option to take a crack at solving the Teaser and, if you’re so inclined, participate in some good-spirited banter with your fellow sports fans. The Fan Teaser will appear each Friday morning with the reveal coming to you Sunday.

Conversations with Sports Fans – Scott Michaels

August 20, 2026August 20, 2026DouglasTHillLeave a comment

Today’s Conversation comes courtesy of the “You Never Know Who’s Reading and Listening” department.

What seems like a lifetime ago, I worked in the sports department at The Ann Arbor News for a few years in a position known as “permanent part-time.”

Which, upon reflection, is as demoralizing as he!!.

One of the stringers and occasional scoreboard page editors there was a fella named Scott Michaels. I got to know Scott a bit because he was also a childhood friend of Martin Frank, whom I wound up succeeding on the Michigan Hockey beat.

A couple of months ago, when I was looking for The Sports Fan Project supporters to join the $80 for 80 Circle of Champions (you’re still welcome to join, by the way:-), I received a notice of support from a faintly recognizable name and completely unfamiliar email address.

Turns out it was Scott Michaels!

He’d listened to an episode featuring Martin Frank (S:1 E:23) and then listened to a few more, said he liked what I was doing, and wanted to support my endeavors.

As we began corresponding, it became evident to me that Scott would make an enjoyable Conversations guest.

And, in this episode, you’re able to determine that for yourself.

^{My Conversations with Scott.}

Fan Teaser Solution: Week 199

August 16, 2026August 12, 2026DouglasTHillLeave a comment

Fifty seasons ago, a weekly Major League Baseball highlight show debuted. Its name, fittingly, was This Week in Baseball.

How about that!?!

Regular viewers of TWIB will recognize the previous sentence as one of longtime This Week’s host, Mel Allen‘s, catchphrases. Allen, the 1978 recipient of the National Baseball Hall of Fame’s Ford C. Frick Award for broadcasting, was the show’s original host (and an excellent choice, in my opinion) and continued in that role until he died in 1996.

^{The logo for “This Week in Baseball.”}

He was succeeded by the then-recently retired Ozzie Smith, who took over in 1997, but the show’s waning viewership led to its ultimate cancellation following the 1998 season.

Many may not be aware of it, but This Week in Baseball relaunched this season via MLB’s Twitter/X account. A weekly show of about 12 minutes has been relaunched this season by MLB on Twitter/X. Hosted by Kait Maniscalco, you’re able to find episodes at this link.

^{“This Week in Baseball” from August 16, 1986. Forty years ago today. Enjoy!}

Fan Teaser Solution: Week 198

August 9, 2026August 5, 2026DouglasTHillLeave a comment

**There’s no way this can be 50-years-old already!?!**

The Bad News Bears arrived in theaters just in time for the start of the Major League Baseball season in 1976.

It debuted on Wednesday, April 7, one day in advance of the Cincinnati Reds’ season-opening 11-5 victory over the Houston Astros.

While the Big Red Machine rolled to a 102-60 regular-season record, defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers by 10 games in the National League West, and then swept the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL Championship, and the New York Yankees in the World Series, it’s unclear who had a better summer, the Reds or the Bears.

Produced with a budget of $9 million, The Bad News Bears wound up earning $42.3 million at the box office, which is a pretty solid return on investment.

Coach Buttermaker with members of his Bears' baseball team. — **^{Coach Morris Buttermaker, portrayed by Walter Matthau, sits in the dugout during one of the Bears’ games. (Paramount Studios Photo)}**

The film starred Walter Matthau as Morris Buttermaker, an ex-ballplayer turned drunk with a gambling habit, who took the job as coach of this ragtag group of kids to earn some pocket change from a busy father who didn’t have time to do it himself.

Mathau’s co-headliner on the movie poster was Tatum O’Neal, who, at just 12-years-old, already had an Academy Award to her credit as supporting actress in 1973’s Paper Moon. She portrays Amanda Whurlizer, who is the daughter of Buttermaker’s ex-girlfriend. He taught her how to pitch, and she’s brought aboard to shore up the pitching staff.

The film, which was written by Bill Lancaster (son of Hollywood luminary Burt Lancaster), skewered the competitive nature of youth sports and parental behavior in particular. (How prescient it was, right?) As the Motion Picture Association of America didn’t have a PG-13 rating for nearly another decade, The Bad News Bears was awarded a PG rating despite the drinking, smoking, and coarse language throughout (from the adults and the children).

So, if you’re just biding your time until the annual Little League World Series ramps up later this month in South Williamsport, PA, crack open a cold beer of your choosing (any will do, just ask Coach Buttermaker!) rewatch The Bad News Bears and let me know what you think.

^{The original theatrical trailer. (Some language may be offensive.)}

^{The cast reunites at Turner Classic Movies’ 2026 Film Festival.}

Some little-known facts from The Bad News Bears.

Fan Teaser Solution: Week 197

August 2, 2026July 24, 2026DouglasTHillLeave a comment

A League of Their Own had its theatrical release on July 1, 1992.

Film (and baseball fans) will recall it’s a fictionalized story about the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League that began operation during World War II in 1943 and operated until 1954.

As for the movie, in baseball terms, the cast featured plenty of heavy hitters: Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Lori Petty, Rosie O’Donnell, Madonna, Bill Pullman, and the always underappreciated David Strathairn. Directed by Penny Marshall, the movie even featured cameos by her old Laverne & Shirley castmates, Eddie Mekka and David Lander.

Madonna as Mae from "A League of Their Own" — **^{Madonna portrayed Mae Mordabito in the 1992 film “A League of Their Own,” director Penny Marshall’s tribute to the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League}**.^{(Photo from Columbia Pictures)}

What’s lesser known is that the Columbia Pictures dramatization was based on a 1987 documentary of the same name that Kim Wilson Southerland and Kelly Candaele created. It depicted, in large part, the careers of Kelly’s mother and her sister, Helen and Margaret Callaghan, for whom Dottie and Kit from the theatrical version were based.

Baseball fans might recognize the Candaele name. That’s because Kelly’s brother, Casey, played nine seasons with three teams in Major League Baseball from 1986-97.

Baseball fans may have also figured out why this served as the #FanTeaser this week. This weekend, for the first time since the short-lived Ladies Baseball League (1997-98), a women’s professional baseball league begins play.

The Women’s Pro Baseball League is comprised of four teams (Boston Hunters, New York Heights, Los Angeles Queens, and the San Francisco Firebelles) for its inaugural season, which consists of 15-games per team, all being played in Springfield, IL, at Robin Roberts Stadium. Among the most notable players in the league are Mo’ne Davis (of 2014 Little League Baseball World Series fame) and Kelsie Whitmore (who was the first woman to play in an MLB partner league game and also suits up for the Savannah Bananas).

^{I know I stayed for the closing credits in the theater. If you’ve never seen them, do yourself a favor and press play. Madonna is on the vocals, and the footage of the women playing at Doubleday Field interspersed with cast photos is simply evocative.}

Fan Teaser Solution: Week 196

July 26, 2026July 22, 2026DouglasTHillLeave a comment

**^{You couldn’t draw up a better way to play outfield defense than this fella.}**

The list of Major League Baseball outfielders who won 10 or more consecutive Gold Gloves is not a long one:

Roberto Clemente 12 straight (1961-72)
Willie Mays 12 straight (1957-68)
Ken Griffey Jr. 10 straight (1990-99)
Al Kaline 10 straight (1957-67)
Ichiro Suzuki 10 straight (2001-10)

There is, of course, one more, and he’s the answer to this week’s #FanTeaser: Andruw Jones (1998-2007).

And, later today, Jones will join the other five with a plaque hanging at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY.

Jones will be joined at the Induction Ceremony by Carlos Beltran and Jeff Kent.

Unlike the other seven players mentioned, Jones has a unique distinction. He will be the first Curaçao-born player enshrined in the Hall of Fame.

^{Longtime Atlanta Brave, Andruw Jones will be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame today in Cooperstown, NY. He will become the first-ever Curaçao-born player so enshrined. (Photo from Atlanta Braves)}

^{Andruw Jones flashes some serious leather in this compilation.}

Conversations with Sports Fans – Rob LaCommare

July 16, 2026July 16, 2026DouglasTHillLeave a comment

I graduated from high school an unfathomable 41 years ago.

While I had a few good friends from the Class of 1985, I may have had more in the Class of 1986. One of those friends is this week’s guest, Rob LaCommare.

As will occur, time changes those friendships, folks enter and leave our lives, and Rob was – to some extent – one of those.

That said, in mid-June, we found ourselves at a high school graduation party for his niece (and my wife’s good friend’s daughter), and the stories, well, they flowed.

Eventually, an invitation to appear on Conversations was extended (and accepted), and we agreed upon a time to record.

So, in this episode, I invite you to eavesdrop on a pair of longtime acquaintances talking sports, life, and, um, pickleball?

Yes, in addition to discussing his opportunity to see Brazilian soccer club CR Flamengo play a home match, knock off countless arenas and stadiums thanks to his work travel, Rob sneaks in some pickleball talk, which just might be a first in Conversations’ 277 episodes!

I hope you enjoy!

My Conversation with Rob LaCommare.

Fan Teaser: Week 193 Solution

July 5, 2026June 26, 2026DouglasTHillLeave a comment

**^{Not only is this fella in Cooperstown but also Omaha Beach.}**

As the United States celebrates its 250th Birthday this weekend, what better way to celebrate than with baseball (hot dogs, apple pie, and Chevrolet … right!?!).

On the occasion of the nation’s semiquincentennial we thought it would be enjoyable to look at those baseballers who served in active military duty during major conflicts from the 19th and 20th Centuries.

The #FanTeaser image this week is of a youthful Lawrence Berra (later known as Yogi) who served in the U.S. Navy and was aboard the attack transport USS Bayfield as a gunner’s mate on June 6, 1944 (aka D-Day) and was at both Omaha and Utah Beaches. The Bayfield’s role was to fire artillery at German defense positions to clear the way for Allied infantry to arrive.

Berra, who was just turned 19-years-old the previous month, later went on to enjoy a 19-year Major League career with the New York Yankees and Mets that was deemed Baseball Hall of Fame worthy by the electorate.

In total, there were 72 current inductees of the Baseball Hall of Fame who served during either the Civil War, World War I, World War II, or the Korean War. Boston Red Sox great Ted Williams served in both of the latter two and famously flew as a wingman to future astronaut and U.S. Senator, John Glenn.

One would have little difficulty building a few formidable starting nines out of those 72 men who served their country.

C – Yogi Berra
1B – Johnny Mize
2B – Jackie Robinson
3B – Billy Herman
SS – Pee Wee Reese
OF – Stan Musial
OF – Willie Mays
OF – Larry Doby
RHSP – Bob Feller
LHSP – Rube Marquard
Mgr – Casey Stengel

C – Mickey Cochrane
1B – Gil Hodges
2B – Charlie Gehringer
3B – Eddie Mathews
SS – Rabbit Maranville
OF – Duke Snider
OF – Ty Cobb
OF – Enos Slaughter
RHSP – Christy Mathewson
LHSP – Warren Spahn
Mgr – Whitey Herzog

C – Bill Dickey
1B – Hank Greenberg
2B – Eddie Collins
3B – Luke Appling
SS – Ernie Banks
OF – Oscar Charleston
OF – Joe DiMaggio
OF – Ted Williams
RHSP – Grover Alexander
LHSP – Eppa Rixley
Mgr – Red Schoendienst

We can also cobble together a pretty nice front office between General Manager Branch Rickey, Promotions Director Bill Veeck, and whatever it is that Warren Giles, Larry MacPhail, and Morgan Bulkeley (a Civil War veteran!) would like to do.

The broadcast team can be Ralph Kiner and Phil Rizzuto and we’ll go with a 2-man umpiring crew of Jocko Conlan and Al Barlick.

And, shoot, while we’re at it, the entire myth about the invention of baseball is built around someone with a long military history, Abner Doubleday.

Happy Birthday USA!!!

**^{A youthful looking Yogi Berra served in the U.S. Navy prior to going onto star for the New York Yankees.}**

Fan Teaser: Week 191 Solution

June 21, 2026June 14, 2026DouglasTHillLeave a comment

In what is widely considered one of the best – if not the best! – Men’s College World Series finale in its 78-year history, Louisiana State’s Warren Morris belted a MCWS-winning 2-out, 2-run walkoff homer off Miami (FL) closer, Robbie Morrison, to give the Tigers’ a 9-8 victory back in 1996.

Morris, who went on to play parts of five MLB seasons for four franchises, missed considerable time that season due to a wrist injury. Believe it or not, this was his only home run of the season!

^{LSU’s Warren Morris enters full celebration mode rounding first base in Omaha after his walkoff home run won his Tigers’ the 1996 Men’s College World Series. (Associated Press Photo by Rodney White)}

Other recognizable names on the field that June 8, 1996 afternoon in Omaha, included Miami’s Pat Burrell and Joey Cora. For LSU, beyond Morris, future MLB players included Brett Laxton and Ed Yarnall. Also on that LSU team was future College Baseball Hall of Famer and LSU Athletics Hall of Famer, Eddy Furniss. Furniss is also the parent of Ole Miss senior baseball player Will Furniss whose Rebels advanced to Omaha themselves this season.

^{Video of Warren Morris’ 1996 Men’s College World Series-winning walkoff home against Miami in Omaha.}

Conversations with Sports Fans – Ron Teasley Jr. (Father’s Day Special)

June 21, 2026June 21, 2026DouglasTHillLeave a comment

^{From left, former Detroit Tiger Ike Blessitt, Ron Teasley Sr., and Ron Teasley Jr. talk baseball following the rededication of historic Hamtramck Stadium (home to the Negro League’s Detroit Stars) in 2022. (Photo by Robin Buckson/Detroit News)}

I’m joined in this episode by Ron Teasley Jr.

If that name sounds familiar, well, it should. His father, Ron Sr. appeared on Conversations in 2023 (S:2, E:52). At the time, the elder Teasley was 97-years-old (still our most-seasoned guest on Conversations!) and was one of only a handful of known surviving players from the Negro Major Leagues.

Ron Sr. died on February 3 this year as one of only two remaining Negro Leaguers. Today, 101-year-old Bill Greason is the lone survivor.

The junior Teasley joins me in this episode to discuss not only his own life as an athlete (he was a college baseball and basketball player) and his life as a fan (thanks primarily to his father who coached and worked at the Kronk Recreation Center), but also – and most importantly – the legacy his father and mother (Marie Teasley) leave in the Detroit community.

You’re able to learn more about the Ron and Marie Teasley Foundation at this link.

^{My Conversation with Ron Teasley Jr.}