[00:00:00] David: a fan, I honestly think it's kind of like nerdy, but like in 1999 and 2003, the Red Sox, you know, had some really good teams, they got close, they didn't make it to the World Series either year, but there were some games, one of which, or one series, was against Alomar and the Cleveland Indians in 99 in the ALDS, and I just think that, you know, like really being so invested into that team, team, and they were down 2 0 to Cleveland in that ALDS, and then came back and won the next three, and then, of course, lost to the Yankees in the LCS, and in 03, they were down two games to nothing to Oakland, and came back.
[00:00:31] David: So, without getting too into the weeds, I think those years, in particular, just, again, how invested I was in those teams, and being at some of those games, too, as a fan, you know, was just incredibly meaningful.
[00:00:42] Anna: What's up Bucketheads?. Thanks for tuning in and welcome to episode number 148 of The Baseball Bucket List Podcast. I'm your host Anna DiTommaso and each week on the show, I speak with a different baseball fan about their favorite memories, what's left on their baseball bucket list, and what the game of baseball means to them.
[00:00:57] Anna: This week, I had the chance to sit down with David Ostrowsky from the Boston area. David is a lifelong Red Sox fan who fell in love with the game and the Sox at a young age and has many fond memories of attending games at Fenway as a kid. He's also the author of a new biography about Roberto Alomar and the complicated story that surrounds him. Alomar is of course, arguably one of the best second basement of all time. A 12 time, all-star a 10 time gold Glover, four time silver Slugger, and a Hall of Famer who was recently banned from baseball and scrubbed from the record books, following several allegations of sexual misconduct.
[00:01:33] Anna: David and I chat about the complexity of athletes and their human fallibility and how fans sometimes have difficulty separating the athlete from the human. We also discuss our takes on the All-Star Game and the Home Run Derby and how we both long for a long standing tradition to return to the Midsummer classic.
[00:01:51] Anna: This is a really interesting conversation around a complicated and difficult topic, but one that I think you all will enjoy, so let's get right into it. Now without further ado, sit back, relax and enjoy some baseball banter with David Ostrowski.
[00:02:05] Anna: David, thank you so much for joining us today on the Baseball Bucket List. How are things up near Boston?
[00:02:11] David: They are cold. Baseball season's been underway for about a week now, and it doesn't really feel like baseball weather, but that's okay because it's going to get better next week. The Red Sox have their home opener Tuesday, the weather's looking good, and I'm really happy to be on your podcast this afternoon.
[00:02:27] Anna: Well, thanks for being here. I'm really excited to chat with you. And, I feel like it's always a good idea for those northern teams to kind of schedule their openers a little later than, you know, like Texas is never going to have a problem with an opener in in late March. So, but I imagine it's got to feel good, like maybe even if it's not quite warm, knowing that baseball's back on its way to the Boston area has got to got to kind of warm your heart a little bit.
[00:02:53] David: Oh, absolutely. I mean, you know, obviously it's a little tease because it's obviously not really spring weather yet. But yeah, just to know baseball has been on now for a week, you know, late at night, the Sox have been on the West Coast. So it's nice to watch those games. And, and absolutely, you know, we have the marathon coming a week from Saturday.
[00:03:08] David: Um, so it's great fun time of year for sports, you know, other leagues are starting the playoffs NBA and NHL, but the baseball is back and life is good.
[00:03:16] Anna: Yeah, I have a buddy who actually contends that April is the single greatest month in sports because it's basically firing on all cylinders.
[00:03:24] David: Yeah. NFL draft two, of course, and final four. Yep.
[00:03:27] Anna: a lot going on but we're here to talk about baseball as everyone knows and so the first question I always ask out of the gate is how is it that you became a fan of the game?
[00:03:36] David: no, um, it's a great question. So, I mean, I would say first and foremost, my dad always had it on, like he always had the Red Sox on, you know, I was born in 84. So I guess my earliest memories of the Sox were like Wade Boggs, Roger Clemens. Um, very early, you know, and I mean, they weren't very good. Then the Red Sox, this was like early nineties, you know, when I first started getting into it, but then they got better, you know, and they had Mo Vaughn..
[00:04:02] David: And then eventually, you know, Nomar Garciapara. So I became just a huge, huge Sox fan. And my dad, you know, you'd play ball all the time, little league, you know, and then. A little bit later, you know, middle school and high school. So just, I mean, I think first and foremost, you know, through the Red Sox, you know, going to Fenway, you know, I really right away kind of came enamored with that ballpark.
[00:04:22] David: And it wasn't like today where you're the MLB network and, you know, even ESPN on all the time, it was really more, you know, focused on that team and whoever the Red Sox were playing. So I think in those two reasons, my dad and then just, you know, having grown up in Boston. You know, the socks being such a huge part of the culture, much more so than it is today, quite frankly, if I'm going to be honest with you,
[00:04:45] Anna: Oh interesting. Really?
[00:04:47] David: I think so.
[00:04:47] David: I mean, I think, you know, they're not selling out every game they were then in the early nineties, but you know, this was before they broke the curse. Right. Um, I think they had more household names. I think baseball in general, you know, if I can be very honest, was just more popular.
[00:05:02] Anna: Mm hmm
[00:05:02] David: the kind of moved at a more, you know, faster, At a quicker pace, more organically than obviously it has today. And I just think, yeah, I don't know. You know, I think the fact is the Patriots and Celtics Bruins were not very good, uh, in the late eighties and early nineties after like Larry Bird era. Right. So, you know, the Sox were the most popular team in town and, and that has not been the case, you know, really for the past several years now.
[00:05:26] Anna: Yeah, that's interesting. It's an interesting take on it because you know, I live in Texas I live just outside of Arlington and of course that is home of the The Texas Rangers, who just won a World Series. It's also home of the Dallas Cowboys. And, obviously the sports culture in Texas is a little different.
[00:05:43] Anna: I think the Cowboys could be atrocious every year and they often are. And they would still be kind of
[00:05:49] David: Fans will
[00:05:49] Anna: Yeah, the bells of the ball, so to speak. Um, but it's interesting to hear that Boston's maybe a little less forgiving.
[00:05:57] David: Yeah, I think so. I mean, if I, you know, I just think you notice it, like even during spring training, like, you know, back in the nineties. Every local TV station would have a crew down there at Spring Training in Fort Myers, you know, doing reports. This year there was like hardly any coverage, you know. And maybe this is a reflection of the media landscape, but you just, even like just around town, you know, I live out in the suburbs here, you don't hear people talking about it quite as much.
[00:06:22] David: And, There's different reasons. There's a lot of discontent right now with the ownership, um, and their lack of spending on this team and how they've let guys really, really popular players like Xander Bogarts and Mookie Betts and to a lesser extent, Chris Sale go or get traded. Um, so there is certainly some bitterness there for sure.
[00:06:40] Anna: I usually follow that question up with, you know, who your favorite team is. But I mean, I feel like we've got a pretty good indication of that. You're kind of talking a lot about how the the general perception and lovability of the Sox has faltered a little bit here in recent years. Do you feel that personally or are you still kind of living and breathing with every pitch?
[00:07:00] David: I wish I could say I was living and breathing, you know, with every pitch, but that's not the case. Um, in like 2003 and 2004, when they absolutely, when they eventually won it, it was like that, where I would be checking the box scores every single day and getting, you know, all the highlights and really pretty much watching almost every single game, if not every inning of every game, because they hadn't won it yet, you know, and then, you know, when you win it, And then they went in again in 07 and then in 13 and 18.
[00:07:27] David: It, it loses its, you know, it just does, at least in my opinion. And I, I still watch them closely. I know how they're doing every night. I know how guys are, you know, more or less how their stat lines are, but I cannot say I'm, you know, hanging on every pitch at all. For me, that real peak, you know, fandom was in the early, mid 2000s.
[00:07:46] David: When they were on the cusp of winning, came really close and then actually won it the next year.
[00:07:50] Anna: I think there's something to be said about that too where It's like you kind of develop an almost relationship with players on a team and even if that team doesn't win the World Series when those guys move on and you look up and you're like, okay, there's no longer a single person from the 2004 team or whatever it may be You kind of just lose your grip on it a little bit, and it can be difficult for newer guys to kind of warm their way into your heart, but,
[00:08:21] David: A hundred percent. A hundred percent. Yep.
[00:08:23] Anna: yeah.
[00:08:24] Anna: I'm curious now, because knowing that you're a Sox fan, and you've grown up in Boston basically your whole life, what's the connection to Roberto Alomar?
[00:08:34] David: Great question. So when I started really becoming a big baseball fan in 92 and then 93, Blue Jays were the best team in baseball. Both years, they won the World Series. You know, they had this amazing lineup with not only Alomar, but Paul Molliter, Joe Carter, John Olerud. You may remember Dave Winfield in 92 and in the Jays You know, I'd still watch the playoffs in the World Series, you know, the Sox were in it both years, and Jays were the best team, and I think Alomar was probably the most valuable player both those years, and so he was kind of like the gold standard as far as just being a five tool guy, you know, obviously the defense was off the charts, he was a 300 plus hitter, you know, he could drive in 100 runs, uh, hit 20 homers, real good speed too, and I didn't really think, I always say this on these podcasts, you know, he's up there in one of the top five ball players of the 90s.
[00:09:26] David: Um, just in terms of a guy who could really do it all, you know, in the same conversation as Griffey Jr. and Bonds. And, and the fact that, you know, you look at baseball literature and he's never had a biography written about him. In 92, after they won the World Series, he did write a short memoir called Second to None, but that just covered mainly his childhood, you know, his early adult years, teenage years, whatever, and it kind of capitalized on a recent World Series, but it, you know, since then, for good and bad reasons, there's been a lot more to his life story that I felt needed to be chronicled.
[00:10:00] Anna: that makes sense. Had to go back and look up. I mean, I obviously knew that he was he's part of the conversation as you know Perhaps one of the best if not the best second baseman of all time And so kind of getting ready to chat with you I wanted to go and look at some stats and everything and you know for listeners who might not off the top of their head Remember, this is a 10 time gold Glover a 12 time all star four time silver slugger, of course a member of the Hall of Fame and then a Numerous other accolades that you know, I don't want to sit here and list out but a lot of Struggle and trouble kind of off of the field as well.
[00:10:37] Anna: So we're talking about your book Roberto Alomar The Complicated Life and Legacy of a Baseball Hall of Famer and I mean what about his story in particular kind of captivated you?
[00:10:53] David: well, I think a couple things. I, I think one thing I want to make very clear is I started writing this book early on in the pandemic. It was May 2020. And this was a year before, or basically I guess almost a year before, he got banned from baseball because of a new round of sexual misconduct allegations, which were then followed by another allegation.
[00:11:13] David: So that was not the impetus for writing this book. It just so happened that as I was writing it, this bombshell development came out. I think initially one of the things that really motivated me to write this book, why I found this particular person so interesting, is the incident that he is forever remembered for when he spat on an home plate umpire, John Hirschbeck, in September of 96, um, is so, I'll say this, misinterpreted, I guess, in the sense that most people don't understand that they've become fairly good friends in retirement, you know, for both guys, actually, both guys have long been retired from baseball now, and it's a really interesting story, how this event happened, what sparked him to, to spit at an umpire's face, his reaction afterwards, where he brought up the umpire's tragic family life, and then A few years after that, how they kind of made amends and have become good friends and support each other through the years.
[00:12:06] David: So I think that alone really kind of, I guess you'd call it setting the record straight, but just from a human interest angle, really kind of Maybe, you know, intrigued. Um, and then I think just from a baseball perspective, I think just as the years go by, it's very easy to forget someone who, generate, and I guess generation or two ago was, as you pointed out, you know, a 12 time All Star, 10 time Golden Glove winner, 300 career hitter, you know, one of the best ball players of his era, arguably the greatest second baseman.
[00:12:35] David: And I think either A, people almost 40 my age and older forget, you know, It's easy to forget how great he was, and B, people who are much younger, never saw him play, don't really know him too well. So I think for that reason alone, it was important to write this book.
[00:12:51] Anna: There are so many different angles there. I think perhaps the most interesting to me is, you know, you mentioned the human interest story of it and it's almost, there's almost a redemption story there until, you know, the further allegations continue to roll out, but, it's such a difficult thing to kind of wrap your head around as a baseball fan, because I think that there, first of all, you have to remember that you're dealing with imperfect humans.
[00:13:18] Anna: And so, you know, There are a lot of variables and different things that we'll never understand about athletes because we just don't have a complete picture of who they are as humans. But it's, it's an, it's an issue that's often discussed where, you know, like you have world class ball players where you wonder like, where. Where do we draw the line between he's a really good ball player, but also maybe not the best human and you know, it's it's Something that gets talked about often when things like domestic violence or criminal activity comes up with players for forever You know as long as the sport has been around even as recent as probably this week so I think it's so interesting to kind of try to encapsulate all of that into one story of the baseball and the human
[00:14:16] David: No, I, and it's, it's true, like I, you know, not to go off topic too much, but like Kirby Puckett in Minnesota, he was a beloved. ballplayer, right, in the 80s and the 90s. And then it came out shortly before he died, you know, all these terrible things that he allegedly had done, you know, in terms of domestic violence, in terms of just public acts of, you know, disgrace.
[00:14:39] David: You don't know what these people are like. And you like to think that they're all, you know, Quality human beings, but you know, obviously that's not the case and it's hard because like I had one I talked to I did not speak to Roberto Alomar for this book. He declined on multiple occasions But I did speak to his manager and his manager said who used to be a clubhouse worker for many years for the blue jays Said, you know, something like, God, I'll tell you something like I've met some really nasty ballplayers I've come across, you know, treating me like total garbage.
[00:15:06] David: And he said, Roberto Alomar is not that he's not a mean spirited human being, you know, all these things that you're telling me that he's alleged to do. And I uncovered some pretty unflattering things, you know, he kind of drew the line. So it's. There's so many shades of gray, and this isn't to defend someone who, an alleged, you know, sexual predator.
[00:15:24] David: Um, but, I, I think it's important to recognize that there are so many sinners that are not only in the Hall of Fame, but that have played Major League Baseball, and I think for a lot of people, especially for writers, and those who are involved in the game on a day to day basis, it's so hard to be a fan, because they know, at some level anyway, You know, what some of these players are like, and it's like, you know, knowing how sausage is produced, you know, for lack of a better analogy, right, and you enjoy it, you enjoy the taste, you enjoy the view, but, you know, you may not want to know what goes behind it, and, um, I think you could have the word complicated in many, um, titles of many Hall of Fame biographies, not just Roberto Alomar's.
[00:16:03] Anna: Yeah, what a perfect analogy for that I never thought of it that way, but I mean that's that's exactly what it is Is it's you know, it's it's we try our best I think to separate the athlete from the human But when when it's a guy that You grew up idolizing or something like that and you feel connected to it's the same with the steroid scandals You know, it's the same with I'm sure a lot of Astros fans in 2019 feeling just completely deflated and let down you know, I'm a Rays fan and obviously Wander Franco is I mean, that story is everywhere right now, and the level of sadness when you hear something like that is very, very different than an injury or a trade or a, a signing away, you know, it's a, it's a fallibility of, of humans, and there are often other humans involved as victims, and it just, it's, it's hard to wrap your brain around, like, you said, makes me think a little bit about the distance perhaps that we should be placing between ourselves and kind of the athletes that we enjoy watching.
[00:17:14] David: Yeah, no, it's hard. And, you know, look, I, I guess I've become more jaded. I've become more cynical as I've gotten older. I'm not as much of a fan boy as I used to be, you know, um, of some players, it's much easier to root for than others. And, you know, it's just, um, I think when I was doing this book, I certainly started off as a fan of Roberto Alomar's.
[00:17:32] David: I certainly was as a child, but I can say definitively no longer am I, you know, based on a lot of the things I uncovered from talking to people and researching and most importantly, because of the allegations that were serious enough for MLB to take action a few years ago.
[00:17:47] Anna: What do you think is the biggest takeaway? I mean obviously You're speaking as if there's kind of like a lesson here that goes a lot deeper than Alomar on his own. I mean, do you think that that you learned something that was kind of unexpected while you were putting this book together?
[00:18:03] David: Well, one thing I learned that was very interesting was. And I don't know if this is necessarily some great, like, moral, you know, lesson, but it was just kind of interesting, and in Cleveland, he was there for three years, from 99 to 2001, and he teamed up with Omar Vizquel, who, of course, is a really talented shortstop, I trust you remember, um, for this, like, amazing double play combination, like, they were, like, a nightly, you know, highlight reel, and people literally would go to the ballpark to buy tickets to watch these guys on defense, and that's rare, usually you go to see, you know, Aaron Judge or, or Ken Griffey. Jr., but not really defense, but they were that good. And, and it so happened that, you know, I spoke to several writers who kind of all said, you know, they weren't enemies, but they didn't really care for each other. You know, they just. They didn't certainly weren't palling around.
[00:18:46] David: They had their squabbles, which isn't terribly uncommon for two stars on one team, but they just didn't really care for each other. And, and it just so happens, as I was writing this book, Visquel had some pretty serious allegations labeled against him, um, also involving domestic violence that are going to make it incredibly hard for him to ever get elected to the Hall of Fame.
[00:19:06] David: So I think that was disappointing slash surprising that there was this. acrimonious relationship at times between these two guys who like people just were in awe of their defensive prowess.
[00:19:19] Anna: There's almost like a chemistry on on the field between a second baseman and a shortstop, you know, the way they turn a play and, uh, you, again, make assumptions that because they're so in sync or in tune on the field, they must be best of friends off as well. And, uh, yeah, I guess that'll, that'll open your eyes real quick.
[00:19:38] David: Yeah. And I think that's very true in other sports too. And I think particularly like in the NBA, like, you know, everyone's like in, I grew up in Boston. So the big three, Larry Bird, Kevin McKeown, Robert Parrish, I don't, from my understanding, they weren't necessarily all that close, um, off the court, you know?
[00:19:53] David: And, um, And I just think it's interesting in the NBA, and I guess to some extent in other leagues too, how star athletes don't necessarily gravitate towards one another as much as you would maybe think.
[00:20:03] Anna: definitely. So who is the book for then? Do you have to be a fan of Alomar or You know, maybe an anti fan of Alomar, I mean, or is it, is, is it for, for anyone?
[00:20:17] David: that's a good question. I mean, look, I think it's for first and foremost for baseball fans, right? Like anyone who loves baseball history is probably going to enjoy reading this. If you have memories of the nineties, you know, with the Blue Jays winning back to back titles, you know, when he goes over to Baltimore, he takes them to the ALCS and back to back years, he teams up, you know, with the fans.
[00:20:36] David: Manny Ramirez, Jim Thome, David Justice in Cleveland for some unbelievable lineup. So I think first and foremost baseball fans. I think then, you know, fans of the Toronto Blue Jays because that is the team. He's the only Toronto Blue Jay in the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. So he's still a very, very important part of that franchise, even though his name is scrubbed clean from all the records.
[00:20:56] David: And then I think also for people who are interested in Puerto Rican culture, I really go into his background growing up. His father, Sandy Senior, played for a number of teams in the big leagues and was totally revered in that island, as well as his brother, Sandy Alomar Jr. So I do go into that, as well as Roberto's, uh, commendable efforts.
[00:21:15] David: in the wake of Hurricane Maria, you know, to help, um, there. So I, I think for those three reasons, you know, baseball history, people who are interested in the Blue Jays, and then, you know, Puerto Rican history, I think there's a lot there.
[00:21:27] Anna: All right. So we've talked a lot about the Jays. We obviously started the conversation with the Sox. Is there something that comes to mind when I ask you what your favorite baseball memory is?
[00:21:38] David: Yeah. So I was thinking about this one, you know, it's funny. I, um, a fan, I honestly think it's kind of like nerdy, but like in 1999 and 2003, the Red Sox, you know, had some really good teams, they got close, they didn't make it to the World Series either year, but there were some games, one of which, or one series, was against Alomar and the Cleveland Indians in 99 in the ALDS, and I just think that, you know, like really being so invested into that team, team, and they were down 2 0 to Cleveland in that ALDS, and then came back and won the next three, and then, of course, lost to the Yankees in the LCS, and in 03, they were down two games to nothing to Oakland, and came back.
[00:22:14] David: So, without getting too into the weeds, I think those years, in particular, just, again, how invested I was in those teams, and being at some of those games, too, as a fan, you know, was just incredibly meaningful.
[00:22:25] Anna: I think it kind of ties back to the, the point we were talking about a little earlier where, you know, I've mentioned I'm a Rays fan. That 2008 team, Obviously they made it to the World Series. It did not go super well. Um, and then the 2020 team, I, they're obviously, and yeah, entirely different teams, but, um, that 08 team, it just, I think because of those, those same things that you mentioned, like.
[00:22:52] Anna: That was the first time Ray's fans ever really had a taste of kind of what it meant to not be like the little brother in the basement.
[00:23:01] David: Were you at that World Series?
[00:23:02] Anna: I did not get to go to the World Series. I went in 2020. Um, I was at the ALCS in 08.
[00:23:08] David: Okay. Against Boston? Yeah.
[00:23:10] Anna: exactly. My dad did go to the World Series. I was at school and couldn't get home, for the world series, but, went in 2020 and, uh,
[00:23:19] Anna: yeah, so it just, uh, there's something about, it's almost like your first love quote unquote.
[00:23:25] Anna: You know what I mean? And in terms of just fondness, remembering those types of moments,
[00:23:30] David: And you asked me, you know, it's a baseball bucket list, so I guess one bucket item I have, I guess it's kind of twofold. One is I've never been to a World Series game, so that's certainly I've never been to a League Championship Series on multiple occasions, but I've never had the privilege, so that is something I'm certainly hoping to do, hopefully sooner rather than later.
[00:23:47] David: And then also I'd just say visit more ballparks. You know, I've been to probably a little over half of them of the current ones. I'd love to go to all of them. And I, especially if they can coincide with, you know, postseason baseball, cause it's always a blast to see a new, you know, fan base fired up, you know, over their team's, uh, postseason run.
[00:24:04] David: So I think, you know, those two to kind of check off every ballpark and, and see the culture and, you know, the, the, just all the excitement during a high stakes game, you know, and then eventually. Having it coincide with the World Series, I think, for me, that would be the best thing. Bucket list item. So
[00:24:20] Anna: those are good ones. so I, I have a caveat there because I. when I went to the ALCS, we, we beat Boston, obviously. The game I was at was a walk off, um, it was game two, and that was phenomenal. Like, the energy was incredible. But I've also been to some playoff games where the Rays haven't won either the game or the series that I attended, and um, man, it's deflating, especially when you're on the road.
[00:24:46] Anna: So this little, like, life hack I learned last year was I went to the World Series here in Texas because that's where I live now.
[00:24:54] David: over here. Yeah.
[00:24:55] Anna: Yeah, uh, not particularly, like, invested in either one of the teams and it was the greatest experience of my
[00:25:02] David: Oh, last year. I'm sorry.
[00:25:03] Anna: Yeah, I'm sorry,
[00:25:04] David: Last year. Yeah.
[00:25:05] Anna: 2023, uh,
[00:25:06] David: And you went against Arizona last
[00:25:08] Anna: yeah, exactly, because all of the, like, energy and the excitement was there, but there was no real downside to it for me,
[00:25:17] David: And you had a blast.
[00:25:18] David: Yeah.
[00:25:19] Anna: yeah, um, so I like the idea of you kind of maybe even visiting parks for the first time as, As the home team is, uh, in the postseason.
[00:25:28] David: And were you going to be at the all star game this year? Cause I know it's in Texas.
[00:25:31] Anna: that's the plan, yeah. That's
[00:25:33] David: great.
[00:25:33] Anna: yeah.
[00:25:35] David: That must be exciting. Cause that's coming up in a few months.
[00:25:37] Anna: Yeah, exactly, it'll be here before we know it. what do you think, if you had to pick one park that you're looking forward to more than any of the others, what do you think it is?
[00:25:47] David: not just saying this cause I'm on your show. It's the Texas one. It looks really, really cool. Um, I like how it's a retractable roof. Is that right?
[00:25:53] Anna: It is, yeah.
[00:25:54] David: I've never been to the ballpark in Arlington. I've never been to the ballpark. But, you know, I always thought that'd be cool. But I think this one looks really neat.
[00:26:00] David: It seems like there's a lot of, um, baseball history and Texas Rangers history in there. And I like things that are neat and clean and new and shiny. And it looks like it checks off all those things. And so I'm not just saying it, yours.
[00:26:13] Anna: Cool, well you'll have to let me know when you pass through town because, uh, we'll definitely meet up and, um,
[00:26:19] David: Yeah, totally.
[00:26:19] Anna: yeah.
[00:26:20] David: I will say Seattle, I went to the All Star game last year in Seattle and I'd never been to T Mobile, formerly known as Safeco. And I was very impressed. really good sight lines, good food options, um, very accessible to downtown Seattle. Have you ever been?
[00:26:35] Anna: Yes, yeah,
[00:26:37] David: I liked it. Yeah.
[00:26:38] Anna: I was actually there last year, too. I had been before, but I was there last year maybe two weeks before the All Star game and, um, I love that ballpark. It
[00:26:47] David: Yeah. Very nice. Yeah.
[00:26:48] Anna: it's, uh, it's, it's older now, you know, in the, in the grand scheme of things, but it just, it's, To me, I just, it's so charming. So,
[00:26:57] David: Yeah. Totally.
[00:26:58] Anna: was that your first all star game or have you been
[00:27:00] David: That was my first All Star game. Yeah. I had never been. Um, will this one be your first or have you been
[00:27:06] Anna: No, I've been to one in LA, so I went in 2020, yeah, 22, um, to LA. So, uh, did you get to do the, the Derby and the all star game
[00:27:15] David: Yeah. I went to both. Yeah.
[00:27:17] David: Yeah,
[00:27:17] Anna: your, Thoughts on that?
[00:27:20] David: you know, I'm old school. I guess you can call that out the derby. I, I prefer it without the timer. You know, now it seems like it's more about athleticism and endurance. I prefer it just to be about speed and guys hitting 700 foot home runs. Um, but you know, time school, Julio Rodriguez put on quite a show.
[00:27:37] David: Um, but I, I still like the older version. If you're going to ask me.
[00:27:41] Anna: Yeah, I always thought that the home run derby would be like the thing that I would want to see like if you only gave Me the option to see either the home run derby or the all star game I would have told you I want to see the derby more But then after going there and experiencing it and seeing how different it is In the seats as opposed to, you know, it's very clearly produced for television now.
[00:28:03] David: Oh yeah, totally. Were you at the derby in 22?
[00:28:05] Anna: mm hmm. Yeah, the, the all star game, like, blew me away.
[00:28:10] David: My biggest pet peeve of baseball and I swear to God is with the Ulster game, have them wear their own
[00:28:15] David: uniforms.
[00:28:16] Anna: yes,
[00:28:17] David: With their colors. I know why MLB does it because it creates more, you know, content, not content, more, you know, products to sell for revenue, but Oh my God, it drives me crazy. Like, why can't they wear their own uniforms?
[00:28:29] David: That was the whole appeal of the game. Um, Oh, I'll never forgive them for them. I really hope it changes.
[00:28:35] Anna: Yeah, me too. That was a big, big miss, uh, by Major League Baseball. I, I totally agree. Yeah, David, where do we send people to find you online if they want to find out more about the book or about you in general?
[00:28:48] David: sure. So, um, Roman Littlefield is the publisher. the book's there. It's certainly on Amazon, too. Um, um, Ostrowski, author, uh, on Twitter. And then Facebook, I also have an author page. So people are more than welcome to check it out there and, you know, Google it and you'll see there's plenty of content out there.
[00:29:05] David: So,
[00:29:07] Anna: Perfect. Well, David, I've so enjoyed this. I can't thank you enough for making time to
[00:29:11] David: my pleasure. Right back at you. And, um, I look forward to checking out more episodes.
[00:29:15] Anna: And that will wrap up this episode of the baseball bucket list podcast, special things to David Ostrowsky for joining us today and sharing those stories and memories. If this sounds like something you'd like to do, if you think you might like to be a guest on the show, head to baseballbucketlist.com/podcast and fill out an application. I'd absolutely love to hear from you. While you're there make sure to spend some time on the site, sign up for a free membership, build your own baseball bucket list, and track your ballpark visits. If you find yourself enjoying the show each week, please take a moment to rate and review it in the podcast app of your choice. It goes such a long way and I would really, really appreciate it. That's all for this week.
[00:29:52] Thanks so much for listening. We'll see you. Next episode.
[00:00:31] David: So, without getting too into the weeds, I think those years, in particular, just, again, how invested I was in those teams, and being at some of those games, too, as a fan, you know, was just incredibly meaningful.
[00:00:42] Anna: What's up Bucketheads?. Thanks for tuning in and welcome to episode number 148 of The Baseball Bucket List Podcast. I'm your host Anna DiTommaso and each week on the show, I speak with a different baseball fan about their favorite memories, what's left on their baseball bucket list, and what the game of baseball means to them.
[00:00:57] Anna: This week, I had the chance to sit down with David Ostrowsky from the Boston area. David is a lifelong Red Sox fan who fell in love with the game and the Sox at a young age and has many fond memories of attending games at Fenway as a kid. He's also the author of a new biography about Roberto Alomar and the complicated story that surrounds him. Alomar is of course, arguably one of the best second basement of all time. A 12 time, all-star a 10 time gold Glover, four time silver Slugger, and a Hall of Famer who was recently banned from baseball and scrubbed from the record books, following several allegations of sexual misconduct.
[00:01:33] Anna: David and I chat about the complexity of athletes and their human fallibility and how fans sometimes have difficulty separating the athlete from the human. We also discuss our takes on the All-Star Game and the Home Run Derby and how we both long for a long standing tradition to return to the Midsummer classic.
[00:01:51] Anna: This is a really interesting conversation around a complicated and difficult topic, but one that I think you all will enjoy, so let's get right into it. Now without further ado, sit back, relax and enjoy some baseball banter with David Ostrowski.
[00:02:05] Anna: David, thank you so much for joining us today on the Baseball Bucket List. How are things up near Boston?
[00:02:11] David: They are cold. Baseball season's been underway for about a week now, and it doesn't really feel like baseball weather, but that's okay because it's going to get better next week. The Red Sox have their home opener Tuesday, the weather's looking good, and I'm really happy to be on your podcast this afternoon.
[00:02:27] Anna: Well, thanks for being here. I'm really excited to chat with you. And, I feel like it's always a good idea for those northern teams to kind of schedule their openers a little later than, you know, like Texas is never going to have a problem with an opener in in late March. So, but I imagine it's got to feel good, like maybe even if it's not quite warm, knowing that baseball's back on its way to the Boston area has got to got to kind of warm your heart a little bit.
[00:02:53] David: Oh, absolutely. I mean, you know, obviously it's a little tease because it's obviously not really spring weather yet. But yeah, just to know baseball has been on now for a week, you know, late at night, the Sox have been on the West Coast. So it's nice to watch those games. And, and absolutely, you know, we have the marathon coming a week from Saturday.
[00:03:08] David: Um, so it's great fun time of year for sports, you know, other leagues are starting the playoffs NBA and NHL, but the baseball is back and life is good.
[00:03:16] Anna: Yeah, I have a buddy who actually contends that April is the single greatest month in sports because it's basically firing on all cylinders.
[00:03:24] David: Yeah. NFL draft two, of course, and final four. Yep.
[00:03:27] Anna: a lot going on but we're here to talk about baseball as everyone knows and so the first question I always ask out of the gate is how is it that you became a fan of the game?
[00:03:36] David: no, um, it's a great question. So, I mean, I would say first and foremost, my dad always had it on, like he always had the Red Sox on, you know, I was born in 84. So I guess my earliest memories of the Sox were like Wade Boggs, Roger Clemens. Um, very early, you know, and I mean, they weren't very good. Then the Red Sox, this was like early nineties, you know, when I first started getting into it, but then they got better, you know, and they had Mo Vaughn..
[00:04:02] David: And then eventually, you know, Nomar Garciapara. So I became just a huge, huge Sox fan. And my dad, you know, you'd play ball all the time, little league, you know, and then. A little bit later, you know, middle school and high school. So just, I mean, I think first and foremost, you know, through the Red Sox, you know, going to Fenway, you know, I really right away kind of came enamored with that ballpark.
[00:04:22] David: And it wasn't like today where you're the MLB network and, you know, even ESPN on all the time, it was really more, you know, focused on that team and whoever the Red Sox were playing. So I think in those two reasons, my dad and then just, you know, having grown up in Boston. You know, the socks being such a huge part of the culture, much more so than it is today, quite frankly, if I'm going to be honest with you,
[00:04:45] Anna: Oh interesting. Really?
[00:04:47] David: I think so.
[00:04:47] David: I mean, I think, you know, they're not selling out every game they were then in the early nineties, but you know, this was before they broke the curse. Right. Um, I think they had more household names. I think baseball in general, you know, if I can be very honest, was just more popular.
[00:05:02] Anna: Mm hmm
[00:05:02] David: the kind of moved at a more, you know, faster, At a quicker pace, more organically than obviously it has today. And I just think, yeah, I don't know. You know, I think the fact is the Patriots and Celtics Bruins were not very good, uh, in the late eighties and early nineties after like Larry Bird era. Right. So, you know, the Sox were the most popular team in town and, and that has not been the case, you know, really for the past several years now.
[00:05:26] Anna: Yeah, that's interesting. It's an interesting take on it because you know, I live in Texas I live just outside of Arlington and of course that is home of the The Texas Rangers, who just won a World Series. It's also home of the Dallas Cowboys. And, obviously the sports culture in Texas is a little different.
[00:05:43] Anna: I think the Cowboys could be atrocious every year and they often are. And they would still be kind of
[00:05:49] David: Fans will
[00:05:49] Anna: Yeah, the bells of the ball, so to speak. Um, but it's interesting to hear that Boston's maybe a little less forgiving.
[00:05:57] David: Yeah, I think so. I mean, if I, you know, I just think you notice it, like even during spring training, like, you know, back in the nineties. Every local TV station would have a crew down there at Spring Training in Fort Myers, you know, doing reports. This year there was like hardly any coverage, you know. And maybe this is a reflection of the media landscape, but you just, even like just around town, you know, I live out in the suburbs here, you don't hear people talking about it quite as much.
[00:06:22] David: And, There's different reasons. There's a lot of discontent right now with the ownership, um, and their lack of spending on this team and how they've let guys really, really popular players like Xander Bogarts and Mookie Betts and to a lesser extent, Chris Sale go or get traded. Um, so there is certainly some bitterness there for sure.
[00:06:40] Anna: I usually follow that question up with, you know, who your favorite team is. But I mean, I feel like we've got a pretty good indication of that. You're kind of talking a lot about how the the general perception and lovability of the Sox has faltered a little bit here in recent years. Do you feel that personally or are you still kind of living and breathing with every pitch?
[00:07:00] David: I wish I could say I was living and breathing, you know, with every pitch, but that's not the case. Um, in like 2003 and 2004, when they absolutely, when they eventually won it, it was like that, where I would be checking the box scores every single day and getting, you know, all the highlights and really pretty much watching almost every single game, if not every inning of every game, because they hadn't won it yet, you know, and then, you know, when you win it, And then they went in again in 07 and then in 13 and 18.
[00:07:27] David: It, it loses its, you know, it just does, at least in my opinion. And I, I still watch them closely. I know how they're doing every night. I know how guys are, you know, more or less how their stat lines are, but I cannot say I'm, you know, hanging on every pitch at all. For me, that real peak, you know, fandom was in the early, mid 2000s.
[00:07:46] David: When they were on the cusp of winning, came really close and then actually won it the next year.
[00:07:50] Anna: I think there's something to be said about that too where It's like you kind of develop an almost relationship with players on a team and even if that team doesn't win the World Series when those guys move on and you look up and you're like, okay, there's no longer a single person from the 2004 team or whatever it may be You kind of just lose your grip on it a little bit, and it can be difficult for newer guys to kind of warm their way into your heart, but,
[00:08:21] David: A hundred percent. A hundred percent. Yep.
[00:08:23] Anna: yeah.
[00:08:24] Anna: I'm curious now, because knowing that you're a Sox fan, and you've grown up in Boston basically your whole life, what's the connection to Roberto Alomar?
[00:08:34] David: Great question. So when I started really becoming a big baseball fan in 92 and then 93, Blue Jays were the best team in baseball. Both years, they won the World Series. You know, they had this amazing lineup with not only Alomar, but Paul Molliter, Joe Carter, John Olerud. You may remember Dave Winfield in 92 and in the Jays You know, I'd still watch the playoffs in the World Series, you know, the Sox were in it both years, and Jays were the best team, and I think Alomar was probably the most valuable player both those years, and so he was kind of like the gold standard as far as just being a five tool guy, you know, obviously the defense was off the charts, he was a 300 plus hitter, you know, he could drive in 100 runs, uh, hit 20 homers, real good speed too, and I didn't really think, I always say this on these podcasts, you know, he's up there in one of the top five ball players of the 90s.
[00:09:26] David: Um, just in terms of a guy who could really do it all, you know, in the same conversation as Griffey Jr. and Bonds. And, and the fact that, you know, you look at baseball literature and he's never had a biography written about him. In 92, after they won the World Series, he did write a short memoir called Second to None, but that just covered mainly his childhood, you know, his early adult years, teenage years, whatever, and it kind of capitalized on a recent World Series, but it, you know, since then, for good and bad reasons, there's been a lot more to his life story that I felt needed to be chronicled.
[00:10:00] Anna: that makes sense. Had to go back and look up. I mean, I obviously knew that he was he's part of the conversation as you know Perhaps one of the best if not the best second baseman of all time And so kind of getting ready to chat with you I wanted to go and look at some stats and everything and you know for listeners who might not off the top of their head Remember, this is a 10 time gold Glover a 12 time all star four time silver slugger, of course a member of the Hall of Fame and then a Numerous other accolades that you know, I don't want to sit here and list out but a lot of Struggle and trouble kind of off of the field as well.
[00:10:37] Anna: So we're talking about your book Roberto Alomar The Complicated Life and Legacy of a Baseball Hall of Famer and I mean what about his story in particular kind of captivated you?
[00:10:53] David: well, I think a couple things. I, I think one thing I want to make very clear is I started writing this book early on in the pandemic. It was May 2020. And this was a year before, or basically I guess almost a year before, he got banned from baseball because of a new round of sexual misconduct allegations, which were then followed by another allegation.
[00:11:13] David: So that was not the impetus for writing this book. It just so happened that as I was writing it, this bombshell development came out. I think initially one of the things that really motivated me to write this book, why I found this particular person so interesting, is the incident that he is forever remembered for when he spat on an home plate umpire, John Hirschbeck, in September of 96, um, is so, I'll say this, misinterpreted, I guess, in the sense that most people don't understand that they've become fairly good friends in retirement, you know, for both guys, actually, both guys have long been retired from baseball now, and it's a really interesting story, how this event happened, what sparked him to, to spit at an umpire's face, his reaction afterwards, where he brought up the umpire's tragic family life, and then A few years after that, how they kind of made amends and have become good friends and support each other through the years.
[00:12:06] David: So I think that alone really kind of, I guess you'd call it setting the record straight, but just from a human interest angle, really kind of Maybe, you know, intrigued. Um, and then I think just from a baseball perspective, I think just as the years go by, it's very easy to forget someone who, generate, and I guess generation or two ago was, as you pointed out, you know, a 12 time All Star, 10 time Golden Glove winner, 300 career hitter, you know, one of the best ball players of his era, arguably the greatest second baseman.
[00:12:35] David: And I think either A, people almost 40 my age and older forget, you know, It's easy to forget how great he was, and B, people who are much younger, never saw him play, don't really know him too well. So I think for that reason alone, it was important to write this book.
[00:12:51] Anna: There are so many different angles there. I think perhaps the most interesting to me is, you know, you mentioned the human interest story of it and it's almost, there's almost a redemption story there until, you know, the further allegations continue to roll out, but, it's such a difficult thing to kind of wrap your head around as a baseball fan, because I think that there, first of all, you have to remember that you're dealing with imperfect humans.
[00:13:18] Anna: And so, you know, There are a lot of variables and different things that we'll never understand about athletes because we just don't have a complete picture of who they are as humans. But it's, it's an, it's an issue that's often discussed where, you know, like you have world class ball players where you wonder like, where. Where do we draw the line between he's a really good ball player, but also maybe not the best human and you know, it's it's Something that gets talked about often when things like domestic violence or criminal activity comes up with players for forever You know as long as the sport has been around even as recent as probably this week so I think it's so interesting to kind of try to encapsulate all of that into one story of the baseball and the human
[00:14:16] David: No, I, and it's, it's true, like I, you know, not to go off topic too much, but like Kirby Puckett in Minnesota, he was a beloved. ballplayer, right, in the 80s and the 90s. And then it came out shortly before he died, you know, all these terrible things that he allegedly had done, you know, in terms of domestic violence, in terms of just public acts of, you know, disgrace.
[00:14:39] David: You don't know what these people are like. And you like to think that they're all, you know, Quality human beings, but you know, obviously that's not the case and it's hard because like I had one I talked to I did not speak to Roberto Alomar for this book. He declined on multiple occasions But I did speak to his manager and his manager said who used to be a clubhouse worker for many years for the blue jays Said, you know, something like, God, I'll tell you something like I've met some really nasty ballplayers I've come across, you know, treating me like total garbage.
[00:15:06] David: And he said, Roberto Alomar is not that he's not a mean spirited human being, you know, all these things that you're telling me that he's alleged to do. And I uncovered some pretty unflattering things, you know, he kind of drew the line. So it's. There's so many shades of gray, and this isn't to defend someone who, an alleged, you know, sexual predator.
[00:15:24] David: Um, but, I, I think it's important to recognize that there are so many sinners that are not only in the Hall of Fame, but that have played Major League Baseball, and I think for a lot of people, especially for writers, and those who are involved in the game on a day to day basis, it's so hard to be a fan, because they know, at some level anyway, You know, what some of these players are like, and it's like, you know, knowing how sausage is produced, you know, for lack of a better analogy, right, and you enjoy it, you enjoy the taste, you enjoy the view, but, you know, you may not want to know what goes behind it, and, um, I think you could have the word complicated in many, um, titles of many Hall of Fame biographies, not just Roberto Alomar's.
[00:16:03] Anna: Yeah, what a perfect analogy for that I never thought of it that way, but I mean that's that's exactly what it is Is it's you know, it's it's we try our best I think to separate the athlete from the human But when when it's a guy that You grew up idolizing or something like that and you feel connected to it's the same with the steroid scandals You know, it's the same with I'm sure a lot of Astros fans in 2019 feeling just completely deflated and let down you know, I'm a Rays fan and obviously Wander Franco is I mean, that story is everywhere right now, and the level of sadness when you hear something like that is very, very different than an injury or a trade or a, a signing away, you know, it's a, it's a fallibility of, of humans, and there are often other humans involved as victims, and it just, it's, it's hard to wrap your brain around, like, you said, makes me think a little bit about the distance perhaps that we should be placing between ourselves and kind of the athletes that we enjoy watching.
[00:17:14] David: Yeah, no, it's hard. And, you know, look, I, I guess I've become more jaded. I've become more cynical as I've gotten older. I'm not as much of a fan boy as I used to be, you know, um, of some players, it's much easier to root for than others. And, you know, it's just, um, I think when I was doing this book, I certainly started off as a fan of Roberto Alomar's.
[00:17:32] David: I certainly was as a child, but I can say definitively no longer am I, you know, based on a lot of the things I uncovered from talking to people and researching and most importantly, because of the allegations that were serious enough for MLB to take action a few years ago.
[00:17:47] Anna: What do you think is the biggest takeaway? I mean obviously You're speaking as if there's kind of like a lesson here that goes a lot deeper than Alomar on his own. I mean, do you think that that you learned something that was kind of unexpected while you were putting this book together?
[00:18:03] David: Well, one thing I learned that was very interesting was. And I don't know if this is necessarily some great, like, moral, you know, lesson, but it was just kind of interesting, and in Cleveland, he was there for three years, from 99 to 2001, and he teamed up with Omar Vizquel, who, of course, is a really talented shortstop, I trust you remember, um, for this, like, amazing double play combination, like, they were, like, a nightly, you know, highlight reel, and people literally would go to the ballpark to buy tickets to watch these guys on defense, and that's rare, usually you go to see, you know, Aaron Judge or, or Ken Griffey. Jr., but not really defense, but they were that good. And, and it so happened that, you know, I spoke to several writers who kind of all said, you know, they weren't enemies, but they didn't really care for each other. You know, they just. They didn't certainly weren't palling around.
[00:18:46] David: They had their squabbles, which isn't terribly uncommon for two stars on one team, but they just didn't really care for each other. And, and it just so happens, as I was writing this book, Visquel had some pretty serious allegations labeled against him, um, also involving domestic violence that are going to make it incredibly hard for him to ever get elected to the Hall of Fame.
[00:19:06] David: So I think that was disappointing slash surprising that there was this. acrimonious relationship at times between these two guys who like people just were in awe of their defensive prowess.
[00:19:19] Anna: There's almost like a chemistry on on the field between a second baseman and a shortstop, you know, the way they turn a play and, uh, you, again, make assumptions that because they're so in sync or in tune on the field, they must be best of friends off as well. And, uh, yeah, I guess that'll, that'll open your eyes real quick.
[00:19:38] David: Yeah. And I think that's very true in other sports too. And I think particularly like in the NBA, like, you know, everyone's like in, I grew up in Boston. So the big three, Larry Bird, Kevin McKeown, Robert Parrish, I don't, from my understanding, they weren't necessarily all that close, um, off the court, you know?
[00:19:53] David: And, um, And I just think it's interesting in the NBA, and I guess to some extent in other leagues too, how star athletes don't necessarily gravitate towards one another as much as you would maybe think.
[00:20:03] Anna: definitely. So who is the book for then? Do you have to be a fan of Alomar or You know, maybe an anti fan of Alomar, I mean, or is it, is, is it for, for anyone?
[00:20:17] David: that's a good question. I mean, look, I think it's for first and foremost for baseball fans, right? Like anyone who loves baseball history is probably going to enjoy reading this. If you have memories of the nineties, you know, with the Blue Jays winning back to back titles, you know, when he goes over to Baltimore, he takes them to the ALCS and back to back years, he teams up, you know, with the fans.
[00:20:36] David: Manny Ramirez, Jim Thome, David Justice in Cleveland for some unbelievable lineup. So I think first and foremost baseball fans. I think then, you know, fans of the Toronto Blue Jays because that is the team. He's the only Toronto Blue Jay in the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. So he's still a very, very important part of that franchise, even though his name is scrubbed clean from all the records.
[00:20:56] David: And then I think also for people who are interested in Puerto Rican culture, I really go into his background growing up. His father, Sandy Senior, played for a number of teams in the big leagues and was totally revered in that island, as well as his brother, Sandy Alomar Jr. So I do go into that, as well as Roberto's, uh, commendable efforts.
[00:21:15] David: in the wake of Hurricane Maria, you know, to help, um, there. So I, I think for those three reasons, you know, baseball history, people who are interested in the Blue Jays, and then, you know, Puerto Rican history, I think there's a lot there.
[00:21:27] Anna: All right. So we've talked a lot about the Jays. We obviously started the conversation with the Sox. Is there something that comes to mind when I ask you what your favorite baseball memory is?
[00:21:38] David: Yeah. So I was thinking about this one, you know, it's funny. I, um, a fan, I honestly think it's kind of like nerdy, but like in 1999 and 2003, the Red Sox, you know, had some really good teams, they got close, they didn't make it to the World Series either year, but there were some games, one of which, or one series, was against Alomar and the Cleveland Indians in 99 in the ALDS, and I just think that, you know, like really being so invested into that team, team, and they were down 2 0 to Cleveland in that ALDS, and then came back and won the next three, and then, of course, lost to the Yankees in the LCS, and in 03, they were down two games to nothing to Oakland, and came back.
[00:22:14] David: So, without getting too into the weeds, I think those years, in particular, just, again, how invested I was in those teams, and being at some of those games, too, as a fan, you know, was just incredibly meaningful.
[00:22:25] Anna: I think it kind of ties back to the, the point we were talking about a little earlier where, you know, I've mentioned I'm a Rays fan. That 2008 team, Obviously they made it to the World Series. It did not go super well. Um, and then the 2020 team, I, they're obviously, and yeah, entirely different teams, but, um, that 08 team, it just, I think because of those, those same things that you mentioned, like.
[00:22:52] Anna: That was the first time Ray's fans ever really had a taste of kind of what it meant to not be like the little brother in the basement.
[00:23:01] David: Were you at that World Series?
[00:23:02] Anna: I did not get to go to the World Series. I went in 2020. Um, I was at the ALCS in 08.
[00:23:08] David: Okay. Against Boston? Yeah.
[00:23:10] Anna: exactly. My dad did go to the World Series. I was at school and couldn't get home, for the world series, but, went in 2020 and, uh,
[00:23:19] Anna: yeah, so it just, uh, there's something about, it's almost like your first love quote unquote.
[00:23:25] Anna: You know what I mean? And in terms of just fondness, remembering those types of moments,
[00:23:30] David: And you asked me, you know, it's a baseball bucket list, so I guess one bucket item I have, I guess it's kind of twofold. One is I've never been to a World Series game, so that's certainly I've never been to a League Championship Series on multiple occasions, but I've never had the privilege, so that is something I'm certainly hoping to do, hopefully sooner rather than later.
[00:23:47] David: And then also I'd just say visit more ballparks. You know, I've been to probably a little over half of them of the current ones. I'd love to go to all of them. And I, especially if they can coincide with, you know, postseason baseball, cause it's always a blast to see a new, you know, fan base fired up, you know, over their team's, uh, postseason run.
[00:24:04] David: So I think, you know, those two to kind of check off every ballpark and, and see the culture and, you know, the, the, just all the excitement during a high stakes game, you know, and then eventually. Having it coincide with the World Series, I think, for me, that would be the best thing. Bucket list item. So
[00:24:20] Anna: those are good ones. so I, I have a caveat there because I. when I went to the ALCS, we, we beat Boston, obviously. The game I was at was a walk off, um, it was game two, and that was phenomenal. Like, the energy was incredible. But I've also been to some playoff games where the Rays haven't won either the game or the series that I attended, and um, man, it's deflating, especially when you're on the road.
[00:24:46] Anna: So this little, like, life hack I learned last year was I went to the World Series here in Texas because that's where I live now.
[00:24:54] David: over here. Yeah.
[00:24:55] Anna: Yeah, uh, not particularly, like, invested in either one of the teams and it was the greatest experience of my
[00:25:02] David: Oh, last year. I'm sorry.
[00:25:03] Anna: Yeah, I'm sorry,
[00:25:04] David: Last year. Yeah.
[00:25:05] Anna: 2023, uh,
[00:25:06] David: And you went against Arizona last
[00:25:08] Anna: yeah, exactly, because all of the, like, energy and the excitement was there, but there was no real downside to it for me,
[00:25:17] David: And you had a blast.
[00:25:18] David: Yeah.
[00:25:19] Anna: yeah, um, so I like the idea of you kind of maybe even visiting parks for the first time as, As the home team is, uh, in the postseason.
[00:25:28] David: And were you going to be at the all star game this year? Cause I know it's in Texas.
[00:25:31] Anna: that's the plan, yeah. That's
[00:25:33] David: great.
[00:25:33] Anna: yeah.
[00:25:35] David: That must be exciting. Cause that's coming up in a few months.
[00:25:37] Anna: Yeah, exactly, it'll be here before we know it. what do you think, if you had to pick one park that you're looking forward to more than any of the others, what do you think it is?
[00:25:47] David: not just saying this cause I'm on your show. It's the Texas one. It looks really, really cool. Um, I like how it's a retractable roof. Is that right?
[00:25:53] Anna: It is, yeah.
[00:25:54] David: I've never been to the ballpark in Arlington. I've never been to the ballpark. But, you know, I always thought that'd be cool. But I think this one looks really neat.
[00:26:00] David: It seems like there's a lot of, um, baseball history and Texas Rangers history in there. And I like things that are neat and clean and new and shiny. And it looks like it checks off all those things. And so I'm not just saying it, yours.
[00:26:13] Anna: Cool, well you'll have to let me know when you pass through town because, uh, we'll definitely meet up and, um,
[00:26:19] David: Yeah, totally.
[00:26:19] Anna: yeah.
[00:26:20] David: I will say Seattle, I went to the All Star game last year in Seattle and I'd never been to T Mobile, formerly known as Safeco. And I was very impressed. really good sight lines, good food options, um, very accessible to downtown Seattle. Have you ever been?
[00:26:35] Anna: Yes, yeah,
[00:26:37] David: I liked it. Yeah.
[00:26:38] Anna: I was actually there last year, too. I had been before, but I was there last year maybe two weeks before the All Star game and, um, I love that ballpark. It
[00:26:47] David: Yeah. Very nice. Yeah.
[00:26:48] Anna: it's, uh, it's, it's older now, you know, in the, in the grand scheme of things, but it just, it's, To me, I just, it's so charming. So,
[00:26:57] David: Yeah. Totally.
[00:26:58] Anna: was that your first all star game or have you been
[00:27:00] David: That was my first All Star game. Yeah. I had never been. Um, will this one be your first or have you been
[00:27:06] Anna: No, I've been to one in LA, so I went in 2020, yeah, 22, um, to LA. So, uh, did you get to do the, the Derby and the all star game
[00:27:15] David: Yeah. I went to both. Yeah.
[00:27:17] David: Yeah,
[00:27:17] Anna: your, Thoughts on that?
[00:27:20] David: you know, I'm old school. I guess you can call that out the derby. I, I prefer it without the timer. You know, now it seems like it's more about athleticism and endurance. I prefer it just to be about speed and guys hitting 700 foot home runs. Um, but you know, time school, Julio Rodriguez put on quite a show.
[00:27:37] David: Um, but I, I still like the older version. If you're going to ask me.
[00:27:41] Anna: Yeah, I always thought that the home run derby would be like the thing that I would want to see like if you only gave Me the option to see either the home run derby or the all star game I would have told you I want to see the derby more But then after going there and experiencing it and seeing how different it is In the seats as opposed to, you know, it's very clearly produced for television now.
[00:28:03] David: Oh yeah, totally. Were you at the derby in 22?
[00:28:05] Anna: mm hmm. Yeah, the, the all star game, like, blew me away.
[00:28:10] David: My biggest pet peeve of baseball and I swear to God is with the Ulster game, have them wear their own
[00:28:15] David: uniforms.
[00:28:16] Anna: yes,
[00:28:17] David: With their colors. I know why MLB does it because it creates more, you know, content, not content, more, you know, products to sell for revenue, but Oh my God, it drives me crazy. Like, why can't they wear their own uniforms?
[00:28:29] David: That was the whole appeal of the game. Um, Oh, I'll never forgive them for them. I really hope it changes.
[00:28:35] Anna: Yeah, me too. That was a big, big miss, uh, by Major League Baseball. I, I totally agree. Yeah, David, where do we send people to find you online if they want to find out more about the book or about you in general?
[00:28:48] David: sure. So, um, Roman Littlefield is the publisher. the book's there. It's certainly on Amazon, too. Um, um, Ostrowski, author, uh, on Twitter. And then Facebook, I also have an author page. So people are more than welcome to check it out there and, you know, Google it and you'll see there's plenty of content out there.
[00:29:05] David: So,
[00:29:07] Anna: Perfect. Well, David, I've so enjoyed this. I can't thank you enough for making time to
[00:29:11] David: my pleasure. Right back at you. And, um, I look forward to checking out more episodes.
[00:29:15] Anna: And that will wrap up this episode of the baseball bucket list podcast, special things to David Ostrowsky for joining us today and sharing those stories and memories. If this sounds like something you'd like to do, if you think you might like to be a guest on the show, head to baseballbucketlist.com/podcast and fill out an application. I'd absolutely love to hear from you. While you're there make sure to spend some time on the site, sign up for a free membership, build your own baseball bucket list, and track your ballpark visits. If you find yourself enjoying the show each week, please take a moment to rate and review it in the podcast app of your choice. It goes such a long way and I would really, really appreciate it. That's all for this week.
[00:29:52] Thanks so much for listening. We'll see you. Next episode.
