Midnight Library of Baseball

Apr 04 2025 51 ep. 34 mins 32
Midnight Library of Baseball Podcast artwork

In the Midnight Library of Baseball, Ben Orlando offers a unique perspective to historic and modern aspects of the game. He does so with no loud music and no jarring sounds. Tune in to discover the untold stories that make baseball so much more than a game.

  Sports  History
RSS feed Share
Copy RSS


Subscribe on Podcast Addict


Ep. 6: The Baseball Reliquary

Apr 04 2025 35 mins  
In this episode, I dive deep into the story of a baseball museum described as both a compliment to and antithesis of Cooperstown, a place where players and people are recognized for their contributions and character, not their statistical accomplishments. A place that has been overlooked and undersold. A place that deserves more attention.

Ep. 5: Bridging the Chasm

Mar 27 2025 50 mins  
In this episode, I dive into the extraordinary life and career of Lefty O’Doul—a baseball legend whose impact on the game goes far beyond his unorthodox playing days. Despite his remarkable contributions both on and off the field, he remains absent from the Baseball Hall of Fame. Why has he been overlooked, and what can we learn from this amazing story?

Ep. 4: Fallen Through the Cracks

Mar 20 2025 31 mins  
Chuck Klein put together one of the greatest five seasons in Major League history, and yet he was forgotten for thirty years, until an unlikely intervention by President Richard Nixon. In this episode, I’ll discuss Klein’s many miraculous feats, including nearly hitting five home runs in one game. I’ll also explain why he was forgotten, and what happened to change people’s

Bonus Episode: Former MLB Pitcher Jerry Blevins Stops by the Library

Mar 13 2025 41 mins  
When I came across the article on Sports Illustrated titled, “Don’t Kid Yourself, Field of Dreams is a Bad Movie,” I had to talk with Jerry Blevins to hear his story. And it’s not what you think. We also talk about his incredible journey from a college walk-in to a long major league career. And see his hat? That’s connected to a surprise I didn’t see coming.

Ep. 3: Part 3, The Greatest Myth in Baseball History

Mar 06 2025 34 mins  
In the finale of this 3-part series, I dive into the myths and misconceptions about Shoeless Joe Jackson, one of the most well-known ballplayers to fans and non-fans around the world, including his actual role in the 1919 World Series fix, contradictory evidence about his performance in the series, and insights into the question: did Joe Jackson pull off one of the greatest long co

Ep. 2: Part 2, The Greatest Myth in Baseball History

Feb 27 2025 50 mins  
In this episode, I explore the nature of the dysfunctional relationship between White Sox teammates, and the bitterness of one player that may have cost his teammates their baseball careers. Also, I’ll have some fun discussing the extraordinary history that might have been written if not for this life-changing scandal.

Ep. 1: The Greatest Myth in Baseball History

Feb 20 2025 57 mins  
The 1919 Black Sox World Series fix and the 1921 trial are fascinating for not only what we know, but for what we are still discovering a hundred years later. From myths about motivations to cheat, to misperceptions of the some of the greatest ballplayers of all time, this story has it all. In this episode, with the help of some experts, I debunk some of the biggest myths and shed

Season 3 Teaser and Review Contest Announcement

Jan 16 2025 2 mins  
Here's a brief teaser for season 3, where I open with a 3-part series on the fascinating 1919 Black Sox scandal and the endless myths that surround the event. I also describe a review contest and some of the prizes I'll be giving away.

Ep. 14: In Search of a Catch

Dec 13 2024 31 mins  
In the finale of Season 2, I talk with hall of fame historian Tim Wiles about a real-life Field of Dreams story that predated W.P. Kinsella’s book by ten years. Did Kinsella know about this field and draw inspiration from it? I’ll also share some final thoughts about this film, and discuss my own story around Field of Dreams, and baseball overall.

Ep. 13: The Field

Dec 07 2024 41 mins  
In this episode, we delve into the fascinating collision of fantasy and reality surrounding the iconic field in Dyersville, Iowa. Truth is often stranger than fiction—and this magical ballfield is no exception. Join us as we uncover extraordinary stories and remarkable occurrences that have unfolded on this small farm long after the cameras stopped rolling.