Hemingway and Baseball

One True Podcast

Oct 11 2021 • 1 hr 11 mins

In this episode, we celebrate the Fall Classic with a show devoted to Hemingway and baseball.

First, we welcome scholar Sharon Hamilton to discuss the 1919 Black Sox scandal, how it affected Hemingway, and the legacy that World Series and the trial had on society and sports.

We then have a conversation with David Martens and Joshua Robinson, who recall their experiences investigating Gigi’s All-Stars, the baseball team of Cuban youngsters that Hemingway formed to occupy his youngest son, Gregory. (We include a clip of the audio from one of the All-Stars, the legendary Cayuco "Jonronero"!)

And finally, we consider the role of Joe DiMaggio in The Old Man and the Sea with his biographer, Jerome Charyn. Why was Santiago drawn to the Yankee centerfielder, and why did DiMaggio become the perfect literary symbol for Hemingway?

Grab some peanuts and Cracker Jack and enjoy these four fascinating guests talkin’ baseball!