Joe Mantegna - Peace, love, and massive talent.
S1 E1 (April 9, 2023)
Jeff interviews the Tony Award-winning actor and five-star gentleman Joe Mantegna. They talk family history, the early days in Joe's career, and how he met Ron in '69. And the surprise crackerjack guest will have you feeling nostalgic for your youth.
Joe part 2. You pay your dues one way or another.
S1 E2 (April 19, 2023)
Part two of Jeff's interview with the great Joe Mantegna, where they discuss his relationship with renowned playwright David Mamet, how he met his wife, and his thoughts on baseball's new rules. And stick around for when Jeff crackerjack-calls his mom, Judy. You don't want to miss it!
Pat Hughes - The song of a play-by-play man.
S1 E3 (April 27, 2023)
In this episode, Jeff interviews the legendary Cubs play-by-play man Pat Hughes. They talk Hall of Fame, Ron Santo, how he began his career, the art of his craft, and calling the World Series. Plus, stick around for the crackerjack surprise when Jeff calls his sister, Linda!
*Clubhouse Tapes - Rich Nye
Bonus* (May 4, 2023)
In this episode of the Clubhouse Tapes, Jeff talks with Cubs pitcher Rich Nye about his time with the Cubs and the 1969 season that took off like a rocket ship from opening day until the team's collapse in September. They explore all sides of the fall, diving into the Don Young game.
*Subscriber only: Patreon or Apple podcasts.
Pat part 2. A historic call.
S1 E4 (May 8, 2023)
Part 2 of Jeff's interview with the legendary Pat Hughes. In this episode, Pat discusses his historic calls: Mark McGwire and the Cubs' World Series win. Jeff and Pat also talk about the Cubs and baseball's new rules. Plus, Jeff surprise-crackerjack calls his childhood friend.
*Clubhouse Tapes - Mike Murphy
Bonus* (May 9, 2023)
In this episode of the Clubhouse Tapes, Jeff talks with Mike Murphy, one of Chicago’s original Bleacher Bums, whose transformation of fan participation became national news in 1969.
*Subscriber only: Patreon or Apple podcasts.
Bonnie Hunt - Growing up in Chicago.
S1 E5 (May 18, 2023)
Jeff talks with the remarkable Bonnie Hunt about being a Cubs fan, her upbringing on the north side of Chicago, a dog named Whiskey, directing Return To Me and Amber Brown, and so much more. Plus, Jeff crackerjacks his brother Ron Jr. again for a rebuttal on what the last crackerjack, their childhood friend, T.O.B., said.
*Clubhouse Tapes - Joe Amalfitano
Bonus* (May 23, 2023)
In this episode of The Clubhouse Tapes, Jeff talks with first base coach of the 1969 Cubs, Joe Amalfitano. They discuss Joe’s first meeting with the infamous Leo Durocher, Ron’s prowess at the hot corner, the ride of ’69, and so much more inside baseball talk.
*Subscriber only: Patreon or Apple podcasts.
Bonnie part 2. An impulsive thing.
S1 E6 (May 29, 2023)
In this episode, Jeff talks with Bonnie about her nursing career and leap into show biz, their larger-than-life families, The Bonnie Hunt Show, Cheaper By The Dozen, and the stories that connect it all. Jeff again crackerjack calls his mom, Judy, and discusses family and spring training in Arizona.
Pete LaCock - Shining in the shadow.
S1 E7 (June 8, 2023)
This episode is chock full of sons from famous fathers. Jeff talks with the gifted Pete LaCock about his Hollywood roots being the son of Peter Marshall, and about getting drafted to the Cubs as the #1 pick while surfing the coast of California. After, Jeff crackerjack calls Joey Banks, son of Cubs Hall of Famer Ernie Banks.
*More With Joey Banks
Bonus* (June 18, 2023)
In this exclusive content, Jeff continues his conversation with Joey Banks. They talk about growing up the sons of two of the greatest Cubs ever, their fathers coming to their little league games, and so much more.
*Subscriber only: Patreon or Apple podcasts.
Pete part 2. Sons of famous fathers.
S1 E8 (June 18, 2023)
Listen to Part 2 of Pete LaCock! In this episode, Jeff and Pete talk baseball, the game today vs. when Pete played, and hear why Pete retired from playing in the MLB early at 28. Then Jeff crackerjack calls Jimmy Boudreau, who won a College World Series with ASU and was the youngest son of Hall of Famer Lou Boudreau.
Mark DeCarlo - A tale from two Mark(c)s
S1 E9 (June 27, 2023)
The talented Mark DeCarlo talks about his unique Hollywood career that spans over three decades, and Mark and Jeff argue over Jeff's tired legs and unwillingness to fill in for Mark's thinly rostered softball team. Then Jeff crackerjacks Marc Brady, a long-time tv sports producer for the Chicago Cubs, Blackhawks, and Bulls.
*Clubhouse Tapes - Beer Vendor, Ronnie Blank
Bonus* (June 30, 2023)
In this episode of The Clubhouse Tapes, Jeff talks with Wrigley beer vendor Ronnie Blank, aka ‘Uncle Ronnie,' about working at the park in 1969 and what it’s like to be a vendor at Wrigley.
*Subscriber only: Patreon or Apple podcasts.
Mark part 2. Digital is the new theatre.
S1 E10 (July 6, 2023)
Mark DeCarlo breaks down today's Hollywood system that's starving the middle-class actor, discusses the future of the business, and tells Jeff about meeting his favorite cub, Ron Santo. And Jeff crackerjack calls Carmen Fanzone, who backed up his dad at third base in the early seventies, and they discuss a very special moment for Eddie Vedder.
*Clubhouse Tapes - Blue Collar Famous
Bonus* (July 8, 2023)
Jeff and Christie talk candidly about why Jeff's exploring the 1969 season in these Clubhouse Tapes and reveal their limited television series, Blue Collar Famous.
*Subscriber only: Patreon or Apple podcasts.
Billy Williams - They always put us together.
S1 E11 (July 15, 2023)
Hall of Famer sweet-swinging Billy Williams talks about his journey to the big leagues, his time with Ron Santo in the minor leagues, their parallel careers that made MLB history, the 1969 season that should have been, and more. Then Jeff again, crackerjack calls his mom, Judy, and they discuss a hilarious story about Billy Williams and a wild goose.
Billy part 2. Family Ties.
S1 E12 (July 24, 2023)
In this episode, Billy Williams talks about growing up in Whistler, Alabama, family, almost wanting to leave baseball because of segregation, and why there are fewer black players in today's game. Also, Jeff crackerjack calls Ed Lynch (former Cubs GM), and they talk about his career and baseball today, and Ed tells a funny story involving Tricky Dick.
Joel Murray - Why not me?
S1 E13 (August 2, 2023)
Before Jeff interviews the funny Joel Murray, Jeff and Christie discuss the Hall of Fame and what it all means. Then Joel talks about his transition from football into the theater, his father’s early passing, going to Cub games and eating Ron Santo Pizza, his path to show business, his new show Heels, and so much more. Plus, Jeff crackerjack calls Rick Pullano, whose family was very close to the Santo family growing up.
Joel part 2. It’s a different time.
S1 E14 (August 11, 2023)
In this episode, Joel Murray talks about working on Joe Mantegna's "Bleacher Bums," playing softball in a celebrity game at the Field of Dreams, this SAG-AFTRA strike, the Cubs' victory in 2016 and the Cubs' current season, and Jeff and Joel joke around about doing a hunger-strike outside Warner Bros. Then Jeff crackerjack calls his friend and former babysitter Linda Matarrese Momii whose family took Ron in when he first got called up to the Cubs.
Don Kessinger - Married to the dream.
S1 E15 (August 20, 2023)
In this episode: Jeff and Christie tell the story of how they met. Jeff talks with another Cubs legend Don Kessinger who opens up about his athletic beginnings, meeting his wife, and his impression of Ron Santo. Then Jeff crackerjack calls the ultimate baseball mom, Don’s wife, Carolyn Kessinger.
Don part 2. Please return to your seats!
S1 E16 (August 29, 2023)
In this episode, Don Kessinger discusses his thoughts on Leo Durocher, getting traded, how he became a player-manager, and the notorious Disco Demolition Night at Comiskey Park. Then Jeff crackerjack calls his friend and producer of This Old Cub, Billy Pullano, and they talk about Ron Santo Pizzeria and Ron’s home run during the moon landing.
Randy Hundley - Every bloomin’ pitch!
S1 E17 (September 7, 2023)
Jeff talks with the legendary catcher Randy Hundley about his new book Ironman, his one-handed catching style that changed the game of baseball, and his relationship with Leo Durocher. Then Jeff crackerjack calls Randy's son, All-Star catcher Todd Hundley, for an inside look at Todd's journey to the big leagues.
Randy Hundley - Livin’ In A Fantasy
S1 E18 (September 16, 2023)
In this episode, Randy tells a story showing Ron Santo’s competitiveness, talks about his late wife Betty, the Don Young game, and explains how and why he invented the fantasy camps. Then Jeff crackerjack calls his brother Ronnie for a deep dive into their childhood. To close it out, Jeff reads a poem he wrote titled Me & My Brother.
Jeff Santo - Find the good in it and be all in.
S1 E19 (September 27, 2023)
We do a switcheroo in this episode; Christie hosts and interviews Jeff, who reveals more about his big league childhood, following in his father's footsteps, his dad's diabetes, his leap into the film business, and This Old Cub.
*Clubhouse Tapes - Vince Rizzo
Bonus* (September 27, 2023)
In this episode of the Clubhouse Tapes, Jeff talks stories with Vince Rizzo of Vince’s Mobil gas station across from Wrigley Field, where Ron and his teammates parked when they came to the ballpark.
*Subscriber only: Patreon or Apple podcasts.
Tommy John - Knowing What I Can And Can’t Do
S1 E20 (October 7, 2023)
In this episode, Jeff speaks with the remarkable pitcher Tommy John. They discuss why he hasn't yet been voted into baseball's Hall of Fame, his academic and athletic roots in Indiana, and the best pitching lesson he’s ever learned. Then Jeff crackerjack calls Joe Amalfitano to talk about Joe’s cross-town friendship with Tommy.
Tommy John - I Threw Six Days And Took Sundays Off
S1 E21 (October 17, 2023)
In this episode, Jeff and Christie discuss their motorcycle accident and Christie's injury. Then Tommy John gets into the nitty-gritty of his historical surgery that has saved careers—the injury, the surgery, and the rehab. The crackerjack call is to Jeff's friend Pete Hartmann, a left-handed pitcher who's dedicated his life to the game and shares his insight on today's youth.
Louis Lombardi - You Can’t Break Me
S1 E22 (October 27, 2023)
In this episode, actor Louis Lombardi, from The Sopranos and 24 fame, tells his incredible story of growing up on the streets in the Bronx and becoming an actor. Then Jeff crackerjack calls his God-sister Sherry Matarrese for a trip down memory lane.
Louis Lombardi - Stars and Stripes
S1 E23 (November 7, 2023)
In this episode, Jeff and Christie talk about the baseball season. Louis Lombardi talks about being raised by three women, raising his daughter, and the current state of Hollywood and the actor's strike. Then Jeff crackerjack calls former Cubs’ Director of Baseball Operations Scott Nelson and discusses his unique path to his dream job working for the Cubs.
Peter Conti - Friends In High Places
S1 E24 (November 17, 2023)
In this episode, Jeff and Christie exchange views about friendship and life as you age. Then Jeff sits down with author Peter Conti to talk about his #1 Amazon Best-Selling book Gringo, baseball, and Peter’s new marriage. Then Jeff crackerjack calls his childhood friend Jim McCauley, and they discuss their friendship, growing up in Glenview, and being children of divorce.
Peter Conti - Feed The Journey
S1 E25 (November 26, 2023)
In the last episode of the season, Jeff continues his conversation with Peter Conti, discussing documentaries, novels, teaching, and how hard it is in Hollywood to get projects going. Then, dear friend Dan Foley gets the crackerjack call, who began the artistic journey with Jeff, collaborating on the play The 25th Man, which premiered at the Remains Theatre in Chicago in 1992.
