Effectively Wild Episode 2073: Veeck As in Discotheque
Oct 17, 2023
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Baseball maverick Mike Veeck talks about his up-and-down story, legendary dad Bill Veeck, Disco Demolition Night, independent baseball, Darryl Strawberry's season with St. Paul Saints, great baseball promotions, Savannah Bananas, MLB's control of minor leagues, and more.
Mike Veeck reflects on the valuable lessons he learned from growing up in a family of baseball legends and how it shaped him.
The success of a baseball team is dependent not only on the quality of the game but also on the experience it offers to the fans, as exemplified by the St. Paul Saints.
Darryl Strawberry's success in independent baseball highlighted the high-level talent present in the league and shattered doubts about the caliber of play in independent teams.
Disco Demolition Night, an event organized by Mike Veeck, had unintended negative consequences and he offers an apology for the impact it had.
Deep dives
The Vek family and embracing their baseball legacy
Mike Vek talks about growing up in a family of baseball legends and the nurturing that shaped him.
Working alongside his father and the education of being in baseball
Mike Vek reflects on his time working with his father and the valuable lessons he learned from the people he interacted with in the industry.
The decision to be the subject of a documentary
Mike Vek talks about why he agreed to be the subject of a documentary and how his son helped change his perspective on his own story.
Disco Demolition Night and the aftermath
Mike Vek discusses the intentions behind Disco Demolition Night and reflects on the impact it had, acknowledging the unintended negative consequences and offering an apology.
Getting back into baseball with independent leagues
Mike Vek shares his journey of getting back into baseball after a hiatus and his involvement with independent leagues, including the challenges and opportunities he encountered.
The start of independent baseball and defying skeptics
Mike Vek discusses the skepticism surrounding independent baseball at its inception and his determination to prove the doubters wrong while embracing the opportunity to bring a new experience to fans.
Importance of Providing Affordable and Fun Entertainment
The success of a baseball team is not only dependent on the quality of the game, but also on the experience it offers to the fans. Providing affordable and fun entertainment is crucial to attract and retain a loyal fan base. This was exemplified by the St. Paul Saints, an independent baseball team, who believed in offering affordable fun for families through their ballpark experience. Despite initial skepticism and predictions of failure, the team's commitment to creating a family-friendly atmosphere with a lot of laughs paid off, leading to their stability and recognition in the baseball community.
The Impact of Daryl Strawberry on Independent Baseball
Daryl Strawberry, a former MLB player seeking a second chance, joined the St. Paul Saints as an independent player. Despite concerns about his past and reservations from some team members, his presence proved to be a valuable addition to the team. Strawberry's exceptional performance, including hitting 18 home runs in 29 games, showcased the high-level talent that could be found in independent baseball. His success not only attracted attention to the league but also helped dispel doubt about the caliber of play in independent teams. It highlighted the opportunity for players like Strawberry, considered past their prime, to thrive and entertain in a different baseball environment.
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the abrupt end of Kim Ng’s tenure as the general manager of the Miami Marlins, Alyssa Nakken interviewing for the Giants’ manager job, the Rangers taking a 2-0 lead on the Astros in the ALCS, and the new Netflix documentary The Saint of Second Chances. Then (48:12) Ben […]
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