

Press Box Chronicles
Press Box Chronicles
Welcome to Press Box Chronicles with Jeff Pearlman—the show where a cranky middle-aged sports writer who has seen it all takes you behind the scenes and into the stories. Bringing Journalism back. I’m your host, Jeff Pearlman
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 31, 2025 • 22min
2012 Panini Box Card Break - In a box full of Hall Of Famers, I, of course, pull an autograph of ...
 Welcome to our brand new series 'Break Time with Jeff Pearlman,' where history comes alive one rip at a time. Today, we break a 2012 Contenders Panini Box, full of current and future Hall Of Fame players. Let's dive into the stories behind the trading cards we all grew up loving.
Head to TSRips.com to get in on all the card breaking action and order your box set today. 
Follow Tombstone Rips on Social Media - 
IG/TikTok - @TombstoneRips  
Facebook - @TombstoneRips   Have any guests you want to see on the show? Have any questions for me?
Drop them below and I'll make sure to include them in future episodes. 
Follow 'Press Box Chronicles' on Social Media: 
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Subscribe to 'Press Box Chronicles with Jeff Pearlman' on Youtube 
Listen to 'Press Box Chronicles' on all streaming platforms wherever you
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for information about our collection and use of personal data for
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Oct 27, 2025 • 21min
The Most Insane NBA Expansion Team Ever - The 1988 Miami Heat
 Today, we're going to talk about my favorite NBA expansion team ever. A collection of good to not-so-great players, all buying in to launch the Miami Heat franchise in 1988. Except, they sucked. The 1988 Miami Heat couldn't shoot, couldn't pass, couldn't dribble, and they ended up being on the wrong side of NBA history.  Have any guests you want to see on the show? Have any questions for me?
Drop them below and I'll make sure to include them in future episodes. 
Follow 'Press Box Chronicles' on Social Media: 
-IG/@PressBoxChronicles  
-TikTok/@PressBoxChronicles 
Subscribe to 'Press Box Chronicles with Jeff Pearlman' on Youtube 
Listen to 'Press Box Chronicles' on all streaming platforms wherever you
get your podcasts
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
advertising. 

Oct 20, 2025 • 20min
I Found The Real Baby From Tupac Shakur's 'Brenda's Got A Baby'
 Today, we are diving into a story that is maybe my greatest accomplishment as a journalist in my career. It's 1991, and Tupac Shakur has just released his debut album '2pacalypse Now' with his smash hit single 'Brenda's Got A Baby.' It's a song about a young woman who gives birth to a son on the floor of her kitchen, and leaves him in a trash heap. It's a harrowing story that hits deeply for many, and is one of his biggest hits to date. Except, the story was real. It was based on a real woman. And a real baby. And I found them both.  Have any guests you want to see on the show? Have any questions for me?
Drop them below and I'll make sure to include them in future episodes. 
Follow 'Press Box Chronicles' on Social Media: 
-IG/@PressBoxChronicles  
-TikTok/@PressBoxChronicles 
Subscribe to 'Press Box Chronicles with Jeff Pearlman' on Youtube 
Listen to 'Press Box Chronicles' on all streaming platforms wherever you
get your podcasts
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
advertising. 

Oct 13, 2025 • 22min
The Craziest Flight in Baseball History: The 1986 Mets Plane Ride
 This it it. The team, the story, the one you've all been asking for. However for this, we're going to focus on one specific instance from the most batshit crazy, insane MLB team of all-time: The 1986 New York Mets. Post NLCS, the Mets are coming off a huge win over the Houston Astros, and heading to the World Series. What happens next is the craziest sh*t you've ever heard.  Have any guests you want to see on the show? Have any questions for me?
Drop them below and I'll make sure to include them in future episodes. 
Follow 'Press Box Chronicles' on Social Media: 
-IG/@PressBoxChronicles  
-TikTok/@PressBoxChronicles 
Subscribe to 'Press Box Chronicles with Jeff Pearlman' on Youtube 
Listen to 'Press Box Chronicles' on all streaming platforms wherever you
get your podcasts
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
advertising. 

Oct 6, 2025 • 28min
Mark Fidrych | How Injury & Neglect Derailed A Detroit Tigers Phenomenon
 The podcast delves into the remarkable yet tragic story of Mark 'The Bird' Fidrych. It highlights his meteoric rise in the 1970s, captivating fans with his quirky rituals and near no-hitter debut. The discussion covers his overwhelming success, including being a Rookie of the Year runner-up, and the ensuing mania that gripped Detroit. However, relentless overuse led to devastating injuries, ultimately derailing his career. The podcast reflects on Fidrych's life after baseball, his tragic passing, and the lasting impact of his brief but dazzling legacy. 

Sep 29, 2025 • 18min
Why Tony Rodriguez can never forget Henry Ruggs III
 Usually, we do these stories about sports figures past, present and future. But today, we're going to talk about an unsung hero. It's November 2021, and Henry Ruggs III has just got into a terrible car crash, killing Tina Tinter and her dog, Max. But on that night, there was a third person on site: Tony Rodriguez. This is his story.  Have any guests you want to see on the show? Have any questions for me?
Drop them below and I'll make sure to include them in future episodes. 
Follow 'Press Box Chronicles' on Social Media: 
-IG/@PressBoxChronicles  
-TikTok/@PressBoxChronicles 
Subscribe to 'Press Box Chronicles with Jeff Pearlman' on Youtube 
Listen to 'Press Box Chronicles' on all streaming platforms wherever you
get your podcasts
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
advertising. 

Sep 22, 2025 • 22min
The Rise of Tupac Shakur | From Tour Dancer to Rap Icon
 Today, we're going to explore something that's outside our realm of sports stories. It's a story some of you may have heard before, but not like this. This is the story of how Tupac Shakur almost gave up music before even starting, and how touring with Digital Underground led to both tragedy and triumph. 
If you pre-order my book 'Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives Of Tupac Shakur' now and email me proof of your order at TupacBook1@gmail.com, you'll receive a specialized package from me as a thanks to you.  Have any guests you want to see on the show? Have any questions for me?
Drop them below and I'll make sure to include them in future episodes. 
Follow 'Press Box Chronicles' on Social Media: 
-IG/@PressBoxChronicles  
-TikTok/@PressBoxChronicles 
Subscribe to 'Press Box Chronicles with Jeff Pearlman' on Youtube 
Listen to 'Press Box Chronicles' on all streaming platforms wherever you
get your podcasts
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
advertising. 

Sep 15, 2025 • 17min
Ken Hubbs: The Tragedy That Shook the Chicago Cubs
 Tragedy in sports is not new. We deal with athletes who are gone too soon, far too often - Thurman Munson, Kobe Bryant, Len Bias - the list goes on and on. But today, we're going to talk about one of the forgotten tragedies in sports history, a guy that was Thurman Munson or Kobe Bryant for an earlier generation, and that's Chicago Cubs 2B Ken Hubbs.  Have any guests you want to see on the show? Have any questions for me?
Drop them below and I'll make sure to include them in future episodes. 
Follow 'Press Box Chronicles' on Social Media: 
-IG/@PressBoxChronicles  
-TikTok/@PressBoxChronicles 
Subscribe to 'Press Box Chronicles with Jeff Pearlman' on Youtube 
Listen to 'Press Box Chronicles' on all streaming platforms wherever you
get your podcasts
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
advertising. 

Sep 11, 2025 • 13min
How the TRAGIC event of September 11th, 2001 led me to Columbia basketball player Tyler Ugolyn *BONUS EPISODE*
 The podcast dives deep into the impact of September 11th, 2001, revealing personal stories of grief and loss. A sports writer's life changes after discovering a missing persons flyer for Columbia basketball player Tyler Ugolyn. The host discusses reaching out to Ugolyn's family, leading to heartfelt conversations that highlight the power of connection through shared tragedy. The narrative beautifully intertwines personal reflections on love and remembrance, showcasing the unexpected bonds that form in the wake of sorrow. 

Sep 8, 2025 • 20min
Talented and Troubled: The Enigmatic Life of Isaiah "J.R." Rider
 in 2018 I was working on my book Three Ring Circus about the Shaq & Kobe Los Angeles Lakers of the 2000s. In 2001, the Lakers acquired an athletic, scoring shooting guard who was the former No. 5 overall pick in the 1993 NBA draft, but had bounced around the league with  multiple teams. This episode is about the enigmatic Isaiah "J.R." Rider.  Have any guests you want to see on the show? Have any questions for me?
Drop them below and I'll make sure to include them in future episodes. 
Follow 'Press Box Chronicles' on Social Media: 
-IG/@PressBoxChronicles  
-TikTok/@PressBoxChronicles 
Subscribe to 'Press Box Chronicles with Jeff Pearlman' on Youtube 
Listen to 'Press Box Chronicles' on all streaming platforms wherever you
get your podcasts
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
advertising. 


