DB Firstman discusses the secrets of their new book Hall of Name: Baseball’s Most Magnificent Monikers from The Only Nolan to Van Lingle Mungo and More, plus a look at Bobby Bonds’ strikeouts inspired by Mark Reynolds’ retirement and the nonsensical death-story of Christy Mathewson, AKA gas doesn’t give you bacteria, but bacteria might give you gas.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Bobby Bonds: Time Traveler*The Momentary Meanness of Christy Mathewson, the Myth of His Demise, and How It’s Like What Some of Us Are Doing Now*DB Firstman: Lemon Jell-O*“Gwodz” is a Bad Scrabble Draw*Saltalamacchia: Letters vs. Walks*Razor Shines and Narciso Elvira*“Boshers” vs. “BO-sheers” vs. “Batman”*Is Language Math? (And More Scrabble)*Ossee Schrecongost, Orvie Overall, and not-Cannonball Titcomb*The Only Nolan*Kee-Kee or Cuy-Cuy?*Rabbit Maranville?*Bris Lord Uncut*The Plasticity of Younger Minds*Quinton McCracken, Milton Bradley*Nap Who?*Don’t Annoy the Balfour*Goodbyes.

The Infinite Inning is not only about baseball but a state of mind. Steven Goldman, rotating cohosts Jesse Spector, Cliff Corcoran, and David Roth, and occasional guests discuss the game’s present, past, and future with forays outside the foul lines to the culture at large. Expect stats, anecdotes, digressions, explorations of writing and fandom, and more Casey Stengel quotations than you thought possible. Along the way, they’ll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can’t get anybody out?