Effectively Wild Episode 1153: Johnny on the Spot
Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the perplexing potential end to Manny Machado trade rumors, then bring on former major leaguer and current fun-fact star/national treasure Johnny O’Brien to discuss his life and career with the Pirates, Cardinals, and Braves in the 1950s, becoming a reluctant two-way player (and experiencing immediate, surprising success), his signing by Branch Rickey, being a “bonus baby” and skipping the minor leagues, playing in the Harvey Haddix game, forming half of the only double-play duo of twins in MLB history, playing without his twin for the first time, playing for both great and terrible teams and both with and against baseball legends, being buddies with Bing Crosby, and more.
Audio intro: The Raveonettes, "The Truth About Johnny"
Audio interstitial: Flogging Molly, "Sentimental Johnny"
Audio outro: Chuck Berry, "Bye Bye Johnny"
Link to Jeff’s O’Brien twins post
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my god Johnny O’Brien is hilarious
Merry Christmas baseball fans, this podcast was an absolute treat.
Just an absolutely delightful interview guys. As I became a devoted baseball fan about 1958, I can’t say I remember Johnny O’Brein, but I do remember most of the players he talked about, including Harvey Haddix’ perfect game. Johnny is a real treasure, and what a memory! Thanks and thanks especially for letting him do all the talking!
Tremendous!
I registered just to tell you guys thanks for this interview. I loved every second of this episode. Keep up the good work.
This is one of the best baseball interviews I’ve ever heard
Like everyone else I loved the interview; I listened to it in the car as I returned home to Seattle from Canada for the holidays. But I had a surreal moment when Johnny was talking about getting “scouted” at the tournament in Wichita in which his high school team was playing against Mt. Vernon: I naturally assumed this was a school from somewhere near George Washington’s home in Virginia. I was rather startled when he clarified it was Mt. Vernon, WA… just as I was passing through that very town on I-5.