Eddie Murray "Steady Eddie"

It's baseball season! So, it seems only fitting that episode 14
is about Past Prime Pastime! Matty is joined by Past Prime
baseball correspondent, Kevin H. Blake to discuss the greatness
of former Baltimore Orioles great, Edward Clarence Murray --
specifically his abominable final season, with the Angels and
Dodgers in 1997, wherein he bounced between the Majors and AAA.
After a Hall of Fame career defined by uncanny consistency,
"Steady Eddie" had nothing left in the tank at the age of
forty-one. His body was finally breaking down, he struggled to
bat .200 and he'd been left merely with "warning track power."
For a quarter of a century, Matty -- a lifelong Eddie Murray fan
-- has been scarred by his hero's feeble last stand. Matty had
once been so inordinately invested in Murray's great career that,
in school, if his (so called) friends wanted to insult him, they
would simply shout "Murray sucks" in his general direction.


Fortunately, Kevin is here to help provide counsel through the
rupture of fandom. With one psych class under his belt but an
honorary PHD in neuroses, Dr. (he's a lawyer) Blake gently helps
Matty understand "why Eddie" and what those final few weeks that
the great, middle-aged ballplayer spent in the minor leagues
actually signify. This is a podcast about professional baseball
in middle age and the attachments we make and break with our
heroes. Also, it's completely funny.


So, oil up your gloves. Throw some pine tar on those bats. And
get ready for "Steady Eddie." To read more about Eddie Murray,
check out the full essay at Past Prime.