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On this episode of Park Bench Perspectives, Mike Hammer and Carlos kick off spring by talking baseball—how T-ball and Little League shaped their Minnesota childhoods, expanded their friendships and rivalries, and later became a bond through their own kids. They reminisce about the Twins as a constant “soundtrack to life” on WCCO, old players and eras, and the appeal of small-ball fundamentals like bunting, stealing, and hit-and-run. They share stories about curveballs, pitching machines (“Juggs”), town ball traditions, and a Little League moment when Mike was told to pitch inside and hit a batter. The conversation also touches on MLB’s financial imbalance, fears of a future work stoppage, and a plug for FootPainAuthority.com plus Mike’s Substack and Carlos’s in-progress novel.

00:00 Bench Intro Theme
00:50 Show Welcome Banter
01:08 Future Topics Tease
01:48 Spring Means Baseball
02:04 T-Ball Childhood Days
03:33 Girls In The Game
04:23 Twins Return And Fears
05:31 Town Ball Tradition
07:07 Twins Memories And Voices
09:51 Stealing Home And Small Ball
13:15 Cheating And Pitch Guessing
16:01 Curveball Shock Story
17:24 Pitching Machines And Fungo
19:45 Beanball Confession Setup
20:20 Little League Hit Batter
22:20 Baseball Radio Memories
22:45 Why Baseball Works
24:54 Pitch Clock Debate
26:16 Seat Upgrading Game
28:18 Dodgers Money Problem
30:27 Beep Baseball Origins
34:33 Backyard Baseball Days
37:22 Sponsors And Signoff