Midnight Library of Baseball

In the Midnight Library of Baseball, Ben Orlando offers a unique perspective to historic and modern aspects of the game. He does so with no loud music and no jarring sounds. Tune in to discover the untold stories that make baseball so much more than a game.

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Episodes

Thursday Feb 27, 2025

In this episode, I explore the nature of the dysfunctional relationship between White Sox teammates, and the bitterness of one player that may have cost his teammates their baseball careers. Also, I’ll have some fun discussing the extraordinary history that might have been written if not for this life-changing scandal.

Thursday Feb 20, 2025

The 1919 Black Sox World Series fix and the 1921 trial are fascinating for not only what we know, but for what we are still discovering a hundred years later. From myths about motivations to cheat, to misperceptions of the some of the greatest ballplayers of all time, this story has it all. In this episode, with the help of some experts, I debunk some of the biggest myths and shed light on what was really happening in 1919, and the years leading up to a scandal that rocked the nation

Thursday Jan 16, 2025

Here's a brief teaser for season 3, where I open with a 3-part series on the fascinating 1919 Black Sox scandal and the endless myths that surround the event. I also describe a review contest and some of the prizes I'll be giving away. 

Ep. 14: In Search of a Catch

Friday Dec 13, 2024

Friday Dec 13, 2024

In the finale of Season 2, I talk with hall of fame historian Tim Wiles about a real-life Field of Dreams story that predated W.P. Kinsella’s book by ten years. Did Kinsella know about this field and draw inspiration from it? I’ll also share some final thoughts about this film, and discuss my own story around Field of Dreams, and baseball overall.

Ep. 13: The Field

Saturday Dec 07, 2024

Saturday Dec 07, 2024

In this episode, we delve into the fascinating collision of fantasy and reality surrounding the iconic field in Dyersville, Iowa. Truth is often stranger than fiction—and this magical ballfield is no exception. Join us as we uncover extraordinary stories and remarkable occurrences that have unfolded on this small farm long after the cameras stopped rolling.

Ep. 12: After Iowa

Thursday Nov 28, 2024

Thursday Nov 28, 2024

In this episode, we reveal the pivotal edits made just before the film’s release, including a bold title change that angered many involved. We also examine how audiences across the country responded to a small-scale debut that ended up catching fire.

Ep. 11: Heartbeat of a Dream

Thursday Nov 21, 2024

Thursday Nov 21, 2024

What composer James Horner attempted with Field of Dreams had never been done. In this episode, we look at the unorthodox, emotional score that Horner created on the fly. We also discuss a man who has played catch more than 900 days in a row, and the impact he’s had on countless lives.

Ep. 10: Better Than Magic

Thursday Nov 07, 2024

Thursday Nov 07, 2024

In this episode, I explore more of the strange happenings on set, and the amazing coordination of the final scene. I also discuss the incredible story of Dwier Brown, who was processing the recent death of his father as he worked to embody the role of the father in Field of Dreams.

Ep. 9: Magic Tricks Revealed

Friday Nov 01, 2024

Friday Nov 01, 2024

In this this episode, I discuss with cast and crew the magic that took place when everyone finally landed in Iowa, and we explore the many amazing tricks that allowed audiences to fall so deeply into a seemingly ordinary world. For example, in a time before CGI, what do you know when the corn that would not grow for months, suddenly grows taller than the leading man?

Thursday Oct 24, 2024

In this episode, I crack open long-forgotten archives and discuss the many well-known actors considered for Field of Dreams, and the equally fascinating stories of the actors who eventually got the parts.

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