MLBPA launches “Stitch x Stitch” Podcast celebrating the PA’s rich history

Phil Garner on Curt Flood, Free Agency & the Rise of Player Power

The MLB Players Association has launched a new podcast, “Stitch x Stitch,” hosted by Jerry Crasnick. The weekly podcast will feature conversations with dozens of Players who share personal stories while reflecting on the union’s growth and enduring legacy.

Over the past several months, the PA’s Jerry Crasnick has interviewed dozens of players who shared their personal stories while recounting the union’s growth and the contributions of Marvin Miller, Curt Flood, Andy Messersmith, Dave McNally, and numerous other iconic figures through the years.  As Miller once observed, “The secret of the success of the MLBPA is not a secret. It's the solidarity of the membership.” That solidarity has endured across 60 years and continues to link players across generations.

The first episode features the late Phil Garner, who sat down for an interview in conjunction with this project several months before his death on April 11. Phil was a three-time All-Star, a union representative in the 1970s and '80s, and a longtime champion of Player rights. Despite ongoing health issues, he traveled to Arizona in December to appear on a panel at the union's Executive Board meetings. This podcast is our tribute to Phil and his lifelong commitment to the PA and the Player fraternity.

You can find the MLBPA's Stitch x Stitch Podcast on Apple, Spotify, online or wherever you get your podcasts.