Cubs Hall of Fame Trio Set to Appear on MLBPA’s “Stitch x Stitch” podcast

New York, August 7 -- Baseball Hall of Famers and fellow Chicago Cubs greats Ferguson Jenkins, Andre Dawson and Lee Smith are set to make a special appearance on the next episode of “Stitch x Stitch,’’ the new oral history podcast from the Major League Baseball Players Association. Each week, the podcast will tell a story through the eyes of players whose personal experiences have shaped the union’s growth and evolution since its inception in 1966.

“Stitch x Stitch’’ is part of a year-long recognition of the 60th anniversary of the union’s founding under executive director Marvin Miller. The weekly podcast is hosted by Jerry Crasnick, associate director of player, agent and media affairs at the MLBPA and a former baseball journalist for more than 30 years. Previous guests include the late Phil Garner, Reggie Smith, Dave Stewart and Rick Monday, the No. 1 pick in the first MLB amateur draft in 1965.

From the rise of free agency to labor battles fought first-hand, “Stitch x Stitch” gives the microphone to players who bore witness to baseball’s compelling labor history.

“I think it’s always important to know where you came from,’’ Stewart said. “We have to honor the guys that came before us and the battles they went through. The battles and the struggles and the lockouts and the strikes – all those things created better conditions for the players. You have to honor that. It deserves to be honored.’’

Jenkins, Dawson and Smith, whose conversation spans two episodes, share their memories as competitors and teammates, and their personal experiences in navigating the business side of the game amid a time of constant change in the early years of free agency. Dawson made history in 1987, when he agreed to sign a blank contract with the Chicago Cubs as a free agent amid collusion by MLB owners and went on to win the National League MVP award.  The first of the two Cubs’ episodes will air on Monday, August 10.

Future episodes will recognize the contributions of Miller, Curt Flood, Andy Messersmith, Dave McNally, Catfish Hunter and numerous other baseball trailblazers, while emphasizing the bond players share and the mission that has united them across generations. 

“Stitch by Stitch’’ is available on Apple, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts.

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Contact: Silvia Alvarez, MLBPA, 646-285-1819