Baseball and Recruiting

David Spada and his guest cohost Chuck Feeney interview former Chicago Cub Glenn Beckert, former Los Angeles Dodger Mike Marshall, and Tom Lemming one of the leading experts on college football recruiting. Michael Lewis, author of The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game recognized Lemming as the “only national football scout in America.”

Episode Segments:

Bearly Legal: Tom Lemming and Glenn Beckert Tom Lemming joins us to talk recruiting, and he breaks down the top High School players in Illinois, where they may end up, and why he would recommend playing baseball over football anytime. Then, it’s memories of those great Cubs teams from the late sixties & early seventies, with second baseman Glenn Beckert. Glen shares some of his favorite MLB memories, talks about former roommate Ron Santo, and compares the ballplayer of today with his era’s.
Embed Code
Bearly Legal: Chicago Baseball Focus Former Major Leaguer Mike Marshall talks about life after Pinella for the Cubs, Derek Lee’s refusing to be traded, and the issues with playing in Wrigley Field. Plus, David comments on the Blago trial.
Embed Code

Guest(s) Appearing on this Episode

Mike Marshall Mike had an 11 year career, from 1981 to 1991 in Major League Baseball. He played for the Los Angeles Dodgersand New York Mets, both of the National League, and the Boston Red Sox and California Angels, both of the American League. He also played one season in Japan for the Nippon Ham Fighters in1992. During the course of his career, Marshall played first base, third base, outfield and designated hitter. Marshall has two World Series rings from the Dodgers' 1981 and 1988 World Series, in which he hit a homer in Game 2. Since retiring as a player from the major leagues, Mike has served as the VP of Baseball Operations for the Northern League and President of the Yuma Scorpions. Mike took over as team president of the Chico Outlaws in March of 2010 Mike has been married to his wife Mary for 21 years. They have 2 kids Mike Jr. 20 who is a sophomore at Stanford University and Marcheta 18, a senior in high school.

Glenn Beckert Beckert was drafted from Allegheny College as an amateur free agent by the Boston Red Sox in 1962, then selected by Chicago Cubs from Red Sox in the first-year minor league draft.[3] He spent three years in the minors as a shortstop, where he lead the Pacific Coast League in putouts and assists in 1964. Following the sudden death of Cubs second baseman, Ken Hubbs in 1964, the Cubs brought Beckert to the major leagues as their second baseman for the 1965 season.[4] Beckert played nine seasons as the Cubs' second baseman.[1] During his entire Cub tenure, he played alongside shortstop Don Kessinger.[4] Beckert led the National League in assists during his rookie year, and went on to become a four-time All-Star. He was a tough batter, leading the league five times in fewest strikeouts per at bats. In 1968, he led the league in runs and won the National League Gold Glove Award for second baseman. He had his best offensive season in 1971 when he had a .342 batting average to finish third in the National League batting championship behind Joe Torre and Ralph Garr. After the 1973 season, he was traded along with Bobby Fenwick to the San Diego Padres for Jerry Morales.[3] Beckert was a utility infielder and pinch hitter with the Padres before being released in April 1975. He is an inductee in the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame. Glenn's Career Stats