Pete Peterson tells us who he thinks is the greatest living baseball player following the death of Willie Mays.

Pete explains the why his mustache turned out to be a curse for his beloved Pittsburgh Pirates.

Pete Peterson looks at how modern day baseball's day-night doubleheaders are not doubleheaders at all.

Pittsburgh Pirates rookie pitcher Paul Skenes has made a big impression on fans, including our own Pete Peterson.

Pete Peterson explains why his most recent trip to Pittsburgh was extra special.

Pete Peterson recaps Milwaukee's baseball history.

Pete Peterson remembers the great Willie Mays, who died recently at the age of 93.

Pete Peterson has been an avid runner for many years.

Pete Peterson examines the rash of injuries to pitchers already this MLB season.

Herzog died recently at the age of 92.

Pete Peterson examines Hank Greenberg’s Hall of Fame career.

Pete Peterson, thanks to Mark Twain, finds a connection between baseball and eclipses.

Pete Peterson recently learned Paul Giamatti’s father is the former commissioner of baseball who banished Pete Rose from the game.

The newest inductees into the Baseball Hall of Fame include longtime manager Jim Leyland.

WSIU contributor Pete Peterson brings us his annual piece in honor of Black History Month.

Pete Peterson tells us how a recent article reminded him of those days of going at it on the hardwood at the SIU Arena.

Pete Peterson remembers an chain of events more than 60 years ago that changed his life forever.

Pete Peterson talks about a new baseball book that highlights the magical moments in the game's history.

Pete Peterson remembers Dick Groat, a two-sport athlete who passed away earlier this year.

Pete Peterson explains how laughter is the best medicine to deal with your team's woes.

Pete Peterson remembers how the Pirates and the Cubs often battled for last place during his childhood in the 1950's.

Pete looks back on the rough seasons for the Pirates and the Cardinals.

The St. Louis Cardinals have a statue of Mark McGwire ready if he ever gets elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Pete Peterson describes an intense atmosphere as his family attended a Pittsburgh Pirates game recently.

Commentator Pete Peterson and his wife, Anita, are both retired teachers.

WSIU commentator Pete Peterson remembers his days pumping as as just two states still mandate full-service gas stations.

Pete Peterson's commentary focuses on how a study has determined climate change is helping produce more home runs in Major League Baseball.

Pete Peterson explains how superstitious baseball fans are, especially his own wife.

In his latest commentary, Pete Peterson looks at how quicker games are creating an unexpected problem involving beer sales.

Reading Baseball commentator Pete Peterson talks about the book Straight Man, which was developed into the TV series Lucky Hank.

Pete Peterson's latest edition of Reading Baseball takes a look at the remarkable story of Drew Maggi.

Pete Peterson tells us about his recent trip to a Pittsburgh Pirates-St. Louis Cardinals game in St. Louis.

Pete Peterson explains his view on the new pitch clock in Major League Baseball.

Pete Peterson's latest commentary highlights his childhood memories of opening day and the traditions born out of this special day across MLB.

Pete Peterson talks about his dream of playing professional baseball.

Reading Baseball commentator Pete Peterson takes exception to a Florida school district temporarily banning a children's book about Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente.

WSIU Radio commentator Pete Peterson talks about Damar Hamlin's hometown, which is near where Pete grew up.

Pete Peterson talks about how the bleakness of January became more tolerable one year with the introduction of a televised Home Run Derby.

WSIU's Pete Peterson remembers the holiday season 50 years ago that featured an exhilarating football moment and an unimaginable tragedy for a Hall of Fame baseball player.

Pete Peterson looks at Jim Thorpe's lesser known baseball career.

Pete Peterson looks back at the 2022 St. Louis Cardinals baseball season and how all it lacked was a storybook ending.

Pete Peterson provides a commentary on how the organizers of the Pittsburgh Marathon continue to seek his participation in the event.

Pete Peterson talks about how baseball umpires are among the most abused sports officials.

Pete Peterson looks at the debate and tries to explain why the game’s rich history still leads him to call baseball America’s game.

Pete Peterson has the unusual story about when two men — both named Ron Shelton — ended up on the same minor league baseball team.

Pete Peterson's commentary explains how baseball took over St. Louis in 1922.

In this special commentary, Pete Peterson says the latest name change of a stadium has fans of one NFL team up in arms.

Pete Peterson examines how Hall of Fame writer Roger Angell got a unique glimpse into the life of Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Gibson for a renowned essay.

Pete Peterson talks about how his days as a sore loser fueled his love for the game.

Pete Peterson says Virdon inspired him to be a centerfielder as a youth.

Pete Peterson and his wife Anita recently returned to their hometown of Pittsburgh for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pete Peterson remembers the time Jones became a cover boy when the SIU Press reprinted a critically-acclaimed baseball book.

Pete Peterson looks at the ramifications of Jackie Robinson’s breaking of baseball's color barrier on several of his teammates.

Pete Peterson talks about how a classic baseball film helped him get over the Pittsburgh Pirates' season opening loss in St. Louis.

Pete Peterson looks at the origin of the designated hitter as the National League joins the American League in utilizing a hitter for the pitcher.

Pete Peterson looks at how two former Saluki baseball stars will try to turn around the struggling Pittsburgh Pirates organization.

WSIU Radio contributor Pete Peterson remembers his eastern European ethnic heritage as the world watches Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Pete Peterson looks at Barry Bonds' growing support for his induction into the Hall of Fame.

In his annual Black History Month commentary, Pete Peterson has the story of a notable Negro League player and manager who has yet to make the Hall of Fame.

Pete Peterson recalls his favorite Christmas gift as a child and his effort to track it down.

Reading Baseball's Pete Peterson has a gift idea for the baseball fan on your Christmas shopping list.

Reading Baseball's Pete Peterson looks at the history of the St. Louis Cardinals organization getting rid of successful managers in light of the Mike Shildt firing.

Pete Peterson looks back on the 50th anniversary of one of the finest individual performances in World Series history.

Pete Peterson recounts his experience running in a recent 5k fundraiser in Carbondale.

Pete Peterson says the 2021 campaign left him longing for baseball’s glory days when hitters didn’t always swing for the fences, pitches weren’t measured by their spin rate and analytics didn’t dominate strategy.

WSIU Radio News Updates provides a daily podcast of the top local and state news stories as well as the latest weather information.

WSIU Radio News Updates provides a daily podcast of the top local and state news stories as well as the latest weather information.

WSIU Radio News Updates provides a daily podcast of the top local and state news stories as well as the latest weather information.

WSIU Radio News Updates provides a daily podcast of the top local and state news stories as well as the latest weather information.

WSIU Radio News Updates provides a daily podcast of the top local and state news stories as well as the latest weather information.

WSIU Radio News Updates provides a daily podcast of the top local and state news stories as well as the latest weather information.

WSIU Radio News Updates provides a daily podcast of the top local and state news stories as well as the latest weather information.

WSIU Radio News Updates provides a daily podcast of the top local and state news stories as well as the latest weather information.

The name Reuben Berman probably doesn’t mean much to most baseball fans.

A recent Public Television documentary on Ernest Hemingway explores the life and work of the legendary American writer.

May is Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month.

If moments are fleeting, memories are permanent.

Many Major League Baseball commentators believe the Pittsburgh Pirates – managed by former SIU Saluki Derek Shelton – are in for a long season.

The Major League Baseball season is scheduled to start April 1.

After COVID-19 shut down Major League Baseball’s spring training in 2020, teams are back at it again with the pandemic still impacting our lives.

Late last year, Major League Baseball decided to alter its record books by adding Negro League statistics to baseball's official record.

2020 was a year that many people want to forget – in large part thanks to a deadly pandemic – which killed hundreds of thousands of Americans.

Christmas Day is just one week away and if you’re still searching for a special gift for the baseball fan on your list, Pete Peterson has a suggestion for you in his annual holiday edition of Reading Baseball.

November is Native American Heritage Month.

The pandemic-shortened Major League Baseball season ended this week with the Los Angeles Dodgers claiming their first World Series championship since 1988.

The St. Louis Cardinals organization has been rocked by the recent deaths of Hall of Famers and fan favorites Lou Brock and Bob Gibson.

2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the Negro Leagues.

Women playing professional baseball is almost unheard of. Just over 20 years ago, a California woman had a successful college baseball career and made it to the minor leagues.

19 years ago a series of deadly terrorist attacks hit the east coast of the United States.

With the amplified call to remove racist references across the U.S. this summer, a recent column urged the Baseball Writers Association of America to rename an award for its industry that is connected to a man who opposed the integration of America’s pastime.

The Trump administration is now labeling teachers as essential workers. Some see it as a move to encourage school districts to open for in-person instruction for the fall semester amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The only Major League Baseball player to die from a pitch during a game lived in southern Illinois at the time.

After years of calls to change its team nickname, the Washington Redskins NFL franchise has finally relented. The team will be known this season as the Washington Football Team.

Antiques Roadshow is a popular program on PBS.

American professional and collegiate sports are trying to return after having their seasons turned upside down during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Wearing a mask has become a divisive issue during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Baseball is back with a late July start date in the works.

Baseball fans in the Pittsburgh area who don't already know what a Saluki is are about to find out as former SIU baseball player Derek Shelton will be the manager of the Pirates in 2020.

Pete Peterson has been entertaining and informing us with his Reading Baseball essays and commentaries for nearly 16 years.

Thanksgiving is November 28. In this edition of Reading Baseball, Pete Peterson has his version of a baseball Thanksgiving feast.|

Thanksgiving is November 28. In this edition of Reading Baseball, Pete Peterson has his version of a baseball Thanksgiving feast.|

A discussion about the greatest controversy in World Series history would undoubtedly produce a number of opinions.

The World Series is underway. If the best of seven series goes the distance, it will end the day before Halloween.

Major League Baseball players rarely play their entire career with the same team, even the best of the best.

Over a quarter of the players in Major League Baseball are of Latino descent.

Polish-Americans have played an important role in the history of Major League Baseball. Pete Peterson takes a closer look in this edition of Reading Baseball.

Nearly six million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease.

The recent release of the book Southern Illinois University at 150 Years: Growth, Accomplishments and Challenges has unintentionally rekindled a look back at when the City of Pittsburgh lost its letter H.

Former Major League pitcher Jim Bouton passed away recently. In addition to his baseball career, Bouton was a best–selling author, actor, activist, sportscaster and the creator of a bubble gum brand known as Big League Chew.

Countless baseball fans may attend Major League games and never come close to taking home a baseball.

This is the 100th anniversary of the Black Sox scandal. In this edition of Reading Baseball, Pete Peterson offers a rebuttal to a piece aired by some NPR stations that claims some of the assertions in Eight Men Out are myths.

What's in a name? Pete Peterson has his answer in this latest edition of Reading Baseball.

WSIU Radio contributor Pete Peterson is about to run a half-marathon once again in Pittsburgh.

WSIU Radio contributor Pete Peterson had a successful career as a professor at SIU-Carbondale, But, while growing up, he dreamed of playing professional baseball.

The start of the Major League Baseball season is -- for some -- a sign that spring is finally here and a time for new beginnings.

Over 100 years after he broke into Major League Baseball, Babe Ruth is still one of the most revered names in the history of the game.

January 1969 turned out to be a momentous time for the SIU-Carbondale Department of English and for a future professor from western Pennsylvania.

Christmas is coming, so that means it's time for Pete Peterson's annual holiday edition of Reading Baseball.

The 2018 World Series is underway featuring the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Boston Red Sox.

The St. Louis Cardinals failed to make the playoffs this season, but maybe the franchise's biggest loss was when Red Schoendienst passed away in June after 67 years with the organization.

Baseball's familiarity makes it a great subject for American literature.

Former St. Louis Cardinal and Los Angeles Dodger player Wally Moon passed away earlier this year. The Arkansas native took advantage of the oddly configured Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to hit dozens of home runs.

Anyone can get caught up in the excitement of a Major League Baseball game.

The organizers of Illinois' bicentennial celebration say it's a time to celebrate the state's influence on music, art, transportation, agriculture and more. In this edition of Reading Baseball, Pete Peterson says it's also a good time to recognize the state's impact on sports writing, especially on America's national pastime.

July 6 is the 85th anniversary of the very first Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

Last month's royal wedding of Prince Harry and American Meghan Markle captured the attention of people across the world. In this edition of Reading Baseball, Pete Peterson tells us how the international event even had a connection related to arguably one of the greatest baseball teams in history.

A new PBS series highlights the power of reading through the prism of America's best-loved novels -- as chosen in a national survey.

Irish-born ballplayers have played a pivotal role in Major League Baseball since the sport's early days.

It's almost time for the 2018 Pittsburgh Marathon.

Illinois' bicentennial year in 2018 features plenty of celebrations.

In this edition of Reading Baseball, Pete Peterson tells us why he thinks a baseball film from nearly 70 years ago should've been included on Illinois' bicentennial list of all-time great movies.

The Southern Illinois University Press is struggling financially and a committee is currently studying the best way for the press to move forward, if at all.

The first half of Ken Burns' 10-part PBS series on the Vietnam War aired September 17-21 on WSIU-Television. The second half of the series will begin on September 24.

Major League Baseball took a step last month to reach out to young people with a big league game called the Little League Classic.

Retired SIU-Carbondale English professor and WSIU Radio contributor Pete Peterson is an avid runner.

You may have heard something about a Total Solar Eclipse in the area on August 21st.

Pete Peterson has produced essays and commentaries for WSIU Radio for more than 13 years now.

You may have heard the story recently about a Major League Baseball umpire saving a woman who apparently was about to jump off a bridge in Pittsburgh.

The United States entered World War I one hundred years ago.

Sunday is Father's Day.

Baseball and opera may not seem like a match made in heaven, but there are instances where the two make a good combination.

St. Louis baseball fans probably have a favorite pitcher over the long history of Major League Baseball in the city.

Major League Baseball is looking into taking steps to speed up the pace of the game.

Reading Baseball's Pete Peterson celebrates Women's History Month by highlighting sportswriter Claire Smith.

Reading Baseball first aired on WSIU Radio in May 2004.

Tis the season for gift-giving and celebrating with family and friends.

The Smithsonian Museum of African-American History and Culture recently opened in Washington D.C.

The Chicago Cubs are favorites to win their first World Series championship since 1908.

Injuries are an inherent risk of athletic competition.

Racism is a hot topic in the United States.

As the Major League Baseball season starts up again following the All-Star break, the Chicago Cubs are one of the favorites to reach the World Series.

The National Hockey League champions this season reside in Pittsburgh.

The recent death of Muhammad Ali - who some consider the most charismatic and controversial sports figure of the 20th century - showed how the former boxing champion overcame the controversies of his past to become a beloved figure across the world.

Richard "Pete" Peterson is a retired English professor at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and the author of Pops: The Willie Stargell Story and Growing Up With Clemente. He also contributes to WSIU Radio through his Reading Baseball series.

Reading Baseball is a series of essays and commentaries by Richard "Pete" Peterson, the author of Pops: The Willie Stargell Story and Growing Up With Clemente.

Reading Baseball is a series of essays and commentaries by Richard "Pete" Peterson, the author of Pops: The Willie Stargell Story and Growing Up With Clemente.

Reading Baseball is a series of essays and commentaries by Richard "Pete" Peterson, the author of Pops: The Willie Stargell Story and Growing Up With Clemente.

Reading Baseball is a series of essays and commentaries by Richard "Pete" Peterson, the author of Pops: The Willie Stargell Story and Growing Up With Clemente.

Reading Baseball is a series of essays and commentaries by Richard "Pete" Peterson, the author of Pops: The Willie Stargell Story and Growing Up With Clemente.

Reading Baseball is a series of essays and commentaries by Richard "Pete" Peterson, the author of Pops: The Willie Stargell Story and Growing Up With Clemente.

In a region filled with fans of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox fans often feel left out. In this edition of Reading Baseball, Pete Peterson gives some love to the South Siders with a brief history of the White Sox franchise.

Reading Baseball's Pete Peterson takes a look back at the origin, and life, of baseball trading cards.

A national publication is out with its list of top ten nicknames in baseball history. In his latest edition of Reading Baseball, Pete Peterson shares some of his favorites, including a group of St. Louis Cardinal players who made their mark about 80 years ago.

There are high hopes for the Chicago Cubs as the 2015 Major League Baseball season gets ready to open.

February is set aside to celebrate African American history and heritage. Many say they hope each year's events prompt conversation and awareness.

The Christmas holiday season is a time to spend with family and friends, but it can also be a time to remember the special people in our lives who we've lost.

Pete Peterson's Reading Baseball essays usually focus on baseball. But today the retired SIU English professor turns his attention to another one of his passions - running.

A newspaper columnist in New York recently wrote a piece claiming St. Louis Cardinals fans were the least deserving of a World Series championship. In his latest edition of Reading Baseball, Pete Peterson takes a look at how the rest of the country views Cardinal Nation as baseball's new evil empire and who he blames for this change in perception.

When World War I broke out 100 years ago, there was another war of sorts going on within the United States.

A former pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs passed away recently without a lot of fanfare.

This week Pete Peterson celebrates the 200th edition of Reading Baseball. The series of original sports essays and commentaries debuted on WSIU Radio in May 2004.

A Japanese pitcher generated a lot of buzz on the internet recently when he threw a slow, arcing pitch that caught the batter by surprise. In his latest edition of Reading Baseball, Pete Peterson tells us about the history and name of this odd-looking pitch that dates back to the 1940's.

If you'd like your summer reading list to include books about baseball, you may be in luck.

Major League Baseball's expanded use of instant replay is receiving mixed reviews during the first few weeks of the regular season. In his latest edition of Reading Baseball, Pete Peterson examines whether television replays actually diminish the game's unique appeal.

Wrigley Field in Chicago is celebrating its 100th birthday this season. In his latest edition of Reading Baseball, Pete Peterson tells us about the history of the ballpark, including how its first tenant was not even a member of Major League Baseball.

This is the 50th anniversary of the St. Louis Cardinals 1964 World Series win over the New York Yankees.

If you're tired of the cold and snow this winter, you're not alone. Cheer up! Opening day is just a couple of weeks away. Pete Peterson reflects on the bleak days of winter in his latest edition of Reading Baseball.

As we celebrate Valentine's Day, it appears the love affair between many St. Louis Cardinal fans and Albert Pujols may officially be over after the slugger moved onto Los Angeles to play for the Angels in 2012.

Former major league infielder and World War Two hero Jerry Coleman recently passed away.

Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday will be celebrated on Monday. WSIU Radio's Reading Baseball commentator Pete Peterson tells us how the all-time leading scorer in SIU Men's Basketball history helped a lot of young people in the area strive for Dr. King's dream after his professional basketball career ended.

In his annual holiday edition for Reading Baseball, Pete Peterson tells us how Pittsburgh's infamous "Terrible Towel" may be the perfect gift for the sports fan on your list as well as help out a good cause.

On this, the 50th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's assassination, Pete Peterson reflects on the tragedy of the events that touched the lives of all Americans in this special edition of Reading Baseball.

The St. Louis Cardinals pursuit of their 12th World Series Championship started with a hard-fought win over Pittsburgh in the National League Division Series.

The baseball cap is a recognized piece of a ballplayer's uniform. It's also way for fans to show allegiance to their favorite teams.Former St. Louis Cardinal Harry "The Hat" Walker had a certain disdain for his ball cap. In this edition of Reading Baseball, Pete Peterson tells the story of how he didn't enjoy wearing his baseball cap either.

A recent report suggests that sports fans tend to eat unhealthy foods after their favorite team loses. In his latest edition of Reading Baseball, Pete Peterson takes it a step further to explore how baseball fans' attitudes and behavior are shaped by their favorite team's performance.

The Baseball Hall of Fame recently honored the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.

Sometimes the athletes we admire don't live up to our lofty expectations off the playing field... in his latest edition of Reading Baseball, Pete Peterson talks about a recent book signing event where Pittsburgh Pirates legend Steve Blass proved why so many fans still love him.

Baseball and the arts have a longstanding relationship. In his latest edition of Reading Baseball, Pete Peterson tells us about his affinity for a musical that has been remade many times on both the stage and the screen.

Nearly 50 years ago, Little League officials decided to allow girls to play youth baseball. In his latest edition of Reading Baseball, Pete Peterson examines whether a girl will ever make it to the big leagues.

You can take the ballplayer out of the game, but it's much tougher to take the game out of the ballplayer.

The Woman who shot a former Chicago Cubs player died late last year. The incident inspired the novel and subsequent movie The Natural.

WSIU Radio's Reading Baseball host Pete Peterson is out with a new book about one of Pittsburgh's most beloved professional sports figures.

The biographical sports drama about the life of Jackie Robinson called "42" is currently in movie theaters across the country.

A former English professor at Southern Illinois University Carbondale is hitting a home run as a novelist.

The Major League Baseball season opens in two days. In his latest edition of Reading Baseball, Pete Peterson remembers attending his first baseball home opener in Pittsburgh and a special Bible that went along with the 1953 season.

In this edition of Reading Baseball, Pete Peterson reflects on the career of longtime hall of fame baseball broadcaster Joe Garagiola who recently announced his retirement after nearly 60-years in the booth.

St Louis Cardinals legend Stan Musial passed away recently at the age of 92. In his latest edition of Reading Baseball, Pete Peterson tells us of an essay written about Musial almost 60-years ago that defined the character of the Hall of Famer in the midst of his long, illustrious career.

Monday is the federal holiday in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Before the leviathan of Black Friday there was a simpler time-honored tradition that ushered in the start of the holiday shopping season. In his latest edition of Reading Baseball, Pete Peterson takes us back to the days of his youth as a department store stock boy when he missed Thanksgiving diner to help prepare for the start of the Christmas Shopping season.

What's in a name when it comes to the history of Major League Baseball?

The longstanding tradition of baseball managers wearing uniforms still confounds some fans since coaches in other sports do not wear the same attire as their players. In this edition of Reading Baseball, Pete Peterson explains why managers wear uniforms and takes a look at the evolution of uniforms over the years.