I would hope that every baseball fan is aware of the “Homer at the Bat” episode of “The Simpsons.” It’s possible, of course, that some people aren’t either because (a) February 20, 1992, when it originally aired, was ancient history for them (or pre-history for them); or (b) they just don’t like “The Simpsons.” Both of those possibilities are kind of terrifying to consider, but I’ll grant that they are, in fact, possibilities.
If you are one of those people, know that “Homer at the Bat” was an episode which featured a ton of actual Major League Baseball player cameos. Roger Clemens, Wade Boggs, Ken Griffey, Jr., Steve Sax, Ozzie Smith, Jose Canseco, Don Mattingly, Darryl Strawberry and Mike Scioscia all guest starred as themselves, assembled by Mr. Burns in order to create a ringer softball team. Calamity strikes, however, zaniness ensues, etc. etc. and 24 years later it’s a classic. A couple of years ago, Erik Malinowski wrote a history of the episode over at Deadspin, and it’s must-read material for both hardcore “Simpsons” fans and anyone with affection for baseball players of the 80s and early 90s.
There have been all manner of other remembrances of it as well, and they never get old in my view. And now there will be a new one this Saturday as SiriusXM’s MLB Network Radio channel will host a special edition of its “Hot Stove” show that will celebrate “Homer at the Bat.” It will be on from 1:00 to 4:00 pm eastern and will feature three of the episode’s stars: Steve Sax, who is now a SiriusXM host as well as Ozzie Smith and Wade Boggs.
I’ll be curious to know if his thoughts about Pitt the Elder have changed.
