The Baseball Project

The Baseball Project had its origins way back in 1992 when musicians Scott McCaughey (the Minus 5, the Young Fresh Fellows) and Steve Wynn (Dream Syndicate, Gutterball) met and discovered they shared a passionate interest in baseball. The plan to make an album of original modern rock songs about the fascinating stories and stars of America's pastime sat on the back burner, though, until 2007, when the pair sat down in earnest to write and record the project. Drafting in drummer Linda Pitmon (Miracle Three, Golden Smog) and longtime friend and guitarist Peter Buck (R.E.M.), McCaughey and Wynn recorded The Baseball Project, Vol. 1: Frozen Ropes and Dying Quails at Jackpot! Studios with engineer and producer Adam Selzer, and the result was an often tongue-in-cheek set of narrative songs about baseball legends Jackie Robinson, Ted Williams, Satchel Paige, and others. The album was finally released on Yep Roc in 2008. A second album, The Baseball Project, Vol. 2: High and Inside, appeared in 2011 and included more baseball-centric tunes done up in an alternative rock and roots fashion. In 2013, the Baseball Project expanded to a five-piece when former R.E.M. bassist and noted Atlanta Braves fan Mike Mills joined the lineup, and they rolled into the studio to record their third album, simply called 3rd. The album also featured guest performances from Josh Kantor, the official organist with the Boston Red Sox (and also a member of the Split Squad), and trumpeter Alex Gonzalez (no, not the shortstop with the Baltimore Orioles).