For a boy who loved the game of baseball, I guess you could say I have led a working life full of extraordinary opportunities.
I started working in professional baseball at the age of eleven as a batboy. I couldn’t have imagined back then that I would somehow spend over fifty years hanging around ballparks and that I could find a way to make a living doing it!
Over that half century spent in the dugouts, clubhouses, buses, trains and airplanes I have made a multitude of relationships and had some unbelievable experiences.
Each week on our show, I will introduce you to all kinds of people in and around the game of baseball. Of course there will be many players, coaches, and managers. Additionally, you’ll meet umpires, broadcasters, and front office personnel from all levels of the game. Occasionally you’ll even be treated to a hall of famer!
I will try to share their stories from how I have come to know them as friends. We’ll share fun experiences and a lot of laughs.
I hope you’ll join us each week for another exciting baseball personality.
Sincerely,
Frank Coppenbarger
Listen to Frank on The Real Voices of the Game Productions (shared with permission)
| Episode | Description |
| Episode 1425 Planes, Trains, Buses & Ballparks features Joe West hosted by Frank Coppenbarger with Dave Dagostino Listen here | 5460 Games How football helped his umpiring career The West Vest Johnny Bench and “Stand Up” Favorite dust ups — dare I say Sweet Lou Blue Cowboy-Diamond Dreams- and Hee-Haw The double switch … to the first lady??? |
| Episode 1352 The Wizard of OZ HOF Ozzie Smith visits Planes, Trains, Buses, & Ballparks with Frank Coppenbarger and Dave Dagostino Listen here | Eddie Murray and Gary Knuckles Bet on himself “C’Mon Hoss!” No trade clause Be on time and Give 100%- Whitey Coming together in 1985… ’87 Silver Slugger 5 HOF in 1 Club House A rubber ball and Annie, Annie, Over It’s Showtime Signature plays, the back flip, and upstaging the SD Chicken The Olympic Torch PGA Reach Becoming a thesbian Michael and Ali How do you want to be remembered? |
| Episode 1073 Planes, Trains, Buses & Ballparks featuring Gold Glover & MVP Terry Pendleton hosted by Frank Coppenbarger with Dave Dagostino Listen here | The switch to 3rd “We’ve been know to pull people off the plane …” A promotion 1982 instructional league- a life lesson learned Can I play with these guys? A 3x gold glove winner and an endorsement from Michael Jack MVP … MVP! Signing with the Braves I show up everyday to get you- 5 WS appearances A promise Bobby vs Whitey 16 yrs Current Role with the Braves How I became a Switch Hitter |
| Episode 1027 HOF Pat Gillick visits Planes, Trains, Buses, and Ballparks hosted by Frank Coppenbarger and Dave Dagostino Listen here | From Eagle Scout to MLB Scout … the train stops along the epic journey of HOF Pat Gillick |
| Episode 983 Planes, Trains, Buses, and Ballparks featuring Gary and Daulton Varsho hosted by Frank Coppenbarger with Dave Dagostino Listen here | A baseball family Giving back A baseball wife and special gift Ode to Dutch Whipped Cream and Multi-sports Train to be an athlete The role of parents in the development process The importance of free play in creativity managing the modern day dugout – how to maintain and grow your genius |
| Episode 962 Planes, Trains, Buses, and Ballparks featuring Curt Schilling with Frank Coppenbarger and Dave Dagostino Listen here | Johnny Padres influence Breakout year 2 things he wanted out of baseball ALS- Curt’s Pitch Ball Four… clubhouse antics Toughest teammate ever Pee Wee — Larry Bowa and Vuk Why Philly fans are great & the courthouse at the vet Frank Robinson, Cliff Schilling, and the Rocket- the epiphany Mr. Drysdale The “Notebook” Hurricane George and the paintball fight The day he was a fan- 3000 Wrestling and Tito |
| Episode 882 Planes, Trains, Buses, and Ballparks featuring WS Champion Jayson Werth with host Frank Coppenbarger and Dave Dagostino Listen here | ABE Dennis and the Bloodlines- Ducky and Dickie Robin Roberts Pat Gillick- his 1st chance and last chance Special time in Philly Analytics cannot measure culture The parade Horse Racing – 10th in the derby and Belmont Stakes winner Trump |
| Episode 690 Planes, Trains, Buses, & Ballparks with Frank Coppenbarger and Dave Dagostino featuring former MLB Pitcher Dave LaPoint Listen here | Johnny Padres and his Caddy Whitey Stuper and the ’82 series The change up… throw 70 of them Mentors- Forsch, Suter, Kaat Fisk- “throw it down the middle”- his strategy on Boggs, Mattingly, Gwynn Don’t shake so much Bud $5000 ffrom Topps The Lumberjacks Role of a C, Max Velo, less is more |
| Episode 763 Planes, Trains, Buses and Ballparks featuring Umpire Jerry Crawford hosted by Frank Coppenbarger with Dave Dagostino Listen here | The art of arguing … thanks mom Sports officiating royalty Getting started Umpire School A philly guy Robo ump Anatomy of an ejection Whitey’s hat Dyksta Kitty’s quick pitch Elizabeth Taylor |
| Episode 810 Planes, Trains, Buses, and Ballparks featuring former Phillies Executive Chris Long with host Frank Coppenbarger alongside Dave Dagostino Listen here | 48 years Hustle-Topper Promotions The Cutting Room Floor Gunther and the Elephants The Fanatic and the super soaker Birthday parties rodeos and the wheel of death Postseason-Taylor Swift-Tim McGraw A dedication |
| Episode 810 Planes, Trains, Buses, and Ballparks featuring former Phillies Executive Chris Long with host Frank Coppenbarger alongside Dave Dagostino Listen here | 48 years Hustle-Topper Promotions The Cutting Room Floor Gunther and the Elephants The Fanatic and the super soaker Birthday parties rodeos and the wheel of death Postseason-Taylor Swift-Tim McGraw A dedication |
Upcoming Shows:
*Guests are subject to change*
Week of February 18:
Shane Victorino – 2X World Series Champion, 2X MLB All Star, and 4X Gold Glove winning outfielder. Now a coach with the Loco Beach Coconuts of Savannah Bananaball fame.
Week of February 25:
Mick Billmeyer – Former longtime coach with the Phillies, Angels & Tigers. Member of 2008 World Series Champions & 2009 NL Champions.
Week of March 4:
Kyle Kendrick – Former Phillies pitcher (2007-2014) Also pitched for Colorado and Boston.
Week of March 11
Dan Baker – The Phillies longtime PA announcer. The voice of Citizens Bank Park and Veterans Stadium. Also, formerly the Philadelphia Eagles PA man. 2026 marks his 55th season on the job!
Week of March 18:
John “The Count” Montefusco – Former big-league pitcher with Giants, Braves, Padres & Yankees. Former Rookie of the Year, MLB All Star, Giants Wall of Fame and author of a No hitter.
Week of March 25:
Bill Lyons – former St. Louis Cardinals infielder and accomplished artist
