# Episode 305 - Before Valenzuela, How Mel Almada Broke MLB’s Barrier

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/two-strike-noise-a-baseball-history-podcast-594073/episode-305-before-valenzuela-how-mel-almada-broke-mlb-s-barrier
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/two-strike-noise-a-baseball-history-podcast-594073/episode-305-before-valenzuela-how-mel-almada-broke-mlb-s-barrier.md
Podcast: [Two Strike Noise - A Baseball History Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/two-strike-noise-a-baseball-history-podcast-594073)
Published: 2025-11-22T21:32:31+00:00
Episode link: https://twostrikenoise.podbean.com/e/episode-305-before-valenzuela-how-mel-almada-broke-mlb-s-barrier/
Audio file: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/gzrtpgsrzzkecv3e/Episode_305_-_Before_Valenzuela_How_Mel_Almada_Broke_MLB_s_Barrier7gkx7.mp3
Processing state: not_requested
JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/two-strike-noise-a-baseball-history-podcast-594073/episodes/episode-305-before-valenzuela-how-mel-almada-broke-mlb-s-barrier
Duration seconds: 3350

## Resource

In this episode of Two Strike Noise, hosts Jeff and Mark start with humorous-ish banter and discuss various baseball history topics including a deep dive into the first Mexican-born MLB player, Mel Almada, and his significant contributions to the sport. They also explore the MLB MVP debate and recount a baseball game that caused a stir with international royalty. The hosts engage in a Thanksgiving-themed name game, exploring baseball player names related to the holiday. The episode concludes with the Wax Packs Heroes segment, featuring curated packs from a listener, before Jeff and Mark announce a break for Thanksgiving. 00:00 Welcome and Introductions00:56 Baseball MVP Debate03:50 World Series Anecdotes10:22 Thanksgiving Themed Name Game17:11 Mel Almada: A Baseball Pioneer29:48 Wax Pack Heroes50:49 Concluding Remarks and Thanksgiving Break YouTube - www.youtube.com/@twostrikenoiseTwitch - https://www.twitch.tv/twostrikenoiseBluesky - @twostrikenoise.bsky.socialFacebook -https://www.facebook.com/TwoStrikeNoise/Instagram - @twostrikenoiseE-mail - twostrikenoise@gmail.com We pull ALOT of commons in Wax Pack Heroes. If you've got those Tim Foli or Ernest Riles cards just sitting around you can donate those commons to charity and maybe spark a child's interest in baseball and collecting. Find out more here: http://commons4kids.org/ #podernfamily #podnation #baseball #mlb #history #podcast #baseballcards

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