396. The Story of Ken Caminiti with Author Dan Good

With 2023 Opening Day occurring the week this episode is released; this is the first baseball-centric episode of the 2023 season. The saga of 1996 National League MVP Ken Caminiti is one of triumph and tragedy. He was a superior player, marred by the steroid era that eventually impacted his health.

In his new book Playing Through the Pain, writer Dan Good seeks to make sense of MLB MVP Ken Caminiti’s fascinating, troubled life. Good began researching Caminiti in 2012 and conducted his first interviews for his biography in 2013. Since then, he’s interviewed nearly 400 people, providing him with an exclusive and exhaustive view into Caminiti’s addictions, use of steroids, baseball successes, and inner turmoil.

Good’s on-the-record sources include Caminiti’s steroids supplier, who has never come forward; people who attended rehab with Caminiti and revealed the secret inner trauma that fueled his addictions; hundreds of Caminiti’s baseball teammates and coaches; childhood friends who were drawn to his daring personality, warmth, and athleticism; and the teenager at the center of Caminiti’s October 2004 trip to New York City, during which he overdosed and died.

In this episode, Good discusses the process of deciding Caminiti was a good subject for a book, and the many new things he learned about the baseball all-star. Get Playing through the Pain here: https://a.co/d/ehBKIOm

Follow Dan Good on social media @Dgood73.