Episodes

  • This Is Operation Stolen Base
    Sep 26 2024

    The true story of Cliff Panezich, a minor league ballplayer who happens to be just as good at forging signatures as he is at baseball.

    As his dream of making it to the big leagues fizzles, Cliff sells sports memorabilia with fake autographs for easy cash, making a small fortune. In his recklessness, Cliff leaves behind a trail of clues, which the Feds follow as they try to bust one of the largest phony memorabilia operations in US history.

    Produced by: Amazing Podcast Company, Wessler Media

    Theme: Chasin' by The Vindy's

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    2 mins
  • Chapter 1: The Pre-Game Warm Up
    Oct 4 2024

    In the early morning hours in Canfield Ohio, police recover a cache of stolen credit cards from two small-time crooks. What would normally be an open and shut case takes an odd turn once police track down what was purchased with these stolen cards.

    Produced by: Amazing Podcast Company, Wessler Media

    Theme: Chasin' by The Vindy's

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    25 mins
  • Chapter 2: Batter Up
    Oct 4 2024

    Cliff Panezich wants a shot at the Major Leagues, but training comes at a price. He starts a side hustle dealing legitimate sports memorabilia, but when Cliff finds himself a few autographs short of a big payday, the temptation to forge the missing signatures begins to loom.

    Produced by: Amazing Podcast Company, Wessler Media

    Theme: Chasin' by The Vindy's

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    28 mins
  • Chapter 3: A Team Sport
    Oct 11 2024

    Cliff Panezich excels at two things: baseball and forgery. As the paydays from his forgery racket become larger, Cliff enlists the help of his associates to run his operation while he still chases his dream of becoming a Major League catcher.

    Produced by: Amazing Podcast Company, Wessler Media

    Theme: Chasin' by The Vindy's

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    31 mins
  • Chapter 4: The Pinch Hitter
    Oct 18 2024

    While Cliff lives the high life in Las Vegas, Detective McGivern is back in the Canfield Police Department trying to make sense of the evidence recovered from the Blosser's vehicle. He gets a call from FBI agent Tony Sano who points the investigation toward Cliff.

    Produced by: Amazing Podcast Company, Wessler Media

    Theme: Chasin' by The Vindy's

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    29 mins
  • Chapter 5: In A Pickle
    Oct 25 2024

    Cliff wakes up one morning and finds his house being raided. His possessions are confiscated, his memorabilia racket is compromised, and his co-conspirators are revealed. With the writing on the wall Cliff initially cooperates with the police, but communication breaks down after there is confusion regarding the details of his plea deal.

    Produced by: Amazing Podcast Company, Wessler Media

    Theme: Chasin' by The Vindy's

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    30 mins
  • Chapter 6: The Curveball
    Nov 1 2024

    Assistant Prosecutor Marty Desmond bumps heads with the Panezich family. His hardball tactics eventually force Cliff and Rose Panezich to plead guilty, but were the tactics he used ethical, or even legal?

    Produced by: Amazing Podcast Company, Wessler Media

    Theme: Chasin' by The Vindy's

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    30 mins
  • Chapter 7: No More Outs
    Nov 8 2024

    We revisit the events of Cliff's legal battles, except this time through the eyes of Cliff. He alleges that Marty Desmond forced him to plead guilty through unethical tactics, specifically leveraging Cliff's Dad's declining health against him.

    Produced by: Amazing Podcast Company, Wessler Media

    Theme: Chasin' by The Vindy's

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    27 mins