Hall of Fame | Baseball History Comes Alive

Let’s Remember Gil Hodges on the One Hundredth Anniversary of His Birth!

Let's take a moment to remember this fine ball player on the one-hundredth anniversary of his birth this week, April 4, 1924, with a few words about his outstanding career...

Posted on: April 3, 2024
By: Gary Livacari
With: 10 Comments

Joe McCarthy’s Boston Years, 1948-1950

Forty-six years ago today, January 13, 1978, Hall of Fame manager Joe McCarthy passed away in a Buffalo hospital at age 90. We’re all familiar with Joe McCarthy’s success as the winningest manager in Yankee history from 1931-1946...

Posted on: January 13, 2024
By: Gary Livacari
With: 5 Comments

We Know Andre Dawson Was A Great Player, But Did You Know That…

“I always thought that Andre was a renaissance man, but this is taking it to a different level!” - Hall of Fame president Jeff Idelson

Posted on: January 6, 2024
By: Gary Livacari
With: 9 Comments

Our Annual Tribute to Roberto Clemente: “HE’S GOT IT!!”

“If it was humanly possible for a ball to be caught, Roberto Clemente was going to get it.” –Pirates’ manager, Danny Murtaugh...

Posted on: December 31, 2023
By: Gary Livacari
With: 6 Comments

George Lee Anderson (Who?) Is Traded to the Phillies, December 23, 1958, Did Anybody Notice?

Sixty-five years ago yesterday, the Dodgers traded journeyman minor league infielder George Lee Anderson to the Phillies for Rip Repulski and two minor league pitching prospects. Did anybody notice? Yawn...

Posted on: December 24, 2023
By: Gary Livacari
With: 8 Comments

Making the Case: Cecil Travis For the Hall of Fame

Two months ago, Michael Keedy submitted an essay highlighting the career of the Washington Senators' outstanding shortstop, Cecil Travis. As he did his research for this essay, he became impressed with the accomplishments of a player he had barely heard of. The more he read about Cecil Travis, the more convinced he became that a strong case can be made that this overlooked star belongs in the Hall of Fame...

Posted on: December 17, 2023
By: Gary Livacari
With: 7 Comments

We Say A Sad Farewell to “Mr. Oriole,” Brooks Robinson

“Never has a player meant more to a franchise and more to a city than Brooks has meant to the Orioles and the city of Baltimore.” -Oriole historian Ted Patterson...

Posted on: September 27, 2023
By: Gary Livacari
With: 16 Comments

Beautiful Color Restoration of the Addie Joss Benefit Game by Chris Whitehouse

Addie Joss was a much-beloved ace starting pitcher for the Cleveland Naps whose life was tragically cut short at the age of 31...

Posted on: August 5, 2023
By: Gary Livacari
With: 6 Comments

Check Out this Beautiful Restoration of the Homestead Grays Team Photo!

Chris Whitehouse does some amazing work, as you can see from this beautiful color restoration of the 1939 Homestead Grays. Chris was kind enough to allow me to post it today on my Baseball History Comes Alive website...

Posted on: July 30, 2023
By: Gary Livacari
With: 7 Comments

The Case For Eddie Mathews

Vince Jankosi is back today, this time making the case that Eddie Mathews is the best pre-Mike Schmidt third baseman. As usual, Vince has done his homework and makes a very strong case. See if you agree...

Posted on: July 28, 2023
By: Gary Livacari
With: 15 Comments

The Wit and Wisdom – and Luck! – of Yogi Berra

There are certain players you can never quite get enough of. For me, the list includes Willie Mays, certainly the great Bambino Babe Ruth, Stan Musial, Roberto Clemente, and, most definitely, the player born Lorenzo Pietro Berra, known to us as Yogi Berra...

Posted on: July 16, 2023
By: Gary Livacari
With: 8 Comments

We’re Contacted by Relative of Joe “Ducky” Medwick!

My essay on Joe “Ducky” Medwick last week really touched a nerve. It’s now been seen by over 2.7 million Facebook users, has received over 6,400 “likes” and generated hundreds of comments...

Posted on: June 24, 2023
By: Gary Livacari
With: 16 Comments

SLUGGER TURNED MALAPROP MAESTRO: RALPH KINER

Today Bill Schaefer returns with a long-overdue tribute to slugger Ralph Kiner. If you ever had any doubts that Kiner is a legitimate Hall of Famer, as I once did, I think you'll be in for a surprise...

Posted on: June 23, 2023
By: Gary Livacari
With: 9 Comments

Joe “Ducky” Medwick Beaned and Nearly Killed, June 18, 1940

"When he dies, half the National League will go to his wake just to make sure that S-O-B is dead." –Unknown former teammate, speaking of Joe Medwick...

Posted on: June 17, 2023
By: Gary Livacari
With: 7 Comments

Rogers Hornsby Traded Again!

"Nobody liked our manager Rogers Hornsby. There was a real pr**k. Except for his racing forms, there was no newspapers, no movies, no beer, nothing. Women and horses, that was his downfall." - St. Louis Browns pitcher Les Tietje...

Posted on: May 7, 2023
By: Gary Livacari
With: 15 Comments

The Joe McCarthy Era Begins in New York!

Ninety-two years ago this month, on April 13, 1931, Joe McCarthy made his debut as Yankee manager, beating the Red Sox at Yankee stadium, 6-3. That was the beginning of one of the most successful runs in baseball history. In 16 seasons at the Yankee helm, all he did is go 1460-867 (.627) with eight pennants and seven World Series championships...

Posted on: April 30, 2023
By: Gary Livacari
With: 9 Comments

Let’s Remember the Great Lefty, Warren Spahn, born 102 Years Ago Today!

With today being the 102nd anniversary of the birth of Warren Sphan (April 23, 1921), I thought it would be a good occasion to turn our baseball spotlight on the great left-hander...

Posted on: April 23, 2023
By: Gary Livacari
With: 14 Comments

Today Is the Sixty-Eighth Anniversay of Joe DiMaggio’s Election to the Hall of Fame!

“When I sat at a table with Joe and other people…all the men were always looking at Joe instead of me!!” – Marilyn Monroe, speaking of her husband Joe DiMaggio....

Posted on: January 26, 2023
By: Gary Livacari
With: 4 Comments

How Times have Changed! Stan Musial Insists the Cardinals Cut His Salary From $100,000 to $80,000!

Here's one I could categorize a couple different ways. It could go into "It'll Never Happen Again," category or even the "My, How the Game Has Changed!"...

Posted on: January 22, 2023
By: Gary Livacari
With: 12 Comments

I Never Get Tired of Talking About Willie!

For those of us weaned on baseball in the 50s and 60s, we never tire of talking about Willie Mays...

Posted on: January 15, 2023
By: Gary Livacari
With: 14 Comments

Frank Chance Takes the Yankees’ Managerial Helm, January 8, 1913

"There is one thing I will never believe, and that is that the Sox are better than the Cubs" -Frank Chance, after the Cubs lost to the "HItless Wonder" White Sox in the 1906 World Series...

Posted on: January 8, 2023
By: Gary Livacari
With: 8 Comments

Let’s remember the Great Josh Gibson

"I played with Willie Mays and against Hank Aaron. They were tremendous players, but they were no Josh Gibson." - Monte Irvin, speaking of Josh Gibson...

Posted on: January 1, 2023
By: Gary Livacari
With: 6 Comments

The Sad Demise of Hack Wilson

“Hung over, yes, many times…drunk, no.” -Hack Wilson’s response when asked if he ever played drunk...

Posted on: December 10, 2022
By: Gary Livacari
With: 18 Comments

Giants’ Manager Bill Terry Learns A Lesson – the Hard Way!

You’ve heard the old saying: “Hell hath no fury like a scorned woman”? Well, it applies in spades to scorned baseball fans!...

Posted on: September 10, 2022
By: Gary Livacari
With: 6 Comments

MEL OTT—THE BIGGEST LITTLE GIANT

“Every time I sign a ball, and there must have been thousands, I thank my luck that I wasn’t born Coveleski or Wamsganss or Peckinpaugh.” -Mel Ott...

Posted on: June 15, 2022
By: Gary Livacari
With: 8 Comments

Tony LaRussa’s Controversial Intentional Walk Decision Recalls Incident From the 1972 World Series!

Tony LaRussa’s controversial decision last Thursday to walk Trea Turner on a 1-2 count has set the baseball world abuzz...

Posted on: June 12, 2022
By: Gary Livacari
With: 6 Comments

June 3, 1932: A Truly Memorable Day In Baseball History With Three Historic Events!

I wonder if there’s ever been a day quite like June 3, 1932 when not one…not two…but three historic events occurred – two within the same game!...

Posted on: June 4, 2022
By: Gary Livacari
With: 4 Comments

Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins Gets His Statue!

Here’s one we can file under: Most Lopsided Trades of All Time! It doesn’t get much worse than this!

Posted on: May 22, 2022
By: Gary Livacari
With: 2 Comments

RUBE WADDELL: THE ULTIMATE ZANY

Scroll Down to Read Today's Essay Subscribe to Baseball History Comes Alive for automatic updates. As a Free Bonus, you'll get instant access…

Posted on: May 11, 2022
By: Gary Livacari
With: 5 Comments

Lou Gehrig’s Consecutive Game Streak Comes to An End!

Eighty-three years ago yesterday, April 30, 1939, was a memorable day in baseball history. On that day, the consecutive game streak of the Iron Horse, Lou Gehrig, finally came to an end...

Posted on: May 1, 2022
By: Gary Livacari
With: 8 Comments

Let’s Remember the 1937 MVP and Triple Crown Winner, Joe “Ducky” Medwick!

"When Joe Medwick dies, half the National League will go to his wake just to make sure that S-O-B is dead!"...

Posted on: April 2, 2022
By: Gary Livacari
With: 2 Comments

“Out! By a Country Mile!” Campy Sends Billy Martin Airborne!

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Posted on: March 27, 2022
By: Gary Livacari
With: 10 Comments

Talk About Obscure! Casey Sengel’s 1939 Boston Bees!

Not as well known is that Casey Stengel's earlier career as a manager wasn’t always so successful. As a matter of fact, it was downright dismal...

Posted on: March 12, 2022
By: Gary Livacari
With: 9 Comments

New Blog Topic: Big Dave Battles Donnie Baseball for the 1984 Batting Title

"If I were sitting down with George Steinbrenner and, based on what Dave Winfield got paid for his statistics, I'd have to say, 'George, you and I are about to become partners!'" - Joe DiMaggio...

Posted on: March 5, 2022
By: Gary Livacari
With: 1 Comment

A Follow-up to My Birthday Tribute to Cool Papa Bell!

With our Old-Time Baseball Photos Facebook page currently having over 85K followers, we never know where our essays might go and who might read them...

Posted on: February 26, 2022
By: Gary Livacari
With: 4 Comments

Birthday Tribute to the Great Honus Wagner, Born February 24, 1874

Thanks to our resident baseball artist, Don Stokes, for calling to our attention that today is the birthday anniversary of Honus Wagner...

Posted on: February 24, 2022
By: Gary Livacari
With: 2 Comments

Minnie Minoso’s “Grand” Return to the White Sox, 1960!

With February being Black History Month, I think this is a good time to shine our baseball spotlight on one of the recent inductees to the Hall of Fame, Orestes "Minnie" Minoso...

Posted on: February 12, 2022
By: Gary Livacari
With: 16 Comments

Another Edition of Lopsided Trades: Mordecai “Three Finger” Brown Goes to the Cubs!

Brock for Broglio? Yeah, that wasn't a bad deal...But how about getting Mordecai "Three Finger " Brown almost for free?? Now that's a deal!...

Posted on: February 5, 2022
By: Gary Livacari
With: 6 Comments

Will There Ever Be Another Player Like Hammerin’ Hank?

“The pitcher has got only a ball. I’ve got a bat. So, the percentage in weapons is in my favor and I let the fellow with the ball do the fretting.” -Hank Aaron

Posted on: January 23, 2022
By: Gary Livacari
With: 11 Comments

Tommy Lasorda’s “Wild” First Major League Inning (And I Do Mean Wild!)

“I bleed Dodger Blue…and when I die I’m going to the Big Dodger in the sky!” –Tommy Lasorda...

Posted on: January 16, 2022
By: Gary Livacari
With: 15 Comments