World Series | Baseball History Comes Alive

Let’s Recall the 1911 World Series and Frank “Home Run” Baker!

The 2023 World Series is in the record books and so we extend a heartfelt congratulations to the Texas Rangers on an exciting win, the first World Series championship in their history...

Posted on: November 5, 2023
By: Gary Livacari
With: 14 Comments

The Classic 1960 World Series

Now that we're in full "World Series mode," I'll continue featuring some of the more memorable Fall Classics. It's been a while since I talked about the 1960 World Series, today we'll revisit one of the most memorable of all — that is, if you're a Pirates fan! — which included probably the most dramatic walk-off home runs in baseball history...

Posted on: October 29, 2023
By: Gary Livacari
With: 19 Comments

Memorable World Series Moments: 1917 World Series White Sox vs. Giants

Heine Zimmerman Chases Speedy Eddie Collins Across Home Plate!...

Posted on: October 22, 2023
By: Gary Livacari
With: 4 Comments

Let’s Revisit the 1941 World Series…and the Mickey Owen Passed Ball!

“That was a tough break for Mickey to get. I bet he feels like a nickel’s worth of dog meat!” –Yankee Tommy Henrich, the beneficiary of Mickey Owen’s passed ball...

Posted on: October 5, 2023
By: Gary Livacari
With: 7 Comments

Hot Off the Press! Michael Keedy’s New Book Now Avilable!

I'm very pleased to announce that a new book by our outstanding contributor, Michael Keedy, is now available on Amazon: "Michael Keedy Counts Down the Top Ten Greatest World Series Catches"...

Posted on: May 25, 2023
By: Gary Livacari
With: 7 Comments

Michael Keedy’s Top Ten Greatest World Series Catches, Number One: Sandy Amoros and the 1955 World Series!

We've finally reached the culmination of Michael Keedy's Top Ten Greatest World Series Catches...

Posted on: December 23, 2022
By: Gary Livacari
With: 19 Comments

Michael Keedy’s Top Ten Greatest World Series Catches, Numbers Two and Three: The Miracle Mets and the 1969 World Series

Michael Keedy’s Top Ten Greatest World Series Catches, Numbers Two and Three: Today, Michael Keedy continues with his countdown of the Top Ten Greatest World Series Catches with catches number two and three...

Posted on: December 16, 2022
By: Gary Livacari
With: 10 Comments

Michael Keedy’s Top Ten Greatest World Series Catches, No. Five: Dwight Evans and the 1975 World Series!

The very mention of "Game Six" is almost certain to evoke sharp visions of Carlton Fisk's walk-off homer in the 1975 World Series...

Posted on: November 25, 2022
By: Gary Livacari
With: 8 Comments

Let’s Recall the Classic 1955 World Series!

"The Yankee Stadium clock reads 3:45 on Tuesday, October 4, 1955, freezing for all time the greatest single moment in Brooklyn Dodger history."...

Posted on: November 4, 2022
By: Gary Livacari
With: 11 Comments

Michael Keedy’s Greatest World Series Catches, No. Seven: “Back-Back-Back In Time!” Al Gionfriddo and the 1947 World Series

If ever any American alive in the first half of the twentieth century were surprised to discover a team from New York in the World Series, he couldn't have been much of a baseball fan...

Posted on: October 26, 2022
By: Gary Livacari
With: 5 Comments

Michael Keedy’s Top-Ten Greatest World Series Catches! No. Nine: Joe Rudi, 1972

Joe Rudi's spectacular World Series grab happened in Game Two, played on October 14, 1972, and whether it "saved" the first of Oakland's three consecutive world championships is open to debate among baseball scholars...

Posted on: October 7, 2022
By: Gary Livacari
With: 7 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

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

Let’s Remember the 1934 World Series and the “Gashouse Gang!”

“Why, they wouldn’t even let us in that league over there. They think we’re just a bunch of ‘gashousers’.” – Leo Durocher, speaking derisively of the American League...

Posted on: March 29, 2022
By: Gary Livacari
With: 7 Comments

When You Survive a Torpedo Attack, I Guess Everything Else Is Easy!

"I was just another gob, luckier than most” –Gene Bearden, modestly speaking of his war-time experiences...

Posted on: January 2, 2022
By: Gary Livacari
With: 8 Comments

Let’s Revisit the 1910 World Series: Cubs vs. A’s!

The 1910 Fall Classic featured the Philadelphia Athletics and the Chicago Cubs, with the Athletics winning in five games...

Posted on: November 30, 2021
By: Gary Livacari
With: 7 Comments

THERE ARE ERRORS…AND THEN THERE ARE ERRORS!! Hank Gowdy and the 1924 World Series

“The mask held me like a bear claw," –Hank Gowdy, recalling his unfortunate incident in the 1924 World Series which led to Washington's winning run...

Posted on: October 23, 2021
By: Gary Livacari
With: 7 Comments

The 1962 World Series (Part Three)

Today, in Part Three, I’ll provide some details about the 1962 World Series which also had a dramatic ending. This time it didn’t end in the Giants’ favor.

Posted on: October 17, 2021
By: Gary Livacari
With: 11 Comments

Baseball “Goats,” Part Three: Heine Zimmerman and the 1917 World Series

“Who the hell was I supposed to throw to, Bill Klem?”...

Posted on: September 1, 2021
By: Gary Livacari
With: 0 Comments

Baseball “Goats,” Part Two: The “$30,000 Muff”

To follow up on my three-part series on the tragedy of Fred Merkle, I'm today starting another series on well-known baseball goats...

Posted on: August 25, 2021
By: Gary Livacari
With: 2 Comments

Grover Cleveland “Pete” Alexander Sets the Record Straight About 1926 World Series!

"Less than a foot made the difference between a hero and a bum." -Pete Alexander, speaking of Tony Lazzeri's long and barely foul shot during the 1926 World Series, before Alex struck him out...

Posted on: August 17, 2021
By: Gary Livacari
With: 6 Comments

“The Thrill of Victory and the Agony of Defeat,” World Series Style: Part III

Today in Part III of this series, I'll do away with the "Defeat" and just concentrate on the "Thrill."...

Posted on: June 26, 2021
By: Gary Livacari
With: 4 Comments

The Thrill of Victory…and the Agony of Defeat, Part One

There’s nothing better in the great game of baseball than being a World Series hero – even if it’s only for a day!...

Posted on: June 16, 2021
By: Gary Livacari
With: 4 Comments

Enos Slaughter’s “Mad Dash” Wins The 1946 World Series

In the photo above, we see Enos Slaughter crossing home plate in a cloud of dust as he scores what proved to be the winning run in Game Seven of the 1946 World Series...

Posted on: April 25, 2021
By: Gary Livacari
With: 5 Comments

Should Ernie Lombardi Still Be Considered The “Goat” Of The 1939 World Series?

As we all know postseason errors can become magnified and can even overshadow the career of the fine ballplayer. Just think about the late Bill Buckner. ..

Posted on: April 11, 2021
By: Gary Livacari
With: 5 Comments

The Original Wrigley Field Scoreboard, October 4, 1935

The featured photo above was taken during the 1935 World Series between the Tigers and Cubs.

Posted on: February 21, 2021
By: Gary Livacari
With: 2 Comments

1932 New York Yankees

Check out this great team photo of the 1932 World Series Champion Yankees, beautifully restored/colorized by the very talented artist, Chris Whitehead of Mancave photos...

Posted on: November 21, 2020
By: Gary Livacari
With: 1 Comment

The 2020 World Series and the 1914 World Series Have Something In Common!

Before we turn the page on another baseball season, dysfunctional as this one was, I want to point out an interesting similarity I discovered between Game Four of the 2020 World Series between the Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays and Game Three of the 1914 World Series...

Posted on: October 28, 2020
By: Gary Livacari
With: 7 Comments

The Classic 1926 World Series: “Ol’ Pete” Alexander Comes to the Rescue!

With the start of the 2020 World Series just around the corner, my tour through memorable World Series stops today in the exciting 1926 World Series, one of the most memorable in the history of the Fall Classic...

Posted on: October 17, 2020
By: Gary Livacari
With: 3 Comments

Beautiful Colorization From The 1903 World Series! Learn Why This Photo Is Very Significant for Us!

Check out this beautiful restoration/colorization of a rare combined team photo from the first World Series in 1903. It's done by our friend Chris Whitehouse of Mancave Photos...

Posted on: October 14, 2020
By: Gary Livacari
With: 2 Comments

The 1948 World Series: “Spahn and Sain and Pray For Rain!”

With our dysfunctional 60-game regular season now over, the playoffs in full swing, and the World Series just ahead, I'll use the next few posts to highlight some of my favorite World Series, especially some that aren't as well remembered...

Posted on: October 11, 2020
By: Gary Livacari
With: 3 Comments

1964 World Series Aftermath: Baseball Plays Its Version of “Musical Chairs!”

“I managed good but boy did they play bad.” –Johnny Keane, commenting on his lack of success as Yankees’ manager.

Posted on: October 3, 2020
By: Gary Livacari
With: 10 Comments

The Famous Phil Linz “Harmonica Incident” Sparks 1964 Yankees

In today's essay, Paul Doyle recalls for us the confrontation between Yogi Berra and utility player, Phil Linz during the 1964 pennant race...

Posted on: September 2, 2020
By: Gary Livacari
With: 1 Comment

“Shufflin’ Phil” Douglas and the 1918 Pennant-Winning Cubs

I always used to designate 1918 as the most dysfunctional year in baseball history, but I'm afraid this year, 2020, will now hold that dubious distinction...

Posted on: July 18, 2020
By: Gary Livacari
With: 4 Comments

We’re Contacted by Grandson of Former Major Leaguer, Ken Lehman!

Subscribe to Baseball History Comes Alive! for automatic updates (sign-up block found in right side-bar) As a Free Bonus for subscribing, you'll get…

Posted on: June 17, 2020
By: Gary Livacari
With: 5 Comments

BASEBALL AND THE PANDEMIC of 1918

As we sit at home waiting to see if baseball will be played in these unsettling times, our attention turns from hitting percentages to virus fatality percentages and hope that it stays way, way below the Mendoza line...