With most teams at or approaching the 81-game mark in their seasons, this is a good time to take a quick break and think about something just a bit different. In this post, there’s no historical records to examine, no mention of no-hitters or perfect games, no spotlight on a great player, no anecdotes about Babe Ruth, no talk of who should or should not be in the Hall of Fame. You know, the usual stuff…
A Baseball Marathon: The Longest Game in Major League History
Ron Christensen returns today with an interesting account of the longest game in major league history: a 26-inning affair played on May 1, 1920. I don’t think we have to worry about this record ever being broken!…
Fathers Day Salute to Br. Mathias, Babe’s Mentor and Father Figure!
“It was at St. Mary’s that I met and learned to love the greatest man I’ve ever known…He was the father I needed. He taught me to read and write, and the difference between right and wrong.” -Babe Ruth, speaking of his father figure and mentor, Brother Mathias…
The Jackie Robinson Rundown!
Today we welcome a guest contribution from Len Ferman with an interesting essay about the day in 1951 when Jackie Robinson survived a rundown off third base…while trapped by five Phillies players!
Cubs Pete Crow-Armstrong Goes From an Incredible High To An Incredible Low…In a Matter of Seconds!
As readers of my website know, I love commenting on baseball rarities and oddities. In the past, I’ve written about things like unassisted triple plays, four homers in one game, immaculate innings, and perfect games. Those rank right up there with some of the rarest occurrences in baseball history…
Was Lou Gehrig Ever Ejected From a Game? Hard to Believe But the Answer Is Yes!
t actually happened. Ninety-three years ago today, June 14, 1933, umpire Bill Sommers ejected Lou Gehrig from a game after a close call at second base…
Great Footage From the Opening of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, June 12, 1939
Eighty-seven years ago today, the Baseball Hall of Fame opened its doors in Cooperstown, New York, with a dedication ceremony featuring speeches by some of baseball’s all-time greats, including Cy Young, Eddie Collins, and, of course, the great Bambino, Babe Ruth…
More Fun With Baseball Rarities: Bob Gibson Records Four Strikeouts in One Inning!! What Gives??
I always enjoy writing about baseball rarities, you know, like unassisted triple plays, four home runs in one inning, natural cycles, and perfect games. I can now add another one to the list: Four strikeouts in one inning…
A “Deep Dive” Into the Old Reliable Baseball Box score!
Today, Vince Jankoski returns with an interesting “deep dive” into the origins and evolution of the baseball box score. Starting with Henry Chadwick, who first developed the box score in the 1880s, we learn how it has adapted to all the changes that have taken place over the years, and how much more efficient it is than box scores from other sports…
Vern Stephens: The Most Ignored Great Shortstop
Today Mark Kolier features another forgotten star from an earlier era, Vern Stephens. I was somewhat familiar with him from my work identifying ballplayers in the Leslie Jones Boston Public Library Baseball Collection, in which he showed up frequently. After reading Mark’s essay, I now know he was a much better ballplayer than I realized and certainly deserves consideration for the Hall of Fame…