“He’s destined to become one of the greatest hurlers in the National League.” – Lefty Grove, speaking of a young Larry French…
Steve Blass: One Kid’s Home-State Hero!
Ron Christensen returns today with a detailed account of his youthful hobby of collecting baseball cards…and his discovery that pitcher Steve Blass was from his home state of Connecticut. Even though a Yankee fan, this started Ron off on a lifelong connection to the Pirates’ ace. Ron shares an interesting story to which – in many ways – we can all relate. -GL
A Sad Baseball Milestone: Last Two Surviving Members of the St. Louis Browns Pass Away
The last two surviving members of the St. Louis Browns have recently passed away: Ed Mickelson, on June 27, 2025, age 98; and Billy Hunter, on July 3, 2025, age 97. This brings down a sad final curtain on one of the original American League franchises…
A Look Back At The First All-Star Game!
Ninety-two years ago today, July 6, 1933, the first All-Star game was played in front of 49,200 fans at Comiskey Park. The American League won the game 4-2,..
THE EVOLUTION OF THE RELIEF PITCHER
Today we welcome back Vince Jankoski with an interesting essay about the early evolution of the relief pitcher from Firpo Marbeerry in the 1920s to Jim Konstanty in the 1950…
Let’s Recall Baseball’s Most Eloquent Moment: The Lou Gehrig “Luckiest Man” Speech, July 4, 1939
Amidst all the Fourth of July celebrations today, all baseball history fans (like us!) should take a few minutes to reflect upon the anniversary of one of the most memorable – yet saddest – days in baseball history. It occurred 83 years ago today on “Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day,” at Yankee Stadium between games of a Yankees-Senators doubleheader: Lou Gehrig’s “Luckiest Man” Speech…
The Heart-Warming Story of Hall of Fame Slugger Roger Connor and a Little Orphan Named Cecilia
With all the “heavy writing” we do around here on Baseball History Comes Alive, it’s nice every once in a while to step back and simply enjoy a story that, while it has a baseball connection, has nothing to do with anything that happened between the white lines. And so we will today…
Baseball’s Forgotten Stars: Frank ‘Noodles’ Hahn
Many of you may have heard of the early twentieth century ball player, Noodles Hahn. Besides having one of the greatest baseball nicknames of all-time, Noodles Hahn was quite a pitcher over his injury shortened career, as Mike Janacek tells us today…
Here’s a Streak From 1941 You Probably Aren’t Aware Of! (And no, I’m not talking about DiMaggio!)
The 1941 baseball season is considered by many baseball historians to be one of the greatest ever. As we all know this was the year of Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak. It was also the year of Ted Williams’ .406 average, the last time a player hit over .400. In addition, the Dodgers won their first pennant since 1920, and faced the Yankees in the Fall Classic. But there was another memorable steak that year that often gets overlooked…
“WILD BILL” DONOVAN: THE MOST SUPERSTITIOUS MAN IN BASEBALL!
We all know ball players are superstitious, but today, Ron Christensen tells us about possibly the most superstitious player of all, “Wild Bill Donovan. He’s off the “superstition charts”! It’s a great story that all baseball history fans will enjoy…
More Baseball Oddities: Career Home Run Record Holders!
Since 1895, 130 years ago, there have been only four players to hold the career home run record! Three of the names are easy to come up with: Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, and Barry Bonds. But the fourth? Any guesses?…
Baseball’s Eccentrics and Zany Characters! “Frenchy” Bordagaray
A couple years ago, I started a new ongoing series that I called: “Do You Have A Funny Caption For This Photo?” It didn’t go anywhere back then, but I thought I’d give it another try. Check out zany ballplayer “Frenchy” Bordagary and his pretty wife, Victoria!……
Ray Caldwell’s Unusual Contract – And that’s putting it mildly!
Today Mike Janacek returns with an interesting story of Ray Caldwell’s very unusual contract terms, given to him by his manager, that well-known “Doctor” of psychology, Tris Speaker. As weird as it appears, it seems to have worked!…
Another Edition of Baseball’s Forgotten Stars: John Montgomery Ward
We welcome back Ron Christensen with a detailed look into one of baseball’s forgotten stars from the nineteenth century, Hall of Famer John Montgomery Ward. As Ron demonstrates, JMW was truly a “jack of all trades,” and one of baseball’s great innovators…
Happy Fathers Day!
Happy Fathers Day! “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…
Bob and Irish Meusel – A baseball family affair
Mark Kolier returns today with an interesting essay about the two Meusel brothers, Emil (Irish) and Bob. Younger brother “Long Bob” had a near-Hall-of-Fame career and is better known due to being a part of the 1927 Yankees’ Murders’ Row. But older brother Irish had a fine career too, as you’ll soon see…
There’s No Crying – Or Sleeping! – In Baseball!
Don’t believe me that there’s no crying in baseball? You could have asked Hall of Famer Edd Rousch (if he was still around!).
“And Don’t Call Me Catfish!” The Story of Bill Klem
We’re happy to welcome Mike Janacek back today with an interesting essay giving some equal time to the “Men in Blue.” Mike shares with us some interesting information on the career of Hall of Fame umpire Bill Klem, who is not only recognized for introducing many innovations to the umpiring profession but is also considered by many historians to be the greatest umpire in baseball history…
Waite Hoyt and the Dead Body in the Trunk!
Amidst all the “heavy” writing we do around here on Baseball History Comes Alive, it’s fun to sit back every once in a while and have a good laugh. I guarantee that will be your reaction when you read Ron Christensen’s essay today about “Waite Hoyt and the Body in the Trunk”…
What are the Odds?? Unassisted Triple Plays on Back-to-Back Days!
I always enjoy reading about baseball’s oddities: perfect games, four home runs in one game, hitting for the natural cycle, and five extra base hits in a game. All of these are comparable in terms of rarity, but all require extraordinary effort and skill. Right up there in rarity is the unassisted triple play…
Sandy Amoros’s Great Catch in the 1955 World Series!
Vince Vankoski returns today with a detailed look at Sandy Amoros’s catch in the 1955 World Series, which many baseball historians consider one of the greatest catches in World Series history…
Memorial Day Tribute to Baseball and the Military: 1917 White Sox In Military Formation!
On this Memorial Day, as we honor those who answered the call to serve their country, we remember that baseball has a great connection to the military…
Let’s Remember Hall of Famer, “Gettsburg” Eddie Plank!
Today, we welcome Mike Janacek with his first guest submission: an interesting look at the career of the A’s Hall of Famer, Eddie Plank, one of the greatest left-handed pitchers in baseball history. I think you’ll enjoy what Mike shares with us today…
The Cubs and Pete Crow-Armstrong Flirt with Baseball History!
It’s not often that I comment here on the Baseball History Comes Alive website about what’s happening in the modern game. As I’ve said many times, anything after about 1970 is a bit too modern for my taste!…
Going the Distance in the Longest Game in Major League History
I find a sound ‘rule-of-thumb’ to be ‘Never Say Never’. But today I throw caution to the wind and say ‘Never! Never! Never!’ in reference to a MLB record I believe with absolute certainty will never be broken…
Let’s Remember the Ol’ Redhead, Red Barber!
We all have our favorite baseball announcers. Today, Vince Jankoski returns with a nice tribute to his favorite, Red Barber. Red has many historic broadcasts to his credit, which you’ll learn about as you read Vince’s outstanding essay…
Pete Runnels: The Most Underrated Hitter You’ve Never Heard of!
OK…I had heard of Pete Runnels and knew he played for the Red Sox, and had a vague recollection that he was a good hitter, but, as a National League fan back then, that was about the extent of my knowledge of his career. Today, we welcome back Ron Christensen who sets the record straight on this fine ball player, including winning two batting titles!…
Who’s the Greatest Switch-Hitter of All Time? No-Brainer…It’s Mickey Mantle!
In a game played 69 years ago today at Comiskey Park, May 18, 1956, Mickey Mantle surpassed Rip Collins to become the all-time home run leader for switch hitters…
Say It’s So! Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson Are Back In! Hallelujah!
I’m not completely sure what prompted the geniuses who run Major League Baseball in their infinite wisdom to unexpectedly reinstate Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson at this particular moment…
Our Mothers Day Tribute to Baseball Mothers!
We can’t let a great occasion like Mothers Day pass without finding a connection to old-time baseball! So here’s my little contribution to the day, a salute to “Baseball Mothers!”…
Roy Campanella’s Great Start to the 1953 Season!
On May 10, 1953, Roy Campanella hit a double and a home run against the Phillies at Ebbets Field. With those two hits, Campy drove in all five runs in the Dodgers’ 5-0 victory, which gave him over 40 RBIs in the first 30 games of the season, a feat that wouldn’t be matched for forty-four years…
THE 1934 MVP Race: What?!? Really?!? (Part Two)
I’m happy today to continue with Ron Christensen’s deep dive into the 1934 MVP selection between the two primary contenders, Lou Gehrig and Mickey Cochrane. Only baseball history nerds like us can appreciate the extensive effort that Ron has made…
First Sunday Game Played at Ebbets Field, 1919!
Today is the 106th anniversary of the first major league game played on a Sunday at Ebbets Field.
The 1934 MVP Race: What?!? Really?!?!
What could the sportwriters have been thinkiong when they gave the 1934 MVP award to Mickey Cochrane instead of Lou Gehrig??…
Another Edition of “Baseball Oddities”: Ouch! Hit by A Pitch Twice…In The Same Inning!
I have to admit I’ve never heard of a Reds pitcher named Willard Schmidt. Yet, he found a way to get into the baseball record books, although not particularly a way he would have intended…
Post All-Star Game Decline! The Story of Dave Stenhouse
Can an All-Star game appearance hurt a player’s career? This is a topic not often discussed. Vince Jankoski returns today and tries to answer that question with an interesting essay about Dave Stenhouse’s career decline after an appearance in the 1962 All-Star game…
The Big Cat Has A Big Day!
Seventy-eight years ago today, April 24, 1947, the Big Cat, Johnny Mize, had a big day. The Giants’ first baseman hit three home runs in a losing cause as the Giants lost to the Boston Braves 14-5 in a game played at the Polo Grounds. In doing so, Johnny became the first major leaguer to hit three homers in one game five different times…
Fenway Park Opens 113 Years Ago Today, April 20, 1912!
As we prepare to enjoy Easter Sunday festivities with family and friends, it’s also a good time to recall that today, April 20, 2025, is the 113th anniversary of the first game played at Fenway Park…
Forgotten Dodger Star Dolph Camilli, Part Two
Today, we continue with Part Two of Bill Gralnick’s interesting essay on former Brooklyn Dodger, Dolph Camilli, whose outstanding achievements have been overlooked over the passage of time. We’re happy to shine our baseball spotlight on this true baseball star from the 1940s…
Let’s Remember Two Baseball Immortals: Branch Rickey and Jackie Robinson!
As we all know, the Brooklyn Dodgers made history on April 15, 1947 when Jackie Robinson appeared in a major league game. But yesterday, April 10, 1947, was also an historic day…
