“I often tried plays that looked recklessly daring, maybe even silly. But I never tried anything foolish when a game was at stake, only when we were far ahead or far behind. -Ty Cobb…
Happy Thanksgiving From Baseball History Comes Alive!
Let’s be honest. It’s hard to find a connection between Baseball and Thanksgiving. The great American family tradition of “Turkey Day” falls in that “no man’s land” between the last pitch of the World Series and the first pitch of spring training…
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…
Great Footage of Honus Wagner!
“When he fielded grounders, his huge hands also collected large scoops of infield dirt, which accompanied his throws to first like the tail of a comet.”…
Anatomy of a Sports Bettor: The Compelling Story of Our Contributor, Bill Schaefer
Whatever winnings you accrue betting games, you will give back…and then some -Bill Schaefer…
A Genuine American War Hero: All-Star Pitcher Lou Brissie
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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…
How a Native American Star Began his Career as a Japanese
Today we offer our readers something a bit different. We’re very happy to feature a second guest post from SABR member Rob Fitts. Rob is a recognized authority on Japanese baseball…
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…
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…
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…
BASEBALL’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE LEXICON
This week, Bill Schaefer treats us to an interesting essay dealing with the many ways in which baseball’s jargon has found its way into everyday English usage…
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.
My How Baseball Has Changed! Big Ed Walsh Wins Both Ends of a Doubleheader
One hundred and fifteen years ago yesterday, on September 26, 1905, a very unusual game was played at Huntington Avenue Baseball Grounds in Boston…
Second in the Series: Pitchers Who Converted to Other Positions
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Tribute to the Great Dead Ball Era Pitcher, Smoky Joe Wood
“I threw so hard I thought my arm would fly right off my body.” Smoky Joe Wood, quoted in “The Glory of Their Times”….
Larry Yount: King of the One Game Wonders!
Baseball history is replete with weird, one-time-only oddities. And so here’s a real good one I stumbled onto yesterday.
Cubs Park Raided! May 24, 1920
“Today, Cubs management talks of welcoming gamblers to Wrigley Field. A century ago, it was calling the cops on them.”…
Tribute To Lou Brock, RIP
The entire baseball world was saddened to learn yesterday of the passing of the great Hall-of-Famer, Lou Brock…
“Dalko”: The Untold Story of Baseball’s Fastest Pitcher
“I wish he could have accomplished more. He was slated for big things. It’s just unfortunate that he didn’t.…But he’s still a legend”…
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…
“The Curse of Chico Ruiz”: The Phillies Blow the 1964 Pennant!
“It was about the dumbest play I’ve ever seen…except that it worked.” -Pete Rose, speaking of teammate Chico Ruiz’ 1964 steal of home…
Shootings, Murders, Near-Tragedies, Part V: 1913-14 World Tour, Near Disaster Strikes – Twice!
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Shootings, Murders, and Near-Tragedies, Part IV: The Amazing Story of Jack “Lucky” Lohrke!
“You were thinking of doing what??…Haha!…Don’t make me laugh!”…
A Historic Baseball Event Occurred This Week!
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BASEBALL’S NEW RULES – WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Cast your vote!
The shortened 60-game baseball season has spawned three rule changes designed to make it easier for players to get through a brace of games…
Baseball Shootings and Murders, Part III: The Tragic Demise of Bugs Raymond
“Bugs Raymond took seven years off my life” – Giants’ manager John McGraw…
PAUL DOYLE’S TRIBUTE TO CARROLL HARDY-Every Fan’s Underdog
An obituary of an old-time ballplayer appeared in the news the other day. Memories of childhood sprang to the forefront of my mind after reading the obit…
Baseball Shootings, Part Two: Eddie Waitkus Shot by an Obsessed “Femme Fatale”
“If I can’t have you, nobody else can either!” –Ruth Ann Steinhagen to the object of her obsession, Eddie Waitkus, just before shooting him…
1906 White Sox “Hitless Wonders” Start 19-Game Winning Streak!
One hundred fourteen years ago this week, the 1906 “Hitless Wonders” White Sox started a 19-game winning streak…
Cub Players Shot by Scorned Lovers, Part I: “The Showgirl and the Shortstop!”
“Billy Jurges was one in a hundred thousand. I met him at a party…and I fell hard.
Harvey Haddix Near-Perfect Game: One for the Record Books!
“Not a day goes by that somebody doesn’t ask me about that game….
TOM SEAVER INTERVIEW, PRELUDE TO A MIRACLE…AND MORE
We welcome another guest post from Bill Schaefer, giving us a first-hand account of his interview Tom Seaver back in 1969…
“Hippo” Vaughn and Baseball’s Rarest of Feats: The “Double No Hitter”
What are the odds of a double no-hitter? Well, I read somewhere the odds of a no-hitter in any game are 13,000-to-one…
“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…
THE GREAT BASEBALL NAME GAME: “VINEGAR BEND” MIZELL
Part of the lore and lure of baseball are the wonderfully screwy names of baseball players…
The 1930s Baseball Barnstorming Tours to Japan, Part II: The 1934 Tour
“The 1934 tour would have never happened without Babe Ruth, because – even though he was at the end of his playing career – he was still the most popular and famous athlete of his day”…
Vintage Dead Ball Era Photo: 1913 White Sox in Front of Hotel Oakland
To our many readers who are fans of the Dead Ball Era, here’s a repost of a real gem – one of the best Dead Ball Era team photos you’ll ever see…
Baseball’s Gettysburg Address:The Lou Gehrig “Luckiest Man” Speech, July 4, 1939
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Babe Ruth’s 1924 Barnstorming Tour Visits Dunsmuir Ball Park…And It’s Still Standing!
With a rare second-place finish, the 1924 season was a disappointment for the Yankees. The team was aging with four regulars and nearly all their bench over the age of 30…