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. ..
Another Look At The 1919 World Series, Shoeless Joe Jackson, Part Two: Joe’s Play in the Field And At-Bat
“You know, he was such a remarkable hitter it was almost impossible for him to swing without meeting the ball solidly.” Teammate Dickie Kerr, speaking of Joe Jackson
Another Look At The 1919 Black Sox Scandal: Shoeless Joe Jackson, Part One – Did Joe Confess?
“The Supreme Being – not Judge Landis – will be my judge. The Good Lord knows I’m innocent of any wrongdoing.” – Joe Jackson
Focus on the 1919 Black Sox: Manager Kid Gleason
As the 100th anniversary of the 1919 World Series approaches, we’ll continue our in-depth look at the players and events surrounding baseball’s darkest hour. Today, we examine the career of White Sox manager, William “Kid” Gleason.
Technical Problem on Baseball History Comes Alive Web page
To all our Baseball History Comes Alive subscribers: Due to a technical glitch with the […]
Another Look at the 1919 World Series: The Cincinnati Reds
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Happy Fathers Day from Old Time Baseball Photos!
All of us here at Old Time Baseball Photos want to wish all the fathers out there a very Happy Fathers Day!
Another In the Series: Baseball’s Forgotten Stars! St. Louis Browns’ Ken Williams
Many thanks to one of our loyal readers, Victoria Martin, for sending me the great book, St. Louis Browns, the Story of a Beloved Team, published by the St. Louis Brown’s Historical Society. Vicki is a devoted member of this venerable group and ably serves as it’s “societal secretary.”
Baseball Oddities: Career Home Run Record holders!
Here’s a real baseball oddity that I’ll bet you never thought about: Since 1895, 124 years ago, there have been only four players to hold the career home run record!
Another Look at the Black Sox Scandal: Eddie Cicotte’s Performance in Game One
Today, we’ll take a look at Eddie Cicotte’s performance in Game One, which, I’ve found, raises some interesting questions.
Another Look at the Black Sox Scandal: Sportswriter Hugh Fullerton’s “Seven Suspicious Plays”
Those of you who read my last post on the 1919 Black Sox scandal, “Is It Time To Take Another Look?” will remember I tried to offer up some “food for thought” in that post…
Another Look At the 1919 World Series: The Eye-Witness Accounts
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Follow up To My Tribute to Bill Buckner
Before we say a final farewell to Bill Buckner, I’d like to do mention a few more of his accomplishments, which were pointed out to me in today’s Chicago Sun-Times by sportswriter, Gordon Whittenmeyer.
Bill Buckner, RIP
“The dreams are that you’re gonna have a great series and win. The nightmares are that you’re gonna let the winning run score on a ground ball through your legs. Those things happen, you know. I think a lot of it is just fate.” -Bill Buckner, 19 days before Game Six of the 1986 World Series.
Focus on the “Eight Men Out,” Part Eight: Fred McMullin
Today we turn our attention to the eighth and perhaps the most obscure of the “Eight Men Out,” Fred McMullin. He’s not better known because he was a utility player in 1919 with only two at-bats in the infamous World Series, going 1-2 with a single.
Focus on “The Eight Men Out,” Part Seven: Claude “Lefty” Williams
There are many tragic stories associated with the Black Sox scandal that rocked the baseball world in 1919, but none more so than the story of Claude “Lefty” Williams.
Spotlight on the “Eight Men Out, ” Part Six: “Shoeless” Joe Jackson
There’s probably no topic that’s more emotionally charged when discussing the Black Sox scandal than Joe Jackson’s guilt or innocence. It’s still hotly debated almost 100 years later.
The Sad Saga of Babe Ruth and the “Baby Ruth” Candy Bar
“Well, I ain’t eatin’ your damned candy bar anymore!” —Babe Ruth, 1927
…And after you read the story, who could blame him?
Spotlight on the “Eight Men Out,” Part Five: Swede Risberg
“The Swede is a hard guy.” –Shoeless Joe Jackson
Spotlight on the Eight Men Out, Part Four: Oscar “Happy” Felsch
I’m continuing with my series on the eight ball players banned for life from baseball by Commissioner Landis in the wake of the 1919 Black Sox scandal. Today we turn our attention to the White Sox’ star center fielder, Oscar “Happy” Felsch.
Spotlight on the “Eight Men Out,” Part Three: Eddie “Knuckles” Cicotte
“I admit I did wrong, but I’ve paid for it the past 45 years.” -Eddie Cicotte, commenting in a 1965 interview on his role in the 1919 Black Sox scandal.
Spotlight On The “Eight Men Out,” Part Two: Buck Weaver!
With the 100th anniversary of the 1919 Black Sox scandal fast approaching, I’ll continue with a look at the “Eight Men Out,” turning the spotlight today on George “Buck” Weaver.
Let’s Turn the Spotlight on the “Eight Men Out”: Ringleader “Chick” Gandil
“We could never pull it off,” Chick Gandil said to gambler Sport Sullivan when asked about a conspiracy to throw the 1919 World Series. “Don’t be silly,” Sullivan replied, “It’s been pulled before and it can be again.”
Cubs Debut In Weeghman Park 103 Years Ago Today!
One hundred and three years ago today, April 20, 1916, the Chicago Cubs played their first game in Weeghman Field – known as Wrigley Field in 1926 – beating the Reds 7-6 in 11 innings.
We’re Contacted by Descendant of Hall-of-Famer, Rube Waddell!
We’ve said many times we always love it when we’re contacted by relatives of former players. It doesn’t matter if the player was a star or a sub. Anyone who makes it to the majors is special in our eyes.
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
Major League Baseball Arrives in Milwaukee!
Sixty-five years ago this week, on Opening Day, April 13, 1953, the former Boston Braves, now the Milwaukee Braves, won their first game representing the city of Milwaukee with a three-hit, 2-0 shutout of the Reds at Crosley Field.
The Baseball World Mourns the Sudden Passing of Gil Hodges
Today is the anniversary of a sad day in baseball history. Forty-seven years ago today, Easter Sunday, April 2, 1972, Gil Hodges collapsed and died after suffering a heart attack
A Real Blockbuster Deal: Frank Lane Trades Home Run King Rocky Colavito to the Tigers For Batting Champion Harvey Kuenn!
Bill Gutman’s recent post about “What If These Trades Were Never Made” got me thinking about trades that were indeed made, but probably never should have been.
We made it!! Happy Opening Day!!
For old-time baseball fans like us, if there’s a better day of the year than Opening Day, I’m not sure what it is!
I Meet Andre Dawson at Cub Spring Training in Mesa, Arizona!
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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.
Baseball’s Most Lopsided Trades – The Dodgers Steal Billy Herman From the Cubs…and Win the 1941 Pennant!
“I was able to tell Dodger GM Larry MacPhail we had a hell of a ball club there. But we could win the whole thing with one other player.” “And who was that?” MacPhail wanted to know. “Billy Herman,” I said in no uncertain terms…
SANDY KOUFAX and DON DRYSDALE: BASEBALL’S VERSION OF THE “GOLD DUST TWINS”!
Fifty-three years ago this month, major league ballplayers headed to spring training to begin the 1966 season. Those rookies and other marginal players hoping to catch on with the big league club would be making a magnanimous $6,000 salary.
Congratulations To One Of Our Readers, Artist Dave Hobrecht!
We always like to highlight the accomplishments of our readers, especially if it has any connection to the game that we all love, baseball.
Today is “National Pi Day!” Mathematics and Baseball Have A Surprising Connection!
When is a pi(e) square? Well, in the mathematic world. Yes, the math constant of Pi, 3.14, is celebrated every March 14th. In baseball, there was a “constant” at third base for the Pittsburg Pirates from 1920 to 1937. He went by the name of “Pi,” although he spelled it “Pie.”
Brooklyn Robins’ Manager Wilbert Robinson Agrees to Catch a Ball Dropped From an Airplane 104 Years Ago Today!
Can you even imagine a stunt like this happening today? With today’s multi-million dollar athletes? Not on your life!
Here’s Another Great Video: The Old Ball Parks!
Some of you will remember my recent post showing Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig taking batting practice in 1931. Since that one was so well received by the readers, I thought I’d post another.
Here’s One for Our Many Dead Ball Era Fans: Let’s Turn the Spotlight on Baseball “Lifer,” Pat Moran!
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Part Two of Paul Doyle’s Posts on Baseball “Scribes.”
As some of you will remember, in Part One in his two part series on baseball scribes, Paul featured Hall-of-Fame sportswriter, Fred Lieb. Today, he takes a chapter from Lieb’s classic book, Baseball As I Have Known It, and presents Lieb’s personally selected All-Star teams from four different eras.