In the long history of baseball, their have been many notable feuds. Ones that come readily to mind involve Johnny Evers and Joe Tinker; Yogi Berra and George Steinbrenner; and Leo Durocher and Carl Furillo, to name only a few. Today, in Ron Christensen’s essay, we learn of another friendship involving baseball icons that eventually went sour: John McGraw and Wilbert “Uncle Robbie” Robinson…
Let’s Remember the Great Branch Rickey!
“Ethnic prejudice has no place in sports, and baseball must recognize that truth if it is to maintain stature as a national game.” -Branch Rickey
“The Giants Win the Pennant! The Giants Win the Pennant!”
I can’t let the day go by without recalling one of the mot memorable home runs in baseball history: Seventy-four years ago today, Bobby Thomson hit his “Shot Heard ‘Round the World”…
Brooklyn Says Good-Bye to the Dodgers and Ebbets Field!
Sixty-eight years ago this week, September 24, 1957, was a sad day in Dodger history. On that day Dodger fans had their hearts broken forever, as the Dodgers played their last game at historic Ebbets Field, their home since 1913…
Baseball’s Demon Barber: Sal Maglie
I’m pleased to post Ron Christensen’s essay on Sal Maglie today. Sal was not only one of baseball’s most complex characters, he was also a great pitcher, as Ron vividly details. When his teams were in a must-win game, Sal was the one they wanted on the mound…
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…
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…
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…
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.
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…
Another Edition of Baseball’s Forgotten Stars: Dolph Camilli—Slugger with a Smile!
Today we welcome back longtime Brooklyn Dodger fan, Bill Gralnick, with an interesting essay about one of his favorite players: overlooked Dodger star and 19141 MVP, Dolph Camilli, one of the strongest men ever to play the game…
Joe Black: Long Memories of a Short Career, Part Two
Today we continue with Part Two of Brooklyn Dodger fan Bill Gralnick’s interesting guest essay on Dodger Joe Black. In Part Two, Bill describes Joe’s remarkable performance in the 1952 World Series, in which Manger Charlie Dressen slated him to start three games, as he became the first African-American to win a World Series game…
Joe Black: Long Memories of a Short Career
Today we welcome longtime Brooklyn Dodger fan Bill Gralnick with his first guest post. Bill writes a monthly column for the Brooklyn Eagle, where this essay about Dodger pitcher Joe Black first appeared. I think you’ll find interesting what Bill tells us about a fine pitcher who was the 1952 Rookie of the Year and the first African-American to win a World Series game…
Teenage Talent: Tommy Brown, Holder of Some Unusual Major League Records!
As I’ve said many times, any player who makes it to the major leagues is special in our eyes – sub or star, it makes no difference – and I’m always glad to shine our baseball spotlight on little-known players for a brief moment or two. I’ve also said that whenever you look deeply into the career of any major leaguer, you’ll always find something of interest. Today, Vince Jankoski proves my point. He’s written an interesting essay on a player I had never heard of: World War II teenager Tommy Brown.
A Deep Dive Into the Career of Sandy Koufax (Warning: This essay comes from the sacrilege department. You may not like what you read!)
Vince Jankowski’s not afraid to tackle controversial subjects…and with today’s essay, “A Deep Dive Into the Career of Sandy Koufax,” it’s like controversy on steroids!…
Sandy Koufax Wins His Second Cy Young Award 59 Years Ago Today!
“There are two times in my life the hair on my arms has stood up: The first time I saw the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and the second time, I saw Sandy Koufax throw a fastball. -Dodger scout Al Campanis…
Congrats to the Dodgers! Now Let’s Recall the Classic 1955 Dodger-Yankee World Series!
With the exciting conclusion of the 2024 World Series last night – and congrats to the Dodgers! – I thought the time was right to recall one of the best WS ever – from the Dodgers’ perspective!: the 1955 Fall Classic….
A Memorable Baseball Brawl: Carl Furillo Gets 50-Year Old Leo Durocher in a Chokehold!
“Durocher was a dirty manager. He was a dirty player… I hated his guts.” –Carl Furillo…
Tribute to Carl Erskine, RIP
The baseball world was saddened to learn this past Tuesday, April 16, of the passing of Carl Erskine, age 97, the last surviving member of the Dodgers’ Boys of Summer Brooklyn teams…
Let’s Remember Gil Hodges on the One Hundredth Anniversary of His Birth!
Let’s take a moment to remember this fine ball player on the one-hundredth anniversary of his birth this week, April 4, 1924, with a few words about his outstanding career…
Dodgertown Opens March 23, 1951!
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The Shot BEFORE the Shot Heard ‘Round the World!
Today we welcome back Matt Kastel with an interesting account of a tragic incident that occurred at the Polo grounds on July Fourth, 1950. This is something I had never heard of before. Many years later, it’s still painful to read about what happened to a fan casually sitting in the stands and enjoying a ball game…
“42” MOVIE REVIEW
Today we welcome back Bill Schaefer with an interesting “review of a review.” Bill analyzes Boston Globe sportswriter Bob Ryan’s “take” of the movie “42,” written in 2013. Bill then adds his own comments as he goes along. Read Bill’s essay, and see if you agree with Bob Ryan and/or Bill Schaefer!…
Don Newcombe Retires, January 19, 1961
This past Friday, January 19, 2024 was the sixty-first anniversary of Don Newcombe’s release from the Indians, bringing to a close his remarkable twelve-year major league career…
Another First for Jackie Robinson!
“The way I figured it, I was even with baseball and baseball with me. The game had done much for me, and I had done much for it.” -Jackie Robinson…
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…
Joe “Ducky” Medwick Beaned and Nearly Killed, June 18, 1940
“When he dies, half the National League will go to his wake just to make sure that S-O-B is dead.” –Unknown former teammate, speaking of Joe Medwick…
On Being Obsessed with the Brooklyn Dodgers!
I’ve got a real treat for everyone today. Michael Tymn returns and shares with us reminisces from his early years as a Dodger fan in the late 1940s, seventy-five years ago….
THE SHOT HEARD ‘ROUND THE WORLD (THAT ALMOST WASN’T)
Today we welcome back Bill Schaefer with an interesting account of the 1951 game between the Dodgers and Phillies that necessitated the three-game playoff series between the Dodgers and Giants…
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…
Do You Have A Funny Caption For This Photo?
I thought it might be fun to start a new ongoing series that I’m calling: “Do You Have A Caption For This Photo?” I’ll be asking you guys for help. If you stumble on to a baseball photo that we could have some fun with coming up with a humorous caption, please send the photo to me at: Livac2@aol.com…
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.”…
Giants’ Manager Bill Terry Learns A Lesson – the Hard Way!
You’ve heard the old saying: “Hell hath no fury like a scorned woman”? Well, it applies in spades to scorned baseball fans!…
Let’s Remember Two Baseball Immortals: Branch Rickey and Jackie Robinson!
“Ethnic prejudice has no place in sports, and baseball must recognize that truth if it is to maintain stature as a national game.” -Branch Rickey…
Tribute to Vin Scully, RIP August 2, 2022
Today, the entire baseball world is saddened to learn that legendary Dodger broadcaster Vin Scully passed away yesterday at age 94 at his home in Hidden Hills, Califormia…
“Out! By a Country Mile!” Campy Sends Billy Martin Airborne!
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Another Edition of Baseball’s Forgotten Stars: “Pistol” Pete Reiser
He was known as Pistol Pete to friends and family after the cowboy movie hero, “Two-Gun Pete.”…
Talk About Obscure! Casey Sengel’s 1939 Boston Bees!
Not as well known is that Casey Stengel’s earlier career as a manager wasn’t always so successful. As a matter of fact, it was downright dismal…
We’re Contacted by Acquaintance of Brooklyn Dodger Great, Preacher Roe, Part Two
“Sometimes you eat the bear and sometimes the bear eats you!” –Preacher Roe, commenting after once being taken out of a game in the second inning…
