A couple days ago, I posted an essay about whether or not Old Pete Alexander was nursing a hangover in the bull pen during the 1926 World Series when Rajah Hornsby called him into the game to face Lazzeri in the seventh inning. One of the readers took me to task for “speculating” about Pete’s condition, which he thought may have had the effect of damaging the reputation of a great pitcher. Today, Pete sets the record straight in his own words…
The Classic 1926 World Series: Was “Old Pete” Alexander Nursing A Hangover In The Bullpen??
“Less than a foot made the difference between a hero and a bum.” -Grover “Old Pete” Alexander, speaking of the long and barely foul ball hit off him by Tony Lazzeri during the 1926 World Series before striking him out…
Harry “The Cat” Brecheen: Pitching Coach Par Excellence!
Boy…If there’s one category of major leaguers overlooked for a spot in the Hall of Fame, it’s coaches. There’s a wing for executives, umpires, and sportswriters…but for coaches, a big fat zero. Mike Janacek returns today with an interesting essay about Harry “the Cat” Brecheen, showing why this blatant oversight should be rectified. I hope you’ll take a few minutes to read Mike’s interesting essay…
A Possible Contributory Factor To the Offensive Explosion in 1930!
Over the years, I’ve written numerous times about the offensive explosion that occurred in 1930. There has never been a season in modern baseball history to match the offensive bombardment of this year…
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…
The Tragic Story of the Cardinals’ Rookie, Charlie Peete
If I told you that a player named Charlie Peete had an unremarkable, 23-game career with the Cardinals in which he hit just .192 with no home runs and no RBIs, you’d probably be wondering why I’m featuring him today…
Hall of Fame Classic Era Committee Meets on December 8. I’m Pulling for Dick Allen…and Ken Boyer!
The Classic Era Committee meets one week from today to make selections for the Hall of Fame. Among the eight outstanding candidates are Dick Allen and Ken Boyer…
1964: Baseball’s Version of “Musical Chairs!” Johnny Keane Gets Yogi’s Job!
As we get closer to the start of the 2024 World Series, this is a good time to start my annual tour through memorable World Series incidents Today we’ll take a look back at the aftermath of the 1964 World Series….
Let’s Remember the Dean Brothers On Their Great Day: Dizzy and Daffy!
Ninety years ago today, September 21, 1934, was a memorable day in baseball history. It was also a memorable day for the Dean family. In the second game of a doubleheader at Ebbets Field, 22-year-old Cardinal rookie pitcher Paul “Daffy” Dean became the fifth rookie to throw a no-hitter, beating the Dodgers, 3-0…
HOFer Max Carey Gets Two Hits in One Inning – Twice in the Same Game!
There was a memorable game played at Sportsman’s Park in St. Louis between the Cardinals and the Pirates, 99 years ago yesterday, June 22, 1925. In that game, future Hall of Famer Max Carey got two hits in the first inning and then again got two hits in the eighth innings,..
The Classic 1946 World Series: Enos Slaughter’s “Mad Dash”
The 1946 season was a great one for MLB. World War II had ended, the regulars returned, and attendance soared.
The World Series that year pitted the St. Louis Cardinals versus the Boston Red Sox. Both teams were stocked with superior players, including two of the greatest hitters of all time: Stan Musial and Red Sox Ted Williams…
Stan Musial and Joe Garagiola Were Teammates and Friends, But Did You Know That…
George Curcio shares with us some interesting information about the friendship between two well-known teammates from the Cardinals’ 1946 World Series championship season, Stan Musial and Joe Garagiola. The story has, to put it mildly, a rather unexpected ending…
My Review of “The Gashouse Gang,” by John Heidenry
Now that we are firming in what I call the baseball “No-Man’s land,” – the time between the last out of the World Series and until we hear the magic words, “Pitchers and catchers report” – it’s a good time to catch up on some unfinished business. So I thought I’d post a review I wrote a few years ago but never got around to publishing. The book is The Gashouse Gang, by John Heidenry. I really enjoyed it and I hope my detailed review stimulates your interest to read it…
Stan Musial Named 1948 MVP!
Seventy-five years ago, December 2, 1948, Stan Musial was named the National League MVP. “Stan the Man” led the league in hitting with a .376 batting average and 131 RBIs, but just missed the Triple Crown by one home run. So let’s take a moment to pay tribute to the memory of one of the true greats in baseball history…
We’re Contacted by Relative of Joe “Ducky” Medwick!
My essay on Joe “Ducky” Medwick last week really touched a nerve. It’s now been seen by over 2.7 million Facebook users, has received over 6,400 “likes” and generated hundreds of comments…
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…
Tribute To Baseball’s Great Innovators!
On May 15, 1915, 108 years ago the Pirates player-manager Fred Clarke files a patent for flip-down sunglasses designed for outfielders…
Remembering Tim McCarver
Yesterday, the baseball world was saddened to learn of the passing of Tim McCarver. We’re grateful to contributor Steve Falco for his remembrance of this fine ballplayer who, after his playing days, was selected for the broadcasting wing of the Hall of Fame…
How Times have Changed! Stan Musial Insists the Cardinals Cut His Salary From $100,000 to $80,000!
Here’s one I could categorize a couple different ways. It could go into “It’ll Never Happen Again,” category or even the “My, How the Game Has Changed!”…
THE TURBULANT LIFE OF HARRY “THE HAT” WALKER
Harry Walker won the National League batting crown with a .363 batting average, in 1947…
Has The Game Changed Or What?? Pete Alexander Pitches Two Complete Games In A Doubleheader!
“The Cubs finished last last year and if they finish last again, I’d rather it be without Alexander.” –Cubs’ manager Joe McCarthy…
Another Edition of: “From the Lighter Side!” Pepper Martin and his “Mudcat Band”
“Pepper Martin’s performance in the 1931 World Series was the greatest individual performance in the history of the World Series.” –John McGraw…
“Lucky Lindy”—And Rogers Hornsby—Visit Sportsman’s Park, June 18, 1927
“The noisemaking [on Lindbergh Day] was reminiscent of the celebration here last fall when the Cardinals won the city’s first baseball pennant”…
1964: Baseball’s Version of “Musical Chairs!” Johnny Keane Gets Yogi’s Job!
“I managed good but boy did they play bad.” –Johnny Keane, commenting on his lack of success as Yankees’ manager…
Let’s Remember the 1937 MVP and Triple Crown Winner, Joe “Ducky” Medwick!
“When Joe Medwick dies, half the National League will go to his wake just to make sure that S-O-B is dead!”…
Let’s Remember the 1934 World Series and the “Gashouse Gang!”
“Why, they wouldn’t even let us in that league over there. They think we’re just a bunch of ‘gashousers’.” – Leo Durocher, speaking derisively of the American League…
Another Edition of Lopsided Trades: Mordecai “Three Finger” Brown Goes to the Cubs!
Brock for Broglio? Yeah, that wasn’t a bad deal…But how about getting Mordecai “Three Finger ” Brown almost for free?? Now that’s a deal!…
Let’s Take a Moment to Recall the Tragic Story of the Cardinals’ Charlie Peete
Charlie who? You’ve never heard of Charlie Peete? Neither had I. Until yesterday that is…
Paul Dean, Jr. RIP
“He’s the hottest thing you ever saw…He’s gonna make ‘em forget me and Paul.” –Dizzy Dean, speaking of his nephew, Paul Dean, Jr….
Grover Cleveland “Pete” Alexander Sets the Record Straight About 1926 World Series!
“Less than a foot made the difference between a hero and a bum.” -Pete Alexander, speaking of Tony Lazzeri’s long and barely foul shot during the 1926 World Series, before Alex struck him out…
Stan Musial Strikes Out Three Times!
Here’s something to really think about. It should wake up anyone who doesn’t think the game has changed drastically over the years…
From the Lighter Side! Pepper Martin and his “Mudcat Band”
“Pepper Martin’s performance in the 1931 World Series was the greatest individual performance in the history of the World Series.” –John McGraw…
THE STRANGE CASE OF VON McDANIEL
“[Von McDaniel] was an instant major league pitching sensation in 1957, a struggling Class B hurler in 1958, and a career minor league infielder by 1959.”…
Enos Slaughter’s “Mad Dash” Wins The 1946 World Series
In the photo above, we see Enos Slaughter crossing home plate in a cloud of dust as he scores what proved to be the winning run in Game Seven of the 1946 World Series…
STAN MUSIAL: THE BEGINNING-THE CRISES- THE THIRD MVP
“Whaddya say, whaddya say!” was Stan Musial’s standard, smiling greeting…
Stan Musial’s 1951 Salary Increase Blocked by Government
As we bid the year 2020 Adieu (and good riddance), we probably will look back on this year from a historical baseball perspective and marvel at all the changes that occurred this past season.
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…
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.
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…
Let’s Remember the Dean Brothers: Dizzy and Daffy!
“Gee, Paul”, if I’d a-known you was gonna throw a no-hitter, I’d a-throw’ed one too!” -Dizzy Dean, after his brother threw a no-hitter in the nightcap of a double-header…
