Whenever there’s an historic comeback, it usually consists of a phenomenal run by a hard-charging second place team, accompanied by an equally-phenomenal collapse by the presumed-to-be winner, previously coasting to a title. We’re currently seeing a collapse of this magnitude in the race for the American League Central Division title…
A Unique Day in the Career of Ted Williams!
Seventy-nine years ago yesterday, September 13, 1946, was a unique day in the career of the great Ted Williams. In a game against the Indians at Cleveland’s League Park, Ted hit his only inside-the-park home run. The run stood up and proved to be the winning tally in the 1-0 Red Sox win. The victory also clinched the Red Sox’ first American League pennant since 1918…
“Rapid Robert” Feller’s Remarkable First Major League Start!
Eighty-nine years ago today, August 23, 1936, a highly touted 17 year-old rookie from Van Meter, Iowa made his first major league start for the Cleveland Indians. He had made his major league debut a month earlier on July 19, a relief appearance against the Senators. His name was Bob Feller…
A “Slide-Off” Victory?? What the Heck Is that!!
Today I stumbled upon some interesting information that proves that two of my personal baseball axioms are true:
My two personal axioms: Just when you think you know everything about this game, you suddenly realize that actually you don’t – no matter how many years you’ve been following it; and whenever you look closely into the career of almost any major leaguer, you’ll find something of interest. Lets see what I learned today…
The Ferrell Brothers Involved in a Unique Game in Baseball History!
Ninety two years ago yesterday, brothers Wes and Rick Ferrell were involved in a game played at Fenway Park between the Red Sox and the Indians in which something unique occurred. To my knowledge, it had never happened before and may never happen again.
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!…
Tito Francona’s 1961 Home Run Gives New Meaning to the Term: “Dead Ball” Era!
Whenever you look past the surface and go deeper into the career of almost any major leaguer, you’ll invariably find some little tidbit of information that’s interesting or unusual. Such was the case when I was investigating the career of Tito Francona…
Rocky Colavito, RIP
The baseball world was saddened to learn of the passing of Rocky Colavito. Rocky passed away on December 10 at his home in Burnsville, Pennsylvania surrounded by family members…
Another Edition of “Overlooked for the Hall of Fame”: Rocky Colavito
As I watched Detroit and Cleveland play their recent playoff series, I found myself thinking about a great player who starred for both these teams in days gone by. I was thinking, of course, of Rocky Colavito…
The Indians Clinch the 1948 Pennant 76 Years Ago Today!
Today is the 76th anniversary of a great day in Cleveland Indian history. Under Manager Lou Boudreau, they clinched the 1948 World Series after prevailing against the Boston Red Sox in a one-game playoff…
Baseball’s Forgotten Stars: Herb Score Sets Rookie Strikeout Record!
In a game played at Washington’s Griffith Stadium sixty-nine years ago yesterday, Indians’ rookie left-hander Herb Score fanned nine Senators bringing his season total to 228, setting a new rookie record for strikeouts in a season…
Joe McCarthy’s Odd Choice of Denny Galehouse To Start the 1948 Playoff Game!
Vince Jankoski returns today with an interesting essay on the choice of Denny Galehouse to start the one-game playoff between the Indians and the Red Sox, the winner advancing to the 1948 World Series. The choice didn’t seem to make sense then and still doesn’t all these years later!…
The Cardinals Record Historic Comeback Against the Giants!
Did you ever wonder what was the greatest comeback in National League History? I discovered that it happened 72 years ago today…
1941: The Dodgers start wearing helmets. Let’s Recall the Tragedy of Ray Chapman
Eighty-three years ago today, the Dodgers announced their players would start to wear helmets, but the safety headgear would not be made mandatory in the National League until 1954, with the American League following suit four years later….
It’s Easter Sunday…So Let’s Salute Luke Easter!
“Luke Easter is the only player I ever saw who can hit a baseball as far as Babe Ruth.” –Jimmy Reese, former teammate of Babe Ruth…
Michael Keedy’s Top Ten Greatest World Series Catches, Number Four: Willie Mays, “The Catch,” and the 1954 World Series
“Part of the charm of the Polo Grounds…is that a man pitching a game can, without turning his head, listen to fans in the right-field stands ask each other for matches.”…
Let’s Recall the 1940 “Cry-Babies Incident” and the Principal Player Involved, Hal Trosky!
Today marks the 82nd anniversary of the “Cry-Babies Incident,” when Indians owner Alva Bradley finally fired unpopular manager, Ossie Vitt, who had referred to his players as “cry-Babies”…
When You Survive a Torpedo Attack, I Guess Everything Else Is Easy!
“I was just another gob, luckier than most” –Gene Bearden, modestly speaking of his war-time experiences…
Eddie Robinson Passes Away: The Last Surviving Member of the 1948 World Series Champion Cleveland Indians
The baseball world was saddened to learn this week of the passing of baseball lifer Edie Robinson, aged 100,..
JIM “MUDCAT” GRANT AND A CERTAIN ”MISTER X”
I’ve learned over the years that whenever I write an essay for my website, Baseball History Comes Alive, it goes out to a wide audience. I never know exactly who it might reach or how it might affect someone…
Tribute to Jim “MudCat” Grant
I’m very grateful to Paul Doyle for calling my attention to the recent passing of Jim “Mudcat” Grant on June 11 of this year, aged 85…
The Indians Change Their Name To The “Guardians”!
Regardless of how you may view the appropriateness of the decision, I’d have to say that all of us who love the game of baseball and respect its storied history and traditions were somewhat saddened to learn that the Cleveland major league baseball franchise will change its name…
A Genuine American War Hero: All-Star Pitcher Lou Brissie
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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…
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”….
Shoeless Joe Jackson’s Incredible Three-Year Span, 1911-13!
“You know, he was such a remarkable hitter, it was almost impossible for him to swing without meeting the solidly.” -1919 White Sox pitcher, Dickie Kerr, speaking of teammate, Joe Jackson.
Baseball’s Darkest Day: The Tragic Death of Ray Chapman
It happened ninety-nine years ago. August 16, 1920 was a dark, overcast day. The Yankees were playing the Indians at the Polo Grounds. It was an important game as both teams were in the pennant race…
The Indians’ Hal Trosky: The Best Player Who Was Never An All-Star!
Talk about being in the wrong place at the wrong time! I think we can all feel for Hal Trotsky. If your All-Star competition at first base was Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, and Hank Greenberg, your chances of making the All-Star team would probably not be very good!
We’re Contacted by Nephew of 1930s Indians Star, Joe Vosmik!
“We offered no fewer than five players for Joe Vosmik, who is my idea of the type of left fielder we could use at Yankee Stadium.” –Yankee GM Ed Barrow
Baseball’s Darkest Day: The Tragic Death of Ray Chapman
It happened ninety-nine years ago today. August 16, 1920 was a dark, overcast day. The Yankees were playing the Indians at the Polo Grounds. It was an important game as both teams were in the pennant race…
“Rapid Robert” Feller’s Remarkable First Major League Start, August 23, 1936!
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Polo Grounds, Manhattan, NY, September 29, 1954 – Giants pinch-hitter Dusty Rhodes becomes unlikely World Series hero with game-winning home run
The Indians right fielder Dave Pope is seen here leaping for the Giants pinch-hitter […]
Guest post from Kevin Trusty: “Rare Thievery For ‘Shoeless Joe’ In Cleveland!”
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When You Survive a Torpedo Attack, I Guess Everything Else Is Easy!
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Another Edition of Baseball’s Forgotten Stars: Vic Wertz
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Joe Cronin Hits Into One Of The Most Unusual Triple Plays Ever!
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Joe Louis and Satchel Paige meet at Comiskey Park on August 13, 1948.
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Fenway Park, Boston, MA, July 25, 1938 – Red Sox slugger Jimmie Foxx hits 27th home run of year in 4-0 win over Indians
Hall of Fame slugger Jimmie Foxx rounds third base after hitting his 27th home […]
Another Cy Young Record That Will Never Be Broken!
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The Passing of a “Baseball Original”: Jimmy Piersall, June 4, 2017
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