“The worst decision I made in all my years in baseball was hiring Rogers Hornsby to manage the Cubs” – Cub President William Veeck Sr….
Who Else Besides Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson Were Reinstated on May 13th? The Case For Shufflin’ Phil Douglas!
Amid all the media hoopla given to the recent reinstatements of Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson, it’s easy to overlook that a total of seventeen players were given a reprieve by Commissioner Rob Manfred. One of the players reinstated was Sufflin’ Phil Douglas, a long forgotten ace pitcher from the early decades of the twentieth century…
Say It’s So! Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson Are Back In! Hallelujah!
I’m not completely sure what prompted the geniuses who run Major League Baseball in their infinite wisdom to unexpectedly reinstate Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson at this particular moment…
Hank Greenberg Sent Packing From Detroit…But What Was His “Crime”?
You’re probably wondering why I chose a pic of the Tigers’ great Hall of Fame slugger Hank Greenberg in a Pirates’ uniform for the featured photo. Read on to find out why!…
Why Is Miller Huggins in This 1903 Reds Team Photo (Since He Didn’t Join the team until 1904)?
While waiting for the Classic Era committee to announce their decision on Hall of Fame selections this week, I’ve been working on the player identification for this 1903 Reds team photo…
Stealing for the Cycle!
This one goes into the “You learn something new about this game every day” file!…
The Babe Comes Through For a Kid Again!
Today we welcome back Andrew Sharp with an interesting essay making the point that the Babe would do anything to make a kid happy…
WHY DID IT TAKE SO LONG FOR THE YANKEES TO MAKE YOGI BERRA THEIR REGULAR CATCHER?
Vince Jankoski returns today with an interesting essay detailing Yogi Berra’s path to becoming the Yankees’ regular catcher. It wasn’t as clear-cut as you might think, as Vince makes clear…
Babe’s Best Year Ever, 1923!
Steve Falco returns today with an interesting account of what was arguably the Bambino’s best season, 1923. We hear a lot about his 1927 season, but this one is often overlooked…
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…
Today Is the Sixty-Eighth Anniversay of Joe DiMaggio’s Election to the Hall of Fame!
“When I sat at a table with Joe and other people…all the men were always looking at Joe instead of me!!” – Marilyn Monroe, speaking of her husband Joe DiMaggio….
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!”…
Curt Simmons, RIP; Let’s Recall the 1950 World Series (Link Corrected)
The baseball world was saddened to learn of the recent passing of Curt Simmons (May 19, 1927- December 13, 2022) at age 93. Simmons was the last surviving member of the 1950 “Whiz Kids”…
The Heart-Warming Story of Babe Ruth and Little Johnny Sylvester
“I’ll knock a homer for Wednesday’s game. Babe Ruth” –Inscription on baseball scrawled by Babe Ruth during the 1926 World Series and given to little Johnny Sylvester, recovering from a near-fatal illness….
“Deep-Dive” Into the Black Sox Scandal: Ringleader Chick Gandil Tells His Side of the Story!
While we often hear cries calling for the reinstatement of Shoeless Joe Jackson or Buck Weaver, there has never been any love lost for Gandil…
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…
Black Sox Scandal Essays – Shoeless Joe Jackson, Part Two: Joe’s Play in the Field And At-Bat
Today, I’d like to address Shoeless Joe Jackson’s play in the 1919 World Series and determine how it relates to his involvement (or non-involvement) in the Black Sox scandal.
Another Look At The 1919 Black Sox Scandal: Shoeless Joe Jackson, Part One – Did Joe Confess?
Today I’ll continue with my “deep dive” into the Black Sox scandal with Part One of my three-part series on Joe Jackson’s involvement..
Do You Have An Interesting Story About Meeting a Major Leaguer? If So, Let’s Hear it!
Many thanks to Ray Banko for coming up with a neat idea. Ray suggested it would be interesting to encourage our readers to share their personal remembrances, encounters, and/or experiences with former major league ballplayers…
MEL OTT—THE BIGGEST LITTLE GIANT
“Every time I sign a ball, and there must have been thousands, I thank my luck that I wasn’t born Coveleski or Wamsganss or Peckinpaugh.” -Mel Ott…
Lou Gehrig’s Consecutive Game Streak Comes to An End!
Eighty-three years ago yesterday, April 30, 1939, was a memorable day in baseball history. On that day, the consecutive game streak of the Iron Horse, Lou Gehrig, finally came to an end…
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…
Another Edition of “From the Lighter Side!”: How Did “Shoeless” Joe Jackson Get His Famous Nickname?
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Let’s Test Your Knowledge of 1930s Baseball!
It’s time to put your thinking caps on! Or, as I used to hear back in grade school: “OK class, close your desks and take out a piece of paper. We’re having a pop quiz!” But don’t worry…you won’t be graded!…
A MEMORABLE DAY AT YANKEE STADIUM
Bill Schaefer returns today with personal remenensences about a game he attended with his dad at Yankee stadium way back in 1946…
Birthday Tribute to the Great Honus Wagner, Born February 24, 1874
Thanks to our resident baseball artist, Don Stokes, for calling to our attention that today is the birthday anniversary of Honus Wagner…
The Sad Saga of Babe Ruth and the Baby Ruth Candy Bar
Since I never tire of writing about the great Bambino, today I’ve got a follow-up to my “Happy Birthday, Babe” post from a few days ago.
Happy Birthday, Babe!
Many thanks to Don Stokes for reminding us that today is the birthday of the great Bambino, Babe Ruth, born on this date in 1895, 127 years ago…
“DiMaggio” Stars In the 1943 All-Star Game!
“DiMaggio” Stars In the 1943 All-Star Game, and no…I’m not talking about Joe!…
February Baseball Trivia Contest Now Open: So You Think You Know A Lot About Babe Ruth! (Still time to enter, contest ends Feb. 25th)
Your score not important, just participate to be eligible to win the Grand Prize Giveaway, a $50 Amazon gift card…
Captain Ted Williams Recalled to Active Duty, January 9, 1952
“If there was ever a man born to be a hitter it was me”…
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.”…
Baseball’s Gettysburg Address:The Lou Gehrig “Luckiest Man” Speech, July 4, 1939
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BASEBALL AND THE PANDEMIC of 1918
As we sit at home waiting to see if baseball will be played in these unsettling times, our attention turns from hitting percentages to virus fatality percentages and hope that it stays way, way below the Mendoza line…
Tribute to Casey Stengel!
“He could fool you. When Casey wanted to make sense he could. But he usually preferred to make you laugh.” — Yogi Berra, speaking of Casey Stengel…
My Viewing of “The Pride of the Yankees”!
Since I’m homebound like just about everybody else, I thought this would be a good time to catch up on a few things on my “to do” list. One item high on the list was my intention to finally watch The Pride of the Yankees…
Who Was The Greatest Hitter Of All Time? Cast Your Vote!
As we ponder our existence in a world without baseball, I thought it might be fun to pass some time debating something real basic: Who was the greatest hitter of all-time?…
Baseball History Comes Alive! Celebrates Its Fourth Anniversary…Thank You!
This week marks the fourth anniversary of Baseball History Comes Alive! I’d like to thank all our loyal followers, especially those who have been with me from the beginning…
Babe Ruth’s “Improbable” Combined No-hitter!
There are 11 combined on-hitters in major league history, and I’m willing to bet you this weird one, involving George Herman “Babe” Ruth in 1917, is unique. Read on to see the details…
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.
