When baseball fans think of the great New York Yankee teams of the 1930s, names like Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Lefty Gomez, and Bill Dickey immediately come to mind. But among all that star power, there’s another name – often overlooked – that deserves to be remembered: Charles Herbert “Red” Ruffing…
Gil Hodges Sets a New Brooklyn Dodgers Home Run Record, August 29, 1951!
Seventy-five years ago today, August 29, 1951, Brooklyn Dodger first baseman Gil Hodges hit two home runs in the Dodgers’ 13-1 rout of the Reds at Ebbets Field. With his second “long one,” the 27-year-old Dodger first baseman topped Brooklyn’s previous single-season home-run record of 35, set more than two decades earlier…
The Day a Rookie Saved Frank Robinson’s Life
The year was 1966. The date was August 22- sixty years ago today. The Baltimore Orioles were enjoying an off day while feeling rather good about their 12.5-game lead in the American League pennant race with only six weeks to go. Superstar Frank Robinson, acquired during the offseason in a memorable trade with the Reds, was enjoying the best season of his career…
Remembering Roberto Clemente on His Birthday: A Great Ballplayer…and an Even Greater Man
If it was humanly possible for a ball to be caught, Roberto Clemente was going to get it.” –Pirates’ manager Danny Murtaugh…
Harry Heilmann Went Through the Front Door. Chuck Klein Used the Side Door
Contributor Mark Kolier returns today with an interesting comparison of two of the lesser-known Hall of Famers: Harry Heilmann and Chuck Klein. Both players had remarkable careers, but remain relatively unknown because of little (Klein) to none (Heilmann) World Series experience…
Warren Spahn Sets National League Record for Home Runs By a Pitcher!
Sixty-four years ago today, July 26, 1962, the great Hall of Famer Warren Spahn hit his 31st home run to set the National League record for round-trippers by a pitcher. Over his career, he hit 35 home runs – more than the career totals of many everyday position players – making him arguably the greatest hitting pitcher in National League history before the designated hitter era…
Another Baseball’s Lopsided Trades: The Red Sox Send Pee Wee Reese to the Dodgers Almost For Free!
Eighty-seven years ago today, July 18, 1939, the Red Sox made a trade with the Brooklyn Dodgers that they surely came to regret. On that day, they sent the Louisville Colonels’ 21-year-old shortstop prospect named Harold (Pee Wee) Reese to the Dodgers for $35,000 and three minor leaguers…
Book Review: “One Day in September: Baseball, Brotherhood, and the Birth of the All-Star Game”
The book, “One Day in September: Baseball, Brotherhood, and the Birth of the All-Star Game,” by author Scott D. Reich, gives a vivid account of the life and times of Tim Murnane and the September 27, 1917, Tim Murnane Benefit Game held in his honor at Fenway Park. I had been vaguely aware of Tim Murnane and the benefit game, but until I read Scott Reich’s book, I had no idea of its significance to baseball, momentarily uniting rivals for a good cause, and serving as a precursor to the first All-Star Game…
My Review of: “Marse Joe and Me, Recalling Baseball’s Greatest Manager”
Many thanks to author Robert O’Brian for sending me a copy of his interesting book, Marse Joe and Me, Recalling Baseball’s Greatest Manager. In it, Robert details the improbable story of how his then thirteen-year-old father – a paperboy in Buffalo, New York in the 1930s during the grim days of the Great Depression – was befriended by Joe McCarthy and his wife, Babe. It was a friendship that lasted for the rest of their lives until McCarthy passed away on January 13, 1978, at the age of 90…
Tribute to Leo Durocher and Willie Mays!
One of my earlier posts talked about Jackie Robinson and Leo Durocher and how things might have been different for Jackie if he had the bold and brash Leo Durocher leading interference for him back in 1947…
![A “Promising Young Rookie” Fills in for Bobby Thomson! [Hint: Initials “H.A.”]](https://www.baseballhistorycomesalive.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/1-aaron5.jpg)
A “Promising Young Rookie” Fills in for Bobby Thomson! [Hint: Initials “H.A.”]
Yesterday was the anniversary of a significant day in baseball history, but it’s safe to say nobody knew it at the time. Seventy-two years ago yesterday, March 14, 1954, a promising 20-year-old from Mobile, Alabama – fresh from the Negro Leagues – started his first game in a Braves’ uniform, filling in for Bobby Thomson, who had broken his ankle the day before…
Bill Mazeroski, R.I.P. Lets Recall Bill’s “Homer for the Ages”
On this the sad occasion of Bill Mazeroski’s passing, I’d like to honor him by saying a few words about the classic 1960 World Series and Bill’s historic homer, ranked Number One by ESPN on its list of the One Hundred Greatest Home Runs of All Time…
Harry Caray Passes Away 28 Years Ago This Week
This week, February 18, 1998, marked the 28th anniversary of the death of Harry Caray. Harry passed away as a result of complications from a heart attack and brain damage. On Valentine’s Day, Caray and his wife, Dutchie, were at a Rancho Mirage, California, restaurant celebrating the holiday when Caray collapsed during the meal. He was rushed to nearby Eisenhower Medical Center, where he never woke up from his coma…
Lets Remember the Great Yankee Manager, Miller Huggins!
Ninety-five years ago today, on February 15, 1931, the Yankees renamed their spring training facility, Crescent Lake, to Miller Huggins Field in honor of their late manager, who passed away at the end of the 1929 season…
Carlos Beltran For the Hall of Fame…Yes or No?
When Vince Jankoski set me an essay discussing Carlos Beltran’s qualifications for the Hall of Fame, I was hesitant to post it. I have a rule that anything after about 1970 is too modern for Baseball History Comes Alive. But when I read the essay, I discovered that Vince puts Beltran’s stats in historical perspective, comparing him to some of the great center fielders of the past. OK Vince…it’s a go! Anyway, I think you’ll enjoy Vince’s deep dive into Carlos Beltran’s merits for the Hall. Then you can make up your own mind!…
We Uncover a Bit of Baseball History In Photos of Hall of Famer, Sam Thompson!
OK…Today we’re really going into the weeds! This one is for the real baseball history nerds out there! I was recently contacted by two SABR members asking my opinion on whether or not a player in an 1880s photo found on eBay from an Ohio estate sale was nineteenth century Hall of Fame ball player Sam Thompson…
Lets Recall the 1939 Hall of Fame Class!
There have been some questionable Hall of Fames inductees over the years, but you certainly can’t quibble with the Class of ’39. Eighty-seven years ago yesterday, January 24, 1939, the Hall enshrined Eddie Collins, George Sisler, and Wee Willie Keeler.
Baseball History Comes Alive Celebrates Its Tenth Anniversary!
This week marks the tenth 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. To celebrate the happy occasion, here’s a repost of my very first essay, posted on January 20, 2016, along with a nice photo gallery highlighting the life and career of the great “Flying Dutchman,” Honus Wgner…
Sometimes Minor Trades Can Have Major Consequences: The Dodgers Sign Sanford Braun! (Who??)
Seventy-two years ago last month, December 13, 1954, a rather unremarkable trade was made between the Brooklyn Dodgers and the Baltimore Orioles. The Dodgers traded away Billy Cox, their mainstay third baseman whose best years were behind him; and Preacher Roe, a fine pitcher who was also at the end of the road. In return, the Dodgers got two nameless minor league prospects…
Our Annual Tribute to Roberto Clemente! “HE’S GOT IT!!”
“If it was humanly possible for a ball to be caught, Roberto Clemente was going to get it.” –Pirates’ manager, Danny Murtaugh…
Dave Bancroft: A Shortstop of “Beauty!”
I’ve always said it’s much harder for middle infielders to make the Hall of Fame, as they characteristically lack the power numbers that ensure automatic selection. Such was the case for Dave ‘Beauty’ Bancroft, always considered a controversial selectee. And so today Ron Christensen does a deep dive into his career, making a strong and convincing case for his HOF inclusion…
The Wit and Wisdom of “El Goofo,” Lefty Gomez!
With all the “heavy writing” we do around here, it’s fun sometimes to step back and turn our baseball spotlight on some of baseball’s zany characters. Mike Janacek returns today with a fun piece highlighting some of the most “memorable” quips of one of the game’s great personalities, “El Goffo,” Lefty Gomez. I think you’ll enjoy it!…
Cardinals Trade Mordecai “Three Finger” Brown to the Cubs, 1903!
Brock for Broglio? Yeah, that was a pretty good deal…for the Cardinals, that is. Not so good for us Cub fans, however! But how about getting Mordecai “Three Finger” Brown from the Cardinals almost for free?? Now that’s a deal!!…
A Young Kid Meets Rogers Hornsby!
And you’ll never guess who that young kid was…that’s right, me!…
Minnie Minoso Returns to the White Sox, December 6, 1959!
Sixty-six years ago yesterday, December 6, 1959, the Indians traded fan-favorite Minnie Minoso, along with three other players, back to the White Sox. Minnie’s return made Opening Day at Comiskey Park, April 19, 1960, a special day in White Sox history…
Wilbert Robinson & John McGraw: A Complicated Relationship!
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
Rogers Hornsby Traded Again!
Hiring Rogers Hornsby to manage the Cubs was the worst mistake I made in all my years in baseball.” -William Veeck, Sr. Cub President…
Baseball’s Forgotten Stars: Elmer Flick, ‘The Demon of The Stick’
Be honest…Have you ever heard of Elmer Flick? If so, did you know he’s in the Hall of Fame? It doesn’t seem right to include a Hall of Famer in the “Forgotten Stars” category, but I think it applies to Elmer Flick. Mike Janacek returns today and attempts to set the record straight with an interesting account of Elmer’s life and career…
The Great “Double X” Jimmie Foxx Receives Third MVP Award!
As we extend our congratulations to the Dodgers for their victory in the exciting 2025 Word Series, here’s a few words about the great slugger Jimmie Foxx. On this day, November 2, 1938, in a season in which he hit .349 with 50 home runs and 175 RBIs, Jimmie became the first player to win the MVP award three times…
“Pete” Alexander Sets the Record Straight About 1926 World Series!
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…
Ty Cobb Pitches in a Game…Against George Sisler!
I think we can safely file this one into the category of “Useless Baseball Trivia!” But we’re baseball fans…so useless trivia is right up our alley!…
An Interesting Comparison Of Two “Hermans”: Babe and Billy!
Mark Kolier returns today with an interesting essay comparing the careers of two fine ball players, both with the last name of “Herman.” One is in the Hall of Fame (Billy), and the other isn’t (Babe). Mark asks the question “why is this so?” I think you’ll enjoy Mark’s attempt to find an answer…
“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…
The Cubs Fire Manager Rogers Hornsby in the Middle of the 1932 Pennant Race!
“The worst decision I made in all my years in baseball was hiring Rogers Hornsby to manage the Cubs” – Cub President William Veeck Sr….
Another Edition of Baseball’s Overlooked Stars! Eppa Rixey Jr.
It seems like a contradiction to say that a Hall of Famer is a forgotten star, but I think the term applies in the case of Eppa Rixley. I’d venture to guess that the vast majority of baseball fans have never heard of him. And does he belong in the Hall of Fame? Mike Janacek returns today with a detailed and interesting look into his career. You can decide for yourself the answer to the question…
Let’s Remeber Bucky Harris: Grandfather/Godfather/Inventor of the Modern Relief Pitcher!
Vince Jankoski returns with another installmetn in his series on the evolution of relief pitchers. Today, he highlights the role that HOF manager “Boy Wonder” Bucky Harris played in the development of the modern relief pitcher…
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.
Tim Raines – A HOFer Whose Career Stats Don’t Tell the Whole Story
Mark Kolier returns today with a deep dive into the career of Tim “Rock” Raines. Mark views Raines as an underrated HOFer, and after you read Mark’s essay, you’ll understand why!…
The Heart-Warming Story of Hall of Fame Slugger Roger Connor and a Little Orphan Named Cecilia
With all the “heavy writing” we do around here on Baseball History Comes Alive, it’s nice every once in a while to step back and simply enjoy a story that, while it has a baseball connection, has nothing to do with anything that happened between the white lines. And so we will today…