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…
More Baseball Oddities: Career Home Run Record Holders!
Since 1895, 130 years ago, there have been only four players to hold the career home run record! Three of the names are easy to come up with: Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, and Barry Bonds. But the fourth? Any guesses?…
Another Edition of Baseball’s Forgotten Stars: John Montgomery Ward
We welcome back Ron Christensen with a detailed look into one of baseball’s forgotten stars from the nineteenth century, Hall of Famer John Montgomery Ward. As Ron demonstrates, JMW was truly a “jack of all trades,” and one of baseball’s great innovators…
There’s No Crying – Or Sleeping! – In Baseball!
Don’t believe me that there’s no crying in baseball? You could have asked Hall of Famer Edd Rousch (if he was still around!).
“And Don’t Call Me Catfish!” The Story of Bill Klem
We’re happy to welcome Mike Janacek back today with an interesting essay giving some equal time to the “Men in Blue.” Mike shares with us some interesting information on the career of Hall of Fame umpire Bill Klem, who is not only recognized for introducing many innovations to the umpiring profession but is also considered by many historians to be the greatest umpire in baseball history…
Waite Hoyt and the Dead Body in the Trunk!
Amidst all the “heavy” writing we do around here on Baseball History Comes Alive, it’s fun to sit back every once in a while and have a good laugh. I guarantee that will be your reaction when you read Ron Christensen’s essay today about “Waite Hoyt and the Body in the Trunk”…
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…
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…
HOFer Freddie Lindstrom Ignored the “Pebbles of Defeat” – Somehow He Made It Into Cooperstown!
Today we welcome back Mark Kolier with an interesting essay on a topic we baseball history nerds never tire of discussing: Who belongs in the Hall of Fame and who doesn’t?…
Warren Spahn Elected to the Hall of Fame!
Fifty-two years ago this week, January 24, 1973, Warren Spahn became only the sixth player elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility…
Dick Williams Out as Manager of the Oakland A’s December 1973!
Those of us old enough to remember the Oakland A’s of the early 1970s can readily recall how good those teams were, winning three successive pennants and World Series championships (1972-1974). The roster of talent assembled over those years is truly staggering…
Wow! Dick Allen Elected to the Hall of Fame!
The announcement has been made! After two near misses by one vote each of the last two times he was on the ballot, Dick Allen is in!…
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…
The “Dick Allen For the Hall of Fame” Petition Has Been Submitted, Due to Arrive at the Hall of Fame on Tuesday, December 3, Ahead of the Vote on December 8.
The Classic Era Hall of Fame Committee is scheduled to meet on December 8, just two weeks from now. Having missed out on selection to the Hall by one vote the last two times he was on the ballet, this is a great chance for all of us to help correct one of the biggest injustices in all of sports by showing our support for Dick’s election to the Hall…
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…
Yaz’s Heroics in the 1967 Red Sox Pennant Drive!
I think we’re all aware of what a great player Carl Yastrzemski was, and we’re aware of his heroic role in the Red Sox’ 1967 pennant drive and subsequent World Series championship. But when you read about all the specifics – as recounted for us today by Vince Jankoski – you’ll undoubtedly be as surprised as I was at just how spectacular his role was…
Hack Wilson Sets RBI Record 94 years ago Today!
“Hung over, yes, many times…drunk, no.” -Hack Wilson, when asked if he ever played drunk.
“He was built like a beer keg…and was not unfamiliar with its contents!” -Unknown sportswriter, describing Hack Wilson’s physique…
Frank “Home Run” Baker’s Vintage Yankee Sweater!
My Facebook friend of long-standing, Chris Baker, just posted a great photo of himself at the Babe Ruth Museum in Baltimore. Chris is holding the Yankee sweater of his great-grandfather, Hall of Famer Frank “Home Run” Baker….
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…
Roger Bresnahan, A Baseball Life, by John R. Husman, Reviewed by Gary Livacari
If you asked most baseball history students what they know about Roger Bresnahan, you would likely hear something like this: “Isn’t he the guy who invented shin guards? Isn’t that the reason he’s in the Hall of Fame?”…
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,..
Tribute to Willie Mays (1931-2024), RIP
“What can I say about Willie Mays after I say he’s the greatest player any of us has ever seen?…If he could cook, I’d marry him!” –Leo Durocher, speaking of Willie Mays…
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…
Joe McCarthy’s Boston Years, 1948-1950
Forty-six years ago today, January 13, 1978, Hall of Fame manager Joe McCarthy passed away in a Buffalo hospital at age 90. We’re all familiar with Joe McCarthy’s success as the winningest manager in Yankee history from 1931-1946…
We Know Andre Dawson Was A Great Player, But Did You Know That…
“I always thought that Andre was a renaissance man, but this is taking it to a different level!” – Hall of Fame president Jeff Idelson
