We welcome back Vince Jankoski as we feature a chapter from his upcoming book on pitching coaches. Today Vince tells us about the remarkable career of Joe Becker, one of the most successful pitching coaches in baseball history…but who is even aware of all his achievements? I think you’ll agree with me that it’s about time Joe Becker receives some overdue recognition…
RIP Tommy John: The Pitcher Who Changed Baseball Forever
Baseball lost one of its most remarkable figures on Saturday when Tommy John passed away at the age of 83. Most baseball fans know his name because of the famous surgery that bears it. But Tommy John was much more than the name attached to an operation…
The Cubs’ Rick Monday Rescues the American Flag!
“If you’re going to burn the flag, don’t do it around me. I’ve been to too many veterans’ hospitals and seen too many broken bodies of guys who tried to protect it.” -Rick Monday…
What Do Sandy Koufax and Chris Sale Have In Common?
Sixty-two years ago yesterday, April 18, 1964, was an important date in the great career of Sandy Koufax. In a game against the Cincinnati Reds, Sandy struck out the side on nine pitches, completing what’s called an “Immaculate Inning”…
Baseball Has a “Greek Moment!”
You never know what interesting tidbits of information you might uncover which looking for something else. In doing a little research for my essay the other day about umpire Chris Pelekoudas, I discovered the Jim Campanis (featured above) – the son of Dodger general manager Al Campanis – once described what he called baseball’s “Greek Moment”…
Let’s Recall Baseball’s Highly Successful 1934 Barnstorming Tour to Japan!
Amidst all the hoopla and hype of the Cubs and Dodgers opening the 2025 baseball season in Japan – with superstar Shohei Ohtani as the biggest attraction – it might be fun to recall an earlier trip to Japan: the highly successful 1934 barnstorming tour…
A Deep Dive Into the Career of Sandy Koufax (Warning: This essay comes from the sacrilege department. You may not like what you read!)
Vince Jankowski’s not afraid to tackle controversial subjects…and with today’s essay, “A Deep Dive Into the Career of Sandy Koufax,” it’s like controversy on steroids!…
Have You Ever Heard of Dodger All-Star Norm Larker? I Hadn’t Either!
Today we welcome back Mark Kolier with an interesting essay on overlooked Dodger first baseman, Norm Larker, a player I had never really heard of. As is always the case, whenever you look into the career of a former major leaguer, you’ll find some interesting information. Such is the case with Mark’s essay today.
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…
Frank Howard, RIP
We’d be remiss in our duties here on Baseball History Comes Alive if we didn’t take notice of the recent passing of the fine ball player Frank Howard in Aldie, Virginia at age 87…
GIANTS, DODGERS AND A BRAWL FOR THE AGES
“Baseball fights can be more dangerous than hockey fights, where two players square off, because you’ve got guys running all over the place and people throwing punches at you that you don’t see half the time”…
Tribute to Vin Scully, RIP August 2, 2022
Today, the entire baseball world is saddened to learn that legendary Dodger broadcaster Vin Scully passed away yesterday at age 94 at his home in Hidden Hills, Califormia…
Tommy Lasorda’s “Wild” First Major League Inning (And I Do Mean Wild!)
“I bleed Dodger Blue…and when I die I’m going to the Big Dodger in the sky!” –Tommy Lasorda…
Followup To Paul Doyle’s Essay on the Dodger-Giant 1962 Playoff Series (Part Two)
A Bitter Stan Williams Recalls His Role In One Of The Worst Innings In Dodger History, October 3, 1962
1962: THE LAST DODGERS-GIANTS “PLAYOFF” SERIES (Part One)
Most of us who read Baseball History Comes Alive treasure the 1951 National League Playoff Series where Bobby Thomson hit the “Home Run Heard ‘Round the World.”…
How Many of You Know What An “Immaculate Inning” Is?
Reading this morning’s Chicago Sun-Times, I learned that Boston’s Chris Sale threw what’s called an “immaculate inning,” tying Sandy Koufax as the only pitchers in baseball history to have thrown three in the entire history of baseball…
Stan Williams, RIP
“I don’t like the Dodgers, and they don’t like me. They have completely divorced me over the years, and I pull against them every night.’’ –Ex-Dodger, Stan Williams…
Tommy Lasorda, RIP
“I bleed Dodger Blue…and when I die I’m going to the Big Dodger in the sky!” –Tommy Lasorda…
Baseball’s Forgotten Stars! Jim “Junior” Gilliam
While not a Hall-of-Famer, Gilliam was a clutch performer who had a fine career. It included membership, as either a player or coach, on ten Dodger pennant winners and four World Series championships…
Let’s Revisit The 1965 World Series!
“Hey, skip, bet you wish I was Jewish today, too!”
So said Don Drysdale to manager Walt Alston after Game One, talking about his poor performance on the mound…
Bill Buckner, RIP
“The dreams are that you’re gonna have a great series and win. The nightmares are that you’re gonna let the winning run score on a ground ball through your legs. Those things happen, you know. I think a lot of it is just fate.” -Bill Buckner, 19 days before Game Six of the 1986 World Series.
SANDY KOUFAX and DON DRYSDALE: BASEBALL’S VERSION OF THE “GOLD DUST TWINS”!
Fifty-three years ago this month, major league ballplayers headed to spring training to begin the 1966 season. Those rookies and other marginal players hoping to catch on with the big league club would be making a magnanimous $6,000 salary.
Our Readers Have Spoken: Gil Hodges Belongs in the Hall of Fame!
As we get ready to close down our weekly poll question about whether or not Gil Hodges should be in the Hall of Fame, our very intelligent and well-informed readers have come to a decisive conclusion. By the over-whelming vote of 220-5, our readers have emphatically cast their votes in favor of Gil’s selection.
Does Gil Hodges Belong in the Hall of Fame? Let’s Take a Good Look!
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Let’s Remember Gil Hodges!
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A Bitter Stan Williams Recalls His Role In “The Worst Inning In Dodger History,” October 3, 1962!
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You Learn Something New About This Game Every day! How Many of You Know What An “Immaculate Inning” Is?
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“Roy Campanella Night” Draws Record Crowd of 92,103!
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Seals Stadium, San Francisco, CA, April 15, 1958 – First ever MLB game and pitch in California as LA Dodgers and Giants square off in season opener
Both new California baseball teams, the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers, […]
Sometimes Minor Trades Can Have Major Consequences: The Dodgers Sign Sanford Braun (Who??)
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A Tribute to Vin Scully On His Final Broadcast, October 2, 2016!
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Baseball’s Ugliest Incident
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Comiskey Park, Chicago, 1959 – World Series action takes place between LA Dodgers and Chicago White Sox
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Seals Stadium, San Francisco, CA, April 15, 1958 – First MLB Pitch And Game In California
Both new California baseball teams, the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers, are […]
Busch Stadium, St Louis, MO, September, 17, 1963 – Koufax and Musial square off
As the great Stan Musial’s career is coming to a close with less than two […]
Rick Monday Flag Rescue
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The Great Sandy Koufax
Sandy Koufax Photo Gallery: The Great Hall-of Famer, Sandy Koufax! “There are two times […]
Spotlight on the Hall of Fame: The Great Don Drysdale
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