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!…
Another Edition of: Baseball’s Forgotten Stars! Let’s Remember Cy Seymour
There’s nothing I enjoy more than learning about baseball’s forgotten stars; and today, Mike Janacek returns with a detailed look into the career of Cy Seymour, an overlooked star who was certainly one of the most versatile players in the history of the game…
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…
Another Edition of “Baseball’s Forgotten Stars”: Guy Harris ‘Doc’ White
Mike Janacek returns today with an interesting essay on the long-forgotten Deadball Era star, Doc White. I was familiar with him as a standout pitcher for the 1906 World Series champion White Sox, but, as I discovered, he possessed many other talents not normally associated with ball players. I always find it enlightening to learn more about the game’s forgotten stars, so I think you’ll enjoy what Mike has for us today.
Harry “The Cat” Brecheen: Pitching Coach Par Excellence!
Boy…If there’s one category of major leaguers overlooked for a spot in the Hall of Fame, it’s coaches. There’s a wing for executives, umpires, and sportswriters…but for coaches, a big fat zero. Mike Janacek returns today with an interesting essay about Harry “the Cat” Brecheen, showing why this blatant oversight should be rectified. I hope you’ll take a few minutes to read Mike’s interesting essay…
“A good ole Canadian boy makes good!” Let’s Remember George Selkirk
The quote in the tile below is how Mike Janacek described his fellow Canadian, George Selkirk. As Mike relates, there haven’t been a lot of Canadians who made it to the majors, but there have sure been some good ones…and George Selkirk was one of the best…
Eddie “The Natural” Waitkus Shot by an Obsessed “Femme Fatale”!
Today Mike Janacek returns with a “deep dive” into the shooting of former Cub Eddie Waitkus by stalker, Ruth Steinhagen in Chicago’s Edgewater Beach Hotel. Eddie is believed by many to be the character portrayed by Robert Redford in the movie, “The Natural.” Whether or not you’re familiar with this incident, I think you’ll find Mike’s essay interesting…
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…
Another Edition of Baseball’s Forgotten Stars: Larry French
“He’s destined to become one of the greatest hurlers in the National League.” – Lefty Grove, speaking of a young Larry French…
Baseball’s Forgotten Stars: Frank ‘Noodles’ Hahn
Many of you may have heard of the early twentieth century ball player, Noodles Hahn. Besides having one of the greatest baseball nicknames of all-time, Noodles Hahn was quite a pitcher over his injury shortened career, as Mike Janacek tells us today…
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!…
“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…
Let’s Remember Hall of Famer, “Gettsburg” Eddie Plank!
Today, we welcome Mike Janacek with his first guest submission: an interesting look at the career of the A’s Hall of Famer, Eddie Plank, one of the greatest left-handed pitchers in baseball history. I think you’ll enjoy what Mike shares with us today…
