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…
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…
Another Edition of Baseball’s Eccentrics! The Curious Career of Arthur Irwin
I’ve said many times that whenever you look deep into the career of a major leaguer you’ll almost always find some interesting details; and boy, does Ron Christensen proof me right today! Being the baseball history nerd that I am, I had heard of Arthur Irwin, but I had no idea of his up and down career and life! Read to the end to see the demise of one of baseball’s truly eccentric characters …
Veteran’s day Tribute: Eddie Grant – The True Measure of Courage
Today we welcome back Ron Christensen with a special Veteran’s Day tribute to Eddie Grant: the first ball player to enlist during WWI and who was later killed in action. As Ron mentions, Captain Eddie Grant deserves to be properly recognized for his service to his country, and so we’re glad to shine our baseball spotlight on this authentic American hero…
Harvey Haddix and the “Imperfect” Perfect Game
Ron Christensen returns today recalling one of the greatest games ever pitched: Harvey Haddix’s gem from May 29, 1959, in which he pitched 12 perfect innings, something never done before or since. What makes it even more historic is that Harvey didn’t get credit for a perfect game or a no-hitter…he had to settle for a loss!
Get A Load Of These Crazy Baseball Trades!
We all can recall some lopsided trades, but absolutely “crazy trades”? In Ron Christensen’s essay today, we learn of players being traded for donuts, for a suit of clothes, in payment for rent…and the proverbial “player traded for himself!”…
Jackie Mitchell: The “David” Who Slew Two “Goliaths!
Jackie Mitchell was the second ever woman to sign a professional baseball contract. What makes Jackie’s tale truly historic is that in 1931 while facing the New York Yankees, seventeen year old Jackie Mitchell struck out Babe Ruth on four pitches and Lou Gehrig on three!
Baseball’s Demon Barber: Sal Maglie
I’m pleased to post Ron Christensen’s essay on Sal Maglie today. Sal was not only one of baseball’s most complex characters, he was also a great pitcher, as Ron vividly details. When his teams were in a must-win game, Sal was the one they wanted on the mound…
SELLING OUT THE HARTFORD DARK BLUES!
C’mon now…be honest! How many of you are aware that one of the original teams in the National League was the Hartford Dark Blues? That’s what I thought! Today Ron Christensen gives us a little refresher course in the early days of the National League and the role played by the Hartford Dark Blues. We always look for ways to enchance our knowledge of baseball’s early days,. I found Ron’s essay enlightening and I think you will too…
“Schoolboy” Johnnie Taylor No-Hits the Satchel Paige All-Stars!
Ron Christensen returns today with an interesting essay about one of the unsung heroes from the Negro Leagues, Johnnie Taylor, shown in the featured photo with Satchel Paige. In one memorable matchup with the acclaimed Hall of Famer, he out-dueled Paige and even pitched a no-hitter! I always welcome the opportunity to enhance our knowledge of the Negro Leagues and it’s many stars, so I think you’ll enjoy reading what Ron has for us today…
Steve Blass: One Kid’s Home-State Hero!
Ron Christensen returns today with a detailed account of his youthful hobby of collecting baseball cards…and his discovery that pitcher Steve Blass was from his home state of Connecticut. Even though a Yankee fan, this started Ron off on a lifelong connection to the Pirates’ ace. Ron shares an interesting story to which – in many ways – we can all relate. -GL
“WILD BILL” DONOVAN: THE MOST SUPERSTITIOUS MAN IN BASEBALL!
We all know ball players are superstitious, but today, Ron Christensen tells us about possibly the most superstitious player of all, “Wild Bill Donovan. He’s off the “superstition charts”! It’s a great story that all baseball history fans will enjoy…
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…
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”…
Going the Distance in the Longest Game in Major League History
I find a sound ‘rule-of-thumb’ to be ‘Never Say Never’. But today I throw caution to the wind and say ‘Never! Never! Never!’ in reference to a MLB record I believe with absolute certainty will never be broken…
Pete Runnels: The Most Underrated Hitter You’ve Never Heard of!
OK…I had heard of Pete Runnels and knew he played for the Red Sox, and had a vague recollection that he was a good hitter, but, as a National League fan back then, that was about the extent of my knowledge of his career. Today, we welcome back Ron Christensen who sets the record straight on this fine ball player, including winning two batting titles!…
THE 1934 MVP Race: What?!? Really?!? (Part Two)
I’m happy today to continue with Ron Christensen’s deep dive into the 1934 MVP selection between the two primary contenders, Lou Gehrig and Mickey Cochrane. Only baseball history nerds like us can appreciate the extensive effort that Ron has made…
The 1934 MVP Race: What?!? Really?!?!
What could the sportwriters have been thinkiong when they gave the 1934 MVP award to Mickey Cochrane instead of Lou Gehrig??…
