At this time of year, with the World Series approaching, I always enjoy recalling some of the more memorable Fall Classics from days gone by. Today, I’ll feature a repost of my essay on the 1934 World Series between the St. Louis “Gashouse Gang” and the Detroit Tigers…
Babe Ruth Dominates the 1918 World Series!
One hundred and eight years ago yesterday, on September 5, 1918, a 23-year-old left-hander named George Herman “Babe” Ruth walked to the mound at Chicago’s Comiskey Park for Game One of the World Series and a World Series record was within his sights…
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…
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…
“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…
The Classic 1926 World Series: Was “Old Pete” Alexander Nursing A Hangover In The Bullpen??
“Less than a foot made the difference between a hero and a bum.” -Grover “Old Pete” Alexander, speaking of the long and barely foul ball hit off him by Tony Lazzeri during the 1926 World Series before striking him out…
Cubs Blow 8-Run Lead in 1929 World Series!
With the 2025 World Series due to start shortly, I always like to recall some of the more memorable Fall Classics from the past. Today, we’ll take a look at the 1929 World Series between the Cubs and the Philadelphia Athletics. However, if you’re a Cub fan, the memories are not good…
Lets Recall “The Greatest Game Ever Pitched”: Don Larsen’s Perfect Game!
“This most assuredly was the greatest game ever pitched in the history of baseball!” -Vin Scully
I can’t let the month go by without recalling Don Larsen’s World Series perfect day. It happened 69 years ago last week, on October 8, 1956…
There are Errors…And Then There Are Errors!
The unfortunate throwing error by Orion Kerkering in Game Five of the playoff series between the Phillies and Dodgers brought the Phils season to an abrupt end. As Kerkering is sure to learn the hard way, post-season errors in crucial spots can be magnified and can often tarnish the careers of fine ball players…
Babe Ruth’s “Called Shot”: Did He or Didn’t He?
Babe Ruth’s famous “Called Shot” came in the fifth inning of Game Three of the 1932 World Series – played ninety-three years ago this week – on October 1, 1932, at Wrigley Field. During the at-bat, Ruth made a pointing gesture, which existing film confirms, but the exact nature of his gesture has never been settled…
Deadball Era Match-up For the Ages: “Smoky” Joe Wood vs. Walter “Big Train” Johnson!
On September 6, 1912 Smoky, Joe Wood faced Walter “Big Train” Johnson in a memorable pitching duel at Fenway Park. Matched pitch-for-pitch, Wood eventually bested Johnson 1-0 for a two-hit complete game shutout, his 30th of the year…
Happy Birthday Maz! Lets remember Bill Mazeroski’s “Homer for the Ages”
With today being Bill Mazeroski’s 89th birthday, I’d like to wish Bill a “Happy Birthday” by saying a few words about the classic 1960 World Series and Bill’s homer in the seventh game – possibly the most dramatic walk-off home run in baseball history…
Sandy Amoros’s Great Catch in the 1955 World Series!
Vince Vankoski returns today with a detailed look at Sandy Amoros’s catch in the 1955 World Series, which many baseball historians consider one of the greatest catches in World Series history…
Joe Black: Long Memories of a Short Career, Part Two
Today we continue with Part Two of Brooklyn Dodger fan Bill Gralnick’s interesting guest essay on Dodger Joe Black. In Part Two, Bill describes Joe’s remarkable performance in the 1952 World Series, in which Manger Charlie Dressen slated him to start three games, as he became the first African-American to win a World Series game…
Joe Black: Long Memories of a Short Career
Today we welcome longtime Brooklyn Dodger fan Bill Gralnick with his first guest post. Bill writes a monthly column for the Brooklyn Eagle, where this essay about Dodger pitcher Joe Black first appeared. I think you’ll find interesting what Bill tells us about a fine pitcher who was the 1952 Rookie of the Year and the first African-American to win a World Series game…
Willie Davis and the 1966 World Series
Watching the Yankees’ excruciating implosion in the fifth inning of Game Five reminded Vince Jankoski of an earlier, similar fifth-inning meltdown – in Game Two of the 1966 fall classic….
Congrats to the Dodgers! Now Let’s Recall the Classic 1955 Dodger-Yankee World Series!
With the exciting conclusion of the 2024 World Series last night – and congrats to the Dodgers! – I thought the time was right to recall one of the best WS ever – from the Dodgers’ perspective!: the 1955 Fall Classic….
The Thrill of Victory and the Agony of Defeat, World Series Style!
In past essays, I’ve explored the “Agony of Defeat” — World Series style — with posts highlighting numerous World Series goats. So now that we’re again in full World Series mode, I’ll instead just concentrate today on what is much more fun: the “Thrill of Victory.”…
Let’s Revist the 1960 World Series!
Today Vince Jankoski takes us on a revisit to the 1960 World Series. Vince takes a deep dive into some of the more subtle reasons the Yankees lost the 1960 World Series to the Pirates despite besting them in virtually every offensive and pitching category…
Joe McCarthy’s Odd Choice of Denny Galehouse To Start the 1948 Playoff Game!
Vince Jankoski returns today with an interesting essay on the choice of Denny Galehouse to start the one-game playoff between the Indians and the Red Sox, the winner advancing to the 1948 World Series. The choice didn’t seem to make sense then and still doesn’t all these years later!…
Let’s Recall the 1911 World Series and Frank “Home Run” Baker!
The 2023 World Series is in the record books and so we extend a heartfelt congratulations to the Texas Rangers on an exciting win, the first World Series championship in their history…
The Classic 1960 World Series
Now that we’re in full “World Series mode,” I’ll continue featuring some of the more memorable Fall Classics. It’s been a while since I talked about the 1960 World Series, today we’ll revisit one of the most memorable of all — that is, if you’re a Pirates fan! — which included probably the most dramatic walk-off home runs in baseball history…
Memorable World Series Moments: 1917 World Series White Sox vs. Giants
Heine Zimmerman Chases Speedy Eddie Collins Across Home Plate!…
Let’s Revisit the 1941 World Series…and the Mickey Owen Passed Ball!
“That was a tough break for Mickey to get. I bet he feels like a nickel’s worth of dog meat!” –Yankee Tommy Henrich, the beneficiary of Mickey Owen’s passed ball…
Hot Off the Press! Michael Keedy’s New Book Now Avilable!
I’m very pleased to announce that a new book by our outstanding contributor, Michael Keedy, is now available on Amazon: “Michael Keedy Counts Down the Top Ten Greatest World Series Catches”…
Michael Keedy’s Top Ten Greatest World Series Catches, Number One: Sandy Amoros and the 1955 World Series!
We’ve finally reached the culmination of Michael Keedy’s Top Ten Greatest World Series Catches…
Michael Keedy’s Top Ten Greatest World Series Catches, Numbers Two and Three: The Miracle Mets and the 1969 World Series
Michael Keedy’s Top Ten Greatest World Series Catches, Numbers Two and Three: Today, Michael Keedy continues with his countdown of the Top Ten Greatest World Series Catches with catches number two and three…
Michael Keedy’s Top Ten Greatest World Series Catches, No. Five: Dwight Evans and the 1975 World Series!
The very mention of “Game Six” is almost certain to evoke sharp visions of Carlton Fisk’s walk-off homer in the 1975 World Series…
Let’s Recall the Classic 1955 World Series!
“The Yankee Stadium clock reads 3:45 on Tuesday, October 4, 1955, freezing for all time the greatest single moment in Brooklyn Dodger history.”…
Michael Keedy’s Greatest World Series Catches, No. Seven: “Back-Back-Back In Time!” Al Gionfriddo and the 1947 World Series
If ever any American alive in the first half of the twentieth century were surprised to discover a team from New York in the World Series, he couldn’t have been much of a baseball fan…
Michael Keedy’s Top-Ten Greatest World Series Catches! No. Nine: Joe Rudi, 1972
Joe Rudi’s spectacular World Series grab happened in Game Two, played on October 14, 1972, and whether it “saved” the first of Oakland’s three consecutive world championships is open to debate among baseball scholars…
Tony LaRussa’s Controversial Intentional Walk Decision Recalls Incident From the 1972 World Series!
Tony LaRussa’s controversial decision last Thursday to walk Trea Turner on a 1-2 count has set the baseball world abuzz…
Let’s Remember the 1937 MVP and Triple Crown Winner, Joe “Ducky” Medwick!
“When Joe Medwick dies, half the National League will go to his wake just to make sure that S-O-B is dead!”…
Let’s Remember the 1934 World Series and the “Gashouse Gang!”
“Why, they wouldn’t even let us in that league over there. They think we’re just a bunch of ‘gashousers’.” – Leo Durocher, speaking derisively of the American League…
When You Survive a Torpedo Attack, I Guess Everything Else Is Easy!
“I was just another gob, luckier than most” –Gene Bearden, modestly speaking of his war-time experiences…
Let’s Revisit the 1910 World Series: Cubs vs. A’s!
The 1910 Fall Classic featured the Philadelphia Athletics and the Chicago Cubs, with the Athletics winning in five games…
THERE ARE ERRORS…AND THEN THERE ARE ERRORS!! Hank Gowdy and the 1924 World Series
“The mask held me like a bear claw,” –Hank Gowdy, recalling his unfortunate incident in the 1924 World Series which led to Washington’s winning run…
The 1962 World Series (Part Three)
Today, in Part Three, I’ll provide some details about the 1962 World Series which also had a dramatic ending. This time it didn’t end in the Giants’ favor.
Baseball “Goats,” Part Three: Heine Zimmerman and the 1917 World Series
“Who the hell was I supposed to throw to, Bill Klem?”…
Baseball “Goats,” Part Two: The “$30,000 Muff”
To follow up on my three-part series on the tragedy of Fred Merkle, I’m today starting another series on well-known baseball goats…