Vince Jankoski returns today with an interesting essay detailing Yogi Berra’s path to becoming the Yankees’ regular catcher. It wasn’t as clear-cut as you might think, as Vince makes clear…
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…
The Wit and Wisdom – and Luck! – of Yogi Berra
There are certain players you can never quite get enough of. For me, the list includes Willie Mays, certainly the great Bambino Babe Ruth, Stan Musial, Roberto Clemente, and, most definitely, the player born Lorenzo Pietro Berra, known to us as Yogi Berra…
Deep Dive Into the Question: “Was Kansas City Really a ‘Farm Team’ For the Yankees?”
Today, we welcome guest contributor Vince Jankoski, who takes an in-depth look at trades between the Kansas City Athletics and the Yankees in the 1950s and early 1960s, dispelling the myth that the A’s were a “farm team” for the Yankees…
Great New Yogi Berra Documentary: “It Ain’t Over”
If you’re a baseball fan, you’ve got to find the time to watch the new Yogi Berra documentary, which I viewed last night. Aptly titled, It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over, I found it to be an outstanding production and gives equal coverage to both Yogi’s baseball career and his personal life…
“Babe Ruth Day” at Yankee Stadium, June 13, 1948 and the Twenty-Five Year Reunion of the 1923 Yankees!
This photo was taken 75 years ago yesterday, June 13, 1948, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the opening of Yankee Stadium, which, of course, later became known as “the House That Ruth Built.”…
The Joe McCarthy Era Begins in New York!
Ninety-two years ago this month, on April 13, 1931, Joe McCarthy made his debut as Yankee manager, beating the Red Sox at Yankee stadium, 6-3. That was the beginning of one of the most successful runs in baseball history. In 16 seasons at the Yankee helm, all he did is go 1460-867 (.627) with eight pennants and seven World Series championships…
One-Hundredth Anniversary of Yankee Stadium!
Thanks to Michael Keedy for reminding me that today is the one hundredth anniversary (April 18, 1923) of the first game played at Yankee Stadium, the scene of so many great days in baseball history…
Joe Pepitone, Rest In Peace
There may have been more troubled souls in baseball’s long history than Joe Pepitone, but you’d be hard-pressed to name one…
Today Is the Sixty-Eighth Anniversay of Joe DiMaggio’s Election to the Hall of Fame!
“When I sat at a table with Joe and other people…all the men were always looking at Joe instead of me!!” – Marilyn Monroe, speaking of her husband Joe DiMaggio….
Frank Chance Takes the Yankees’ Managerial Helm, January 8, 1913
“There is one thing I will never believe, and that is that the Sox are better than the Cubs” -Frank Chance, after the Cubs lost to the “HItless Wonder” White Sox in the 1906 World Series…
Michael Keedy’s Top-Ten Greatest World Series Catches, No. 6: Mickey Mantle, 1956
Anybody who followed big-league baseball in the 1950s and ’60s remembers Mickey Mantle, who had to be God’s gift to the sport…
Babe Ruth’s Called Shot: “Did He or Didn’t He?”
The story goes that Ruth pointed to the center-field bleachers during the at-bat. But did he?…
Michael Keedy’s New Series: The Top-TenGreatest World Series Catches Of All Time! No. Ten: Bobby Richardson, 1962
The Pittsburgh Pirates, outscored in the 1960 Series by more than double, had Lady Luck to thank for their world championship season…
SAILING THROUGH THE DECADES WITH THE YANKEE CLIPPER-PART 1
On Baseball History Comes Alive, we can never get enough of superstars like the great Yankee Clipper, Joe DiMaggio…
June 3, 1932: A Truly Memorable Day In Baseball History With Three Historic Events!
I wonder if there’s ever been a day quite like June 3, 1932 when not one…not two…but three historic events occurred – two within the same game!…
Billy Martin: World Series Wonderkid
Today, Steve Falco returns with an interesting account of the career of Billy Martin…
Lou Gehrig’s Consecutive Game Streak Comes to An End!
Eighty-three years ago yesterday, April 30, 1939, was a memorable day in baseball history. On that day, the consecutive game streak of the Iron Horse, Lou Gehrig, finally came to an end…
1964: Baseball’s Version of “Musical Chairs!” Johnny Keane Gets Yogi’s Job!
“I managed good but boy did they play bad.” –Johnny Keane, commenting on his lack of success as Yankees’ manager…
Talk About Obscure! Casey Sengel’s 1939 Boston Bees!
Not as well known is that Casey Stengel’s earlier career as a manager wasn’t always so successful. As a matter of fact, it was downright dismal…
New Blog Topic: Big Dave Battles Donnie Baseball for the 1984 Batting Title
“If I were sitting down with George Steinbrenner and, based on what Dave Winfield got paid for his statistics, I’d have to say, ‘George, you and I are about to become partners!'” – Joe DiMaggio…
A MEMORABLE DAY AT YANKEE STADIUM
Bill Schaefer returns today with personal remenensences about a game he attended with his dad at Yankee stadium way back in 1946…
Yogi Berra: Baseball’s Original Mr. Clutch
We’ve all heard that Yogi Berra was a “clutch hitter,” but what exactly does that mean? Is there a way to quantify it?…
Sammy Byrd, The Greatest Baseball Golfer Ever!
Here we are in the heart of winter caught that “no man’s land” between the end of the World Series and the start of spring training…
The Yankees’ Slugging Sparkplug: Roger Maris
Earlier this month many of us were once again disappointed that Roger Maris failed to make it into the Hall of Fame…
“It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over!” The Fourteen-Year Feud Between Yogi Berra and George Steinbrenner Finally Comes to An End
“It’s over…fourteen years is long enough. I forgive you, George.” -Yogi Berra to George Steinbrenner
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.
Let’s Remember Baseball Lifer Don Zimmer and His 66 Years in the Game!
As I was watching the Yankees and Red Sox in their wild-card game last night, I have to admit that my baseball history antenna was real active…
Casey Stengel’s Often Overlooked Playing Career!
“Sure I played, did you think I was born at the age of 70 sitting in a dugout trying to manage guys like you?” – Casey Stengel
“M&M BOYS” HIT HOME RUNS GOOD & PLENTY!
With the overabundance of Home Runs being hit in the majors over the last twenty years or so, we have almost forgotten the 60th anniversary of Roger Maris’ quest to break one of the iconic records in the game-most home runs in a season…
Joe DiMaggio’s 56-Game Streak Comes To An End: July 17,1941!
Even though I’m a couple days late on this, I couldn’t let the week go by without mentioning the 80th anniversary of Joe DiMaggio’s incredible 56-game hitting streak coming to an end…
Baseball “Babes,” Part Six: Ballplayer-Turned-Umpire, Babe Pinelli!
“Kill the SOB, Carl! Kill ’em!”- Umpire Babe Pinelli to Carl Furillo, who had Dodger manager Leo Durocher in a chokehold during an on-field melee in 1953…
My Interview with Matt Dahlgren, Grandson of Babe Dahlgren, the Man Who Replaced Lou Gehrig
We always enjoy it when we’re contacted by a relative of a former major leaguer. In this case, it’s even more special…
Happy Mothers’ Day From Old-Time Baseball Photos!
As has become my custom, I like to find a baseball connection to each passing holiday. With today being Mothers’ Day, I didn’t have to look far…
Tony Lazzeri Has One of the Greatest Days in Major League History!
“Tony Lazzeri was a money player almost without equal and one of the smartest athletics ever to patrol the diamond”…
Living in the Shadow of Mickey Mantle!
We often forget what an emotional investment we’ve made to the game of baseball. It usually starts early-on in our youth and continues throughout our lives…
DON MATTINGLY: FAME SECOND TO FAITH AND FAMILY
I loved watching Don Mattingly play baseball. A flawless fielder and an imposing figure in the batter’s box: powerful sloping shoulders, intense concentration…
Happy Thanksgiving From Baseball History Comes Alive!
Let’s be honest. It’s hard to find a connection between Baseball and Thanksgiving. The great American family tradition of “Turkey Day” falls in that “no man’s land” between the last pitch of the World Series and the first pitch of spring training…
1932 New York Yankees
Check out this great team photo of the 1932 World Series Champion Yankees, beautifully restored/colorized by the very talented artist, Chris Whitehead of Mancave photos…
The Classic 1926 World Series: “Ol’ Pete” Alexander Comes to the Rescue!
With the start of the 2020 World Series just around the corner, my tour through memorable World Series stops today in the exciting 1926 World Series, one of the most memorable in the history of the Fall Classic…