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…
We’re Contacted by Acquaintance of 1960s Slugger, Jim Gentile!
I recently had email exchanges with one of our readers, Everett Shockley. In recent years, Everett became friends the Orioles’ powerful left-handed slugger, Jim Gentile…
Another Edition of “From the Lighter Side!”: How Did “Shoeless” Joe Jackson Get His Famous Nickname?
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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…
Let’s Test Your Knowledge of 1930s Baseball!
It’s time to put your thinking caps on! Or, as I used to hear back in grade school: “OK class, close your desks and take out a piece of paper. We’re having a pop quiz!” But don’t worry…you won’t be graded!…
A Follow-up to My Birthday Tribute to Cool Papa Bell!
With our Old-Time Baseball Photos Facebook page currently having over 85K followers, we never know where our essays might go and who might read them…
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…
Birthday Tribute to the Great Honus Wagner, Born February 24, 1874
Thanks to our resident baseball artist, Don Stokes, for calling to our attention that today is the birthday anniversary of Honus Wagner…
Let’s Take a Moment to Dream A Little…
Here’s a quick little something a just bit different. In this post, there’s no historical records to examine, no mention of no-hitters or perfect games, no spotlight on a great player…
Our Salute to the Negro Leagues: James “Cool Papa” Bell
“Bell was so fast he could turn off the light and be under the covers before the room got dark!”-Satchel Paige, speaking of “Cool Papa” Bell…
Minnie Minoso’s “Grand” Return to the White Sox, 1960!
With February being Black History Month, I think this is a good time to shine our baseball spotlight on one of the recent inductees to the Hall of Fame, Orestes “Minnie” Minoso…
The Sad Saga of Babe Ruth and the Baby Ruth Candy Bar
Since I never tire of writing about the great Bambino, today I’ve got a follow-up to my “Happy Birthday, Babe” post from a few days ago.
Happy Birthday, Babe!
Many thanks to Don Stokes for reminding us that today is the birthday of the great Bambino, Babe Ruth, born on this date in 1895, 127 years ago…
Another Edition of Lopsided Trades: Mordecai “Three Finger” Brown Goes to the Cubs!
Brock for Broglio? Yeah, that wasn’t a bad deal…But how about getting Mordecai “Three Finger ” Brown almost for free?? Now that’s a deal!…
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?…
We’re Contacted by Acquaintance of Brooklyn Dodger Great, Preacher Roe, Part Two
“Sometimes you eat the bear and sometimes the bear eats you!” –Preacher Roe, commenting after once being taken out of a game in the second inning…
We’re Contacted By An Acquaintance of Brooklyn Dodger Great, Preacher Roe! (Part One)
“The Preach was a master of his craft. He was a smart control pitcher with a phenomenal sense of timing.” -Teammate Carl Erskine…
Will There Ever Be Another Player Like Hammerin’ Hank?
“The pitcher has got only a ball. I’ve got a bat. So, the percentage in weapons is in my favor and I let the fellow with the ball do the fretting.” -Hank Aaron
Tribute To Ernie Banks (January 31, 1931- January 23, 2015)
This week will mark the seven-year anniversary of the death of the great Hall-of-Famer, Ernie Banks. Since he was my favorite player as a kid growing up in Chicago, I thought this would be a good time to re-post my tribute to Ernie which I wrote at the time of his death…
Hank Greenberg Sent Packing From Detroit…For Being Photographed Wearing a Yankee Jersey!
You’re probably wondering why I chose for the featured photo a pic of the Tigers’ great Hall-of-Famer Hank Greenberg in a Pirates’ uniform. Read on to find out why!…
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…
THE CLOWN PRINCE OF BASEBALL: Al SCHACHT
“I came into this world very homely and haven’t changed a bit since.” – Al Schacht…
Marine Captain Ted Williams Recalled to Active Duty, January 9, 1952
“If there was ever a man born to be a hitter it was me…A man has to have goals – for a day, for a lifetime – and that was mine, to have people say, ‘There goes Ted Williams, the greatest hitter who ever lived’ ” –Ted Williams…
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…
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…
Our Annual Tribute to Roberto Clemente! “HE’S GOT IT!!”
“If it was humanly possible for a ball to be caught, Roberto Clemente was going to get it.” –Pirates’ manager, Danny Murtaugh
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…
To create a bigger and better Baseball Hall of Fame – All it would take is 1/3 of 1%
With the recent actions of the Golden Days Era Committee, Buck O’Neil, Minnie Minoso, Gil Hodges, Jim Kaat, Tony Oliva, and Bud Fowler are all now to be inducted into Cooperstown…
Merry Christmas from Baseball History Comes Alive!
On behalf of everyone here at Baseball History Comes Alive, I’d like to extend to all our readers a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays..
New Blog Topic: “WELLING”-A Backstop Invents a Backstop!
Today we welcome a guest post from Kevin Barwin, sharing with us some interesting information about the origin of something we take for granted but is a pivotal element of the game: the backstop…
Another Edition of Lopsided Trades: Yankees Deal Urban Shocker To the Browns!
As I continue my series on lopsided trades, today I’ll be featuring one that was consummated near the end of the Dead Ball Era (1918) and had ramifications well into the 1920s…
Another Edition of Baseball’s Forgotten Stars: Ewell “The Whip” Blackwell
“His pitching delivery looks like a Picasso impression of an octopus in labor”- Sportswriter Joe Williams, speaking of Ewell Blackwell
Another Edition of “Baseball’s Lopsided Trades”: Frank Robinson for Milt Pappas!
Today in my ongoing series on lopsided trades, I’d like to highlight the December 9, 1965 trade of the great slugger, Frank Robinson, from the Reds to the Orioles for Milt Pappas…
Guest Post: The Long Wait is Finally Over! Congratulations Tony O!
Today we welcome a guest post from Steve Falco with an outstanding essay celebrating Tony Oliva’s long overdue and well-deserved election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame…
We Always Welcome Guest Submissions!
Just a quick reminder that guest essay submissions from our readers are always welcome here on the Baseball History Comes Alive website…
Another Edition of “Baseball’s Forgotten Stars”: Lynwood “Schoolboy” Rowe
“I’d just eat a lot of vittles, climb on that mound, wrap my fingers around the ball and say to it, ‘Edna, honey, let’s go.'” -Schoolboy Rowe…
It Happened! Thank you for your support! Gil’s In!
I’m sure by now you are all aware that, yes, indeed, Gil Hodges will now have a well-deserved spot Cooperstown!…
Eiji Sawamura and Babe Ruth’s 1934 Tour of Japan
It’s amazing what you discover when searching the National Pastime “This Day in Baseball History” website!
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…
Let’s Take a Moment to Recall the Tragic Story of the Cardinals’ Charlie Peete
Charlie who? You’ve never heard of Charlie Peete? Neither had I. Until yesterday that is…