“Connie Mack was the greatest man I ever met in my life.” -Al Simmons speaking of his manager at the 1953 Hall-of-Fame induction ceremony…
Two All-Star Games in 1959!
Our “senior” readers will remember that for a while the major leagues came up with the bright idea of having two All-Star games…
Fun With Baseball Ejections!
In writing about Stan Musial the other day, someone mentioned that – not surprising – Stan had never been ejected from a game over his 22-year career. This little tidbit of information got my wheels spinning; and so I thought it would be fun to delve a little further into a topic that is almost always overlooked: baseball ejections.
We’re Contacted by a Donora, PA Neighbor of Stan Musial!
Exactly one year ago, I wrote a post about Stan Musial and his great career. It turned out that one of our Old-Time Baseball Photos readers, Don Ostapowicz, read the posts and mentioned to me that his family had been neighbors of the Musial’s in Donora, Pennsylvania…
Stan Musial Strikes Out Three Times!
Here’s something to really think about. It should wake up anyone who doesn’t think the game has changed drastically over the years…
Another Edition Of Baseball Oddities: Whitey Herzog’s Unusual Triple Play!
Here’s something that caught my eye that happened on this date in 1960, 59 years ago…
Another Look at the Black Sox Scandal: Other Notable Reds Players
As I near the end of my essays on the 1919 World Series, I’d like to say a few words about some of the other players on the two teams besides the “Eight Men Out.”
Ernie Broglio, RIP
The baseball world was saddened to learn of the passing of pitcher Ernie Broglio on July 16th, aged 83…
Joe DiMaggio’s 56-Game Streak Comes To An End 78 Years Ago: July 17,1941!
“…It’s over thirty years later and this guy comes up to me and says he was that cab driver who drove me to the park on July 17, 1941. He apologized for telling me in the cab ride that he thought the streak would end that day if I didn’t get a hit the first time up…
Another Look at the Black Sox Scandal: Other Notable White Sox and Reds Players
As I near the end of my series of essays on the 1919 World Series, I’d like to say a few words about some of the other players on the two teams besides the “Eight Men Out.”
Another Look at the 1919 World Series: Shoeless Joe Jackson, Part Three: “Joe and the Tainted $5,000”
“There are things in this world to be regarded above money – keeping faith in your friends, for instance. All of which goes to show that you don’t have to know how to read and write to be a man of principle and conscience.” –Joe Jackson
Baseball’s Gettysburg Address: The Lou Gehrig “Luckiest Man” Speech, July 4, 1939
Amidst all the Fourth of July celebrations today, all baseball history fans (like us!) should take a few minutes to reflect upon the anniversary of one of the most memorable – yet saddest – days in baseball history. ..
Another Look At The 1919 World Series, Shoeless Joe Jackson, Part Two: Joe’s Play in the Field And At-Bat
“You know, he was such a remarkable hitter it was almost impossible for him to swing without meeting the ball solidly.” Teammate Dickie Kerr, speaking of Joe Jackson
Another Look At The 1919 Black Sox Scandal: Shoeless Joe Jackson, Part One – Did Joe Confess?
“The Supreme Being – not Judge Landis – will be my judge. The Good Lord knows I’m innocent of any wrongdoing.” – Joe Jackson
Focus on the 1919 Black Sox: Manager Kid Gleason
As the 100th anniversary of the 1919 World Series approaches, we’ll continue our in-depth look at the players and events surrounding baseball’s darkest hour. Today, we examine the career of White Sox manager, William “Kid” Gleason.
Technical Problem on Baseball History Comes Alive Web page
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Another Look at the 1919 World Series: The Cincinnati Reds
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Happy Fathers Day from Old Time Baseball Photos!
All of us here at Old Time Baseball Photos want to wish all the fathers out there a very Happy Fathers Day!
Another In the Series: Baseball’s Forgotten Stars! St. Louis Browns’ Ken Williams
Many thanks to one of our loyal readers, Victoria Martin, for sending me the great book, St. Louis Browns, the Story of a Beloved Team, published by the St. Louis Brown’s Historical Society. Vicki is a devoted member of this venerable group and ably serves as it’s “societal secretary.”
Baseball Oddities: Career Home Run Record holders!
Here’s a real baseball oddity that I’ll bet you never thought about: Since 1895, 124 years ago, there have been only four players to hold the career home run record!
Another Look at the Black Sox Scandal: Eddie Cicotte’s Performance in Game One
Today, we’ll take a look at Eddie Cicotte’s performance in Game One, which, I’ve found, raises some interesting questions.
Another Look at the Black Sox Scandal: Sportswriter Hugh Fullerton’s “Seven Suspicious Plays”
Those of you who read my last post on the 1919 Black Sox scandal, “Is It Time To Take Another Look?” will remember I tried to offer up some “food for thought” in that post…
Another Look At the 1919 World Series: The Eye-Witness Accounts
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Follow up To My Tribute to Bill Buckner
Before we say a final farewell to Bill Buckner, I’d like to do mention a few more of his accomplishments, which were pointed out to me in today’s Chicago Sun-Times by sportswriter, Gordon Whittenmeyer.
Bill Buckner, RIP
“The dreams are that you’re gonna have a great series and win. The nightmares are that you’re gonna let the winning run score on a ground ball through your legs. Those things happen, you know. I think a lot of it is just fate.” -Bill Buckner, 19 days before Game Six of the 1986 World Series.
Focus on the “Eight Men Out,” Part Eight: Fred McMullin
Today we turn our attention to the eighth and perhaps the most obscure of the “Eight Men Out,” Fred McMullin. He’s not better known because he was a utility player in 1919 with only two at-bats in the infamous World Series, going 1-2 with a single.
Focus on “The Eight Men Out,” Part Seven: Claude “Lefty” Williams
There are many tragic stories associated with the Black Sox scandal that rocked the baseball world in 1919, but none more so than the story of Claude “Lefty” Williams.
Spotlight on the “Eight Men Out, ” Part Six: “Shoeless” Joe Jackson
There’s probably no topic that’s more emotionally charged when discussing the Black Sox scandal than Joe Jackson’s guilt or innocence. It’s still hotly debated almost 100 years later.
The Sad Saga of Babe Ruth and the “Baby Ruth” Candy Bar
“Well, I ain’t eatin’ your damned candy bar anymore!” —Babe Ruth, 1927
…And after you read the story, who could blame him?
Spotlight on the “Eight Men Out,” Part Five: Swede Risberg
“The Swede is a hard guy.” –Shoeless Joe Jackson
Spotlight on the Eight Men Out, Part Four: Oscar “Happy” Felsch
I’m continuing with my series on the eight ball players banned for life from baseball by Commissioner Landis in the wake of the 1919 Black Sox scandal. Today we turn our attention to the White Sox’ star center fielder, Oscar “Happy” Felsch.
Spotlight on the “Eight Men Out,” Part Three: Eddie “Knuckles” Cicotte
“I admit I did wrong, but I’ve paid for it the past 45 years.” -Eddie Cicotte, commenting in a 1965 interview on his role in the 1919 Black Sox scandal.
Spotlight On The “Eight Men Out,” Part Two: Buck Weaver!
With the 100th anniversary of the 1919 Black Sox scandal fast approaching, I’ll continue with a look at the “Eight Men Out,” turning the spotlight today on George “Buck” Weaver.
Let’s Turn the Spotlight on the “Eight Men Out”: Ringleader “Chick” Gandil
“We could never pull it off,” Chick Gandil said to gambler Sport Sullivan when asked about a conspiracy to throw the 1919 World Series. “Don’t be silly,” Sullivan replied, “It’s been pulled before and it can be again.”
Cubs Debut In Weeghman Park 103 Years Ago Today!
One hundred and three years ago today, April 20, 1916, the Chicago Cubs played their first game in Weeghman Field – known as Wrigley Field in 1926 – beating the Reds 7-6 in 11 innings.
We’re Contacted by Descendant of Hall-of-Famer, Rube Waddell!
We’ve said many times we always love it when we’re contacted by relatives of former players. It doesn’t matter if the player was a star or a sub. Anyone who makes it to the majors is special in our eyes.
Rogers Hornsby Traded Again!
“Nobody liked our manager Rogers Hornsby. There was a real pr**k. Except for his racing forms, there was no newspapers, no movies, no beer, nothing. Women and horses, that was his downfall.” – St. Louis Browns pitcher Les Tietje
Major League Baseball Arrives in Milwaukee!
Sixty-five years ago this week, on Opening Day, April 13, 1953, the former Boston Braves, now the Milwaukee Braves, won their first game representing the city of Milwaukee with a three-hit, 2-0 shutout of the Reds at Crosley Field.
The Baseball World Mourns the Sudden Passing of Gil Hodges
Today is the anniversary of a sad day in baseball history. Forty-seven years ago today, Easter Sunday, April 2, 1972, Gil Hodges collapsed and died after suffering a heart attack
A Real Blockbuster Deal: Frank Lane Trades Home Run King Rocky Colavito to the Tigers For Batting Champion Harvey Kuenn!
Bill Gutman’s recent post about “What If These Trades Were Never Made” got me thinking about trades that were indeed made, but probably never should have been.