To those of us who cut our baseball “teeth” in the 1950s in Chicago, we initially had very little awareness that we were living in the Golden Age of baseball—The Fifties—and that New York, with its great three teams was the center of the baseball universe…
Annual Veteran’s Day Tribute to Baseball and the Military: 1917 White Sox In Military Formation!
Here’s a repost of one of my favorite “baseball and military” photos. It’s part of my annual Veteran’s Day tribute to baseball and the military…
Another Edition of Baseball’s Forgotten Stars: Billy Pierce
On November 10, 1948, the White Sox acquire left-hander Billy Pierce and $10,000 from the Tigers for All-Star catcher Aaron Robinson…
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 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…
THE TURBULANT LIFE OF HARRY “THE HAT” WALKER
Harry Walker won the National League batting crown with a .363 batting average, in 1947…
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…
New Book by Pete Aman: Fielders’ Choice – Life Lessons from Baseball
One of our readers, Pete Aman, has just released a new book, Fielders’ Choice – Life Lessons from Baseball…
Michael Keedy’s Top-Ten Greatest World Series Catches! No. Eight: Billy “The Kid” Martin, 1952
Today Michael Keedy continues with his ongoing series featuring Top-Ten World Series Catches. Today’s entry features Billy Maritn’s Series-saving grab in 1952.
“Deep Dive” into Black Sox Scandal: Concluding Thoughts to My Black Sox Essays
Throughout this collection of essays, I have attempted to make the point that the conventional wisdom regarding the Black Sox scandal and the 1919 World Series does not tell the complete story…
“Deep Dive” Into the Black Sox Scandal: 1919 Cincinnati Reds – Talk About Being Overshadowed!
Today I’ll continue my weekly “deep dive” into the Black Sox scandal with a look at the 1919 Cincinnati Reds, a strong team completely overshadowed by the events of the scandal…
Baseball’s Deadliest Day: Black Saturday – The tragedy that changed ballpark construction forever
Black Saturday began innocently enough when a 13-year-old girl ran an errand for her aunt that took her past where the Phillies were playing a doubleheader…
“Mr. Baseball,” Bob Uecker, and His “Flycatcher” Tuba! plus: Uke’s Hilarious Miller Lite Commerical!
“Ueck” was trying to ‘loosen things up’ before Game Two of the 1964 World Series between the Cardinals and Yankees at Busch Stadium, so he grabbed a tuba and proceeded to catch fly balls!…
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…
“Deep Dive” into the Black Sox Scandal: Was Charles Comiskey “Cheap”?
If you ask most knowledgeable baseball fans the question, “Why did eight Black Sox players conspired to ‘fix’ the 1919 World Series?” the answer you would likely hear is this: “It was Comiskey’s fault. He was a cheapskate.”…
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…
“Deep Dive” Into the Black Sox Scandal: Eddie Cicotte’s Performance in Game One
Conventional wisdom tells us that Game One was “thrown” by the White Sox and Eddie Cicotte was the main culprit. Read this essay and see what you think…
What Does Cub Rookie Pitcher Have In Common With Sandy Koufax? An Immaculate Inning!
I have to admit that, as long as I’ve been following this game, I had never heard of an “immaculate inning” until Chris Sale threw one last year…
What Are Your Impressions of Some of the Old Ball Parks?
Many thanks again to Ray Banko who has come up with another great idea. Ray thought it would be interesting to hear stories from our readers about visiting some of the old ballparks…
Review of Deadball Trailblazers, by Ron Waldo
If you’re a fan of the Dead Ball Era as I am, you’ll find Ron Waldo’s new book, Deadball Trailblazers to be a real gem…
Mickey and Bobby, an Unlikely Pairing
Many thanks to Steve Falco for sending me this historic photo from Mickey Mantle Day…
“Deep-Dive” Into the Black Sox Scandal: Ringleader Chick Gandil Tells His Side of the Story!
While we often hear cries calling for the reinstatement of Shoeless Joe Jackson or Buck Weaver, there has never been any love lost for Gandil…
BASEBALL’S CUTTING EDGE HUMOR: “THE GLORY OF THEIR (FUNNY) LINES”
With a pun on the great baseball book, The Glory of Their Times, Bill Schaefer treats us today with an extensive collection of some of the greatest lines of baseball humor and wisdom…
“Deep-Dive” Into the Black Sox Scandal: Was Buck Weaver Treated Fairly by Judge Landis?
If there is a case to be made for reinstatement of any of the “Eight Men Out” banned for life by Judge Landis in the aftermath of the 1919 Black Sox scandal, it would be for Buck Weaver…
Giants’ Manager Bill Terry Learns A Lesson – the Hard Way!
You’ve heard the old saying: “Hell hath no fury like a scorned woman”? Well, it applies in spades to scorned baseball fans!…
Shoeless Joe Jackson, Part Three: “Joe and the Tainted $5,000”
Today I’ll continue with my “deep dive” into the 1919 Black Sox scandal with part three of my three-part series on Joe Jackson. Today’s topic is the”Tainted $5,000.”…
Has The Game Changed Or What?? Pete Alexander Pitches Two Complete Games In A Doubleheader!
“The Cubs finished last last year and if they finish last again, I’d rather it be without Alexander.” –Cubs’ manager Joe McCarthy…
Black Sox Scandal Essays – Shoeless Joe Jackson, Part Two: Joe’s Play in the Field And At-Bat
Today, I’d like to address Shoeless Joe Jackson’s play in the 1919 World Series and determine how it relates to his involvement (or non-involvement) in the Black Sox scandal.
Let’s Remember Two Baseball Immortals: Branch Rickey and Jackie Robinson!
“Ethnic prejudice has no place in sports, and baseball must recognize that truth if it is to maintain stature as a national game.” -Branch Rickey…
Another Look At The 1919 Black Sox Scandal: Shoeless Joe Jackson, Part One – Did Joe Confess?
Today I’ll continue with my “deep dive” into the Black Sox scandal with Part One of my three-part series on Joe Jackson’s involvement..
Do You Have An Interesting Story About Meeting a Major Leaguer? If So, Let’s Hear it!
Many thanks to Ray Banko for coming up with a neat idea. Ray suggested it would be interesting to encourage our readers to share their personal remembrances, encounters, and/or experiences with former major league ballplayers…
We’re Contacted By Son of Legendary Pirates’ Manager, Danny Murtaugh!
“Managing a ball club is like getting malaria. Once you’re bitten by the bug, it’s difficult to get it out of your bloodstream!” –Danny Murtaugh…
JOE DIMAGGIO, PART II – “DIMAG POST WAR: JOE, MARILYN AND PAUL SIMON”
Today Bill Schaefer continues with his series on the life and career of the great Yankee Clipper, Joe DiMaggio. He even addresses such interesting non-baseball topics as Joe’s relationships with Marilyn Monroe and songwriter Paul Simon…
Let’s Take A “Deep Dive” Into the Black Sox Scandal: The “Seven Suspicious Plays”
I’ve decided that for the next few Wednesdays I’ll be taking a “deep dive” into the 1919 Black Sox scandal that rocked the baseball world to its very foundation…
Baseball’s Other “Babe,” Babe Herman: The Only Major Leaguer To Double Into a Double Play!
I was recently reading about baseball oddities (including “The Most Unusual Home Run Ever!”) and it got me to thinking about some other unusual occurrences on the baseball diamond…
“Field of Dreams” Game Brings 1919 Black Sox Scandal Back Into Focus
I’ve always found it interesting that many of the eyewitnesses to the 1919 World Series apparently saw something completely different than what has become accepted as the conventional wisdom…
Another Edition of: “From the Lighter Side!” Pepper Martin and his “Mudcat Band”
“Pepper Martin’s performance in the 1931 World Series was the greatest individual performance in the history of the World Series.” –John McGraw…
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…
Tribute to Vin Scully, RIP August 2, 2022
Today, the entire baseball world is saddened to learn that legendary Dodger broadcaster Vin Scully passed away yesterday at age 94 at his home in Hidden Hills, Califormia…