Whenever I think about the Cubs’ fabled Cubs’ infield of “Tinker to Evers to Chance,” I also wonder about third baseman, Harry Steinfeldt, who became, in my opinion, baseball’s version of “odd man out”…
The Cubs’ “College Of Coaches” Mercifully Ends 62 Years Ago Today!
As a longtime Cub fan, I painfully remember P.K. Wrigley’s hare-brained scheme that had only one lasting result: It made the Cubs the laughingstock of the baseball world. It was an idea so far-fetched, it’s never been tried before or since in the entire 149-year history of baseball…
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“Tinker to Evers to Chance”- But What About Harry Steinfeldt??
Whenever I think about the Cubs’ fabled Cubs’ infield of “Tinker to Evers to Chance,” I also wonder about third baseman, Harry Steinfeldt, who became, in my opinion, baseball’s version of “odd man out”…
The Tragic Story of the Cardinals’ Rookie, Charlie Peete
If I told you that a player named Charlie Peete had an unremarkable, 23-game career with the Cardinals in which he hit just .192 with no home runs and no RBIs, you’d probably be wondering why I’m featuring him today…
Salute to the Negro Leagues: Leon Day, One of the Best Ever!
“He threw as hard and was as competitive as Bob Gibson. When he pitched against Satchel Paige, Satchel didn’t have an edge. You thought Don Newcombe could pitch? You should have seen Day. He was the most complete ballplayer I’ve ever seen. -Monte Irvin…
Teenage Talent: Tommy Brown, Holder of Some Unusual Major League Records!
As I’ve said many times, any player who makes it to the major leagues is special in our eyes – sub or star, it makes no difference – and I’m always glad to shine our baseball spotlight on little-known players for a brief moment or two. I’ve also said that whenever you look deeply into the career of any major leaguer, you’ll always find something of interest. Today, Vince Jankoski proves my point. He’s written an interesting essay on a player I had never heard of: World War II teenager Tommy Brown.
White Sox and Giants Play Baseball…in Egypt, 1914!
One hundred eleven years ago today, February 1, 1914, tour members of the White Sox and the Giants played to a 3-3 tie in the first-ever baseball game in the deserts of Egypt. The contest was part of a 56-game world “Tour to End All Tours!”…
Warren Spahn Elected to the Hall of Fame!
Fifty-two years ago this week, January 24, 1973, Warren Spahn became only the sixth player elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility…
Annual Tribute To Ernie Banks (January 31, 1931-January 23, 2015)
Today marks the ten-year anniversary of the death of the great Hall of Famer, Ernie Banks, who happens to be my favorite player from my youth. I’d like to re-post my tribute to Ernie which I wrote at the time of his death…
Jeff Torborg, RIP
“I’ve always enjoyed the thinking side, the mechanical side of the game. I’ve always gotten a thrill from doing something that doesn’t show up in the box score… -Jeff Torborg…
Hank Greenberg Sent Packing From Detroit…But What Was His “Crime”?
You’re probably wondering why I chose a pic of the Tigers’ great Hall of Fame slugger Hank Greenberg in a Pirates’ uniform for the featured photo. Read on to find out why!…
Bob Uecker, RIP
The entire baseball world was saddened to learn that, “Mr. Baseball,” Bob Uecker had passed away today, January 16, 2025…
Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe “Tie the Knot!”
“Whenever 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…
The Designated Hitter Is Born, January 11, 1973!
“The pitcher who can’t get in there in the pinch and win his own game with a healthy wallop, isn’t more than half earning his salary in my way of thinking.” -Babe Ruth. And who am I to argue with the Babe!…
Frank Lary, the Yankee Killer From Dixie
Our “senior” readers will remember Frank Lary, the Tigers fine pitcher who was known as the “Yankee Killer.” Today Vince Jankoski returns with a deep dive into his career and tries to analyze how the Alabama native had such success against the dreaded Yankees…
Rudy York, the 1930-40s Version of Kyle Schwarber!
With one-eighth Cherokee ancestry and a severe liability with the glove, Rudy York was once described, in those pre-PC days of the 1930s, as: “Part Indian and part first baseman.”…
“Curse of the Bambino” Started 105 Years Ago This Week!
Baseball players are a superstitious lot by nature; and so when something like a trade goes south, it can have lasting effects as it becomes firmly embedded into the team’s baseball lore…
Merry Christmas To All! Was Willie Mays the Inspiration for the Charlie Brown Christmas Special?
Over the past few years, I always try to find a connection between holidayS and baseball. So as we celebrate Christmas today, whoever thought I’d be able to find a connection between the perennial TV favorite, Charlie Brown’s Christmas Special and baseball! But I did!…
Dick Williams Out as Manager of the Oakland A’s December 1973!
Those of us old enough to remember the Oakland A’s of the early 1970s can readily recall how good those teams were, winning three successive pennants and World Series championships (1972-1974). The roster of talent assembled over those years is truly staggering…
Our (Very Little!) Contribution to Baseball History: A Discovery in Two 1908 Cubs Team Photos!
Recently, Tom Ford and I worked on the player identifications in two team photos of the 1908 World Series champion Cubs. Over the course of our investigations, we made a discovery which I think has a bit of historical significance…
A Deep Dive Into the Career of Sandy Koufax (Warning: This essay comes from the sacrilege department. You may not like what you read!)
Vince Jankowski’s not afraid to tackle controversial subjects…and with today’s essay, “A Deep Dive Into the Career of Sandy Koufax,” it’s like controversy on steroids!…
Rocky Colavito, RIP
The baseball world was saddened to learn of the passing of Rocky Colavito. Rocky passed away on December 10 at his home in Burnsville, Pennsylvania surrounded by family members…
Beltin’ Bill Melton, RIP
The excitement White Sox fans felt after hearing that Dick Allen was selected for enshrinement in the Hall of Fame was somewhat diminished by the sad news that beloved icon Bill Melton had pased away just three days previously…
Why Is Miller Huggins in This 1903 Reds Team Photo (Since He Didn’t Join the team until 1904)?
While waiting for the Classic Era committee to announce their decision on Hall of Fame selections this week, I’ve been working on the player identification for this 1903 Reds team photo…
Wow! Dick Allen Elected to the Hall of Fame!
The announcement has been made! After two near misses by one vote each of the last two times he was on the ballot, Dick Allen is in!…
Yankees Trade Roger Maris to the Cardinals, 1966!
Fifty-eight years ago today, December 8, 1966, a trade was made between the Yankees and the Cardinals. I think it’s fair to say the Redbirds got the better end of this deal!…
Hall of Fame Classic Era Committee Meets on December 8. I’m Pulling for Dick Allen…and Ken Boyer!
The Classic Era Committee meets one week from today to make selections for the Hall of Fame. Among the eight outstanding candidates are Dick Allen and Ken Boyer…
Happy Thanksgiving From Baseball History Comes Alive!
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. It’s not exactly our favorite time of the year. But somehow, we manage to make it through year after year…
Have You Ever Heard of Dodger All-Star Norm Larker? I Hadn’t Either!
Today we welcome back Mark Kolier with an interesting essay on overlooked Dodger first baseman, Norm Larker, a player I had never really heard of. As is always the case, whenever you look into the career of a former major leaguer, you’ll find some interesting information. Such is the case with Mark’s essay today.
The “Dick Allen For the Hall of Fame” Petition Has Been Submitted, Due to Arrive at the Hall of Fame on Tuesday, December 3, Ahead of the Vote on December 8.
The Classic Era Hall of Fame Committee is scheduled to meet on December 8, just two weeks from now. Having missed out on selection to the Hall by one vote the last two times he was on the ballet, this is a great chance for all of us to help correct one of the biggest injustices in all of sports by showing our support for Dick’s election to the Hall…
A Real Baseball Rarity: Twins on the Same Team…The O’Brien Brothers!
I love reading about baseball family rarities. You know, things like family members hitting for the cycle (only three times, see list below), or three brothers in the same outfield (only once, the Alous). Today Vince Jankoski tells us about another such family rarity: twin brothers playing on the same major league team! It’s so rare it’s only happened once in baseball history!…
Who Is the “Mystery Player” in this Famous 1927 Yankees Team Photo?
As we all know, the 1927 Yankees are often cited as the greatest team of all-time. Who can argue with that assertion, considering that it included the famous “Muderous’ Row”?…
The Mysterious Case of the Misidentified 1905 Pirates Team Photo!
One of our readers, Tom Ford, contacted me this past week asking for help in identifying the players on a Pirates’ team photo from the early Deadball Era. As I always enjoy the challenge of trying to put names to faces in old baseball photos, I told Tom I’d be glad to help…
Perfect Christmas Gift For Baseball Fans to Give or Receive: 2025 Vintage Baseball Cards Calendar!
If you have a baseball fan on your Christmas list this year – or if someone is asking you what you would like for Christmas – I’ve got the perfect gift idea: The 2025 Vintage Baseball Cards Calendar!…
Great Deal for White Sox: Billy Pierce Comes Gift-Wrapped from the Tigers!
What a career the highly underrated, often overlooked Billy Pierce went on to have, including one day in 1958 when he flirted with the history books…
Sandy Koufax Wins His Second Cy Young Award 59 Years Ago Today!
“There are two times in my life the hair on my arms has stood up: The first time I saw the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and the second time, I saw Sandy Koufax throw a fastball. -Dodger scout Al Campanis…
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.”…
1964: Baseball’s Version of “Musical Chairs!” Johnny Keane Gets Yogi’s Job!
As we get closer to the start of the 2024 World Series, this is a good time to start my annual tour through memorable World Series incidents Today we’ll take a look back at the aftermath of the 1964 World Series….
Yaz’s Heroics in the 1967 Red Sox Pennant Drive!
I think we’re all aware of what a great player Carl Yastrzemski was, and we’re aware of his heroic role in the Red Sox’ 1967 pennant drive and subsequent World Series championship. But when you read about all the specifics – as recounted for us today by Vince Jankoski – you’ll undoubtedly be as surprised as I was at just how spectacular his role was…