In a game played 69 years ago today at Comiskey Park, May 18, 1956, Mickey Mantle surpassed Rip Collins to become the all-time home run leader for switch hitters…
More Baseball Oddities: Career Home Run Record Holders!
Since 1895, 130 years ago, there have been only four players to hold the career home run record! Three of the names are easy to come up with: Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, and Barry Bonds. But the fourth? Any guesses?…
Baseball’s Eccentrics and Zany Characters! “Frenchy” Bordagaray
A couple years ago, I started a new ongoing series that I called: “Do You Have A Funny Caption For This Photo?” It didn’t go anywhere back then, but I thought I’d give it another try. Check out zany ballplayer “Frenchy” Bordagary and his pretty wife, Victoria!……
Ray Caldwell’s Unusual Contract – And that’s putting it mildly!
Today Mike Janacek returns with an interesting story of Ray Caldwell’s very unusual contract terms, given to him by his manager, that well-known “Doctor” of psychology, Tris Speaker. As weird as it appears, it seems to have worked!…
Another Edition of Baseball’s Forgotten Stars: John Montgomery Ward
We welcome back Ron Christensen with a detailed look into one of baseball’s forgotten stars from the nineteenth century, Hall of Famer John Montgomery Ward. As Ron demonstrates, JMW was truly a “jack of all trades,” and one of baseball’s great innovators…
Happy Fathers Day!
Happy Fathers Day! “It was at St. Mary’s that I met and learned to love the greatest man I’ve ever known…He was the father I needed. He taught me to read and write, and the difference between right and wrong.” -Babe Ruth, speaking of his father figure and mentor, Brother Mathias…
Bob and Irish Meusel – A baseball family affair
Mark Kolier returns today with an interesting essay about the two Meusel brothers, Emil (Irish) and Bob. Younger brother “Long Bob” had a near-Hall-of-Fame career and is better known due to being a part of the 1927 Yankees’ Murders’ Row. But older brother Irish had a fine career too, as you’ll soon see…
There’s No Crying – Or Sleeping! – In Baseball!
Don’t believe me that there’s no crying in baseball? You could have asked Hall of Famer Edd Rousch (if he was still around!).
“And Don’t Call Me Catfish!” The Story of Bill Klem
We’re happy to welcome Mike Janacek back today with an interesting essay giving some equal time to the “Men in Blue.” Mike shares with us some interesting information on the career of Hall of Fame umpire Bill Klem, who is not only recognized for introducing many innovations to the umpiring profession but is also considered by many historians to be the greatest umpire in baseball history…
Waite Hoyt and the Dead Body in the Trunk!
Amidst all the “heavy” writing we do around here on Baseball History Comes Alive, it’s fun to sit back every once in a while and have a good laugh. I guarantee that will be your reaction when you read Ron Christensen’s essay today about “Waite Hoyt and the Body in the Trunk”…
What are the Odds?? Unassisted Triple Plays on Back-to-Back Days!
I always enjoy reading about baseball’s oddities: perfect games, four home runs in one game, hitting for the natural cycle, and five extra base hits in a game. All of these are comparable in terms of rarity, but all require extraordinary effort and skill. Right up there in rarity is the unassisted triple play…
Sandy Amoros’s Great Catch in the 1955 World Series!
Vince Vankoski returns today with a detailed look at Sandy Amoros’s catch in the 1955 World Series, which many baseball historians consider one of the greatest catches in World Series history…
Memorial Day Tribute to Baseball and the Military: 1917 White Sox In Military Formation!
On this Memorial Day, as we honor those who answered the call to serve their country, we remember that baseball has a great connection to the military…
Let’s Remember Hall of Famer, “Gettsburg” Eddie Plank!
Today, we welcome Mike Janacek with his first guest submission: an interesting look at the career of the A’s Hall of Famer, Eddie Plank, one of the greatest left-handed pitchers in baseball history. I think you’ll enjoy what Mike shares with us today…
The Cubs and Pete Crow-Armstrong Flirt with Baseball History!
It’s not often that I comment here on the Baseball History Comes Alive website about what’s happening in the modern game. As I’ve said many times, anything after about 1970 is a bit too modern for my taste!…
Going the Distance in the Longest Game in Major League History
I find a sound ‘rule-of-thumb’ to be ‘Never Say Never’. But today I throw caution to the wind and say ‘Never! Never! Never!’ in reference to a MLB record I believe with absolute certainty will never be broken…
Let’s Remember the Ol’ Redhead, Red Barber!
We all have our favorite baseball announcers. Today, Vince Jankoski returns with a nice tribute to his favorite, Red Barber. Red has many historic broadcasts to his credit, which you’ll learn about as you read Vince’s outstanding essay…
Pete Runnels: The Most Underrated Hitter You’ve Never Heard of!
OK…I had heard of Pete Runnels and knew he played for the Red Sox, and had a vague recollection that he was a good hitter, but, as a National League fan back then, that was about the extent of my knowledge of his career. Today, we welcome back Ron Christensen who sets the record straight on this fine ball player, including winning two batting titles!…
Who’s the Greatest Switch-Hitter of All Time? No-Brainer…It’s Mickey Mantle!
In a game played 69 years ago today at Comiskey Park, May 18, 1956, Mickey Mantle surpassed Rip Collins to become the all-time home run leader for switch hitters…
Say It’s So! Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson Are Back In! Hallelujah!
I’m not completely sure what prompted the geniuses who run Major League Baseball in their infinite wisdom to unexpectedly reinstate Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson at this particular moment…
Our Mothers Day Tribute to Baseball Mothers!
We can’t let a great occasion like Mothers Day pass without finding a connection to old-time baseball! So here’s my little contribution to the day, a salute to “Baseball Mothers!”…
Roy Campanella’s Great Start to the 1953 Season!
On May 10, 1953, Roy Campanella hit a double and a home run against the Phillies at Ebbets Field. With those two hits, Campy drove in all five runs in the Dodgers’ 5-0 victory, which gave him over 40 RBIs in the first 30 games of the season, a feat that wouldn’t be matched for forty-four years…
THE 1934 MVP Race: What?!? Really?!? (Part Two)
I’m happy today to continue with Ron Christensen’s deep dive into the 1934 MVP selection between the two primary contenders, Lou Gehrig and Mickey Cochrane. Only baseball history nerds like us can appreciate the extensive effort that Ron has made…
First Sunday Game Played at Ebbets Field, 1919!
Today is the 106th anniversary of the first major league game played on a Sunday at Ebbets Field.
The 1934 MVP Race: What?!? Really?!?!
What could the sportwriters have been thinkiong when they gave the 1934 MVP award to Mickey Cochrane instead of Lou Gehrig??…
Another Edition of “Baseball Oddities”: Ouch! Hit by A Pitch Twice…In The Same Inning!
I have to admit I’ve never heard of a Reds pitcher named Willard Schmidt. Yet, he found a way to get into the baseball record books, although not particularly a way he would have intended…
Post All-Star Game Decline! The Story of Dave Stenhouse
Can an All-Star game appearance hurt a player’s career? This is a topic not often discussed. Vince Jankoski returns today and tries to answer that question with an interesting essay about Dave Stenhouse’s career decline after an appearance in the 1962 All-Star game…
The Big Cat Has A Big Day!
Seventy-eight years ago today, April 24, 1947, the Big Cat, Johnny Mize, had a big day. The Giants’ first baseman hit three home runs in a losing cause as the Giants lost to the Boston Braves 14-5 in a game played at the Polo Grounds. In doing so, Johnny became the first major leaguer to hit three homers in one game five different times…
Fenway Park Opens 113 Years Ago Today, April 20, 1912!
As we prepare to enjoy Easter Sunday festivities with family and friends, it’s also a good time to recall that today, April 20, 2025, is the 113th anniversary of the first game played at Fenway Park…
Forgotten Dodger Star Dolph Camilli, Part Two
Today, we continue with Part Two of Bill Gralnick’s interesting essay on former Brooklyn Dodger, Dolph Camilli, whose outstanding achievements have been overlooked over the passage of time. We’re happy to shine our baseball spotlight on this true baseball star from the 1940s…
Let’s Remember Two Baseball Immortals: Branch Rickey and Jackie Robinson!
As we all know, the Brooklyn Dodgers made history on April 15, 1947 when Jackie Robinson appeared in a major league game. But yesterday, April 10, 1947, was also an historic day…
Another Edition of Baseball’s Forgotten Stars: Dolph Camilli—Slugger with a Smile!
Today we welcome back longtime Brooklyn Dodger fan, Bill Gralnick, with an interesting essay about one of his favorite players: overlooked Dodger star and 19141 MVP, Dolph Camilli, one of the strongest men ever to play the game…
Baseball’s Most Overlooked Group: Coaches – Let’s Remember George Bamberger
f there’s one group in baseball that’s severely overlooked, it’s the many coaches who have had a major impact on the game. In the past, some of our readers have suggested that there should be a coaches wing in the Hall of Fame. I agree…
Fun With Baseball Cycles: Carson Kelly Hits First Cub Cycle Since 1993!
On Monday night, March 31, 2025, Cub catcher Carson Kelly hit the first Cub cycle since Mark Grace accomplished the feat back in 1992, 32 years ago. As usual, accompanying almost every cycle, there are some interesting facts to go with it. And certainly, this one was no exception…
Another Edition of “Baseball’s Forgotten Stars!” Phil Cavarretta
“You can’t handle the truth!” I think there’s a real good chance the former 1930s-’40s baseball star Phil Cavarretta saw the classic 1992 movie A Few Good Men sometime during his long life. If so, we can be fairly certain he felt a sense of vindication as he heard the famous line.…
We Made It!! Happy Opening Day!!
“You always get a special kick on Opening Day, no matter how many you go through. You look forward to it like a birthday party when you’re a kid.” –Joe DiMaggio
Field of Schemes by J.B. Manheim, reviewed by Gary Livacari
The author is to be commended for penning a interesting tale that effortlessly blends fact with fiction along with ample doses of baseball history, American history, and politics…
Tito Francona’s 1961 Home Run Gives New Meaning to the Term: “Dead Ball” Era!
Whenever you look past the surface and go deeper into the career of almost any major leaguer, you’ll invariably find some little tidbit of information that’s interesting or unusual. Such was the case when I was investigating the career of Tito Francona…
Let’s Recall Baseball’s Highly Successful 1934 Barnstorming Tour to Japan!
Amidst all the hoopla and hype of the Cubs and Dodgers opening the 2025 baseball season in Japan – with superstar Shohei Ohtani as the biggest attraction – it might be fun to recall an earlier trip to Japan: the highly successful 1934 barnstorming tour…
Baseball’s Forgotten Stars: Mark Belanger
I always enjoy shining our baseball spotlight on forgotten stars – those who played just under the radar of their generation’s greats. And so today we welcome an interesting essay from Vince Jankoski about Orioles’ outstanding shortstop, Mark Belanger.
HOFer Freddie Lindstrom Ignored the “Pebbles of Defeat” – Somehow He Made It Into Cooperstown!
Today we welcome back Mark Kolier with an interesting essay on a topic we baseball history nerds never tire of discussing: Who belongs in the Hall of Fame and who doesn’t?…