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…
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…
Another Edition of “Overlooked for the Hall of Fame”: Rocky Colavito
As I watched Detroit and Cleveland play their recent playoff series, I found myself thinking about a great player who starred for both these teams in days gone by. I was thinking, of course, of Rocky Colavito…
Let’s Recall Hank Greenberg’s Incredible 1937 Season!
“Home run hitters drive Cadillacs; singles hitters drive Fords.” By Hank Greenberg’s definition of a home run slugger we can be sure that he was driving a Cadillac!…
The Infamous “Billy Goat Curse” Is Put On the Cubs, 79 Years Ago Today!
“Them’a Cubs…they ain’t ‘a gonna’ winna’ no more! They are now and a’ forever cursed! –Billy Sianis, owner of the Billy Goat Tavern, while being escorted out of Wrigley Field during the 1945 World Series…
Pete Rose, RIP
The entire baseball world was deeply saddened today to learn of the passing of Pete Rose. Those of us who saw Pete Rose play regularly will never forget the fire he brought to the game. Love him or hate him, there’s no disagreement he was a great ballplayer – one of the best ever…
Today is the 70th Anniversary of Willie Mays’s Great Catch! But… Who is the “Mystery Person”?
We’ve all seen variations of Willie Mays’s great catch in the 1954 World Series before. But there’s something about this photo that I’ll bet you never noticed. It’s… The “Mystery Person!”…
Hack Wilson Sets RBI Record 94 years ago Today!
“Hung over, yes, many times…drunk, no.” -Hack Wilson, when asked if he ever played drunk.
“He was built like a beer keg…and was not unfamiliar with its contents!” -Unknown sportswriter, describing Hack Wilson’s physique…
The Indians Clinch the 1948 Pennant 76 Years Ago Today!
Today is the 76th anniversary of a great day in Cleveland Indian history. Under Manager Lou Boudreau, they clinched the 1948 World Series after prevailing against the Boston Red Sox in a one-game playoff…
Legendary Sportswriter, Shirley Povich
Sprotwrtiers play a major role in our enjoyment of the sport we all love. Often the contributions of even the great ones don’t receive recognition due them. Today, Vince Jankoski turns our attention to one of the most legendary sportswriters of all time with an unlikely first name: Shirley Povich…
The 116th Anniversary of the “Merkle Game”: The Day Fred Merkle’s Life Changed Forever
I think all fair-minded baseball fans would never want to see anyone’s life negatively altered by what happens in a baseball game (think: Steve Bartman). Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened to a young 19-year-old rookie named Fred Merkle 116 years ago today…
Frank “Home Run” Baker’s Vintage Yankee Sweater!
My Facebook friend of long-standing, Chris Baker, just posted a great photo of himself at the Babe Ruth Museum in Baltimore. Chris is holding the Yankee sweater of his great-grandfather, Hall of Famer Frank “Home Run” Baker….
Let’s Remember the Dean Brothers On Their Great Day: Dizzy and Daffy!
Ninety years ago today, September 21, 1934, was a memorable day in baseball history. It was also a memorable day for the Dean family. In the second game of a doubleheader at Ebbets Field, 22-year-old Cardinal rookie pitcher Paul “Daffy” Dean became the fifth rookie to throw a no-hitter, beating the Dodgers, 3-0…
Let’s Revist the 1960 World Series!
Today Vince Jankoski takes us on a revisit to the 1960 World Series. Vince takes a deep dive into some of the more subtle reasons the Yankees lost the 1960 World Series to the Pirates despite besting them in virtually every offensive and pitching category…
Baseball’s Forgotten Stars: Herb Score Sets Rookie Strikeout Record!
In a game played at Washington’s Griffith Stadium sixty-nine years ago yesterday, Indians’ rookie left-hander Herb Score fanned nine Senators bringing his season total to 228, setting a new rookie record for strikeouts in a season…
More Fun With Baseball Oddities! Baseball’s Most “Unusual” Trades
Thanks to Paul Doyle for calling my attention to possibly the most unusual trade in baseball history…
More Fun With “Baseball Oddities”: The Single Season Grand Slam Record
I love uncovering baseball oddities…you know…things that happen “between the white lines” that are very rare, some of which may never happen again. And I know you love reading about these things too, because…well…you’re a baseball fan!
Ed Kranepool, RIP
The baseball world was sadden today to learn this week of the passing of the Mets Ed Kranepool (November 18, 1944-September 8, 2024) in Boca Raton, Florida after suffering from cardiac arrest…
Let’s File This One Under: “My, How The Game of Baseball Has Changed!”
One hundred years ago yesterday, on September 6, 1924, something very unusual occurred. St. Louis Browns right-hander Urban Shocker started and completed both ends of a doubleheader against the White Sox at Comiskey Park…
“Claire Hodgson Ruth: The Best Thing That Ever Happened to Babe Ruth,” plus: “Was Claire the Cause of the Babe Ruth-Lou Gehrig Feud?”
We all know a lot about the Babe, but I thought I’d share some interesting information about his second wife, Claire Hodgson. Also, I’ll shed some light on the purported role that Claire played in the storied feud between the Babe and the great Iron Horse, Lou Gehrig.