“If it was humanly possible for a ball to be caught, Roberto Clemente was going to get it.” –Pirates’ manager, Danny Murtaugh…
Yankee Johnny Murphy Was A Pretty Good Pitcher, But Did You Know That…
As I’ve said many times, whenever you look closely into a major leaguer’s career, you’ll invariably discover something interesting and/or unusual — something more other than just the bare statistical information found on the Baseball Reference website…
The Cubs’ Bill Moisan: The Inspiring Story of a Genuine Baseball War Hero
Bill Moisan was a genuine World War II hero. As long-time major league scout George Biron told me, “It’s an amazing story of determination and perseverance and I felt it should be told to preserve the memory of a forgotten hero.”…
Merry Christmas From Baseball History Comes Alive!
I’d like to take this opportunity to wish all our loyal readers a very Merry Christmas. And to all our Jewish friends, I hope they’ve had a very Happy Hanukkah season…
George Lee Anderson (Who?) Is Traded to the Phillies, December 23, 1958, Did Anybody Notice?
Sixty-five years ago yesterday, the Dodgers traded journeyman minor league infielder George Lee Anderson to the Phillies for Rip Repulski and two minor league pitching prospects. Did anybody notice? Yawn…
My Review of “The Gashouse Gang,” by John Heidenry
Now that we are firming in what I call the baseball “No-Man’s land,” – the time between the last out of the World Series and until we hear the magic words, “Pitchers and catchers report” – it’s a good time to catch up on some unfinished business. So I thought I’d post a review I wrote a few years ago but never got around to publishing. The book is The Gashouse Gang, by John Heidenry. I really enjoyed it and I hope my detailed review stimulates your interest to read it…
KEN MacKENZIE, RIP
Vince Jankoski returns today with an interesting article about a player I’ve never heard of: Canadian-born pitcher Ken MacKenzie. Two things I’ve said many times here on BHCA: One, anyone who makes it to the major leagues is special in our eyes, whether a star or sub; and Two, when you look deep into the career of almost any major leaguer, you’ll invariably find something of interest…
Making the Case: Cecil Travis For the Hall of Fame
Two months ago, Michael Keedy submitted an essay highlighting the career of the Washington Senators’ outstanding shortstop, Cecil Travis. As he did his research for this essay, he became impressed with the accomplishments of a player he had barely heard of. The more he read about Cecil Travis, the more convinced he became that a strong case can be made that this overlooked star belongs in the Hall of Fame…
A Memorable 1969 Day In The Wrigley Field Bleachers!
For years I’ve been trying to get my good friend Mike Handley (aka: “Budman”) to send me details of the memorable day in September, 1969 when he was in the Wrigley Field bleachers and caught a home run ball hit by the Pirates’ Steve Blass. He finally did it!…
My Review of: Baseball’s Endangered Species, Inside the Craft of Scouting by Those Who Lived it, by Lee Lowenfish
I was recently to review “Baseball’s Endangered Species, Inside the Craft of Scouting by those Who Lived it.” Author Lee Lowenfish is an accomplished, highly acclaimed author, and I was honored to be asked…
A Perfect Game Rarity: What Are The Odds? Who Can Do The Math??
I just finished reading a great book by Lee Lowenfish, “Baseball’s Endangered Species: Inside the Craft of Scouting By Those Who Lived It.” A detailed review of the book will follow in short order. I have to comment about one extremely interesting item I uncovered in the book…
Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates: A Rivalry That Has Been Largely Forgotten
It’s less than 300 miles between Cincinnati and Pittsburgh and both the Reds and Pirates have been around for a very long time. Their NLCS clashes during the 1970s remain some of the best and most exciting in baseball history!
Stan Musial Named 1948 MVP!
Seventy-five years ago, December 2, 1948, Stan Musial was named the National League MVP. “Stan the Man” led the league in hitting with a .376 batting average and 131 RBIs, but just missed the Triple Crown by one home run. So let’s take a moment to pay tribute to the memory of one of the true greats in baseball history…