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.
Baseball’s Forgotten Stars: Luis Arroyo
On September 9, 1961, the New York Yankees celebrated Whitey Ford Day at Yankee Stadium. Ford was in the midst of his greatest season, the only season in which he would win a Cy Young Award. Ford was in the process of being showered with gifts when a car drove up with a giant Life Saver candy package in the rear seat. As the car came to a halt, the lid on the Life Saver popped open and relief pitcher Luis Arroyo emerged…
Great Baseball Photo Collections, Part Three: The Charles Conlon Collection
“Baseball’s Golden Age: The Photographs of Charles M. Conlon,” is the best book of baseball photographs ever published.” -Roger Angell, longtime staff writer for the New Yorker …