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…