“I should have been up there with the greats. I should have gone right up the ladder, but too many rungs were missing.” -Rex Barney
“Owners Aren’t Angels”: The Story of the 1943 Phillies
“If there is a ‘jerk’ connected with the Phillies, it is William D. Cox, president of the baseball club…and he’s an all-American jerk!”…
New Blog Topic: Let’s Have Some Fun on President’s Day, 2021
Since I’m always looking for ways to connect baseball history with national holidays, the thought occurred to me that maybe we could have some fun even with Presidents’ day…
The Confusing History of Baseball In Washington, D.C.!
My post the other day about Hall-of-Famer Bucky Harris led to the usual confusion about the Washington franchise…
Let’s Remember the “Boy Wonder,” Hall-of-Famer Bucky Harris
“If you can’t play for Bucky Harris, you don’t belong in the major leagues.” -Joe DiMaggio…
New Blog Topic: Thoughts About Leo, Jackie, and Willie
It’s really a shame Leo Durocher wasn’t around to run interference for Jackie Robinson in 1947…
Ballplayers and Their Children, Part I
Today, I’m reintroducing a series I started a few years ago, which at the time I called Ballplayers and their Children.
The Beautiful Color Restorations of Chris Whitehouse
Those of us who frequent baseball history web sites know that there are a few very talented baseball artists out there…
New Blog Topic: THE SHORT CAREER HALL CALL
Just recently, a colleague of mine wrote an excellent essay on former Yankee first baseman and current Miami Marlins manager, Don Mattingly…
FROM THE LIGHTER SIDE: BASEBALL, FUNNY SIDE UP!
The funniest and strangest material on earth can be found in the archives of baseball stories, wisdom and hilarious impromptu comments…
New Blog Topic: THE MUSIC OF BASEBALL
Just recently I [Bill Gutman] wrote a blog about Take Me Out to the Ballgame, calling it the
National Anthem of baseball. It still is…
February Baseball Trivia Contest Now Open: So You Think You Know A Lot About Babe Ruth! (Still time to enter, contest ends Feb. 25th)
Your score not important, just participate to be eligible to win the Grand Prize Giveaway, a $50 Amazon gift card…
New Blog Topic: A YOUNG KID MEETS ROGERS HORNSBY!
The story dates back to July, 1960. That’s the month my widowed grandfather, Lou Livacari, moved in to my family’s home in Lincolnwood, Illinois…
Living in the Shadow of Mickey Mantle!
We often forget what an emotional investment we’ve made to the game of baseball. It usually starts early-on in our youth and continues throughout our lives…
New Blog Topic: SAYING GOODBYE TO OUR HEROES
The death of Hank Aaron caused a ripple effect throughout not only the baseball world, but in many other quarters as well…
New Blog Topic: BASEBALL’S HOT STOVE LEAGUE
All baseball fans know just what the Hot Stove League is. Theoretically, it can be applied to any baseball talk or discussion during the offseason…
Hank Aaron, RIP
The baseball world was again saddened with today’s news that one of the greatest ballplayers of all time, Hall-of-Famer Hank Aaron (February 5, 1934- January 22, 2021) has passed away…
New Blog Topic: “Baseball’s Eccentrics and Zany Characters”
“The trouble with Bordagaray is that he thinks he’s a Babe Ruth and wants to be paid accordingly…trouble is, he’s not Babe Ruth, not by a mile”…
Our Annul Baseball Tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr.
As is my usual custom, I always like to find a connection between baseball history and national holidays…
NEW BLOG TOPIC: THE LOUISVILLE SLUGGER
Please note: As we compose new blog entries, we will now send each one out to all our subscribers as we post them. -GL
DON MATTINGLY: FAME SECOND TO FAITH AND FAMILY
I loved watching Don Mattingly play baseball. A flawless fielder and an imposing figure in the batter’s box: powerful sloping shoulders, intense concentration…
Captain Ted Williams Recalled to Active Duty, January 9, 1952
“If there was ever a man born to be a hitter it was me”…
Tommy Lasorda, RIP
“I bleed Dodger Blue…and when I die I’m going to the Big Dodger in the sky!” –Tommy Lasorda…
Another Edition of “From the Lighter Side!” Fun With Old Baseball Ads, Part One
“You shoeless sonofagun you!” –A fan yelling at 20-year old Greenville Spinner outfielder, Joseph Jackson, who was playing that day in his stocking feet…
Stan Musial’s 1951 Salary Increase Blocked by Government
As we bid the year 2020 Adieu (and good riddance), we probably will look back on this year from a historical baseball perspective and marvel at all the changes that occurred this past season.
January Baseball Trivia Contest: Hall Of Famers
January Baseball Trivia Contest and Grand Prize Giveaway! Are you up for the monthly challenge? […]
Our Annual Tribute to Roberto Clemente: “HE’S GOT IT!!”
“If it was humanly possible for a ball to be caught, Roberto Clemente was going to get it.” –Pirates’ manager, Danny Murtaugh
Merry Christmas To All! Was Willie Mays the Inspiration for the Charlie Brown Christmas Special??
As we get ready to celebrate Christmas (as best we can in this the most dysfunctional year of our lives), whoever thought I’d be able to find a connection between the perennial TV favorite, Charlie Brown’s Christmas Special and baseball!
BASEBALL HISTORY COMES ALIVE BLOG ARCHIVE PAGE
As I mentioned to you the other day, we’re starting a new blog page feature on our Baseball History Comes Alive website.
We’ve Added A New Blog Page
Bill Gutman and I are very happy to announce that we’ve added a new blog page feature to our Baseball History Comes Alive website…
My Review of Bill Gutman’s Book, “Murder on Murderer’s Row”
Bill Gutman has been an integral part of our team here on Baseball History Comes Alive for two and a half years…
Another in the Series: Baseball’s Characters and Eccentrics – The Brooklyn “Sym-Phony” Band!
“Sometimes the band sounds like a herd of elephants with whooping cough,” -Murray Schumach. New York Times, 1947…
ANOTHER EDITION OF “FROM THE LIGHTER SIDE!”: THE NEW YORK METS’ FAMOUS “SIGN MAN”
Karl Kurt Ehrhardt was born in Unterweissbach, Germany, on November 26, 1924, the son of Willie and Elsie Voight Ehrhardt…
A Tribute to Dick Allen, RIP
“One day people will understand that standing up for yourself and your dignity makes you a man and not a malcontent”…
Ty Cobb Re-signs with the Tigers for $4,000!
“I often tried plays that looked recklessly daring, maybe even silly. But I never tried anything foolish when a game was at stake, only when we were far ahead or far behind. -Ty Cobb…
Happy Thanksgiving From Baseball History Comes Alive!
Let’s be honest. It’s hard to find a connection between Baseball and Thanksgiving. 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…
1932 New York Yankees
Check out this great team photo of the 1932 World Series Champion Yankees, beautifully restored/colorized by the very talented artist, Chris Whitehead of Mancave photos…
Great Footage of Honus Wagner!
“When he fielded grounders, his huge hands also collected large scoops of infield dirt, which accompanied his throws to first like the tail of a comet.”…
Anatomy of a Sports Bettor: The Compelling Story of Our Contributor, Bill Schaefer
Whatever winnings you accrue betting games, you will give back…and then some -Bill Schaefer…
A Genuine American War Hero: All-Star Pitcher Lou Brissie
Subscribe to Baseball History Comes Alive for automatic updates (sign-up block found in right side-bar) […]