Not as well known is that Casey Stengel’s earlier career as a manager wasn’t always so successful. As a matter of fact, it was downright dismal…
New Blog Topic: Big Dave Battles Donnie Baseball for the 1984 Batting Title
“If I were sitting down with George Steinbrenner and, based on what Dave Winfield got paid for his statistics, I’d have to say, ‘George, you and I are about to become partners!'” – Joe DiMaggio…
A Follow-up to My Birthday Tribute to Cool Papa Bell!
With our Old-Time Baseball Photos Facebook page currently having over 85K followers, we never know where our essays might go and who might read them…
Birthday Tribute to the Great Honus Wagner, Born February 24, 1874
Thanks to our resident baseball artist, Don Stokes, for calling to our attention that today is the birthday anniversary of Honus Wagner…
Minnie Minoso’s “Grand” Return to the White Sox, 1960!
With February being Black History Month, I think this is a good time to shine our baseball spotlight on one of the recent inductees to the Hall of Fame, Orestes “Minnie” Minoso…
Another Edition of Lopsided Trades: Mordecai “Three Finger” Brown Goes to the Cubs!
Brock for Broglio? Yeah, that wasn’t a bad deal…But how about getting Mordecai “Three Finger ” Brown almost for free?? Now that’s a deal!…
Will There Ever Be Another Player Like Hammerin’ Hank?
“The pitcher has got only a ball. I’ve got a bat. So, the percentage in weapons is in my favor and I let the fellow with the ball do the fretting.” -Hank Aaron
Hank Greenberg Sent Packing From Detroit…For Being Photographed Wearing a Yankee Jersey!
You’re probably wondering why I chose for the featured photo a pic of the Tigers’ great Hall-of-Famer Hank Greenberg in a Pirates’ uniform. Read on to find out why!…
Tommy Lasorda’s “Wild” First Major League Inning (And I Do Mean Wild!)
“I bleed Dodger Blue…and when I die I’m going to the Big Dodger in the sky!” –Tommy Lasorda…
To create a bigger and better Baseball Hall of Fame – All it would take is 1/3 of 1%
With the recent actions of the Golden Days Era Committee, Buck O’Neil, Minnie Minoso, Gil Hodges, Jim Kaat, Tony Oliva, and Bud Fowler are all now to be inducted into Cooperstown…
Another Edition of “Baseball’s Lopsided Trades”: Frank Robinson for Milt Pappas!
Today in my ongoing series on lopsided trades, I’d like to highlight the December 9, 1965 trade of the great slugger, Frank Robinson, from the Reds to the Orioles for Milt Pappas…
Guest Post: The Long Wait is Finally Over! Congratulations Tony O!
Today we welcome a guest post from Steve Falco with an outstanding essay celebrating Tony Oliva’s long overdue and well-deserved election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame…
It Happened! Thank you for your support! Gil’s In!
I’m sure by now you are all aware that, yes, indeed, Gil Hodges will now have a well-deserved spot Cooperstown!…
Coach Johnny Sain for the Hall of Fame!
“I don’t know of a greater pitching coach in my career. . .he should be in Baseball’s Hall of Fame.” -White Sox GM Roland Hemond, speaking of Johnny Sain
Answer to Today’s Quiz…It’s Freddie Lindstrom!
“It was Fate, that’s all…Fate and a pebble!”
It’s Time For a Quiz!
This one may be for you older guys out there…some of you younger guys might not be able to handle this one. Haha!…
Spotlight on the Hall of Fame: The Great Johnny Bench
Scroll Down to Read Today’s Essay Subscribe to Baseball History Comes Alive for automatic updates (sign-up block […]
THE TRAGIC STORY OF BASEBALL’S UNFORTUNATE HALL-OF-FAMER, ERNIE LOMBARDI
“Lombardi was so slow he ran like he was carrying a piano—and the tuner”-Anonymous teammate…
GREAT OLD TIMERS’ FOOTAGE: 1947 Tribute To Babe Ruth!
Many of you know how much I enjoy Old-Timers’ games. I recently came on to what I think is the best footage from an Old Timers’ game I’ve ever seen…
Grover Cleveland “Pete” Alexander Sets the Record Straight About 1926 World Series!
“Less than a foot made the difference between a hero and a bum.” -Pete Alexander, speaking of Tony Lazzeri’s long and barely foul shot during the 1926 World Series, before Alex struck him out…
Stan Musial Strikes Out Three Times!
Here’s something to really think about. It should wake up anyone who doesn’t think the game has changed drastically over the years…
Another Edition of Baseball’s Forgotten Stars: Arky Vaughan
Recreating the life of a man born over a century ago is no easy task, and it’s even more daunting when that man has been dead for nearly 70 years…
We’re Contacted by Family Relations of Hall-of-Famer Heinie Manush!
“He always went to Cooperstown every year and to old-timers’ games. He went to everything he was invited to. He loved it because baseball was his life…”
Should Ernie Lombardi Still Be Considered The “Goat” Of The 1939 World Series?
As we all know postseason errors can become magnified and can even overshadow the career of the fine ballplayer. Just think about the late Bill Buckner. ..
Tony Lazzeri Has One of the Greatest Days in Major League History!
“Tony Lazzeri was a money player almost without equal and one of the smartest athletics ever to patrol the diamond”…
Ballplayers and Their Children, Part Three: Hack Wilson and Son Bobby.
The diminutive Hack Wilson was one of the most accomplished power hitters in the game during the late 1920s and early 1930s…
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…
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.
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…
Tommy Lasorda, RIP
“I bleed Dodger Blue…and when I die I’m going to the Big Dodger in the sky!” –Tommy Lasorda…
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
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.”…
The Classic 1926 World Series: “Ol’ Pete” Alexander Comes to the Rescue!
With the start of the 2020 World Series just around the corner, my tour through memorable World Series stops today in the exciting 1926 World Series, one of the most memorable in the history of the Fall Classic…
My How Baseball Has Changed! Big Ed Walsh Wins Both Ends of a Doubleheader
One hundred and fifteen years ago yesterday, on September 26, 1905, a very unusual game was played at Huntington Avenue Baseball Grounds in Boston…
Tribute To Lou Brock, RIP
The entire baseball world was saddened to learn yesterday of the passing of the great Hall-of-Famer, Lou Brock…
ALBERT BELLE FOR THE HALL OF FAME
Today we welcome the first guest post from Daniel McNamara. He makes an interesting case that the surly slugger, Albert Belle is Hall-of-fame worthy based on his performance between the white lines…
Let’s Shine Our Player Spotlight: Leon Day, “One of the Best Ever!”
“There wasn’t any position he couldn’t really play. He was something to behold, on the mound or in the field.” -Monte Irvin, speaking of Leon day
A Look Back at the Career of the Great “Double X,” Jimmie Foxx!
“How in the hell do you manage to hit all those home runs with those scrawny arms?” –Jimmie Foxx to his young teammate, Ted Williams…
Forty-Year-Old Warren Spahn Throws a No-Hitter!
It happened exactly 59 years ago yesterday, April 28, 1961. Warren Spahn, just five days past his 40th birthday, becomes the second-oldest pitcher in major league history to throw a no-hitter…
Al Kaline, RIP
The baseball world was saddened to lean this week of the passing of “Mr. Tiger,” Al Kaline. Al died at his home in Bloomfield, Michigan age 85…