Many thanks to Ray Banko for coming up with a neat idea. Ray suggested it would be interesting to encourage our readers to share their personal remembrances, encounters, and/or experiences with former major league ballplayers…
We’re Contacted By Son of Legendary Pirates’ Manager, Danny Murtaugh!
“Managing a ball club is like getting malaria. Once you’re bitten by the bug, it’s difficult to get it out of your bloodstream!” –Danny Murtaugh…
JOE DIMAGGIO, PART II – “DIMAG POST WAR: JOE, MARILYN AND PAUL SIMON”
Today Bill Schaefer continues with his series on the life and career of the great Yankee Clipper, Joe DiMaggio. He even addresses such interesting non-baseball topics as Joe’s relationships with Marilyn Monroe and songwriter Paul Simon…
Let’s Take A “Deep Dive” Into the Black Sox Scandal: The “Seven Suspicious Plays”
I’ve decided that for the next few Wednesdays I’ll be taking a “deep dive” into the 1919 Black Sox scandal that rocked the baseball world to its very foundation…
Baseball’s Other “Babe,” Babe Herman: The Only Major Leaguer To Double Into a Double Play!
I was recently reading about baseball oddities (including “The Most Unusual Home Run Ever!”) and it got me to thinking about some other unusual occurrences on the baseball diamond…
“Field of Dreams” Game Brings 1919 Black Sox Scandal Back Into Focus
I’ve always found it interesting that many of the eyewitnesses to the 1919 World Series apparently saw something completely different than what has become accepted as the conventional wisdom…
Another Edition of: “From the Lighter Side!” Pepper Martin and his “Mudcat Band”
“Pepper Martin’s performance in the 1931 World Series was the greatest individual performance in the history of the World Series.” –John McGraw…
SAILING THROUGH THE DECADES WITH THE YANKEE CLIPPER-PART 1
On Baseball History Comes Alive, we can never get enough of superstars like the great Yankee Clipper, Joe DiMaggio…
Tribute to Vin Scully, RIP August 2, 2022
Today, the entire baseball world is saddened to learn that legendary Dodger broadcaster Vin Scully passed away yesterday at age 94 at his home in Hidden Hills, Califormia…
Let’s Recall A Relic From A By-Gone Era: the Team Pinch Hitter
In perusing the National Pastime This Day in Baseball History website recently, I came across this interesting tidbit involving the great pinch-hitter Smoky Burgess…
New Blog Topic: A Real Wacky Game! Blue Jays Beat the Red Sox 28-5!
Did any of you guys notice the crazy game between the Blue jays and the Red Sox last Friday? The Blue Jays defeated the Red Sox 28-5…
We’re Contacted by Relative of Lefty O’Doul!
As I’ve mentioned many times, one of the many “perks” of my job on Baseball History Comes Alive as your friendly baseball historian is that I’m often contacted by relatives or acquaintances of former ballplayers…
All-Star Week, 2022: Let’s Revisit the Classic 1941 All-Star Game!
As we enter the 2022 All-Star break, let’s recall what many consider to be the most exciting finish ever to an All-Star game: Ted Williams’ walk-off homer to win the 1941 Midsummer Classic…
The Original Mr. Cub: “Jolly Cholly” Grimm
Today we welcome back to the fold Michael Keedy with an interesting essay covering the long career of Charlie Grimm, calling him the original “Mr. Cub.”…
The Most Lopsided Trades in Baseball History: “Lefty” O’Doul for Freddy Leach!
Ninety-four years ago this Fall, the Giants traded Lefty O’Doul to the Phillies for the aforementioned Freddy Leach…
World Series Round, Week Two!
World Series Round, Week Two! Can you name these nine Yankees?
Twins Historic 8-5 Triple Play vs. White Sox Recalls Brooks Robinson’s Dubious Record!
In case you missed it, the Twins pulled off a historic 8-5 triple play in Monday’s game against the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Park in Chicago. There’s never been an 8-5 triple play before in all of baseball history…
Annual July 4th Essay: Let’s Recall Baseball’s Most Eloquent Moment, The Lou Gehrig “Luckiest Man” Speech, July 4, 1939
Amidst all the Fourth of July celebrations today, all baseball history fans (like us!) should take a few minutes to reflect upon the anniversary of one of the most memorable – yet saddest – days in baseball history…
From the Lighter Side! Casey Stengel Commits a Baseball ‘No-No’ And Is Hit With a $500 Fine!
“I came in here and a fella asked me to have a drink. I said I don’t drink. Then another fella said I hear you and Joe DiMaggio aren’t speaking and I said I’ll take that drink.” -Casey Stengel
“From the Lighter Side” A Novel – And Exciting! – Way To End a Batting Slump!
As Harry Caray used to say: “Ahh, you can’t beat fun at the old ballpark!”
“Lucky Lindy”—And Rogers Hornsby—Visit Sportsman’s Park, June 18, 1927
“The noisemaking [on Lindbergh Day] was reminiscent of the celebration here last fall when the Cardinals won the city’s first baseball pennant”…
MEL OTT—THE BIGGEST LITTLE GIANT
“Every time I sign a ball, and there must have been thousands, I thank my luck that I wasn’t born Coveleski or Wamsganss or Peckinpaugh.” -Mel Ott…
Tony LaRussa’s Controversial Intentional Walk Decision Recalls Incident From the 1972 World Series!
Tony LaRussa’s controversial decision last Thursday to walk Trea Turner on a 1-2 count has set the baseball world abuzz…
June 3, 1932: A Truly Memorable Day In Baseball History With Three Historic Events!
I wonder if there’s ever been a day quite like June 3, 1932 when not one…not two…but three historic events occurred – two within the same game!…
Billy Martin: World Series Wonderkid
Today, Steve Falco returns with an interesting account of the career of Billy Martin…
Harvey Haddix Near-Perfect Game: One for the Record Books!
“Not a day goes by that somebody doesn’t ask me about that game. I think I got more notoriety from it because I lost.”-Harvey Haddix,…
New Blog Topic: “Fielders’ Choice” – Life Lessons from Baseball
One of our readers, Pete Aman, is in the process of writing a new book, Fielders’ Choice – Life Lessons from Baseball…
Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins Gets His Statue!
Here’s one we can file under: Most Lopsided Trades of All Time! It doesn’t get much worse than this!
Let’s Have Some Fun With Baseball Cycles!
On Wednesday, May 11, Christian Yelich became only the sixth player in major league history to hit for a third career cycle…
RUBE WADDELL: THE ULTIMATE ZANY
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Happy Mother’s Day From Baseball History Comes Alive!
s you’ve heard me say before, I always try to find a connection between baseball history and the particular holidays that we celebrate. But let’s be honest. It’s not exactly easy to find a connection between baseball and Mother’s day…
My New Book: “The Best of Baseball History Comes Alive”
Recent Posts My New Book: The Best of Baseball History Comes Alive What’s the old […]
Mickey Mantle’s First Home Run
Thanks to Steve Falco for his timely reminder that last Sunday, May 1, was the anniversary of Mickey Mantle’s first home run…
Lou Gehrig’s Consecutive Game Streak Comes to An End!
Eighty-three years ago yesterday, April 30, 1939, was a memorable day in baseball history. On that day, the consecutive game streak of the Iron Horse, Lou Gehrig, finally came to an end…
1964: Baseball’s Version of “Musical Chairs!” Johnny Keane Gets Yogi’s Job!
“I managed good but boy did they play bad.” –Johnny Keane, commenting on his lack of success as Yankees’ manager…
Happy Easter from All of Us At Baseball History Comes Alive!
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Follow-up to My Recent Essay on Jim Gentile!
As I’ve mentioned many times, we always enjoy it when we’re contacted by a relative or a friend of a former ballplayer…
Pete Rose Steps to the Plate for the First Time, April 8, 1963
“Doctors tell me I have the body of a thirty-year-old. I know I have the brain of a fifteen-year-old. If you’ve got both, you can play baseball!” –Pete Rose…
LET’S PLAY BALL! SEVEN MEMORABLE OPENING DAY GAMES
For baseball fans like us, no day of the year is more highly anticipated than Opening Day…
Let’s Remember the 1937 MVP and Triple Crown Winner, Joe “Ducky” Medwick!
“When Joe Medwick dies, half the National League will go to his wake just to make sure that S-O-B is dead!”…