If Gil Hodges wasn’t considered an honest man, the Mets might not have won game five of the 1969 World Series. Continue reading
This Wide World syndicated photograph did not end up running in many newspapers. What might appear at first glance to be a fight is actually a celebration.
The Giants and Dodgers tied for the best record in the National League in 1951. To advance to the World Series, a three game playoff was set.
The teams split the first two games.
Game three ended on what many baseball historians consider the most dramatic moment in the history of the game. Continue reading
Good Luck, Joe
Colonel Jacob Ruppert, owner of the Yankees, autographs a baseball for Joe McCarthy, Yank manager, as a token of best wishes before the start of the opening game of the World Series with the Giants, at the latter’s home park, The Polo Grounds, New York City. photo: Acme September 30, 1936
This photograph reminds us that there used to be no playoffs in baseball. The two best teams Continue reading
Today, September 15 is designated as Roberto Clemente Day in baseball. Players around MLB can wear Clemente’s number 21 to honor him and all teams have a small patch on their uniform with 21 emblazoned upon it. One day soon MLB will likely retire Clemente’s number across all of baseball like they did for Jackie Robinson’s number 42.
So what is Clemente Continue reading
When I was a child, Oldsmobile was a brand that I imagined was designed and driven by old people. Figuring the name starts with “Old” it’s easy for an eight-year-old to come up with that natural conclusion.
But I would eventually learn it’s called Oldsmobile because the founder was Ransom E. Olds.
Anyhow, this news photo caption explains why the roofless, windowless, antique was in New York. Continue reading
Hack Wilson Hits 46th Homer Passes Ruth
Wham! A home run and no doubt about it. The ball is on its way to center field bleacher for Hack Wilson’s 46th home run of the season. A second later Hack started his jog around the bases, following Kiki Cuyler over the plate for the Cub’s ninth and tenth runs of August 30th’s game, in the fourth inning. Mancuso of the Cardinals is the catcher. Wilson is now two runs ahead of Babe Ruth. Photo taken August 30, 1930. Pacific & Atlantic Photos
Pursuing Babe Ruth’s 60 home run record set in 1927 was an elusive feat. Besides Wilson, Jimmie Foxx (1932) and Hank Greenberg (1938) came close: each hitting 58 home runs. Ruth’s record stood for 34 years until Roger Maris hit 61 homers in 1961. Continue reading
You Dropped Something Sol!
Brooklyn, NY – St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Sol Hemus loses his hat as well as Gil Hodges’ high fly to center field in the third frame of the game with the Dodgers, July 21. Coming in to help Hemus are centerfielder Wally Westlake (17) and leftfielder Harold Rice (39). Darting back to second base is Card second sacker Red Schoendienst. Ump is Lon Warneke. Brooks’ Jackie Robinson, who tried to score on the play was out at the plate. Brooks won 3-2. credit: Acme 7/12/1951
Over an 11 year career, Solly Hemus batted .273 in 961 games. Hemus became the Cardinals manager in 1959 and was fired part way through the 1961 season. Solly Hemus would have been 100-years-old this year, but he passed away at age 94 on October 2, 2017. Continue reading
ATHLETICS SHOW OFF THEIR SIX NEW PLAYERS
Phila, PA – Obtained in trades with the Cleveland Indians and the Chicago White Sox in the last two weeks, these husky ballplayers are shown in the uniform of the Philadelphia Athletics for the first time as they turned out for the game against the New York Yankees on Saturday. From left they are: Allie Clark, from the Indians; Gus Zernial from the White Sox; catcher Ray Murray from the Indians; outfielder Dave Philley from the White Sox, and infielder Lou Klein and pitcher Sam Zoldak from the Indians. May 14, 1951 Photo: International News Photos- Sonnee Gottlieb
With the major league trade deadline now August 1, teams have to decide if they are in contention or not. With expanded playoffs it makes it a lot harder for a general manager to stay the course or improve the team while possibly mortgaging the future by trading away potential assets.
The Philadelphia Athletics in 1951 did improve in the standings Continue reading
Where Did They All Go?
New York – July 4, 1958 This lonesome little dachshund has the center of Madison Avenue, normally a busy thoroughfare all to himself as millions of New Yorkers left the city for the holiday weekend. Some three million jammed beaches in the New York area. Photo was made at Madison Avenue and 30th Street. photo: AP Wirephoto
Mae Today
One of Mae West’s most noted successes – a role with which she is now a bit bored – is as a high-living lady in “Diamond Lil”. The play is still being revived. In a New York dressing room in 1949, Miss West puts on some “prop” diamonds – valued at $2,000 – which she wears in the play. photo: Wide World Photos 8/4/1952
Mae West remained in the public eye for decades. First in vaudeville, then the legitimate stage, followed by movies and radio. Topping off her stardom, there were whispers and rumors throughout her career that Mae West was not actually a woman. Continue reading
