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Tommy Lasorda: Magnifique Moundsman Of Montreal
January 18, 2025 by Frank Jackson
There is not much one can say or write about Tommy Lasorda that hasn’t already been said or written…raconteur, comedian, linguini lover, show biz schmoozer, coach, manager, goodwill ambassador for baseball…and the game’s greatest bullshit artist, though I don’t believe Sabermetrics has advanced to the point where any statistics can be adduced... Read more of this article
Do You Feel Lucky?
October 12, 2024 by Frank Jackson
In 1995 Nicolas Cage won a Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of a man committing incremental suicide by alcohol in Leaving Las Vegas. Today a more appropriate remake might be titled Leaving Oakland, which is lacking in alliteration but an accurate description of the professional sports scene in the East Bay. Unlike Nicolas Cage, teams aren’t leaving... Read more of this article
The League of Mysterious Baseballists
September 3, 2024 by Frank Jackson
Twenty-First and Lehigh is a painting by Thomas Kolendra When I was growing up, I lived in a National League metro area. The only games I saw in person were Philadelphia Phillies games, and all I heard on the radio or saw on television were Phillies games. There was a Game of the Week with Dizzy Dean on CBS but it was not available in Philadelphia... Read more of this article
Barry Shetrone: O’s Bright Prospect Whose Promise Was Unfulfilled
August 4, 2024 by Barry Sparks
Speedy outfielder was once compared to Vada Pinson Barry Shetrone was one of the Baltimore Orioles’ brightest prospects when they signed him for $4,000 after he graduated from Southern High School in 1956. Although he became the first Baltimorean to play for the modern-day Orioles (1954 to present), he never fulfilled his promise. He played... Read more of this article
Baseball’s First Phenom
July 6, 2024 by Frank Jackson
Nary a season goes by without the chattering classes of our national pastime heralding the arrival of one or more phenoms. The phrase “can’t miss” is bandied about with the self-assurance of racetrack touts. If you’re keeping score at home, however, you have probably noted how many can’t-miss players fail to live up to their billing. Sooner... Read more of this article
The Vanishing Pinch-Hitter
March 30, 2024 by Frank Jackson
Red Lucas Let’s start this essay with a FUN FACT: the Spanish term for pinch-hitter is bateador emergente, or emergency batter. Now there’s a phrase I’d like to see catch on in anglophone play-by-play accounts. It enhances the drama of the situation. I don’t think there are fewer emergencies in contemporary baseball than in ye olden times, but... Read more of this article
Often Overlooked Johnny Mize Put Up Impressive Numbers
March 30, 2024 by Barry Sparks
Ted Williams said, “Johnny Mize was one of baseball’s most outstanding hitters.” Indeed, Mize, a first baseman, was a feared slugger who clouted 369 homers and a compiled a career batting average of .312. He was the first player to knock 50 homers (51 in 1947) and strike out less than 50 times. The big, quiet Georgian led the National... Read more of this article
Walter Johnson’s Beanball Stymied Nemesis Home Run Baker
March 9, 2024 by Barry Sparks
Frank “Home Run” Baker For nearly a decade, four-time home run champ Frank “Home Run” Baker and strikeout king Walter Johnson waged one of the most intense rivalries in the American League. From 1909 through 1913, the Philadelphia Athletics slugger dominated the Washington Senators fireballer. When Johnson was considered unhittable... Read more of this article
Uni-Cycling, Bi-Cycling, Tri-Cycling…And Beyond?
March 9, 2024 by Frank Jackson
Bobby Veach At some point during the 2024 season, you might hear your hometown play-by-play announcer say, “He’s only a (single/double/triple/homer) away from the cycle.” More than likely, it will be a triple, since that it is the least likely result of any plate appearance that results in a hit. If said hitter does complete the cycle, you can... Read more of this article
Magical History Tour: Of Beatles And Ballparks
February 3, 2024 by Frank Jackson
A common Seamhead quest is to see a ballgame at every major league ballpark. Some attempt to do it in one season; others (myself included) take their time. And some aficionados sign up for those bus tours that promise eight ballparks in eight days; in other words, if it’s Tuesday, this must be Detroit. That’s a good way to check of a lot of boxes... Read more of this article