Category Archives: History of the Game

Despite a short career due to a mishap in judgment of the Dodger manger that lead to a rash decision, Arky Vaughan was no doubt one of the best hitting shortstops ever. He appeared on 9 straight all-star teams from the mid-1930’s to the early 1940’s. He was a good built young ball player standing at 5 foot 10, 175 pounds when he entered the league at 20 years old in 1932; he hit .318 in 129 games that season. Even though Arky was clearly a legendary hitter in his short career, he did not receive many votes for the Continue reading The Legend of Arky Vaughan→

Before he was the NL Rookie of the Year in 1963 and became known as Charlie Hustle, Pete Rose was a former high school student who got held back due to being a top baseball prospect. Before Charlie Hustle was banned from baseball in August of 1989, he had a career as arguably the greatest hitter of all-time, while breaking Ty Cobb’s hit record with 4256 total base hits. Now some 26 years later, Rose has asked the new commissioner of baseball to re-open his case of possible reinstatement. The reason that Rose was placed on the ineligible list in Continue reading The Interesting Case of Pete Rose→

Whenever Babe Ruth is mentioned, towering home runs come to mind, but hitting long shots was not the only thing the all-time slugger did on a Hall of Fame level. Despite being known for his 714 round trippers, the Bambino without that number still might have been a member of Cooperstown. Other legendary career milestones were a big part of the Babe’s 22 years in the big leagues. He was also a great guy off of the field as well; big supporter of the fans and community, but all in all, Ruth was not just a home run hitter. Along Continue reading Babe Ruth, Not Just a Home Run Hitter→

Ernie Banks passed away on January 23, 2015, of a long illness and old age; he was 84 years old. The legacy he leaves behind will be unforgettable as long as baseball is America’s past time. Banks, of course, was one of the greatest sluggers of all-time (on the all-century team), but the biggest impact he had on the game was not made by his 512 homer bat, it was Ernie’s passion for baseball that was implemented into the game. His 19-year career was played only for one team, the Chicago Cubs, which earned him the nickname of Mr. Cub Continue reading The Passing of a Superstar→