Over the course of my cemetery travels the last few years, I have come across a fair share of unmarked graves. Many times, I’ve wished I could do something about it, but I didn’t have the funds or the know-how to make such a thing happen. Now, I’m in a position where I can do … Continue reading The Ed Williamson grave marker project
Baseball got its start as a pastime played by gentlemen, who believed in the importance of vigorous exercise. Once it took off in popularity and became a national obsession, everyone joined in -- drunks, flakes, oddballs, eccentrics, gamblers, miscreants -- you know, the people who made the game interesting. Before I ever dug into baseball's … Continue reading Baseball in the genteel 19th Century (dodging mattresses & bullets)
Winter ball is a longstanding baseball tradition, where ballplayers spend their offseason playing in places like Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic or Venezuela. Most of the time, they leave for home at the end of the season with a little more experience and a little more money. In the winter of 1967, Richie Scheinblum had just … Continue reading Richie Scheinblum survives Nicaragua — barely
On June 29, 1947, a bomb went off at the residence at 361 Ashby St., in Atlanta, Ga. One report said that the bomb caused "enormous" damage, while another stated that it blew out a stairway at the residence. There were no reports that an arrest was ever made, but the motive was pretty clear. … Continue reading The Atlanta house bombing with the Miracle Mets connection
As we noted, Bobby Brown, the Yankees infielder turned cardiologist turned American League president, died on March 26 at the age of 96. He was remembered not only for his own illustrious life, but also for the fact that he was one of the last links -- if not THE last link -- to a … Continue reading Dr. Bobby Brown talks Yogi, Casey
(Editor’s Note: Since I didn’t want to turn the obituary on Hank Aaron into a book, I decided to post this article first and then post the full obit when I get it written.) There have been many people in baseball who have accomplished incredible things, while at the same time being deeply flawed or … Continue reading Hank Aaron’s heavy burden
Given the death count of 2020, writing stories about the gravesites that I've visited has had to take a back seat to keeping up with current obituaries. That's unfortunate, because it's a lot of fun to dig through newspaper archives to glean information about a forgotten outfielder or someone who pitched in a single game. … Continue reading A year’s worth of baseball history: the best of RIP Baseball’s Grave Stories
As 2020 comes to a close, it's a good time to look back on some of those notables in the baseball world who left us in 2020. It's been a particularly tough year, as more than 110 ex-MLB ballplayers passed away, as well as a number of managers, executives, Negro League ballplayers and All American … Continue reading Remembering those we lost in 2020
The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League is justifiably honored for being the first (and to date only) professional women's baseball league in the United States. Formed during World War II, it lasted, in one form or another, into the 1950s. The women who played are baseball pioneers who lived in obscurity for far too long. … Continue reading A league of their own… in 1905
Earlier this week, I wrote about the life of Waite Hoyt, the Hall of Fame Yankees pitcher turned beloved Reds broadcaster. As an ace pitcher for the most dominant team in baseball in the 1920s, Hoyt had a lot of things going for him. A blessed right arm, good looks, a nicely shaped head. No, … Continue reading Waite Hoyt fights bad hats and lazy skin
RIP Baseball 