Baseball’s Biggest Trade Ever
January 28, 2011 by Lyle Spatz · 3 Comments
On November 17, 1954, general managers George Weiss of the Yankees and Paul Richards of the Orioles announced a nine-player trade that was the first part of what would emerge as the biggest baseball trade ever. In part one of the trade, the Yanks sent pitchers Harry Byrd and Jim McDonald, outfielder Gene Woodling, shortstop […]
Two Cy Young Winners Play the Outfield
July 26, 2010 by Lyle Spatz · Leave a Comment
The Dodgers used their entire roster, playing both a reigning and a future Cy Young Award winner in the outfield, to outlast the Cubs 2-1 in a 21-inning marathon. Extending over two August afternoons, the game took six hours and ten minutes to complete, establishing a new mark for the longest game ever at Wrigley […]
Jim Palmer’s Attempted Comeback
February 8, 2010 by Lyle Spatz · 4 Comments
In the Spring of 1991, seven years after his retirement as an active player, former Orioles’ pitcher Jim Palmer was attempting the most intriguing comeback in baseball history.
Passing the Torch
June 25, 2009 by Lyle Spatz · Leave a Comment
“There’s nothing really significant about my pitching against him,” Tom Seaver said of his first confrontation with Dwight Gooden. “It doesn’t make me flashback at all.” Gooden reacted similarly, “I know there are tips he could give me. But I have no personal relationship with him, so pitching against him today doesn’t mean all that […]
A Bird Ascending
May 7, 2009 by Lyle Spatz · Leave a Comment
Mark Fidrych, whose untimely death last month saddened the baseball world, officially became a major leaguer on April 5, 1976. Just a few hours before he was to face the Cincinnati Reds at Lakeland’s Marchant Stadium, the Detroit Tigers announced they had placed the 21-year-old rookie on their opening day roster.