The 1983 California Angels

The Angels had captured 2 pennants in the last four seasons, and they were highly optimistic about their chances in 1983 after retaining most of the core players from their 1982 division winning squad. The team suffered a big loss in free agency, with slugger Don Baylor heading east to the Yankees. The Angels inked […]

The Ultimate Seven-Game Fall Classic: Game Four

In part one of my Ultimate Seven-Game Fall Classic series, I featured Game One of the 1988 World Series between the Oakland A’s and Los Angeles Dodgers, won by the latter on Kirk Gibson’s walk-off two-run homer off Dennis Eckersley, ironic because it was Eck who coined the phrase “walk-off piece.”  Part two featured an […]

The Ultimate Seven-Game Fall Classic: Game Two

In part one of my Ultimate Seven-Game Fall Classic series, I featured Game One of the 1988 World Series between the Oakland A’s and Los Angeles Dodgers.  This time around, I’m traveling back to the Deadball Era when pitchers still dominated the game and runs were hard to come by.  It wasn’t until the “Roaring […]

Part Three: The Story Of The 1888-1889 New York Giants

The 1889 World Series would be a battle of the boroughs as the National League champion, New York Giants, would look to repeat as world champions against the American Association champion, the Brooklyn Bridegrooms. As soon as the pennants in both leagues were decided, representatives from both squads sat down and laid down the ground […]

A Trip To Last a Lifetime

In a little less than a year and a half, January 2012, to be exact, I’ll be 50 years old. Sometime around then, too, Fenway Park will turn 100. It’s strange that with all our accumulated years we’d never before had the chance to meet- until last week, that is.    While living my whole life […]

Back to the Future: SPORT’s “Five Hottest Questions” of 1961

Last month I delved into SPORT’s predictions for the 1969 All-Stars made five years before in 1964.  This time around, I’m looking at five questions writer Tom Meany asked prior to the 1961 season.  In the May 1961 issue of SPORT, which actually hit newsstands in March, Meany penned an article titled, “The Big Leagues’ […]

The All-Time Red Sox (a draft book chapter)

Who would be selected for a mythical All-Time Red Sox dream team roster? And how have others answered this fun question throughout the years?

The All-Time Yankees (a draft book chapter)

Who would be selected for a mythical All-Time Yankees dream team roster? Who would be the starters and who the backups? Who gets snubbed, not quite good enough to make the squad? And how have other authors, as well as fan surveys and the like, answered this fun question throughout the years?

Selig, Owners Announce Re-Invention Of Sport

In a surprise announcement following the winter meetings attended by owners and generals managers, “Commissioner” Bud Selig declared his intention of re-inventing the sport known as baseball. “Let’s face it,” Selig told the press. “We’ve screwed this game up so thoroughly that it has almost no meaning for anyone any more. Fans don’t know what […]