The next current player who smokes cigars on a regular basis will be the first, but 100 years ago it was a common sight and no one loved them better than Babe Ruth. Taught to make shirts and roll cigars as a student at St. Mary's Industrial School in Baltimore, Ruth was often photographed with his tobacco of choice as he became the most famous athlete in the … [Read more...] about Original Copy of 1919 Ruth Cigar Photo Up for Auction
1919
1978 Book Store Find Yielded Baseball History…and Big Profit
A $200 investment in some World Series programs back in 1978 turned out to be a stellar investment for a Canadian collector. Owen Ricker, now 76, was visiting Los Angeles 38 years ago when he stopped into a book store and asked if they had any baseball-related items. At first, the answer seemed to be no but a check with the store owner produced a small stack of programs and … [Read more...] about 1978 Book Store Find Yielded Baseball History…and Big Profit
First Man Up: Hank Gowdy Returns from World War I
Hank Gowdy went from crouching behind the plate for the Boston Braves to crawling in a trench on a World War I battlefield in a matter of months. When it was over, the long-time major leaguer picked right up where he left off. Despite not having seen a big league pitch in two years, Gowdy smacked a single and finished the 1919 season with a .279 average, the highest of his … [Read more...] about First Man Up: Hank Gowdy Returns from World War I
Photo of the Day: Hap Felsch in 1919
The story of Oscar “Happy” Felsch could have been a rags to riches tale. Armed with only a sixth grade education but the skills of an all-time great, the affable Milwaukee native was one of the greatest players in the American League not long after joining the Chicago White Sox in 1916. He was a key player in the team’s 1917 World Series championship but like others in the … [Read more...] about Photo of the Day: Hap Felsch in 1919