Seven months later, they'd be celebrating a World Series championship but in March of 1936, the New York Yankees were putting in the work they'd need to overtake the defending champion Tigers. A new kid named DiMaggio had joined the club but the club's slugging first baseman was still the guy who made them tick. A rare photo from March of 1936, showing Lou Gehrig's … [Read more...]
“He Disappointed No One”: DiMaggio Debut Photo at Auction
He was 21 years old, painfully shy and 3,000 hard miles from home. A kid, really, with none of the airs he would take on later. He'd been assigned number 18 that spring. They knew of Joe DiMaggio in St. Petersburg, Florida, though. Signed a year earlier, the hitting star of the Pacific Coast League was finally here and ready, maybe, to fill … [Read more...]
Photo of the Day: “Yanks’ New Outfield Beauty Reports to Manager McCarthy”
Legend has it Joe DiMaggio's only words on a multi-day cross-country trip to his first spring training with fellow San Franciscans Tony Lazerri and Frank Crosetti were to indicate he didn't know how to drive. A car, maybe, but upon arrival in St. Petersburg on March 2, 1936, it quickly became apparent that the 21-year-old could drive a baseball like nobody's … [Read more...]
Photo of the Day: Joe DiMaggio’s 1936 World Series Check
Babe Ruth was gone but Yankee fans had a new superstar to watch in 1936. Joe DiMaggio of San Francisco, a 21-year-old Pacific Coast Leaguer proved a quick study at the major league level. His presence in the lineup ahead of Lou Gehrig proved to be the missing ingredient to return the Yanks to the World Series for the first time since 1932. When it was all over that … [Read more...]
Hoop History: 1936 Olympic Basketball Gold Medal at Auction
If bidding on Olympic memorabilia intrigues you, it’s time to be Shy. That’s not a contradiction. SCP Auctions is offering the gold medal won at the 1936 Summer Olympics by United States basketball player Carl Shy. It is one of several pieces of Shy’s memorabilia being offered by the California-based auction company in its Fall Premier online auction, which begins on … [Read more...]
Photo of the Day: Gehrig Has a Beef on Opening Day 1936
Your mind’s first image of Lou Gehrig may be the smiling portrait on his classic 1934 Goudey card or maybe yukking it up in one of those old dual photos with Babe Ruth. Some think of him standing at the microphone during the famous ‘Luckiest Man’ speech. Missing from all of those, however, is the Gehrig between the lines. Make no mistake, the Iron Horse was a serious … [Read more...]
17-Year-Old Bob Feller’s Career Unfolds in Early Photo
Since few are around who remember it well, Bob Feller’s arrival in the big leagues is now left almost totally to the history books. It seems now almost incomprehensible to fathom. Feller, a high school student , was such a marvel, that he basically skipped the minor leagues and went right to a big league mound. Oh sure, there were a few outings in places like Fargo and New … [Read more...]
Vintage Photo of the Day: Rare Angle in Lou Gehrig Image
We’ve all seen photos of Lou Gehrig at the plate or in a pose showing the follow-through of his swing but our Vintage Photo of the Day is one you probably have never seen before. This 7x9” photograph was taken from the umpire's perspective as the ball comes speeding in during a spring training drill. It’s an angle rarely—if ever—seen of big league hitters of the era, let … [Read more...]
Vintage Photo of the Day: Gehrig Homers at 1936 All-Star Game
Our Vintage Photo of the Day is a classic and unusual image from the 1936 All-Star Game featuring Lou Gehrig crossing home plate after a home run. Offered in RMY Auctions’ January sale, the 7x9” news service photo was taken at Braves Field where 25,556 fans turned out to watch Gehrig and the American League stars battle the National Leaguers. MLB’s fourth mid-summer classic … [Read more...]