The summer of 1941 was a magical time for the New York Yankees, who returned to the top of the American League in part because of Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak. And Grace Enlow, a music teacher in Detroit but a diehard Yankees fan, struck a chord with manager Joe McCarthy because of a quilt she made to honor the Bronx Bombers. Signed by every member of the squad — … [Read more...] about Stitched In Time: Quilt With Signatures Of 1941 Yankees Headed To Auction
1941
Photo of the Day: Surrounded by Tobacco and Memorabilia, The Babe Turns 46 (Not 47)
He'd been retired for six years but life went on for Babe Ruth in the winter of 1941. He turned 46 years old in February and although the sports pages had turned most of their attention to Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams, Hank Greenberg, Bob Feller and the other current stars of the day, Ruth's birthday was still worth a mention...and a photograph. Newspapers throughout the … [Read more...] about Photo of the Day: Surrounded by Tobacco and Memorabilia, The Babe Turns 46 (Not 47)
Vintage Set Break of the Week: 1941 Play Ball
When 1941 Play Ball packs hit the shelves, the world was already at war. With America on the verge of joining the fight, the populous turned its eyes to two superstars from two of the most popular teams who were making history. The Yankees’ Joe DiMaggio hit safely in 56 consecutive games, while Boston rival Ted Williams finished the season with a .406 batting average. The … [Read more...] about Vintage Set Break of the Week: 1941 Play Ball
Vintage Set Break of the Week: 1941 Double Play Baseball
When Gum Products, Inc. rolled out its 1941 Double Play baseball cards, the world was already in the throes of war and America was on the brink of joining in. Baseball captivated (and pleasantly distracted) the nation with two superstars stealing the show. Joe DiMaggio hit safely in 56 consecutive games, setting the single season mark which still stand today, and Ted Williams … [Read more...] about Vintage Set Break of the Week: 1941 Double Play Baseball
Photo of Musial’s Big League Arrival Surfaces
These days he would have had one by the time he appeared in the major leagues. In reality, Stan Musial didn’t find himself on a bubble gum card until 1948—seven seasons after his big league debut. World War II had something to do with that, of course, but the dearth of early Musial images makes a recent pretty special. If you love baseball history, the Vintage Photo of … [Read more...] about Photo of Musial’s Big League Arrival Surfaces
Vintage Photo of the Day: Rookie Rizzuto
Our Vintage Photo of the Day from RMY Auctions is this wire service photo from 1941 that shows Phil Rizzuto (or “Phillip” as he’s called on the caption) in his first big league spring training. After being named the minor league player of the year by The Sporting News in 1940, the 23-year-old Scooter joined the big club, making his debut just a few weeks after this photo was … [Read more...] about Vintage Photo of the Day: Rookie Rizzuto