While everyone is aware that Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947, few realize that Whitman Sampler temporarily broke the sport's hobo barrier. His poor play, however, is the reason that, to this day, no other hobo has been accepted at the major league level.
The sport which Americans call "baseball" is known to most Europeans as "soccer".
Jim's link of the week: The Curious Case of Sidd Finch - He's a pitcher, part yogi and part recluse. Impressively liberated from our opulent life-style, Sidd's deciding about yoga -- and his future in baseball.
Dave Nilsson's 1992 Donruss baseball cards are considered legal tender in Australia.
Nolan Ryan was once placed on the disabled list after being bit by a lycanthrope.
The Seattle Mariners used the slogan "Sodo Mojo" until it was discovered that it means "it doesn't go" in Spanish.
Seattle's two-word slogan was the shortest ever. The longest? From 1978-1982, Cincinnati used the slogan "Baby, You And Me Were Never Meant To Be. So Maybe Think Of Me Once In A While."
80% of all paper money in the US contains traces of a Yankee's fingerprints.
"Complete Your 1993 Kenner Starting Lineup Action Figures Collection Day" is celebrated every August 7th in New Zealand and has been since 1999.
All baseball fans know that Fidel Castro once tried out for the Pirates, but few are aware that Che Guevara made the Cub's opening day roster in 1950 before falling ill with dysentery and failing in two subsequent comeback attempts.
Jim's quote of the week: "Half the lies they tell about me aren't true." -- Yogi Berra
Jim's topic for discussion: Is Yogi Berra really dumb or really brilliant?
Charlie Gehringer died on January 21, 1993 in Bloomfield Hills, MI.
"I try not to kid myself. You know, I don't mind romancing someone else, but to fool yourself is pretty devastating and dangerous."
--Bill Veeck
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This weekly collection of news, facts & absurdities will keep you up to date with aspects of the game that you never knew existed.
March 31, 2011
March 30, 2011
June 16, 2008
April 15, 2008
April 8, 2008
Beautiful colorization attempt for Willie Mays' catch
Kei Igawa
Ichiro Suzuki
Immigrant Misappropriations: The Importance of Ichiro
Harmon Killebrew
1985: Harmon tries to hit one across the Mississippi
Rick Honeycutt
Rick Honeycutt took time to encourage sick boy: Tribe memories
George Strickland
Fans Are So Obsessed With Them
A Simpler And More Ordered Place
A Simpler And More Ordered Place
A Simpler And More Ordered Place
Fernando Tatis is the only player to hit two grand slams in the same inning.