Today in Baseball: Yankees keep Gehrig’s streak intact

Today 86 years ago, Yankees' first baseman Lou Gehrig wasn't really able to play due to what was then believed to be lumbago. Still, he was put on the lineup card to keep his streak alive. As Lou Gehrig was hit by "lumbago" the previous day, he wasn't able to play first base the following …

Today in Baseball: Babe Ruth hits final Home run of his Career

Today, Babe Ruth hit a mammoth home run that clears the roof of Forbes Field. It would be the Great Bambino's final (714th) home run of his career, only to be broken by Hank Aaron 39 years later. During the game vs the Pittsburgh Pirates, Ruth hit three dingers and a single. Nevertheless, the Boston …

Today in Baseball: Lou Gehrig plays his final game

Today eighty-one years ago, Lou Gehrig played the final game of his career. The ailing first baseman of the New York Yankees went 0-4. The Iron Horse had a sub-par season until now as he only managed to collect four hits. Two days later, a day after a day off, Gehrig took himself out of …

My top ten of baseball caps

In the past, I have made several blog posts about my ten favorite MLB, MiLB, Dutch and European caps. This time I want to post an overview of the ten caps of my own collection that I like best. Nr. 10: High Desert Mavericks This is the former home cap of the now-defunct High Desert …

Today in Baseball: Yankee Stadium opens its doors

Today, 97 years ago, the first official game was played at Yankee Stadium. The Boston Red Sox were beaten 4-1 thanks to a home run by Babe Ruth. After John McGraw of the New York Giants made clear he didn't want to Yankees to return to the Polo Grounds after the 1922 season, the Yankees …

Baseball Shorts: The Oakland Athletics and their (White) Elephant

As a baseball fan, you will know the Oakland Athletics sport an elephant as their alternate logo on the sleeves of their jerseys. But where does it come from? Read on and you will learn. Since time immemorial, the Athletics ball club sport a (white) elephant as their (alternate) logo. But what is the link …

Sign-stealing scandal cesspit is getting bigger by the day

Yesterday José Altuve and Alex Bregman made their apologies to the baseball world for their role in the Astros' sign-stealing scandal. Also, Astros owner, Jim Crane made a statement. In both cases, fans must have raised their eyebrows. A local Los Angeles news station, KTLA 5, broadcasted the Astros' press conference and labeled José Altuve …

Andruw Jones’ HOF numbers are improving

For the third year in a row, Andruw Jones was on the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot. And once again he got more votes than in the previous year. On a day on which Derek Jeter got one vote shy of becoming the second unanimous HOF inductee and Larry Walker was voted in on his …

Yankee great Don Larsen passes away

Yankee great Don Larsen, the only pitcher who threw a perfect game in the World Series has passed away at the age of 90 as a result of  esophageal cancer. A few days ago, Larsen entered a care hospice.  When it was announced that Larsen had entered the care hospice, you could tell the end …

Baseball related songs: “Take me out to the ballgame” by Bernie Williams

In this episode of "Baseball related songs", we pay attention to an instrumental performance by Bernie Williams, the former center fielder of the New York Yankees. In more than one way this "song" is baseball-related. First of all the song itself, which was released for the first time in 1908. But also the person who …

DiMaggio for Williams; the trade that never happened

There is a story floating around about a trade between the Yankees and the Red Sox back in the 1940s. Both owners would trade away their biggest star to the opponent. Eventually,  the trade never happened but it would have been something to see both Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams in the uniform of the …

Today in baseball: Fenway Park collateral to the Yankees…

On this day a hundred years ago, the New York Yankees bought Babe Ruth from the Boston Red Sox for "just" $100,000. But did you know that Fenway Park would also be part of the deal? According to the legend, financially strapped Red Sox owner Harry Frazee sold Babe Ruth to generate money for his …

Didi leaves Yankees, Cole joins them

A hectic day at the Baseball Winter Meetings in San Diego. It became clear the Yankees lost their shortstop for good and added one of the most wanted pitchers on a record-breaking deal. After the Yankees did not even make him a qualifying offer, Didi Gregorius signed a one-year $14 million contract with the Philadelphia …

Baseball related songs: “Ichiro’s theme” by Ben Gibbard

In today's episode of  "Baseball related songs" we pay attention to "Ichiro's theme" performed by Death Cab for Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard. With the trade of Ichiro Suzuki to the Yankees by the Seattle Mariners, Gibbard released this song as a thank you for 10,5 great years with the M's. On the day, the Mariners …

Baseball related songs: “Empire State of Mind” by Jay-Z

In this episode of baseball-related songs, we pay attention to "Empire State of Mind" performed by Jay-Z. In this song, Alicia Keys is featured as she does the singing of the chorus. Empire State of Mind was released on October 20, 2009, about a week before the World Series that was played by the New …

No qualifying offer for Gregorius

According to MLB.com, the New York Yankees did not make a qualifying offer to shortstop Didi Gregorius. As a result, Gregorious will not be bound to a  draft pick compensation when he will be signed by another club. Didi came back after Tommy John surgery and still played 82 games for the Yankees. Unfortunately, his …

Today in baseball: World Series’ first perfect game

Today, sixty-three years ago, Don Larsen accomplished what no-one had ever done before: pitching the first perfect game in World Series history. Game five was a pitchers duel from both sides. Not only did Don Larsen not allow a hit, his opponent, Sal Maglie, allowed only five hits and issued two walks as he gave …

Will Didi still be a Yankee after 2019?

As you all may know, the contract of Didi Gregorius with the Yankees will expire after the 2019 season. The question remains if he will return or more important if the Yankees will make him an acceptable offer.   No doubt the Yankees will make a qualifying offer, that will pay Gregorius around $18,000,000 for …