Ted Cox had a pretty inauspicious five-season career in baseball. He was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 1973 and spent five years making his way through the team’s farm system. He made his Major League debut at the end of the 1977 season. In Ted’s first game, he went 4-for-4. After the game, …
Jim “Mudcat” Grant, Major League pitcher with 14 seasons under his belt, had a career filled with firsts. Despite being awarded a scholarship to play football and baseball at Florida A&M University, Mudcat had to drop out in order to help his family through a spell of financial hardship. Ever determined, Mudcat was signed as …
Don Wilson was an integral part of the Houston Astros for nine seasons. His career could have continued… but other circumstances changed that. Don won over 100 games for the Astros. He was selected to the All Star Game in 1971, where he pitched two scoreless innings. Her also threw two no-hitters – one in …
There are two things I love: unusual and obscure baseball statistics and celebrity deaths. The story of former Major League Baseball pitcher Odalis Pérez fits into both categories. Odalis signed with the Atlanta Braves in 1998, making his big league debut in September of that year. His regular season record was 0-1, however he won …
Alberta Hunter began her career singing in brothels. She struggled until she was able to find an audience in whites-only men’s clubs in Chicago. She worked alternately singing in dark, smoky cabaret rooms and peeling potatoes in the kitchen of the same establishments. Her persistence paid off and Alberta soon found herself headlining at the …
Veterans Stadium was the home of the Philadelphia Phillies from 1971 until yielding the title to beautiful Citizens Bank Park in 2004. Veterans Stadium was anything but beautiful, however, I did get to see some of baseball’s immortal players at that hell hole. One of those players was the legendary Hank Aaron. He was one …
In 1986, Narciso Elvira was pitching in the Mexican Baseball League when his contract was purchased by the Milwaukee Brewers. He played his first year with Beloit Brewers, the Single A affiliate. He eventually moved up to the Triple A El Paso Diablos, only to return to the Single A level, this time in Stockton, …
Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright, The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light; And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout, But there is no joy in Mudville — mighty Casey has struck out. With the 2020 baseball season delayed, there certainly is no joy.
Abner Doubleday was a career officer in the Union Army during the Civil War, achieving the rank of 2-star General. In the early days of the war, Doubleday fired the first shot at the Battle of Fort Sumter. He also played a pivotal role in the Battle of Gettysburg. He was, however, relieved of his …
