Fans of the Cubs or just baseball history in general recognize the number 191 (or 190 not so long ago) as one of baseball’s most incredible feats. It is of course the record number of runs Hack Wilson drove home in his remarkable 1930 season. During that same campaign, Wilson also swatted a then league … More Could Hack have driven home 200?
When most fans think of “Billy Ball” in 1980 they think of Billy Martin’s Oakland A’s. Under Martin’s leadership the team improved 29 games and jumped from seventh to second in the American League West. This brand of Billy Ball was characterized by aggressiveness on the base paths, pushing starting pitchers to their breaking point, … More The other Billy Ball
On April 17, our Chicago SABR chapter had the pleasure of hosting three terrific baseball luminaries: Sean Gibson, Executive Director of the Josh Gibson Foundation (and great-grandson of Josh!) Tom Kern, Historian for the Josh Gibson Foundation and SABR member Ted Knorr, Negro Leagues scholar and SABR member Sean, Tom, and Ted treated our virtual … More Josh Gibson MVP campaign comes to Chicago
I had circled the date on my calendar a couple months back when I first got word that fellow chapter member John Racanelli had secured Bobby Dernier for our March 20 meeting. It’s definitely not every day that we host a genuine Major Leaguer, much less a Gold Glover and fan favorite of Dernier’s caliber. … More This really happened?!
by Jason Schwartz with support from Paul Proia (South Florida SABR) It takes a special blend of power and speed to join MLB’s 30-30 club, along with a little bit of luck. After all, we’ve only had about 100 years of baseball where a 30 home run season, even with no steals, would have been … More Baseball’s unsung 30-30 men
The SABR Baseball Cards Research Committee is hosting a virtual panel on Sunday that will feature former White Sox second baseman Micah Johnson. The topic of the panel is “The Future of Baseball Cards.” In addition to Mr. Johnson, other panelists will include Baseball Cards Committee co-chair Nick Vossbrink and sports/pop culture artist Scott Hodges. … More Former White Sox infielder Micah Johnson on SABR panel this Sunday
Originally posted on Blue Batting Helmet:
I wrote this story some time ago, and it was published on the website ChicagoSideSports.com. An archived version of the site exists, but does not include this piece, so I’m adding it here. Happy Memorial Day to all. Anyone who has seen the movie Field of Dreams knows the…
On Sunday, May 24, chapter members Bill Pearch and Jason Schwartz sat down for an interview with former Kane County Cougar all-star Jeremy Barfield. Unlike so many ballplayer interviews chock full of canned and trite responses (we see you, Derek Jeter and A-Rod), Jeremy has more than happy to share his thoughts on everything from … More Jeremy Barfield tells it like it is!
By: AMELIA WALLACE Imagine the quintessential baseball game: it’s a warm, languorous summer day, the scent of freshly mowed grass wafts in the breeze, vendors are hawking hot dogs and roasted peanuts, and then you hear it . . . someone calling out in what at first seems an unfamiliar tongue. Listening more closely, you … More Moe Berg: Catcher, Linguist, Spy
SABR Chicago 