Tag: baseball

Erik Visits an American Grave, Part 395

By Erik Loomis

In General

On January 13, 2019

This is the grave of Billy Martin. Born into a dysfunctional family in Oakland in 1928, Alfred Martin’s parents split when he was a baby. His stepfather was the most positive mentor in his life. He was known as Billy from a young age because his Italian immigrant grandmother, who did not speak English, called […]

General

Erik Visits an American Grave, Part 386

By Erik Loomis

On January 3, 2019

This is the grave of Tim Keefe. Born in 1857 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Keefe was the son of an Irish immigrant who fought for the Union in the Civil War. His father was a POW; all four of his broth

General

It’s Really Hard to Imagine Why Baseball Has Lost Black Fans

By Erik Loomis

On November 25, 2018

Baseball is deeply committed to the legacy of Jackie Robinson. On Friday, days after Cindy Hyde-Smith made “joking” comments about lynching and the like, Major League Baseball decided she

Erik Visits an American Grave, Part 335

By Erik Loomis

In General

On October 5, 2018

This is the unmarked grave of Bill Dahlen. Born in 1870 in Delliston, New York, Dahlen became one of the leading hitters of the deadball era. He broke into the major leagues in 1891 with the Cubs and immediately became a solid, if not legendary player. He had more power than most in that era, […]

General

Erik Visits an American Grave, Part 324

By Erik Loomis

On September 7, 2018

This is the grave of Kenesaw Mountain Landis. Born in 1866 in Millvale, Ohio to a doctor, Landis was named after the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, where his father had been wounded a couple of years be

General

Erik Visits an American Grave, Part 311

By Erik Loomis

On August 19, 2018

This is the grave of Jackie Robinson. There isn’t much point of doing a biography of Robinson here. He’s so famous and his story is so well-known that I’d just be wasting my time. Bu

What Scott Walker Voters Do For Fun

By Erik Loomis

In General

On July 22, 2018

Earlier this week, it came out that Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Josh Hader, several years ago, had tweeted out a bunch of racist and homophobic stuff. Whether you want to believe him or not, he said he was an idiot, that he’s learned much since then, that he no longer believes that stuff. He seems genuinely […]

General

The Center of All Evil in the Universe

By Erik Loomis

On July 15, 2018

Today marks the beginning of baseball All-Star break, otherwise known as the worst week for sports all year. Somehow the Mariners would be a playoff team if the season ended today, despite having a ne

General

Erik Visits an American Grave, Part 257

By Erik Loomis

On June 20, 2018

This is the grave of Bob Elliott. Born in 1916 in El Centro, California, Elliott played baseball at El Centro Community College before signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1936. He was an outfielder

Ichiro!

By Erik Loomis

In General

On May 3, 2018

It looks like the game is finally up for Ichiro, my favorite player of all time. There was no good reason for Seattle to sign him this year. He obviously had nothing left in the tank. After an OK 2016 in Miami, last year he was pretty bad. His 44 at-bats this year showed the […]

General

Erik Visits an American Grave, Part 233

By Erik Loomis

On April 19, 2018

This is the grave of Ray Boone. Born in 1923 in San Diego, Boone was a star baseball player in high school. The Cleveland Indians signed him after high school and he played a bit in their minor league

General

Opening Day Open Thread

By Erik Loomis

On March 29, 2018

Baseball! Go Mariners! I can’t wait for another 78 win season! I have no doubt that bringing back an 87 year old Ichiro will rejuvenate the franchise. Also, Rusty Staub, RIP Plus my favorite bas

1 2 … 39 Next →