Barry Bonds' San Francisco Giants teammates were frustrated. It was the middle of May, 2004, and opposing managers refused to pitch to the greatest of all home run hitters. Then-Giants catcher A.J. Pierzynski explained to Sports Illustrated's Tom Verducci what ... (Continue reading)
The Philadelphia Athletics won the 1914 American League pennant. Despite being highly favored in the World Series, they were swept by the "Miracle" Boston Braves. Facing financial problems caused primarily by the formation of the "outlaw" Federal League, Athletics' owner ... (Continue reading)
On July 5, 1989, the San Francisco Giants hosted the Pittsburgh Pirates at Candlestick Park. With the Giants comfortably ahead in the ninth inning, 6-1, the Pirates had runners on first and third with one out. Jim Leyland sent Barry ... (Continue reading)
William Rhoden of the New York Times presented some interesting ideas about Barry Bonds in a column a little more than one year ago. Rhoden posits that America, despite having a president whose father was black, is not comfortable with ... (Continue reading)
One’s feelings toward Barry Bonds are irrelevant. CBS.com reports that Bonds has filed an appeal in an attempt to rectify an injustice. Okay, that’s not exactly what the headline states. Bonds’ attorneys are attempting to have his felony conviction for obstruction ... (Continue reading)
In 1949, star second baseman Jackie Robinson inspired all of America once again. This time, two years after he became the first Negro to play in the major leagues, Robinson declared his faith in America before the un-American activities committee ... (Continue reading)
"Reggie Jackson doesn't belong in the Hall of Fame any more than my grandmother does," Ferris Fain said in 1995. "How many runners did he keep from advancing with all those strikeouts?" Fain had a point about strikeouts.In the seventh ... (Continue reading)
The Brooklyn Dodgers had played 17 games and Gil Hodges was still looking for his first extra-base hit of the 1953 season. He had batted in one run. The game against the Milwaukee Braves on May 5 had been canceled ... (Continue reading)
"Voting shall be based upon the player's record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character and contribution to the team(s) on which the player played." Many “experts” want to eliminate the Hall of Fame’s integrity clause because so many players eligible for ... (Continue reading)
He would have been remembered having been as great or greater than Hank Aaron, Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays, but his skin had too much melanin. The New York Giants had already won their game, which meant that the Brooklyn ... (Continue reading)