Uncle Robbie and the Athlete Dying Young

Wilbert Robinson managed the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1914-1931.  Gentle and genial, Robinson earned praise from The New York Times upon his departure.  But Robinson was not always gentle and genial. Upon Robinson’s departure from the Dodgers’ helm, the...

Bad Bill Dahlen

Bill Dahlen earned his nickname “Bad Bill” because of his arguing style that had the finesse of a 300-pound ballerina.  It triggered 65 ejections for Dahlen, a figure in the Top 10 in baseball history. Dahlen played from 1891-1911 for the Chicago Cubs, New...

Jackie Robinson and Branch Rickey

Branch Rickey and Jackie Robinson changed baseball when the former signed the latter to a contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers baseball team.  They broke organized baseball’s color line that was never codified but seemingly understood Earlier this year, the movie...

FDR’s “Green Light” Letter

By the time 1941 turned into 1942, the exclamation point in the phrase “Play Ball!” became a question mark with the nation at war in two theatres, European and Pacific.  Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis sought counsel from President Franklin Delano Roosevelt...