Were these two separated at birth? Or was this simply a case of mixed-up identities? I’ve looked closely at these two 1972 Topps cards and I can’t decide for sure. Gerry Moses and Dave LaRoche look nearly identical in these photographs, in contrast to their 1971 cards, which show them to have differing facial features. […]

It was 70,000 days ago (a “day-versary” as I like to call it) that baseball had one of its most important births. It wasn’t a slugger born. The liveball era is far younger than 70,000 days old. It wasn’t a hitting specialist, nor was it an ace starter born on that day. No famous or […]

Thirty years ago today, the Dodgers and Indians completed a notable trade. On Dec. 9, 1981, the Indians sent prospects Jack Fimple and Larry White alongside veteran Jorge Orta to the Dodgers for second baseman Jack Perconte and—last but not least—former Rookie of the Year Rick Sutcliffe. Suffice it to say, the Indians got the […]

Seventy years ago today, America declared war on Japan due to the previous day’s attack on Pearl Harbor and points elsewhere. As it happened, America joined World War II right in the middle of baseball’s annual winter meetings. In fact, WWII right away caused some substantial changes to baseball, changes that seriously altered the rest […]

Seventy years ago today, perhaps the greatest pitcher of the 20th century announced his retirement: Lefty Grove. Grove had the nasty tendency to have circumstances beyond his control cause him get less attention than he deserved. It’s odd for that to be the case for a great player, but it was the case for Grove. […]

I In presenting baseball card mysteries this winter, I’ve generally asked questions to which I do not know the answers. In this case, I’d like to do something different. In honoring the rightful election of Ron Santo to the Hall of Fame, I’ll pose a question to which I already know part of the correct […]

Twenty-five years ago today was a big day for baseball in Illinois—and a dark day for baseball in Florida. Dec. 5, 1986, was zero hour in the fight for a new ballpark for the Chicago White Sox. At that point, they were playing in Comiskey Park, the oldest park in baseball, but one that was […]

Setting the stage Once upon a time, the Philadelphia Phillies signed Jonathan Papelbon to four-year, $50 million contract with a $13 million vesting option for 2016. Since Papelbon was a Type-A free agent, the Phillies also surrendered their first-round pick—31st overall—to the Boston Red Sox as part of the signing. A short while later, the […]

30,000 days ago, one of the greatest games in baseball history occurred. For much of the day it looked like anything but an all-time classic, but that early lack of drama simply set up an incredible surprise later on. Oct. 12, 1929: Game Four in the 1929 World Series between the A’s and Cubs. Philadelphia […]

Today, the Cubs signed David DeJesus to a two-year, $8.5 million deal with a third-year option worth $6.5 million with a $1.5 million buyout. In other words, the Cubs signed a defensively adept outfielder/health risk with an average/slightly above average bat to a two-year, $10 million deal with a third-year marginal option cost of $5 […]