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The Night They Caught Gaylord - Part 1 of 2
In 1982 baseball’s most accomplished spitball pitcher was finally brought to justice.
Jan 12
•
Paul Jackson
14
14
1
Packed House
A gorgeous spring day. A simple misunderstanding on the field. Seat cushions. The perfect recipe for a baseball forfeit.
Jan 5
•
Paul Jackson
17
9
4
December 2025
Arms and Armor - Conclusion
Safety caps decided the 1941 National League pennant, but squabbling inventors (and a world war) kept universal head protection off the market.
Dec 22, 2025
•
Paul Jackson
14
8
3
Arms and Armor - Part 4
A dispute over the rights to the first modern batting helmet was obscured by a summer of beanball violence in the major leagues.
Dec 18, 2025
•
Paul Jackson
11
5
1
Arms and Armor - Part 3
The Brooklyn Dodgers all donned protective helmets at the start of the 1941 season without knowing how well they worked. Thanks to Pete Reiser, they…
Dec 15, 2025
•
Paul Jackson
15
4
1
Arms and Armor - Part 2
How the first modern “safety cap” was invented in the early 1940s. Just don’t call it a helmet.
Dec 11, 2025
•
Paul Jackson
15
9
3
Arms and Armor - Part 1
In 1941, baseball players started wearing helmets. All it took was an obsessive executive, a world-renowned neurologist, and a historic swarm of bean…
Dec 8, 2025
•
Paul Jackson
20
8
3
Programming Notes and Power Points
It’s really just one of each, but the plural sounded better.
Dec 5, 2025
•
Paul Jackson
14
3
3
Clash of the Gardeners
In the 1970s the ground of Baltimore’s Memorial Stadium nourished a hypercompetitive friendship and the biggest tomatoes in sports.
Dec 1, 2025
•
Paul Jackson
20
10
2
November 2025
Jackie Robinson’s Bad Bounce
On a stormy night in 1954, a baseball hero let his temper (and his bat) get away from him.
Nov 24, 2025
•
Paul Jackson
25
9
4
Cash Grab - Part 2 of 2
The history of baseball’s “cash scramble” promotion, from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows.
Nov 17, 2025
•
Paul Jackson
14
4
2
Cash Grab - Part 1 of 2
When baseball’s popularity waned, a creative and determined promoter threw money at the problem...but only in small bills.
Nov 10, 2025
•
Paul Jackson
14
11
1
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