What's New?
As you can see, the Boston Braves Historical Association has a brand new look. It's been a long time since we've done a complete update of our site (over ten years) and we hope that our new site is cleaner, easier to read and packed with the information that you want.
Our Contact Us email address has changed, so please make an update of that in your email address books.
We will still keep a running account of our links on this page, but if you want Boston Braves news hot off the presses, either subscribe to our email newsletter or Like us on our Facebook page.
As always, we give a huge round of thanks to BBHA President Bob Brady for curating these links. Great job as usual, Bob!
On to the Links!
October 2024
Hope you’re all enjoying the World Series! It would be better with the Braves, but we can’t get that every year. On to the links:
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Boston Braves minor leaguer to be honored on a U.S. postage stamp! Lest we not forget, Hank Aaron was signed away from the Negro League Indianapolis Clowns in 1952 by Boston Braves scout Dewey Griggs and assigned to the Hub Tribe’s wholly owned Wisconsin minor league affiliate Eau Claire Bears of the Class C Northern League. The Boston Braves had integrated in 1950 upon the arrival of Sam “Jet” Jethroe and through 1952 their roster had included two other African American ballplayers — Buster Clarkson and George Crowe — and also Luis Márquez, a Puerto Rican of African descent. Aaron later would be joined in Milwaukee with other players of color that had Boston ties — Bill Bruton, Wes Covington, Jim Pendleton, Humberto Robinson and Felix Mantilla. The Boston Braves were the fifth major league team to integrate after the Dodgers, Indians, Browns and Giants. Their neighbors, the Red Sox, would be the last.
The Aaron stamp was issued on July 31 but the Postal Service is accepting pre-orders. A commemorative first day cover also will be available. See https://www.usps.com for further information.Boston Braves bonus baby Johnny Antonelli.
Braves-Red Sox “Replacement” 1945 All Star game.
The Braves connection to Boston professional football history — Use of Braves/Nickerson Field and Tribe publicity director Billy Sullivan.
Sam Jethroe’s daughter discussed her father’s updated statistics.
Member Charlie Bevis has posted his definitive study of Lou Perini. A “must read” for all Boston Braves followers.
Here’s an interesting biography on left-hander “Big Mike” Sullivan who briefly pitched for the Boston Beaneaters in 1898-99.
Sadly, we’ve belatedly learned of the passing on April 11 of this year of Mark Waitkus, a great friend of the BBHA and an accomplished artist who created several memorable Braves Field and Boston Braves portraits. Mark Waitkus appeared at a number of reunions offering his memorable Boston Braves-related works to the membership. If you have a print or two of his in your collection, you are most fortunate. He will be remembered for his generous contributions to preserving Boston Braves history and also for his artistry that captured many other sports scenes.
Ironically, we also were informed of the passing of member Gary Caruso on April 11. Gary was one of our original members and someone who followed and preserved Braves history from 1871 through to their Atlanta days. He authored the landmark Braves Encyclopedia in 1995 and was the editor and publisher of the official Atlanta Braves fan magazine, Chop Talk. Gary maintained close ties to Warren Spahn and Lou Burdette and was responsible for the erection of the Warren Spahn statue now at the Tribe’s Truist Park home in Georgia. A link to his obituary.
May 2024
It’s been a long time since we made an update — sorry about that, folks! — but we have almost two dozen Boston Braves articles. So let’s jump in!
A 100th birthday tribute to a Boston Braves fan.
The father of 1951 Boston Braves lefty and NL ERA leader Chet Nichols, Jr., who also was a major league hurler (Pirates, Giants and Phillies 1926-28, 1930-32), is profiled here.
Jim Thorpe of the 1919 Boston Braves appeared in the movies (see #39/42).
Spokane Indians ex-Negro Leaguers listing includes Curt Roberts who once was a Boston Braves farmhand.
1899 Boston Beaneaters right-hander Billy Ging “With the Wonderful Wing,” is included in the recently published SABR book, One-Win Wonders, edited by BBHA member Bill Nowlin. Ging qualified by only appearing in one big league contest and hurling a complete game victory.
This article contains a video of Babe Ruth as a member of the Boston Braves signing autographs for kids.
Member Charlie Bevis has a wonderful website that includes his thorough research on Boston Braves-related topics. Here’s a recent piece on lighted events at Braves Field before the installation of permanent lights. You might also enjoy his review of Ladies Day at Braves Field and Appreciation Day at Braves Field. Explore the site’s Research Archive for many more interesting tales.
Great recently discovered 2015 interview video with a gentleman named Jack Holmer who as a youngster was employed by the Boston Braves. A must watch!!
New bio on 1940-46 Boston Bees/Braves right hander Al “Bear Tracks” Javery.
Willie Mays first National League hit was a homer off of Warren Spahn.
A piece of the Atlanta Braves' uniform pants harkening back from its Boston days has been removed.
The Boston Herald’s “Throwback Thursday” of February 22, 2024 featured a Bees photo from 1938.
Was Hank Aaron discovered in Buffalo by a Boston Braves scout?
Congressional Gold Medal featured Larry Doby and Steve Gromek celebrating World Series Game 4 win over the Boston Braves on October 8, 1948.
Chicago Cubs Negro League connections includes Luis Márquez who played for the Boston Braves in 1951.
Bill Yancy, veteran Negro Leaguer, who as a “bird dog” for the Boston Braves urged the signing of Billy Bruton.
Warren Spahn strikes out 18 Cubs in a 15-inning loss.
Boston Braves 1907, 1910 and 1915 roles in baseball uniform history.
Jon Caroulis has penned an interesting article on the Braves’ departure from Boston.
Biography of Dinny McNamara (Boston Braves 1927-28 outfielder).
The Boston Braves ties to Narragansett Beer.
Reposting of two Boston University articles on Remembering the Wigwam, part one and part two.
Sam Jethroe and Walt Dropo, Boston’s Rookies of the Year.
December 2023
Happy Holidays to all! Here are the links for all of the good Boston Braves fans:
Ralph Evans mourned by Wentworth Institute of Technology.
Jon Caroulis pens an article on Greek ballplayers that includes the Gaffney Street to Harry Agganis transition and an ending paragraph tribute to Ralph Evans.
A Boston Braves minor leaguer who achieved fame as an actor - Larry Pennell.
75th anniversary of the ’48 World Series from a Cleveland standpoint:
Braves player sucker punched in a 1927 game.
Boston Braves 1927-28 catcher Luke Urban’s role in creating a football formation.
Boston Braves catcher Phil Masi’s Babe Ruth autographed baseball sold in recent auction for $137,620.
Franchise uniform colors for Boston’s National League franchise, 1903-52:
BOSTON BRAVES (1941 through 1952)
FRANCHISE COLORS
1946 through 1952: Navy, Cardinal Red, White
1945: Navy, White
1941 through 1944: Navy, White
BOSTON BEES (1936 through 1940)
FRANCHISE COLORS
1940: Navy, White
1939: Blue, Red, White
1936 through 1938: Blue, Gold, White
BOSTON BRAVES (1912 through 1935)
FRANCHISE COLORS
1931 through 1935: Red, Black, White
1929 through 1930: Dark Red, Black, Yellow, White
1926 through 1928: Navy, Red, White
1921 through 1925: Navy, White
1916 through 1920: Navy, Red, White
1913 through 1915: Navy, Red, White
1912: Red, White
BOSTON RUSTLERS (1911)
FRANCHISE COLORS
1911: Navy, White
BOSTON DOVES (1907 through 1910)
FRANCHISE COLORS
1910: Red, White
1909: Red, Navy, White
1908: Red, White
1907: Red, White / Navy
BOSTON BEANEATERS (1903 through 1906)
FRANCHISE COLORS
1906: Red, White
1905: Red, White
1904: Red, White
1903: Red, Navy, White
Of the top 24 franchise Braves, 15 have ties to the Boston version.
Biography of Eddie Eayrs of the 1920-21 Boston Braves.
Providence Grays vs. Boston Beaneaters in 15 inning game on June 14, 1884.
1909 Boston Doves shortstop Jack Coffey to be inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame.
September 2023
The 2023 regular season is coming to a close and the Braves are steamrolling towards the playoffs. Will they win again?
Very sad news — Our esteemed and beloved Braves Field historian and frequent tour guide, Ralph Evans, has passed away. He will be missed very much.
75th anniversary of the launch of the Jimmy Fund and the Braves’ role.
Origin of the “Braves” nickname.
You've heard it a million times before, but one more won't hurt: the Spahn & Sain poem.
You can purchase Braves common stock (Atlanta version). Perhaps any Boston Braves fan investors should be designated as honorary members of the Ancient Order of the Three Little Steam Shovels!
New England Patriots owner Bob Kraft and his Boston Braves connection.
Should the Bosox’s Matsakada Yoshida capture Rookie of the Year honors, he’d be following a similar path of 1950 Boston Braves ROY Sam “Jet” Jethroe.
BBHA Bill Nowlin provides the details behind 1922 Braves hurler Al Yeargin’s only big league victory that was followed by eleven losses in a row.
BBHA reunion guest Ducky Detweiler (Boston Braves 1942, 1946) featured in a recent article.
Babe Ruth’s last home runs.
Red Barrett’s 58-pitch game.
Charles Radbourn of the Beaneaters and the “finger” incident.
Beaneaters Fred Tenney elected to Braves franchise Hall of Fame.
South End Grounds history.
Connie Creeden’s (Boston Braves 1943) biography.
Biography of Hal Lee (Boston Braves/Bees 1933-36).
Boston Braves pitcher George Davis (1913-15) hurls first no-hitter at Fenway Park.
WW II marker to commemorate site where Johnny Sain, Buddy Gremp, Ted Williams and Johnny Pesky received pre-flight training.
Buster Clarkson makes his Boston Braves debut.
Boston’s National League franchise’s nicknames changed on baseball-reference.com.
May 2023
Wow. I had no idea that it’s been this long since we last updated the page. Lots to get to, so let’s get at it:
Hardluck 1918 Braves hurler Art Nehf.
George Stallngs managerial franchise rating.
The Beaneaters and the Braves.
Curt Roberts, first black Pirates player originally was signed by the Boston Braves.
Braves Field - Unfriendly to Hitters.
Film clip of the 1952 Boston Braves.
History of a Braves’ spring training site.
BBHA member Bob LeMoine’s Boston SABR Chapter presentation on his upcoming book, When The Babe Went Back To Boston and information on the book.
The 24 Best Braves Franchise Players.
Braves rookie loses a perfect game due to the Wigwam’s “tough sun field".
Braves’ ancestor’s temporary home — the Congress Street Grounds.
Boston Beaneater Fred Tenney to be inducted into the franchise hall of fame.
1913-15 Boston Braves southpaw hurler “Silent Paul" Strand inducted into the White River (WA) Athletic Hall of Fame.
Bernie & Phyl’s furniture store’s corporate office still features Boston Braves memorabilia of its late founder.
A list of 1945-48 Boston Braves righty Ed Wright’s major league teammates — Wright attended the first BBHA reunion in 1992.
The 1948 World Series is documented in the book World Series ’48.
Braves April 17, 1923 “Odd Couple” opening day detailed.
1946-48 Boston Braves outfielder and BBHA reunion attendee Danny Litwhiler to be posthumously inducted into the Michigan Baseball Hall of Fame.
Babe Ruth of the Boston Braves swats a homer in a 1935 exhibition game.
The role of 1913 Braves outfielder in Boston baseball history.
Preserving baseball history in Brattleboro, VT with a tie to Ernie Johnson (Boston Braves 1950, 1952).
November 2022
It’s been a minute or two since we spoke to you. But here are some linky goodness! (We have a lot)
Rogers Hornsby’s 1927 season with the Braves.
Honoring Gene Conley.
Wes Covington, Boston Braves signee, honored.
Hall of Famer Dave Bancroft (Braves 1924-27) honored.
A little known 1947 Braves Field event.
Lennie Merullo’s 4 errors at Braves Field on the day of his son’s birth.
Was Fred Tenney, manager of the 1905 Boston Beaneaters, interested in signing an African American Harvard baseball star?
Wally Westlake hits for the cycle vs. the Braves on 6/14/49 preventing his trade to Boston.
Scroll through this 1950 Florida travelog video’s link to the 3:34 minute spot to see in full color the Boston Braves in Bradenton. They’re followed by the Red Sox.
Sam Jethroe honored.
Phil Masi’s uniform auctioned off.
Braves Field seating end standard at the Hall of Fame.
The tale of Art “The Great” Shires, 1932 Boston Braves.
Willard Hershberger’s sad demise after a game at Braves Field.
Here’s a biography of Boston Braves coach and minor league manger Jake Flowers.
Did the Cleveland Indians cheat during the ’48 World Series vs. the Braves?
Member Charlie Bevis has penned a mini-biography on Arthur Soden, the president of Boston’s National League franchise from 1877-1906,
Boston Braves/Redskins football controversy.
1914 World Series recap.
Rabbit Maranville hits Fenway Park’s first grand slam.
A piece on Jim Thorpe who played for the 1919 Boston Braves.
Stengel’s last game managing the Braves and Dagenhard’s Only Big League Win.
1884 Boston NL team.
Here’s an article that includes a role played by Tom Whelan, who performed in one game for the 1920 Boston Braves. For information on Whelan, please click here.
Biggest Braves fan?
Before he signed with the Boston Braves.
A feature on A feature on Larry Gilbert, Boston Braves, 1914-15.
Baseball and Jim Thorpe, Boston Braves 1919.
A biography of Ray “Iron Man” Mueller, Boston Braves 1935-38 and 1951.
May 2022
Good spring to all of you. To continue this lovely season, let’s jump into some links:
Braves Field/Nickerson Field guide book information.
Paul “Big Poison” Waner’s 3000th hit while a member of the Braves.
New book about Boston Braves Hall of Fame 1924-27 playing manager Dave Bancroft.
A tale about Ernie Johnson who pitched for the Boston and Milwaukee Braves and was a broadcaster for the Atlanta version. Also a BBHA reunion guest.
Podcast featuring a history lesson on Harry Wright and the franchise’s beginnings.
Screen shots from Milwaukee Braves promotional films feature Boston Braves images.
I beg to disagree. MLB ranks Warren Spahn as fourth greatest left-hander. Not to mention the years lost to heroic military service in WW II!
Ed Charles, Boston Braves signee
Chet Nichols (1951 Boston Braves and BBHA reunion guest) profiled.
Babe Ruth’s swan song.
Peter Abraham, Boston Globe sportswriter, was kind enough to include some materials from the BBHA’s latest regular newsletter in his Sunday, February 27 "Baseball Notes” column. The newspaper’s paywall prevents providing a working link here. Subscribers can find it online and it’s in the regular paper version, too. Here’s the link anyway.
Babe Ruth homers for the Braves.
Biography of 1946-47 Braves outfielder/first baseman Johnny “Hippity” Hopp.
Boston Bees 1939 exhibition game in Bradford, PA.
Johnny Sain in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.
BBHA member Wayne Soini, who co-authored Judge Fuchs and the Boston Braves, has just had a historical baseball novel published. It Happened in Boston: Harry & George Wright’s Creation of Professional Baseball in the year 1872 was released on March 11.
Obituary of a man who witnessed a Babe Ruth home run as a Brave.
The Red Sox reportedly are pressing hard to host another All Star Game. Wouldn’t it be nice if they succeeded that the affair recognized that it was the Boston Braves that hosted the Hub’s first Midsummer Classics 1936 at what now is Boston University’s Nickerson Field?
Biography of 1950 Boston Braves southpaw Mickey Haefner: https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/mickey-haefner/
Connie Ryan’s high school days. Boston Braves infielder 1943-50.
An advocate for changing the Braves’ nickname states his case, tracing the moniker’s history:
The Atlanta Braves’ 2022 jersey will recognize the 1914 Champions on its sleeve.
1946-47 Braves right-hander Si Johnson remembered.
The book, Boston’s Ballpark Broadsides: How A Business Practice Inadvertently Preserved Historic Images Of Braves Field And Fenway Park, distributed to all BBHA members on a complimentary basis, was the subject of a Zoom internet presentation by its author at an April 14, 2022 at a SABR Boston Chapter meeting. The discussion can be viewed on YouTube here.
February 2022
It’s been a long winter and hopefully it won’t go on too much longer. But as we wait for the lockout to end, let’s review some links.
Missed opportunity for a Braves-Red Sox World Series.
Longtime Braves fan profiled.
1944 Braves right-hander whose career consisted of one game inducted posthumously into high school athletics hall of fame.
Braves lose to Cubs at the Wigwam 24-2 on July 3, 1945.
If you’ve ever had the privilege of taking a Ralph Evans tour of the remains of the old Wigwam, you’ll enjoy this Boston University college student’s take on the history of Braves Field and its absorption into the school’s Nickerson Field.
1936 Boston Bee Andy Pilney profiled.
A Beaneater hits for the cycle.
A Seinfeld episode “featured” 1928-36 Braves/Bees right-hander Ben Cantwell.
Sam Jethroe, oldest Rookie of the Year.
Southworth and Oeschger lead the Braves to a victory.
Boston College and Boston University faced each other in baseball for the “Battle of Commonwealth Avenue” on April 19, 1952. BC’s line-up feature two future Boston Braves signees who made it to the majors — Joe Morgan and Mike Roarke. BU’s line-up included future major leaguers Harry Agganis and Tom Gastall, both of whom later would die tragically.
Composter David Frishberg passed away on November 17 at age 88. One of his songs, “Van Lingle Mungo,” references ballplayers from the days when Boston had a National League team. Several of its players are mentioned: Eddie Joost, Johnny Sain, Ernie Lombardi, Johnny Antonelli and Heeny Majeski. You can read about it here.
Here’s a biography about Boston Braves (1950-51) infielder John “Buddy" Kerr.
Boston Braves 1947 infielder Danny Murtaugh went on to greater glory as a manager and possible Hall of Fame entrant.
The Braves’ life as the Boston Bees.
Hank Aaron pre-Boston Braves signing bobble head.
A listing of Hall of Fame members’ gravesites that includes Boston Braves.
With Roland Hemond’s recent passing, the BBHA lost a longtime loyal supporter and beloved past reunion guest. He was the last living Boston Braves’ front office executive and was a much honored Major League Baseball executive. Below are some links that illustrate his many achievements:
BBHA Member Bill Nowlin’s SABR biography:
The underrated Warren Spahn.
Fri, Feb 4 at 11:55 PM
A biography on 1950-52 Boston Braves outfielder Willard Marshall.
Southpaw Lou Sleater signed with the Boston Braves in 1944 but military service delayed his professional debut until 1946 with the Hartford Chiefs. He played in the majors for 7 seasons. Sleater eventually made it to the Braves (Milwaukee version) in 1956. Here’s his bio.
Tommy Holmes and Wally Berger named as among the top 5 Braves franchise outfielders.
A Beaneater hits for the cycle.
Member Charlie Bevis has crafted a great piece on Ladies' Days at Braves Field.
November 2021
Congratulations to the grandsons of the Boston Braves, your 2021 World Series Champion Atlanta Braves! They had a great seasons and an even better postseason! We hope that you got a chance to watch the Tribe play so well in October.
To the links!
The “Jimmy” statue.
Biography posted for George Mogridge 1926-27 Braves southpaw.
Here’s a biography on Eddie Brown, 1926-28 Braves outfielder.
Boston Doves 1907 exhibition game in Kentucky.
The son of Boston Braves’ 1950-52 outfielder/third baseman Sid Gordon recently passed away. The son also played professional baseball. In the minors, he once was managed by Sparky Anderson and was a teammate of Mike Torrez.
Where the Braves once played.
Les Mann (Boston Braves outfielder 1913-14, 1920,1924-27) and his baseball instructional lantern slide collection.
Hod Ford (Boston Braves 1919-23, 1932-33) Day at Braves Field.
Doubleheaders, The Jimmy Fund and the Boston Braves.
More on Sid Gordon’s (Boston Braves 1950-52) son Mike.
Member Charlie Bevis pens a tale of how the Braves lost the first game of a September 8, 1921 at Braves Field when the Phillies rallied for 8 runs in the ninth inning.
Brooklyn no-hits the Boston Doves on September 5, 1908.
Here’s a biography on 1945-46 Braves right-hander Elmer Singleton.
Brooklyn’s Casey Stengel clubs two inside-the-park homers against the Braves.
SABR Oral History Project includes Boston Braves Interviews. The SABR Oral History site contains a number of recorded interviews with players who spent time with Boston’s National League franchise. Include in that grouping are Tony Cuccinello, Ducky Detweiler, Elbie Fletcher, Charlie Grimm, Roland Hemond, Buddy Hassett, Ralph Hodgin, Virgil Jester, Stan Klopp, Al Lopez, Willard Marshall, Ray Martin, Ray Mueller, Frank McCormick, Tim McNamara, Felix Mantilla, Luis Olmo, Connie Ryan Warren Spahn, Bert Thiel, Stan Wentzel, Bucky Walters, Ed Wright and others. Quality varies but hearing the voices of these old time ballplayers as they spin their tales is a blast from the past! And don’t limit yourself to just the Braves!
1952 Braves second baseman Jack Dittmer’s biography.
Here's something fun, a few articles on blowout ballgames:
1911 Boston Rustlers lose 23-6.
1915 Braves win 20-1.
1931 Braves lose 16-1.
1949 Braves doubleheader debacle.
Once again, it’s the Red Sox that initially dropped the ball on a Braves-Sox World Series.
July 2021
Hope all are doing well during the Dog Days of Summer! Here are the links:
Pharmacist called to pitch for 1943 Braves' Hartford Eastern League affiliate.
More on the late Del Crandall.
15 doubleheaders in 25 days for the 1921 Braves.
The Gilbert Family and the Braves.
1946-48 Boston Braves outfielder and 1998 BBHA reunion attendee Danny Litwhiler elected to College Baseball Hall of Fame.
Remembering Ron Necciai’s 1952 minor league 27-strikeout no hitter against the Boston Braves’ affiliate, Class D Appalachian League Welch Miners.
Jack Weisenburger (late Boston Braves 1949-51 minor league infielder) has a grandson in the Oakland Athletics farm system
World Boxing Council head’s connection to the Boston Braves.
Recalling Leo Mangum, 1932-35 Boston Braves right-hander.
A hometown tribute to Del Crandall.
Boston Doves’ Bad Bill Dahlen’s 34th game ejection.
Bill James of the 1914 Miracle Braves.
Thanks to member Herb Crehan for sending this link to a piece on how Judge Emil Fuchs stepped in to rescue the Braves franchise.
The Braves’ Mule Watson wins both games of a doubleheader.
Walt Cruise hits the first two homers into the Jury Box.
A Wigwam slugfest.
Eddie Mathews’ (1952 Boston Braves) 500th home run.
1943-44, 1946-50 Boston Brave Connie Ryan’s 1944 All Star Game performance.
The son of 1946 Boston Braves outfielder Johnny Barrett has passed away.
The Braves’ Al Nixon’s “Rule of Three” game.
The 1921 Boston Braves.
Member Charlie Bevis has posted here his tale of the Boston Nationals’ ventures into Sunday baseball from 1903-1906.
May 2021 — UPDATE (5/11/21)
It’s been a little over a month since the season started and it feels like things are getting back to normal, no? We at the BBHA hope that everyone who is reading this site is safe and healthy. Here’s a few links to keep you up-to-date on the Boston Braves!
End of an era — the last surviving Boston Braves player passes away. RIP Del Crandall.
Partridge Avenue in Somerville, MA is named after Horace Partridge whose company was an athletic outfitter to the Braves and Red Sox. Tribe pitcher Danny MacFayden was a Somerville High School grad. Braves Field’s remains were re-titled to honor William Nickerson, a resident of the city. Read about these and other interesting facts here.
1952 Boston Brave Buster Clarkson named to Columbia, South Carolina’s hometown fantasy starting nine.
A countdown of the Braves’ franchise’s “150 Coolest Moments In Braves History” includes a number of Boston era citations.
Warren Spahn Day in Buffalo.
Here’s the Fenway Park Diaries take on why the Braves lost Boston.
Braves franchise managers ranked by wins — top nine features five from the Boston Braves’ era and Brian Snitker should lap Casey Stengel in 2021and has a shot at overtaking Billy Southworth as well.
Lost Beaneaters uniform visualized.
George Crowe (Boston Braves 1952) honored.
Boston Braves place two on Top 10 Snohomish, WA MLB ballplayers.
Braves’ Connie Ryan’s 1946 opening day performance makes Crescent City’s “best” list of of New Orleans inaugural day major leaguers.
100 years ago — Braves’ 1921 opening day loss to Brooklyn.
Another tribute to George Crowe (1952 Boston Braves).
Hank Aaron at Eau Claire.
A book of interest: Frank Selee: Hall of Fame Manager for the Boston Beaneaters and Chicago Cubs.
Beaneaters’ Jack Stivetts’ 1892 abbreviated no-hitter.
Babe Ruth returns to the mound on September 28, 1930 at Braves Field.
The Boston Red Stockings’ Harry Wright and his ties to Jamaica Plain, MA.
The 1905 Boston Nationals and the lost opportunity to integrate baseball.
Scroll down to paragraph nine to find a Sam Jethroe tribute.
Unexpected grand slams defeat the Braves in an April 28, 1921 game.
Hometown tribute to Boston Braves farmhand Wes Covington.
Former Boston mayor’s Braves Field and Jackie Robinson memories.
February 2021
If you listen very closely, you can make out the cracks of the bats, the pops of the mitts and all the familiar sounds of Spring Training. This year, of course, will be a little different but baseball is baseball. Let’s welcome it back with a bevy of links!
Some background information on Barry McCormick, the home plate umpire for the 26-inning Braves-Brooklyn marathon tie game on May 1, 1920.
Right-hander Jack Scott of the 1917-21 Boston Braves became a small town hero when he later defeated Babe Ruth and the Yankees in the 1922 World Series while pitching for the Giants.
The Atlanta Braves’ Freddie Freeman captured the NL 2020 MVP award while posting an OPS (On-base Plus Slugging percentage) that was the best by a Braves player since the days of Rogers Hornsby with the 1928 Boston team.
Babe Ruth’s final mound appearance happened at Braves Field on October 1, 1933.
Babe Ruth’s final game as a Boston Brave.
A history of minor league baseball in Hartford, CT, including the Boston Braves’ Hartford Chiefs.
Judge Fuchs’ ownership challenge.
Babe Ruth’s time with the Boston Braves.
Lou “Doc” Legett, Braves/Red Sox catcher/dentist.
Solving a Beaneaters mystery.
Warren Spahn baseball cards.
Henry Aaron's passing affected the entire Braves family, we have a few remembrances of his signing with the Boston team.
The Braves returned to Boston after their Milwaukee departure to play the Red Sox in a Jimmy Fund benefit game. The Tribe had been instrumental in establishing the childhood cancer charity. Thanks to member Saul Wisnia for providing us with the following game summary links from the Fenway Park Diaries website.
The biography of Tony Boeckel, whose tragic death led to a memorial plaque at Braves Field.
December 2020
Happy holidays to everyone from the BBHA! This has been a difficult year and we’re really hoping that 2021 is much better! Here are some links before you settle in for your warm winter’s nap!
The Red Sox play the Blue Jays in Buffalo — the Beaneates/Braves were there first!
Sam Jethroe’s pioneering role with the Braves noted.
The debut of the Boston Bees.
Eddie Mathews’ time with the minor league Atlanta Crackers.
The Braves lose a 1930 exhibition game to the Jamestown Spiders.
Del Crandall’s Pikes Peak connection.
“Julie" Bowers, a Negro Leaguer and Boston Braves farmhand who played with Boston’s Hank Aaron in Eau Claire in 1952.
Atlanta Braves 29-run game still doesn’t top the franchise Beaneaters record.
A biography on the first Panamanian major leaguer, Boston Braves farmhand and BBHA reunion attendee, Humberto Robinson.
Pre-National League uniform of the ancestor of the Boston Braves.
The Braves’ 150th season is coming in 2021!
Originally signed by the Boston Braves — Jerry Lane.
Sibby Sisti remembered.
1946 Boston Braves hurler Jim Konstanty remembered.
A famed baseball scout who tried out with the Braves/Bees.
A new biography on Brave Walker Cooper (1950-52).
A new biography on another Brave player, Emil Verban (1950).
The Rays-Dodgers World Series Game 4 “walk off error” is the latest of a series of similar fall classic endings commencing with the Braves-Athletics Game 3 Tribe win at Fenway Park on October 12, 1914.
The interesting life of a former Boston Braves farmhand, Robert Lucas found here and his numbers here.
September 2020
Read about the career of George Mogridge, a southpaw who hurled for the Braves in 1926-27.
Boston Braves and the Cape Cod summer league.
Boston Bees 1937 comeback victory over the Giants overshadows rookie debut strikeout record.
Was “Mr. Team,” Bob Elliott of the Braves the best male athlete to come out of Imperial County, California?
Roland Hemond, famed front office executive and a Hartford Chiefs/Boston Braves alum, cited as second best general manager in White Sox history. Roland’s SABR biography.
Remembering Guy Bush (Boston Bees 1936-37), "The Mississippi Mudcat”.
1897 Boston Royal Rooters badge ranked among franchise’s 9 “must see” artifacts at the Hall of Fame.
A Boston Braves/Jimmy Fund event.
Memorial marker to honor Billy Southworth.
Sam Jethroe, baseball’s oldest rookie.
What would have happened in 1914 to the “Miracle Braves” had the season been reduced to 60 games?
Braves pitcher Jim Tobin had more three home run games than future Hall of Famer David Ortiz.
Billy Southworth, career and tragedies.
Another Babe Dahlgren (Boston Braves 1941) remembrance.
Eddie Eayrs (Boston Braves 1920-21) and the Braves’ Worcester, MA affiliate.
Babe Ruth’s 1935 Worcester, MA appearance with the Boston Braves.
Rest In Peace Bert Thiel and here.
The Shoun brothers — Clyde (Boston Braves 1947-49) and Milas — “Hardrock and Slim”.
Sam Jethroe honored in Erie, PA.
Bill Cooney of the 1909-10 Boston Doves is profiled.
The late Bert Thiel has a posthumously published SABR biography.
Cy Young records his final victory while a member of the Boston Rustlers.
Giants win at Braves Field sets up historic 1951 National League playoff.
Recalling Vern Bickford’s no-hitter.
Red Sox hurler Chris Mazza linked to DiMaggio family, including Vince of the 1937-38 Boston Bees. In addition to playing where Dom did, he could walk down Commonwealth Avenue and visit the remains of Vince’s Beehive domain at Nickerson Field.
Learn about the Braves’ four-fingered pitcher here.
Remembering Sam Jethroe.
Sibby Sisti and Del Crandall were the first major leaguers born in their respective decades to hit homers.
Boston Doves rookie hits for a natural cycle in 1910.
A Braves minor league link to Lou Gehrig.
June 2020
May 5th was the 150th anniversary of the Boston Braves, if you subscribe to the BBHA newsletter or Like us on Facebook, you may have seen this poem. But if you haven’t, you’re in for a treat. After this wonderful poem, stick around for the list of Boston Braves-related articles that our President Bob Brady curated over the last two months. Thank you again for being a part of the Boston Braves Historical Association, we appreciate each and every one of you.
150th Anniversary Tribute
By Richard Johnson
Richard Johnson was a weak hit, weak field second baseman for the Lawrence Academy JV team in Groton Ma
who has been lucky enough to channel his love for the game as Curator of The Sports Museum in Boston
since 1982 and has also authored, co-authored, or edited 24 books on a variety of topics including histories of all of
Boston's major league franchises including our beloved Boston Braves. He also edited a revised edition
of Harold Kease's classic Boston Braves history, originally published in the Putnam series and re-issued by
University Press of New England.
May 5th marks the date of the 150th anniversary of the team, once known as our Boston Braves, who began play as the Red Stockings in the old National Association in 1871. Like several pro teams such as the Canadiens as well as the Knicks and Celtics who played in the Basketball Association of America prior to the NBA, their history predates the league in which they play. They’re the oldest continuously operated pro sports franchise in North America.
Over the years I’ve come to love the history of this band of underdogs. They survived ballpark fires, terrible owners, the arrival of their American League rivals and the fact that their rare successes always came at almost the exact same time and were overshadowed by the successes of the Red Sox. Only the heroics of Cleveland’s Gene Bearden and Lou Boudreau in the single game 1948 American League pennant playoff game kept us from witnessing what would have been Boston’s only streetcar World Series.
So here is my poem, a tribute to the team that called Beantown home from 1871-1952.
The roster of former players is now down to only two. Fittingly it’s the battery of catcher Del Crandall (1949-50) and pitcher Bert Thiel (1952).
This one’s for them.
Boston’s Braves
The Braves have hit one fifty
As our continent’s oldest team
Yes, their Beantown days were nifty
As they oft were baseball’s cream
For ages Boston had two teams
Two ballparks hosting separate leagues
From Op’ning day to season’s close
We cheered our tribe, as well the hose
Never did we have a day
In summer where they didn’t play
At Fenway where poor pitchers yield
Not so at spacious vast Braves Field
To cheer those Braves some thought irrational
The nation knew them as the Nationals
Compared to Fenway and fair Ted
Their star, a Mathews known as Ed
Once many stars lit Boston’s night
It started with the brothers Wright
Radbourn’s curves were often fickle
Their Knothole Gang just paid a nickel
AG Spalding, Deacon Wright
Cal McVey would lead the fight
Tim Murname and Jim O’Rourke
Pleased their fans from County Cork
Tommy Bond and Ezra Sutton
Smacked the horsehide on the button
John Morrill and Dan O’Leary
Made opponents sad and weary
Moriarty, Burdock, Hackett
Stirred the crowds to make a racket
Likewise, Kelly was their king
Decades before Johnny Kling
Cranks would gladly pay their cash
To see left fielder Billy Nash
Though many others had their druthers
Cheering Clarkson and Dan Brouthers
Herman Long and Bobby Lowe
Billy Hamilton on the go
Marty Bergen and Kid Nichols
Kept opponents in a pickle
Skipper Selee, quite the gent
His Heavenly Twins helped pay the rent
Lewis, Lake and Charlie Hickman
Stahl and Tenney, quite the stick men
The nineties saw them tall world beaters
Boston’s bold and brash Beaneaters
Stared down Keeler and McGraw
Foe Ned Hanlon watched in awe
In ’14 Stallings raised his lash
Led his boys to first from last
With Rabbit, Tyler, Rudolph, Mann
Perdue, Gowdy and Paul Strand
Davis, Crutcher, Long Tom Hughes
Possum Whitted paid his dues
Devore, Luque, Hess and James
Led their team to wealth and fame
When Braves Field soon came off the griddle
Its team had slumped to second fiddle
As crosstown fans cheered Ruth and Hooper
Our Braves were flat and rarely super
The twenties played a ball yard dirge
So bad, their play defied mere words
Though Marquard, Hornsby and John Cooney
Kept their fans from going looney
Shanty Hogan, Bunny Hearn
The “Great” Art Shires bridges burned
In ’35 Babe Ruth did come
But soon was treated like a bum
Wally Berger, Elbie Fletcher
Saw their team placed on a stretcher
Moore, McKechnie at the ready
As were Urbanski and Lou Fette
Soon they would be known as Bees
Continued drawing nigh but fleas
Then Stengel came to save the day
Left fans to swear and cry Oy Vey
Though post war fortunes eased some pain
With Spahn and Sain we prayed for rain
Southworth’s boys soon reached their peak
As Tommy Holmes achieved a streak
In ’48 they were a smash
While itching for a crosstown clash
A classic played out in the Fall
The Red Sox simply dropped the ball
WIth Feller vanquished in game one
We thought their tribe was on the run
Soon Boudreau, Doby and Ken Keltner
Had the Bostons seeking shelter
A sixth game loss was tough to take
While fireworks soared above their lake
Never would our Boston team
Rekindle fourteen’s title dreams
Soon Stanky and Al Dark were traded
As fans sat stunned and somewhat jaded
Shoun, RIckert, Barrett, “Mr. Team”
Bickford snared his no-hit dream
Torgy, Sibby heard the cheers
Sam Jethroe, Rookie of the Year
Surkont, Reiser, Emil Verban
Reminded fans of old Luke Urban
Despite cheap tickets and fried clams
Their lousy play forced fans to scram
A park share deal turned down by Yawkey
Helped pave the highway to Milwaukee
Now all’s that left of all those years
Are memories, trinkets, and fresh tears
A battery is all that’s left
With Del and Bert we aren’t bereft
They gave us victories, joy and fun
Their legacy, The Jimmy Fund
Though now in Georgia they do thrive
Our boys, our team, our pride, our Tribe
A "Dispatches From The Mudville Bureau" brief history of Boston’s Patriots Day baseball/Marathon Day activities.
Here’s one person’s opinion as to who were the top 50 pitching coaches of all time: . Note that out of the 50, 6 had ties to the Boston Braves:
#36 Ray Berres (Boston Braves 1940-41)
#24 Mike Roarke (1952 Boston Braves minor leaguer)
#17 Art Fowler (1950-52 Boston Braves minor leaguer)
#11 Dave Righetti (his father, Leo Charles Righetti, was a 1952 Boston Braves spring training invitee who failed to make the team)
#7 Johnny Sain (Boston Braves 1942, 1946-51); deserves a higher ranking!!
#4 Jim Turner (Boston Bees 1937-39)
Logan and Maranville top the list of all-time Braves franchise shortstops.
A Warren Spahn tribute.
Bert Thiel, oldest living Boston Brave, has his time in Puerto Rico remembered.
Boston Braves 1950-52 infielder and first Blue Jays manager Roy Hartsfield profiled.
Boston Braves 1948-49 second baseman Eddie Stanky named the 88th greatest Dodger of all-time.
Sid Gordon of the 1950-52 Boston Braves ranked as the second best franchise left fielder. A ray of sunlight from that ill fated deal that sent Eddie Stanky and Al Dark to the Giants!
Paying homage to baseball’s longest game.
Babe Ruth’s early and Boston Braves ties to North Carolina.
Babe Dahlgren (1941 Boston Braves), the man who replaced Lou Gehrig.
Atlanta Braves celebrate 1952 Boston Brave Bert Thiel’s 94th birthday on their Facebook page.
Atlanta Braves skipper wishes Bert Thiel a happy birthday.
Wally Berger (Boston Braves/Bees 1930-37) and Bill Bruton (Boston Braves minor leaguer 1950-52) among the Braves’ franchise top centerfielders.
Connie Ryan (Boston Braves 1943-50) and Eddie Stanky (Boston Braves 1948-49) named to top ten Texas Rangers playing career managers.
Outfielder Jim Russell (Boston Braves 1948-49) deemed an “obscure” Pittsburgh Pirate.
Right-hander Nick “Jumbo” Strincevich (Boston Bees/Braves 1940-41) profiled as an “obscure” Pirate.
Mary Pratt of the AAGPBL and popular frequent BBHA reunion attendee passes away and read more here.
Hank Gowdy (Boston Braves 1912-23, 1929-30) rated fifth best franchise catcher.
A quest to get John “Stuffy" McInnis (Boston Braves 1923-24) into the Hall of Fame.
Clyde Shoun’s (Boston Braves 1947-49) no-hitter against the Tribe recalled.
Art Nehf (Boston Braves 1915-19) remembered.
Boston Braves minor leaguer Hank Aaron (1952) ranked best Braves franchise right fielder. Tommy Holmes came in at #5.
The 1918 Spanish flu and its relationship to the 1918 World Series and Braves Field.
An opponent hits for the cycle at Braves Field in 1922.
Ex-Beaneater (1890-97) first baseman Tommy Tucker challenges the legendary John McGraw to a duel.
Del Crandall (Boston Braves 1949-50) deemed Braves franchise’s third best backstop.
Saluting Hank Gowdy (Boston Braves 1911-1923, 1929-30) and Johnny Antonelli (Boston Braves 1948-50) ranked third best Giants southpaw while Rube Marquard (Boston Braves 1922-25) was their fifth best.
Original Red Sox retired numbers and the Boston Braves.
Curt Roberts, Negro Leaguer, Boston Braves farmhand and Pirates barrier-breaker.
Tom Glavine deemed top Braves franchise lefty over Warren Spahn.
More on the 26-inning game.
Eddie Mathews and the Braves’ last home victory in 1952.
The Braves return to Boston in 1997 for interleague play,
April 2020
Hope everyone is staying safe and staying sane during this really trying time that we’ve found ourselves in. If you have some time (and I know you do), why don’t you check out some links? It will make the quarantine time just fly by!
We’ve received a request from the granddaughter of Boston Braves 1952 right hander Bert Thiel to help the family commemorate his upcoming birthday on May 4 during this difficult time of a pandemic. Thiel and Del Crandall are the two remaining Boston Braves ballplayers. Thiel, the oldest of the duo, will be celebrating his 94th birthday but without the typical family celebration due to a Covid-19 quarantine. As an alternative, she has made a heartfelt request that BBHA members cheer up the former Tribesman by filling his mailbox with birthday well wishes. Please note that this invitation is not to be used for an autograph solicitation given his health and advanced age. The mailing address is:
Bert Thiel
W. 11077 County Road D
Marion, WI 54950To refresh your memory of this Boston Braves hurler who also spent time in the Red Sox farm system, here are some links: https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/thielbe01.shtml and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bert_Thiel
Thiel threw a no-hitter while with the Tribe’s 1949 Hartford Chiefs. If you have a copy of the Braves’ 1952 yearbook in your collection, Thiel’s photo and biography appear on page 37.
Peter Abraham’s Boston Globe interview of Bert Thiel, oldest living member of the Boston Braves and Braves franchise.
Johnny Antonelli remembered.
More remembrances on Johnny Antonelli.
Continuing tributes to Johnny Antonelli.
A personal tale of BBHA President Bob Brady concerning a Boston Braves baseball and a continuing friendship “Down Under”: . Plus an expanded version of the Australian baseball tale appeared in the Summer 2009 BBHA newsletter on page 10.
The Braves once had a Jocko Conlon (not to be confused with Jocko Conlan, the umpire!): and here. But not him. Our Jocko made it to the majors first (1923 vs. 1934)!!
“Lost Teams” video that shows some snippets of the Bees players in color.
The Atlanta Journal Constitution is polling its readership as to what player who wore #1 on his Braves jersey was the best. While acknowledging Boston Braves #1’s Rabbit Maranville (and Del Crandall’s use of it in Milwaukee), only Atlanta players are under consideration. They apparently forgot that Tommy Holmes also proudly wore that digit from 1942-52 and didn’t include him in the earlier part of the listing.
Will Tom Brady’s choice to leave the Patriots in the twilight of his career mirror the results of Babe Ruth, Warren Spahn and others?
Perhaps this makes up for the AJC slight of Holmes above? Tommy Holmes in the Braves all time franchise outfielder ranking.
Wally Berger makes the all-time franchise outfielder list.
Sometime next year, streetcar service to the remains of Old Braves Field (now Nickerson Field) will see a new consolidated stop as the current Commonwealth Ave. Green Line Pleasant Street and Babcock stops in that area will be merged.
Read about Braves hurler Red Barrett’s 1944 58-pitch masterpiece.
Here’s the story of Dick Carmichael, a Boston Braves minor leaguer and here.
Rogers Hornsby’s one great season with the Boston Braves.
Legendary Irish pro wrestler Danno O’Mahony drew large crowds at Braves Field and Fenway Park in July of 1935.
Dick Flavin, Red Sox poet laureate and BBHA member, has written an article entitled “An Unknown Masterpiece” in his most recent blog. It tells the tale of the Tribe’s Red Barrett and his 58-pitch complete game gem in 1944.
View a recently posted biography of 1942-45 catcher Clyde Kluttz here.
Boston’s Hotel Buckminster, located in Kenmore Square near Fenway Park, has closed, perhaps permanently. In addition to housing ballplayers that were performing at nearby Braves Field, the hotel was home to a radio broadcasting studio that aired Braves games. The hotel is in the vicinity of where Braves’ manager Casey Stengel was struck by a cab just before the start of the 1943 season and suffered an incapacitating severe leg injury. It’s most infamous baseball link was its connection to the Black Sox scandal and commemorative plaques on the building note that event.
Baseball restart proposal would recreate the Brave-Red Sox rivalry.
Passing of Boston Braves signee and major league manager Jim Frey.
Eddie Mathews and Bob Elliott ranked #2 and #3 among Braves franchise third basemen.
Babe Ruth’s 1935 Boston Braves debut.
Former Boston Braves first baseman named to Indiana high school fantasy squad.
March 2020
It’s almost time for Opening Day and what better way to celebrate than by keeping up with the Boston Braves.
A family that used to rent rooms to members of the Boston Braves and received their “rent” in cereal awarded to the players.
Were the 1948 Boston Braves also among the teams victimized by cheating in the World Series?
Leo Mangum, pitcher for the 1932-35 Boston Braves is profiled.
Braves Field trolley video.
Luke Urban, catcher for the 1927-28 Boston Braves, profiled here.
Dick Flavin, “Poet Laureate of the Boston Red Sox” has written a memorable tribute about Tommy Holmes or check it out here.
Rookie Grover Cleveland Alexander faces the Boston Nationals’ Cy Young on September 7, 1911.
A series starts on Sam Jethroe.
Sad news, the last living member of the 1948 NL pennant winning Boston Braves, Johnny Antonelli of the 1948-50 Boston Braves dies.
January 2020
Happy New Year to all of BBHA friends! It might be cold where you’re sitting right now, but baseball is going to be back very soon. Keep those warm thoughts in mind! Here’s a bunch of links to get you through the end of the winter. Big thanks to the hardest working man in baseball, Bob Brady:
Here’s a tale about satin/sateen night uniforms worn by the Dodgers and Braves at the advent of night baseball.
What did the uniforms of the 1896 Boston National League entry look like?
Did you have a Viewmaster 3d viewer as a kid? A 3D Set that they issued in 1953 featured baseball stars of that era. Included in the set was an image of Sid Gordon as a Boston Brave. Enjoy this visit to the past!
1946-47 Boston Braves first baseman/outfielder Johnny “Hippity” Hopp to be posthumously inducted into the Nebraska Baseball Hall of Fame on February 2, 2020.
Perfect Game Baseball Association is a provider of amateur events. It boasts as its former alumni such major leaguers as Bryce Harper, Mike Trout, Gerrit Cole, Cody Bellinger and others. As part of its program, “Team Boston Braves” out of Wakefield, MA has been a participant.
A son’s heartfelt tribute to his mother and father and stories relating to his dad, pitcher Jim Prendergast (Boston Braves 1948), and how his mom was included in Rockwell’s Saturday Evening Post famous cover, “The Dugout”.
A new marker for Chattanooga’s Engel Stadium notes the historic Braves vs. Dodgers exhibition in April, 1952. It was the first game there featuring integrated teams.
Was Johnny Evers (Boston Braves 1914-17) major league baseball’s first sabermetrician?
The Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) recently announced the publication of The Glorious Beaneaters of the 1890s. The Braves’ ancestor won 5 pennants in that decade and included 9 future Hall of Famers. The book is a wealth of information about the team, including biographies, season summaries, historic games and ballpark descriptions. It was edited by BBHA members Bob LeMoine and Bill Nowlin as well as associate editor Len Levin. Other BBHA contributors to this effort include Charlie Bevis, William Lyons and Bob Ruzzo. If you’re a SABR member, you can download the e-book for free or obtain the paperback version at a 50% discount from the cover price. If not, the publication is available elsewhere, such as at amazon.com.
Reminisces by a 100-year old former member of the Boston Braves Knot Hole Gang.
Boston Braves’ hurler Red Barrett’s 1944 58-pitch complete game.
On a very sad note, the last survivor of the 1948 Boston Braves bat boy trio, Frank McNulty, passed away on January 9. He achieved notoriety serving as a model for Norman Rockwell for the artist’s famous Saturday Evening Post cover of “The Dugout".
October 2019
We’re just about done with the 2019 season and moving into the hot stove season. What moves will the Braves make? Yo'u’ll just have to keep close to your laptop, mobile phone, TV or radio to keep you warm. Thanks again to the hardest working man in baseball, our President Bob Brady, for the links.
Remembering Warren Spahn.
Les Mann, outfielder for the 1913-14, 1919-20 and 1924-27 Boston Braves and Miracle Braves World Series participant and his role in the 1936 Berlin Olympics before Adolf Hitler. Also see here.
Read about Cy Young’s last game as an active player while with the Boston Rustlers.
Seven players that have links to the Boston Braves appear on this list of best, worst and weirdest nicknames. Can you identify them?
A remembrance of “Jimmy” of the Jimmy Fund who graciously attended a BBHA reunion to reunite with some of his childhood Braves idols.
Three players with Boston Braves connections make this all-time Braves franchise starting lineup.
“Seattle Bill” James of the 1914 Boston Braves makes the list of “One Season Wonders”.
Centennial anniversary of Babe Ruth’s exhibition appearance in Rutland, VT against Boston Braves hurler Dick Rudolph.
A players’ poll ranks the Braves’ tomahawk jersey as the third best MLB uniform. It was a Boston Braves creation and the original is still the best!!
Big league catcher and coach Mike Roarke signed his first pro contract with the Boston Braves in 1952 and played for their Class B Evansville Braves. He passed away in July.
Outfielder Clint Conatser of the 1948 NL champion Braves died on August 23, leaving us with only three remaining living ballplayers from Boston’s National League franchise. Johnny Antonelli is the last member of the ’48 squad still around. Also read about it here.
Future 1942 Boston Brave Ernie “Bombardi” Lombardi of the 1932 Reds hits a walk off triple to conclude an improbable comeback win against the Tribe in Cincinnati. Learn about the game and who on the Braves coined the “Schnozz’s” alternative nickname.
Johnny Vander Meer claims the Boston Bees as the first victim of his two 1938 consecutive no-hitters.
Clint Conatser (Boston Braves 1948-49) remembered.
2019 Washington Nationals draw parallels to the 1914 Miracle Braves and here.
How Connie Ryan (Boston Braves infielder, 1943-44, 1946-50 and Atlanta Braves manager, 1975) is connected to the inventor of the ATM.
Efforts are underway to help renovate and preserve Indiana’s McBride Stadium, former home to the Boston Braves' Class D 1946-48 affiliate Richmond Roses/Braves.
Read about the Reds’ Clyde “Hardrock” Shoun’s no-hitter vs. the Braves. Shoun would later join the Tribe in 1947-49. Cincinnati’s Ewell “The Whip” Blackwell accomplished the same hitless feat against the Tribe in 1947.
Nice to know that one of the three surviving Boston Braves, Johnny Antonelli, is doing well and being remembered.
The Connecticut Tigers are undergoing a re-naming process similar to what the Boston Braves undertook after the 1935 season. The result was the unpopular and short lived Bees. Will the Tigers make the same mistake? Check out the list of proposed names here.
Did you know that the current Atlanta version of the Braves has only won as many championships as its predecessors in Boston and Milwaukee!
Atlanta’s Game 5 playoff first inning meltdown hadn’t happened to the Braves since their days in Boston back in 1925 when they fell to the Brooklyn Robins at Ebbets Field and also look here.
Sad news. Former 1948 batboy, Braves minor leaguer and frequent BBHA reunion attendee Charlie Chronopoulos has passed away. That leaves us with one surviving ’48 batboy, BBHA member Frank McNulty, who Norman Rockwell used as a model for a famed Saturday Evening Post cover, albeit portrayed in a Cubs uniform.
The BBHA was asked to come to the aid of a researcher seeking to determine the uniform number of Cubs southpaw Charlie Gassaway. Gassaway only performed in two games for the Cubs, all in 1944. The reason that the BBHA was contacted was in hope that someone possessed a Braves scorecard from his September 29 appearance at the Wigwam. The odds were against such a finding as only 501 stalwarts attended the contest. We posted the request on our Facebook page.
The linked article reflects the efforts to find Gassaway’s numeral and the resultant determination of the number on the back of the port-sider’s jersey during his brief time with the Cubs. Read about it here.More on the passing of former Boston Braves batboy and minor leaguer Charles Chronopoulos. His brother, Teddy, also briefly was a Braves minor league farmhand. The brothers played together with the Class D Appleton Papermakers in 1952 in the Wisconsin State League. Their manager was former National League star shortstop Travis Jackson, who was inducted into baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1982.
Former 1930-34 Boston Braves pitcher Tom Zachary’s connection to Washington’s last pennant winner.
A 1935 Boston Braves artifact to be put on display here.
The Washington Nationals continue to follow in the path of the 1914 Miracle Braves.
August 2019
The 2019 season is rolling along and the grandsons of the Boston Braves are cleaning up in the National League East. With their young stars, the Braves could make a lot of noise in October. But that’s enough about today, what happened yesterday? As always, our esteemed President, Bob Brady provides us with the links!
BBHA ALERT!! We’ve received a request from author Al Yellon for help in solving a mystery that has perplexed him. In researching his book, Cubs By The Numbers, a history of the Cubs by uniform numbers, Yellon and his co-author located all uniform numbers except for one. The missing link proved to be Charlie “Sheriff” Gassaway, a southpaw who performed over three big league seasons (1944-46) with the Cubs, Athletics and Indians. Gassaway’s time with the ’44 Cubs was brief — only two “on the road” appearances. Yellon’s research failed to yield information on the port-sider’s jersey numeral. Gassaway’s last game with Chicago was on September 29, 1944 at the Wigwam.
On the rare chance that someone in the BBHA might have a program or scorecard for that day or the following day when the Cubs were still in town or a clipping or any other source of reference on Gassaway’s numeral, Yellon would appreciate hearing from you. He can be reached at alyellon@gmail.com.
Not to take away from a 90-year-old man who was honored as being one of the eariest Little Leaguers but the claim of his playing for the “old former Boston Braves” is bogus. This story has mutated over the years. Records indicate that Yearick did play minor league ball in low classifications but never with a team formally affiliated with the Boston Braves. See here and here. Congratulations on his accomplishment nonetheless!
Atlanta’s Austin Riley reaches two former Boston Braves franchise records of Wally Berger and Earl Torgeson.
Member Bob LeMoine has written a biography of Braves owner Judge Emil Fuchs.
The Colorado Rockies’ Charlie Blackmon breaks a 58-year-old record set by the Braves’ Buck Jordan.
Who threw the pitch to new Boston Brave Babe Ruth in the spring training of 1935 that was shown as his “first swing” with his new team in Ken Burns’ Baseball documentary and why was the Bambino wearing a sweatshirt rather than a Tribe jersey? Answers here!
Atlanta’s Freddie Freeman tied a record set by Sid Gordon of the 1951 Boston Braves when he recorded an RBI in 10 consecutive games.
Play Baseball Jeopardy by answering trivia question #12. It may surprise you!
Remembering Babe Ruth’s Boston Braves 1935 exhibition game appearance against Georgia State Teacher’s College.
A must read — Samuel Evers’ wonderful reminiscence piece, “Life, Death, and Afterlife of Braves Field.
A “forgotten” All Star game involving Sam Jethroe. Check out the quote attributed to the Jet at the end of the story!
Two Boston Braves are among the ballplayers to receive significant Hall of Fame votes but not make it to Cooperstown.
A “Little World Series” between Attleboro, MA and North Attleboro, MA that recruited members of the Braves and future Hall of Famers to the exhibition over the years.
The Boston Beaneaters live again!
June 2019
The True Story of Si Johnson, Boston Braves pitcher (1946-47) and coach.
Braves Field was his favorite ballpark.
New park to honor “Ol' 96” Bill Voiselle (Boston Braves 1947-49).
The Yankees’ Gary Sanchez ties a record set by Boston Braves immortal Wally Berger.
ESPN confuses Sam Jethroe with Hank Aaron.
A bit of trivia on Jackie Robinson’s major league debut in a game against the Boston Braves 72 years ago.
The sweep of hockey’s highly regarded Tampa Bay Lightning brought back memories of the Miracle Braves’ destruction of the mighty A’s in 1914.
Braves-Indians 2019 in-season meeting revives Native American nickname issue.
Tommy Ferguson, the late Boston Braves batboy, was the first to notify Topps about their 1969 error of mistakenly picturing Angels batboy Leonard Garcia on third baseman Aurelio Rodriguez’s baseball card. Ferguson, a frequent BBHA reunion guest, was the California Angels Traveling Secretary.
The Seelyville Speed Demon — a tale about Josh Devore, an outfielder with the 1914 “Miracle” Boston Braves.
BBHA member Herb Crehan appears before the Retired Men’s Club of Arlington, MA.
Did an action by the ancestor of the Boston Braves contribute to the Red Sox nickname?
Was infielder Ed Abbaticchio (Boston Beaneaters 1910) the first Italian American major leaguer? It depends!
The Cubs’ Kyle Hendricks’ 81-pitch shutout of the Cardinals comes nowhere close to the Braves’ Red Barrett’s 1944 58-pitch gem.
Giants’ hurlers (including “Panda” Pablo Sandoval) hit four batsmen in one inning on May 13, tying a dubious record set by the Boston Braves’ ancestor on August 19, 1893.
The lasting friendship between a shop owner and a 93-year old former Boston Braves farmhand.
White House misspelling of Red Sox moniker recalls days when Boston’s National League entry was referred to as the Red Stockings.
Boston Braves catcher (1911-1923, 1929-30) Hank Gowdy’s WWI return to his hometown.
Born on Cape Cod, hurler Danny MacFayden (Boston Braves 1935-39, 1943) had his name attached to a statistically based board game.
“Jimmy” of the Jimmy Fund.
Narragansett Beer is moving its operations back to Rhode Island. The long-time Boston Braves sponsor claims to be the first major sponsor of professional sports in the U.S. by virtue of its link to the Tribe.
Opening Day 1929 at Braves Field.
April 2019
Happy 2019 season from the BBHA!
The Boston Braves played an exhibition game in St. Johnsbury, Vermont on October 5, 1920 at the same time as the Cleveland Indians and Brooklyn Robins were meeting in Game 1 of the World Series at Ebbets Field — and the Green Mountain State fans were able to follow both contests.
Tomahawk Take, an Atlanta Braves fan site is counting down to 2019’s Opening Day by profiling Braves players. Here’s their “take” of 1952 Boston Brave, 3-city Brave and Hall of Famer Ed Mathews.
Tomahawk Take profiles Wally Berger.
The Smokey Joe Wood Connecticut Chapter of the Society for American Baseball Research has just issued its latest digital newsletter called The Wood Pile. Of interest to BBHA members is an article on page 9 about the Braves’ wartime use of the Choate School in Wallingford, CT as a spring training site.
Former Braves manager and Hall of Famer dubbed worst Yankees player.
A story about an 88-year-old former Boston Braves minor leaguer who was a teammate in the bushes with 17-year-old Eddie Mathews. See also this story.
Sam Jethroe to be inducted into the International League Hall of Fame in June.
Miami Marlins pitching prospect Dylan Lee is the second player to hail from tiny Dinuba, CA. The first was Boston Braves wartime right-hander Dave Odom, who appeared on the mound in 22 1943 ballgames, which represented his entire time in the big leagues.
Here’s an interesting approach to creating an all-time fantasy Braves team by alphabetical letter using the best player from any of the Tribe’s homes.
The recent exploits of pitcher Connor Sadzeck of the 2018 Texas Rangers brought back comparisons to two Boston Braves hurlers, John Dagenhard (1943) and “Happy Jack" Cameron (1906) who are considered among the “luckiest pitchers in baseball history.” Read this article to find out why.
TV station profiles the Boston Braves WW II spring training in Wallingford, CT.
Right-handed pitcher Dick Manville, who hurled one game for the 1950 Boston Braves (a relief appearance), passed away at age 93 on February 13. See this article too. Manville’s death leaves us with only four living former Boston Braves players.
Saturday Evening Post baseball covers featured here, including Braves’ batboy Frank McNulty’s role in a famed cover.
In the BBHA's last print newsletter, we featured a piece on a DVD offered by member Doak Ewing on the 1951 Boston Braves minor league affiliate Milwaukee Brewers. In Ewing’s own latest newsletter he relates a tale of how our story caused the son of Billy Reed, a second baseman on the 1952 Boston Braves to contact him to purchase the DVD and of the conversation that they had about his dad.
Braves pennants saved from a dumpster achieve substantial bids in an auction.
How the Boston Bees contributed to the baseball history of Beaver Falls, PA.
“Deacon” Bill McKechnie and the sad tale of Willard Hershberger’s suicide in Boston.
Here’s an interesting family tale that includes a Boston Braves tryout, rooming with Boston Braves farmhand, legendary Bosox manager and BBHA MC Joe Morgan and having Harry Agganis as a teammate at BU.
The scandal surrounding Patriots owner Bob Kraft brings back his connection to the Boston Braves.
York area sports hall of fame to induct former 1931-32 Boston Braves southpaw Bill “Wee Willie” Sherdel.
According to a recent posting on the web by the Boston Globe via its Boston.com site, the 1953 reaction to the Braves leaving Boston near the end of spring training was:
“The Braves may have left, but Boston’s apathy for them remained,” wrote Globe reporter Joseph F. Dineen Jr. The exceptions to this, according to Dineen, were “a few isolated cases of faithful followers and fans of the dollar who stand to lose money.”
No link for this, just an interesting quote.
Why is it that the Braves can’t stay in one place, even for Spring Training?
Remembering Al Bridewell, Boston Braves (1906-07 & 1911-12).
Braves Uniform catch-all!
The Boston Braves from 1940-44 used an Old English B on their home jerseys as well as on their ball caps.
The first time Boston’s National League team employed that initial on its uniform was in 1900 — one year before their American League rival was born!The Bosox’s ancestor adopted the Old English initial for use during the 1902 season.
One of Boston’s newspapers, the Boston Globe, uses a similar print style on its masthead and markets a variety of logo goods on its on-line store. A number of the items closely resemble the Braves’ Old English “B” from the ‘40s, so as to also unintentionally represent this era of National League representation In the city.
In addition to this similarity, the paper reflects another connection to the Hub’s baseball history as it is owned by one of the Red Sox partners, John Henry, who became its publisher in 2014. How about a Boston Braves/Boston Globe “Turn Back The Clock” day/giveaway at Fenway Park this season?
Another interesting bit of trivia is that the Red Sox’s World Series opponent in 2018 originally hailed from Brooklyn. Brooklyn also used the Old English B on its jerseys from 1900-08.
Here’s an abbreviated history of the Boston Braves’ last top farm team, the Milwaukee Brewers.
R.I.P. Jack Weisenburger — a Boston Braves farmhand who achieved sports notoriety on the college gridiron.
December 2018
Happy Holidays from the BBHA!
Longtime BBHA member Doak Ewing and his company, Rare Sportsfilms, has uncovered a film from 1951 about the Boston Braves' top farm club, the American Association Milwaukee Brewers. Now enhanced and converted into a dvd, the video presentation includes many Boston Braves down on the farm as well as an appearance by the parent Braves and more. You can view the Milwaukee roster of the ’51 Brewers here and see many familiar names.
It’s been 102 years since the Red Sox and Brooklyn met in a World Series. Brooklyn was known as the Robins back in 1916. The Boston games were NOT played at Fenway Park but at Braves Field. Three of the Sox victories, including the clincher took place at the Home of the Braves. Their second victory on October 9 was claimed by a young southpaw stationed on the Braves Field mound by the name of George Herman Ruth in a 14-inning complete game. A Fall Classic record-breaking 43,620 fans witnessed the Sox’s World Series championship finale down at the Gaffney Street ballpark on Columbus Day. A portion of the right field pavilion still exists where that historic event occurred over a century ago. Perhaps a short streetcar ride to the former ball grounds is in order for Bosox followers to honor the past and bring back luck from the site so that history repeats itself in 2018 a mile and a half away at Fenway Park! A recap of those Braves Field games can be found in the SABR publication Braves Field: Memorable Moments At Boston’s Lost Diamond and at the links below:
Speaking of Braves Field, it was interesting to recently see a seat purportedly from the ballpark offered on eBay for $9,000: . One suspects that scalpers at Fenway Park might seek such a sum for a prime seat to a 2018 Series game but you would only “own” it for nine innings and couldn’t take it home. However, there is a “buyer beware” advisory should anyone choose to bid on the historic Wigwam relic. The seller boasts in capital letters that the seat up for bid is a rare "1912” seat! It, indeed, would be extremely rare since ground at the old Allston Golf Club wasn’t broken for the construction of Braves Field until March 20, 1915!! And the ballpark’s inaugural game wasn’t until August 18 of that year. The claim of “original” paint made by the seller is subject to question as well since the Wigwam’s seats were touched up and repainted several times, including the notorious April 16, 1946 Opening Day “Wet Paint” incident.
Braves Field’s role in the 1916 Boston-Brooklyn World Series discussed here.
The Dodgers’ comeback in 2018 from 10 games under .500 to a World Series appearance doesn’t come close to the 1914 Miracle Braves’ achievement.
Braves Field gets some World Series recognition. Note that the reference to Casey Stengel in Brooklyn’s World Series line-up fails to also mention that Stengel later played for the Braves in 1924-25. He was dealt to the Tribe by the Giants in a swap that sent outfielder Billy Southworth to New York. Stengel later managed the Bees/Braves from 1938-43. See also. Here’s a video. Another relevant link.
Another Braves Field tribute.
Atlanta Braves 2018 phenom outfielder Ronald Acuña, Jr. was named NL Rookie of the Year. He also became the first Tribe freshman to lead the ball club in home runs since it was accomplished in 1943 by Boston Braves novice fly chaser Chuck Workman. However, Workman’s feat is tempered by the fact that his team leadership of 10 circuit clouts contributed to an aggregate of only 39 in total by the sixth place roster-deprived wartime squad.
Atlanta Braves manager and 2018 NL Manager of the Year Brian Snitker shares a distinction with a past Boston Braves skipper. Both he and George Stallings took the Tribe into the post season during their second seasons at the helm of the ball club. Of course, Stallings went a big further than Snitker, directing the 1914 “Miracle Braves” to a World Series Championship.
Beaneaters’ hurler “Old Hoss” Radbourn’s unique claim to fame.
Frequent BBHA reunion guest and member of the Rockford Peaches of the historic All American Girls Professional Baseball League has turned 100. Mary often was accompanied at our gatherings by the late Ralph McLeod, an outfielder with the 1938 Boston Bees.
October 2018
Bring back a second major league team to Boston?
This year’s Baltimore Orioles are challenging a record of futility similar to the 1923 and 1935 Boston Braves.
Eddie “Eppie” Miller was a slick fielding shortstop who spent time with the 1939-42 Boston Bees/Braves.
Further information regarding Ted Williams and his Braves military service teammates during WW II naval pre-flight training.
Another honor for former Boston Braves executive Roland Hemond and here and here.
Braves hurler Bill Voiselle’s number 96 appears this season on the back of a Phillie.
Atlanta’s super rookie Ronald Acuna has something to share with Boston Braves Eddie Mathews and Elbie Fletcher.
“Hastings Day” at Braves Field? Learn a bit more behind the scenes information about Braves manager Casey Stengel’s 1943 accident and hospitalization.
Here’s an article about Boston Braves 1952 hurler and frequent BBHA guest Gene Conley.
The Atlanta Braves recalled their origins when the Red Sox visited SunTrust Park in September 3-5. The ball club issued a magazine program for the series and, on September 4, gave out a Babe Ruth Boston Braves Bobble Head in a nice commemorative box. Too bad the two teams didn't get a chance to meet in the World Series this year to fulfill the opportunity lost 70 years ago when the Bosox dropped their AL playoff game to the Indians and deprived the baseball fans of Boston of a Streetcar World Series.
Awfulness. Comparing the 2018 Orioles to the 1909 Boston Doves, the 1935 Boston Braves and others.
Here’s a biography on 1933 Braves right-handed hurler Ray Starr.
Learn about a Boston sportswriter and sports editor who was involved in covering both of the Hub’s major league teams.
Joe Cronin hits for the cycle against the Red Sox at Braves Field.
How baseball bubble gum cards reacted to the late spring switch of the Braves from Boston to Milwaukee:
August 2018
Member Bob LeMoine has penned a bio on 1935-36 Braves/Bees infielder Joe Coscarart.
He wasn’t “better than his brother Joe” or sibling Dominic for that matter. Here’s a link to a biography of 1937-38 Boston Bees outfielder Vince DiMaggio.
Words from an Eddie Mathews fan all the way back to his rookie days in Boston.
For your summer reading, check out this novel that has a Boston Braves connection.
June 2018
Should we feel sorry for Milwaukee or was the Tribe’s move to Atlanta a form of deserved poetic justice?
Should Yawkey Way be renamed in honor of Sam Jethroe?
The Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) has just launched a new website that features interviews with ballplayers and others associated with the National Pastime. The SABR Oral History Collection includes over 500 audio files and more are being added. A quick perusal of the site revealed a ton Boston Braves-related interviews.
Braves' right-handed pitcher (1932-35) Huck Betts’ movie theater.
The Atlanta Braves Easter Sunday open date represented the first such Sunday open date in their regular schedule since their time representing Boston.
One of Shohei Ohtani’s beginning of the season exploits mirrored that of a Boston Brave! Ohtani was the first rookie since Dutch Stryker of the 1924 Boston Braves to record at least three hits and a win in his first six games. However, Stryker was a true rookie in 1924, unlike Ohtani who technically qualifies in the U.S. although also having previously spent the 2013-17 seasons with the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters of the Japan Pacific League, one of that country’s two “major” leagues.
Stan Wentzel, an outfielder whose entire 4-game big league career was spent with the 1945 Boston Braves in a late season call-up, has been named to the Berks County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. As Braves chattel with the ’45 Indianapolis Indians, he earned his promotion by being named the American Association’s Rookie of the Year and MVP.
A tale about two Boston Beaneater/Braves inventors.
Braves/Bees 1934-39, 1949 first baseman and BBHA reunion attendee Elbie Fletcher is the subject of a SABR biography.
The team that inaugurated major league baseball in Milwaukee in 1953 was populated by Boston’s Braves who represented the Hub until near the end of that year’s spring training. Here’s how the ex-Boston’s did in their first “new home” game.
Are today’s Boston Braves followers “pathological”? That’s what this “writer" for NBC Sports thinks in his superficial, flippant and minimally researched piece.
Is Ichiro following a pattern similar to Babe Ruth’s time with the Braves?
Minor league hurler seeks to be the first local big league pitcher from his home town since right-hander Dick “Leif” Errickson of the 1938 Boston Bees. Errickson pitched for Boston through 1942 when he was waived to the Cubs in midseason.
The story of Art Rico, 1916-17 Boston Braves catcher.
WW II’s “Cloudbusters” and its Boston Braves members. Click here, as well.
Ray Miller’s history of Braves Field has been posted on the SABR website.
March 2018
Happy Opening Day to Everyone!
Here’s a link to the original Truth or Consequences radio broadcast that led to the establishment of the Jimmy Fund: . It features the voices of some of the Boston Braves who visited Einar “Jimmy” Gustafson’s hospital room during that historic occasion. Years later, he would attend a BBHA reunion and reunite with some of those now long retired players.
BBHA member Bob LeMoine has been busy. He’s written SABR BioProject biographies on Boston Braves/Bees 1935-36 and 1938 catcher/hurler Art “Moose” Doll, right-hander Al Blanche, infielder Ed Moriarty and 1934-35 Braves outfielder Johnnie Tyler.
The SABR Day event at Fenway Park on Saturday, January 27 was well attended. Unfortunately, the presentations overran to the point that member Saul Wisnia was unable to talk about the Jimmy Fund and Bob Brady’s Boston Braves presentation was limited to his showing of a “Then and Now” slideshow on Braves Field. For those not able to be in attendance, an earlier version of the Braves Field slide show can be found on YouTube.
You can link Red Sox ace hurler Chris Sale to Cy Young through common teammates and in doing so, former Boston Braves Warren Spahn and Johnny Cooney are key components.
Sam “Jet” Jethroe’s link to the Erie (PA) African American baseball team.
A Sam Jethroe tribute.
Charlie Bevis has added a biography on Boston Braves Publicity Director, Boston Braves Association Hall of Famer and reunion attendee William H. “Bill” Sullivan to SABR’s on-line BioProject.
Read about Johnny Sain’s two careers — as a pitcher and as a coach.
Given the decline in inner city baseball and youth turning to other sports, this author asks whether a Sam Jethroe today would have made it to the majors or have turned to another sport.
Gene Conley of the 1952 Boston Braves and a member of both the Red Sox and Celtics will be among the inductees of the inaugural Central Washington Sports Hall of Fame.
The National Baseball Hall of Fame is in the process of digitizing parts of its massive collection through its Digital Preservation Project. For example, some Boston Braves Gene Mack cartoons have beed posted. Let’s hope for more!
Also included are three Burris Jenkins cartoons relating to Babe Ruth’s 1935 time with the Brave.
If you explore the site further you’ll find the pages to Babe Ruth’s scrapbook, including clippings on his time in Boston, and color photos of a Braves Field seating row end stanchion, Billy Southworth’s glorious night game sateen jersey: and much more.
A soon to be released book by Anne Keene, The Cloudbuster Nine, will profile a WW II baseball team made up of fighter-pilot cadets undergoing training at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1943. Subtitled “The Untold Story of Ted Williams and the Baseball Team That Helped Win WW II," the cadets also played baseball that included engaging in a war bond exhibition with Babe Ruth at Yankee Stadium. On the club were former members of the Boston Braves, Johnny Sain and Louis “Buddy” Gremp. Order the book here.
The Braves-Red Sox “City Series” resumes (sort of) this season as the Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox engage in home and away inter-league games in 2018. Despite important the significant anniversaries of the Boston Braves' final NL championship (1949) and their departure for Milwaukee (1953), we’d be pleasantly surprised if those events were recognized in those series or were recognized by local media. At least Atlanta has a Babe Ruth Boston Braves bobble head giveaway noted on their schedule.
A former Boston Braves fan testifies on the renaming of Yawkey Way.
Third baseman Ed Charles has passed away at age 84. Charles originally was a Boston Braves farmhand and spent 8 seasons in the majors with the Kansas City Athletics and New York Mets. Read his biography here.
January 2018
Happy New Year to All!
The Boston Chapter of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) is celebrating SABR Day, January 27 with a meeting at Fenway Park. The BBHA and SABR share some common members and the Boston Chapter has played an important role in preserving Braves history by sponsoring books on the 1914 Miracle Braves, the 1948 baseball season and Braves Field as well as inviting us to make presentations at chapter meetings. They have extended an invitation to our membership to attend the event that will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with an included lunch. Pricing and an agenda have not been finalized at the moment. While no formal presentation on the Braves will be on the docket, the event reflects back to the past when baseball fans gathered in the winter at so-called “hot stove league” meetings to reminisce about past seasons and await the opening of spring training. As soon as specific details emerge, we will send them out in a special eNewsletter.
Here’s the information and pricing on the Boston Chapter of SABR’s meeting at Fenway Park on January 27: CORRECTION: Please note that the date of the event is Saturday, January 27, not the seventeenth as erroneously reported in the last eNewsletter. My apologies!In Memoriam
We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jennifer Holmes Sullivan, the granddaughter of beloved Boston Braves outfielder and manager Tommy “Kelly” Holmes and daughter of BBHA member Tommy Holmes, Jr. She lost a valiant battle against cancer at age 45 on December 19. Like her grandfather who participated in the establishment of the Jimmy Fund in Boston, Jennifer engaged in fundraising pursuits to help those afflicted with the disease even during her own struggle. Her dad has generously supported the Association on a number of occasions, most notably taking the time to autograph hundreds of commemorative postcards distributed to the membership and recently providing us with Boston Braves related photos from the Braves’ new ballpark in Atlanta that appeared in our last regular newsletter. Jennifer’s brother, Tommy Holmes III, also is a BBHA member. The annual presence of “Kelly” and his wife at our many reunions was a popular highlight over the years for his loyal Jury Box fans. The Holmes family has been and continues to be an honored part of the Boston Braves family. The Association has made a donation to Jennifer’s memorial fund and extends its heartfelt condolences to the family. Jennifer’s obituary is found here.
BBHA member Bob LeMoine has authored a history of the ownership of the Boston Braves for SABR’s Team Ownership Histories Project. You can read it here.
A change in beer sponsorship down at Fenway recalls that the Boston Braves were first to do it with Narragansett. Hi Neighbor!
1922-25 Boston Braves left hander and Hall of Fame inductee Rube Marquard is profiled here.
Worcester, MA seeks to lure the Triple A Pawtucket Red Sox and cites its ties to baseball, including its time hosting a Boston Braves affiliate and Tribe manager Casey Stengel.
Gary Bedingfield has just ePublished his latest Baseball in Wartime Newsletter (No. 46, January 2018). The newsletter features ballplayer that were wounded in WW II. On the list, you’ll find “Greatest Generation” Boston Braves Art Johnson, Earl Torgeson, Warren Spahn and Skippy Roberge. Included is a piece on Alvin Kluttz, who was wounded on a battlefield in northeastern France while his older brother Clyde was a catcher for the Tribe (1942-45). Alvin, a Cardinals minor league backstop, once was a teammate of Stan Musial’s.
Warren Spahn’s baseball card history!
Retired knuckleballer Tim Wakefield to receive the Judge Emil Fuchs Award for long and meritorious service to baseball at the 79th annual Boston Baseball Writers’ Dinner on January 18. Fuchs was the Boston Braves owner from 1926-35.
new biography of Warren Spahn is set to appear on May 1.
Interesting item that recently turned up on eBay.
The “Outfield Fly Rule,” a blog devoted to the Atlanta Braves, has commenced a series on “the greatest Brave to wear each jersey number.” They started at #96, worn by the Boston Braves’ Bill Voiselle and are working their way backwards. It will be interesting to see how many others from the Hub days make their list. Our members are reminded that the BBHA provided an analysis of Boston Braves jersey numeral usage in a piece entitled “The Numbers Game” in Volume 19, Issue 1 (Spring 2010).
December 2017
Catching up with some Link-y Goodness!
Charlie Bevis’s book, Red Sox vs. Braves In Boston: The Battle For Fans’ Hearts, 1901-1952 has finally been published. It seems that it’s already out of stock on Amazon!!?? The publisher also sells the book directly. We’ll be interested in reactions to its contents from BBHA members!
An interesting biography of first baseman Tom Whalen, whose big league career consisted of one game with the 1920 Braves and who also played in the NFL.
The “shortness” of the playing time of this year’s Game 1 of the World Series still falls short of the mark of one hour and 31 minutes set by the Braves and Indians in Game 4 of the ’48 Fall Classic.
A humorous Perini family tale can be found here.
Boston Braves outfielder and Boston’s first African American major leaguer, Sam Jethroe has been inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.
We know that the Boston Braves actually printed tickets for the 1953 season before abruptly moving to Milwaukee. What happened to the 1953 tickets printed by their now defunct Triple-A affiliated Milwaukee Brewers?
Learn about Fred Mitchell, who briefly played for the Braves in 1913 and managed the ball club from 1921-23.
Boston Braves legendary fan Lolly Hopkins has had a biography penned by Charlie Bevis.
Braves win on a forfeit behind rookie Warren Spahn.
Remembering a Braves fan that lost his life in WW II.
If you attended a BBHA reunion, you may have met our honored guest Mary Pratt who played in the WW II All American Girls Professional Baseball League that was memorialized in the film, “A League of Their Own” (1992). Mary often accompanied the late fellow Quincy, MA resident and outfielder Ralph McLeod of the 1938 Boston Bees to our event. Mary is still with us at age 99 and was the subject of a recent newspaper article.
September 2017
Jackie Robinson breaks the color line against the Boston Braves.
Like the North American solar eclipse on August 21, a similar event occurred on June 8, 1918. In addition to the eclipse on that day 99 years ago, the Boston Braves defeated the Cincinnati Reds by the score of 1-0. The complete game shutout was hurled by Art Nehf at Braves Field before 7,500 fans. See this too!
According to news reports, the Little League Classic Game between the Pirates and Cardinals on August 20 at Williamsport’s 2,500 seat Bowman Field established a new record for the smallest capacity ballpark to house a major league contest. Prior to that contest, the record was said to have resided at the South End Grounds, whose capacity hovered around 5,000 during the days of the Braves' ancestor Boston Beaneaters. (No link)
On three occasions (twice with the Boston Braves), Warren Spahn hurled 15 or more innings but still lost the game.
Red Smith, third baseman of the 1914-19 Boston Braves is ranked as the fourth best Auburn University Tigers alum to have played major league baseball.
Aberdeen, Washington names Boston Braves 1927 first baseman Jack Fournier, a 15-year .313 lifetime major league hitter, to its high school’s hall of fame.
The Spahn and Sain refrain — its background plus an updated version reflecting a more accurate view.
Are Houston’s Keuchel and Verlander the new “Spahn and Sain and pray for rain?”
The Braves’ Wally Berger’s 1930 rookie home run record falls.
Here’s a recently posted SABR Bio Project biography of Max Macon who appeared as a first baseman/outfielder/pitcher for the Braves in 1944 and 1947.
August 2017
Bring back the National League to Boston! We can fantasize.
The Summer 2017 issue of OnTray Magazine includes a piece entitled “Where Have You Gone…. Boston’s Braves.” You will have to scroll the pages at the bottom of the link to locate the article. It’s at page 30. Headquartered in Braintree, MA, OnTray is a free publication with a focus on Italian cuisine and copies can be found around the Boston area. We thank its publisher, Joseph Chinzi for giving the BBHA the opportunity to share the Braves’ history with his audience. However, please be aware that the article uses our old and defunct Marlborough, MA mailing address. Some of the illustrative material that we supplied included that prior information and it was not caught prior to the printing.
SABR has just published Puerto Rico and Baseball. Included among the book’s 60 biographies is one on the late Boston Braves 1950-51 outfielder Luis Olmo. Olmo’s obituary appeared in Volume 25, Issue 2 (2017) of the BBHA’s regular print newsletter.
SABR continues to post articles on the web from Braves Field: Memorable Moments At Boston’s Lost Diamond:
Article 1
Article 2
Article 3
Article 4
Article 5
Article 6
Article 7
Article 8
Article 9
Article 10
Article 11
Article 12
Article 13The Rockies’ All Star second baseman D.J. LeMahieu, a star at LSU,is following a path originally set by another LSU infielder who performed in the Midsummer Classic as a Boston Brave in 1944: Connie Ryan.
Happy 75th anniversary to Pawtucket, Rhode Island’s McCoy Stadium. It’s first professional team was the Braves’ Pawtucket Slaters ball club in 1946. A piece on this historic event appeared in Volume 25, Issue 2 (2017) of the regular BBHA newsletter.
Boston’s and Boston Braves’ first African American ballplayer Sam “Jet” Jethroe to be inducted into Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.
We mourn the loss of Gene Conley (Boston Braves 1952). Conley graced us with his presence at several reunions.
Ray Moss wrapped up his major league pitching career with the Boston Braves in 1931. Here’s a story about his family’s history in Tennessee.
A tale about the restoration of a theater once owned by Boston Braves 1932-35 hurler Walter “Huck” Betts.
The Tribe’s 26 inning contest.
Former Red Sox manager, Boston Braves signee and BBHA reunion master of ceremonies Joe Morgan has been inducted into the Pawtucket Red Sox Hall of Fame.
Boston Braves involved in a 1948 “riot” at Wrigley Field.
June 2017
Check out this great shot of the Babe as a Boston Brave.
SABR’s Bio Project profiles former 1943 Boston Braves first baseman/pitcher Kerby Farrell.
Tribe broadcaster Fred Hoey’s life is memorialized.
The Braves played an exhibition game in St. Johnsbury, VT in 1920.
Is baseball returning to Braves Field? Not really, but the 7th Annual Boston Wiffle Ball Challenge is set to take place at Boston University’s Nickerson Field on June 15. It’s a charitable event with funds going to worthy causes. And it’s nice to hear of any variation of baseball is being played on what once was the Wigwam’s hallowed grounds.
Ebbets Field Flannels has crafted a t-shirt that commemorates the 1950 Boston Braves Eastern League affiliate Hartford Chiefs. The company also offers a replica 1949 Chiefs flannel uniform jersey.
More articles from the Braves Field book are available on line:
Article 1
Article 2
Article 3
Article 4
Article 5
Article 6
Article 7
Article 8
Article 9
Article 10
Article 11We’ve received word from the Atlanta Braves that our Turner Field legacy brick honoring a BBHA founder, George Altison, has been replicated and placed in the SunTrust Park Legacy Bricks area at the Braves’ new ballpark. If anyone is visiting the stadium this season, we ask if you might try to locate the commemorative brick and send us a photo. It is to be found in Section Y (Javy Lopez). It is engraved:
George Altison
Boston Braves
#1 Fan
The engraving is truthful.
May 2017
1950-51 Boston Braves outfielder Luis Olmo has passed away. The ranks of living former Boston Braves now number only 6.
1946 Braves outfielder, Johnny Barrett is the subject of a new biography.
How the Braves’ shift to Milwaukee influenced the business side of baseball, especially relating to public funding of ballparks.
More articles on the Braves and from the Braves Field book have been posted by SABR:
Charlie Bevis, an author of six books on baseball history, has penned Red Sox vs. Braves in Boston: The Battle for Fans’ Hearts, 1901-1952. It consists of five parts: “Nationals Have Monopoly, 1871-1900,” “Red Sox Dominate, 1901-1920,” “Braves Have Edge, 1921-1933,” “Red Sox Triumph, 1934-1945” and “Braves Fight Back, 1946-1952.” It has an epilogue entitled “Jimmy Fund Games.” The book is scheduled for release on July 31, 2017. We’re hopefully that it reflects the same scholarly research that Bevis engaged in when he crafted his study on the Beaneaters’ lesser known ballpark, the Congress Street Grounds.
SABR’s Games Project has added several more interesting items from the Braves Field book:
SABR has posted three new biographies of Bees/Braves ballplayers:
Two newly announced inductees into the Pacific Coast League Hall of Fame have a Boston Braves connection. Les Scarsella had a nine year PCL career in which he was twice bestowed with the circuit’s MVP award. Scarsella, a first baseman, appeared in five big league campaigns. His last major league appearance occurred in 1940 with the Boston Bees. Scarsella batted .300 in 15 games. The second inductee is Dick Beverage, a longtime BBHA member and head of the Pacific Coast League Historical Society as well as part of the SABR leadership team. Dick has authored numerous articles and books on the PCL.
Our good friends at Boston’s Gibson House Victorian Museum are holding their annual baseball event and have been kind enough to offer discounted admission for BBHA members to the event.
Braves Field recalled.
A link to a brief film clip capturing Jackie Robinson’s historic 1947 major league debut vs. the Boston Braves at Ebbets Field. Also, Robinson’s first 10 days.
Several articles from SABR’s Games Project book, Braves Field: Memorable Moments At Boston’s Lost Diamond, now can be found on line. If you haven’t acquired a copy of the book, perhaps these tales will convince you to do so!
One man’s trek visiting the various “Homes of the Braves”.
Former Boston mayor Ray Flynn and his encounter with Jackie Robinson at Braves Field.
April 2017
Welcome Opening Day 2017!
Borchert Field in Milwaukee served as the Triple-A American Association home of future Boston Braves from 1947-52. A new book on that ballpark has been authored by Bob Buege under the imprint of the Wisconsin Historical Society.
In a related piece, this link leads you to an article about the 1952 last opening day at Borchert Field featuring the Boston Braves’ top minor league affiliate at that time.
Former Boston Braves minor leaguer Hank Aaron is honored with a statue at the Atlanta Braves new SunTrust ballpark.
Former Atlanta Braves minor leaguer and current artist Richard Sullivan includes a 1914 portrait among other of his artworks displayed at the Braves’ new SunTrust ballpark.
March 2017
It's that time of year again! The Gibson House Victorian Museum in Boston will be holding its annual baseball event in May. As in the past, the museum is offering a discounted $25 admission to BBHA members. Here’s the information from GHVM website.
Gibson House Annual Baseball Program: "Old Boston Baseball's Colorful Characters"
Tuesday, May 9, 2017
5:30 p.m.
$30 in advance; $25 for members; $35 at the doo
Festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. in the courtyard of the Gibson House Museum at 137 Beacon St., Boston, with a “Ballpark Cocktail Hour” featuring beer, hot dogs, and crackerjacks. The program gets underway at 6:45 p.m. at Fisher College (across the street).
We happily extend our congratulations to our oldest member, Al Rocci, on the occasion of his 100th birthday on April 28. Al has ties to both of Boston’s major league baseball clubs, serving as an usher for the Braves at the Wigwam and for the Red Sox at Fenway Park. The Medford, MA resident was able to hold down simultaneous positions because one team would be on the road while the other was conducting a home stand. He held his position from 1936-75. Al regarded the Braves as the friendliest of the two, establishing friendships with Sibby Sisti, Tommy Holmes, Warren Spahn and Phil Masi. Like the BBHA, Al Rocci has a commemorative paver at Fenway Park. It’s in the “Tim Wakefield” Section (Gate C, Section 9) and it reads: “Al Rocci, Usher, Park Press Gate, 1936 to 1975.” We wish our distinguished member many more years of health and happiness.
A biography on 1945-46 Boston Braves outfielder Carden Gillenwater is posted here.
Jackie Robinson played his first regular season major league baseball game against the Braves. Read about this historic event.
Roland Hemond, who started his long and illustrious front office career with the Boston Braves and who attended some of our BBHA reunions, has received another honor.
And then there were seven: the ranks of living Boston Braves has been diminished by the death of pitcher Harry MacPherson (1944).
Read about 1932-35 Boston Braves righty Leo Mangum here.
February 2017
BBHA member and newsletter contributor Arnold Bailey has penned a story in Sports Collectors Digest about pitcher Sheldon "Available" Jones (Boston Braves 1952) and his various appearances on baseball cards.
McKechnie Field in Bradenton, the subject of our 2017 calendar is no more. The Florida ballpark named after Hall of Fame and Boston Braves manager Bill McKechnie has undergone a name change.
Among the throwback uniforms that MLB.com would like to see teams use in 2017 is the Boston Braves night game sateen uniform of the late 1940s.
This month's Super Bowl renews interest in Boston Braves/Atlanta connection.
"The worm turns." Should a city that has lured someone else's sports team receive any sympathy when it in turn suffers the same fate? The author of this article draws from Milwaukee's experience with the Braves to view the NFL's recent franchise shifts to Los Angeles.
The sad tale of Beaneaters catcher Marty Bergen (1896-1899).
George Sisler wrapped up his 15-season Hall of Fame career with the Braves in 1928-30. Today, the ownership of one of his bats is the subject of a lawsuit.
Over the course of his 12 season, 346-game major league career, right-hander Ray "Silent Cal" Benge performed in 21 contests for the 1936 Boston Bees. His biography has been posted here.
A new biography of right-hander Big Jeff Pfeffer (Boston Beaneaters 1906-08, 1911) has been posted on SABR's BioProject website.
Former Boston Braves batboy and frequent BBHA reunion attendee Tommie Ferguson has passed away. Thanks go to BBHA member Marvin Pave, who strives to keep the memory of the Braves alive in the media, for the Boston Globe memorial piece.
Did the late Bob Addis of the 1951 Braves contribute to the occurrence of "Shot Heard 'Round The World?"
BBHA/SABR members Bob LeMoine and Bill Nowlin are announcing work on a new book.
Fresh off the publication of Boston's First Nine: the 1871-75 Boston Red Stockings comes another book exploring Boston baseball in the 19th Century. In the 1890s, Frank Selee led Boston, then called the "Beaneaters," to five pennants in the decade. Kid Nichols' mastery on the mound and "Sliding" Billy Hamilton's base-stealing were some of highlights of this era. While some star players already have completed SABR biographies, there are many more players we want to learn about, and the book will include games detailing some significant moments of the era which have never been explored. While the Baltimore Orioles, themselves winners of three pennants in the decade, may be the most discussed team of the decade, Boston was the greater dynasty.
The Beaneaters gave way to another Boston team that began in 1901, a team we are very familiar with today, but one which began playing second fiddle. The Beaneaters became the Braves and would survive another half-century in Boston until moving to Milwaukee, and on to Atlanta. But while they still had Boston all to themselves, the Beaneaters were the class of the National League, to the joy of their fans, including the "Royal Rooters."
Both Bill and Bob have made significant contributions in the past toward preserving the history of the Boston Braves, either in editing publications and/or contributing well researched biographies and pieces -- see, e.g., Spahn, Sain and Teddy Ballgame, The Miracle Braves of 1914 and Braves Field: Memorable Moments at Boston's Lost DIamond .
Why not research a player, a game, or another topic from the era and contribute to this book on The Glorious Beaneaters of the 1890's? This invitation is open to BBHAers who are also SABR members. The SABR website provides enrollment information if you'd like to join up. SABR members receive free digital versions of publications and discounted pricing on hard copies. Bill and other SABR editors and reviewers will provide support and guidance to first-timers.
If you'd like to become a part of the book, please e-mail Bill at bnowlin@rounder.com.
Roland Hemond, an honored BBHA reunion attendee who began an illustrious front office career in the employ of the Boston Braves, wrote the forward to a new SABR publication on baseball's winter meetings. Roland recalls his first time there in 1952 for the Tribe.
Former Boston Bees first baseman/outfielder John "Buddy" Hassett is the subject of a newly posted biography on SABR's BioProject website. Hassett played an important role in Boston Braves history as he was dealt to the New York Yankees along with Gene Moore on February 5, 1942 for then Yankees' farmhand Tommy Holmes, bringing our beloved "Kelly" to Boston!
Here's a tale about how Braves and batboy Frank McNulty aided artist Norman Rockwell in his composition of a famed baseball portrait that found its way onto the Saturday Evening Post.
The 2016 World Series between the Indians and the Cubs resulted in a good deal of publicity about the '48 Braves-Indians Fall Classic. Here are a few pieces:
Rhett, Boston University's Boston Terrier mascot, mailed an envelope of "Braves Field" soil to the Cleveland Indians in a good luck World Series gesture. Also enjoy the included video.
Warren Spahn's lawsuit over an unauthorized biography.
Here's a list of the last survivors of past championship and World Series victors.
The Boston Braves family loses two former major league members and sadly this leaves us with only eight surviving players:
Eddie Carnett (1941) and also here.
Bob Addis (1950-51).
Public funding of ballparks -- ties to the Braves move to Milwaukee?
Read the biographies of Sam Wright, brother of the famed George and Harry Wright, and who played briefly for the Tribe's ancestor in 1876 and 1881 and of Tommy Bond (1877-81).
The Boston SABR Chapter held a meeting at the on-campus radio station of Boston University, WBUR, on November 9. Presentations were made on the recent SABR publication Boston's First Nine: The 1871-75 Boston Red Stockings. At the end of the meeting, several participants headed over to Nickerson Field to view the remains of the Wigwam and have a photo taken at the commemorative plaque.
Two former Boston Braves players are the subject of recently posted biographies by SABR:
Fritz Knothe (1932-33).
Lloyd Waner (1941).
1948 World Series recalled by the Indians' Eddie Robinson.
Member Bob LeMoine's biography of Tim McGinley (1876) now can be found at SABR's Bio Project site. McGinley played in Boston's inaugural National League contest in 1876 and scored the NL's first run.
Member Bill Nowlin's biography of outfielder Sam "Jet" Jethroe (1950-52) also has found a home at the SABR site.
Is Turner Field's destiny similar to that of Braves Field?
A Beaneater who was the first Australian major leaguer.
Learn all about Boston's football Braves.
Courtesy of The Barnstable Patriot, we have a listing of the final resting places on Cape Cod of individuals with Boston Braves associations. Included are:
Ken Coleman, famed broadcaster and long-time BBHA reunion master of ceremonies.
Art Conlon, infielder with the 1923 Boston Braves.
Eddie Pellagrini, 8-season major league infielder and BBHA reunion attendee.
Tom Earley, southpaw hurler for the 1938-42 and 1946 Boston Bees/Braves.
To read the article go here.
A biography on 1938 and 1946 Boston Braves hurler Johnny Niggeling can be found at this site.
Here's a link to a video on the late Boston Braves centenarian Mike Sandlock.
The recent game between the Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins at Fort Bragg on July 3, 2016 brings back memories of a Babe Ruth/Boston Braves exhibition tilt in Fayetteville, NC on April 5, 1935.
From the SABR Games Project, here are a couple of Braves-Cubs game write-ups from the 1929 season.
A biography of former big league pitcher and Boston Braves broadcaster Bump Hadley can be found here.
A grandfather attending a Boston University graduation at Nickerson Field recalls its past Braves Field days.
We sadly note the passing of Dorothy A. "Dottie" Morgan, the beloved wife of Joe Morgan, a Boston Braves signee and legendary manager of the Boston Red Sox. After famed broadcaster Ken Coleman's passing, Joe (a 1952 Boston Braves signee) assumed the post of master of ceremonies at subsequent BBHA reunions. The BBHA has sent a condolence card to the Morgan family and is making a donation to the Jimmy Fund in Dorothy Morgan's memory:
Dorothy A. Morgan
June 20, 2016; Surrounded by her loving family, Dorothy Ann Morgan (Glebus) 80, from Walpole, MA, passed away peacefully. Dorothy was born on September 13, 1935. She grew up at 317 North Street and graduated from Walpole high School in 1955. She met her husband, Joseph Michael Morgan in her church, Blessed Sacrament, in Walpole, and they were married there three years later. She worked in the accounting offices of Mar-El Jewelry Distributors until her husband became manager of the Boston Red Sox in 1988, whereas she left to support and travel with him whenever possible. Dottie deserves all the credit in the world, Joe insisted. Unless you have been a baseball wife, you have no idea what it is like. She resided in Walpole Massachusetts her entire life, even when Joe managed teams in other states, always maintaining their home in Walpole, (the center of their universe). They vacationed in Naples, Florida, in the winter months. Beloved wife of Joseph Michael Morgan Sr., former Red Sox Manager and Pawtucket Red Sox Manager, loving mother of Catherine Ann Cisternelli (Morgan) and her spouse Edward, of Walpole MA, Joseph Micheal Morgan Jr. and his spouse Robin, of Foxborough, MA, William Gabriel Morgan of Walpole, MA and Barbara Jean Malatesta (Morgan) of Plainville, MA. A devoted grandmother to Anthony Cisternelli and his spouse Annabelle and Ashley Franciosa of Walpole, MA, Rachel and Paige Morgan of Foxborough, MA, Jake and Michael Malatesta of Plainville, MA. Great grandmother of Marco, Evelyn and Vincent Franciosa of Walpole, MA. Loving sister of the late Lillian Pataskas (Glebus) and her spouse Victor of South Boston, MA, her brothers, the late Richard Glebus and his surviving spouse Maria, of Walpole MA, Edward Glebus and his spouse Elaine of Sharon, MA and her sister Barbara Lorusso (Glebus) and her spouse Antonio J. Lorusso Jr. of Walpole, MA. She was also a loving aunt to many nieces and nephews. Funeral Home info: Wednesday, June 22 from 4:00 PM to 8 :00 PM at Thomas Funeral Home, 45 Common Street, Walpole, MA 02081 Dorothys life will be celebrated at a 10:00 AM Mass at Blessed Sacrament Church in Walpole on Thursday, June 23 Cemetary: St. Francis Cemetery in South Walpole, MA. A special thanks to Dr. James Januzzi and the entire medical staff at Massachusetts General Hospital for their care and thoughtful service to Dorothy and her family.
June 2016
1950-52 Boston Braves second baseman and former major league manager Roy Hartsfield is the subject of a new biography. Roy was a wonderful guest at our reunions.
Speaking of reunions, one frequent attendee was Mary Pratt of the All American Girls Professional Baseball League, memorialized in the movie, "A League of Their Own." Mary used to attend our reunions with her neighbor, 1938 Boston Bees outfielder Ralph McLeod. Mary is now 97 and the subject of this article.
The Braves-Giants tilt of September 19, 1942 is reported here.
1950-52 Boston Braves pitcher and RI native Max Surkont gets his due in the form of a biography.
Babe Ruth's 1935 Boston Braves contract has found its way to an auction house.
Braves Field's 1915 inaugural game is reviewed in this piece that originally appeared in SABR's recent book, Braves Field.
The sad tale of the last days of the Boston Braves minor league affiliate Hartford Chiefs.
The National Baseball Hall of Fame has produced an article on the oldest major leaguers. Reference is made to the late Mike Sandlock and current title holder pitcher Eddie Carnett of the 1941 Boston Braves,
Gary Bedenfield does a wonderful job preserving the history of minor and major league ballplayers who served their country including those that made the ultimate sacrifice. Included in his current newsletter are pieces on Boston Braves manager Billy Southworth's son, Tribe pitcher, BBHA founder and honored reunion attendee Art "Lefty" Johnson and Braves hurler Max Surkont.
Learn more about Vince DiMaggio of the 1937-38 Boston Bees and older brother of Joe and Dom.
May 2016
Did the Boston Braves have a connection to the naming of Cleveland's Indians?
BBHA Braves Field expert Ralph Evans interviewed on NESN about Boston's lost ballparks.:
APRIL 2016
Happy New Year! The 2016 Major League Baseball season is underway and here are some links to get you all warmed up for this season!
A 90-year-old former Boston Braves minor leaguer who was a teammate of major league Tribesmen Dick Donovan, Jack Daniels and Pete Whisenant, recalls playing baseball in Cuba.
Boston's Braves are still receiving publicity long after leaving in 1953.
Boston Braves pitcher Jim "Abba Dabba" Tobin (1940-45) only faced his younger brother Jackie, a 1945 Red Sox infielder, once during his career and it was during a Braves-Red Sox mid-season War Fund exhibition. Learn more about that confrontation in member Bill Nowlin's new biography of the younger Tobin.
R.I.P. Mike Sandlock. 100-year-old former Boston Brave Mike Sandlock passes away.
An interesting piece on the Braves leaving Boston if you ignore the inaccuracies of the last full paragraph.
How was Sam Jethroe's arrival in Boston received? Read member Bill Nowlin's latest research into this historic event.
A new Bill Nowlin bio on former Boston Braves hurler (1951-52) Jim Wilson.
The Boston Braves can trace their roots back to 1871. Learn more about the Tribe's pre-National League ancestor Boston Red Stockings in this piece by member Bill Nowlin.
Here's a couple of new SABR biographies that might be of interest:
Frank Barrett (Boston Braves, 1946) by member Bill Nowlin.
Bill Dahlen (Boston Beaneaters, 1908-09).
SABR's Smokey Joe Wood Chapter in Connecticut has put together a book on former Boston Brave, Mike Sandlock.
Buffalo remembers Warren Spahn.
Another book on the 1914 Miracle Braves.
What did Boston's uniform look like in 1887?
Ten things to know about former 1952 Boston Braves first baseman George Crowe.
Rest in Peace Virgil Jester, 1952 Boston Braves pitcher.
JANUARY 2016
Here's an article on famed baseball executive Roland Hemond, who broke into the major league front office with the Boston Braves and who has been a longtime loyal supporter of the BBHA.
Bulkeley Stadium, former one-time home of the Boston Braves Eastern League Hartford, CT farm club is profiled.
A "Boston Braves" namesake makes history.
Here's an interview with 100-year-old former Boston Brave Mike Sandlock.
Braves manager Bill McKechnie has a new biography posted at the SABR BioProject.
The Red Sox borrowed newly opened Braves Field as their home for the 1915 World Series.
Remembering the 1948 Boston Braves.
Mike Sandlock's 100th birthday celebrated.
A piece that reviews Sam "Jet" Jethroe's "tryout" with the Red Sox.
After Boston University took over Braves Field, the top floor of the main entrance/administration building was used to bunk student athletes.