IowaWriter's New York Yankees fan blog

How did "Catfish" Hunter get his nickname?  The story that went around was that while the A's were waiting at Jimmy Hunter's farmhouse to sign him to his first professional baseball contract, he was fishing down in the creek.  After waiting for several hours the A's representive saw Jimmy walking home with a large string of catfish. 

It sounds nice, but it isn't true at all.  The real story is that the owner of the A's Charlie Finley, made up the whole story because he wanted his players to have nicknames that people could relate to.  Jimmy went along with the bogus nickname because he felt it gave him a special advantage over his rivals.  If a fan called Jimmy "Catfish" he knew that he didn't know that person.  His real friends/fans never called him "Catfish" because they knew the real story behind that name!

Continue reading "Tales About Baseball Greats!"

Most of our Base Ball Heros are very accommodating when it comes to giving out autographs.  What is your best and most amazing autograph ever!  It's the one that took your breath away, and is proudly framed and hanging for all to see.  Maybe it is a New York Yankee autograph!  There is room to brag here and make us all smile at your prize! 

Continue reading "What is the best Baseball Autograph in Your Collection?"

Could Babe Ruth predict his Homers?  This is my all time favorite Baseball story! The New York Yankees had won 107 games leading up to the 1932 World Series. This is how I heard the story: game 3, 5th inning with Babe Ruth at Bat.  The game was tied at 4 with 1 out.  Babe's count was 2-2.  Then he pointed his bat to center-field.  Root let the next pitch go and Babe sent it sailing over the center field wall of Wrigley's Field! 

Later that day a reporter ask Babe: "What if you had missed?"

 Babe's reply was, "I never thought about that!"

The New York Yankees won that game 7-5 and then went on to win the World Series 13-6.  Babe's "Called Homer" was the 15th home-run in that World Series for him! 

Continue reading "What is Your All Time Favorite Baseball Story?"

We all have great memories of Baseball.  As we remember the stories we heard about New York Yankee's Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle and dozens of others we are connected to a simpler time.  It was a time of setting at a family picnic and hearing the excitement as Dads & Grandpa's set around telling of their memories of the great days of Baseball!  America still needs baseball.  To go to a game and just forget the stress of the day is a wonderful thing!  We enjoy the ballpark food, the company of old friends, and seeing our favorite team play.  We love to cheer, and do the "wave."  Maybe, just for a few minutes we are kids again!  There is nothing to do but just enjoy ourselves.  If we are really lucky, we catch a game ball!  Yes, America needs Baseball.  We are thankful we still have the privilege of seeing the best games ever! 

Continue reading "Why America Needs Baseball!"

Last night as I was working in the yard I heard some loud instructions.  As I was trying to figure out what was going on I heard the crack of a bat.  Then I knew that baseball practice was in full swing!  As I listened to the coach try to get the most out of his team, I started thinking of the parents whose sons were on that team.  Many dreams were represented by those players on that field.  What would the New York Yankee Baseball Greats of yesterday have to say to that young team?  Here are a few things that I think they would say:

"Study the game, accept advice, keep fit, and above all, save your money!"...Babe Ruth

"Rule number one in my book reads: "Don't fight the umpires. It's bad business."...Babe Ruth

"Take care of your body.  You only get one."...Mickey Mantle

Continue reading "What Would Past Greats of Baseball say to New Teams Today?"

Many good hitters have hit two or more home runs in a game, but grand slams? On May 24, 1936, Tony Lazzeri of the New York Yankees did just that, clearing the bases twice for the first time ever in the Major Leagues. Since then, only eleven other players have achieved this feat, making this one of the most amazing and elite hitting feats in the game.

What makes this feat so wonderful, is that it is a team effort. One man may end up with all the glory (and RBIs), but without his teammates getting on, he just has two solo home runs. However, each player who achieved this feat deserves his place in history, as he has overcome the pressure not once but twice in one day to lead his team to victory.

Continue reading "2 Grand Slams in One Game"

"During the 1920s New York Yankee owner Jacob Ruppert once described his perfect afternoon at Yankee Stadium. 'It's when the Yankees score eight runs in the first inning,' Ruppert said, 'and then slowly pull away.'" - Peter Golenbock in Dynasty: The New York Yankees (1975)

Continue reading "New York Yankees Score 8 runs in the 1st Inning - 1920"