History

In 1927 the New York Yankees won the World Series.

Their lineup was called Murderers' Row, and featured the likes of Tony Lazzeri, Earle Combs, and Bob Meusel.

Of course, in 1927 Babe Ruth hit 60 home runs, setting a record that would last for 34 years.

Babe also hit 29 doubles, eight triples (believe it or not), and drove in 164 runs that year.

But this story is not about the '27 Yankees.

This story is not about Babe Ruth either.

This story is about Lou Gehrig.

On Wednesday, Mike Francesa, on YES had an interesting discussion on who was the better hitter, Mickey Mantle or Willie Mays.

Francesa said without any question Mays was the better all round player. This writer, might even take some issue with that.

But this article is going to deal with what the numbers say about which was the better hitter in their best years.

Mantle was a three time MVP and also was very close in the voting for MVP in other years.

Mays was an MVP twice, finished second in the voting once and third once.

Although he was born in the Bronx, right in the shadow of Yankee Stadium, Rich Chaynee never liked the New York Yankees. He complained that the crowds disrupted his life.

Hockey has the Suter family, football has the Mannings and baseball had the Boones, Bells, Alous, and Bonds...take your pick.

Some families are blessed with so much talent that it's passed for one generation to another.

Even wrestling have famous families, like the Von Erich, Hart, and A'noi (Samoans) family.

Let's take a look at the dad's who provided their active sons with a "god gift" to play baseball.

Ken Griffey (Junior)

Last night on Studio 42 With Bob Costas, the featured guest was Ernie Harwell.

Anybody who has been a Detroit Tigers' fan in the last sixty years knows who Ernie Harwell is. He was the voice of the Tigers for many, many years.

Harwell shared incredible insights into the game and the way that it has evolved over the years.

He spoke of meeting Babe Ruth and asking for an autograph and having nothing in his hands for Babe to sign.

He talked of knowing Ty Cobb and how Cobb's greatness was reduced over the years as baseball changed.

As most of you know by now, the Yankees moved into a brand new stadium last season. The old Yankee Stadium is being torn down to make way for a large park that is expected to include baseball fields, a track, tennis courts, and more. Only one gate remains from the original 1923 Yankee Stadium.

That gate is Gate 2.

Yankee Stadium is currently being torn down and Gate 2 is expected to go with it.

See what you can do to save it!

Yesterday, I sat down in my favorite chair and turned on the television.

When I got to the MLB Network, they were showing the sixth game of the 1952 World Series between the New York Yankees and the Brooklyn Dodgers.

As I watched the end of the show and the last inning of the game, I thought back to an article I read on Bleacher Report a few days ago by a young man who wrote about turning 10 years old in 1995.

The scenes from the 1952 game brought thoughts of how much the game has changed and about how much of the game young fans might not know.

Glen Bheck was so happy that he couldn't believe it.

At the end of play on Sept. 5, 1966, the New York Yankees were eliminated from the pennant race. It was the earliest this wonderful event had occurred since 1925.

Sixth-Place Yankees

I suffered so much. Oh, how much I suffered. I started watching baseball in the early 1950s, and almost invariably, the New York Yankees won, or at least were in, the World Series.

July 18, 1999 was Yogi Berra Day at Yankee Stadium.

When my son Scott had told me in June that we were going to the game, there was the slightest hint that something special might happen.

An Inexplicable Feeling

It was a hot, humid day, with the temperature reaching 98 degrees. As soon as we entered the Stadium, Scott and I had an inexplicable feeling about the game that intensified when Don Larsen threw the ceremonial pitch to Yogi Berra.

We looked at each other but didn't speak a word.

Pitchers and catchers have reported to Spring Training and opening day is just around the corner!

In Arizona, Felix Hernandez and Cliff Lee have the baseball world abuzz with anticipation of the impact they can make on the landscape of Seattle baseball.

Will they answer the call to arms with a team monopoly in the pursuit of the American League Cy Young Award?