The Art of Baseball

Opening day of baseball season millions join together to root for their home team, to watch, to listen and to experience. Partake in this great American pastime at San Francisco's George Krevsky Gallery’s Art of Baseball: 15th Annual Exhibition featuring 76 drawings, paintings, and sculptures by artists from across the country.

An all-star lineup graces this year’s show. Magical third baseman Brooks Robinson caught everything hit in his general direction during a Hall of Fame career. Babe Ruth's steely stare scared every pitcher from Boston to Chicago where he called his famous shot... (more)

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Connie Marrero was a Baseball Star in Cuba & USA

...has been difficult, because he does not speak English and my Spanish is not great and he lives in Cuba. But, through his grandson, I was able to get a very short interview with Marrero recently.

Conrado Eugenio "Connie" Marrero Ramos (born April 25, 1911) is a former Cuban professional baseball pitcher who pitched in Major Leagues from 1950 to 1954 for the Washington Senators. Marrero made his major league debut when he was 38 years old, making him one of the oldest players in the league. He was a popular player in his native Cuba, where he had a long and successful career in amateur ... (more)

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The 1949 U.S. Goodwill Baseball Tour of Japan

“The 1949 U.S. Goodwill Baseball Tour of Japan” is currently a display at the Society of California Pioneers museum at 300 4th Street (at Folsom) in San Francisco. It runs through Spring. Call (415) 957-1849 for more information. If you’re a fan of baseball history, this is a must-see, featuring more than 250 items from this historical tour.

I am fascinated by the long history of baseball in San Francisco. Next month, the City By the Bay will celebrate 150 years of baseball in the Bay Area.

Lefty O’Doul was a fascinating guy. He’s the second-greatest player from the area,... (more)

Tags: san francisco baseball, lefty o'doul, 1949 japan baseballl tour, society of california pioneers

Lefty O'Doul: a San Francisco Baseball Legend

...or what? Today would have been Lefty’s 113th birthday. So, hoist a brew in Lefty’s name, because somewhere up in heaven he’s hitting in the high .300’s and having a great time.

Benefits of a famous cousin: “I didn’t really know who Lefty O’Doul was until I started playing baseball in Little League. Until then, he was just my cousin. When I started playing ball, he started coming around more. One story I love to relate is that Lefty always came to my opening days when I was playing Little League. In 1954, opening day was approaching and my dad told me, “Cousin... (more)

Tags: babe ruth, lefty o'doul, san francisco seals, pacific coast league, ty cobb, japanese baseball

From the Top of the Hill to the Top of California Baseball

...dominant team once the spring came about.We wanted to compare them to the 2009 squad that won a school-record 37 games and finished ranked third in the nation, but that wouldn't be fair. Instead, we just all stayed "even-keel" and let everything fall where they may. Besides... this is baseball. Anything is possible.

It was a year of firsts.

From Roberto Padilla's first, and only, double-digit win season as a Renegade, to Michael Ussery's move to first, to Ohlone's first season as defending Coast Conference Pacific Champions. It was even Curtis Boek's first career... (more)

Tags: baseball, california, state, championship, college, fremont, ohlone college, junior college, 2010, cccaa, hill, title, first

Will Baseball Ever Have Another Golden Era?

 As the presence of time has swept us along through histories halls, we have witnessed many of our proud legacies overshadowed by what we have tried to create, a better and more entertaining game of baseball. 

 The days of the 1930s through the 1960s seem to have vanished before our generation’s very eyes, never to be witnessed again. The players that once played the field like giants have come and gone, and all we have left is the legacies of their greatness. Players like Ted Williams, Jackie Robinson, Bob Gibson, and Babe Ruth, who left our fathers and mother’s enamored, have also... (more)

Tags: baseball, mlb, baseball steroids, baseball legacies, jackie robinson, ted williams, bog gibson, babe ruth, golden era

Frankly Speaking With A Baseball Legend

A left-handed hitter who threw right-handed, Herman Franks broke into baseball with the Hollywood Stars of the Pacific Coast League in 1932, but he was soon acquired by the St. Louis Cardinals and joined their large farm system. All you really need to know about his playing career was that he played primarily as a backup and finished with a batting average of .199 with three home runs in 188 games over parts of six seasons. In 1949 Franks landed his first coaching assignment, as an aide to Leo Durocher with the New York Giants. He was a member of two National League championship clubs (1951,... (more)

Tags: baseball, new york, san francisco, hollywood

Nate Knows Baseball

I know major league baseball is on hiatus and that the NFL, NBA and NHL are on center stage right now, but for seam heads like myself, baseballl is a year-round fascination.

I have interviewed almost 50 retired major league baseball players throughout the years and few have made me feel as comfortable as Nate Oliver. A soft-spoken and extremely articulate man, I have talked to him on several occasions after meeting with him initially in early 2005. His stories of his years as a player and a coach are both fascinating and candid.

Nate is the son of Jim Oliver Sr., who had... (more)

Tags: baseball, los angeles, san francisco, jesus, nfl, nba, nhl

Occidental Baseball: A Strong Start to a Hopeful Season

... its accomplishments in certain fields. The Occidental football and basketball teams have continually been ranked in national division three polls for the past few years; and this year, with a young coaching staff in only their second season behind the helm, and a talented and fresh roster, the baseball program is hoping to do the same. For the past few years, the Occidental baseball program, unlike the rest of the school and athletic teams has not seen much success. However, this season looks as if it is going to be different. As a second year head coach and ex-professional baseball player, ... (more)

Tags: baseball, basketball, football, california

My Top 5 Favorite Baseball Movies

As an avid baseball fan, I have always loved baseball movies. The problem is that many of them are completely unwatchable (examples: The Major League and Bad News Bears series of films). Here are five, however, that I believe are worth noting. None of them are cinematic gems, but I think each has something to offer those who love this great game. If you're jones-ing for the MLB season to start as much as I am, maybe viewing one of these movies will ease your pain. 5.) Bull Durham: (1988) A funny, well-written movie produced by Ron Shelton, the king of sports films, this movie deals with things... (more)

Tags: baseball, movie