Donald Laible
Author
Don has covered pro baseball for several decades, beginning in the minor leagues as a radio broadcaster in the NY Mets organization. His Ice Chips & Diamond Dust blog ran from 2012-2020 at uticaod.com. His baseball passion surrounds anything concerning the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and writing features on the players and staff of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Don currently resides in southwest Florida.
LATEST
Toronto’s Isiah Kiner-Falefa Is Fall Classic’s ‘Cinderella Man’
When spring training 2025 began for Kiner-Falefa with the Pittsburgh Pirates, he couldn’t have predicted being with the pennant-winning Toronto Blue Jays.
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NBA–ABA Merger Still Impacting Sport Nearly Half a Century Later
Fifty years ago this week the American Basketball Association began its ninth and final season of operation, one year before merging with the NBA.
|
Front Office Leadership Key to World Series-Bound Dodgers’ Success
Since Andrew Friedman joined the Los Angeles Dodgers after the 2014 season, the club has won two World Series championships and five National League pennants.
|
WWE Hall of Famer Lawler’s Love of Cleveland Sports Unwavering for Half Century
World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Famer Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler has long made his mark in the sports entertainment universe.
|
‘Miracle Worker’ Murphy Inspires Milwaukee in Pennant Chase With Dodgers
Pat Murphy’s 2025 Brewers won the most MLB games (97) with one of the lowest payrolls in the sport’s smallest market.
|
NHL Scoring Legend Ovechkin Still Fascinating Fans After 21 Seasons
The Washington Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin, across 21 NHL seasons, has won the Calder Memorial Trophy and Stanley Cup, and is the league’s all-time scoring leader.
|
The Uncertainty Surrounding Phillies’ 2026 Squad Is a Call for Clarity
The 2025 Philadelphia Phillies won the National League East title then lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS. Re-signing Kyle Schwarber is paramount.
|
New Hockey Book ‘Hammered’ Offers Rare Insight to NHL Legend Dave Schultz’s Place in History
Former Philadelphia Flyers’ Dave ‘The Hammer’ Schultz is arguably the most famous enforcer in National Hockey League history.
|
Season-Opening Games Among Happiest Memories for Hockey Hall of Famer Mark Howe
For 22 professional seasons Mark Howe, inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2011, experienced the excitement of skating in a schedule’s Game 1.
|
Patience Key for Giants as Rookie QB Dart Faces NFL Challenges
It’s 15 seasons since the New York Giants won Super Bowl XLVI. Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart is considered key to the team’s next postseason success.
|
Toronto’s Isiah Kiner-Falefa Is Fall Classic’s ‘Cinderella Man’
When spring training 2025 began for Kiner-Falefa with the Pittsburgh Pirates, he couldn’t have predicted being with the pennant-winning Toronto Blue Jays.
|
NBA–ABA Merger Still Impacting Sport Nearly Half a Century Later
Fifty years ago this week the American Basketball Association began its ninth and final season of operation, one year before merging with the NBA.
|
Front Office Leadership Key to World Series-Bound Dodgers’ Success
Since Andrew Friedman joined the Los Angeles Dodgers after the 2014 season, the club has won two World Series championships and five National League pennants.
|
WWE Hall of Famer Lawler’s Love of Cleveland Sports Unwavering for Half Century
World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Famer Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler has long made his mark in the sports entertainment universe.
|
‘Miracle Worker’ Murphy Inspires Milwaukee in Pennant Chase With Dodgers
Pat Murphy’s 2025 Brewers won the most MLB games (97) with one of the lowest payrolls in the sport’s smallest market.
|
NHL Scoring Legend Ovechkin Still Fascinating Fans After 21 Seasons
The Washington Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin, across 21 NHL seasons, has won the Calder Memorial Trophy and Stanley Cup, and is the league’s all-time scoring leader.
|
The Uncertainty Surrounding Phillies’ 2026 Squad Is a Call for Clarity
The 2025 Philadelphia Phillies won the National League East title then lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS. Re-signing Kyle Schwarber is paramount.
|
New Hockey Book ‘Hammered’ Offers Rare Insight to NHL Legend Dave Schultz’s Place in History
Former Philadelphia Flyers’ Dave ‘The Hammer’ Schultz is arguably the most famous enforcer in National Hockey League history.
|
Season-Opening Games Among Happiest Memories for Hockey Hall of Famer Mark Howe
For 22 professional seasons Mark Howe, inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2011, experienced the excitement of skating in a schedule’s Game 1.
|
Patience Key for Giants as Rookie QB Dart Faces NFL Challenges
It’s 15 seasons since the New York Giants won Super Bowl XLVI. Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart is considered key to the team’s next postseason success.
|