12- OBSOLETE

With spring training underway, with thoughts of the national pastime in the air, with so many of you asking for the next QUIZ—here it is. Fifty percent correct score gets you into the Yankee expert zone. Suggest your own questions and answers. Questions 81. Who had the idea to create the Yankee Stadium “Stadium Club”? […]

Reactions to Numbers 1–5 were wonderful. So new edition here. All kinds of incredible “numbers” have been put up by those who have worn pinstripes through the many decades the team from the Bronx has been playing baseball. Some of these numbers spark memories, controversy, wonder. Enjoy. Send along your own suggestions. 6 Playing field […]

All kinds of incredible “numbers” have been put up by those who have worn pinstripes through the many decades the team from the Bronx has been playing baseball. Some of these number spark memories, controversy, wonder. Herewith, just a starter list, enjoy. Send along your own suggestions. Zero Fewest passed balls in a season, 1931 […]

With spring training underway, with thoughts of the national pastime in the air, with so many of you asking for the next QUIZ—here it is. Fifty percent correct score gets you into the Yankee expert zone. 71. What is the significance of William S. Devery and Frank J. Farrell in the history of the franchise? […]

With spring training just around the corner, with so many of you writing that you were eagerly awaiting Yankee Quiz 5, without further ado—your wish is my pleasure. And look out for my newest: 57. Who was the highest paid Yankee in 1973? A. Matty Alou B. Bobby Murcer C. Mel Stottlemyre D. Sparky Lyle […]

The Super Bowl is America at its best and also America at its worst. American conspicuous consumption. American grossness. American fandom, American power. American marketing. American ingenuity. American skills and talent. All are on parade, all turned up, tuned in at the same time for the same event. All of that is the greatest power […]

On January 11, 1967 Gene Ward writing in the New York Daily News had declared: “In fact, and to be brutally frank, this could wind up being labeled the ‘Stupor Bowl.'” The New York Times sports section headline on January 15, 1967 read: “The Super Bowl: Football’s Day of Decision Stirs Nation.” The Los Angeles Times headline […]

With Super Bowl Gold (Number 50) poised to soon take center stage, we flash back again to the first one whose name officially was the AFL-NFL Championship Game. My book has many oral history memories. What follows is how just a few of those who were there at the game remember the time: TOMMY BROOKER: […]

With Super Bowl Gold (Number 50) ready soon to take center stage, we flash back to the first one whose name officially was the AFL-NFL Championship Game. My book has many oral history memories. Herewith, just a few of those who were there at the game remember the time: ANN BUSSEL: At that time I […]

This is the time of year when all sports fans and even non-sports fans look forward to the annual global ritual—the playing of the Super Bowl. And this is a special year among all special years—Number 50 is on tap. Books galore have arrived trading on the event. Full disclosure—even your favorite reviewer has a […]

With Number 50 – almost upon us, it seems like looking back on the mythic, epic, historic first one is in order. My latest labor of love When It Was Just a Game has been getting lots of exposure. Here for your reading enjoyment is just a piece of the action: One of Commissioner Pete […]

A fun brain-teaser for any Yankee fan.

DAVE ROGERS: The Fifth Street Gym on Fifth Street and Washington Avenue was iconic. People came there from all walks of life. There was no air conditioning. It was musty. It smelled of sweat—boxers sweat. There was a back room with a bed and mattress, a place where the boxers would shower, towel off. BERNIE […]

All kinds of hot stove rumors, trades, talk are part of the baseball scene these December days but no baseball. Still there are enough fans much interested in all things Yankees. So as a result of popular demand—here is the third installment of the brain-teaser called ULTIMATE YANKEE QUIZ. (No peeking at answers below) Incidentally, […]

Other rivals to the NFL through the decades had sprung up: American Football League (1926), American Football League (1936–1937), American Football League (1940–1941), All-America Football Conference (1946–1949). None of them had the financial muscle and the organizational skills behind them that Lamar Hunt’s American Football League had. One of Commissioner Pete Rozelle’s suggestions for the […]

For holiday reading, for reading anytime, what follows is a batch of books that will bring hours of insights and pleasure for any sports fan. Breaking Ground: How Jackie Robinson Changed Brooklyn by Alan Lelchuk (Mandel Vilar Press, $15.95, 117 pages, paper) is a look at the man who broke baseball’s color line. Researched and […]

Apparently, even though the Bronx Bombers are out of the post-season this time around, there are enough fans still interested in all things Yankees. So as a result of popular demand—here is the second installment of the brain-teaser called ULTIMATE YANKEE QUIZ. Incidentally, your loyal scribe is hard at work on what is being billed […]

With the Yankees out of the excitement and drama of post-season play this year, and with fans of so many other teams feeling the blues, here is a bunch of hot stove league brain-teasers to keep all of you in the game. 1. Who wore No. 7 before Mickey Mantle? ______ 2. Whose number (and […]

Yogi Berra had a memorable playing career, winning 10 World Series titles and three MVP awards. But not everyone remembers his stints as manager afterwards.

"When It Was Just a Game: Remembering the First Super Bowl" delivers as the authoritative book on the first Super Bowl and how it all started.