What Joaquin Andujar & Jeff Suppan Did More Often Thank Bob Gibson

Although less celebrated than that other September callup who made his major-league debut with the St. Louis Cardinals late in the 1941 season, pitcher Johnny Beazley also hinted at what was ahead for him with a complete-game victory in his first start.

Bird Land

The Branch Rickey Pirates (Part Three: 1951-52)

In our first installment, we joined the legendary Branch Rickey as he took over the general managership of the Pittsburgh Pirates in the autumn of 1950. Last time, we examined Rickey’s range of actions in his first year in the new job, a period in which he didn't find immediate success, but executed generally sound decisions and appeared to have made progress.

The Hardball Times

The Branch Rickey Pirates (Part 2:1950-51)

As we recall from last time, Branch Rickey was hired as the general manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates in November 1950. We summarized the state of the ball club he inherited, both at the level of the big league roster and in the minor leagues.

The Hardball Times

The Branch Rickey Pirates (Part One)

In the autumn of 1950, Branch Rickey, the general manager and minority owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers, was nearing 70 years old. Decades earlier "The Mahatma" had essentially invented the now-taken-for-granted job of GM, and his performance in the role had been long and hugely successful.

The Hardball Times