Mark Armour

America last.

These tech ghouls can’t even value their kids without help.

Fifty-one years ago, in old Boston town, Pete Rose faced Luis Tiant and flied out to left field. A simple enough start to what would be the greatest baseball game ever played.

Dan is a first class conversationalist, and I had a great time with this.

The last NL team to win 100 games AND win the World Series? 2016 Cubs. Before that? 1986 Mets. Could happen this year. @slangsonsports.bsky.social

Fortunately, Yankee fans’ long experience with post-season baseball will allow them to shrug off this game with graceful, measured calmness.

Looking for this Feb 1949 issue of Sports Illustrated, unrelated to classic SI that launched in 1954. There is an article on Satchel Paige that I would like to read, and I would be grateful for a scan of it. I know that is asking a lot--I have tried the Hall of Fame and eBay. Much thanks.

The AL West has won the last two non-Dodger championships. Their collective 2026 performance is not an imbalance problem that needs to be corrected, but an inevitable consequence of this playoff format and some bad baseball decisions.

The Peggy Guggenheim museum in Venice has a “conservation lab.” But trying doing this to a 1979 Topps Bake McBride and everyone has a friggin’ COW. @sabrbbcards.bsky.social

The two best teams in baseball (Brewers and Rays) have low payrolls and high competence.

In Fenway tonight there were eight Manfred Men, seven of whom scored. The one that did not (T13) was the difference in the game. @craigcalcaterra.bsky.social @sheehannewsletter.bsky.social

The Red Sox have won the last 15 times they’ve faced teams with winning records. Which seems like a lot.

Getting ready for Portland Fire vs. Dallas Wings game. Bonus: Pride Night! Love is all around.

I have a few days to finsish my SABR talk but still kicking around some through lines.

Spain are the kings and queens of football.

A few weeks ago when the Red Sox were in last place I said “they will win 16 of 18 and get right back in this thing.”

Aubrey Go Dog Go.

The Red Sox are apparently NOT going to sell at the deadline. The main flaw has been that the star prospect class (Anthony, Mayer, Campbell) has failed (injuries mainly) while the acquisitions have been excellent. Get Crochet and Anthony back and let’s enjoy the second half. ⚾️ ⚾️ ⚾️

@barackobama.bsky.social Dear President Obama, Hope you & Mrs. Obama are well. My family would be honored if you would send anniversary greetings to my parents, celebrating their 75th wedding anniversary today. A German holocaust survivor and Puerto Rican young man met in NYC. Rest is history.

Satchel Paige was born 120 years ago today. Born into poverty, destined for greatness despite being forced to live under the yoke of white supremacy.

This has been a fantastic World Cup, a sorely needed distraction from the madman destroying the world. And, here he is.

This is what the people who run American sports work to prevent.

On August 18, 1950, all baseball games observed a moment of silence on the second anniversary of Babe Ruth's death. Does anyone know how long this tradition continued?

June 1950 Black Barons sold contract of Willie Mays to Giants. Next 80 games he hit .353 for Trenton. On 9/24 Birmingham honored him between games of DH. He got a wrist watch, and Mays actually played for the Black Barons in the games(!), 3-for-7 with two doubles and two "sensational" catches.

Perfect ("satirical") summary of the AI bubble. The whole thing is gold: www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/ai-...

Almost done with this Rickey Henderson 1000 piece jigsaw!

[with tears in my eyes] dudes rock

Congratulations to the great city of New York, their awesome mayor, their wonderful multicultural population. May their city know the great joy they all deserve.

10/10

Catching in a Pinch? RIP Chief. @sabrlandmarks.bsky.social @phitter72.bsky.social @vossbrink.bsky.social @buckweaver.bsky.social

Paid my respects to a Windy City hero, who left us too soon. @sabrlandmarks.bsky.social @phitter72.bsky.social @billpearch.bsky.social

Major League ballpark #49.

Well, here is some news. My two-year (and counting) Satchel Paige Project has been recognized with SABR's Baseball Research Award for 2026. This endeavor has been tremendously rewarding to me, but knowing that other people have appreciated it too is deeply gratifiying. sabr.org/latest/2026-...

Yesterday I reviewed this piece of art from Chris and Lindsay Dial. Finally, my branding is making headway.

One of my Alma Maters going to the Big Dance!

Umm, look behind you mate.

Last night SABR unveiled its All-Era teams for both the 19th Century and the Deadball Era. Well done. For all 90 people (45 per era) SABR has biographical articles. Who else could do this? SABR is sitting on a gold mine of baseball knowledge. Four more Eras to come. sabr.org/all-time-era...

At an appreciation dinner for Satchel Paige, held in Kansas City on 10/3/1971, Paige is flanked by Bill Veeck and Casey Stengel. He seems amused and, honestly, how could he be otherwise?

I recently sat down with @mikebatestwibh.bsky.social and @billtwibh.bsky.social for their wonderful podcast to talk about (you're not going to believe this) Satchel Paige. Specifically my research into same. Thanks to my great hosts. thisweekinbaseballhistory.libsyn.com/episode-405-...

This might be of interest to @tjpilotsfan.bsky.social . A February 1969 dinner in Birmingham that featured, among many other legends, Al Kaline, Satchel Paige, Bob Veale, and Mickey Mantle.

How can this be real? From late 1966.

If you find yourself in San Bernardino CA on June 13, please head out to the ball yard for Satchel Paige night! I am throwing out the first pitch, my ceremonial debut. It would be fun to hang out, and you can meet Jane and our son Drew.

The centennial of Satchel Paige's first professional game is this Friday, May 1. Oddly enough this is not a national holiday though I intend to do my part during what I will call Satchel Week. Oh, and the centennial of his first *major league* game is next June. You have been warned.

This 1951 photo caption really checks all the boxes.

When Satchel Paige returned his signed 1949 contract to the Cleveland Indians, he included a note saying that he spelled his nickname with two LLs: Satchell. 1953 Topps got it right!

Who needs books when we have the internet now?

My son and I played catch this afternoon, my first of 2026. I started with some short tosses for 15 minutes, but I ought to be in game shape in a few weeks.

Charles was wrong: He IS a role model.