Jim Thorpe was stripped of his Olympic gold medals in 1913, but it was not because of illegal drugs, cheating, or bribery. It was because of baseball. Thorpe was a Native American from Oklahoma. He went to the Sac and Fox Indian Agency school in Stroud, OK, but dropped out. Later he attended the Carlisle … Continue reading The Greatest Athlete of the First Half of the Century
Today's post is written by Kimberlee Ried, public programs specialist at the National Archives in Kansas City. "Take me out to the ball game, take me out with the crowd . . ." These words, written by Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer in 1908, are still heard every night at baseball parks across America, … Continue reading Take me out to the ballgame (and then to court)
Today's post comes from Gregory Marose, an intern in the National Archives Office of Strategy and Communications. Each January, as frost and snow cover baseball fields across America, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum provides heartwarming news for fans of our national pastime. This is the season when the Baseball Writers' Association of America … Continue reading Four Patriots from Baseball’s Hall of Fame
This post is part of a series on September 11. As the nation's record keeper, the National Archives holds many documents related to the events of September 11. In this series, our staff share some of their memories of the day and their thoughts on the records that are part of their holdings. Today's blogger … Continue reading 9/11: The World Series and a President’s pitch
Here at Pieces of History, we've been watching the World Series just for the beard. Brian Wilson's beard, that is. Who can keep track of RBIs or batting averages when there is a pitcher who has earned himself the nickname "the Intimidator" by growing a full beard and then dyeing it? When Ken Burns (who is … Continue reading Fear the Beard!
Today's post comes from National Archives Office of Strategy and Communications staff writer Rob Crotty. George Herman "Babe" Ruth was no exception to the military draft that took place during World War I, but as fate would have it, the Great Bambino's number was never called. Still, "Babe" Ruth managed to serve his country. Eighty-six … Continue reading Private Babe Ruth
