John Shiffert: 19to21
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BaseballLibrary.com is happy to have John Shiffert contributing his column.
June 3, 2009: A Minor Phenomenon
19 to 21…No, that’s not how many pitchers the Phillies are going to audition for Brett Myers’ spot in the rotation.
Two left-handed pitchers’ minor league r...Read More
May 27, 2009: Book Review From John Shiffert: “Baseball’s First Inning”
19 to 21…No, that’s not how many Knickerbockers had a hand in the first rules of baseball.
When discussing outstanding multi-volume histories of baseball, and the authors of same, the subject matter has traditionally been limited to those two venerated titans of the 1960s, the...Read More
May 20, 2009: 19 to 21: What Will Peavy Fetch?
19 to 21…That’s about how many starts Jake Peavy will have for the Padres this year.
It should be pretty clear by now that the Read More
May 6, 2009: The Mount Rushmores of Baseball – Four Historic Figures Prior to 1840
19 to 21…Let’s start with the 19th Century and move forward.
Here is the first chapter of my current project – a history of baseball, as illustrated by “The Mount Rushmores of Baseball,” wherein the origins of the game, and some of the notable historic figures in uncovering th...Read More
April 29, 2009: Book Review: “Worth the Wait”
19 to 21…no, not that many books have been written about the 2008 World Series....
Go into any self-respecting bookstore in the Philadelphia area, and it’s guaranteed you’ll find a half dozen or so books dev...Read More
April 22, 2009: Baseball Takes Another Hit
19 to 21…
Far more than that have been done too soon.
It was a tough week for major league baseball, as the sudden death of Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart in an auto accident was followed ...Read More
April 7, 2009: Book Review -- “Philadelphia Athletics by the Numbers”
19 to 21…well, yes, those are the numbers worn by Gus Zernial and Phil Marchildon...
Every once and a while there comes a book that reminds th...Read More
March 31, 2009:
19 to 21…yes, those are the centuries of baseball....
The Mount Rushmores of Baseball – the Preface
As previously promised, here is the first installment of a work in progress. Based on an essay from the 2007 version of “19 to 21,” The Mou...Read More
March 11, 2009: An Unsung Team From the Negro Leagues: The Chicago American Giants
19 to 21…No, that wasn’t the first year of the Negro National League...
Book Review -- “The Chicago American Giants”
February 18, 2009: Visiting Baseball's Alternative Universe
19 to 21…and, no, that’s not how many teams really have a shot at the World Series this year.
What if?
The start of Spring Training, aka, “pitchers and catchers report,” is a great time for “what ifs.” What if...Read More
January 28, 2009: The Downside of Ryan Howard
19 to 21…
No, that’s not exactly how much Ryan Howard will make this year.
Eighteen Million and One Reasons
There are exactly 18 million and one good reasons why the
January 20, 2009: When Stars Leave Home
19 to 21…
Well, actually, that\'s about how many years John Smoltz spent with the Atlanta Braves…
What’re YOU Doing in THAT Uniform?<...Read More
January 9, 2009: Happy New Year, Indeed: John Shiffert Returns with 19 to 21
19 to 21
Yes, this is the first installment of 19 to 21 for 2009
Perhaps you’ve been wondering what will become of “19 to 21” in 2009. Perhaps you haven’t. Well, whether or not, you’re about to find out.
Yes, “19 to 21” will return for a seventh year. No, it ...Read More
October 31, 2008: A Comparison of Two Philadelphia Phillies: Hall of Famer Robin Roberts and World Series MVP Cole Hamels
19 to 21
No, that’s not how many Phillies pitchers have failed to live up to their promises, it’s Baseball...Then and Now
News Item: September 30, 1926 – Robin Roberts is born in Springfield, Ill...Read More
October 23, 2008: Polishing Those Glass Slippers: Baseball's Cinderella Teams
19 to 21
No, that’s not how long it takes Cinderella’s carriage to turn back into a pumpkin, it’s Baseball...Then and Now
News Item: October 28, 2007 – The Red Sox finish off their Read More
October 21, 2008: Comparing Two National League Champions: The 1993 Phillies vs. the 2008 Phils
19 to 21
No, that’s not how many years it’s been since the Phillies were in the World Series, it’s Baseball...Then and Now
News Item: October 17, 1993 – The Phillies win game two of the Read More
October 16, 2008: Looking at the Current Baseball Hall of Fame Veterans' Committee Ballot
19 to 21
No, try nine out of 10 for the Hall of Fame ballot, or
Baseball...Then and Now
News Item: October 4, 1972 – Maurice Morning Wills plays his final major league game for the Read More
October 7, 2008: Back to the Beginning: When the Cubs Weren't Cursed
19 to 21
No, that’s not how many apples the Cubs swallowed last week, it’s
Baseball...Then and Now
News Item: October 6, 1908 – The Read More
October 1, 2008: Honoring the Kings of Ks
19 to 21
No, that’s not how many strikeouts Mark Reynolds had this month, it’s
Baseball...Then and Now
News Item: September 30, 2004 – Adam Dunn becomes one of Read More
September 24, 2008: Examing the Mystery of the Missing Rays Fans
19 to 21
No, that’s not how many fans come to the average game at Tropicana Field, it’s Baseball...Then and Now
News Item: September 19, 1954 – The Philadelphia Read More
September 17, 2008: Two Pitchers Making History: Cliff Lee and Carlos Zambrano
19 to 21
No, that’s not how many wins Cliff Lee has, it’s
Baseball...Then and Now
News Item: September 25, 1986 – Mike Scott<...Read More
September 9, 2008: Placing a Historical Context on Milwaukee Brewers Ace C.C. Sabathia
19 to 21
No, that’s not how many wins C.C. Sabathia will end up with this year, it’s Baseball...Then and Now
News Item: August 17, 1998 – The ...Read More
September 3, 2008: Weighing in on Vern Stephens, Allie Reynolds, Sherry Magee and the Hall of Fame Veterans Committee
19 to 21
No, that’s not how many candidates there are on the Veterans Committee Hall of Fame Ballot, it’s Baseball... Then and Now
News Item: September 13, 1941 – Junior Stephens makes his major league debut for the Read More
August 13, 2008: Reviewing the Achievements of Some Ageless Mound Masters
19 to 21
No, that’s not how many seasons Jamie Moyer has pitched, it’s
Baseball...Then and Now
News Item: August 19, 2006 – The Read More
August 5, 2008: Travelin' Longballers: Sluggers Who Moved With the Trade Winds
19 to 21
No, that’s not how many times 500-home run hitters have been traded, it’s Baseball...Then and Now
News Item: August 17, 1967 – The Houston Astros trade Edd...Read More
July 30, 2008: Pittsburgh: Everyone's Source For All-Star Talent (Everyone, That Is, Except the Pirates)
19 to 21
Actually, that is about how many All-Stars the Pirates have supplied to the major leagues over the past 15 years or so, it’s also Baseball...Then and Now...
News Item: July 29, 1915 – A 41-year old Honu...Read More
July 23, 2008: Honoring the Man Who Gave Us the Save
19 to 21
No, that’s not how many saves Roy Face had in 1959, it’s
Baseball...Then and Now
News Item: August 15, 1969 - The Montreal Expos release Read More
July 18, 2008: Putting the Stars Back in the Major League Baseball All-Star Game: John Shiffert Emerges From the Lab to Suggest Some Tinkering
19 to 21
Yes, those are the centuries that baseball has had All-Star games, it’s also, Baseball...Then and Now
News Item: July 6, 1933 – The American League defeats the Read More
July 15, 2008: 2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game Special: John Shiffert Names His Own All-Star Teams
19 to 21
No, that’s not how many All-Stars aren’t really All-Stars, it’s
Baseball...Then and Now
News Item: July 14, 1970 - In the 12th inning of the 1970 All-Star Game, Read More
June 24, 2008: A Rose By Any Other Name: Looking at Major League and Minor League Baseball Franchise Appellations
19 to 21
No, that’s not how many games the St. Paul Apostles played, it’s
Baseball...Then and Now
News Item: May 31, 1884 – The Altoona Mountain City plays their final game, losing 5-3 to the Baltimore Monumentals.
The Altoona Who lost to the...Read More
June 17, 2008: A Look at the Philadelphia Phillies in "Almost a Dynasty" by Dr. William Kashatus
19 to 21
No, that’s not how many All-Stars the Phillies developed in the Seventies, it’s Baseball...Then and Now
News Item: May 29, 1989 – Mike Schmidt retires from baseball.
Writing baseball hist...Read More
June 11, 2008: Celebrating Ken Griffey, Jr., Home Run #600 and Other Milestone Achievers
19 to 21
No, that’s not how many players have hit 500 home runs, it’s
Baseball...Then and Now
News Item: June 16, 1989 – Sammy Sosa makes his major league debut for the Read More
June 10, 2008: Getting Inside Inside Baseball
19 to 21
No, that’s not how many pitches J.C. Romero threw Saturday night (it was only 13), it’s Baseball...Then and Now
News Item: June 4, 1976 – Juan Carlos Romero is born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico.
T...Read More
June 3, 2008: On Jay Bruce and Other Rookie Phenoms
19 to 21
No, that’s not Jay Bruce’s hits and at bats, it’s,
Baseball...Then and Now
News Item: May 27, 1951 – Willie Mays makes his major league debut.
There is a natural tendency to go berserk w...Read More
May 27, 2008: Jon Lester and Other Young Gun No-Hitters
19 to 21
No, that’s not exactly the age of the youngest no-hit pitcher, it’s
Baseball...Then and Now
News Item: May 23, 1991 – Ira “Tommy” Greene no-hits the Montreal Expos in his 15th major league start, six weeks...Read More
May 14, 2008: John Shiffert on Triple Play Man Asdrubal Cabrera of the Cleveland Indians
19 to 21
No, that’s not how many unassisted triple plays there have been in major league history, it’s Baseball...Then and Now
News Item: May 31, 1927 – The Tigers’ Johnny Neun turns an unassisted triple play again...Read More
May 5, 2008: So Offensive On the Mound: Micah Owings and Other Big Hitting Pitchers
19 to 21
No, that’s not how many home runs Micah Owings is going to hit this year, it’s
Baseball...Then and Now...
News Item: April 29, 1888 – Charlie Ferguson dies of typhoid fever in Philadelphia in the North Broad Street home of teammate Arthur Irwin at the age o...Read More
May 1, 2008: Blyleven, Smoltzie and the Eck and the Road to the Hall of Fame
19 to 21
No, that’s not the number of characters in the Hall of Fame, it’s
Baseball...Then and Now
News Item: April 12, 1975 – Dennis Eckersley makes his major league debut.
There re...Read More
April 23, 2008: Hail to the Chiefs: Messers. Bender and Schilling
19 to 21
No, that’s not the number of “Chiefs” there have been in the major leagues, it’s Baseball... Then and Now
News Item: April 20, 1903 – An 18 year-old pitcher, the circuit’s youngest player, makes his American Le...Read More
April 10, 2008: Pitching, Injury and the Age Factor
19 to 21
No, that’s not the number of times Mike Hampton has been on the DL, it’s,
Baseball...Then and Now
News Item: April 2, 2000 – The Braves’ ...Read More
March 28, 2008: MLB in the Land of the Rising Sun
19 to 21
No, that’s not the time difference between Boston and Tokyo, it’s
Baseball...Then and Now
News Item: March 29, 2000 – The Cubs and the Mets open the ...Read More
March 13, 2008: On Billy Crystal, Eddie Kolb, Victory Faust and Other "Fantasy" Baseball Players
19 to 21
No, that’s not how many non-players have played major league baseball, it’s
Baseball...Then and Now
News Item: April 4, 1974 – Herb Washington makes his major league debut for the Read More
March 3, 2008: Leapin Lizards!: Leap Year Babies in Baseball
19 to 21
No, that’s not how many players have been born on February 29, it’s
Baseball...Then and Now
News Item: February 29, 1968 – Lena Blackburne dies in Riverside, New Jersey.
Whil...Read More
February 25, 2008: Cashing in With First Basemen
19 to 21
No, that’s not how many millions the Phillies might have offered Ryan Howard, it’s,
Baseball... Then and Now
News Item: Febru...Read More
February 11, 2008: Time to Bid Adieu?: John Shiffert on Curt Schilling
19 to 21
No, that’s not how many years Curt Schilling might have to wait to get a call from Cooperstown, it’s Baseball...Then and Now
News Item: February 23, 1981 – The Read More
February 5, 2008: Reviewing the Great Arms Deals: John Shiffert Provides a Context for the Johan Santana Trade
19 to 21
No, that’s not how millions a year Johan Santana is going to make if he doesn’t change his evil ways, it’s,
Baseball...Then and Now
News Item: February 25, 1972 – The Read More
February 4, 2008: Rocket Misfires? John Shiffert Examines
19 to 21
No, that’s not how pages it takes to prove Roger Clemens isn’t a juicer, it’s,
Baseball...Then and Now
News Item: February 18, 1999 – The Read More
January 25, 2008: John Shiffert Takes a Look at Challenge Trades Past and Present
19 to 21
No, that’s not how many times Scott Rolen has been on the DL, it’s
Baseball...Then and Now
News Item: December 14, 1932 – The W...Read More
January 24, 2008: John Shiffert on Leaders From the Lead-Off Spot
19 to 21
No, that’s not how many times Rickey Henderson played for the Athletics, it’s,
Baseball...Then and Now
News Item: January 22, 1988 – Read More
January 21, 2008: John Shiffert on Vaseline, Scuff Marks, Steroids and the Mitchell Report
19 to 21
No, that’s not how many players were named in the Mitchell Report, it’s
Baseball...Then and Now
News Item: January 12, 1981 – the Atlanta Braves sign Read More
January 3, 2008: John Shiffert on Steroids, Records Across Eras and the Hoosier Thunderbolt!
19 to 21
Yes, we’re starting off a new year of Baseball...Then and Now!
News Item: December 15, 1900 – The New York Giants trade Amos Rusie to the
December 4, 2007: In Search of Connie Mack: Norman Macht Completes a 22-Year Quest
19 to 21
No, Connie Mack didn’t live quite that long, but this is the conclusion of the 2007 version of Baseball...Then and Now...
News Item: December 22, 1862 (not December 23, 1862, as he told everyone for...Read More
November 27, 2007: Jimmy Rollins and the Vote for the 2007 MVP
19 to 21
No, that’s not how many writers voted for Jimmy Rollins, it’s Baseball...Then and Now
News Item: November 27, 1978 – Jimmy Rollins, AKA JRol...Read More
November 20, 2007: When Youth was Served: Joe Nuxhall and Fred Chapman (With an Aside About One Barry Bonds)
19 to 21
No, that’s not the age that Joe Nuxhall was when he retired from baseball, it’s
Baseball...Then and Now
News Item: November 24, 1872 – Frederick Joseph Chapman is born in Little Cooley, Pe...Read More
November 6, 2007: Greg Maddux and the Quest for 400
19 to 21
No, that’s not how many games Greg Maddux needs to win to pass Roger Clemens, it’s Baseball...Then and Now
News Item: November 6, 1887...Read More
October 30, 2007: Sweeping Up the Series
19 to 21
No, that’s not how many times a team has been swept in the World Series, it’s...Baseball...Then and Now
News Item: October 24, 2000 – The New York Mets...Read More
October 23, 2007: Managing to Win...and Lose: Joe Torre, Casey Stengel and Bobby Cox
19 to 21
No, that’s not how many pennants Joe Torre has won as a manager, it’s
Baseball...Then and Now
News Item: October 26, 2000 – The Ne...Read More
October 18, 2007: Lower That Mile High Fever
19 to 21
No, that’s not the number of games the Rockies have won on their hot streak, it’s Baseball...Then and Now
News Item: October 17, 1976 – The Cincinnati Reds score a run in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat th...Read More
October 15, 2007: The Stark Truth Regarding the Career of Sandy Koufax
19 to 21
No, that’s not the number of great baseball books published each year, it’s
Baseball...Then and Now
News Item: October 6, 1966 – Sandy Koufax makes his final appearance on the mound for the ...Read More
October 3, 2007: Two Hands Better Than One: Tony Mullane and the Art of Switch-Pitching
19 to 21
No, that’s not the number of times Tony Mullane threw left-handed, it’s...
Baseball, Then and Now
News Item: August 27, 1881: ...Read More
October 2, 2007: Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley and The Philadelphia Phillies Slay Some Demons
19 to 21
No, that’s not the number of years Phillies fans have waited for this, it’s...
Baseball, Then and Now
News Item: September 30, 1964 – The Read More
September 24, 2007: Not For Phillies Fans: 1964 Revisited
19 to 21
No, that’s not how many Mets fans have jumped off the upper deck of Shea Stadium, it’s Baseball... Then and Now...
News Item: September 21, 1964 – The Read More
September 20, 2007: Jim Thome and the Circuitous Road to 500 and Cooperstown
19 to 21
No, that’s not how many players have hit 500 home runs, it’s,
Baseball...Then and Now
News Item: September 4, 1991 – Jim Thome makes his major league debut with the Read More
September 10, 2007: Don Newcombe, Elmer Smith, Babe Ruth and The Rick Ankiel Saga
19 to 21
No, that’s not how many RBIs Rick Ankiel had against the Pirates, it’s
Baseball...Then and Now
News Item: September 10, 1886 – Eighteen year old Read More
September 1, 2007: Alex Rodriguez, Ken Griffey Jr., Jimmie Foxx and Mickey Mantle Play With the Favorite Toy
19 to 21
No, that’s not how many home runs Jimmie Foxx hit after he turned 33, it’s
Baseball...Then and Now...
News Item: September 9, 1945 – Read More
August 28, 2007: The Rangers Bash the Orioles and Other Blow-outs
19 to 21
No, that’s not how many runs the Rangers scored in one inning against the Orioles, it’s...Baseball, then and now...
News Item: August 23, 1950 – John Shiffert and Anne Weidner are married in Advocate Lutheran Church in the Germantown section ...Read More
August 24, 2007: Garret Anderson and that Lucky 10 Spot
19 to 21
No, that’s not how many 10-RBI games there have been in the majors, it’s
Baseball...then and now...
News Item: September 7, 1993 – Mark Whiten has a game for the ages.
August 14, 2007: From Wright to Stovey to Ruth to Aaron to Bonds: The Home Run Emerges
19 to 21
No, that’s not how many home runs Harry Stovey hit in 1883, it’s Baseball...Then and Now
News Item: July 29, 1893 – Harry Stovey plays h...Read More
August 10, 2007: 300 Game Winners Extinct? Not So Fast...
19 to 21
No, that’s not how many 300 game winners there have been in baseball, it’s,
Baseball, then and now...
News Item: August 6, 1917 – Eddie Plank makes his final major league appearance...Read More
August 1, 2007: The Cuban Connection
19 to 21
No, that’s not how many players were shot on July 27, 1959, it’s
Baseball...Then and Now
News Item: July 27, 1959: The Triple A game between the Havana Sugar Kings and the Rochester Red Wings is called a 4-4 tie after 11 innings.
<...Read More
July 28, 2007: Bobo
19 to 21
No, that’s not how many times Bobo Holloman appeared in a major league game (it was actually 22), it’s...Baseball,Then and Now
News Item: July 23, 1953: The St. Louis Browns sell pitcher Bobo Holloman to Toronto for $7500 and a used rosin bag.
The ...Read More
July 23, 2007: The Legend of Faust...Charlie Faust, That Is
19 to 21
No, that’s not how many times Charlie Faust got into a game, it’s...Baseball, Then and Now
News Item: July 29, 1911: Charles “Victory” Faust introduces himself to Read More
July 17, 2007: In Praise of
19 to 21
No, that’s not how many baseball guides there have been over the past 92 years, it’s...Baseball, Then and Now...
News Item: July 16, 1912: Walter Johnson and the Senators defeat the White Sox, 7-...Read More
July 10, 2007: Another All-Star Game In Detroit
19 to 21
No, that’s not the number of shortstops in the Hall of Fame, it’s
Baseball...Then and Now
News Item: July 8, 1941: The American League defeats the Read More
July 3, 2007: Pirates Stuck in Dry Dock
19 to 21
No, that’s not the number of years it’s been since the Pirates had a winning record, it’s...Baseball, Then and Now...
News Item: July 2, 1992: The Cincinnati Reds defeat the Read More
June 27, 2007: The Winless Pitcher Syndrome
19 to 21
No, that’s not the number of games Terry Felton lost in his career, it’s...Baseball, then and now...
News Item: May 1...Read More
June 12, 2007: Milwaukee Brewin'
No, that most certainly is not the number of pennants won in Milwaukee, it’s...Baseball, then and now.
News Item: June 2, 1999 – The Milwaukee Brewers draft Ben Sheets...Read More
June 5, 2007: John Shifffert on Tossing Bobby Cox and the SABR Baseball List & Record Book
19 to 21
No, that’s not how many times Bobby Cox has been ejected so far this year, it’s, Baseball... Then and Now
News Item: May 21, 1941 – Bobby Cox...Read More
May 30, 2007: 44 Is The New 34
No, that's not even half Jamie Moyer's age, it's Baseball...Then and Now
News Item: June 4, 1984 – The pride of Sellersville, Pa., Jamie Moyer, is drafted ...Read More
May 23, 2007:
No, that’s not how many players, even in this era, who will hit 600 home runs, it’s, Baseball... Then and Now
May 23, 2007
News Item: June 2, 1987 – Ken Griffey’s son is the first pick in the 1987 Amateur Draft.
Every once and a while, baseball will produce tw...Read More
May 16, 2007:
No, that’s not how many players have been summarily dismissed from the major leagues, it’s, Baseball... Then and Now
News Item: April 20, 1912 – Benny Kauff makes his major league debut for the New York Highlanders.
May 1, 2007:
No, that’s not the number of losses the Red Sox typically average against the Yankees each year, it’s, Baseball... Then and Now
News Item: April 30, 1920 – The Boston Red Sox defeat the Read More
April 23, 2007: 19 to 21
Yes, those are the numbers worn by Bob Feller, Tony Gwynn, Robin Yount, Warren Spahn, Roberto Clemente, and others, it’s also, Baseball... Then and Now
News Item: April 15, 1997 – Jackie Robinson’s number is retired throughout Major League Baseball.
Major League Basebal...Read More
April 16, 2007: 19 to 21
No, that wasn't the temperature in Cleveland on Opening Day (although it was close), it's, Baseball... Then and Now
At one time the baseball season opened in mid-April. Usually with the Reds and/or the Senators hosting the opening game(s) due the Cincy’s seniority as the home of ...Read More
April 2, 2007: 19 to 21
No, that’s not how many figures are on Mount Rushmore, it’s,
Baseball... Then and Now
News Item: March 29, 1962 – William Lamar Beane is born in Orlando, Florida.
Some years ago the Boswell of Baseball, Tom of the Washington Post, that is, wrote a book entitled, “Why...Read More
February 23, 2007:
No, that’s not how many relief pitchers should be in the Hall of Fame, it’s... Baseball... Then and Now
News Item: February 15, 1994 – Goose Gossage signs as a free agent with the Read More
February 22, 2007:
No, that’s not how many deserving Hall of Famers are still on the outside looking in, it’s...Baseball... Then and Now
News Item: February 21, 1958 – Alan Trammell is born in Garden Grove, California.
February 21, 2007:
Yes, that’s about how many points on the Black Ink Test Orel Hershiser and Kevin Brown have, it’s also…Baseball... Then and Now
News Item: January...Read More
February 20, 2007:
No, that’s not how many sportswriters didn’t vote for Mark McGwire, it’s…Baseball... Then and Now
News Item: December 24, 1992 – The Oakland A’s re-sign free agent Read More
