Colorizing Early St. Louis Baseball History: The Fordham Flash Frankie Frisch

Frankie Frisch’s time with the St. Louis Cardinals defined one of baseball’s most chaotic and successful eras. As both a productive player and steady player-manager during the Gashouse Gang years, Frisch blended speed, intelligence, and leadership to anchor an unruly roster and guide the Cardinals to a World Series title. His legacy in St. Louis is less about flash and more about structure, smart, aggressive baseball held together by calm authority.

December 23, 2025 0

The Mississippi River – St. Louis Riverfront Photography

St. Louis’s riverfront is more than a place . It’s a narrative captured in steel, stone, and water. For anyone traveling through the Midwest or seeking to understand the symbolism of America’s great rivers, the Mississippi in St. Louis is the perfect subject for historical reflection and photography alike.

August 21, 2025 0

Colorizing Early St. Louis Baseball: Dizzy Dean, A Fable of Talent, Swagger, and Working-Class Theater

Journey into the world of Dizzy Dean with colorized images that bring early St. Louis baseball to life. Uncover a tale of talent, swagger, and working-class theater at the heart of Depression-era America.

April 21, 2025 0

Colorizing Early St. Louis Baseball: The Swagger of Ducky Medwick

In the annals of American baseball history, the 1930s St. Louis Cardinals’ “Gas House Gang” burned like a fire in a depression era boxcar. They were grimy, relentless, and magnetic of the times. Among their ranks was a player who embodied the era’s blend of working-class grit and athletic brilliance. Joe “Ducky” Medwick. 1932 -... Continue Reading →

April 8, 2025 0

Colorizing Early St. Louis Baseball: A couple of years with Cy Young

When fans think of Cy Young, they usually picture him as the dominant pitcher for the Cleveland Spiders or the Boston Americans (later Red Sox). However, his brief tenure in St. Louis from 1899 to 1900 is a lesser known chapter in his career. April 20, 1900 - St. Louis Post Dispatch To understand why... Continue Reading →

February 24, 2025 0

Colorizing Early St. Louis Baseball: The Baseball Beginnings of Charlie Comiskey

Lost to many is the fact that Charles Albert Comiskey, one of the most influential figures in baseball history, got his initial baseball start and grooming in the great 19th century American city of St. Louis. While his larger legacy as the owner of the Chicago White Sox may dominate the narratives about his life,... Continue Reading →

January 5, 2025 0

Colorizing Early St. Louis Baseball: The Wild Horse of the Osage

In an age when baseball was both a pastime and a morality tale acted out on the diamond, John Leonard Roosevelt “Pepper” Martin strode onto the stage like a honky-tonk chord in a symphony. Born in the sweltering rural Temple, Oklahoma in 1904, Martin was a rare spirit who defied the laws of physical limitation... Continue Reading →

December 26, 2024 0

Colorizing Early St. Louis Baseball: The Gashouse Gang

In the annals of baseball history, few teams have captured the imagination quite like the St. Louis Cardinals of the 1930s, affectionately dubbed the "Gashouse Gang." Their moniker, a product of their gritty demeanor and unconventional antics and was advanced by New York sportswriters during their encounters with the more esteemed New York clubs. Dizzy... Continue Reading →

March 7, 2024 0

Colorizing Early St. Louis Baseball: The 1944 Street Car Series

Looking south on Grand Ave. 1944 - Sportsman’s Park, St. Louis The 1944 World Series turned the spotlight onto St. Louis, pitting the Cardinals against the Browns in an all-St. Louis showdown at Sportsman's Park. Dubbed the "Trolley Series" or the "Street Car Series," the showdown coincided with popular movie release of "Meet Me in... Continue Reading →

February 29, 2024 0

Colorizing Early St. Louis Baseball: Cool Papa Bell

James "Cool Papa" Bell entered the world on May 17, 1903, amidst the modest backdrop of Starkville, Mississippi. Born into a family of meager means, James was raised by his single mother alongside his sister and five brothers. The challenges of their circumstances were compounded by the absence of educational opportunities for Black youth in... Continue Reading →

February 27, 2024 0

Graffiti across St. Louis

I love capturing the artistry of graffiti across downtown St. Louis. It’s like taking a glimpse at the city’s soul. The vibrant colors and intricate designs adorning alleyways and brick walls are a testament to the diverse tapestry of this urban environment. Some may see it as just defacement. Instead, I see it as a... Continue Reading →

October 29, 2023 0

Taking in a day game #StlCards

Under the radiant sky, my daughter and I embarked on a day baseball game. We passed the old Fidelity Transfer Company on 7th Street which revealed in silent poetry the impact of the structures we leave behind. Where the eye is granted dominion, the lens of my iPhone captured a glimpse at the story of... Continue Reading →

June 16, 2023 0

Colorizing Early St. Louis Baseball: The Story of Grover Cleveland Alexander #STLCards

In a land that is flat and a sky that is wide there rests a small town called Elba, Nebraska. Here, in a log cabin built by his father, a boy named Grover Cleveland Alexander was born on February 26, 1887. Raised in a farming family, Grover was one of thirteen children born to William... Continue Reading →

April 17, 2023 0

Colorizing Early St.Louis Baseball History: The Year of 1921

St. Louis in 1921 was a bustling city with a population of around 772,897 people. It was a major transportation hub, located on the Mississippi River and serving as a gateway to the West. A beloved pastime in St. Louis during this period was baseball. The city was home to three professional teams: the St.... Continue Reading →

March 23, 2023 0

Colorizing Early St. Louis Baseball History: The 1860s to 1899.

Baseball in St. Louis during the nineteenth century was a dynamic and evolving phenomenon that played a significant role in the development of the game in the United States. The sport gained popularity in St. Louis in the 1860s, as clubs began forming and competing against each other in informal games. 1874St. Charles Browns Baseball... Continue Reading →

March 22, 2023 0

Colorizing Early St. Louis Baseball History: The St. Louis Giants and St. Louis Stars

The St. Louis Stars were a professional baseball team in the Negro Leagues, active from 1922 to 1931 and then again from 1937 to 1945. While they are the most remembered Negro League organization based in St. Louis, they were not the first. The St. Louis Giants were the first St. Louis based professional baseball... Continue Reading →

March 17, 2023 0

Colorizing Early St.Louis Baseball History: George Sisler

What many overlook about George Sisler is not only was he one of the game’s early great hitters, but he was also a two way player out of the University of Michigan, pitching somewhat regularly his first two pro seasons. 1917 He was born on March 24, 1893, in Manchester, Ohio and played for the... Continue Reading →

March 16, 2023 0

Colorizing Early St. Louis Baseball History: Rogers Hornsby

I am not from St. Louis I’m actually a transplant. I arrived here in 1999 for an academic job. I was always a Dodgers fan, but when I moved away from California, my connection to the Dodgers slowly eroded over the many years. While I was in graduate school, I kinda hopped around from teams.... Continue Reading →