The golden age of a baseball was one that was controlled by the leagues… when players’ rights were low and almost unestablished. Today’s game may not be that different but a document of those times is an important one not only for the sport of baseball itself, but as a part of the American landscape.

Charles M. Conlon photographed the game from 1904 – 1942. More than 205 of those photographs have now been collected in the book, Baseball’s Golden Age: The Photographs of Charles M. Conlon, out now on the Abrams imprint. The photographs were sourced from the archives of the The Sporting News and transferred from negatives. A beautiful addition for anyone who loves the game. Available from Amazon.

Photography: Charles M. Conlon/Abrams

Select looks inside Baseball’s Golden Age: The Photographs of Charles M. Conlon after the click.

COACH’s celebrates 70 years with a collection of baseball inspired goods, exclusive to the Japan market, at the moment.. You’ll find a beautifully wrapped leather baseball, glove, and special carry-all duffle bag. All proceeds from the sales of these goods are heading to the Red Cross’ Earthquake relief fund. (MN-n)

More looks after the click.

Using boot leather, Hickorees works with Paul Cunningham of Lemon Ball in constructing this special edition ball inspired by the originals of the 1930’s. It has an antique look and features red/blue stitching and “Hickoree League” hand lettered on the ball. It’s opening day at Fenway. We need some good karma.

More looks after the click.

Ah fuck. A-Rod did it. Congrats… sorta.

In celebration of the pinstripe success we bring you a fresh take on the jail cell look from the Unused line. Their “baseball” shirt features venting in the pits, piping on placket, neck and sleeves, and side gussets. No need to remind us that this is not a Yankees jersey. You probably will never see one on this site (never say never).  Goodhood has them. For those who want to see the front, flip into the gallery.

More looks at the Unused “Baseball” Shirt after the click.

Home Base: Memories of the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field stems from an innovative program at Brooklyn Historical Society, Exhibition Laboratory. Essentially, Ex Lab functions as an after-school museum studies course for motivated New York high-schoolers. Their work for the Brooklyn Historical Society, now on view, relays the highs and lows of the Dodger era in Brooklyn.

The students work through objects – photographs, uniforms, etc. – and oral histories to form a compelling story of a pivotal time in American baseball history.

Worth heading to Brooklyn to check out.

I’ve got a hankering for baseball jerseys at the moment. In wool flannel, they simply have a timeless appeal. As garments, they also hold history well. Take the 1942 Sacramento Solons home jersey as an example.

A bit of team history -

One of the long-time members of the Pacific Coast League who were oftem runners-up. they brought joy to their faithful fans by winning the pennant in 1942. In 1945 Jo Jo White starred for the Solons leading the league in hits runs and batting average but the Solons were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.

I love the “Health” patch on the left sleeve. Similar patches were worn throughout the WWII years, but this particular patch only appeared in 1942. In the hands of Ebbets Field Flannels details like that are never lost, nor are the production values of yesteryear. The Sacramento Solons jersey is made of white flannel with chain-stitch embroidery on the front. The team patch hits on the right sleeve, and the red contrast piping works a charm too. Manufactured, of course, in the USA.

The jersey also happens to be the flannel of the week, meaning you can snap it up at a rather handsome price.

The year 1947 marked the end of one era and the dawn of a new one for New York City baseball fans. Babe Ruth bade an emotional farewell to fans at Yankee Stadium; in the same month, Jackie Robinson played his first major league game at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn. A mere ten years later the Dodgers and Giants pulled up stakes and headed for California. In between were an extraordinary 11 seasons during which New York City ruled baseball – and vice versa.

The Glory Days originally ran on site at the Museum of the City of New York in 2007. Re-envisioned as an online exhibition, The Glory Days retains its magic and in digital form remains well paced. The presented material goes through 9 themed “Innings” and one extra period of play to cover the teams, the fans, the press, the stadiums, and quite a bit more. From pieces like the above pro model glove to press pins for the subway series, the objects do more than just root baseball in the Big Apple – there’s enough to prove the City’s importance to the sport as a whole. And, hell, it is hard to argue against the above statement alone, but add to that May’s behind the back catch and names like Mickey Mantle and the allure of New York baseball is impossible to ignore.

Check out the exhibition here. There’s honestly something for everyone.

Some of the fine bits of ephemera and photographs from the exhibition are on view after the jump.

In 1884, Providence Gray’s pitcher Charles “Old Hoss” Radbourn won 59 games. He won three in that years World Series, marking him a champion and solidifying the greatest pitching record in baseball history. Fifty-Nine in ‘84 tells Radbourn’s tale and also captures the spirit of baseball in the 19th-century. It was rough and tough. The players drank hard, they thought nothing of cheating, and apparently didn’t much mind maiming an opponent either. Not dissimilar, probably, to proper football of the period. (By proper I am, of course, referring to soccer). There’s also a subtext of some boarding house action – the love of Radbourn’s life was said to have been quite friendly with every man in the National League.

The author of Fifty-Nine in ‘84 is Edward Achorn, a former Pulitzer Prize finalist.

All in all, the book has the makings of a fantastic read. It releases tomorrow.

From Harper Collins. Available at Amazon.

Canadians have some gumption.

First, they insist that Moosehead is a drinkable sud. Second, they try to beat Americans at their own game – baseball. Sam Holman, for what its worth, makes some magnificent baseball bats. His Sam Bat, located in Ottawa, was the first maple stick approved for use by the Major Leagues.

Founded in 1997, Sam Bat’s can now be found in the hands of top flight dudes and guys like Prince Fielder. Editions are also available that would look fabulous over the mantle. And, there are Little League approved bats for youngsters wishing to swing the same Maple as their professional heroes.

It has been close to a year since I last ran a story related to an auction result. Then it was a truly remarkable object – a 19th-century Vampire Killing Kit. This baseball bat might not have the same sensational appeal as the killing kit, but it is nonetheless remarkable as a piece of American history. Used by the great Babe Ruth on his way to a World Series win, the bat was swung not for the pinstriped Yankees of New York, but the hated Red Sox wearers of Boston.

After use the bat was returned to Louisville, where it became a model for all future Ruth signature bats. Having sold for $537,750 it’s the second highest rate paid for a baseball bat. The highest price? The bat used by Ruth when he hit the first home run in Yankee Stadium history. That bat went for over a million.

Does that sting a bit Red Sox fans?

The whole story at the Bee.