SABR Games Project reaches milestone with 2,000 stories
The SABR Games Project has reached a milestone with the publication of its 2,000th article this week.
The newest batch of SABR Games Project stories includes notable and memorable games from all eras of baseball history. Our recent articles include stories about:
- May 1, 1883: Mickey Welch wins first game in New York Giants franchise history, by Stephen V. Rice
- July 24, 1911: ‘Galaxy of Stars’ takes the field in Cleveland in honor of Addie Joss, by Vince Guerrieri
- September 20, 1952: Stan Musial, Frank Baumholtz compete for National League batting title, by Tom Larwin
- June 26, 1956: Sal Maglie pitches, Rube Walker hits Dodgers past Cubs, by Steven C. Weiner
- September 20, 1961: Roger Maris hits 59th home run as Yankees clinch pennant, by Tim Odzer
- June 26, 1976: Pirates slip past Expos despite Bombo Rivera’s inside-the-park grand slam, by Gary Belleville
- April 18, 1987: Mike Schmidt’s 500th home run rallies Phillies over Pirates, by John Fredland
- September 5, 2019: Brother vs. brother: Marlins’ Brian Moran strikes out Pirates’ Colin in major-league debut, by Laura H. Peebles
Formed in 2014 and now headed up by Mike Huber, Steven C. Weiner, Len Levin, Bruce Slutsky, and Laura H. Peebles, the SABR Games Project is an initiative to research, write, and publish accounts of major-league regular season, postseason, and All-Star Games, along with other games of historical significance such as in the Negro Leagues, minor leagues, or international or exhibition contests. These game accounts complement Retrosheet and Baseball-Reference box scores, as well as SABR BioProject essays on the players involved.
SABR Games Project stories often draw on quotes from participants, newspaper articles, or other sources to “put the reader in the game.” Accounts cover the range of significance, such as Jackie Robinson’s MLB debut, the Cincinnati Red Stockings’ first defeat in 1870, Al Capone’s visit to Comiskey Park, or Tippy Martinez picking off three baserunners in one inning. We also have stories on significant achievements such as four home run games, no-hitters, pennant clinchers, and 3,000th hits.
Members of the SABR Games Project have produced a number of themed books with collections of articles on greatest games, including Inventing Baseball: The 100 Greatest Games of the 19th Century, edited by Bill Felber; Wrigley Field: The Friendly Confines at Clark and Addison, edited by Gregory H. Wolf; and The Babe, edited by Bill Nowlin and Glen Sparks. SABR members can download the e-book editions for free at SABR.org/ebooks or buy paperback editions at a 50% discount from the SABR Store. You can also read many of these articles online by browsing through the Books Project menu at SABR.org/gamesproject.
It’s easy to get involved. Any SABR member is eliglble to write for the Games Project. If you’d like to help contribute, find out how by reading the Games Project FAQs or checking out the Authors’ Guidelines. If you’re not a SABR member, visit SABR.org/join to learn more or to sign up for an annual membership.
Originally published: May 21, 2020. Last Updated: May 29, 2020.