Paul White
@paulwhite.bsky.social
Transplanted Bostonian. Husband & Dad. History & baseball nerd. Jayhawk. Dog lover. @IBWAA and @SABR member. Writer of things. www.lostinleftfield.com. Author of Cooperstown's Back Door, released November 15.
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Paul White
@paulwhite.bsky.social
· Nov 15
Book Day!
The journey seemed awfully long at times, and frightfully condensed at others, but the day has finally arrived.
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I’m happy to announce that my book, "Cooperstown’s Back Door: A History of Negro Leaguers in the Baseball Hall of Fame," is now available! Here’s all the information you need to order (including a coupon!), plus a sneak peak. @ibwaa.bsky.social
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! In honor of Turkey Day, here again is my profile of the great Turkey Stearnes, unlocked and free to all. I hope you have a day as great as Turkey Stearnes’ career! @ibwaa.bsky.social
Turkey Day, 2025
I’ve made it a tradition of re-running my profile of Turkey Stearnes every Thanksgiving, and I see no reason to changes things up this year.
open.substack.com
November 27, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! In honor of Turkey Day, here again is my profile of the great Turkey Stearnes, unlocked and free to all. I hope you have a day as great as Turkey Stearnes’ career! @ibwaa.bsky.social
While some folks tout Francisco Lindor as a top-5 all-time shortstop and call it nothing but some harmless engagement farming, folks like me recognize the harm in relentlessly dumping misinformation into the world. @ibwaa.bsky.social
Engagement Farming or Misinformation?
Last week, some dude named Rory posted this on Twitter/X, and probably elsewhere:
open.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:59 PM
While some folks tout Francisco Lindor as a top-5 all-time shortstop and call it nothing but some harmless engagement farming, folks like me recognize the harm in relentlessly dumping misinformation into the world. @ibwaa.bsky.social
In 1945, Chuck Hostetler fell on his face at the worst possible moment and it became his baseball legacy, sadly overshadowing what should have been an inspiring path to the big leagues. @ibwaa.bsky.social
Late Bloomers: Chuck Hostetler
It’s wildly unfair, but Chuck Hostetler is best known for falling flat on his face.
open.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:00 PM
In 1945, Chuck Hostetler fell on his face at the worst possible moment and it became his baseball legacy, sadly overshadowing what should have been an inspiring path to the big leagues. @ibwaa.bsky.social
Tomorrow marks the date Lou Brissie died, just shy of Thanksgiving. My guess is he was thankful for his baseball career, or even to be alive. And we should be thankful for people like Lou Brissie. @ibwaa.bsky.social
Baseball Remembers: Lou Brissie
Do you guys remember Héctor Santiago? Starting in 2011 he pitched in parts of ten seasons in the big leagues for five different teams, starting with the White Sox and ending with the Mariners. He was ...
open.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Tomorrow marks the date Lou Brissie died, just shy of Thanksgiving. My guess is he was thankful for his baseball career, or even to be alive. And we should be thankful for people like Lou Brissie. @ibwaa.bsky.social
We’ve got nothing but Rookies of the Year, from future Hall of Famers to guys who won just because of the team they played for, plus great rookies who fell short, all packed into this week’s Friday Stuff. @ibwaa.bsky.social
Friday Stuff
Rookie of the Year Edition
open.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:49 PM
We’ve got nothing but Rookies of the Year, from future Hall of Famers to guys who won just because of the team they played for, plus great rookies who fell short, all packed into this week’s Friday Stuff. @ibwaa.bsky.social
I wasn’t expecting a cheaply framed “antique” in a Mississippi store to remind me of the Hall of Fame’s indifferent stance on historical accuracy, but here we are. @ibwaa.bsky.social
Hall of Fame "Antiques" and Inaccuracies
The folks at the Hall of Fame have always done some squirrelly things.
open.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:46 PM
I wasn’t expecting a cheaply framed “antique” in a Mississippi store to remind me of the Hall of Fame’s indifferent stance on historical accuracy, but here we are. @ibwaa.bsky.social
I got a chance to speak about my book and the Hall of Fame’s handling of players from the Negro Leagues over the weekend. I had a blast, and they were good enough record it. Here are the details, plus info about how to access a sale McFarlane Books is running. @ibwaa.bsky.social
Book and Video Stuff
Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to speak to the Christy Mathewson-Eddie Plank Central Pennsylvania Chapter of SABR.
open.substack.com
November 19, 2025 at 3:16 PM
I got a chance to speak about my book and the Hall of Fame’s handling of players from the Negro Leagues over the weekend. I had a blast, and they were good enough record it. Here are the details, plus info about how to access a sale McFarlane Books is running. @ibwaa.bsky.social
We all talk ourselves into things we shouldn’t. An extra slice of pizza, an impulse buy, things like that. And sometimes baseball GMs talk themselves into terrible deals, like trading away Ozzie Smith. @ibwaa.bsky.social
Dealing The Wizard
We talk ourselves into things all the time.
open.substack.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:47 PM
We all talk ourselves into things we shouldn’t. An extra slice of pizza, an impulse buy, things like that. And sometimes baseball GMs talk themselves into terrible deals, like trading away Ozzie Smith. @ibwaa.bsky.social
The American League had a ton of really defensive shortstops in the 1960s, so many that Rico Petrocelli became known more for his bat. In truth, he was one of the better defenders of his era. @ibwaa.bsky.social
First Gloves: Rico Petrocelli
It was hard getting recognized as a good defensive shortstop in the American League in the 1960s.
open.substack.com
November 18, 2025 at 1:45 PM
The American League had a ton of really defensive shortstops in the 1960s, so many that Rico Petrocelli became known more for his bat. In truth, he was one of the better defenders of his era. @ibwaa.bsky.social
Like all of us, Bill James is often wrong. But he’s right more often, including when he noted the silly arguments people put forward as they try to make some players look like Hall of Famers. @ibwaa.bsky.social
Don't Make a Group
How to Craft a Better Hall of Fame Argument
open.substack.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Like all of us, Bill James is often wrong. But he’s right more often, including when he noted the silly arguments people put forward as they try to make some players look like Hall of Famers. @ibwaa.bsky.social
Harmon Killebrew in Royals gear. A guy whose father-in-law made him quit baseball. A tragically anonymous death. It’s probably a downer, but it’s the unhappy endings edition of Friday Stuff. @ibwaa.bsky.social
Friday Stuff
Unhappy Endings Edition
open.substack.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Harmon Killebrew in Royals gear. A guy whose father-in-law made him quit baseball. A tragically anonymous death. It’s probably a downer, but it’s the unhappy endings edition of Friday Stuff. @ibwaa.bsky.social
It’s wonderful when fans love a player so much that they’re willing to defend them against even better players. But sometimes that passion borders on the delusional, not only with fans but also with the Hall of Fame. @ibwaa.bsky.social
Arguing Mattingly vs. Hernandez
Man, the people who love Don Mattingly really loooooooove Don Mattingly.
open.substack.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:26 PM
It’s wonderful when fans love a player so much that they’re willing to defend them against even better players. But sometimes that passion borders on the delusional, not only with fans but also with the Hall of Fame. @ibwaa.bsky.social
Rickey Henderson is the answer to most questions about stolen bases, but in today’s unlocked, free-to-all edition we note that Otis Nixon is the surprising answer to a few of them thanks to the remarkable shape of his career. @ibwaa.bsky.social
Late Bloomers: Otis Nixon
Which player, since 1900, stole the most bases from the age of 30 onwards?
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November 12, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Rickey Henderson is the answer to most questions about stolen bases, but in today’s unlocked, free-to-all edition we note that Otis Nixon is the surprising answer to a few of them thanks to the remarkable shape of his career. @ibwaa.bsky.social
Ken Raffensberger lived a lucky life. Found by a scout during the Depression, played 15 big leagues years, married over 60 years, five kids, lived to the age of 85. But when it came to winning, he was one of the unluckiest pitchers ever. @ibwaa.bsky.social
Baseball Remembers: Ken Raffensberger
I’m not sure if there was an unluckier pitcher in the history of baseball than Ken Raffensberger.
open.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Ken Raffensberger lived a lucky life. Found by a scout during the Depression, played 15 big leagues years, married over 60 years, five kids, lived to the age of 85. But when it came to winning, he was one of the unluckiest pitchers ever. @ibwaa.bsky.social
We stumbled across a team photo of the Birmingham Black Barons on a recent trip, and it occurred to me that their place in civil rights history and in the Negro Leagues has largely been overlooked. @ibwaa.bsky.social
Forgotten Treasures: The Birmingham Black Barons
No matter where we turned on our recent trip through a few southern cities, we kept running into reminders of baseball.
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November 10, 2025 at 2:05 PM
We stumbled across a team photo of the Birmingham Black Barons on a recent trip, and it occurred to me that their place in civil rights history and in the Negro Leagues has largely been overlooked. @ibwaa.bsky.social
The Hall of Fame continues to overlook some deserving players, so this week’s Friday Stuff is focused on underappreciated stars, plus a birthday shout out for my son, who turns 30 today! @ibwaa.bsky.social
Friday Stuff
Underappreciated Stars Edition
open.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:59 PM
The Hall of Fame continues to overlook some deserving players, so this week’s Friday Stuff is focused on underappreciated stars, plus a birthday shout out for my son, who turns 30 today! @ibwaa.bsky.social
Rogers Hornsby had the reputation of a great player who wasn’t a good manager, but in 1926, while managing the Cardinals, he made two great deals that brought them the team’s first championship. @ibwaa.bsky.social
The Deals that Enabled the Cardinals’ First Title
In 1925, the Cardinals were just about the most “mid” team in baseball.
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November 6, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Rogers Hornsby had the reputation of a great player who wasn’t a good manager, but in 1926, while managing the Cardinals, he made two great deals that brought them the team’s first championship. @ibwaa.bsky.social
The Hall of Fame is very good at washing their hands of controversial people and issues whenever they can, and their most recent version of this has left some excellent players out in the cold. @ibwaa.bsky.social
The Hall of Fame's Handwashing
Let me say up front that what follows is likely an overly cynical view of the Hall of Fame.
open.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 1:39 PM
The Hall of Fame is very good at washing their hands of controversial people and issues whenever they can, and their most recent version of this has left some excellent players out in the cold. @ibwaa.bsky.social
Sure I’ve written about Nellie Fox before, but when someone sends you a photo of a vintage Nellie Fox glove they found out in the world, then you write about Nellie Fox’s and his excellent defense. These are the rules. @ibwaa.bsky.social
First Gloves: Nellie Fox
I’ve written about Nellie Fox before, quite a bit actually.
open.substack.com
November 4, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Sure I’ve written about Nellie Fox before, but when someone sends you a photo of a vintage Nellie Fox glove they found out in the world, then you write about Nellie Fox’s and his excellent defense. These are the rules. @ibwaa.bsky.social
We all want to be part of something historically great, even the best. But claiming the events happening around us are the best ever, and having them actually be the best ever, are not the same thing. @ibwaa.bsky.social
Trapped in the Hyperbole of Now
It’s fun to be part of something great.
open.substack.com
November 3, 2025 at 1:42 PM
We all want to be part of something historically great, even the best. But claiming the events happening around us are the best ever, and having them actually be the best ever, are not the same thing. @ibwaa.bsky.social
Try as I might, I’m afraid I couldn’t make this a Halloween-themed Friday Stuff and had to focus on the A’s instead, but I did go for the “treat” option of making it unlocked and free to all. Happy Halloween everyone! @ibwaa.bsky.social
Friday Stuff
Philadelphia/Kansas City/Oakland A's Edition
open.substack.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Try as I might, I’m afraid I couldn’t make this a Halloween-themed Friday Stuff and had to focus on the A’s instead, but I did go for the “treat” option of making it unlocked and free to all. Happy Halloween everyone! @ibwaa.bsky.social
There are a handful of common reasons why some players don’t get to the big leagues until much later than usual, and nearly every one of them applied to Curt Davis. @ibwaa.bsky.social
Late Bloomers: Curt Davis
If there was a checklist of the most common reasons why a player didn’t debut with a big league team until they were much older than usual rookie, it would look something like this:
open.substack.com
October 30, 2025 at 12:32 PM
There are a handful of common reasons why some players don’t get to the big leagues until much later than usual, and nearly every one of them applied to Curt Davis. @ibwaa.bsky.social
Usually it’s a pretty straightforward exercise around here to write up a topic and find all the images that go with it. But not when it comes to players like Chaney White, whose greatness and likeness are nearly lost to us. @ibwaa.bsky.social
Baseball Remembers: Chaney White
Here’s a bit of information about how the sausage is made here.
open.substack.com
October 29, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Usually it’s a pretty straightforward exercise around here to write up a topic and find all the images that go with it. But not when it comes to players like Chaney White, whose greatness and likeness are nearly lost to us. @ibwaa.bsky.social
Sometimes you stumble across items in antique stores that call forth all sorts of warm baseball memories, but there are other times when you come across things that recall some of the darkest events of the game’s past. @ibwaa.bsky.social
The Sporting News, The Yankees, and Racism
I hesitate to call this one a “Forgotten Treasure.”
open.substack.com
October 28, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Sometimes you stumble across items in antique stores that call forth all sorts of warm baseball memories, but there are other times when you come across things that recall some of the darkest events of the game’s past. @ibwaa.bsky.social
Recently my wife and I went on a road trip and it wasn’t until our third stop that I realized we were going through a series of cities with deep and/or interesting ties to the Negro Leagues. @ibwaa.bsky.social
A Negro Leagues Road Trip
It wasn’t intended that way.
open.substack.com
October 27, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Recently my wife and I went on a road trip and it wasn’t until our third stop that I realized we were going through a series of cities with deep and/or interesting ties to the Negro Leagues. @ibwaa.bsky.social