I love Al Smith and I love Venezuelan cards, so this 1964 Topps Venezuelan Al Smith seemed inevitable.
Adam Darowski
@adarowski.bsky.social
Design at Sports Reference. Baseball historian focused on the Negro Leagues and Latin American baseball history. SABR member. Borussia Dortmund supporter. I schedule the baseball grids. Woke as fuck. He/him.
New Art: 89 Jim Abbott Draft Pick Variation
The immortal Adolfo Luque was born 136 years ago today. I am often asked if I think the Latin American stars I’m researching should be in the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. That’s usually tough for me to answer since so much of their work was done outside the United States. But I’m a yes on Luque.
111 years ago today, the great Luscious “Luke” Easter was born. He played his last Negro League game at age 33. AFTER THAT, he hit over 420 verified home runs, all at the major league, AAA, and winter league levels. There is no telling how many home runs Luke Easter would have hit with no barriers.
I love my 1967 Topps Venezuelan, and I’ve been looking for Luis Peñalver for a while. Who is he? He is one of the top pitchers in Venezuelan League history, going 84–70 with a 3.08 ERA. He is third in victories behind José Bracho and Diego Seguí and trails only Bracho in innings (1516.1).
Jack Rothrock played over 600 games for the Red Sox but somehow his name evaded me until today
Research is never finished. Literally 75 minutes after submitting the final edits for León Kellman’s SABR bio, I find him playing against the Tokyo Giants when they visited Panama in February 1955. Time for bed, Adam.
Since I’ve been home… ✅ Nap with dogs ✅ Make double batch of bagels
On the way back from another incredible SABR event: the 54th annual convention in Cleveland. This is my tribe… my happy place… my people. My heart is full.
Lousy photo of an incredible dude: @salazar8017.bsky.social has won the Bob David’s Award (SABR’s highest honor). Incredibly deserving. All the feels today. ❤️
Incredible. The last session of #SABR54 was the Latino Baseball Committee Meeting and everyone was surprised to see Carlos Baerga sitting in the crowd to see my friend Jorge Colón Delgado receive the Eduard Valero Award. We talked about his hero José “Cheo” Cruz and even a little about Julio Franco.
Grateful I’ve been able to spend so much time at #SABR54 with my dear friends Jorge Colón Delgado and Thomas Van Hyning. It is there incredible research that ignited my interest in Latin American baseball.
I just wrapped up my poster presentation here at #SABR54 in Cleveland. @vonspalding.bsky.social and I identified the 400 Professional Win Club, an eclectic group of hurlers who span the globe. It’s energizing how much this topic (and the 4,000 Hit Club) resonates with people. Many great questions. ❤️
I haven’t been keeping up with anniversaries while I’m at SABR, but I saw Teolindo Acosta died 22 years ago today. The speedy outfielder is a key part of our 4,000 Professional Hits project, as he collected 1289 in his native Venezuela, 1371 in Mexico, 1353 in the affiliated minor leagues.
Fighting back works. This died even more quickly than the Super League. It’s amazing what happens when some organizations have a fucking spine.
Meg Linehan@meglinehan.com · 5d agoeverybody say thank u uefa www.nytimes.com/athletic/748...
If you're in Cleveland this summer, be sure to check out my baseball art exhibition, "Baseball Art as the Game's Storyteller"! Love these artists and their wonderful work! www.cleveland.com/entertainmen...
Free baseball art exhibit opens in downtown Cleveland
The exhibit at The Arcade Cleveland features about 50 pieces from more than a dozen artists, showcasing baseball legends through a variety of mediums.
cleveland.com
brb, updating Sandy Alomar's headshot on his Baseball Reference page
Sandy Alomar leaving the players’ panel early at #SABR54 to check @baseball-reference.com for tonight’s game 👀
Just announced the final eight Nineteenth Century Overlooked Legends selections here at #sabr54. An honor to run this project alongside my dear friend Joe Williams.
The rumors are true! Next year’s SABR convention will be in Birmingham, Alabama! This means if MLB happens to be shut down for a work stoppage it won’t affect conference activities. (Rickwood Field is on my bucket list!)
I’m used to making digital things for phones and laptops, but here’s a physical print that’s 48×36 inches. Once again, a pleasure to partner with @vonspalding.bsky.social on this research. SABR is starting and I’m in my happy place.
Imagine my delight when @doingbaseball.bsky.social dropped a Carlos Paula episode in time for my flight. Loved it. Was awaiting the guys’ discovery of my dude Ángel Scull (less metal pronunciation of “AHN-hell SKOOL”). open.spotify.com/episode/2oJK...
154 Carlos Paula
Sean and Eds Do Baseball · Episode
open.spotify.com
Eric Valent hit only two career triples. One came during a cycle on this day in 2004.
Casually dropping three members of the 400 Professional Win Club who played with Cleveland on the plane to Cleveland to talk about the 400 Professional Win Club. No, I did not plan this.
So, why is this project going to take so long? I’m working on Lou Klein tonight and here are some of the rabbit holes he’s sending me on. Like Max Lanier, he was a Cardinals player enticed to the Mexican League during Jorge Pasquel’s attempt to get the Mexican League to compete with the AL/NL.
Again, there is only one comparison. Bullet Rogan 2.74 ERA (157 ERA+) in 1475.2 IP .929 OPS (150 OPS+) in 2326 PA Shohei Ohtani 2.83 ERA (151 ERA+) in 614.1 IP .952 OPS (159 OPS+) in 4776 PA Bullet Rogan was born 133 years ago today. My GOAT.
