David B. Stinson, a former litigator for the U.S. Department of Justice, is a recovering lawyer. A long-time youth baseball coach, he did not learn to hit a curve ball until he was in his 40’s. David is General Manager of the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts which plays in the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League (a summer wooden bat league). He is also Assistant Baseball Analyst alongside Senior Baseball Analyst Austin Gisriel on Gordy’s Sports World, WCBG 1380 AM, an ESPN Radio Affiliate in Greencastle, PA. Deadball is David’s first novel.
About the picture of the ballpark in the top right corner of the home page: The image is of Union Park, circa 1895, and is an image provided courtesy of the Maryland Historical Society.
Mr. Stinson,
I just finished reading Deadball with an equal measure of pleasure and fascination. I found a copy in the Sports Legends Museum as I was attempting to research a subject mentioned in your book – The Diamond Tavern. Like yourself, I am a budding novelist and have just completed my first, Plug Ugly Ball, with hopes of a spring 2012 publication. My story bridges Baltimore history between the Plug Uglies of 1857 to the Champion Orioles of the 1990’s. (The Plug Uglies didn’t disappear, they just resurfaced as the O’s of McGraw, Keeler, Reitz, Hanlon, etc.) My story contains several scenes in The Diamond and I’m intrigued by the idea of a sequel centered on the tavern. It seems, however, that a photo of the bar is considered “the Holy Grail” among those seeking such things; and, since it was mentioned in Deadball, I was wondering if you would be willing to share any information you may have on it. The source of a photo would be wonderful but anything else that would allow me to build a rich picture of the place would be helpful.
This note is a shot in the dark, I know, but a lead is a lead. Thanks for your consideration and congratulations on a fine bit of work.
John Everett
Hello John
Thanks much for the complimentary post. I know there is a picture of the Tavern taken from Howard street, although I suspect you are looking for something taken inside the Diamond. The street shot appears in the James Brady book I mention in Deadball. The book is entitled – the Home Team, 100 Years of Baseball in Baltimore. It is listed in the bibliography of Deadball. I have a copy which I would be glad to share. I will send you an email off-line. Would be happy to meet with you and discuss Baltimore Baseball and your new book – which I am certain is right up my alley.
Regards DBS
Mr. Stinson,
I read Deadball for an assignment in my history of baseball class. I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed it. Even though I am not an Orioles fan (rather an Angels fan), I still relished the chance to learn about the history through such a unique story. I really enjoyed the ending and the time it must have taken you to research and put together the information to be so historically accurate. Again, thank you for such a wonderful book.
Sincerely,
Ian
Ian – Thanks much for the kind words about Deadball. I wish I had a History of Baseball class when I was in college. Sounds like a great course. I must stay I’m curious how you came about reading my book in the course. Good luck with school. BTW – looks like your Angels are beating my Orioles once again tonight. Oh well. DBS
I love the book. O my gosh I felt like I was living the history. You are an extraordinary writer and a glorious fan of baseball. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the stories in your book could come true. I guess they do in our memories and our fantasies.
Hello Jacki
I am glad to hear you enjoyed Deadball and I appreciate your kind words. Go Orioles! DBS
While at the Gaithersburg Book Festival, I was the buyer who almost didn’t buy the book for my husband because he never reads fiction. After your description of the book as historical fiction, with a twist, I was intrigued and bought it thinking that if he wouldn’t read it, perhaps I would. Well…I want you to know that he began reading it several days later….and he loves it! He has thanked me several times for buying it and I’m sure he’ll be writing to you at some point. We actually grew up in Irvington, Md. where New Cathedral Cemetery was literally across the street from my home and St. Mary’s Industrial School was just blocks away! Your inscription inside, ” A Fan of the Game…Go Red Sox”, was also a hit. Hopefully, you’ll be writing more such baseball themed stories, providing me with a reliable source of great gifts for my husband.
Hello Suzanne
Thanks for contacting me. I am glad you took the leap and bought a copy of Deadball and I’m glad to hear your husband is enjoying the story. If you haven’t yet, be sure to check out the photos on this site of New Cathedral Cemetery. I find it fascinating that four HOF Orioles are buried there. And with the site of Babe Ruth Field and the old St. Mary’s Industrial School so close by, there certainly is a lot of baseball history in your old neighborhood. I also have a companion website – deadballbaseball.com which has other posts about Baltimore baseball.
If you are so inclined, please spread the word about Deadball.
DBS
Dave: I can’t wait to read your book. I had no idea you were a novelist, having thought it enough that you were an accomplished musician/singer/composer and litigator. My husband is a huge baseball fan/former little leaguer and youth coach, and our son is a former baseball pitcher (for Churchill H.S., of all places!), so your book makes a great Father’s Day gift. Happy Father’s Day to you. I look forward to posting praise once I wrestle your book from my husband to read. Congrats! Lauri
Hello Lauri
You’re too kind, but I do appreciate your buying a copy of Deadball nonetheless. I hope your husband enjoys the story of Byron Bennett. I look forward to hearing what you think, should your wrestling prove victorious. DBS
Mr. Stinson, I bought your book near the gift shop at the American History Museum on Sunday Nov. 25. I really enjoyed visiting with you. I read the entire book during my visit to DC. I loved the story! I am a history teacher and also a baseball fan. I really enjoyed finding out about the historical parks in the area. I also feel a strong connection to ballparks and their historical side, it is something that only seasoned fans can enjoy and understand. Thanks for a great story and a great journey while reading your book. I look forward to continuing my research as a result of reading your book. Please be in touch. You were nice enough to give me a business card of yours, but I passed it along to congressman Rob Bishop who is also a big baseball fan. He was looking for some Christmas gifts and I suggested your book. Please be in contact with me as I look forward to discussing your book.
Hello Terrell
It was a pleasure meeting you at the American History Museum. I am so glad you enjoyed Deadball. Thanks also for passing my card along to the Congressman. I am always looking for sales! I will send you an email of line and would be glad to discuss/answer any questions you have about the book. Regards DBS
Hi Dave,
I noticed you at the baseball symposium in College Park last week. We were at AU Law together – Section 3 and that miserable Legal Methods class. I had no idea you were this much of a baseball fan. I will have to purchase your book soon. My son Daniel is a freshman at College Park and hopes to pursue sports broadcasting. He has been to every major league baseball franchise’s ballpark and I’ve been to each one except for Minnesota. Good to see that you’re a “recovering attorney”. I haven’t recovered yet. This is my 23rd year at the EEOC. Hope you’re doing well. Alan
Hello Alan
Thanks for the post. Wish we had had a chance to talk at the symposium. It was crowded, but very well done. Glad to hear you collect ballparks like I do. It was part of the inspiration for writing Deadball. My kids and I would take ballpark road trips every summer. If we went to a city with a lost ballpark, I would find the location and, using pictures of the old park, try to figure out how it once fit into the neighborhood. I started thinking, wouldn’t it be great if you could go back in time and actually see a game at the old ballpark. Sounds like we should get together for lunch as we have much in common. DBS
Dave,
It would be fun to meet for lunch. Where are you in Montgomery County these days? I thought I heard you say Bethesda when you said your name and caught my attention at the symposium. I live in the Shady Grove area and work near Union Station, although I work from home 2 days a week. Are you on facebook? My e-mail address is aweintr@aol.com. Alan
Hello Alan
I’m in Silver Spring. You can get me on facebook – David B. Stinson author. I’ll send you an email so we can discuss a date/time for lunch. dBS
David,
I had the pleasure of meeting you at the Smithsonion at the National Book Fair. Being a huge baseball as well as Orioles fan I was excited to finally get around to reading your book. My first thought was, “Oh, a Field of Dreams.” However, it was much much more and even better written and presented. It is nice to learn the the History of the Game and at the same time retaining the joy of the present day. Thanks for presenting us Fans with a great story.
Hello Tim
Thanks for making my day with your kind words. I am glad you enjoyed the book. As a fellow Orioles fan, I can tell you writing Deadball was a labor of love – I wanted to find a way to tell the rich history of Baltimore baseball outside the typical non fiction format. Should you find yourself in Baltimore with some time to kill, I encourage you to take a trip to the old ballpark sites around Harwood – Union Park, etc. They and other lost ballpark sites are chronicled on deadballbaseball.com Go O’s!
DBS
Hi David,
My Mom met you while doing book signings at the Smithsonian on Dec 27th of last year. She gave me this book on my birthday this year (in April) and I just got around to reading it.
As an ex-ballplayer (topping out at D1 ball at SJSU) and huge fan of the game, I found some pretty startling coincidences (in a parallel universe sense) while reading it. Specifically, when I took my own pilgrimage to Tiger Stadium (during Mother’s Day weekend in May of that last season) to see it before they stopped playing there. There were many similarities of walking around the stadium and surrounding areas, and the deja-vu reading experience culminated with the reference to Brady’s bomb on page 150.
I work for Sony in the broadcast division, and ‘borrowed’ a high end (at the time) SD camcorder to take with me. Anyway, I have a couple of clips I think you’d like to see. I knew I had them somewhere, and was just able to find them.
Feel free to reach out to my email and let me know where I might send a Dropbox link to so you can view them (and I’ll give you all the background).
Needless to say, reading that section was surreal in itself for me….like a written 3rd party homage to my own trip.
My daughter just graduated high school this weekend, and my Mom was visiting. She’d asked if I’d “ever read that book,” and I had to explain the background and then showed her the clip. Just wild. Anyway, she asked if my brother (a Colonel in the Army, lives in Bethesda, and also a big baseball fan) would enjoy the book. I responded with, “Absolutely! But he’ll have to get his own, since mine’s signed!”
Anyway, thought you’d get a kick out of that. Thank you for so vividly bringing that Tiger Stadium experience back to life for me.
-Mike
Hello Mike
Thanks for the post. I am very interested in seeing those clips from the May 1999 O’s series at Tiger Stadium and will send you an email off line. In case you couldn’t tell from the book, I too am a huge baseball fan and a fan of the Orioles. I took my kids to the August 1999 Orioles series at Tiger Stadium because, like you, I wanted to see the stadium before it became another lost ballpark. My youngest was less than a year old, but for some reason I thought it important that even he have the bragging rights of having been to a game there. In Deadball I used the May 1999 Orioles series as the backdrop because using the August series did not fit the sequencing of the book. So I am even more interested in seeing clips from the May series. I took low def video of the stadium and the game in August (on a Sony camcorder btw) and when I watch it now am amazed how much of an antique Tiger Stadium was and what a shame it was they could not have found a way to keep at least a part of it for future generations. DBS
DBS
Hi Dave,
Mark (sits in front of you @ O’s Sunday games) was reading your article on Al Kaline. I have another connection with you now. My wife Kathy Kaline, 2nd cousin to Al Kaline. Al and his parents lived with my father inlaw, Al’s cousin, Sherwood Kaline (George) and his parents Brian and Emilia Kaline when they were kids @ 2203 Sidney Ave. My inlaws owned a home @ 2208 Cedley St and I bought a home 2211 Cedley St and lived there for 12 years. Stories I have been told that my father inlaw (George) was a good catcher/hitter in fast pitch softball, and Al didn’t care for the softball game and perferred playing hardball. The racetrack that you refer to in the article now sits a flea market on the grounds of the old A&P grocery store/shopping center. Also was told that a family (Yazcrymski) that live in Westport was related to Red Sox (Carl) I’m not sure if there is any truth to it, might be something can look into. Once again its great reading your articles…Thanks Mark Tharle
Hello Mark
Good to hear from you, a person who is close to baseball royalty! So I take it from your email that you too lived on the same block as Al Kaline (albeit a different time). Do you or your wife’s family have any old photos of Cedley Street from back in the day that you would be willing to share (I’d like to post them on my site also, if that would be okay). In my opinion, the block where Kaline grew up should be designated historic. Any idea who lives there now? If you end up going back there with Rob, please let me know. I’d like to come along. Also, if you have a moment, check out http://deadballbaseball.com/?p=3525. It is my latest post – about Westport Stadium, which was located just north of the Pataspco Arena. The area today is covered in asphalt on a piece of raised land. Thanks again for the info and let me know if learn anything about ties to Carl Yastrzemski. DBS
I went to Al Kaline’s childhood house today, which I read in a biography was 2222 Cedley. However, an older guy on the block told me that this wasn’t the case, that he’d always heard it was the 2nd house from the corner on Sidney: 2203 Sidney, that Al’s sister lived there for years afterwards until she moved to West Virginia. He said his sister said that Al was even born on the porch of the back of 2203 Sidney. I took photos of both. This comment thread seems to confirm. Were both houses part of the Kaline family? Did Al live in one growing up and then move to Cedley? They are just half a block apart. Very interesting, thanks for writing!
Here is the entry I wrote: http://epiphanyinbmore.blogspot.com/2016/07/baltimore-adventure-visiting-al-kalines.html?m=1
Mr. Stinson,
David:
I wanted to let you know that my first novel, Plug Ugly Ball, was released in November of 2013 and doing very nicely. You may recall me contacting you with regard to a possible photo of The Diamond Tavern in Baltimore. Evidently, a shot inside the Tavern has never been found and, according to someone I spoke to along the way, it’s considered the holy grail of Baltimore photos. So, in support of my story, I used a few bits from newspaper articles and a heavy dose of imagination to create three scenes inside the place. I’m told they work quite well. I wanted to thank you again for helping to spark my writing and to let you know that you, Deadball and your website are all touted in the book’s Acknowledgements.
John Thomas Everett
Hello John
Congratulations on the publication of your first novel. From the description alone I know I am going to enjoy it. I also look forward to reading your “vision” of the Diamond. I guess there are several of us looking for a picture of the interior. I know there is one that will turn up at some point. Bernard McKenna recently found another picture of the outside of the building, although not dating far enough back to have been from when the building was the Diamond.
Thanks you for the acknowledgment in your novel. I am honored.
And now that your book is published, it is time for that ballpark tour.
Regards,
DBS
Hi David,
It was a real pleasure meeting and talking to you tonight (April 16,2014) at the Augusta Greenjacket game. Your Website has many very interesting articles and I look forward to reading them all. As I told you when we were waiting in the concession line at Lake Olmstead Stadium, we spent many nights at the old Memorial Stadium in Baltimore watching the likes of Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson, Boog Powell, Mark Belanger, Jim Palmer, and of course the late Paul Blair, then later Eddie Murray and Cal Ripken. We have many fond memories of those games. If you are ever back in Augusta, please feel free to e-mail
Again it was quite a pleasure talking to you.
Lou Reda
Hello Lou
I enjoyed talking Baltimore baseball with you. Memorial Stadium was one of the great 1950s ballparks and is still missed in many ways. Be sure to check out deadballbaseball.com as well. It has several blogs about the old Baltimore ballparks, including Memorial.
DBS
Is this the same David Stinson that worked at Burlington Ind. Lees Carpets?
Hello Janean
Alas, the David Stinson of Burlington Indiana is not me. But if you see him, tell him I say hello. DBS
Mr. Stinson, this past Christmas my teenage daughter provided me with an authographed copy of your book “Deadball”. I found the book very entertaining and enjoyable. Also,as an alumni of the now defunct Cardinal Gibbions High School, I was very pleased to see the school mentioned several times. Further, this is probably the only book I will every read where the burial place of both my maternal (Loudon Park) and paternal (New Cathedral) grandparents is mentioned. Thanks so much for writing the book.
Hello Doug
Thank you for taking the time to let me know how much you enjoyed Deadball. It is emails like yours that make the writing process worthwhile. I especially enjoy hearing about your many connections to the places visited in the book. Since you are a Cardinal Gibbons alumni, I would be interested to hear from you whether the school had any tributes to Babe Ruth other than naming the baseball field after him. Were there any plaques inside the school or other types of displays? Again, thanks so much for your comments. DBS
I graduated in 1970. To my knowledge there were no plaques or tributes. I only know that he played on that field and that the main red-brick building was the same one used for St. Mary’s Industrial School. When I was little my father would always point at the closed structure and tell my brother and I that it was “The School for bad boys”. Good luck with your writing.
Doug
Hello Mr. Stinson,
We met in DC at the museum of American History back in April and had a brief chat about your book, baseball and my Cubs – yes the CT Cubs fan. Anyway, just wanted to let you know that I loved Deadball more than I ever thought I would. Just wanted to share the review I wrote on Amazon:
A great book that re-kindled my love for Baseball!
This is a great book, it actually re-kindled my love for the game of Baseball (as a Cubs fan, I’m sure all can understand my disdain for the game these days). This is a great story that kept me enthralled and made me long for the days when the game was played for the love of the sport. It’s clear that the author did a lot of research and his love for the game and history of baseball is eminent. The story kept me engaged and Byron is a character I can certainly identify with – matter of fact – he did things I want to do. The metaphysical aspect gave the story an interesting spin, but it’s the nostalgia and history that really captured me – to know greatness and history and to be able to relive it – well it’s a dream come true. This book warmed my heart and all fans of baseball, history and great stories should read it!
Thank you for writing this amazing story and for re-kindling my love for baseball. Looking forward to your next book!
-Henry
Hello Henry
Thank you for your kind words. I certainly am glad to hear that you enjoyed Deadball. I appreciate also your taking the time to share your very kind review on Amazon. I do remember you as the Connecticut Cubs fan and just want to emphasize that no matter what the Cubs may do this year or next, you will always have 1908. They can’t take that away from you. I hope that the Cub’s renovation of Wrigley leaves intact the essence of what makes that ballpark such a wonderful place to watch a game. You are lucky that, unlike most other historic stadiums, Wrigley is not a lost ballpark. Thanks again. DBS
Mr. Stinson,
I came about your website after finding a few links in my family history to baseball in Baltimore in the 19-teens. I am interested in finding out more about a photograph which I believe was taken in Carroll Park of my great-grandfather in what appears to be a club league uniform. He disappeared without a trace about two years later and no one spoke much about him afterwards, so the search is especially tricky.
Can you recommend someone to speak to about this particular history of Baltimore? I would love to share the photograph if anyone is interested.
Thanks so much,
Andrea West
P.S. – It turns out that on the OTHER side of my family, my second cousin (3x removed) was the gentleman who pushed Babe Ruth’s father during the argument on the street that day. He was charged with man slaughter, as he had not intended to hurt him fatally.
My cousin was arguing with his brother-in-law about how he was treating one of his mentally ill sisters whom the gentleman was married too. How did Ruth get involved? He was also married to the sister of this cousin, and several of them lived above the bar together. I was blown away reading this through newspaper accounts!
George Ruth had several wives after his first true love, Babe’s mother, died young. This was part of the reason Babe was sent away so young.
I stumbled across deadbaseball.com by coincidence and very much enjoyed the pictures of J.P. Small Memorial Park in Jacksonville. I played many games there during the summers when I was in college in the mid to late 1980s. The city had a men’s baseball league that played games there, and the level of play was remarkably good because of the number of college players in the league. Thanks for bringing back some very fond memories!
Hello David
Thanks for contacting me. I have to say when I first visited J.P. Small I did not know the history of the ballpark or what it even looked like. I was just tracking it down so I could photograph it for the website. I was “blown away” by its authentic look when I first saw it and learned its history courtesy of one of the park caretakers. I am glad that the City of Jacksonville was wise enough to keep and maintain the ballpark. You are fortunate to have played games in the ballpark. If you happen to have taken any photographs of the ballpark back in the 1980s and are willing to share them, I would honored to include them on deadballbaseball with proper attribution to you as photographer. Thanks again and let me know. DBS
David:
Aren’t you a peach! And a great “neighbor” at the Baltimore Book Festival. Thanks so much for the mention of my book of short stories (“Curtain Calls”. Clearly, my genre wasn’t as appealing to all the sports-loving folks who stopped at your display. But more than that, you have a winning and sincere way of greeting people and engaging them in rich conversation. That’s a gift.
Barbara
Hello Barbara:
Thank you for your kind words. The BBF was a fun day all around and I appreciated the chance to talk to you about your impressive career with the Washington Post. Us Washington Post alumni have to stick together! (okay, me a former paper boy, you an actual writer). DBS
David,
I saw your book at the Baltimore Book Festival and was impressed. I work in professional baseball and have a novel coming out in 2015 on minor league baseball.
We have a lot in common and would like to speak with you about possibly cross promoting both of our books.
Thank you,
Hello Matt
Thank you for contacting me. I would be glad to talk with you book promotion. I’ll send you an email off line.
DBS
Hi
I am trying to get a phone number for David Stinson.
I have a just discovered team photo of RUTH at St Mary’s. It looks to be taken from almost the exact same location as you took from the now home plate.
Because of your expertise I am hoping that you can help me authenticate this as the location in that field at St Mary’s.
storme444@yahoo.com
Hello Storm
I would be glad to help you authenticate the location where the picture was taken. I’ll send you an email with contact info.
DBS
please contact me
I am planning a “baseball” trip to PA, and Erie is on the list. On my so called “bucket list” is trying to visit as many ballparks that have hosted professional as possible that are older than me. Ainsworth is on the list. I read your excellent report ( with photos ) about Ainsworth. My question would be, is the park generally open to the public for walking through, or did you have to get permission from someone? I assume you will reply by email. Thank you.
Hello Marvin
I will be glad to reply by email to answer any questions you might have. On the day I took the photographs, it just so happened that the ballpark was opened and being care for by an employee of the Erie School District. DBS
Hello David –
I’m wondering if you might have a high-resolution copy of the Seals Stadium photo you posted here.
http://deadballbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Seal-Stadium.jpg
Hello Steven
The resolution of the photo on my website is the highest that I have. Sorry. DBS
Hi there,
My name is Emily and I am working with North Greenwood Recreation Center to feature their venue on our website, called Wedding Spot. I found these photos had taken: http://deadballbaseball.com/?tag=clearwater-florida
These shots would be great to feature on our site: http://www.wedding-spot.com and we will give you photo credit for any photo featured.
Is it possible to receive access to these photos? Or if there are any other photos you shot at North Greenwood Recreation Center, that would be great!
I hope to hear back from you soon!
Best,
Emily
Emily McDuffee
Executive Assistant to Tina Hoang-To
Wedding Spot, Inc.
Office: (415) 510-2311
Email: emcduffee@wedding-spot.com
http://www.wedding-spot.com
Hello Emily
You are welcome to use on the website wedding-spot.com, any of the photos appearing in the deadballbaseball.com page referenced. Please include the following credit for each photo: “copyright David B. Stinson, deadballbaseball.com”
Good luck with the website.
David, I just complete your book (Deadball) and would love to provide an autographed copy to the medical director at Gillette Children’s Specialty Hospital who expressed interest when I described your story. I live in Chevy Chase, Md,, have hosted a Bethesda Big Train player (sorry about that!) for the past two summers. My cell number is, please feel free to call and let me know how to pay you. Thank you. Mike
Hello Mike
I’ll be sure to give you a call or email you. Thanks much. DBS
Mr. Stinson, your site with photos is a great resource!
Thank you for sharing…
I’m trying to find an image of the “Here” flag that flew in Left Field at Memorial stadium making the spot where Frank Robinson hit a home run out of the park.
Any leads on that? I’m working on a project with my kids, we live in Ednor Gardens just a block from where Memorial stadium was.
Thanks!
Hello Mark
Thanks for your kind words about my website. You are lucky to live in the shadow of the former site of Memorial Stadium and hope you are able to use the ball field that is there. Great memories for your kids. I will check my photos and see if I have any of the flag, although nothing comes to mind off the top of my head. If you haven’t already, be sure to watch the drive around video I took of Memorial Stadium. It features your neighborhood as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKiCBxiRo_k
If I find a photo I will email it to your gmail address.
DBS
Hello Mr. Stinson, I surfed into your site. I am the executive director of a local Baltimore community center serving adults. We have a men’s group that meets weekly and has between 50 and 70 retired guys gathering for a speaker and a bagel. I was wondering if you do speaking engagements. Thank-you in advance.
Hello Gail
I would be glad to come and speak at Myerberg. I will send you an email. DBS
David,
Let’s catch an O’s game. I’d love to pick your brain about Baltimore baseball. I have a extra ticket tk bobblehead night August 20th. Do you know a out 339 South Woodyear Street?
Dear David,
I’m with an exhibit design firm, Solid Light, who is currently working with Sagamore Spirit LLC in creating an interactive, touch-screen historic map of Maryland and zoom-in of Baltimore featuring pre-Prohibition distillers, distilleries and their brands. You offered along with the Wilson Distilling Co. post, a graphic featuring Wilson Distilling Co. that we would love to gain permissions to use and obtain a high resolution scan. Could you please share with us the original source of the graphic? Thank you, Robbi Ray, Research Coordinator
Hello –
(I was unable to post this request at deadballbaseball.com, so I thought I’d try here…)
I edit a paper in Knoxville, Tenn. and we would like permission to reproduce the vintage postcard image of Bill Meyer Stadium for an article about a possible new stadium for downtown Knoxville. We’re a community supported weekly governed by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Please contact me with any questions.
Thanks!
Coury Turczyn, ed.
Knoxville Mercury
David,
Can we kindly get in touch via email as I need your help regarding Von der Horst estates info. My email is Kathleen.brockway@gmail.com. Look forward to hear from you soon!
Hello Kathleen
I tried reaching you via email, but my email apparently was blocked by your server.
I can be reached at huntingtonparkdbs@gmail.com
DBS
Dear Mr. Stinson,
My grandfather and some of his brothers were placed in St. Mary’s in 1904 following the death of their mother. One brothers was placed in an infant home and the only girl was placed with the nuns by St Mary’s river I believe.
Have you found a way to access possible school records as far as reports, failed, letters? My great grandfather Patrick Cullen would come to visit from Westernport MD where he was a coal miner and an Irish immigrant. He would give what money he had to the school.
I would be grateful for any direction you could lead me in.
Martin Aloysius Cullen was my grandfather. He was in St Mary’s at the same time as Babe Ruth. James, Patrick and Michael (all Cullen) were his brothers.
Thank you for any help!
Melinda Cullen
Email provided below.
Dear Mr. Stinson,
My grandfather and some of his brothers were placed in St. Mary’s in 1904 following the death of their mother. One brothers was placed in an infant home and the only girl was placed with the nuns by St Mary’s river I believe.
Have you found a way to access possible school records as far as reports, failed, letters? My great grandfather Patrick Cullen would come to visit from Westernport MD where he was a coal miner and an Irish immigrant. He would give what money he had to the school.
I would be grateful for any direction you could lead me in.
Martin Aloysius Cullen was my grandfather. He was in St Mary’s at the same time as Babe Ruth. James, Patrick and Michael (all Cullen) were his brothers.
Thank you for any help!
Melinda Cullen
My apologies for the typos!
I always do my best editing after I touch ‘Submit’
Hello Melinda – I will send you a separate email. DBS
My grandfather Charles L Bell was in St.Mary’s Industrial School Babe Ruth’s stay at the school. Got the information from the Archdiocese in Maryland. I would like to find more information on the Cavendish family that gave the land that both the school and St. Agnes Hospital sit on.Thanks in advance
Hope this the proper place to ask this question–copyright paragraph from Deadballbaseball.com says reply in blog area. However, I cannot get the link to work there.
I am setting up a Facebook page for our local SABR society and I would like to use the postcard images of Ponce de Leon field and Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium in a collage of Atlanta baseball fields and sites. I will, of course, give proper credit to deadballbaseball.com and also to David B. Stinson. Thanks very much.
Glad to help – I am a member of the Baltimore Babe Ruth chapter of SABR. Please feel to use whatever photos you wish. I appreciate your giving credit. DBS
I was at Henley field today in Lakeland, Fl
There was a picture of four Detroit Tigers in the men’s room, circa late ’30’s.
My question: what are their names!
Thanks
Who are four players in picture in men’s room at Henley Field in Lakeland Florida?
David,
We would like to request permission to use 3 of your photos of Cooper Stadium from deadballbaseball.com in an upcoming project for a non profit here in Columbus. If I can get your email address I can provide more detail.
Thank you,
Kris
Hello Kris
Glad to help. Contact me at huntingtonparkdbs@gmail.com
David, we are considering doing a feature on this ballpark for an upcoming article in our magazine, Inside Pitch. Would you be willing to share the photos with us? We are happy to provide photo credits. Thanks!
this ballpark: Bush Stadium in Indy. Sorry!
Mr. Stinson. I’m with KNBR Radio in SF. Can you please send me an email so I can start a private conversation. Thanks
Dear Mr. Stinson, Each April I pick a work of baseball fiction to read to get me in myself primed. I just finished Deadball and thoroughly enjoyed it. W.P. Kinsella would have enjoyed it too I’m sure. My only criticism is you flubbed it just a tad on the T references in Boston. Ruggles, for example, is no more than a throw from third to first from anywhere on the NU campus, and one could have easily walked to Nickerson Field from there rather than take the Green Line’s E train back to Arlington St.to get on a B or C train to BU. Obviously I’m writing from Boston :). Regardless, bravo, a nice read!
Hello Brian: Thank you so very much for your kind words about Deadball. I am glad it provided a sound precursor to this new season. As for my much less than exact understanding of the T in Boston, I certainly appreciate your clarifications. I visited every lost ballpark mentioned in the book, however, I have to admit I did not ride the T as part of my research. Thanks again. DBS
Mr. Stinson,
Deadball is a great site! I have more information on the three ball “parks” previous to College Park in Charleston, SC if you would like to have it. Please contact me at gmishoe@sc.rr.com for more. Thanks!
Dear David
I have a research project underway which I am looking to identify some penmanship I am certain belongs to someone in Babe Ruth’s immediate family around 1896. It could be from the Ruth household (father George Sr.) or the Schamberger side, and most likely his mother if I was to guess. Have you come across any documents, from anywhere that illustrate family hand writing?
All direction is welcome
For my research to connect a time line…. could you give me some tips on where to find any early ephemera from the Ruth or Schamberger family illustrating penmanship. Any existing agreements between the Ruth family and St. Marys showing such…. known family letters, or living decedents that might have such
Hello Ken
Thank you for your email. I personally have no samples of Ruth family handwriting. If searching online, two cites you might want to check are http://connergenealogy.com/home/blogs/babe-ruth-genealogy-project/babe-ruth-genealogy-project-records/ and https://baberuth100.blogspot.com/2013/12/chapter-1.html which include copies of some primary documents, including Ruth’s birth certificate. For example, perhaps the birth certificate is filled out in the hand of a family member. Another suggestion would be contacting the Babe Ruth Museum or even the Baseball Hall of Fame. If you are willing to share a digital image of what you have, I would be glad to email the copy to a friend who might have some suggestions/information as well. My email address is huntingtonparkdbs@gmail.com. I hope to hear from you. Good luck.
Hi David. We’re interested in possibly licensing one of your Rickwood Field photos for a local client. We’d love to share the concept with you if you’re open to the possibility. Our email is below. Thanks.