February 22, 2012
Now Available for 2012 THT Essentials: Now Available The Hardball Times Baseball Annual 2012, an annual "must buy" for all baseball fans, is now shipping. Read this article to learn more about it.
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About Bruce MarkusenBruce Markusen is the author of seven books on baseball, including the award-winning A Baseball Dynasty: Charlie Finley’s Swingin’ A’s, the recipient of the Seymour Medal from the Society for American Baseball Research. He has also written The Team That Changed Baseball: Roberto Clemente and the 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates, Tales From The Mets Dugout, and The Orlando Cepeda Story. Bruce currently works as a museum teacher at the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the Farmers’ Museum, and the Fenimore Art Museum, all located in Cooperstown. In addition to The Hardball Times, he also contributes articles to Bronx Banter. Bruce, his wife Sue, and their daughter Madeline reside in Cooperstown.Note: This page displays up to 100 articles at a time. To view a subset of a writer's work, click on one of the following years: 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 Bruce Markusen's ArticlesClick here to view an RSS feed of this writer's articles. Talking about Tony ConigliaroFebruary 17, 2012What could have been. Those words can be said over and over in describing the tragic life of Tony Conigliaro. THT Live: Remembering “Kid,” Gary CarterFebruary 17, 2012THT Live: A baseball card mystery: Where’s Dave Collins?February 14, 2012THT Live: A baseball card mystery: Ontiveros and SchmidtFebruary 10, 2012THT Live: A baseball card mystery: Bill Sudakis and the strange lightFebruary 07, 2012Card Corner: 1972 Topps—Bob VealeFebruary 03, 2012It's time for a side of Veale with the latest review of 1972 Topps. THT Live: A baseball card mystery: Ken Holtzman’s 1974 Topps cardJanuary 31, 2012Cooperstown Confidential: thinking about Al SmithJanuary 27, 2012Beer alone did not make this man's career. THT Live: A baseball card mystery: Bob Didier and Cleon JonesJanuary 24, 2012Card Corner: 1972 Topps: George HendrickJanuary 20, 2012Ollie Brown, Johnny Grubb and Ernie Banks make cameos as we learn about the journey of Silent George. THT Live: A baseball card mystery: Thurman Munson and who?January 18, 2012Cooperstown Confidential: Why Bob Howsam isn’t in the Hall of FameJanuary 13, 2012A former All-Star first baseman and the architect of the "Big Red Machine" take the stage in this week's column. THT Live: A baseball card mystery: Alan Trammell and George VukovichJanuary 09, 2012Card Corner: 1972 Topps—Ed BrinkmanJanuary 06, 2012For many collectors, 1972 represented an iconic set. Let's begin a year-long look back. THT Live: A baseball card mystery: Aaron’s golden momentJanuary 03, 2012Card Corner: 1971 Topps—Rich AllenDecember 30, 2011As the year comes to an end, so does a retrospective of 1971 Topps cards. THT Live: A baseball card mystery: Gary Gaetti’s 1993 Topps cardDecember 28, 2011Cooperstown Confidential: Thinking of Pat DobsonDecember 23, 2011Five winters ago, baseball lost a popular guy known as "Dobber." THT Live: A baseball card mystery: Johnny Bench’s 1973 Topps cardDecember 21, 2011Card Corner: 1971 Topps, Oscar GambleDecember 16, 2011This may not be the Oscar Gamble you remember. THT Live: A baseball card mystery: Gerry Moses and Dave LaRocheDecember 13, 2011THT Live: A baseball card mystery: Ron Santo and who?December 05, 2011Cooperstown Confidential: The winter meetings of 1971December 02, 2011Trader Lane wasn't there. Neither was Syd Thrift. Or Billy Beane. But it was still one crazy swap meet. THT Live: The return of Chili DavisNovember 28, 2011Card Corner: 1971 Topps, Bud HarrelsonNovember 25, 2011The 1971 Topps set was a groundbreaking set, with a little shortstop supplying one of the most memorable of the cards. THT Live: A baseball card mystery: Who is Matt Guante?November 21, 2011Cooperstown Confidential: The all-quirky PhilliesNovember 18, 2011Colorful characters abound over the last 45 years of Phillies history. THT Live: A baseball card mystery: Glenn Hubbard and the snakeNovember 15, 2011Cooperstown Confidential: Why isn’t Santo in the Hall of Fame?November 11, 2011It's that time again. But will the Veterans Committee come up with a different decision on the great third baseman of the 1960s? THT Live: A baseball card mystery: who’s that Yankee?November 08, 2011Card Corner, 1971 Topps: Manny SanguillenNovember 04, 2011The yearlong series on Topps' 1971 set continues with the ultimate free-swinging catcher. THT Live: Losing Matty AlouNovember 03, 2011THT Live: A baseball card mystery: George Scott’s 1973 Topps cardNovember 01, 2011Cooperstown Confidential: the Oakland A’s all-quirky teamOctober 28, 2011The Bay Area has had its share of over the past 39 years. THT Live: Another baseball card mysteryOctober 25, 2011Cooperstown Confidential: Willie Davis and the Cardinal-Ranger connectionOctober 21, 2011The Cardinals and Rangers don't have much of a history of playing each other. But there are common threads. THT Live: A baseball card mysteryOctober 17, 2011Cooperstown Confidential: Thinking of Johnny CallisonOctober 14, 2011The Great Depression, Connie Mack Stadium, and recollections of M*A*S*H all come together in this week's Confidential. Card Corner: 1971 Topps, Jerry GroteOctober 07, 2011If you like hard-nosed players, there were few tougher than this man. THT Live: The Other Tito FranconaOctober 06, 2011Cooperstown Confidential: The 1978 Red SoxSeptember 30, 2011Collapses are not a new thing in baseball. They just get bigger headlines today. Cooperstown Confidential: Stanley Glenn and Jesse JeffersonSeptember 23, 2011Two baseball deaths provide two different kinds of food for thought. Cooperstown Confidential: trading the managerSeptember 16, 2011Managers are hired to be fired, but are they meant to be traded? Card Corner: 1971 Topps and Frank TepedinoSeptember 09, 2011The national pastime and the anniversary of a tragedy come together. Cooperstown Confidential: Where are the all-black nine now?September 02, 2011On a quiet September night in 1971, nine men made baseball history. Cooperstown Confidential: Hollywood meets Mr. BoggsAugust 26, 2011You never know what you'll see when watching TV on the weekend. A Hall of Famer might turn up in a horror movie. THT Live: The passing of Mike FlanaganAugust 25, 2011Cooperstown Confidential: The tragedies of Wilson, Thomas and MooreAugust 19, 2011Baseball is not always joy and winning. A recent passing brings to mind some tragic losses of the past. Card Corner, 1971 Topps: Thurman MunsonAugust 12, 2011Two players for the price of one. THT Live: The short pants craze of 1976August 11, 2011Card Corner: Jim PerryJuly 29, 2011We know all about Gaylord; now let's learn about Jim. THT Live: Talking Ball: Phil Roof on Bert BlylevenJuly 27, 2011THT Live: Hall of Fame Weekend update: A ceremony of tears, humor, and the bizarreJuly 25, 2011THT Live: Hall of Fame Weekend: Flash mobs, a new awards show and Jim PerryJuly 23, 2011THT Live: Cooperstown Confidential: Hall of Fame WeekendJuly 22, 2011THT Live: Cooperstown Confidential: Hall of Fame WeekendJuly 21, 2011THT Live: Prepping for Hall of Fame weekend 2011July 21, 2011Talking ball with Steve BraunJuly 15, 2011Braun sounds like a ballplayer's name. But he wasn't all brawn; he has brains, too. THT Live: What made Dick Williams greatJuly 09, 2011Cooperstown Confidential: Remembering Wes CovingtonJuly 08, 2011He was not a superstar, but he was an integral part of two franchises during the 1950s and 60s. He also ate right-handed pitching for breakfast. Card Corner: 1971 Topps, Clete BoyerJuly 01, 2011The 40th anniversary of the 1971 Topps set gives us a good reason to talk about my one-time neighbor. THT Live: Talking ball with Dick WilliamsJune 30, 2011Cooperstown Confidential: Ex-Tiger Warden on then and nowJune 24, 2011His trips to Cooperstown are becoming an annual tradition. And he always has plenty to say. THT Live: Talking ball with Rick WiseJune 23, 2011THT Live: Wrapping up the Hall of Fame ClassicJune 23, 2011Cooperstown Confidential: three firingsJune 17, 2011Were the A's, Rangers and Marlins justified in making managerial and coaching changes? THT Live: Jim Northrup: old school favoriteJune 14, 2011Card Corner: 1971 Topps, Dean ChanceJune 10, 2011It's time to resume our look at 1971 Topps baseball cards, replete with Hollywood starlets, carnival barkers, and even a mention of Hugh Hefner. THT Live: Remembering Jose PaganJune 09, 2011Cooperstown Confidential: Christmas in JuneMay 27, 2011So what's a symposium? It's more fun than you might think. Cooperstown Confidential: Two different left handersMay 20, 2011Baseball can embody both humor and tragedy, as we see through a pair of oldtime southpaws. THT Live: Thinking about HarmonMay 14, 2011Cooperstown Confidential: The inimitable Ike BrownMay 13, 2011"We like Ike." Many Tigers fans expressed that sentiment back in the day. Even 10 years after he left us, there's still a lot to like about Mr. Brown. Cooperstown Confidential: The Hands of Stone teamMay 06, 2011The great fielders receive all the credit on the highlight reels. But what do the bad fielders get? Nothing, until now, when we reward them with their own all-star team. Talking ball with Ed HerrmannApril 22, 2011A major league catcher from the '60s and '70s recalls a colorful career. The Nickname Game: The Willie Mays connectionApril 15, 2011Willie Mays will always be linked to the Giants. Some of his teammates can be linked to good nicknames. Card Corner: 1971 Topps: King OllieApril 08, 2011It's time to examine another player action shot from 1971 Topps. He was sometimes called The Big O, but it's not Oscar Gamble. Cooperstown Confidential: Flakey, The Count and The AnimalApril 01, 2011Baseball is back, but the characters never really go away. Cooperstown Confidential: Stories of Bobby GrichMarch 25, 2011Too much in the way of statistics, and too little in terms of stories? Bruce Markusen addresses the debate through a favorite player. Cooperstown Confidential: Candidates for the Shrine of the EternalsMarch 18, 2011It has a funny name, but the Baseball Reliquary offers an unusual alternative to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. THT Live: The sudden death of Mitchell PageMarch 14, 2011Card Corner: 1971 Topps, Cookie RojasMarch 11, 2011Black borders, action shots, and a middle infielder named Cookie. They're all part of the 1971 Topps baseball card set. Cooperstown Confidential: Who was Greg Goossen?March 03, 2011He was not a household name, but his life was anything but pedestrian. The Nickname Game: Chuck Tanner’s White SoxFebruary 25, 2011If you like good nicknames, the White Sox of the early 1970s provide an excellent stomping ground. Card Corner: 1971 Topps: Chris ShortFebruary 18, 2011The 40-year look-back at 1971 Topps cards continues with one of Bruce Markusen's favorites. And don't forget to look in the background. THT Live: Remembering Woodie FrymanFebruary 06, 2011Black History Month: replacing Buck’s voiceFebruary 04, 2011Baseball needs more black players and more black fans. One man may be able to help. Cooperstown Confidential: a tribute to Big Daddy CroweJanuary 28, 2011George Crowe was quiet, lived part of his life as a recluse, and didn't enjoy being interviewed. He was also a civil rights hero. Card Corner: 1971 Topps: Earl WilsonJanuary 21, 2011It's time to begin a new series on "Card Corner." Let's turn the clock back by a few decades. The Nickname Game: The barons of the bullpenJanuary 14, 2011There's some unfinished business left over from 2010. It's time to give relievers' nicknames their proper due. Cooperstown Confidential: Rooting for KillerJanuary 07, 2011One of baseball's great gentlemen is facing the challenge of a lifetime. Card Corner: Topps’ top 60 and Norm CashDecember 31, 2010As Topps begins its countdown toward the best card ever, it's time for Card Corner to weigh in with its final installment of the year. Card Corner: Topps’ Top 60 and Tommy DavisDecember 24, 2010Topps has named Mike Schmidt's rookie card from 1973 as the 60th greatest card in history, but Bruce Markusen is thinking about a lesser known player from the 1972 set in this week's installment. THT Live: Talking baseball cards with Dave JamiesonDecember 20, 2010Card Corner: Topps’ top 60 and Mickey HatcherDecember 17, 2010Topps is determining its greatest card ever, but other companies have produced memorable cards. Let's look at a classic from 1986. Card Corner: Topps’ top 60 and Billy CowanDecember 10, 2010As Topps tallies the votes for its 60th anniversary competition, nominations continue to pour in from Cooperstown. THT Live: Card Corner: Ron Santo, 1940-2010December 05, 2010Card Corner: Topps’ top 60 and Brian JordanDecember 03, 2010Voting for the best Topps cards of all-time has concluded, but that won't stop us from posting some more favorites. Card Corner: Topps’ top 60 and Reggie SmithNovember 26, 2010As Topps continues its search for the best card ever, let's consider one that delivers two stars at once. Card Corner: Topps’ top 60 and Joe RudiNovember 19, 2010As the Topps Company continues its contest to determine the 60 best cards of all-time, a collector in Cooperstown offers another of his favorite selections. | ||||