Phil Coffin

On 5-24-35, the first MLB night game was played in Cincinnati. The next day, Babe Ruth hit 3 homers in Pittsburgh. Learn more at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Point Pleasant Boro Library, 834 Beaver Dam Rd, as I talk about "A Baseball Book of Days: 31 Moments That Transformed the Game."

Today is the anniversary of Jackie Robinson's barrier-breaking debut in the majors. 32 others played in the game, including a Dixie and a Bama. Learn about them and Robinson's sham tryout with the Red Sox, in "A Baseball Book of Days." mcfarlandbooks.com/product/a-base…

105 years ago this week, MLB banned spitballs and other pitches with a doctored ball. Only 17 pitchers (including Burleigh Grimes and Red Faber) could still throw a spitter. Except for cheats! More in "A Baseball Book of Days" at mcfarlandbooks.com & amazon.com

50 years ago, White Sox owner Bill Veeck upstaged all of baseball at the winter meetings with a sign: OPEN FOR BUSINESS. He sure was, making 6 trades involving 22 players. Learn more in “A Baseball Book of Days" at McFarlandBooks.com. @MLB @McFarlandBooks @whitesox #MLB

On Oct. 1, 1903, the 1st modern World Series began between the Pittsburg Pirates (or Premiers) and the Boston Americans (or Bostons). "A Baseball Book of Days" looks at its gambling, labor discord and unruly crowds, plus other October highlights. #WorldSeries @MLB @McFarlandBooks

Dominican-born ballplayers make up 10% of major leaguers, and it all started in September 1956 with Ozzie Virgil. It took a generation for the pipeline to really begin flowing, with baseball academies there. Learn more in "A Baseball Book of Days." mcfarlandbooks.com/product/a-base…

Remember Eddie Gaedel, the shortest player in MLB history? He played his one game Aug. 19, 1951, and I'll talk about it and more at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 18, as the Island Heights Cultural & Heritage Assn. meets at the Ocean County Artists' Guild, 22 Chestnut Ave., Island Heights.

Talking baseball with someone enthusiastic and knowledgeable is great fun, and that's what I did with Jim Miloch on his engaging Pod of Fame podcast. Jim and I discuss my book "A Baseball Book of Days" and thoughts on the Mount Rushmore of Baseball. open.spotify.com/episode/0FAXds…

Jason Schwartz, baseball card guru at Collectibles on SI, talked to me about the 1959 Topps cards, which are featured in my book "When Baseball Was Still Topps." Fun reading if you love old baseball cards! si.com/collectibles/f…

Had the chance to chat with Marty Lurie and Eric Romo on the Giants' postgame radio show about "A Baseball Book of Days." It was a great time talking with two enthusiastic, knowledgeable baseball guys! Go to 25:52: youtube.com/watch?v=6aMaD5…

On this day in 1959, the Red Sox integrated, the last MLB team to do so. Pumpsie Green ended Boston's racial barrier in spite of longtime Manager Mike Higgins. Tonight at 6 p.m. at the Vauxhall Library, I'll talk about Green, integration and more from "A Baseball Book of Days."

Great hosts at the Clyde Sukeforth/Northern New England chapter of the Society for American Baseball Research had me talk about my latest book, "A Baseball Book of Days," on July 17 (the day Joe DiMaggio's hitting streak ended!). Fun talking baseball. youtube.com/watch?v=lftWWn…

On June 29, 1905, Archibald (Moonlight) Graham played his only big-league game. But he never got to bat, memorialized in "Field of Dreams." Learn his story and that of the 63 other Moonlight Graham position players in "A Baseball Book of Days." mcfarlandbooks.com/product/a-base…

In 1953, Tom Qualters, 18, signed with the Phillies for $40,000, then sat the bench for 2 seasons, pitching in 1 game. Hear his story and more June 18 at 2:30 at the Allentown (NJ) Library, 16 S. Main St., as I discuss "When Baseball Was Still Topps" and "A Baseball Book of Days"

Baseball great Lou Gehrig died on June 2. But he's not the only notable player to have died on this date. Hall of Famer Johnny Mize. World Series star Bruce Kison. Yankee Gene Woodling. Find more in "A Baseball Book of Days," at McFarlandBooks.com or Amazon.com

PRESENTATION POSTPONED: My scheduled talk at the Vauxhall (N.J.) Library, on Monday June 2, about my book "A Baseball Book of Days, has been postponed. New date: Monday, July 21, 6 p.m., part of the library's monthly Negro Leagues Baseball Club meeting. Hope to see you there!

The Yankees are off on Monday, June 2, and the Mets don't play until 10. But you can get your baseball fix that evening as I talk about my books, "A Baseball Book of Days" and "When Baseball Was Still Topps," at 6 p.m. at the Vauxhall Library, 123 Hilton Avenue, Vauxhall, NJ.

Like baseball history? Here are 2 chances to learn more when I discuss "A Baseball Book of Days." First up: a talk at the Point Pleasant Beach Library, 710 McLean Ave., at 7 p.m. Monday, May 5. Or join me at The Little Point Bookshop, 618 Arnold Ave., at noon on Saturday, May 10.

I got to talk about baseball and my latest book, "A Baseball Book of Days," with my friend Paul Semendinger, on his podcast, Start Spreading the News. startspreadingthenews.blog/post/the-dr-se…

My friend Paul Semendinger, a versatile baseball author and podcaster, interviewed me about my books, "When Baseball Was Still Topps" and "A Baseball Book of Days," for his site, "Start Spreading the News." startspreadingthenews.blog/post/sstn-inte…