Bittercup Baseball

Short History of the MLB Players’ Pension Plan

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The Major League Baseball (MLB) Players’ Pension Plan, formally known as the Major League Baseball Players Benefit Plan, has evolved significantly since its inception. It predates the formal establishment of the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) in 1954, though the MLBPA has played a central role in its development since the 1960s. Below is … Read more

Outspoken MLBPA critic to appear at the Babe Ruth Birthplace & Museum for SABR talk.

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Douglas J. Gladstone, the author of A Bitter Cup of Coffee: How MLB & The Players’ Association Threw 874 Retirees a Curve, will appear at the Babe Ruth Birthplace & Museum on Saturday, September 13th, to talk about how the union representing today’s players, the Major League Baseball Players’ Association (MLBPA), refuses to go to … Read more

Scipio Spinks

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It is no surprise that former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Scipio Spinks comes from the Windy City of Chicago. During one memorable contest, Spinks and future Cincinnati Reds hurler Gary Nolan, combined to strike out 37 batters in a Class A Northern League game in 1966. Though Spinks, who turns 78-years-of age today (July 12), … Read more

Expansion of Negro League Player financial assistance

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The last few weeks there has been a flurry of news regarding the Negro Leagues inclusion into Major League Baseball. The Negro Leagues persisted independently in response to common societal segregation and racism. Rube Foster, founder of the Negro National League, captured this entrepreneurial spirit with the leagues’ slogan, “We Are the Ship, All Else … Read more

Widows and Children First? Pleeze…….

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If you grew up in New York City during the 1960s like I did, you probably tuned into WPIX Channel 11 to watch the “Our Gang” comedies, the classic shorts featuring such child stars as George “Spanky” McFarland, Darla Jean Hood, and Carl “Alfalfa” Switzer, among others. One of the most well-known episodes was entitled “Mail … Read more

Bill Dillman debut April 14

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Trenton native Bill Dillman will be celebrating his 78th birthday next month, on May 25th. Today, he’ll be celebrating a different kind of anniversary: April 14th marks the day 57 years ago that he debuted as a pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB). It’s not really a happy occasion. That is because Dillman is one … Read more