Jim Leeke

Ballplayer in Brooklyn uniform, arms crossed. Detail from team photo.

Felix “Phil” Chouinard figures in my new book, Battlefields: The Chicago White Sox and the Great War, from @bloomsburyacademic.bsky.social He played for the Sox and Brooklyn Tip-Top (here) and later as a chief yeoman managed a good Great Lakes navy team during #WW1. (Library of Congress photo)

If you’re expecting Foxborough to bow to FIFA, think again. The town has a history of standing up to power. - The Boston Globe The town's select board rightfully and correctly bounced “Monday Night Football” out of Foxborough for 14 years in the 20th century.

Thank you to columnist Dan Shaughnessy for mentioning my book Big Loosh in the @bostonglobe.com Globe today — much appreciated!

Metal bulldog ornament on rusted truck hood.

Hood ornament, Mack B-61 truck (1953-66), BBQ shack, Crescent Beach FL.

Tattered cloud low over darkening beach.

Sunset today, Butler Beach FL.

Smiling Frank Hawks, in jacket, tie and flying helmet with goggles.

Beginning manuscript rewrites of my biography of 1930s speed flier Frank Hawks, a very entertaining fellow. (Photo: Buffalo Times, April 5, 1930) — #avgeeks

Trash & recycling bins in sand, foggy beach beyond.

Fog and wind, surf roaring, Butler Beach FL.

Frank Hawks in white flight suit, Amelia Earhart in dress, overcoat and stole, standing in front of Travel Air Mystery Ship Texaco 13.

Barnstormer Frank Hawks gave Amelia Earhart her first flight in Los Angeles in 1920. A decade later, both now famous, they pose with his speed plane, Texaco 13. (National Portrait Gallery USA) — #avgeeks

Ink sketch of scowling baseball player or coach. (Artist: Robert Edgren, 1914)

Monday mood.

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A-6s on flight deck in front of island of Vietnam era aircraft carrier USS Ranger, CVA-61.

I’ve seen this movie before. It’s ugly and potentially catastrophic.

Thank you! Congrats on the McGraw book, looks like a good one. I worked with Rob Taylor on Big Loosh.

First time I’ve bought the print edition of a newspaper in quite some time — a special occasions

‘Big Loosh’ Review: The Umpire as Showman Ron Luciano once ejected Baltimore’s Earl Weaver from both games of a doubleheader. He was eventually pulled off Orioles games.

Many thanks to David M. Shribman of the @wsj.com for the fine review of Big Loosh, from @univnebpress.bsky.social . It made my day!

Gray navy Seahawk flying at low altitude against blue sky.

US Navy Seahawk helicopter, Tuesday afternoon, Butler Beach Fl. Often see military aircraft here from NS Mayport or NAS Jax. — #abgeeks

I’ve collected the war poems of American sportswriter Grantland Rice. Anyone interested, please DM me for a free pdf.

Thumbnail photos and titles of several books. Text: Amazon Hot New Releases. Our best-selling new and future releases. Updated frequently. New Releases in World War I History.

My latest WWI baseball book is #3 on this hot new releases list over at Amazon. — Battlefields: The Chicago White Sox and the Great War, from @bloomsburyacademic.bsky.social.

A major figure in my new book — White Sox pitcher Urban “Red” Faber, who enlisted in the US Navy as a chief yeoman during the 1918 season. (Artist: Garrett Price, Great Lakes Bulletin)

Red low-wing cabin plane flying between cliffs. Text: "Roaring around the valley to gain speed, Hawks puts his plane at over 250 miles an hour into a hair raising vertical bank...and whirls safely through the narrow opening with but inches to spare."

A great image from the second Frank Hawks #comicstrip, "Time Ray" in 1937, sponsored by Post Bran Flakes. ("Caught by the Cave Men," #artist unknown.) — #avgeeks #illustration

It's the last day to shop our February Sale!

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#Nonfiction #BookSale

Red low-wing cabin plane flying above light green boat tail automobile. Text: TAKING HIS LIFE IN HIS HANDS, CAPTAIN FRANK DROPS FROM THE PLANE'S WING INTO THE SPEEDING CAR

Aviator Frank Hawks became a #comicstrip character in 1936. Post Bran Flakes ran a series of half-page color strips starring him and young pals Patsy and Tim in Sunday newspapers across America. Here's an image from The Vengeance of El Diablo. ( #Artist unknown ) — #avgeeks #illustration

My mother told me about the home run when I got home from school. RIP, Maz,

"It's a mighty short time now until the men will begin reporting to their different towns over the circuit and the interest which is already high, will become more and more intense as the men come in with their bat bags and hunt up the manager. The usual crowds of small boys will be at the deports and the usual fans will be waiting to size up the stranger. The old men will be gladly welcomed back, and then only a few days before you can hunt around in your pockets to see if you have the price for the game." - Newark (Ohio) Advocate, March 5, 1908

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Thank you!

Thank you, Jacob, for your help and generosity — greatly appreciated!

My thanks to knowledgeable @buckweaver.bsky.social for his advice and research help on this book.

Even the Third Reich raised swastika banners rather than images of Hitler.

Photo of smiling author in ballcap, holding book.

Publication day for Battlefields: The Chicago White Sox and the Great War. My thanks to @bloomsburyacademic.bsky.social and all who advised and encouraged me along the way.

Correction, Butler Beach … not that it will matter by morning. I only hope DJT’s palace vanishes as quickly.

Photo of sand castle with tower, walls and vertical windows.

Baker Beach FL, architect unknown. Far more pleasing than the planned WH ballroom.

I came across Louise Thadden quite often while researching my bio of Frank Hawks, which I’m writing now.