The Real Dorothy From “The Wizard of Oz” Was Only Five Months Old

The inspiration for the literary character never lived long enough to even walk.

by Rich Watson 

L. Frank Baum’s book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz has lead to an evergreen merchandise blitz based on iconic characters, one of the most celebrated motion pictures ever made, and a permanent residence in American culture.

Before all that, though, it was nothing more than a tribute to a relative’s infant child, who died way too soon.

Ronald Reagan Depicts Hall of Famer’s Comeback in ‘The Winning Team,’ with Doris Day

The troubled life of a baseball legend is depicted in this 1952 film.

by Rich Watson
 

Few major league pitchers were as dominant as Grover Cleveland Alexander. During the 1910s and 20s, when professional baseball was still new, he set records left and right that stand today: 373 wins, the all-time National League co-leader; 28 wins in his rookie season, a modern rookie record; 90 shutouts, a NL record; a three-time winner of the pitching Triple Crown (wins, ERA, strikeouts), and a World Series championship.

Alexander (AKA “Old Pete”) achieved all this despite suffering epileptic seizures stemming from a freak playing accident, which also led to bouts of alcoholism.

In 1952, his career was chronicled in a movie: The Winning Team, with Ronald Reagan and Doris Day.

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