Fred Frommer
@ffrommer.bsky.social
Regular contributor to Washington Post, with speciality in historical deep dives in politics and sports. Former stops: AP, CNN. Author of several books on baseball history.
My story about Jackie Robinson's pointed letter to Eisenhower after the president counseled patience: “I respectfully remind you sir, that we have been the most patient of all people ... We want to enjoy now the rights that we feel we are entitled to as Americans."
“Jackie Robinson was taken aback when he heard President Dwight D. Eisenhower urge Black leaders to have patience in the battle for civil rights.”
When Jackie Robinson Called Out Eisenhower on Civil Rights
A letter soon to tour the country shows the slugger's frustration with the president.
contrarian.substack.com
December 13, 2025 at 5:06 PM
My story about Jackie Robinson's pointed letter to Eisenhower after the president counseled patience: “I respectfully remind you sir, that we have been the most patient of all people ... We want to enjoy now the rights that we feel we are entitled to as Americans."
80 years before Trump called VP Pence a "wimp," as FDR's own veep, John Garner Nance, challenged him for the 1940 Democratic nomination - angered at FDR's quest for a 3rd term. My story...
contrarian.substack.com/p/80-years-b...
contrarian.substack.com/p/80-years-b...
80 years before the Trump-Pence fallout, FDR’s VP challenged him for the nomination
Roosevelt ran, of course, and easily defeated his No. 2.
contrarian.substack.com
November 13, 2025 at 7:54 PM
80 years before Trump called VP Pence a "wimp," as FDR's own veep, John Garner Nance, challenged him for the 1940 Democratic nomination - angered at FDR's quest for a 3rd term. My story...
contrarian.substack.com/p/80-years-b...
contrarian.substack.com/p/80-years-b...
Reposted by Fred Frommer
When newspapers had guts. Frederic J. Frommer: A half-century ago Wednesday, President Gerald Ford bluntly announced that New York City, which was teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, would not be getting a federal bailout. Or, as the New York Daily News
50 years ago, Ford told New York to drop dead—in so many words
The city was on the brink of bankruptcy. But Gerald Ford was reticent about helping.
open.substack.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:35 PM
When newspapers had guts. Frederic J. Frommer: A half-century ago Wednesday, President Gerald Ford bluntly announced that New York City, which was teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, would not be getting a federal bailout. Or, as the New York Daily News
My story for @thedispatchmedia.bsky.social on how Richard Nixon resolved a threatened umpires strike #OTD 40 years ago. He compared umps to judges and praised them for maintaining "the integrity of the game."
thedispatch.com/article/rich...
thedispatch.com/article/rich...
A Disgraced President and America’s Pastime
How Richard Nixon headed off an umpires’ strike 40 years ago.
thedispatch.com
October 28, 2025 at 1:52 PM
My story for @thedispatchmedia.bsky.social on how Richard Nixon resolved a threatened umpires strike #OTD 40 years ago. He compared umps to judges and praised them for maintaining "the integrity of the game."
thedispatch.com/article/rich...
thedispatch.com/article/rich...
My story on Game 7 of the 1925 #WorldSeries - when cold rain, fog, dark skies, and thick mud made for the worst possible conditions. The Pirates pounded Walter Johnson for 15 hits in a come-from-behind 9-7 win. ⚾ @contrariannews.org
contrarian.substack.com/p/the-wettes...
contrarian.substack.com/p/the-wettes...
The ‘wettest, weirdest and wildest’ baseball game that win the World Series
A hundred years ago, the Pirates stunned the Senators in the Fall Classic.
contrarian.substack.com
October 24, 2025 at 8:57 PM
My story on Game 7 of the 1925 #WorldSeries - when cold rain, fog, dark skies, and thick mud made for the worst possible conditions. The Pirates pounded Walter Johnson for 15 hits in a come-from-behind 9-7 win. ⚾ @contrariannews.org
contrarian.substack.com/p/the-wettes...
contrarian.substack.com/p/the-wettes...
Reposted by Fred Frommer
"The Los Angeles Dodgers start the National League Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies Saturday, and no one will be shocked if LA wins and goes on to repeat as World Series champions." 70 years ago, it was a different story. Frederic J. Frommer reflects.
70 years ago, it was finally “This Year” for the Brooklyn Dodgers
After a string of losses, the Flock finally beat the Yankees to win the World Series.
contrarian.substack.com
October 3, 2025 at 11:00 PM
"The Los Angeles Dodgers start the National League Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies Saturday, and no one will be shocked if LA wins and goes on to repeat as World Series champions." 70 years ago, it was a different story. Frederic J. Frommer reflects.
#OTD 50 years ago, President Ford escaped the second of 2 assassination attempts in 2 ½ weeks, in an era of heightened political violence. My story in @thedispatchmedia.bsky.social today ...
thedispatch.com/article/gera...
thedispatch.com/article/gera...
When Political Violence Threatened Gerald Ford’s Life
The former president escaped two attempted assassinations in just over two weeks.
thedispatch.com
September 22, 2025 at 6:39 PM
#OTD 50 years ago, President Ford escaped the second of 2 assassination attempts in 2 ½ weeks, in an era of heightened political violence. My story in @thedispatchmedia.bsky.social today ...
thedispatch.com/article/gera...
thedispatch.com/article/gera...
Reposted by Fred Frommer
Rock was running out of steam. Then came a 25-year-old from Jersey with an album that put its heart back on fire. Frederic Frommer on the legacy of Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Born to Run’.
50 years ago, Springsteen resisted the hype around his seminal album, Born to Run
The hard-charging, kinetic album lifted The Boss to the echelons of rock.
contrarian.substack.com
August 29, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Rock was running out of steam. Then came a 25-year-old from Jersey with an album that put its heart back on fire. Frederic Frommer on the legacy of Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Born to Run’.
In 1992, a fatal attack on a congressional staffer provoked a response from the federal government, when a senator who called DC a "war zone" tried to impose the death penalty on the city. My story in @theguardian.com today...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Trump’s DC takeover harkens back to a dark incident 33 years ago – when crime was far worse
A violent event in 1992 prompted a response – not from the president, but Congress – with similarly dystopian language
www.theguardian.com
August 14, 2025 at 11:44 AM
In 1992, a fatal attack on a congressional staffer provoked a response from the federal government, when a senator who called DC a "war zone" tried to impose the death penalty on the city. My story in @theguardian.com today...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
#OTD 50 years ago, George Steinbrenner and Billy Martin began one of the most contentious baseball marriages. Their famous 1978 Miller Lite commercial was actually filmed BEFORE any of the multiple times The Boss fired Martin...
Fifty years ago, the Yankees hired Billy Martin, launching a saga of five firings, public feuds, and one infamous beer ad that blurred the line between parody and prophecy. Frederic J. Frommer tells the story.
Miller Lite’s Steinbrenner-Martin commercial proved all too real
Fifty years ago this week, the combustive relationship between an owner and manager began.
contrarian.substack.com
August 2, 2025 at 4:05 PM
#OTD 50 years ago, George Steinbrenner and Billy Martin began one of the most contentious baseball marriages. Their famous 1978 Miller Lite commercial was actually filmed BEFORE any of the multiple times The Boss fired Martin...
My story today, on the eve of Dave Parker's Hall of Fame induction, on his pair of throws at the 1979 #AllStarGame that helped NL to 7-6 win - the same score as this year's, but sans the home run "swing-off."
Dave Parker's cannon arm stole the show at the '79 All-Star Game, earning him MVP honors with two jaw-dropping throws. Frederic J. Frommer looks back as Parker enters the Baseball Hall of Fame.
At ’79 All-Star Game, Dave Parker’s laser throws stole the show
He will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame this weekend, just one month after he died.
open.substack.com
July 25, 2025 at 7:48 PM
My story today, on the eve of Dave Parker's Hall of Fame induction, on his pair of throws at the 1979 #AllStarGame that helped NL to 7-6 win - the same score as this year's, but sans the home run "swing-off."
My story on the only time two Black pitchers went head-to-head in an All-Star Game ...
contrarian.substack.com/p/the-mlb-al...
contrarian.substack.com/p/the-mlb-al...
The MLB All-Star Game that featured two Black starting pitchers – for the first and only time
By Frederic J. Frommer
contrarian.substack.com
July 16, 2025 at 12:08 AM
My story on the only time two Black pitchers went head-to-head in an All-Star Game ...
contrarian.substack.com/p/the-mlb-al...
contrarian.substack.com/p/the-mlb-al...
My story for @contrariannews.org about the NBA's Black deputy commissioner, Simon Gourdine, who was the favorite to land the top job in 1975, but was passed over in favor Larry O'Brien.
contrarian.substack.com/p/50-years-a...
contrarian.substack.com/p/50-years-a...
50 years ago, NBA bypassed a Black candidate for commissioner, spurring boycott call
Although the boycott didn’t catch on, the struggle helped to open the door for Black NBA executives.
contrarian.substack.com
June 20, 2025 at 5:18 PM
My story for @contrariannews.org about the NBA's Black deputy commissioner, Simon Gourdine, who was the favorite to land the top job in 1975, but was passed over in favor Larry O'Brien.
contrarian.substack.com/p/50-years-a...
contrarian.substack.com/p/50-years-a...
Reposted by Fred Frommer
Fifty years ago, two Black coaches made history in the NBA Finals. K.C. Jones and Al Attles led from the front in a league finally opening doors while baseball and football were still decades behind. Fred Frommer explains.
50 years ago, two Black coaches faced off in historic NBA Finals
'You didn’t need to beat your chest, you were there.'
contrarian.substack.com
June 5, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Fifty years ago, two Black coaches made history in the NBA Finals. K.C. Jones and Al Attles led from the front in a league finally opening doors while baseball and football were still decades behind. Fred Frommer explains.
I wrote this @PostSports story in 2023 when the Knicks’ championship drought hit a half-century. Sadly it is now 52 years… wapo.st/4kKkWYD
June 2, 2025 at 12:35 PM
I wrote this @PostSports story in 2023 when the Knicks’ championship drought hit a half-century. Sadly it is now 52 years… wapo.st/4kKkWYD
Reposted by Fred Frommer
My story for @thedispatchmedia.bsky.social
recounting how some US House members were furious when Montreal - "a foreign city" as they called it - got a ⚾️team in 1969. In 2005, MLB "reshored" the Expos by moving them to Washington. Now Trump wants the whole country.
thedispatch.com/article/trum...
recounting how some US House members were furious when Montreal - "a foreign city" as they called it - got a ⚾️team in 1969. In 2005, MLB "reshored" the Expos by moving them to Washington. Now Trump wants the whole country.
thedispatch.com/article/trum...
Before Trump Sought to Annex Canada, Washington Took the Expos
How baseball ‘reshored’ the team that became the Nationals 20 years ago.
thedispatch.com
May 17, 2025 at 3:50 PM
My story for @thedispatchmedia.bsky.social
recounting how some US House members were furious when Montreal - "a foreign city" as they called it - got a ⚾️team in 1969. In 2005, MLB "reshored" the Expos by moving them to Washington. Now Trump wants the whole country.
thedispatch.com/article/trum...
recounting how some US House members were furious when Montreal - "a foreign city" as they called it - got a ⚾️team in 1969. In 2005, MLB "reshored" the Expos by moving them to Washington. Now Trump wants the whole country.
thedispatch.com/article/trum...
My story for @thedispatchmedia.bsky.social
recounting how some US House members were furious when Montreal - "a foreign city" as they called it - got a ⚾️team in 1969. In 2005, MLB "reshored" the Expos by moving them to Washington. Now Trump wants the whole country.
thedispatch.com/article/trum...
recounting how some US House members were furious when Montreal - "a foreign city" as they called it - got a ⚾️team in 1969. In 2005, MLB "reshored" the Expos by moving them to Washington. Now Trump wants the whole country.
thedispatch.com/article/trum...
Before Trump Sought to Annex Canada, Washington Took the Expos
How baseball ‘reshored’ the team that became the Nationals 20 years ago.
thedispatch.com
May 17, 2025 at 3:50 PM
My story for @thedispatchmedia.bsky.social
recounting how some US House members were furious when Montreal - "a foreign city" as they called it - got a ⚾️team in 1969. In 2005, MLB "reshored" the Expos by moving them to Washington. Now Trump wants the whole country.
thedispatch.com/article/trum...
recounting how some US House members were furious when Montreal - "a foreign city" as they called it - got a ⚾️team in 1969. In 2005, MLB "reshored" the Expos by moving them to Washington. Now Trump wants the whole country.
thedispatch.com/article/trum...
My essay in today's @BostonGlobe on how the Knicks are like the pre-2004 Red Sox, taking on the Goliath Celtics, who have been the Yankees of the NBA for more than 65 years.
May 11, 2025 at 1:17 PM
My essay in today's @BostonGlobe on how the Knicks are like the pre-2004 Red Sox, taking on the Goliath Celtics, who have been the Yankees of the NBA for more than 65 years.
I wrote a column for the @bostonglobe.com today on how the Celtics have been the Yankees of the #NBA - while the knicks have mirrored the pre-2004 Red Sox. Have the Knicks flipped the script after two big wins in Boston? ·https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/05/08/opinion/knicks-celtics-yankees-red-sox/
Boston, hold a little room in your heart for tormented Knicks fans like me - The Boston Globe
The Knicks have a lot in common with the pre-2004 Red Sox, haunted by the same foe over and over.
www.bostonglobe.com
May 8, 2025 at 1:27 PM
I wrote a column for the @bostonglobe.com today on how the Celtics have been the Yankees of the #NBA - while the knicks have mirrored the pre-2004 Red Sox. Have the Knicks flipped the script after two big wins in Boston? ·https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/05/08/opinion/knicks-celtics-yankees-red-sox/
I spoke with showrunner Paul William Davies for my @washingtonpost.com story on how the detective on the @netflix.com series "The Residence" used bird qualities such as stealthiness and silence to help solve a White House mystery. wapo.st/431fM34
May 5, 2025 at 12:29 PM
I spoke with showrunner Paul William Davies for my @washingtonpost.com story on how the detective on the @netflix.com series "The Residence" used bird qualities such as stealthiness and silence to help solve a White House mystery. wapo.st/431fM34
Reposted by Fred Frommer
“I don’t work for acceptance. I am what I am.”
@ffrommer.bsky.social on Celtics legend Bill Russell's protest
@ffrommer.bsky.social on Celtics legend Bill Russell's protest
Bill Russell's Hall of Fame no-show
50 years ago, he skipped enshrinement as first Black NBA player in Hall of Fame.
contrarian.substack.com
April 29, 2025 at 10:12 PM
“I don’t work for acceptance. I am what I am.”
@ffrommer.bsky.social on Celtics legend Bill Russell's protest
@ffrommer.bsky.social on Celtics legend Bill Russell's protest
Starting now!
I'll be participating in the #DCHistCon Authors' Corner tomorrow (Saturday), signing copies of my book on DC baseball history from 1:15 to 3:15 at @dcpubliclibrary.bsky.social, 901 G Street NW. Hope to see you there! conference.dchistory.org
www.amazon.com/You-Gotta-Ha...
www.amazon.com/You-Gotta-Ha...
You Gotta Have Heart: Washington Baseball from Walter Johnson to the 2019 World Series Champion Nationals
You Gotta Have Heart: Washington Baseball from Walter Johnson to the 2019 World Series Champion Nationals [Frommer, Frederic J., Todd, Chuck] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. You Gotta Have Heart: Washington Baseball from Walter Johnson to the 2019 World Series Champion Nationals
www.amazon.com
April 5, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Starting now!
I'll be participating in the #DCHistCon Authors' Corner tomorrow (Saturday), signing copies of my book on DC baseball history from 1:15 to 3:15 at @dcpubliclibrary.bsky.social, 901 G Street NW. Hope to see you there! conference.dchistory.org
www.amazon.com/You-Gotta-Ha...
www.amazon.com/You-Gotta-Ha...
You Gotta Have Heart: Washington Baseball from Walter Johnson to the 2019 World Series Champion Nationals
You Gotta Have Heart: Washington Baseball from Walter Johnson to the 2019 World Series Champion Nationals [Frommer, Frederic J., Todd, Chuck] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. You Gotta Have Heart: Washington Baseball from Walter Johnson to the 2019 World Series Champion Nationals
www.amazon.com
April 4, 2025 at 1:40 PM
I'll be participating in the #DCHistCon Authors' Corner tomorrow (Saturday), signing copies of my book on DC baseball history from 1:15 to 3:15 at @dcpubliclibrary.bsky.social, 901 G Street NW. Hope to see you there! conference.dchistory.org
www.amazon.com/You-Gotta-Ha...
www.amazon.com/You-Gotta-Ha...
Reposted by Fred Frommer
My @washingtonpost.com story today about how #MLB teams used to require fans to give up foul balls - and had "derelicts" who refused to jailed for larceny (including an 11-year-old boy). @dcsportsbog.bsky.social @jaconi.bsky.social wapo.st/3RiXt3U
MLB’s forgotten campaign against the ‘derelicts’ who pocket foul balls
Foul balls are now a lucky souvenir for fans at Major League Baseball games. But 100 years ago, taking that ball home could land you in jail.
wapo.st
March 26, 2025 at 1:22 PM
My @washingtonpost.com story today about how #MLB teams used to require fans to give up foul balls - and had "derelicts" who refused to jailed for larceny (including an 11-year-old boy). @dcsportsbog.bsky.social @jaconi.bsky.social wapo.st/3RiXt3U