Jim Leeke
@jimleeke.bsky.social
Writer, researcher, SABR member — sports, aviation and military history. Current book: Big Loosh (University of Nebraska Press). Previously: The Gas and Flame Men; The Turtle and the Dreamboat (Potomac Books).
The Aurora Borealis in central Ohio tonight …
November 12, 2025 at 4:51 AM
The Aurora Borealis in central Ohio tonight …
Long ago and far away.
November 11, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Long ago and far away.
Central Ohio this morning.
November 10, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Central Ohio this morning.
Colorful walk this afternoon.
November 8, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Colorful walk this afternoon.
Profile of aviator Frank Hawks, from a series on popular pilots by writer/illustrator Ace Brady. (Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph, March 10, 1935.) — #avgeeks
![Illustration of glider Eaglet towed by Waco biplane Texaco 7, Northrop Gamma monoplane Sky Chief in flight, and head-and-shoulders portrait of Frank Hawks. Text: "COMMANDER FRANK M. HAWKS. HOLDER OF MORE INTER-CITY SPEED RECORDS THAN ANY OTHER PILOT IN THE WORLD, STARTED AS A BARNSTORMER’S 'ASSISTANT,' BECAME AVIATION INSTRUCTOR DURING THE WAR,—LATER BECAME A GYPSY FLYER AND SERVED SIX YEARS AS AN AIR SOLDIER IN MEXICO, BUT QUIT DURING THE DE LA HUERTA REVOLU TION BECAUSE HE HAD FRIENDS ON BOTH SIDES. HE FLEW FROM SAN DIEGO TO NEW YORK IN A GLIDER. (TOWED, BY AM AIRPLANE)" [signed] Ace Brady](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:7f4vpvbsqyptuj73gqldy2zz/bafkreie23obo4i6laubjs6ktbffwheevrv2r6mhspuljdycfcvqs4gfrje@jpeg)
November 7, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Profile of aviator Frank Hawks, from a series on popular pilots by writer/illustrator Ace Brady. (Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph, March 10, 1935.) — #avgeeks
@newyorker.com cartoon, November 2019 — #NoKings
November 5, 2025 at 3:19 PM
@newyorker.com cartoon, November 2019 — #NoKings
Strong turnout in central Ohio during an off-year election with no earthshaking issue on the ballot here. People are voting because they still can and they’re furious. #NoKings
November 4, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Strong turnout in central Ohio during an off-year election with no earthshaking issue on the ballot here. People are voting because they still can and they’re furious. #NoKings
They were gas guzzlers … but they were beautiful.
November 3, 2025 at 2:56 PM
They were gas guzzlers … but they were beautiful.
Mood as the gray months begin. At least we had an insanely great World Series!
November 2, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Mood as the gray months begin. At least we had an insanely great World Series!
Although a famous speed pilot during the 1920-30s, Frank Hawks was perhaps best known for flying the red glider Texaco Eaglet behind a tow plane from San Diego to New York. Eaglet was believed to be the first cabin (enclosed) glider ever built. (US National Archives photo) — #avgeeks
November 1, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Although a famous speed pilot during the 1920-30s, Frank Hawks was perhaps best known for flying the red glider Texaco Eaglet behind a tow plane from San Diego to New York. Eaglet was believed to be the first cabin (enclosed) glider ever built. (US National Archives photo) — #avgeeks
EC-121, squadron VQ-2, at naval base Rota, Spain, circa 1971 — note the radomes top and bottom — a beautiful aircraft made ugly but versatile — #avgeeks
October 30, 2025 at 5:04 PM
EC-121, squadron VQ-2, at naval base Rota, Spain, circa 1971 — note the radomes top and bottom — a beautiful aircraft made ugly but versatile — #avgeeks
Frank Hawks in New Orleans, after setting a speed record from Dallas in Texaco 13. "It was quickly explained by one man in the crowd that it was Hawks’ daily business to establish new records." (Times-Picayune, September 30, 1931)
October 29, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Frank Hawks in New Orleans, after setting a speed record from Dallas in Texaco 13. "It was quickly explained by one man in the crowd that it was Hawks’ daily business to establish new records." (Times-Picayune, September 30, 1931)
Don’t tell me you went to bed during Game 3 …
October 28, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Don’t tell me you went to bed during Game 3 …
To mark Game 3 of the World Series tonight, here’s a beautiful little sketch by Burris Jenkins Jr., part of a larger cartoon panel in the @bostonglobe.com from 1925.
October 27, 2025 at 4:18 PM
To mark Game 3 of the World Series tonight, here’s a beautiful little sketch by Burris Jenkins Jr., part of a larger cartoon panel in the @bostonglobe.com from 1925.
Looking forward to talking with host Bill Donohue about Big Loosh: The Unruly Life of Umpire Ron Luciano, from @univnebpress.bsky.social. Tune in at 8:30 tonight!
October 26, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Looking forward to talking with host Bill Donohue about Big Loosh: The Unruly Life of Umpire Ron Luciano, from @univnebpress.bsky.social. Tune in at 8:30 tonight!
I was honored to speak at the National Press Club during the Doughboy Foundation's inaugural symposium last month in Washington DC. My topic was baseball during WWI. Good audience! (Photo: Bruce Guthrie)
October 25, 2025 at 6:02 PM
I was honored to speak at the National Press Club during the Doughboy Foundation's inaugural symposium last month in Washington DC. My topic was baseball during WWI. Good audience! (Photo: Bruce Guthrie)
Pixie, a therapy horse …
October 25, 2025 at 2:57 AM
Pixie, a therapy horse …
My book Big Loosh: The Unruly Life of Umpire Ron Luciano, from @univnebpress.bsky.social, is a finalist for the 2025 CASEY Award for Best Baseball Book of the Year. I'm on a list with @ballgirl.bsky.social, @jmjournalist.bsky.social, and other very fast company. Thank you, Spitball Magazine!
October 24, 2025 at 2:15 PM
My book Big Loosh: The Unruly Life of Umpire Ron Luciano, from @univnebpress.bsky.social, is a finalist for the 2025 CASEY Award for Best Baseball Book of the Year. I'm on a list with @ballgirl.bsky.social, @jmjournalist.bsky.social, and other very fast company. Thank you, Spitball Magazine!
Satellite imagery via ABC News, showing the East Wing totally gone.
October 23, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Satellite imagery via ABC News, showing the East Wing totally gone.
Before he was an umpire, sportscaster and author, Ron Luciano was an All-America tackle at Syracuse and played with Jim Brown. He switched to baseball after a shoulder injury ruined his pro career. Learn in my bio of Ronnie, Big Loosh, from @univnebpress.bsky.social.
October 22, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Before he was an umpire, sportscaster and author, Ron Luciano was an All-America tackle at Syracuse and played with Jim Brown. He switched to baseball after a shoulder injury ruined his pro career. Learn in my bio of Ronnie, Big Loosh, from @univnebpress.bsky.social.
“But are there not many fascists in your country?"
“There are many who do not know they are fascists but will find it out when the times comes."
— Ernest Hemingway, For Whom the Bell Tolls, published #OTD 1940
“There are many who do not know they are fascists but will find it out when the times comes."
— Ernest Hemingway, For Whom the Bell Tolls, published #OTD 1940
October 21, 2025 at 1:16 PM
“But are there not many fascists in your country?"
“There are many who do not know they are fascists but will find it out when the times comes."
— Ernest Hemingway, For Whom the Bell Tolls, published #OTD 1940
“There are many who do not know they are fascists but will find it out when the times comes."
— Ernest Hemingway, For Whom the Bell Tolls, published #OTD 1940
“I hate it when the rest of the umpires say I’m fooling around too much. That hurts," Ron Luciano said in 1976. "But if you’re serious 90 per cent of the time, you’ll go crazy out there." Learn more in my book Big Loosh, from @univnebpress.bsky.social. (@apnews.com photo)
October 20, 2025 at 2:18 PM
“I hate it when the rest of the umpires say I’m fooling around too much. That hurts," Ron Luciano said in 1976. "But if you’re serious 90 per cent of the time, you’ll go crazy out there." Learn more in my book Big Loosh, from @univnebpress.bsky.social. (@apnews.com photo)
Who robbed the Louvre? Right answers only.
October 19, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Who robbed the Louvre? Right answers only.