The Birth of Baseball
The origins of baseball are not precisely known, evolving from earlier games where a ball was simply thrown. A French manuscript from the 14th century depicts a game resembling baseball. Similar old French games also seem connected to baseball.
It is widely agreed that the modern game of baseball in North America evolved from rounders, a game popular in Great Britain and Ireland.
The earliest mention of baseball is found in a 1744 publication from the United Kingdom. This game likely made its way to America with British immigrants, along with rounders.
The first recorded mention of a similar game in America dates to 1791 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Additionally, a German book from 1796 describes a game called “Baseball” played by two teams.
The beginning in America
The emergence of baseball is somewhat shrouded in myth, particularly the oft-told tale of Abner Doubleday inventing the game in Cooperstown, New York, in 1839. This story, though widely popularized, has been debunked by historians.
The truth is, baseball evolved from older bat-and-ball games such as cricket and rounders, gradually taking shape in America during the early 19th century. By the 1840s, the game closely resembling today’s baseball was being played in New York, with the New York Knickerbocker Baseball Club forming in 1845 and establishing some of the first rules and standards for the game.
Going Professional: The Rise of Baseball
The professional era began in 1869 when the Cincinnati Red Stockings declared themselves as the first fully professional baseball team, traveling around the country to play against amateur clubs.
This pivotal moment marked the sport’s transition to a more organized and commercialized activity, laying the groundwork for the formation of the first professional league, the National Association of Professional BaseBall Players, in 1871.
However, it was the establishment of the National League in 1876 that solidified professional baseball’s structure and enduring presence in American culture.
The Dead Ball Era
From the late 19th century to the early 1920s, baseball was in what is known as the “Dead Ball Era.” This period was characterized by low-scoring games and a lack of home runs.
The ball used during games was softer and less lively, pitchers were allowed to use substances to alter the ball’s behavior, and strategies focused more on base running and bunts rather than power hitting. This era emphasized skill, strategy, and speed, with players like Ty Cobb epitomizing the aggressive style of play.
The Rise of Babe Ruth
The transition out of the Dead Ball Era was symbolized by the emergence of George Herman “Babe” Ruth, whose career spanned from 1914 to 1935. Ruth, originally a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, became a full-time outfielder after being sold to the New York Yankees in 1919.
He revolutionized the game with his unprecedented power hitting, smashing home run records and becoming a national icon. Ruth’s charisma and slugging ability helped popularize baseball across the United States, ushering in the “live-ball era” of the sport.
The Development of the Farm System
During this era, the concept of the farm system was developed, most notably by Branch Rickey, general manager of the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1920s and 1930s. The system involved the creation of minor league teams affiliated with major league clubs to develop young talent.
This innovation fundamentally changed how teams acquired and developed players, with the Cardinals’ success in the 1930s and 1940s serving as a model for other franchises.
The Great Depression and World War II
These events had profound effects on baseball, as on all aspects of American life. During the 1930s, despite the economic hardship, baseball remained a major pastime, with players like Lou Gehrig and Joe DiMaggio becoming heroes to many.
However, the sport faced challenges, including declining attendance and financial instability. World War II saw many players, including stars like Ted Williams and Stan Musial, leave the sport to serve in the military. The game continued, albeit with a diminished level of play, until the war’s end.
The Negro Leagues
During a time when Major League Baseball was segregated, the Negro Leagues provided a platform for African American players to showcase their talents.
Established in 1920, the Negro National League was the first successful professional league for African American players, followed by the Eastern Colored League in 1923, and several others over the years. The leagues thrived until the integration of baseball in 1947.
Integration of Baseball
Although Jackie Robinson is rightly celebrated for breaking Major League Baseball’s color barrier in 1947, the groundwork for integration was laid in the years before.
Efforts by journalists, civil rights activists, and players in the Negro Leagues challenged the segregation of baseball, leading to Robinson’s historic debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers.
This moment was not only a turning point for baseball but also a significant milestone in the American civil rights movement.
The Expansion Era: Baseball Spreads Its Wings
Post World War II America saw baseball’s popularity soar, with the sport expanding beyond its traditional northeastern stronghold. The 1950s and 60s marked an era of expansion for the Major Leagues, adding teams in new markets like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and beyond.
This period also saw the rise of television broadcasts of baseball games, making the sport more accessible to a nationwide audience and solidifying its place in American leisure culture.
A Modern-Day Colossus: Baseball Today
Today, Major League Baseball (MLB) comprises 30 teams spread across the United States and Canada, a testament to the sport’s growth and enduring appeal. The MLB enjoys a dedicated fan base, with millions attending games each season.
In 2019, before the pandemic affected attendance, the MLB saw over 68 million fans come through its turnstiles. The World Series, baseball’s crowning championship event, captivates millions of viewers worldwide, with the 2016 World Series drawing an average of over 40 million viewers for its climactic Game 7.
The Home Run: Baseball’s Cultural Impact
Baseball’s influence extends beyond the diamond, permeating American culture through film, literature, and language. Phrases like “out of the ballpark” and “touch base” have become ingrained in the American lexicon. The sport has inspired countless works of art and literature, reflecting its deep roots in the American psyche.
Baseball’s journey through time is a story of evolution, challenge, and triumph. From its modest beginnings to its status as a beloved national spectacle, baseball remains a symbol of America’s history, its struggles, and its communal spirit. As it continues to adapt and grow, baseball’s legacy is assured, a testament to its ability to bring people together, generation after generation.
Timeline of Baseball
- 14th Century: A French manuscript contains an illustration of “la soule,” a game showing similarities to modern baseball, suggesting the sport’s concepts existed in Europe long before its establishment in America. This game involved using a stick to hit a ball towards a designated target.
18th century
- 1744: “A Little Pretty Pocket-Book,” published in England, includes a woodcut of a field setup reminiscent of baseball with a poem describing “Base-Ball.” This publication marks the earliest known reference to a game closely related to baseball, highlighting its popularity among children.
- 1791: Documents from Pittsfield, Massachusetts, contain a bylaw prohibiting the playing of “baseball” near the town’s new meeting house, citing window damage. This ordinance is the first known American reference to baseball, evidencing the game’s early presence in the United States.
- 1796: A German book, “Spiele zur Übung und Erholung des Körpers und Geistes,” by Johann Gutsmuths, describes a game called “English Base-ball” involving two teams competing to hit a ball and run through a course of bases, a clear precursor to modern baseball.
19th century
- 1845: Alexander Cartwright, a key figure in the development of baseball, formalizes the game’s rules for the New York Knickerbocker Baseball Club. These rules, including a diamond-shaped infield, foul lines, and a three-strike rule, are pivotal in transitioning baseball from a casual pastime to an organized sport. The Knickerbockers played the first recorded game under these rules against another team in 1846, marking a significant step in baseball’s evolution.
- 1869: The Cincinnati Red Stockings announce themselves as the first fully professional baseball team, paying players to play baseball exclusively. Their nationwide tour and undefeated season play a crucial role in popularizing baseball across America, demonstrating the viability of baseball as a professional sport.
- 1876: The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League (NL), is established as the first major league, featuring eight teams. This formation signifies the beginning of organized, professional baseball competition and governance.
20th century
- 1901: The American League (AL) is founded as a rival to the National League, introducing competition that would lead to the consolidation of major league baseball. The establishment of the AL marks a significant expansion of professional baseball, culminating in the first modern World Series in 1903 between the champions of the NL and the AL.
- 1903: The modern World Series is played for the first time, pitting the Pittsburgh Pirates (NL) against the Boston Americans (AL), with Boston winning.
- 1920: Start of the live-ball era marked by significant changes in rules and equipment, leading to more dynamic gameplay. The Negro National League is also established, providing a platform for African American players during the era of segregation.
- 1935: Babe Ruth, one of baseball’s most iconic figures, retires. His career, particularly with the New York Yankees, popularized the home run and helped transform the sport.
- 1947: Jackie Robinson debuts with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, breaking Major League Baseball’s longstanding color barrier. His pioneering role not only changes the sport forever but also serves as a significant cultural milestone in the American civil rights movement, paving the way for the integration of sports by African American athletes.
- 1958: The Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants relocate to Los Angeles and San Francisco, respectively, marking the major league’s expansion to the West Coast.
- 1969: MLB introduces divisional play, leading to the creation of the League Championship Series (LCS) in both the American and National Leagues.
- 1973: The American League adopts the designated hitter (DH) rule, allowing teams to use a batter in place of the pitcher, a rule that sparks ongoing debates about strategy and the purity of the game.
- 1974: Hank Aaron surpasses Babe Ruth’s long-standing career home run record of 714 with his 715th home run, challenging preconceived notions about race and achievement in the sport.
- 1992: The Toronto Blue Jays win the World Series, becoming the first team based outside the United States to claim the championship.
- 1994-1995: The MLB strike, lasting from August 1994 to April 1995, leads to the cancellation of the 1994 World Series, the first such cancellation since 1904.
21st century
- 2001: Barry Bonds sets a new single-season home run record with 73 homers, amid growing concerns and later investigations into steroid use in baseball.
- 2005: Major League Baseball institutes a comprehensive drug testing policy, including suspensions for first-time offenders, in response to the steroid scandal, aiming to restore the integrity of the game.
- 2016: The Chicago Cubs win the World Series, ending a 108-year championship drought, one of the longest in sports history, and breaking the “Curse of the Billy Goat.”
- 2020: The MLB season is dramatically shortened to 60 games due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Los Angeles Dodgers win the World Series in a unique, fan-limited format.
- 2022: MLB introduces several rule changes to improve the pace of play and enhance fan engagement, including the adoption of a universal designated hitter across both leagues, experimental rules to reduce game times, and an expanded playoff format to include more teams.
- Present: Baseball continues to evolve with the integration of technology like instant replay review and the widespread use of analytics, changing the strategic landscape of the game.
