The History of Baseball

The idea that Abner Doubleday invented baseball in Cooperstown NY is supposedly a myth and something called the MIlls Commission declared it to be true. The Commission stated that Doubleday invented the word baseball, designed the field, wrote down the rules and made the regulations. Nobody knows for sure, what really happened in 1839.

By the end of the 19th century, the tradition was to have both a home and an away uniform. The Chicago White Stockings, now the Chicago Cubs are the oldest team in American organized sports.

19th century baseball uniforms- Damascus baseball team

Jeff Tesreau in a pinstriped NY Giant Uniform, a team he played for from 1912-1918. He was infamous for throwing a wicked curve ball and thought to have been throwing a spitter. Over his career he won 115 games, with a 2.43 ERA and 880 strike outs.

Born Joseph Jefferson Jackson, "Shoeless Joe" was an outfielder who played baseball in the early 20th century. He is associated not only for his baseball skills, but for his connection to the Black Sox scandal. The scandal revolved around the 1919 Chicago White Sox and their attempt to throw the World Series. Jackson was eventually banned from baseball by Kenesaw Mountain Landis, the first commissioner of baseball.

Photo:Shoeless Joe Jackson

Denton True "Cy" Young was a major league baseball pitcher for five different baseball teams during his major league career. He had a won-loss record of 511-316 with an ERA of 2.63. Young was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1937 and had the Cy Young Award for most effective pitcher named after him because of his accomplishments and his contributions to baseball.

The Kansas City Royals of that era were related to the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro League.

Jackie was the first African American to play major league baseball and was signed by Branch Rickey. The signing however, was kept quiet for a while before being announced on Oct. 23, 1945.

In 1961, big changes occurred in baseball. the American league expanding to the west coast with the Los Angeles Angels ( their owner being former cowboy Gene Autry) and the major league baseball season was extended from 154 to 162 games. Three other expansion teams were "born" during the 1961-62 season, the first expansion in 60 years.

Photo: Gene Autry owner of the Los Angeles angels

JFk throwing out the first ball at the 1962 All Star Game in Washington D.C.'s appropriately named D.C. Stadium.

Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra- Yogi Berra was signed by Yankees scout Leo
Browne for $500. But before Yogi could play much baseball, he joined the
Navy. On his return from the military, Yogi became one of the best and
most loved catchers in Yankee history.

Yogi was a 15 time All Star, and won the American League MVP 3 times. He played in 14 World Series, setting many records, including most games played by a catcher (63) and hits (71). Yogi also hit the first pinch hit homerun in World Series history. Yogi set many other World Series records for catchers including: first in number of at bats, first in the number of doubles and second in the number of RBI's, truly amazing feats, for someone who Branch Rickey said would never make it beyond Triple A baseball.Yogi was elected to the baseball hall of fame in 1972.

MLB attendance vs population

Nick Johnson playing 1st base (for the Marlins) at Nationals game, August 2009.
A vacation trip to Washington DC included a stop to watch the Nationals.

New Yankee Stadium 2009