Throughout the research of my top the history of baseball, I have come to the conclusion that baseball gave people in their cities something to be proud of and be apart of. The game of baseball helped cities grow. It also brought in money for the city and other products. The game of baseball started something great in this time period and now is a multi-billion dollar industry.
I will now give you some information about baseball and how it started up. The first official game of baseball in the US took place in June 1846 in Hoboken, New Jersey. In 1869, the Cincinnati Red Stockings became America’s first professional baseball club. On February 2, 1876, the National league of Professional Baseball Clubs, which comes to be more commonly known as the National League was formed. The American League was formed in 1901 and in 1903, the first World Series was held.
With Cincinnati League-less, and a majority of its population unable to attend any games not played on a Sunday, the American Association was formed in 1881. Termed the “Beer and Whiskey” by National League detractors, four of its owners were in fact brewmasters. With franchises in St. Louis, Cincinnati, Louisville, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Baltimore, the AA had the advantage of a wider population base than the NL. But more significantly the AA scheduled games on Sunday’s, sold beer, and charged only 25 cents for admission which opened the specter of professional baseball to the working-class. St. Louis owner Christopher Von der Ahe, also known as “Millionaire Sportsman,” knew baseball’s ability to increase beer sales.
Money was a big problem for other leagues trying to start other leagues to compete against the National League and American Association. In 1884, the Union Association tried to form their own league. Many players left their teams for the freedom of the Union Association, but it only lasted one season because the teams lost too much money. In 1890, the Players League was formed, most of the best players from the American Association and National League joined, but like the Union Association, the Players League went bankrupt after one season. The competition and loss of players forced the American Association to fold, too, with four of its best teams joining the National League. The American League which started in 1901, raided most of the National League’s best players which caused The NL’s owners turned on each other. A court injunction impaneled a three-man commission to run the league, and they found a way for two-leagues to co-exist peacefully. In 1914, yet another league tried to gain a foothold. The Federal League sought to establish its presence both on the field and in the courtroom. They sued, contending that the American and National League constituted a monopoly. While the case languished in the legal system, the Federal League folded after two seasons.
Throughout the late 1890’s and early 1900’s baseball was the big talk among people throughout cities. Considered one of the greatest pitchers of all time, Cy Young, pitched in the Majors for the first time in 1890. The Boston Americans beat the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first World Series in 1903 which gave the people of Boston pride and confidence. Then in 1912 probably the greatest ballpark of all time, Fenway Park, opened which gave Boston another great thing to the city. Also during this time a legend was born in Boston, George “Babe” Ruth. Baseball is a betting man's game and the “dead ball” provided few home runs. The game relied on contact-hitters, bunters, and base-stealing. The adoption of a ball with cork center in 1911 changed the game forever which caused more exciting games.
The best thing about baseball is its past, because it is baseball is America's pastime. Everyone from the past is responsible for the grand game of baseball and how it is a billion dollar industry today. As you can see, baseball gave people in their cities something to be proud of and be apart of, helped cities grow, and it also brought in money for the city and other products.
The National League was formed on February 2, 1876.
A court injunction found a way for two-leagues to co-exst peacefully.
A legend was burn, George “Babe” Ruth.
Baseball is America’s pastime.
The National League was formed on February 2, 1876.
A legend was burn, George “Babe” Ruth.
Baseball is America’s pastime.
Sources:
I used this source to find out information about when the American and National League were founded.
I used this source to find out a timeline of the history of baseball.
I used this source to find out the Origins of the game of baseball.
I used this link to find out about the Beer and Whiskey League and what it was about.
I used this source to get a scholarly source about the history of baseball.
I used this scholarly source to find out about the early baseball laws.
I used this scholarly source to find out about the history of baseball.
