| Jacques Barzun of French origin correctly mentioned in 1954 that ‘Whoever wishes to know the heart and mind of United States of America had better learn baseball’. America and baseball evolved together. Since the emerging of baseball, the sport and the nation have responded to the same events, shared the same values, and struggled with the same economic and social issues. Baseball arrived into the community amidst the inventive energy during the 19th century in America. It continued to grow during the 20th century. In baseball, you can see the industrial spirit, the self-image and values, the triumphs and tensions of embracing varied traditions in America. Baseball as the National Game reflects the changing priorities, passions, character and spirit of America. It had inspired many rituals and continues to reflect the unfolding story.
Baseball is even categorized as one of the most beautifully designed things the culture has produced. The National Baseball hall of Fame and Museum created a national celebration titled ‘Baseball as America’. This is an once-in-a-lifetime venture, which started as an unprecedented four-year program in association with ten of the nation’s leading museums, has been extended due to its overwhelming popularity among the American citizens. This goes to prove how much baseball has become a part and partial of American citizens’ life as the greatest American pastime.
In 1860s Baseball started as semi professional in United States; and during 1869 the fully qualified baseball club was formed (‘Cincinnati Red Stockings’). In the next decade, newspapers in America have started talking about baseball as the ‘National Game’ & ‘National Pastime’. The National Association was the first effort at forming an ‘major league’. This continued from 1871 - 1875. The ‘major league’ position of the National Association is in disagreement among current baseball historians. Major League base ball doesn’t even include the National Association among the major leagues.
The National League, which still stands firm, from its seeds in 1876 as a solution to the shortcomings of the National Associations. Many more major leagues were formed but failed to stand the test of time. However American League, which developed from the trivial Western League was started in 1901 as a successful major league. In the beginning the two leagues were originally rivals that keenly fought for the top players, ending up in disregarding others bonds and getting involved in legal disputes. All issues were sorted out in 1903. The World Series was launched that fall. |
