Before I even followed baseball, in my house there were two things known about sports: the New York Yankees and Sandy Koufax. My father would often regale me with stories of his brother sneaking him into the bleachers at Yankee Stadium to watch I started following baseball by watching the pre-game introductions to a World Series game before having to get back to school. Even today, I find something quite thrilling about the players lining up along the baselines before each World Series game (although it has lost a little something being played at night).

Baseball is our national pastime, despite the fact that it evolved from an English game called Townball.

As for the game as we know it today, it is Alexander Cartwright who first devised the present-day rules. He put them into practice in 1845 in what is considered the first organized game, at Elysian Fields in Hoboken, New Jersey. As for the myth of Abner Doubleday creating the game (the reason the Hall of Fame is in his hometown of Cooperstown, New York), it is simply that – a myth. His descendants helped spread the story, although probably not to deceive. Most likely Doubleday spread the (then) little-known game among those who had never heard of it. Therefore to many, he was the creator.

The reason this has been the national pastime is in how the game has been passed from one generation to another. This has been best exemplified in the film “Field of Dreams“. No matter what conflicts exist between father and son, quite often they can still find a common ground talking about baseball. Please watch the film, particularly at the end. If you understand that, you’ll understand the enduring appeal of baseball (Ladies, I feel those who understand the film also understand men. It is one of the two movies known to make some men cry).

I have found this ability of baseball to bond to be true myself. When your team is pulling out an exciting win, I find the stands filled with all types of cultures, all ages, both genders, high-fiving and cheering as one; and societal differences are suspended for that brief period of time.

When I was young, my father took me to one game a year during his vacation. My first game, I got to see Hank Aaron (later the all-time home run king). The next year was my 1st “real” game-my 1st Yankee Stadium game. The history, the mystique, the majesty, “The House That Ruth Built”: 73 years after it’s opening, those participating in this years World Series still speak of The Stadium with awe.

Unfortunately, although the game has always been for everyone, Major League Baseball has not.

For over 60 years, African-American’s were kept out of the game. There never was a specific rule. As a matter of fact, before the so-called “Gentlemen’s Agreement” Cap Anson pushed for in the 1868, blacks did play in the majors, and a couple in the 1880′s ( Moses and Welday Walker). With nowhere to play professionally, the Negro Leagues were born. This is beautifully covered in the book “Only The Ball Was White” (I read this when I was 11, and it is still fresh in my mind today). But for some 60 years, African-Americans had to wait until 1947, when Jackie Robinson led the way back to the majors with grace, dignity, determination and great skill. This year’s tribute to Jackie is something everyone should note , in or out of baseball.

One additional note: In all the midst of all deserved tributes to Jackie, let’s not forget New Jersey’s Larry Doby, who played for the Cleveland Indians 11 weeks after Robinson’s debut, having to deal with the same situation in the American League cities.

Unfortunately we will never know the greatness of players such as Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson or Ray Dandridge other than books and docudramas (such as HBO’s “The Soul of the Game”).

This is far from baseball’s only blemish. The one crisis with the largest ramifications for the future of baseball was the 1919 Black Sox Scandal, when some members of the Chicago White Sox threw the World Series to the Cincinnatti Reds. The integrity of the game (and it’s future existence) is called into question when gambling on games is involved (something Pete Rose has never grasped). As a result of this, baseball was teetering, and a commissioner was named-Kennesaw Mountain Landis. Landis ruled with an iron fist, but unfortunately was instrumental in keeping blacks out of the majors.

George Herman “Babe” Ruth

His outstanding talents rekindled the interest of baseball fans, and they quickly returned to the ballparks. In 1920, the year of the “Black Sox” trial, the “Bambino” hit more home runs that season than all but two TEAMS. From that point on, baseball has remained the #1 team sport in America, despite several strikes and one drug scandal in recent years.

As for that last sentence, those situations have made me recently question my fervor for baseball, as many others also have. I mean, here I am, rooting, cheering, and giving my money to a bunch of millionaires who are working for multimillionaires. Many of these players are younger than I am, and I’m still looking up to some of them. And sooner or later, they will go on strike again, breaking our hearts again. Both owners and players alike seek and even demand our loyalty and support, without any reciprocation. Many of us now ask – why continue?

I think about these things, and tell myself I’ll stop this soon; that’s it’s just another entertainment business, that there’s no emotional tie.

But every so often, when watching the Yankees pull one out in the ninth, I find myself a 7-year-old boy again, rooting my team onto victory. I mean – hey… it’s baseball!

Samet Bilir writes about technology trends, digital camera reviews, and photography, such as camera lenses and latest dslr cameras. To read more articles from him visit his website at chi-photography.com.

Article source: History of Baseball in the United States

This is a guest post submitted by Jeff Herbst. Jeff has had a passion for sports ever since he could first walk and enjoys writing in his spare time. He works with Phoenix Bats, a company that creates world-class wooden baseball bats such as their fungo bats for amateur and professional ball players around the world.

Baseball is unique in that, even though it’s a team sport, some perennially mediocre teams can produce amazing players.

Take the San Diego Padres, for example. Sure, they flirted with World Series glory in 1998, but they’ve had more downs than ups over the years. Yet that doesn’t change the fact that they’ve produced some legendary players. Here are my top seven Padres of all time – in random order.

Keep in mind that service with the team is a factor. The likes of Gary Sheffield, Fred McGriff and Roberto Alomar had stellar careers but did most of their damage with other teams, so you won’t find them on this list. Let’s begin!

Trevor Hoffman (1993-2008)

Never again will baseball fans hear the AC/DC song “Hells Bells” without thinking of Trevor Hoffman. Between him and Mariano Rivera, it’s a tossup as to who deserves the title of baseball’s greatest-ever closer. For now, Hoffman has a leg up. He’s baseball’s all-time saves leader at 601, he’s a seven-time All-Star (six with the Padres) and he leads San Diego in all-time ERA, WHIP and strikeouts per nine innings.

Tony Gwynn (1982-2001)

When you ask Padre fans about the team’s greatest player, the debate usually comes down to Hoffman and this man. Gwynn was the definition of a professional hitter, batting a whopping .338 over 20 Hall-of-Fame seasons. The 15-time All-Star leads the Padres in average, hits, runs, RBI and even stolen bases. The only thing missing from his amazing resume is that elusive World Series ring. Not enough baseball fans talk about the absurd stretch from 1993 to 1997 in which he batted at least .353 five seasons in a row and hit .394 over 110 games in the strike-shortened 1994 campaign.

Dave Winfield (1973-1980)

After Hoffman and Gwynn, Dave Winfield is arguably the only other Padre that deserves No. 1 consideration. One of the greatest athletes, let alone baseball players, to ever live, Winfield was drafted to the NBA and NFL as well as Major League Baseball. He’ll always be remembered for his combination of power and superb outfield defense. Winfield was the first player to enter Cooperstown wearing a Padres cap.

Randy Jones (1973-1980)

Jones was never an overpowering pitcher but he posted some great seasons for San Diego in the mid-1970s. His crowning achievement as a Padre came in 1975, when he won 22 games, went the distance 25 times and captured the National League Cy Young award.

Adrian Gonzalez (2006-2010)

A-Gone’s time with the Padres was painfully short but anyone who watched him agrees that he’s among the most talented hitters ever to wear the San Diego uniform. He smashed 30-plus homers in each of his last four seasons with the team and matched his hitting with outstanding defense at first base. Exactly 0.0 Padre fans are surprised at Gonzalez’s monster numbers in his first season with the Boston Red Sox.

Jake Peavy (2002-2009)

Whereas the sky’s the limit for Gonzalez, whose offense was suppressed by PETCO Park, Jake Peavy probably left his best years behind him when he was traded to the Chicago White Sox in 2009. The Padres’ all-time strikeout leader delivered on his considerable hype throughout the 2000s. He won the pitching Triple Crown in 2007, leading the NL in wins (19), ERA (2.54) and strikeouts (240) en route to NL Cy Young honors.

Benito Santiago (1986-1992)

No Ryan Klesko or Phi Nevin? I chose Benito Santiago for this list because, arguably, he had a greater impact on the game when he was in his prime. The All Star catcher made his biggest splash as a rookie in 1987, batting .300 with 18 homers, 79 RBI and 21 steals to win the NL Rookie of the Year.

Do you agree with our list of top Padres? Who would make your top 7?

Article source: The Top Seven San Diego Padres of All Time