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Information about Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball started in 1876 with the founding of the Cincinnati Red Stockings, the nation's first professional baseball club. The Red Stockings were part of the National League, which fielded teams for the first time in the 1876-1877 season. The creation of the American League in 1901 helped create the AL-NL rivalry that exists in Major League Baseball today. Albert Spalding helped usher Major League Baseball into the 20th century by creating the rulebook for the National League and supplying equipment to professional clubs. Spalding's efforts to promote National League players throughout the United States via all-star teams proved effective in drawing more fans to the stands.
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The "dead ball" era from 1900 to 1919 was defined by the tenets of small ball that stayed away from home runs in favor of strategic play. Major League Baseball teams focused on running hit-and-run plays, stealing bases, and laying down bunts to advance runners rather than hitting the ball out of the park. The era's great pitchers included Cy Young, the all-time leader in wins, as well as Christy Mathewson and Grover Cleveland Alexander.
After the Black Sox scandal of 1919, Major League Baseball was resurrected with the help of the long ball. The era of the "dead ball" went extinct as Babe Ruth, Hack Wilson, and dozens of other players hit more home runs than any other time in baseball history to that point. In addition to the popularity of professional baseball, players like Babe Ruth were followed in the same way as celebrities like Douglas Fairbanks and Charlie Chaplin. Babe Ruth's popularity was sufficient to encourage the opening of Yankee Stadium in 1923, leading to the moniker "The House That Ruth Built."
The entertainment value of professional baseball in its early days was shadowed by the era's racial politics. Segregation in American life extended to the playing fields of Chicago, Boston, and New York as African Americans were forced to play in separate leagues from whites. Hundreds of African American players participated in the Negro Leagues from 1920 to 1950 until the breaking of the color barrier by Jackie Robinson. Robinson's first Major League start with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947 tore down the barrier between black and white baseball players in the United States. His statistics over an eight-year career included a .311 batting average and 1,518 hits, which demonstrated the exceptional talents of African American players.
Major League Baseball fans have cherished the game's traditions since its beginnings. An oft-overlooked tradition in professional baseball is the ceremonial first pitch thrown out by politicians and celebrities. The first president to throw out a ceremonial first pitch was William Howard Taft in 1910. This tradition has continued through today with a few exceptions including the disturbance of play during World War II. Individual MLB teams choose local luminaries, heroes, and contest winners to throw out ceremonial first pitches during home games.
The Major League Baseball season has followed the same template for decades. Every team assembles at its spring training facilities in Florida (the Grapefruit League) and Arizona (the Cactus League) in the middle of February. Spring training lasts through the end of March to the first week of April, allowing competition among young players and getting starters ready for a 162-game season. The MLB season extends from April to the end of September, culminating in the Wild Card, League Championship Series, and World Series rounds through the end of October. The league holds its All-Star Game in July instead of waiting until the end of the season to celebrate its most popular players. The All-Star Game has turned from a simple game between American and National League players to a media event including a Home Run Derby and celebrity softball game.
Major League Baseball is distinct from the NFL, NBA, and NHL by holding its player draft in June instead of the off-season. The June draft is timed to take place at the end of the high school and college baseball seasons, allowing teams to scout young players and get them into camp before the season is out. Since the first MLB draft in 1965, teams have picked up high school and college players to fill their minor league rosters.
The attendance figures at MLB stadiums have exploded since 1876, as new stadiums have been built and league expansion has taken place. The league's attendance ballooned from 21 million by 1899 to 92 million by 1929, 163 million by 1959, and 458 million by 1989. Major League Baseball continues to set attendance records because of its successful marketing of star players and the attraction of former players to managing, front office, and broadcasting positions. MLB fans have access to game tickets through their individual team box offices, websites like HubStub, and auction websites like eBay. The affordability of bleacher seats at most stadiums means that families can enjoy an afternoon at the ballpark like generations before.
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