Baseball
Modern baseball was influenced by the British games of cricket and rounders. Although the specific origin is unclear, it was born in eighteenth-century America. In the 1700s, different versions of the game were played across the northeast states by mostly schoolchildren. The modern baseball game is most like the version played in New York. Baseball steadily grew popular through the 1800s, with the involvement of sports clubs and schools. In 1871, the first professional league was created.
The big rise in the game's popularity started when gamblers became interested. The presence of gamblers in the early days of baseball caused issues with players who were persuaded to throw games for money. By the start of the twentieth-century, most major cities had a professional team. Baseball became prevalent across America in the 1920s and 1930s because of Babe Ruth and the New York Yankees. He led them to several World Series Titles and wowed crowds with his home runs. Baseball had become a national pastime in America, and around this time, it spread around the world, via traveling teams from Major League Baseball (MLB). It became especially popular in Japan and Latin America.
On April 15th, 1942, Jackie Robinson became the first African American to play in Major League Baseball in the modern era, challenging segregation and helping the Civil Rights Movement. Before, African Americans were restricted to the Negro Leagues, but the Los Angeles Dodgers' signing of Robinson opened the doors for them to play in the Major Leagues. His strength and determination to break down racial barriers still inspires people today.
Today, baseball remains a widely popular sport in the United States, as well as in Japan and Latin America. It is played and watched by millions of people worldwide.
The big rise in the game's popularity started when gamblers became interested. The presence of gamblers in the early days of baseball caused issues with players who were persuaded to throw games for money. By the start of the twentieth-century, most major cities had a professional team. Baseball became prevalent across America in the 1920s and 1930s because of Babe Ruth and the New York Yankees. He led them to several World Series Titles and wowed crowds with his home runs. Baseball had become a national pastime in America, and around this time, it spread around the world, via traveling teams from Major League Baseball (MLB). It became especially popular in Japan and Latin America.
On April 15th, 1942, Jackie Robinson became the first African American to play in Major League Baseball in the modern era, challenging segregation and helping the Civil Rights Movement. Before, African Americans were restricted to the Negro Leagues, but the Los Angeles Dodgers' signing of Robinson opened the doors for them to play in the Major Leagues. His strength and determination to break down racial barriers still inspires people today.
Today, baseball remains a widely popular sport in the United States, as well as in Japan and Latin America. It is played and watched by millions of people worldwide.