Racism In Baseball

Baseball has long been considered America’s national pastime. The game has been around since the mid-nineteenth century, and has been enjoyed by millions. Until recently, no other sport has been on the same “level” as baseball until now. Baseball from the nineteen hundreds up to the nineteen-sixties had been such a large part of mass culture with the amazing feats of players such as Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, and the fact that women were allowed to play in their own league (Burns). Factors such as the steroid scandals of the past decade (Baudoin), expansion teams, astronomical television ratings from football, and the increased appeal of football, football has begun to dispute the long-standing claim that baseball is superior. Since Super Bowl

Many foreign cultures had started playing baseball professionally in the United States. Also, women in the Midwest started their own baseball league, the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (Burns). One major move, however, was when Jackie Robinson Broke the color barrier in 1947 with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Robinson’s entrance into the league gave hope to those who were trying to gain civil rights. Branch Rickey wanted to find a way to bring black fans to Ebbets Field, and did so by signing Robinson (Burns). Robinson battled through severe racism by playing amazing baseball, and won the first rookie of the year award (Burns). Robinson’s perseverance and toughness made baseball much more respected and enjoyed by all. Other foreign influence had already been evident, but not like the 1947 World Series between the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Yankees. Between the two teams, there were four Italian-Americans: the Yankees Joe DiMaggio and Phil Rizzuto, and the Dodgers Cookie Lavagetto and Al Gionfriddo (Burns). Along with Jackie Robinson, the different races playing together were a welcomed sight among

Baseball continues to run strong. Baseball is still followed by millions of fans, many of which follow local teams. Baseball fans are more likely to go to games than football fans. In the year 200, a report by MLB’s Blue Ribbon Panel estimated that perhaps ninety-six percent of all of those who identify themselves as football fans have never been to a professional football game (Barra). According to 2008 attendance rates, MLB and minor league teams had over 100 million people attend games compared to the NFL’ s 17 million (Curtis). Baseball continues to remain popular because more people can attend baseball games compared to football. Also, baseball allows for more connections between fans. According to Messenger: “Time in baseball is measured in generations, not hours.” (Messenger). Not only do more people attend more baseball games than football, but also more people play baseball than football. According to a recent survey by the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association, baseball ranks second in regular players, only second to basketball, and contact football ranks sixth