Ambassadors in Pinstripes Essays

The Victory Season: The End of World War II and the Birth of Baseball’s Golden Age written by Robert Weintraub is focused on the 1946 Major League Baseball season after World War II when “America was ready to heal.” During the war, parks were empty, the balls were made with fake rubber, and all of America’s favorite players were serving in the war. When players returned, they exchanged their military uniforms for baseball uniforms and the sport of baseball quickly became a key tool which helped many American’s return to their normal, everyday lives. Parks began to fill up again and a new era of baseball was born. Although so many soldiers returning at once did cause some issues, the National League was very competitive and many thrived on it. Weintraub discusses many events considered to be baseball’s best times including: the difficult, yet rewarding transition of baseball players from military service to the major leagues, The Brooklyn Dodgers breaking the racial segregation in the league by signing a black man, Jackie Robinson, the introduction of the Mexican League, in which American players signed with to receive higher salaries, and the 1946 World Series between the Boston Red Sox and the St. Louis Cardinals, where the Cardinals defeated the Sox in the seven game series. Weintraub strongly focuses

At the time, I was not impressed with the “American” sport, but now that I have read Stephen Jay Gould’s essay, “The Creation Myths of Cooperstown,” I will have something to say when the subject arises. Don’t get me wrong: I didn’t like America’s baseball then

In 1839 Americas soon to be favorite past time was invented right here in New York, Baseball. Baseball whether you like the game or not, has weaved itself deeply into our culture and isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. There are countless movies, articles, songs, playing cards, bobble heads, merchandise and books all made about baseball. The players are often idolized by children and adults alike. Baseball in our country was and still is a huge topic of discussion, whose batting average is higher, which team is better, is someone cheating. Troy Maxson like many American’s knows a lot about baseball like how striking out is bad and homeruns are how you win but there are things about baseball that Troy doesn’t know. The article, Walking Around the Fences: Troy Maxson and the Ideology of “Going Down Swinging”, written by David Letzler. Letzler Delves into the ideology of batting and walks in baseball in explanation of the main character Troy Maxson of August Willison’s play Fences, and his thought process of going down swinging and Troy’s thoughts on some of the major league players of that time.

The article “America’s Pastime” by Robert S. Fay and Tom Pfannoch, teaches readers about the history of baseball. The first unofficial baseball games were played in the early 1800’s, these games otherwise known as “town ball”. One of the earliest organizations to influence modernized baseball was the knickerbockers, the knickerbockers put together a set of rules and gave the game structure which helped standardize how the game is played today. Soon after, the game spread throughout the country and gained popularity among players and spectators as well, which led to the professional sport of baseball. Following the professionalization of the sport many leagues were formed, the present day MLB (Major League Baseball) has been considered America’s

Every great baseball team deserves a great home. Meaning they need a city to call home and a stadium they can make their own. Since the beginning of baseball, teams have been claiming and changing spaces in which they call home. The Atlanta Braves’ changing stadiums and town is nothing new because this transactions has been happening for years with a plethora of teams, for many different reasons. It is important to be critical of contemporary movements because a lot of movements are similar to one that already happened. Studying sports history will give a lot of insight about what is happening in sport today. This paper will discuss the long residuals from a political economical, geographical and scientific standpoint to show that the

Since its inception in the 19th-century baseball and its players became a synonym for America. From challenges of racial segregation to fights for fair wages, baseball mirrored the economic, political and social changes in America. The sport impacted people’s lives through the promotion of values such as integrity, fairness, responsibility and respect. Players became brands who carried socio-political capacities like moral leadership.

When the topic of baseball comes up in a conversation, what do you think of? The field, a bat, the ball, or amazing plays, crucial games, and game winning performances. What about American history? Does World War II come to mind; most likely not. According to an article called “Food for Thought: Baseball and American History,” John P. Rossi quotes Jacques Barzun saying, “Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball.” Negro League Baseball can be used to shed light on the historical experience of African American’s in the United States.

From the first click of the turnstiles to the last crack of the bat, a baseball game is perhaps the most truly American of anything in the United States” (“Project”). This is how baseball started up and began all over and in Chicago.

World War II was one of the most tragic, depressing wars in history. There was poverty, rationing of food and clothing, hunger, and death. The middle class had a hard time functioning regularly and some families had to say goodbye to their fathers, brothers, cousins, uncles, or sons. World War II put a large hole in our nation, but our national pastime had no trouble filling the gap. Baseball gained a lot of popularity during the roarin’ twenties, which grew throughout the thirties and held its strength in people’s hearts through the early forties. Attendance nationwide spiked during the United States’ involvement in World War II(1941-1945). Whether that was due to a nation looking for a bone to chew while their family was at war, the uprise

Imagine you going up to the plate and hitting a base hit to score the winning run in the last inning. I will be talking to you about baseball, Americans favorite pastime. When I first played the game of baseball, I thought that baseball was so boring but when I got older, it got very interesting. The connection I can make is that baseball is America’s past time and has deep traditional values in many of us like me. Abner Doubleday, a young man from New York City invented the game of baseball in the summer of 1839. It became America’s beloved national pastime. Baseball is America’s favorite pastime because everyone

Like the bald eagle, baseball has become an icon for the term “American”. It was the nation’s first major sport and quickly was coined America’s pastime. It was created from a combination of other games during the 1840’s and became increasingly popular during the years of the Civil War (Brinkley 392). In their

With upwards of ten million people participating in the sport of baseball in the United States alone, it is apparent that baseball is one of the world’s most popular sports. Throughout the years, the sport of baseball has evolved from a humble game played on empty sandlots to “America’s national pastime.” The game has come a long way, but how did this game come to be? Everything has its humble beginnings, and baseball is no different. Games that resemble baseball have been around for centuries, and they have led to the development of baseball itself.

Baseball might not be war, but it required tough men to play it.” It appeared that there were multiple goals that sporting magazines had in mind. One primary goal was to pledge baseball’s support to the Union in the fight against the rebels, and this would be instrumental in baseball becoming America’s National Pastime. The patriotism of baseball players marching off to the defense of the Union set a proud tone for the sport. Another goal of the sporting papers was to maintain baseball’s relevance to daily life and ensure its survival through the conflict. In remaining a constant presence in the background of the spectator’s life, the sport kept a valuable foothold within the American life. The uniqueness of baseball’s position in the media also granted a defusing role. Sporting magazines continued to report on sports, which provided a relief from the growing list of casualties constantly being reported by other news

These young men sent overseas to live the rough military life didn’t have much to keep them going. One thing they all shared a passion for was baseball, the infantrymen, airmen, and sailors all loved to play baseball. They would create a makeshift baseball diamond where a picked lineup would play the game that let them forget about the troubles they’d faced and the troubles that lie ahead. From London to Berlin they played impressing all whom watched. And even with the war going on baseball was

The sport is such an integral part of our culture today that we Americans sometimes take for granted its significance in our everyday lives. Contemporary baseball is so closely related with American ideals and identity that it often has served as an expression of patriotism. In times of national hardships, baseball has been used to encourage and rally the nation. In speaking of the emergence of America's nationalism in the historic and contemporary playing field, there are several key issues that surface. Of these issues I will specifically address the long residuals of how baseball has helped to establish our (Americans) national spirit and identity. That is the links between our heritage and national institutions and the game of baseball as a cultural and political representative abroad and unifying tradition at home. I will also address ideals and injustices. That is how baseball's acceptability has changed over time, and how this acts as a microcosm for America's changing attitudes about equality and opportunity.