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Major League Baseball is one of the most popular sports in America, with attractive MLB picks. It’s also one of the oldest, with its first game being played nearly 150 years ago.
If you’re a baseball fan who loves learning about all things related to this sport, then this article is for you! We’ll be taking a look at seven interesting facts about Major League Baseball that will make you feel like a die-hard fan:
1. MLB is the Most Attended Professional Sporting Event in the United States
MLB is the most attended professional sporting event in the United States. It draws an average of more than 41 million viewers each year, making it one of the most-watched sports in America.
The MLB is also more lucrative than any other major league sport: Forbes estimates that Major League Baseball has generated $20 billion in revenue since 2000, while NFL football has generated only $17 billion.
2. Spalding Developed the First Official Ball Used in Major League Baseball
Spalding was the first official supplier of baseballs to Major League Baseball. The company is still the official supplier of balls for all major league games today and has been since 1911.
In 1910, Spalding developed what would become known as “the ball,” a hollow sphere made from vulcanized rubber. It could be inflated with air and used as a weighted ball on fielders’ bats or foul poles during games.
3. Cincinnati Red Stockings Was The First MLB Team
Baseball was a popular sport during the Civil War, and it wasn’t long before soldiers brought their love of baseball back home. The first professional baseball team, Cincinnati Red Stockings, was formed in 1866.
Baseball was first played in America by English immigrants around the time of the Civil War. It quickly became a favorite pastime among Americans, especially after a series of strikes in 1869 forced many teams to disband or merge into new organizations.
The Cincinnati Red Stockings were one such team. Players formed it from local clubs who wanted to continue playing ball while on active duty during the war. They often played against other military teams as well as against local civilian clubs.
4. The First MLB Game Was Played in 1871
The first MLB game was played on April 22, 1871, between the Cincinnati Red Stockings and the Chicago White Stockings. The game was held at Cincinnati’s Recreation Park (now called Mapfre Stadium).
The final score of this historic matchup was 25-23 in favor of Chicago. It was a tiebreaker because they had beaten their opponents 15-14.
5. Baseball Players Throw Very Fast
The average time it takes a baseball player to make a throw from the outfield to home plate is 4-5 seconds. The fastest throw recorded was clocked at 105.1 MPH, which Aroldis Chapman threw on the mound in 2010, pitching for the Cincinnati Reds.
Nowadays, baseball has been taken over with the velocity of players. If you can work out and train your arm to throw fast, you can go far in the sport.
6. Babe Ruth: Terrible in a Pinch
Many people know Babe Ruth as one of the greatest hitters in baseball history. But few may be aware that he was pretty bad at the plate regarding pinch-hitting.
Babe Ruth had a career batting average of .344 and won 13 titles during his time with the New York Yankees. However, he wasn’t so great as a pinch hitter. Ruth managed just a .167 batting average during his career. Out of 67 at-bats, he only managed to get 13 hits.
7. Jackie Robinson Was The First Black Player to play in MLB
Baseball is America’s pastime. But it’s also a symbol of a nation shaped by the color of its citizens’ skin.
When Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947, he became the first black man to play Major League Baseball. That same year, baseball was still a segregated sport. It took more than half a century for African Americans to be allowed into the game they loved so much.
Jackie Robinson’s breaking of baseball’s color barrier was met with strong resistance from fans and players alike. As a result, his career in MLB was not without controversy.
Conclusion
MLB is a great sport that has been around for more than 100 years. It’s also a great way to get involved in the community, as well as a good way to meet new people.
Major League Baseball (MLB) is the highest competition in North America. Its history dates back to 1869 when the National League was formed, and seven teams were in it. There are 30 teams in each league, with many more minor leagues having their teams.
We hope you enjoyed reading these facts and that they can help you learn more about baseball. Please let us know in the comments below if another interesting fact needs to be added to this list!
