Why Baseball… Is So Much More Than Baseball

The Best Damn Game Ever Played

When baseball began.., it was a different world. Some say, it was invented by Abner Doubleday, in Cooperstown, N.Y. While others suggest the game was already being played in Greenwich Village, NYC, as early as 1823. Either way.., the world was mad different. The Mormon Church was started by Joseph Smith. The population was just under 13 mil. Andrew Jackson was president.., and P.T. Barnum started the freakin' circus. It was a different time. And the country was getting ready to start it's love affair.., with what would become -- it's favorite pastime.

"Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good, too." - Yogi Berra

By the 1880's it was in full swing… Beloved by the country and welcomed as it's new national pastime. Overcoming it's struggle with race, so everyone could enjoy. There was no other game in town. As a matter of fact.., in the first set of rules -- if you hit the runner with the ball, he was out (they wound up barring that). So, lots has changed.., in the world and the game.

The memories being born.., bonds created. Lessons learned and dirt well worn. Children throughout time have cherished this game. That catch with your Dad -- your very first mitt. Things that make traditions don't come around, everyday. You'll never forget that catch in the grass… Or the home run in the show. It was just so pure!

"It was personal for me… Some said -- I was born to play ball."

As time went by.., the game would change. Just the salaries alone -- could make a grown man cry. But the cheating with drugs is what hurt it the most… It stung it's reputation, tarnished it's shine. It broke the very trust, that we clung to as kids.

The salaries sky-rocketed.., and ticket price rose. The drugs ran rampant, still damaging the game. How could they do this -- dirty-up the game. Not this game, it was special. The field alone was different than other major sports -- that went, up and down -- back and forth. You played on a diamond.., and circled the bases.

"I'd walk through hell in a gasoline suit to play baseball." - Pete Rose

To be fair.., there's always been cheating, in the game. Drugs have been around much longer, than we care to admit. It was the blatant disregard and arrogance displayed.., just didn't do justice, to the game they played. They shat on our pastime and lied to it's face. You can't do that to people and not expect repercussions. The fans were let down.., there heroes now marred.

It didn't sit well.., whether you knew it or not… The trust that was broken, will be hard to win back. Attendance is down and participation is hurting. The rule, not just broken -- they screwed with our minds. The times that we've had playing this game.., watching it's giants perform for the crowd. So much has changed in the world.., and the game. But the bonds it creates, will always be the same. It was beauty in motion.., and after all -- it's just a game.

I see great things in baseball. It is our game - the American game. - Walt Whitman

After all we've been through… From the Great Depression -- to a Great Recession. Through all of our wars, it's always been there… In 1941, a year of infamy, for sure -- baseball was flourishing… Dimaggio's famed hitting streak, Ted Williams batting over 400. But we also inducted over 2 million men into war. Should the game go on, while young men died? But the American Servicemen, who went off the fight, were the first to respond -- Baseball Must Survive!

It was a moment in time.., where it helped keep us alive. A day at the ballpark could boost your morale, lift up your spirit and distract you from a war. And when soldiers were needed they put down their gloves. And marched off to war to help win the fight. It stood by our side, through all the death. And made us all closer because of it's depth.

It's always been with us.., through all the good and bad. And created the heroes, that we looked to with pride. That moment of glory as the ball cleared the fence, will always be remembered, held close to the vest. The days in the sun, when we played like the pros.., or under the lights rooting for your team -- it was a big slice of life.., the American Dream.

Today baseball is loved worldwide… From New York to Mexico, the Dominican Republic to Japan. Children still revel in the pure fun of the game.., and grown men still cherish there time at the plate. But to be completely honest.., with the introduction of the asterick it 's lost some of it's clout.

It ain't over till it's over - Yogi Berra

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