Baseball is one of the most popular sports that started in the United States and is now enjoyed by people all around the world. Over the last few decades, baseball has grown in popularity to the point where it has become an international sport. Baseball is not just an ordinary game, it is a passion and an addiction. We compiled the most remarkable baseball facts to demonstrate how fascinating and entertaining this sport is.
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Baseball was not invented by Abner Doubleday
Baseball is generally believed to have been invented by the American Civil War hero General Abner Doubleday in 1839 in Cooperstown, New York. However Baseball history, on the other hand, refutes this assertion. It appears that Doubleday was credited as the Baseball inventor to recognize his contributions to the sport in the United States. The legend has surely left an indelible mark on baseball.
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Baseball was derived from a British game called Rounders
Henry Chadwick, a British sportswriter, wrote an article in 1903 claiming that baseball originated from a British game called Rounders. The game was played in the United Kingdom throughout the 18th century. William Clarke, a British writer, released “The boy’s own book” in 1828, in which he outlined the rules of the game Rounders. The games like rounders and cricket, are thought to be the forerunners of modern baseball.
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The name “baseball” was first used in a book
The term “baseball” was first used in a children’s book called “A Little Pretty Pocket-Book” in 1744. John Newberry, an English children’s book publisher, published the book. The author wrote a rhyme about a game that looks like rounders, and he titled it Based-Ball.
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The first officially recorded baseball game was played in 1846.
The first officially recorded competitive baseball game between two teams was played at Elysian Fields in Hoboken, New Jersey, on June 19th, 1846. The game was played between the KnickerBockers and the New York Mutuals, and the KnickerBockers were defeated by the New York Mutuals 23:1 in four innings.
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Baseball was an Olympic sport from 1992 to 2008
At the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm, baseball was played as a demonstration sport for the first time. From 1912 to 1992, baseball was played as a demonstration sport in the Olympic Games six times, but it wasn’t an official part of the Olympic Games. In the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Baseball became an official part of the Olympics for the first time. After the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Baseball was again dropped from the Olympic Games. However, the game was revived for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
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Baseball has over 500 million followers around the world
Baseball is one of the most followed sports around the world. According to a report, the game has over 500 million fans around the globe. Most of the baseball fans are from the United States, Japan, Dominican Republic and Cuba. Baseball also has a huge television viewership in the countries where it is popular. Every season, well-known leagues such as Major League Baseball and the Japanese Nippon League earn hundreds of millions of dollars in television rights deals.
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Major League Baseball was a merger of two established leagues.
In 1903, two established leagues merged to form Major League Baseball. Before their merger, the National League (NL) and the American League (AL) were two rival leagues engaged in a baseball war. Both leagues decided to create the World Series in 1903, in which the winners of both leagues compete for the title of national champion.
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The first World Series was played between the Boston Americans and the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The first official World Series was played in October 1903 between the American League champion Boston Americans (later known as Red Sox) and National League champion Pittsburgh Pirates. The Boston Americans won the World Series with five games to three in a best-out-of-nine series.
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Modern MLB has total 30 teams
The number of teams participating in Major League Baseball has changed since its inception. Between 1903 and 1960, the American League (AL) and the National League (NL) each featured eight teams, for a total of sixteen teams in the league. In 1960, two more clubs were added to each league, bringing the total number of teams in MLB to twenty. In 1967, two more teams were added to both leagues, bringing the total number of teams in the league to 24. The MLB was reformed in 1998, and two more teams were introduced to the leagues. In the modern MLB, there are a total of 30 teams.
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The youngest player in an MLB game was just 15 years old.
The Cincinnati Reds’ Joe Nuxhall was the youngest player ever to play in a Major League Baseball game. The team’s left-handed pitcher was only 15 years and 316 days old when he made his debut on June 10, 1944. Due to a player’s shortage caused by World War II, he was drafted into Major League Baseball. After his debut, Joe did not play in the major league again until 1953.
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The oldest player in an MLB game was 60 years old.
The record for the oldest Major League Baseball player is held by Leroy “Satchel” Paige. He retired from professional baseball at the age of 59. He was a pitcher with the Kansas City Athletics. On September 25, 1965, he made his final MLB appearance in a game between the Kansas City Athletics and the Boston Red Sox. Paige pitched exceptionally well in his last game, allowing only one hit in three innings.
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The longest MLB game was almost 8 hours long.
The longest MLB game in terms of time was 8 hours and 6 minutes long. Two American League teams, the Chicago White Sox and the Milwaukee Brewers, faced off at Comiskey Park in Chicago in 1984. Over the course of two days, both teams played a total of 25 innings. The game ended in a 7-6 victory for the White Sox.
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The shortest MLB game lasts for just 51 minutes.
The shortest Major League Baseball game with 9-inning was just 51 minutes long. In September 1919, a match was played between the New York Giants and Philadelphia Phillies in New York City’s Polo Grounds. The Giants won the game by a score of 6-1.
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Most wins in a MLB season
Two clubs, the Seattle Mariners and the Chicago Cubs, share the record for most wins in a single MLB season. In the 2001 MLB season, the Seattle Mariners won 116 of 162 games and equalized the record of the Chicago Cabs, who also won 116 games in a 1906 season. Why not take a look at the EnjoyTheMatch.co.uk NFL player position data.
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Most-watched MLB game in the history
The most-watched game in MLB history was in 1986, when the New York Mets played against the Boston Red Sox. It was estimated that over 60 million people watched the game. When it comes to the most recent MLB game, the match between the Yankees and the White Sox on August 13, 2021, in Dyersville, Iowa, was the most watched recent game. On Fox and Fox Deportes, the game drew a total of 5,903,000 viewers.
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MLB game with the lowest viewership
The least watched game in MLB history was the third game in the World Series 2020 between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Tampa Bay Rays. The game had a total audience of 9.1 million, making it the least watched World Series game ever.
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Each MLB Ball has a lifespan of 8-10 pitches
According to MLB statistics, the lifespan of a baseball is 6 to 7 pitches, and 8 to 10 dozen balls are used during a single game of baseball. The baseball has a rubber core covered with the white horsehide or cowhide. Each ball has 108 double red stitches sewn by hand.
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Fenway Park is the oldest MLB stadium in America
Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox, is the oldest MLB stadium that is still in use today. It was built in 1912 and has hosted 11 World Series games since then. The Red Sox ownership group has recently renovated the ballpark to ensure that it stays functional and meets all modern baseball regulations.
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The most valuable Baseball franchise in MLB
The New York Yankees are the most valuable baseball team in the league. The franchise is worth $6.75 billion and is the most well-known baseball brand, with millions of followers all around the world. The franchise was established in 1901 as the Baltimore Orioles and rebranded in 1913 as the New York Yankees. The team has won the World Series 27 times. With $683 million in revenue, it’s no surprise that they’re the most profitable team in the league.
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MLB’s annual revenue exceeds $3.5 billion
With over $3.5 billion annual revenue, MLB is the one of the most profitable professional sports leagues in the United States. According to the most recent statistics from MLB, the league’s revenue has increased exponentially in the last decade. In 2010, the league’s annual revenue was over $1.8 billion, and by 2020, it had risen to $3.6 billion.
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The Black Sox Scandal was the biggest scandal in the history of MLB
The match fixing scandal of 1919 is one of the most notorious scandals in the sport’s history. The nation was stunned when eight Chicago White Sox players were accused of deliberately throwing the 1919 World Series for money. All players involved in the scandal were permanently banned from professional baseball. After the controversy became public, the White Sox were dubbed the Black Sox by the public. Why not take a look at the Wyoming Sportsbook review by NFLPickwatch.com
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Aroldis Chapman holds a record of the fastest pitcher in MLB
More than 575 career innings and numerous pitches hitting 100 mph or higher, he’s still got it. On September 24, 2010, Chapman made history by throwing a pitch clocked at 105.1 mph. fastest pitch in the history of MLB, he threw two more pitches with the same pace.
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Visiting teams have to wear gray in MLB.
In MLB, the home team is required to wear white uniforms, while the visiting side is required to wear gray uniforms. The explanation behind this is because in the early days of professional baseball, the visiting team had no choice but to wear a uniform with dirt on it because they couldn’t change during the game. The darker uniforms, such as road gray, are better at hiding dirt and other stains.
- The New York Yankees were the first team to use numbered shirt
Two teams, the Cleveland Indians and the St. Louis Cardinals, introduced numbers on the sleeves of their uniforms, but they were unable to persuade other teams to do so. On January 22, 1929, the New York Yankees introduced numbers on the back of their shirts for the first time, to make it easier for fans to recognize players. The Yankees’ idea caught on, and other franchises began to use numbered uniforms for their players as well.
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Player with most National League MVP awards
The Most Valuable Player (MVP) award is one of Major League Baseball’s most prestigious honors. The award is granted to the league’s most outstanding player. Each season, the MVP is awarded in both the American League and the National League. In the National League, Barry Bonds holds the record for most MVP honors. He was named the National League MVP seven times. Bonds also holds the record for the most career home runs and most consecutive MVP awards wins.
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Player with the most career wins in MLB history
Cy Young was a baseball player in the United States who owns the record for most career wins. In his professional career, he won 511 games. Young has a number of other records, including the most games started (815), career losses (316), and innings pitched (7356). Based on his accomplishments, he is considered one of the most accomplished players in baseball history. In the honor of Cy Young, a Cy Young Award is given to the top pitcher by the league every season.
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Baseball bats in MLB should be 42 inches in length
In the beginning, the batters had the option to make their own bats with different shapes and sizes. In 1859, the bat’s size was regulated, and it was decided that the standard bat should not be longer than 2.5 inches in diameter. The length of a baseball bat was also regulated in 1869, with the length being limited to 42 inches. In the 1890s, the use of flat bats was banned and the diameter was increased up to 2.75 inches.
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African Americans were once banned from playing in the MLB.
Before 1947, African-Americans were banned from participating in Major League Baseball. They had their own baseball league, the Negro League, where some of the best players in the world participated. This discrimination was ended in 1947 when the president of the Brooklyn Dodgers, Branch Rickey signed the legendary player Jackie Robinson. By the end of the 1950s, MLB had a large number of African-American players.
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Baseballs are rubbed with a special type of mud before each game
At the start of each game in MLB, 6 to 10 dozen balls are rubbed with the special type of mud, which is specially imported from the Delaware River, New Jersey. The reason for rubbing the mud is to remove the factory shine of the ball without damaging it. The mud-rubbed balls give pitchers and fielders a better grip and control.
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The first father-and-son pair to play for the same team in MLB
In August 1990, Ken Griffey Sr. requested the Cincinnati Reds to release him so that he could join his son’s team. In the same month Ken Griffey Sr. joined the Seattle Mariners to play along his son. On Aug. 31, 1990, Ken Griffey Sr. and his son Ken Griffey Jr. made baseball history by playing together for the Seattle Mariners against the Kansas City Royals. It was the first time in sports history that a father and son were playing on the same team at the same time.
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Hot dog is the most favorite food in MLB stadium
Hot dogs are one of the most popular foods in a baseball stadium. According to a survey, over 25 million hot dogs and sausages are sold inside baseball stadiums during each MLB season. Hot dog eating is a habit that originated with European immigrants who prefer to eat hot dogs at sporting events since they are simple to make.
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Record for the most strikeouts in baseball history
With 5714 strikeouts, Nolan Ryan owns the record for most strikeouts in baseball history. According to experts, Ryan’s record for the most strikeouts is unbreakable. He is one of the most popular baseball players in the world. Ryan is the only player whose number has been retired by three different teams. The Angels retired his number 30, while the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers retired his number 34.
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Edwin Jackson Jr. holds the record for playing for most MLB teams.
In 2019, Edwin Jackson made history by becoming the first player in MLB history to play for 14 different teams in the first 17 years of his career. His most recent team is High Point Rockers which he joined in July 2021. By joining Rockers, Jackson broke the record which was previously held by Octavio Dotel, who represented 13 different MLB teams in his professional baseball career.
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Dodger Stadium is the largest baseball stadium in the USA
Dodger Stadium has a seating capacity of 56,000 which makes it the largest baseball stadium in the United States in terms of seating capacity. The Los Angeles Dodgers are the stadium’s owner team. The stadium was constructed in 1962 at a cost of approximately $190 million. The New Yankee Stadium, with a seating capacity of 52,325 baseball fans, is the second largest baseball stadium in terms of seating capacity. Why not learn something new today, check out the guide on the what the basics of an NFL Match are.
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Alyssa Nakken has the distinction of being the first full-time female coach in MLB.
San Francisco Giants hired Alyssa Nakken as an assistant coach under new manager Gabe Kapler, which makes her the first female coach in MLB history. In 2014, Nakken began working as an intern for the San Francisco Giants’ baseball operations department. She focused on health and wellness programs for the team. In July 2020, she was promoted as an assistant coach.
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The tallest and the shortest players in MLB history
Jon Rauch is an American former professional baseball player and an Olympic-gold medalist. He holds the record for being the tallest player in the history of Major League Baseball. He is 6 feet and 11 inches tall, which makes him the tallest baseball player in the world. On the other hand, Eddie Gaedel holds the record of being the shortest baseball player in the world with 3 feet and 7 inches height.
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President throws the first ball on the opening day of MLB.
President William Howard Taft attended the first game of the 1910 Major League Baseball season between the Washington Nationals and the Philadelphia Athletics on April 14, 1910. Taft wasn’t just there to watch the game; he was there to inaugurate the league by throwing the first pitch. He became the first sitting president of the United States to throw out the ceremonial first pitch on Opening Day of the league. The tradition of the president throwing the first pitch of the MLB season began on that day.
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Ray Chapman was the only MLB player who died due to an injury on the field
On August 16, 1920, Cleveland Indians shortstop Ray Chapman died due to an injury on the head. He is the only player in MLB history to die as a result of a pitch. The ball that hit Chapman on the head was thrown by Yankees pitcher Carl Mays. Chapman was able to walk off the field, but he was unable to recover from his injuries and died the next day.
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Only three players managed to hit 700 home runs in MLB
Only three players in Major League Baseball history are known to have hit more than 700 home runs, including Babe Ruth, Barry Bonds, and Hank Aaron. Babe Ruth has scored 714 home runs with an average of 2.28 runs. Hank Aaron, a former Milwaukee Brewers player, beat Babe Ruth’s record of 755 home runs in 1976 by scoring 756 home runs. In 2007, Barry Bonds broke Hank Aaron’s record by scoring 762 home runs. He currently holds the record for most home runs in Major League Baseball history.
The Editor