What is the history of major league baseball?

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Major League Baseball has been the pastime of America since the National League was formed in 1876.   The American League was not added until 1901, making it known as the junior circuit before that. Even in the late 1800s, there were standout players such as Dan Brouthers , John Clarkson , and Cap Anson .

The early 1900s period in Major League Baseball was known as the “Dead Ball Era” because baseballs cost $3 each, an incredibly high price at the time.   Players like Christy Mathewson , Walter Johnson , Ty Cobb , and the great pitcher, Cy Young, would emerge as superstars during this period.   The Black Sox scandal of 1919 , in which the players tried to throw the World Series, would prove to be a permanent black spot in baseball's history.  

In 1914, a legend would begin playing baseball – Babe Ruth .   Ruth set numerous Major League records (some that have yet to be broken) and overshadowed other great players of his time, such as Jimmie Foxx, Hank Greenberg, Hack Wilson, Rogers Hornsby, and even fellow Yankee teammate, Lou Gehrig.

Trading Ruth in 1935 didn't spell the end of World Series wins for the Yankees. Joe DiMaggio would lead the team during war years through the 1950s. World War II gutted the league when DiMaggio, Ted Williams , Yogi Berra, Warren Spahn, and other players left to serve their country.   Stan Musial , however, helped lead the St. Louis Cardinals to three World Series wins in the early 1940s.

There was a dramatic change in 1947 when Jackie Robinson signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers, making him the first African American player in the major leagues.   By the 1950s, other great African American players would emerge, including Hank Aaron for the Milwaukee Braves, Willie Mays for the New York Giants, Ernie Banks for the Chicago Cubs, and Roy Campanella for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Other great players of the 50s were Mickey Mantle , Whitey Ford , Roberto Clemente, Sandy Koufax , and Frank Robinson.

In 1961, Roger Maris proved controversial when he broke Babe Ruth's single season home run record. Because it took Maris more games than Ruth, an asterisk would appear beside his name in the record books. The 1960s saw the continued expansion of the league, and the appearance of such breakout stars like Gaylord Perry, Lou Brock, Carl Yastrzemski, Steve Carlton, Tom Seaver, and Johnny Bench .

During the 1970s, America got to see a fine influx of baseball superstars, including Pete Rose (who would later be disgraced in a baseball gambling scandal ), Catfish Hunter, Reggie Jackson , and Joe Morgan. Hank Aaron would become both loved and hated in 1974 when he broke Babe Ruth's career home run record by hitting #715.   Nolan Ryan would come into his own as he threw four no-hitter games.  

The availability of cable television in the 1980s brought baseball into more homes than ever before.   Players garnering attention were Craig Biggio , Ryne Sandberg, Mike Schmidt, George Brett , Roger Clemens, and Robin Yount.  

In 1995, Cal Ripken Jr. broke Lou Gehrig's record of consecutive games when he played in his 2,131st game. In 1998, there was a single season home run record race between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa, with McGwire breaking Maris' record with 70 home runs. Only three seasons later, Barry Bonds would break McGwire's record with 73 home runs in a single season. Derek Jeter would win the Rookie of the Year award and continue to help the Yankees win through the next two decades.

This last decade has continued the tradition of producing incredible baseball players.   On August 7, 2007, Barry Bonds broke Hank Aaron's career home run record by hitting his 756^th home run. However, the steroid controversy that began in the 1980s would taint several players' careers during this time, including that of Bonds and Yankee superstar Alex Rodriguez .

There have been many changes to Major League Baseball over the years, but it still remains one of the most exciting games played, and each year, fans turn out in droves to see their favorite teams and players.

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