The game may be known as America’s favorite pastime but its popularity has spread around the globe.  Baseball in Canada closely followed the development of baseball in the United States.  A professional league was found in both Canada and the United States as early as 1877.  There are many minor league teams but not until 1969 did they gain a Major League ball team.  The Montreal Expos joined as an expansion team and in 1977 the Toronto Blue Jays joined the American League.  Today only the Blue Jays are still found in Canada.  They won the World Series in 1992 and 1993.  The Expos transferred to Washington D.C. and are now known as the Nationals.  

Cuba was the first country outside North America to form a baseball league.  It was founded in 1978 and has a rich history of strong players.    Before the World Wars, other countries formed baseball leagues.  These countries include Australia, the Netherlands, Japan, and Puerto Rico.  Since the end of World War II, countries in Latin America and Asia, Korea, Taiwan, and Mainland China have formed professional leagues. 

The International Olympic Committee has voted to have baseball competition through 2008.  They have decided not to hold competition in the 2012 games, largely because baseball is only mildly appealing to a large part of Europe.  Also, baseball leagues and owners are reluctant to take a break during the season to play in the summer games.

Other competitions include the annual Caribbean World Series held between clubs from Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic.  The European Baseball Confederation also organizes competitions between clubs of different countries.  The World Baseball Classic was held in March of 2006 and gained more attention mainly because several professional players from Major League Baseball entered the game.

Some significant dates in the history of Major League Baseball are:

African-American Moses Walker played for the Toledo Blue Stockings with his brother Welday.  In the 1890’s there was a gentlemen’s agreement that African-American players would not play in the major leagues.

Jackie Robinson effectively broke the color barrier when the National League’s Brooklyn Dodgers signed him in 1946. He made his Major League debut in 1947.

Major league baseball went to the West Coast in the 60’s and 70’s when the Brooklyn Dodgers, and New York Giants moved to California.

The first American League team on that side of the country was the Las Angeles Angels, which started in 1961

The designated hitter rule was adopted in 1973.  The American League adopted the practice but the National League did not.  It is still the biggest difference between the two leagues when they play

There were work stoppages in 1972, 1981, and 1994.  The 1994 work stoppage led to canceling the World Series that year. 

In 1995, Cal Ripkin set the record for consecutive games played at 2,131.  This broke Lou Gehrig’s record.

The home run record was broken by Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire in the 90’s

Barry Bonds established the record of 73 home runs in 2001

Baseball is a family oriented sport and can be enjoyed by all.  If you have never seen a game played in a Major League park, you are missing the experience of a lifetime.  There are some beautiful historic ballparks still located in the United States, as well as some lovely new facilities.  Two of the most revered parks are Fenway Park in Boston, and Wrigley Field in Chicago.  Fenway Park is known for the “green monster” wall, and Wrigley for its still functioning manual scoreboard in center field.

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