Baseball evolved from the British working-class game Baseball evolved from the British working-class game of “rounders”…of “rounders”…

However, unwilling to accept this origin of a game so However, unwilling to accept this origin of a game so profoundlyprofoundly American, a 1907 committee decided, American, a 1907 committee decided, based on an untraceable rumor, that Abner Doubledaybased on an untraceable rumor, that Abner Doubleday “invented” the game in 1839, noting especially “invented” the game in 1839, noting especially Doubleday’s post at Fort Sumter and his command to Doubleday’s post at Fort Sumter and his command to return fire on the Confederates in the opening volley of return fire on the Confederates in the opening volley of the American Civil War (even though Doubleday “didn’t the American Civil War (even though Doubleday “didn’t know a baseball from a kumquat”).know a baseball from a kumquat”).

Abner DoubledayAbner Doubleday

18471847 The first official game of baseball is played The first official game of baseball is played between the between the KnickerbockersKnickerbockers and a group of and a group of cricket players.cricket players.

18891889 The Players' League is created.The Players' League is created.

19081908 Chicago CubsChicago Cubs win the “World Series” for the win the “World Series” for the last time that century (and still counting).last time that century (and still counting).

20032003 ChicagoChicago CubsCubs come within 5 outs of the come within 5 outs of the “World Series”, but blow it again (oh the horror)“World Series”, but blow it again (oh the horror)

Major League Baseball in the USA consists of both the Major League Baseball in the USA consists of both the NationalNational and and AmericanAmerican Leagues: Leagues: 30 teams (14 30 teams (14 AmericanAmerican and 16 and 16 NationalNational League) League)

Game = 9 “innings” (top & bottom half)Game = 9 “innings” (top & bottom half)Inning = 3 “outs”Inning = 3 “outs”1 out =1 out = caught fly ball or,caught fly ball or,

““strike-out” (3 bad swings)strike-out” (3 bad swings)tag base runner with the balltag base runner with the ball

““walk” = 4 bad pitcheswalk” = 4 bad pitches““home run” = ball hit over the wallhome run” = ball hit over the wall

““77thth inning stretch” (bottom of 7 inning stretch” (bottom of 7thth: fans sing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”, : fans sing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”, a Chicago custom only now emulated by lesser teams)a Chicago custom only now emulated by lesser teams)

Nuts and BoltsNuts and Bolts

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/baseballs_best/mlb_bb_gamepage.jsp?story_page=bb_74reg_040874_ladatl

Hank Aaron, April 8, 1974, 715 career home runs Hank Aaron, April 8, 1974, 715 career home runs

"I'm not an athlete. I'm a professional baseball player.“"I'm not an athlete. I'm a professional baseball player.“

-John Kruk -John Kruk

"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding "If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her.”third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her.”

-Leo “The Lip” Durocher -Leo “The Lip” Durocher

"So I'm ugly. I never saw anyone hit with his face.""So I'm ugly. I never saw anyone hit with his face."

"In baseball, you don't know nothing." "In baseball, you don't know nothing."

"Baseball is 90 percent mental. The other half is physical." "Baseball is 90 percent mental. The other half is physical."

"I didn't really say everything I said.""I didn't really say everything I said."

Yogi Berra Yogi Berra

By the shore's of old Lake MichiganBy the shore's of old Lake MichiganWhere the "hawk wind" blows so coldWhere the "hawk wind" blows so coldAn old Cub fan lay dyingAn old Cub fan lay dyingIn his midnight hour that tolledIn his midnight hour that tolledRound his bed, his friends had all gatheredRound his bed, his friends had all gatheredThey knew his time was shortThey knew his time was shortAnd on his head they put this bright blue capAnd on his head they put this bright blue capFrom his all-time favorite sportFrom his all-time favorite sportHe told them, "Its late and its getting dark in here"He told them, "Its late and its getting dark in here"And I know its time to goAnd I know its time to goBut before I leave the line-upBut before I leave the line-upBoys, there's just one thing I'd like to knowBoys, there's just one thing I'd like to knowDo they still play the blues in ChicagoDo they still play the blues in ChicagoWhen baseball season rolls aroundWhen baseball season rolls aroundWhen the snow melts away,When the snow melts away,Do the Cubbies still playDo the Cubbies still playIn their ivy-covered burial groundIn their ivy-covered burial groundWhen I was a boy they were my pride and joyWhen I was a boy they were my pride and joyBut now they only bring fatigueBut now they only bring fatigueTo the home of the braveTo the home of the braveThe land of the freeThe land of the freeAnd the doormat of the National LeagueAnd the doormat of the National League

A Dying Cub Fan's Last RequestA Dying Cub Fan's Last Requestby Steve Goodman (1948-1984)by Steve Goodman (1948-1984)