Baseball History and Rural America
Baseball's creation myth is bunk, and historians have shown how important cities were to the game's development. But it was still a rural passion.
When “Foreigners” Were Blamed for a Baseball Scandal
In the early 20th century, baseball was a magnet for illegal gambling. But when the Chicago White Sox threw the World Series, Jews became the scapegoats.
Little People on TV: Educational or Exploitative?
Little people have been used for entertainment purposes in royal courts from ancient Egypt to medieval Europe. But can this be more than exploitative?
How Baseball Became a Profession
Sports historian Steven A. Riess writes that the process that transformed baseball into a high-paid profession began in the 1860s.
How Little League Prepares Kids for Work
Little League baseball as we know it is result of child development theory and practices in America's heartland in the years directly after World War II.
Jackie Robinson vs Paul Robeson: A Double Play for the Ages
In 1949, Jackie Robinson testified in front of the House Un-American Activities Committee against Paul Robeson.
Cuban-Born Baseball Players Hit the Major League
Baseball, politics, and nationalism are all at play when it comes to Cuban MLB players.