Baseball is considered one of the professional sports in the U.S. and also my favorite. It was organized in the early 19th Century from an English tradition known as bat and ball aka rounders. The American version was developed in the early 1840’s organized into the game known as baseball. In 1845, Alexander Joy Cartwright established the standard rules and the field dimensions for baseball. On June 19, 1846, the very first official game was recorded and played in Hoboken, New Jersey at Elysian Fields in a match with the New York Knickerbockers vs The New York Nine winning the 4th inning game 23-1. On March 17, 1857, the 9th inning format was established. Between 1869-1876, baseball transformed from recreational sport to an organized professional institution. By the 1860’s, players started to get paid. In 1869, “The Cincinnati Redstockings” became the first professional team, eventually becoming the Atlanta Braves. The team was formed by two brothers Harry and George Wright. That same year, (NAPBP) The National Association Of Professional Baseball was established.
My favorite team is the “Yankees”. A team that was founded in 1903, originally known as the Highlanders, played at Hilltop Park and in 1913, they adopted the official name “Yankees”.
Baseball players earn a very hefty salary now a days that’s so diverse from their predecessors (list of progress payment below). Baseball games are fun to attend but became a bit pricey. Even watching it on T.V., is an expense. It’s a shame because it’s a great sport and so fun to watch. In the U.S., we have a famous icon phrase that was created by James Hartzell ( a copywriter) known as “Baseball, hotdog, apple pie and Chevrolet”.
Baseball’s Evolution Of Payment:
- 1870 was the first contract paying 3rd baseman Levi Meyerle $1,500 a year. Considered to be a milestone in pay.
- In 1874, Ross Barnes , earned $2,000 for the season, the highest salary in early professional.
- In 1922, Babe Ruth earned $52,000 to start and by the end of the season, made $80,000 a year. He was the first player to reach this salary bracket.
- In 1949, Joe DiMaggio was the first major league player to earn a six figure salary with a 13 year contract, for $100,00 a year.
- In 1979, pitcher Nolan Ryan signed a 4 year contract earning 4.4 million dollars making him the first player to earn more than a million dollars.
