Baseball History Lessons

More than any other sport, fans of baseball are fascinated by its history. We want to relive the great moments and ignomious defeats, learn about the people who influenced the game, find out why things are as they are.

In this section of Homerunweb, you'll be able to brush up on your knowledge of baseball's past with brief, one-page "lessons" on significant events and people in baseball's past. These lessons were written by David Martinez, author of The Book of Baseball Literacy.

Check back often for more lessons.

Lesson 1: The Negro leagues

Negro leagues were born out of the desire for players of races other than white -- mainly African-Americans and dark-skinned Latins -- to play baseball in organized leagues. Read on for more.

Lesson 2: Game Six, 1975 World Series

What's the greatest game ever played? Many experts choose Game Six of the 1975 World Series between the Red Sox and Reds. Why? Read on for more.

Lesson 3: The Lively Ball Era

An oft-told baseball story is that sometime around 1920, major league executives acted in concert with baseball manufacturers to "liven up" the ball. Their supposed aim was to increase flagging attendance in the wake of the Black Sox scandal. There's only one problem: It's not true! Read on for more.