Baseball history

National Association of Base Ball Players

Jun 27, 1857

First baseball league was formed-1857 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Association_of_Base_Ball_Players

NABBP Split

Jan 1, 1870

The split between amateur and professional players later evloved into the the professional National League, the amateur player teams disappeared.
This period also solidified segragation, (a so called "gentlemen's agreement") damaging the game until 1947. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_baseball_in_the_United_States#Rise_of_the_major_leagues

The Merkle incident

Sep 23, 1908

Fred Merkle neglected to tag second base after a Giants win.
Officials called the game, and required a replay at the end of the season.
In the replay, the Cubs took the pennant for the last time in history. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_baseball_in_the_United_States#The_Merkle_incident
This controversy was the beganning of modern rules in baseball.

"Black Sox" scandal

Jan 1, 1919

The White Sox World Series scandal brought sports gambling to the public eye.
The players were working against unfair pay, they used questionable means to do it. This caused the owners to appoint a baseball commissioner monitor ethical standards. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_baseball_in_the_United_States#The_.22Black_Sox.22

Negro Leagues / Jackie Robinson

Jan 1, 1937

The history of Negro League Baseball goes back to 1884, the real success occured in 1937 with the creation of the Negro American League.

In 1946, Jackie Robinson signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers, opening the door for future black atheletes.
Local history: The Kansas city Monarchs were one of the most popular Negro leagues, and they even had their own tour bus. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_baseball_in_the_United_States#The_Negro_leagues

WWII

Jan 1, 1940

Many players had joined the armed forces.
1941 was memorable because Lou Gehrig died of ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) and Joe Dimaggio had a record year.
Men being at war created the opportunity for women to create "A League of Their Own" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_baseball_in_the_United_States#The_war_years

Marketing & Televsion

Jun 27, 1980

The 1980's brought massive advertising and merchandising campaigns. Steroid abuse, added to the need for the players to increase their physical abilities and celebrity. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_baseball_in_the_United_States#Television

Drugs, baseball, and records

Jan 1, 1991

The early 90's produced official prohibtion, but drug use was ramapant through the mid 2000's.
After a much neede crack-down on performance enhancing drugs, now MLB is back to its roots of the great american past -time, and the recording of true atheletic exellence. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_baseball_in_the_United_States#The_steroid_era

The strike

Sep 1, 1994

MLB cancelled the world series for the first time since 1904.
Americans were frightened, angered, and frusterated and the strike damaged MLB's reputation for years. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_baseball_in_the_United_States#Strike_two_.281994.29

Minnesota Twins come back bid

Apr 15, 2013

After a great season two years ago, they were denied last season by injury and bad calls but are on a major comeback streak for 2013-2014 seasons! http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=min