As baseball fever crossed the nation, newspapers and magazines exposed people to the game and the early reporting of the 1850s focused on the scores and statistics.

The media eagerly supplied dramatic coverage on rumours, rivalries and records. Advances in printing technologies enabled images to enhance the words, showing readers the action on the field and putting faces to the names they admired.

Spurred by the Industrial Revolution, baseball mirrored the emerging American culture of making everything bigger and better to gain a competitive edge.

Both the desire to win and the concern for safety pushed innovations in equipment. New rules streamlined the game and struck a competitive balance between batting and pitching.

Business seized the opportunity to turn baseball into a money-making machine. Memorabilia invaded every market – from books and music to playing cards and board games. Baseball wasn’t just a fad, it was everywhere, and it was here to stay!

Mike and I spent a very enjoyable day in Cooperstown, New York, home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Above is the ball from the first series of games where an admission was charged – September 10, 1858!

George Herman “Babe” Ruth Jr. is considered by many to be the greatest baseball player of all time. He began his career as a stellar left-handed pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, but achieved his greatest fame as a slugging outfielder for the New York Yankees. In 1936, Ruth was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame.