Stories from America's Pastime
From the earliest U.S. baseball references in the 1700s to the modern major leagues, explore the people, rules, and turning points that built the game.
180+
Years of History
500+
Player Profiles
1,000+
Articles & Stories
Start At The Beginning
Baseball Origins in the U.S.
- 1791 Pittsfield Bylaw
Earliest known written U.S. reference to baseball.
- New York Association Play (1823)
An early New York notice documents organized association base ball.
- Wheaton and Early Club Rules (1837)
Rule-writing evidence in New York before Knickerbocker codification.
- Gotham-Era Club Development (1840-1843)
Club competition patterns that set the stage for written standards.
- Knickerbocker Rules (1845)
How written rules moved baseball toward modern form.
- March 15, 1791 This Day Entry
Primary calendar entry for baseball’s earliest U.S. reference.
Featured Reading
From the Archives
When Pitchers Ruled the Diamond
During the Dead-Ball Era, pitchers worked under conditions that will never be replicated. Dirty baseballs, legal trick pitches, and the expectation of finishing what you started produced statistics that look like misprints today.
Read full articleThe Season That Stopped
On August 12, 1994, major league baseball players walked off the field. They did not come back for 232 days. The World Series was cancelled for the first time since 1904, and the sport lost a generation of fans.
Read full articleThis Day in History
May 1
Wally Joyner Hits a Grand Slam in His First Week
On May 1, 1986, California Angels rookie Wally Joyner hit a grand slam against the Red Sox at Anaheim Stadium, the first of what would become a season-long love affair between a 23-year-old first baseman and a fanbase that had been waiting for exactly this kind of player.
Journey Through Time
Explore Baseball's Eras
From the strategic dead-ball game to the analytics-driven modern era, discover how America's pastime evolved over more than a century.
Origins Era
1791–1899
From the earliest U.S. references through 19th-century codification and professionalization, baseball took recognizable modern form.
Dead-Ball Era
1900–1919
Low-scoring games, scientific baseball, and legendary pitchers like Cy Young and Walter Johnson dominated this era of craft over power.
Live-Ball Era
1920–1941
Babe Ruth revolutionized the game with power hitting. The Yankees dynasty emerged, and baseball became America's undisputed pastime.
Integration Era
1942–1960
Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947, transforming baseball forever. Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, and other legends emerged.
Expansion Era
1961–1976
Baseball spread across America with new franchises. From the Amazin' Mets to the Big Red Machine, dynasties rose and fell.
Free Agency Era
1977–1993
Players gained freedom and salaries soared. The game saw new superstars, labor disputes, and unforgettable World Series moments.
Modern Era
1994–2025
From the steroid controversy to advanced analytics, the modern era redefined what we know about baseball strategy and athleticism.