Introduction to The Old Ball Game Blog

Throughout the great wide world of sports, there truly is nothing like baseball. While simple in nature, baseball weaves a stunning tapestry of opposites. The game is slow until it is fast, quiet until it is deafening, and boring until it is anything but.

     For me, baseball is a game that fully encapsulates all senses. It’s the sounds of the crowd, stunned silent by the crack of the bat, only to erupt in screams and applause at the outcome. It’s the sight of blinding lights and ballplayers that seem larger than life, even if they only stand 5' 6". It’s the smell of fresh-cut grass on a summer day and rain on a cold October night. It’s the feel of an old worn glove filled simultaneously with memories of game-winning catches and the near misses of defeat. It’s the taste of the best hot dogs in the entire world, no matter which ballpark they come from.

     Baseball is a game that delicately balances consistency and change. Rules are updated, games speed up, bases get bigger, yet baseball is always familiar and is always there to get you through the dog days of summer. The game is always bringing in new names and faces, yet it leaves room to reminisce about years past. It is a game for anyone; it doesn’t matter if the ballplayer is big or small, they all look spectacular in Dodger Blue and Yankee Pinstripes. As I said, baseball is a beautiful tapestry that will continue to grow, stitching new names, new records, and new memories in its ever-changing history.

     Above all, baseball is a game of stories. No other sport in the history of all humanity holds a candle to the epic storytelling ability of baseball. You can speak to anyone on the street, and they will likely have a story about the ballpark, playing as a kid, or even just taking in the game from the comfort of their home. A demonstration of the storytelling power of baseball is the phrase “Shot Heard ‘Round the World”. While most associate this phrase with the battles of Lexington and Concord, it doesn’t take long for the search results to overshadow American history and start discussing Bobby Thomson’s legendary walk-off home run to win the 1951 National League Pennant. Baseball is just a game, and yet it is so much more.

There are baseball stories that are burned into my brain, some new and some old, that I know will never fade. As time passes and the names and faces become blurry, I can guarantee that I will still remember where I was when I saw Freddie Freeman hit a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the 10th inning of game 1 of the World Series. Leaping from my seat with arms raised high, soaking in the beautiful sound of Joe Davis’ Scullian call, “Right field, she is gone!” Just writing about it gives me full-body chills.   

     In today’s fast-paced world, it is a perfect time to relax and unwind, discussing the beautiful moments of pure art demonstrated to us on the diamond over the last 150+ years. The purpose of this blog is not to chase headlines and talk about the now; it is intended to explore the reasons why we love this game and how the passion of baseball will remain long after we are gone. As I dive into baseball’s marvelous history, I will share my thoughts on everything from historic moments, my connection to baseball, the iconic teams of baseball’s past, ballparks, uniforms, and much, much more. Thank you so much for reading, and I hope you will continue with me on this journey through America’s pastime.