Baseball Timeline

The Beginning of Baseball

Mar 1, 1845

Alexander Cartwright, published the first set of baseball rules for the Knickerbocker Club of New York.

Woman's Baseball

Apr 1, 1866

First woman's baseball team was formed.

The Curve Ball

May 30, 1867

The first curve ball was thrown by Candy Cummings.

First Professional Baseball Team

Apr 1, 1869

Cincinnati Red Stockings became the first salaried team.

Professional Baseball League Founded

Jun 1, 1871

National Association of Professional Baseball Players established

National League

Apr 1, 1876

First Major League formed.

First Catcher's Mask

Feb 12, 1878

Frederick Winthrop Thayer received a patent for a baseball catcher's mask

World Series

Aug 30, 1903

The world Series was created!

Alta Weiss

Apr 30, 1904

First professional woman baesball player.

Babe Ruth

Oct 20, 1915

New York Yankees won their first World Series followed by another in 1918 and 1922.

Eight Men Out

Oct 20, 1919

Eight White Sox players fixed the 1919 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds and are banned from baseball for life.

Triple Play

Oct 10, 1920

Bill Wambsganss executes the first unassisted triple- play in the world series.

Hall of Fame

Nov 1, 1935

National Basecall Hall of Fame and Museum was created to celebrate the 100th year anniversary of baseball. It is located in Cooperstown, New York.

DiMaggio's 56 Straight Games

Jun 16, 1941

Joe DiMaggio sets a 56 game hitting streak.

The Green Light Letter

Mar 5, 1942

During WWII no one knew if it would be appropriate to begin the baseball season during war time. Franklin Roosevelt aproved to begin the season with the letter.

The Wild Card

Jan 17, 1944

Bud Selig advocated for the wild card to create excitement towards the end of seasons and give teams and their fans hope when all hope would have been lost.

The Mad Dash

Oct 16, 1946

Enos Slaughter introduced the mad dash and made the winning run for the Cardinals by sliding to home plate.

Jackie Robinson

Mar 31, 1947

First African American player in the major leagues.

Breaking a Barrier

Apr 1, 1947

Larry Doby became the first black player in the American League.

The Perfect Game Thrown

Oct 8, 1956

Don Larson threw the first and only perfect game postseason.

Dodgers and Giants Leave New York

Nov 1, 1958

After several noted stadium issues, the Dodgers transfer to Los Angeles and the Giants transfer to San Francisco.

Mazeroki Wins World Series

Oct 13, 1960

Blasted the second pitch he saw off Ralph Terry over the left-center field, and remains the only walk-off home run in game seven to win a World Series championship.

Miller Takes Over MLB Players Union

Feb 1, 1966

After Marvin Miller becomes the head of the MLB Players Union, he increased minimum salary and ushered the era of free agency.

The Pitcher's Mound

Jan 1, 1968

Major League Baseball lowered the pitcher's mound height by 10 inches and enforced it the following year.

Fighting Trade

Oct 7, 1969

Curt Flood went to the Supreme Court to fight off his trade from the Cardinals to the Phillies. The loss of Flood's case laid the groundwork to help institute free agency in Major League Baseball.

George Steinbreener and The Yankees

Feb 1, 1973

George Steinbreener purchases the Yankees and turns them into a global brand.

Million Dollar Player

Dec 1, 1979

Nolan Ryan was the only MLB player to ever make over one million dollars.

Limping Around the Bases

Oct 15, 1988

After injurying both legs and hitting a homerun, Kirk Gibson limps around the bases.

Strike!

Jan 1, 1994

One of the worst work-stoppages in major sports history was the MLB's 232 day strike.

The White Dove

Mar 25, 2001

Randy Johnson threw a 95mph fastball and accidently hit a white dove. This caused the dove to loose all of its feathers on impact.