A common debate among Americans, when we are not too busy debating race, Confederate Flags, guns and immigration, is which sport is America's pastime. As a history teacher and a traditionalist, I will still argue that baseball still best fits the title.
History- Baseball's history has always most coincided with the history of the United States. It starts out in fabled tradition, similar to our nation's history. Our children learn of Washington chopping down the cherry tree or tossin,g a silver dollar across the Potomac, and baseball has Abner Doubleday and Cooperstown, N.Y.. Now while neither is historically accurate, the legends speak to our idealistic nature. And the truth is that baseball began with a sport which migrated from England, roundball, similar to our nation itself.
Its growth begins at the time when our nation begins its most major historical event, the Civil War. Similar to America, it originated in the pastoral fields of rural America, and grows because of urbanization and immigration. Follow the names of baseball history and you will see it begins with the Irish and German surnames, moves to Italians and later to African Americans and Hispanic. This route should sound familiary.
Baseball follows the American history of labor. The sport begins at the time of the rich robber barons dominating the game and moving through improved workers conditions over it's lengthy history, marred by strikes and labor disputes, both individual and collective.
The history of civil rights in our nation's history also mirrors that of baseball more closely than the others. The integration of baseball in 1947 , the integration of our armed forces in 1948 and Brown vs Board of Education in 1954 are evidence of this alignment. And for good measure, throw in Jackie Robinson's refusing to go to the back of the bus while in the military years before Rosa Parks as another link of baseball's history to our own nations.
But most important to this thesis- movies and music. While other sports have their array of cinematic masterpieces, I cast my lot with those of baseball. The Natural, Field of Dreams, Bull Durham, 42, Little Big League and the Sandlot all stand above those of the other sports. And music- "Where have you gone Joe Dimaggio", Centerfield and Glory Days suffice, before you go back to "Did You See Jackie OuRobinson Hit That Ball" and "Joltin Joe Dimaggio". And what other sports has its own musical break of their game like "Take Me Out To The Ball Game"? And also remember what sport first played the national anthem before its game?
And for good measure, lets toss in America's penchant for nicknames. Most our youths have been peppered and remembered via nicknames for ourselves and our pals. Baseball , through its history has followed suit. Babe, Pee Wee, The Kid, Duke, Barber, Red, The Man, Cy, Dizzy, Dazzy....and the list goes on.
And lastly, since its July 4th and patriotism goes hand in hand with the day, let us not forget and honor all of the baseball Hall of Famers who delayed or postponed their careers in order to serve in World War II- Bob Feller, Ted Williams, Jackie Robinson, Stan Musial, Ralph Kiner, Yogi Berra, Duke Snider and Pee Wee Reese just to name of few of the greats, not including the hundreds of average ball players who did the same.
So while the debates in America rages on over other more important and divisive issues, lets all agree on this great American holiday that baseball is still America's game and pastime. And besides- its the only major sport playing on this great day. Enjoy the BBQ and play ball.