Representation of American Society in Baseball

Representation of American Society in Baseball

Alex S. & Seth G.Horace Greeley HS KLM 2006

Alex S. & Seth G.Horace Greeley HS KLM 2006

1920

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US

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US

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Isolationism, The New Isolationism, The New American IdealAmerican Ideal

Isolationism, The New Isolationism, The New American IdealAmerican Ideal

Americans disillusioned by war’s failure to achieve high ideals promised by Wilson

chose isolationism

led to reliance of homegrown ideals

renewed sense of nationalism created need for hometown hero

Charles Lindbergh

Babe Ruth

The Roaring TwentiesThe Roaring TwentiesThe Roaring TwentiesThe Roaring Twenties“roaring” due to immense array of new consumer goods

decade saw US become world’s richest country

newfound wealth led to increased interest in many aspects of entertainment industry

sports

movies

music

Al JolsonAl JolsonLangston HughesLangston Hughes

The Unfortunate The Unfortunate FewFew

The Unfortunate The Unfortunate FewFew

African Americans among those not benefitting from country’s new found wealth

70 million people lived below poverty level

$2000/year per family

“2nd Class Citizens”

during WWI, African Americans served in segregated units commanded by whites

1919 Chicago Race Riot38 killed537 injured~1000 left homeless

• new sense of black pride,

•led to •Harlem Renaissance•creation of “black-only” baseball leagues

•known as “Negro Leagues”

Basebal

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End of Dead-Ball EraEnd of Dead-Ball EraEnd of Dead-Ball EraEnd of Dead-Ball Era

Major League Baseball instituted new rules in 1920

reduced pitcher’s arsenal

improved hitter’s chance at making solid contact

extent to which offense dominated 1920s difficult to comprehend today

from 1921-1930, no player in either league batted under .280

new, exciting style of play coupled with country's economic boom led to increase in baseball attendance and popularity

no one better demonstrated shift toward offensive production than Babe Ruth

The Great BambinoThe Great BambinoThe Great BambinoThe Great Bambinohis home runs and mammoth swings helped counter negative effects of Black Sox scandal and WWI

exemplified average American

rise from lowly origins

enthusiasm for game

Great Ballplayers of Great Ballplayers of 1920s1920s

Great Ballplayers of Great Ballplayers of 1920s1920s“What the fans saw, during the 1920s, were

many of the most colorful and distinctive players in the history of the game. Babe Ruth was the era’s great personality, of course, but there were many others who remain nearly as

vivid in our memories.”

- Joseph Wallace

Dizzy Dizzy DeanDeanDizzy Dizzy DeanDean

Dazzy Dazzy VanceVanceDazzy Dazzy VanceVance

Lefty GomezLefty GomezLefty GomezLefty Gomez

RadioRadioRadioRadiocreation of nation-wide radio broadcasting, new industry developed

broadcast play-by-play descriptions of baseball games

August 5, 1921 Westinghouse station’s Harold Arlin broadcast first game from Forbes Field

Negro LeaguesNegro LeaguesNegro LeaguesNegro Leagues

in 1920, Rube Foster founded Negro National League

Eastern Colored League established in 1923

ECL folded in 1928

led to creation of American Negro league in 1929

NNL did well until Foster passed away in 1930

without strong leader and with US in Great Depression, NNL fell apart

Who is the Greatest Hitter Who is the Greatest Hitter of All-Time?of All-Time?

Who is the Greatest Hitter Who is the Greatest Hitter of All-Time?of All-Time?

Batting AverageBatting AverageBatting AverageBatting Average.350.350.350.350 .342.342.342.342Home Home RunsRunsHome Home RunsRuns

~800~800~800~800 714714714714You DecideYou DecideYou DecideYou DecideJosh Gibson Babe Ruth