...the only church that truly feeds the soul, day in, day out, is the Church of Baseball.

The theme for this week's HNT is All-American and what could be more American than baseball, our national sport and a personal passion of mine. As far back as the 1870s, American newspapers were referring to baseball as "The National Pastime" or "The National Game."

Professional baseball began in the United States around 1865, and the National League was founded in 1876 as the first major league. The American League was founded in 1901 sparking a rivalry between the two over players, contracts, salaries and games.

During the first half of the 20th century, a "gentlemen's agreement" in the form of the baseball color line barred African-American players from the major leagues. Finally in 1947, Major League Baseball's color barrier was broken when Jackie Robinson was signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers.


Baseball has seen America through world wars, depression, scandal, glory, heartache and triumph. Walt Whitman once said, "I see great things in baseball. It's our game, the American game. It will repair our losses and be a blessing to us."

You could look it up. ;)


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