Representation of American Society in Baseball Representation of American Society in Baseball Alex S. & Seth G. Horace Greeley HS KLM 2006

1920s

US History U S H i s t o r y

Isolationism, The New American 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 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 Jolson Langston Hughes

The Unfortunate Few 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 Riot 38 killed 537 injured ~1000 left homeless

new sense of black pride, led to Harlem Renaissance creation of “black-only” baseball leagues known as “Negro Leagues”

Baseball B a s e b a l l

End 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 , 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 Bambino his 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 1920s “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 Dean Dazzy Vance Lefty Gomez

RadioRadio creation 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 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 of All-Time? Batting Average Batting Average Home Runs Home Runs ~800~ You Decide Josh GibsonBabe Ruth