SURPRISING BASEBALL FACTS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT

Although the Major League Baseball season might be over for 2020, that doesn’t mean that you can’t get excited about next year’s season! And with the festive period in full swing, what better time to treat yourself or a loved one to some MLB jerseys. Here at Cap-Z, we’ve got some of the hottest, most sought-after MLB merch from Majestic Athletic that’ll make the perfect gift, whatever you’re celebrating. Popular jerseys include apparel from the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies, so you can rep your fave team while you’re chilling at home catching up on old games.

You might be new to Major League Baseball and are just getting into the sport, or maybe you’re a die-hard fan who has been into baseball since you were a kid. Wherever you sit on the spectrum, you’ll know that baseball is an exciting and multifaceted game that is rich with history. Even for those who think they all know that there is to know about the game, there are some incredibly interesting facts about baseball that might surprise you. Below, we’ll take a look at some fun details you might not know about regarding Major League Baseball.

Beginnings

Despite research suggesting that bat and ball games have existed since the 14th century, the first recorded game of baseball took place in 1749. And although baseball has become synonymous with American culture, the first game was actually played in Surrey, England, where the Prince of Wales was a player on one of the teams. By the mid 1800s, baseball had become one of the most popular sports in the United States. The first “officially” recorded game in US history took place between the New York Nines and the Knickerbockers in 1846.

Baseball is a bat and ball game, consisting of two teams with 9 team members who take turns on the field to try and score the most runs. Unlike many other sports that rely on time constraints, there is no set time limit when it comes to baseball. Instead, the team who gets the most runs wins the game.

Fun Facts

• George Herman Ruth, more commonly known as Babe Ruth, is one of the most famous baseball players of all time. He initially made his name as a left-handed pitcher for the Boston Red Sox but solidified his reputation as a stellar baseball player with his work for the New York Yankees as a batter. Over the course of his career, Babe Ruth went on to break many records for baseball, making him one of the most famous Americans to have ever lived.

• In 1930 and 1931, Babe Ruth’s top salary was $80,000, which works out to a little over $1.1m USD today.

• Major League Baseball is divided into the National and American Leagues. One of the key differences is that the designated hitter in the American League is a position that only bats and does not play the field. In the National League, the pitcher must bat along with the other team players.

• Nintendo owns the Seattle Mariners.

• A Major League baseball usually only survives the game for six to seven pitches before it is swapped out for a new one. Not an incredibly long lifespan for a ball! However, the reason this is done is because there might be damage to the ball, or it might be more convenient than spending time running to retrieve it (especially in the case of a home run).

• When it comes to relieving blisters, some players swear by peeing on their hands as they believe it can help toughen the skin. Although it might seem kind of gross, if it improves grip and their gameplay, who’s to tell them otherwise?

• The oldest professional baseball team, the Cincinnati Red Stockings (now the Reds) was founded in 1869.

• On every MLB ball, you will find 108 stitches.

• The record number of World Championships is 27, an accolade held by the New York Yankees.'
• So, how much of that did you know? Some of those facts certainly surprised us!