Members of the grounds crew spray the field before the Opening Day game between the Washington Nationals and the Miami Marlins.
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
The national pastime is more than just a sport. In this roundup, we feature stories about baseball’s relationship to race, politics, the media and health.
Did the Chicago Cubs break the curse of the Billy Goat to win the 2016 World Series in baseball?
Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Many sports enthusiasts are notoriously superstitious. Why is that so?
Sam Sianis, owner of the Billy Goat Tavern in Chicago, on the field prior to a 1984 National League playoff game.
AP Photo
No team in sports has inspired better literature than the hapless Chicago Cubs. The oeuvre includes a little-known tale by W.P. Kinsella: ‘The Last Pennant Before Armageddon.’
The Cannon Street All-Stars watch from the stands at the 1955 Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
1955 Cannon Street All-Stars/Facebook
Charleston’s Cannon Street YMCA All-Stars thought they’d have a chance to compete for a spot in the coveted Little League World Series. But South Carolina’s Little League director had other ideas.
EpicStockMedia/www.shutterstock.com
More action sports will be on the Olympic bill in Tokyo with skateboarding, surfing and climbing added to the programme.
Graham McNamee called the 1928 World Series between the New York Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals.
Associated Press
Radio legend Graham McNamee was baseball’s first broadcast star. So why did it take 74 years for the National Baseball Hall of Fame to honor him?
Branch Rickey and Jackie Robinson.
USA Today
Brooklyn Dodgers President Branch Rickey liked to take credit for breaking the color barrier. In truth, it was the culmination of a long campaign waged by the left wing press and labor unions.
Media predictions aren’t usually great, but those from 2015 were historically bad.
Ray Stubblebine/Reuters
As the talking heads line up to predict this season’s division winners, many are hoping fans will forget their abysmal forecasts for the 2015 season.
Like any other player, Robinson needed to earn his spot on the Montreal Royals’ roster.
The Jackie Robinson Foundation
Much has been written about Robinson’s first major league game. Far less is known about the first integrated spring training game in Florida.
Penn State’s Nittany Lions became simply ‘USA’ during its games against Havana’s famed Industriales and other teams.
Kelsie Netzer/John Curley Center
The US risks being left out of Cuba’s transformation if it doesn’t act quickly.
Failed singer Graham McNamee was baseball’s first celebrity broadcaster.
'Graham McNamee' via www.shutterstock.com
The first World Series radio broadcasts were a far cry from today’s pricey television productions.
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista flips his bat after hitting the go-ahead three-run home run in Game 5 of the ALDS.
USA Today Sports/Reuters
Why do white players seem so intent on preserving an unspoken set of rules?
Completed in 2009, Citi Field is the home of the New York Mets – and part of a recent wave of new ballparks.
Lucas Jackson/Reuters
TV ratings are down, but the rebirth of the ballpark could be a reason that the sport still boasts the highest total attendance of any in the world.
Pitching injuries are on the rise.
Al Case/flickr
Good pitching technique is often debated, but there may be subtle ‘tells’ in a pitcher’s motion that indicate increased stress on the joints.
Mo'ne Davis riveted the nation last summer with her dominating performance in the Little League World Series.
USA Today Sports/Reuters
The intense spotlight on one female baseball star might lead some to believe that she’s the first and only one. She’s not.
Fear of the unknown: would free radio broadcasts hurt gate receipts?
glove and radio from www.shutterstock.com
With owners deeply divided over radio, a 20-year tug-of-war would ensue.
Or do they completely miss the mark?
Reuters
It turns out the only insider knowledge you’ll need is a copy of last year’s standings.
Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria and slugger Giancarlo Stanton are all smiles as Stanton signs his $325 million deal.
USA Today Sports/Reuters
In baseball history, nine players have signed guaranteed contracts worth over $200 million. Five of those contracts have been for ten years. Two of the five belong to Alex Rodriguez; the others include…
Alex Rodriguez is back on the Yankees’ roster following his one-year suspension for using banned performance enhancing drugs.
Reuters
Alex Rodriguez, the New York Yankees’ erstwhile third baseman, has had an interesting career in more ways than one. His use of steroids has resulted in a sullied reputation and a one-year suspension without…