Baseball is a sport that has been around for centuries, and it remains one of the most popular sports in the world today. But even the most die-hard fans may not know everything there is to know about this beloved game. Here are eight things you might not know about baseball:
2. **The first baseball game was played in Hoboken, New Jersey in 1846.** The game was between the New York Knickerbockers and the New York Nine, and the Knickerbockers won 23-1.
3. **The first professional baseball team was the Cincinnati Red Stockings, founded in 1869.** The Red Stockings were so dominant that they won 57 of their 65 games in their first season.
4. **The first World Series was played in 1903 between the Boston Americans and the Pittsburgh Pirates.** The Americans won the series 5 games to 3.
5. **Babe Ruth is considered the greatest baseball player of all time.** Ruth played for the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, and Boston Braves from 1914 to 1935. He hit 714 home runs during his career, a record that stood for 39 years.
6. **Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball in 1947.** Robinson played for the Brooklyn Dodgers and helped to pave the way for other African American players to enter the league.
7. **The longest game in Major League Baseball history was played in 1981 between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Chicago White Sox.** The game lasted 8 hours and 6 minutes and ended in a 7-6 victory for the Brewers.
8. **Baseball is the only major sport in which the defensive team has the ball.** This gives the defensive team a significant advantage, as they can control the pace of the game and make it difficult for the offensive team to score runs.
These are just a few of the many interesting things you might not know about baseball. Whether you're a lifelong fan or just getting started, there's always something new to learn about this great game.