Baseball '08!

[RICHARD]

Baseball 'invented in Britain'

Baseball, America's treasured national sport, was first played in Britain, according to new evidence.



Local historians in Surrey have confirmed that baseball was played in the UK more than 20 years before American independence.

A diary that documents a game being played in Guildford in 1755 has been verified by Surrey History Centre.

William Bray, a Surrey diarist and historian from Shere, wrote about the game when he was still a teenager.

Julian Pooley, Surrey History Centre manager and William Bray expert, said the diary showed the game was a well-established sport in the 18th Century and was played by men and women.

Mr Pooley said: "He kept lots and lots of diaries that we have in the Surrey History Centre but last year a new one was discovered in a garden shed and it contains his diary from 1754 to 1755.

"It contains a reference to him playing baseball. What intrigued me is he is playing it with a load of young ladies."

The diary states they had tea after the game on Easter Monday and also played cricket.

Kevin Sullivan, the Washington Post's London correspondent and an avid Boston Red Sox fan, said: "It's a great American tradition to take things from other places and improve them. We've always known that baseball evolved - it wasn't invented like basketball.".


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Next the Brits will claim they invented fish and chips, the Beatles and the United States!

"It contains a reference to him playing baseball. What intrigued me is he is playing it with a load of young ladies."

AHA!, they did invent the phrase, "You throw like a girl!"

[Karen]

I heard that story, but what boggles the mind is how ladies could have played baseball in corsets and hoop skirts! Makes me think it was a far different game back then.

Sure is an interesting late season for the AL East. Were it not for the wildcard being instituted, I'd be betting the Red Sox would repeat the pattern of so many of my childhood years and battle and battle all the way to .... second place. Back then (do I sound old yet?) that meant no playoff opportunities. Should be a fascinating next month or so ...

[Grace]

Did any of you see the latest issue of Sports Illustrated? The cover story is about Yankee Stadium - written from the perspective of the stadium. I have to admit I had several episodes of LES while reading it.

I have two very favorite memories of Yankee Stadium - one in person, one from TV.

On October 8, 1956, Don Larsen pitched the only perfect game in World Series history. I remember watching the end of it on TV. Will never forget Yogi jumping into Larsen's arms after the last out.

Then on October 10, 1962, I was in Yankee Stadium to see the Yankees win game 5 of that World Series against the San Francisco Giants. Tommy Tresh hit a 3-run homer, and the Yankees won 5-3.

I love baseball.

[RICHARD]

I have to admit I had several episodes of LES while reading it.

I love baseball.

I hope that you respect the rules.

Rule 1000, Section 1a

There is no crying in baseball.

[Grace]

I hope that you respect the rules.

Rule 1000, Section 1a

There is no crying in baseball.

I beg to differ with you. There is crying, tears of joy, in baseball. Especially on a Wednesday night at the end of October, with a full moon, and your team has just won the World Series for the first time in 86 years.

[RICHARD]

I beg to differ with you. There is crying, tears of joy, in baseball. Especially on a Wednesday night at the end of October, with a full moon, and your team has just won the World Series for the first time in 86 years.

Bah, A Purist!


I know I will watch tomorrow's game from NY...

[RICHARD]

Loved the game.

Tidbits on the last game in NY.


People were searched for tools before they entered the stadium.
LOL, I thought about that. I would have had a screwdriver and pliers in my pocket.

People were allowed onto the warning track before the game, But were not allowed to take dirt or grass from the field......

I did see the players take dirt off of the mound. That was funny. Of course, the Yankees memorabilia will go on sale, on the internet, for huge bucks. Those seats with the Yankee logo would be fun to have in my house.

(THis coming from a long time Yankee hater-I'll never forget '77 and '78!)

I loved the shot of Reggie sitting next to Val Kilmer and everyone ignoring Kilmer.

(this coming from a long time Reggie hater-I'll never forget you stepping into that ball Russell threw to Garvey and Garvey whining like a girl!)

How come there was no video of the Dodgers winning the 81 series at Yankee stadium?

(This coming from a long time Yankee hater!)

And why did Arizona have to win the 01 series? I wanted NY to win so badly.

(This coming from a long time sports fan!)