Baseball is America’s favorite pastime, and Major League Baseball (MLB) has a rich history filled with exciting moments, incredible feats, and some truly strange occurrences. Here are five fun facts about MLB that will leave you scratching your head in disbelief!
The Weird and Wacky World of MLB
Did you know that there have been two players named “Dick” who played for the New York Yankees? Dick Tidrow pitched for them from 1970-1982 while Dick Groat was their shortstop from 1954-1962. And did you also know that the first player ever ejected from an MLB game was umpire John Gaffney back in 1883? He got into a heated argument with the Boston Red Sox manager over a call at second base.
Strange But True: Unusual Facts About Baseball’s Biggest Stars
Speaking of unusual facts, did you know that Babe Ruth once hit a home run off his own autographed baseball during batting practice? The ball flew out of the park and landed on top of a building across the street before rolling down onto the sidewalk below. Another interesting fact about one of baseball’s biggest stars – Hank Aaron – is that he actually had a fear of flying and would travel by train or car whenever possible.
From the Bullpen to the Bleachers: Fun Trivia About America’s Favorite Pastime
One of the most famous plays in MLB history occurred when Willie Mays made a spectacular catch in center field during Game 1 of the 1954 World Series against the Cleveland Indians. Did you know that the batter who hit the ball was Vic Janowicz, who later became a doctor and performed surgery on Mays himself years later?
Another little-known fact about MLB is that the Los Angeles Dodgers were originally located in Brooklyn and known as the Robins. They changed their name to the Dodgers after moving to LA in 1958 because they wanted a more regional identity.
Offbeat and Obscure: Little-Known Facts about MLB Teams
Finally, let’s take a look at some obscure facts about individual teams. For example, did you know that the Pittsburgh Pirates used to be called the Alleghenys until 1891? Or that the Chicago Cubs were originally called the White Stockings but changed their name to the Colts in 1890 before settling on the Cubs in 1906? And speaking of names, did you know that the San Francisco Giants were originally based in New York City and known as the Gothams before changing their name to the Giants in 1885?