Major League Baseball (MLB) is one of the most popular sports in America, with millions of fans tuning in every season to watch their favorite teams compete. While you may think you know everything there is to know about your favorite team or player, we’ve got some fun facts that might surprise even the biggest baseball fanatics out there! Read on for five interesting tidbits about Major League Baseball.
1. Fun Facts About MLB Teams
The New York Yankees have won more World Series championships than any other team in history – a total of 27 titles!
The Chicago Cubs hold the record for the longest championship drought in MLB history, going over 108 years without winning a title before finally breaking the curse in 2016.
The Los Angeles Dodgers were originally located in Brooklyn, NY and were known as the “Brooklyn Bums” due to their lackluster performance early on in franchise history.
The Boston Red Sox were the last major league team to integrate, not signing an African American player until 1959 – a full twelve years after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers.
The Seattle Mariners are the only team in MLB history to finish a season with the best record but fail to make it to the playoffs due to a tiebreaker game loss.
2. Interesting Tidbits About Players
Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan holds the all-time strikeout record with 5,714 Ks during his career. He also threw seven no-hitters, which is more than any other pitcher in MLB history.
Hank Aaron, who played primarily for the Atlanta Braves, held the all-time home run record with 755 dingers until Barry Bonds surpassed him in 2007.
Ichiro Suzuki, who spent time playing for both the Seattle Mariners and Miami Marlins, had a batting average of .310 over his entire MLB career, making him one of the greatest hitters ever to take the field.
Pitcher Randy Johnson, nicknamed “The Big Unit,” was known for his intimidating presence on the mound. At 6 feet 10 inches tall, he was one of the largest players in MLB history.
Outfielder Rickey Henderson, who played for several different teams throughout his career, stole a total of 1,406 bases during his career, which is more than any other player in MLB history.
3. Unusual Records and Accomplishments
In 1938, the Cleveland Indians set a still-standing record by winning 22 games in a row.
On April 4th, 1974, Hank Aaron became the first player to hit a home run into Turner Field’s upper deck during its inaugural season.
In 1988, Jose Canseco became the first player in MLB history to hit 40 homers and steal 40 bases in the same season.
During the 2017 season, the Houston Astros made history by becoming the first team to use four pitchers to throw complete games in a single postseason series.
In 2018, the Oakland Athletics tied an MLB record by using nine pitchers in a single game.
Conclusion
From fascinating records and accomplishments to unique tidbits about individual players and teams, there’s always something new to learn when it comes to Major League Baseball. Whether you’re a diehard fan or just starting to follow the sport, these fun facts will help you appreciate the game even more.