Jackie Robinson
This baseball player was the first African American to play in the major leagues.
Baseball Cards, 1887-1914
Legendary figures such as Ty Cobb, Tris Speaker and Cy Young are featured in this collection of 2,100 cards devoted to America’s favorite pastime.
Take Me Out To the Ball Game
Read the history of the "other" national anthem, and view the original sheet music received by the United States Copyright Office on May 2, 1908.
For Teachers
Put the power of primary sources to work in the classroom. Browse ready-to-use lesson plans, student activities, collection guides and research aids.
Did You Know?
Did you know that baseball is believed to come from the English children’s game of rounders or “four-old-cat?”
Homerun Haggarty
Sports writer George William Daley’s fictional character expounds upon the “intricacies of scientific baseball” for the Washington Times.
News and Events
Symposium 2009
Friday October 2 and
Saturday October 3, 2009
Library of Congress
Washington DC
See the Schedule of events for locations.
A lavishly illustrated history of the National Pastime.
Baseball History
December 22, 1862
Connie Mack was born.
August 6, 1890
Cy Young pitched his first professional game.
October 1, 1903
Boston Americans & Pittsburgh Pirates in the first game of the
modern World Series.
July 7, 1906
"Satchel" Paige was born.
July 18, 1927
Ty Cobb got his 4,000th hit.
December 10, 1946
Walter Johnson died.
April 15, 1947
Jackie Robinson broke the color line.
October 15, 1972
Jackie Robinson threw out a World Series first pitch (second game)
25 years after breaking the color line.