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Each spring, in many places around the globe, baseball begins a new season that sees a number of players forge reputations as heroes or villains, clutch performers or goats. Fans have spent decades following teams who never fail to flare the passions of both their followers and their detractors. Go Inside Britannica to learn more about this popular sport and its participants.
The New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are one of America's most recognized baseball teams, with some of Major League Baseball's most famous players.
Babe Ruth: While on the Yankees, Ruth became, and perhaps remains to this day, America's most celebrated athlete.
Joe DiMaggio: Known as the Yankee Clipper, DiMaggio was one of the best all-around players in the history of the game.
Reggie Jackson: Made his mark as as a home-run hitter and an exceptional base runner.
Derek Jeter: As a Yankee, Jeter was selected to multiple American League All-Star teams and was one of the most popular players of his time.
Alex Rodriguez: Also known as A-Rod, Rodriguez has seen his star tarnished with off-field scandals, including admitted steroid use.
Other Polarizing Major League Baseball Franchises
Other baseball franchises in the United States also have large followings with almost as many detractors.
Boston Red Sox: Former lovable underdogs have lately become as prominent in the media as their rivals, the Yankees. Also, their recent success along with their massive payroll spending has further undercut their scrappy self-image.
Los Angeles Dodgers: The team has been hated by New Yorkers ever since they became the first franchise to move to the West Coast (in 1958), leaving Brooklyn without a team. Their fans are also mocked for their notorious tendency to arrive late to games and leave early.
Chicago Cubs: The Cubs have one of the largest national followings, but some hometown fans gravitate more towards Wrigley Field than to the game being played there.
Atlanta Braves: While one of the most successful teams of late, the 30+ years that Braves games were broadcast nationwide on TBS (due to the fact that both were owned by Ted Turner) served to overexpose the team and produce a number of detractors.
Heroes and Villains
Ty Cobb: A fierce competitor and one of the best hitters ever, Cobb is nevertheless remembered for his dirty play and blatant racism.
Jackie Robinson: The man who broke baseball's color barrier, Robinson was the epitome of class as he dealt with racist fans and opponents while playing Hall-of-Fame caliber baseball.
Barry Bonds: The all-time home run leader has been dogged by steroid accusations for years and has been indicted on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice.
Pete Rose: Baseball's career hits leader has been denied entry to the Hall of Fame due to his lifetime ban for betting on the game.
Albert Pujols: Winner of the 2008 Roberto Clemente Award, Pujols is one of the best overall players in the game today and respected for his model off-field behavior.
Manny Ramirez: Ramirez earned a reputation as one of the greatest right-handed hitters in baseball history, but his 50-game suspension, levied over the past few weeks after he tested positive for a banned performance-enhancing substance, has called his accomplishments into question.
InsideFACT
Baseball was introduced to Japan by American teachers in the 1870s. No place outside of the United States (with the possible exception of some Latin American countries) has taken to the sport with as much ardour as Japan. Japanese baseball leagues have existed since 1936 and have produced such national heroes as Oh Sadaharu and Ichiro Suzuki.
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The Mystery of Everett Ruess
by Gregory McNamee
In November 1934, a 20-year-old artist named Everett Ruess disappeared into the canyon country of the Colorado Plateau, never to be seen again.
His whereabouts have been a mystery ever since — until now, thanks to both a long-hidden family secret and advances in forensic science.
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