Tag: Baseball

History Lessons

Monday’s Sunday saved American flag

Rick Monday rescues the American flag.

Forty years ago, on April 25, 1976, just weeks before America would mark the bicentennial of the Declaration of Independence, a Chicago Cubs centerfielder made an immortal catch that didn’t involve catching a baseball. Instead, it rescued an American flag. That afternoon, Rick Monday snatched the star-spangled banner from two protestors who had squirted lighter… continue

History Lessons

Baseball begins and ends with flags

Flags flutter in the outfield in this 19th-century drawing

  It’s almost time to “play ball!” And with the return of the baseball season come plenty of flags – American flags, pennants and banners – which have always been associated with the game. Before Fort Sumter was shelled in the harbor outside Charleston, South Carolina, igniting the Civil War 155 years ago in 1861,… continue

History Lessons

Amid flags, president set baseball precedent

In stadiums around the U.S., as well as one in Canada, these words will soon resound: “Play ball!” Those venues will be draped with bunting and topped with American flags as the 2015 baseball season debuts. More than a century ago, a tossed baseball set a precedent that endures. It was established by President William… continue

History Lessons

Recalling Joltin’ Joe and flyin’ flags

Baseball legend Joe DiMaggio is usually not thought of as having a connection to flags. But the centennial of his birth (Nov. 25, 1914) brings memories of how often he was associated with bunting, pennants and American flags. The anniversary also calls attention to another Joe DiMaggio, who is associated with flags because he loves… continue

History Lessons

Long-lost film features flag | 1924 World Series

This year’s World Series will sport many flags – American flags and red-white-and-blue bunting, of course, but also the pennants and banners of baseball teams. Just in time for the fall classic, a lost film has surfaced from 90 years ago, and it shows a prominent Old Glory. The silent movie is the only known… continue