Baseball & Its History

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to baseball and its history, focusing on media influence, marketing strategies, notable eras, and the evolution of public perception.

Radio Broadcasting

The technological change that first expanded baseball’s audience nationwide.

Shared National Experience

A result of radio broadcasts that brought live games into homes and created a communal fandom.

Word Pictures

The detailed descriptions created by radio announcers to help listeners visualize baseball games.

Family Fandom

The way families gathered together to listen to baseball games, strengthening their collective enthusiasm for the sport.

American Tobacco Company

The company that helped create the baseball card industry.

Brand Loyalty

The encouragement of repeat purchases through effective marketing tools like baseball cards.

Single-Sponsor Model

The concept introduced by Gillette's World Series sponsorship that allowed one company to sponsor a major sporting event.

Massive Product Sales

The outcome demonstrated by Gillette’s exclusive sponsorship model.

Dead Ball Era

A period characterized by low scoring, large ballparks, and few home runs.

Small Ball

The offensive strategy that dominated during the Dead Ball Era, focusing on bunting and base stealing.

Livelier Baseball

The change that helped end the Dead Ball Era by increasing offense in games.

Babe Ruth

A star player who symbolized baseball’s shift to power hitting and became a national celebrity.

Television Influence

The way television changed baseball fandom by enabling fans to emotionally connect with players.

Cable TV

The medium that allowed for constant, nationwide sports coverage, contributing to sports media growth.

24/7 Sports News

ESPN's major innovation, providing continuous coverage and updates through programs like SportsCenter.

Personality-Driven Sports News

The type of sports news made continuous and engaging by ESPN’s SportsCenter.

Humor in Advertising

The method used by “This Is SportsCenter” commercials to humanize anchors and build brand loyalty.

Steroid Era

The period defined by the widespread use of performance-enhancing drugs and increased offense in baseball.

Exciting Performances

The reason fans enjoyed the Steroid Era despite its ethical controversies, due to high home-run totals.

MLB Steroid Ban

The prohibition established in 1991 against the use of steroids in baseball.

Steroid Testing Start Date

The year MLB began testing players for steroids, which was 2003.

Biogenesis Scandal

A PED scandal involving multiple MLB players, notably including Alex Rodriguez.

Public Health Concerns

The reason Congress became involved in baseball's steroid issue, focusing on youth influence and integrity.

Legitimacy Issues

The effect of PED scandals on public trust, leading fans to question records and championships.

Long Games Criticism

One of the major criticisms of baseball in the 2000s concerning game duration.

Pace of Play Issues

The effect of pitching changes on the fan experience, slowing the pace and reducing excitement.

Home Run Excess

The problem perceived by fans regarding too many home runs reducing the novelty and balance of the game.

Powerful Advertising Platform

The reason why baseball has been successful in advertising, attributed to its loyal fanbase and cultural significance.

Increased Accessibility

The result of technology, like radio and social media, that expanded baseball's reach to fans.

Modern Sports Marketing Influence

How baseball helped shape marketing through pioneering sponsorships and athlete branding.

Evolution Alongside Media

The central theme of Unit 2, illustrating how baseball evolved with media and marketing into a modern business.