Major League Baseball Timeline The Majore League Baseball Timeline covers major moments in the Pro Baseball's History. For a more detailed look, read the articles in full below, or search for Major League Baseball Timeline in this archive.
1839: Abner Doubleday is credited with the invention of baseball. Read Article Doubleday Started it All The Post-Standard, October 14, 1964 1921: Eight members of the Chicago White Sox baseball team are given a lifetime ban from the game for throwing the 1919 World Series. Read Article Black Sox Acquitted, Are Barred From Baseball The Port Arthur News, August 3, 1921 1932: Babe Ruth hits the legendary "Called Shot" off of Charlie Root at Wrigley Field in Game 3 of the 1932 World Series. Read Article Babe's Home Run Aids Yankees The Mansfield News, October 2, 1932 1935: Babe Ruth officially retires from baseball. Read Article (pictured on right) Once Mighty Babe All Done With Baseball The Ironwood Daily Globe, June 4, 1935 1938: Cincinnati Reds pitcher Johnny Vander Meer throws his second straight no-hitter. Read Article Dodger's Bow To Vander Meer's 2nd No-Hitter The Lima News, June 16th, 1938 1939: Lou Gehrig's streak of 2,130 straight games ends when he voluntarily benches himself. The record would stand for more than 50 years. Read Article (pictured on right) Lou Gehrig Benched for First Time In Nearly... Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune, May 3, 1939 1941: Joe DiMaggio's consecutive game hitting streak is ended at 56. Read Article (pictured on right) Joe DiMaggio Draws a Blank at Bat... Syracuse Herald Journal, July 18, 1941 Ted Williams ends the season with a batting average of .406. He is the last player to finish a season over .400. Read Article Ted Williams Ends Season With Bat Average of .406 Nevada State Journal, September 29, 1941 1947: Jackie Robinson makes his debut for the Brooklyn Dodgers, breaking the Major League's modern color barrier. Read Article Jackie Displays No Batting Power but Helps Brooklyn to Opening Win The Port Arthur News, April 16, 1947 1951: Bobby Thomson hits the "Shot Heard 'Round the World" leading the New York Giants to the National League Pennant. Read Article Incredible Giants Charge Into Series The Brainerd Daily Dispatch, October 4, 1951 1954: "The Catch" is made by Willie Mays to rob Vic Wertz in the 1954 World Series. Read Article (pictured on right) 'Had It All The Way', Says Willie The Lima News, September 30,1954 1956: Don Larsen pitches the only Perfect Game in World Series History. Read Article (pictured on right) Larsen Hurls Perfect No-Hitter!! The Lima News, October 8, 1956 1957: The Brooklyn Dodgers announce their move to Los Angeles, bringing major league baseball to the West Coast. Read Article They're in Los Angeles Now But Still Called Dodgers Syracuse Herald Journal, October 9, 1957 1961: Roger Maris hits 61 home runs in the "Summer of '61", breaking Babe Ruth's single season home run record. Read Article (pictured on right) Roger Maris Smashes 61st Home Run The Mansfield News, October 2, 1961 1969: The "Miracle Mets" overcome 100-1 odds to win the 1969 World Series Read Article Mets Complete Cinderella Year The Daily Times, October 17, 1969 1974: 'Hammerin' Hank Aaron breaks Babe Ruth's career home run record. Read Article (pictured on right) 715 Bucks County Courier Times, April 9, 1974 1977: Reggie Jackson hits home runs in three consecutive at bats in Game 6 of the World Series, winning the game for the Yankees. Read Article Reggie Jackson lives up to his own predictions The Capital, October 19, 1977 1985: Pete Rose surpasses Ty Cobb as baseball's all time hits leader. Read Article Rose Dived into Game Head First Syracuse Herald Journal, September 12, 1985 1988: Kirk Gibson hits the only come-from-behind game winning home run in World Series history. Read Article Gibson Delivers The Chronicle Telegram, October 16, 1988 1989: Commissioner Bart Giamatti imposes a lifetime ban on Pete Rose for betting on baseball. Read Article Rose banned from baseball for life The Daily Herald, August 25, 1989 1991: Nolan Ryan pitches his record seventh no-hitter and Rickey Henderson sets the all time stolen bases record on the same day. Read Article Nolan and Rickey's record day Syracuse Herald Journal, May2, 1991 1995: Cal Ripken surpasses Lou Gehrig's consecutive games played record. Read Article 'I stand here overwhelmed' Syracuse Herald Journal, September 7, 1995. 1998: Mark McGwire breaks Roger Maris' 37-year old single season home run record. Read Article MAC-NIFICENT The Intelligencer, September 9, 1998 2001: Barry Bonds breaks Mark McGwire's three-year old single season home run record. Read Article (pictured on right) 72! The Post-Standard, October 6, 2001 2004: The Boston Red Sox sweep the St. Louis Cardinals to win their first World Series title since 1918. Read Article (pictured on right) The Curse: 1918-2004, R.I.P. The Intelligencer, October 28,2004		Newspaper Articles (click to view readable full images) The Ironwood Daily Globe June 4, 1935 Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune May 3, 1939 Syracuse Herald Journal July 18, 1941 The Lima News September 30,1954 The Lima News October 8, 1956 The Mansfield News October 2, 1961 Bucks County Courier Times April 9, 1974 The Post-Standard October 6, 2001 The Intelligencer October 28,2004