Basbeall: America's Home Run

 Baseball has long been considered part of America's pastime, right along with apple pie and hot dogs. The National Postal Museum based in the Smithsonian along with the Smithsonian Latino Center, has created an in-person and corresponding online exhibit showcasing the impact of Baseball on American culture and society.  “Baseball: America's Home Run '', is an exhibit which will be on view and open to the public through 2025.  It explores the history of baseball and how it has been commemorated through the post office.

Through artifacts collected through private collectors and museums, such as uniforms, bats, along with artwork from the postal service, a unique history of baseball has been put on display. The four themes that run throughout  the exhibit are “Creating Baseball”, “We All Play Ball”, “The Negro Leagues”, and “Legendary Playing Fields”. Within each of these themes, a specific topic is brought to life and baseball's unsung heroes are brought into light along with the magical moments from the past. Each tackles a subject within baseball and brings the story of the sport full circle from it’s controversial beginning to its present day form.

In showcasing the Post Offices Legendary Playing Fields stamps, put on display are relics from the old Polo Grounds, Fenway Park, and even Yankee Stadium. The stadium seats that fans sat in, from the bases that were on the field during important games, one can get a sense of what it may have been like to be a fan, watching and taking part in those historical games.  Brought to life is the ironic Subway Series during the 1950s between the three New York based teams. Not only are the commemorative stamps on display but memorabilia from the era, bringing the stamps to life.

What really makes this exhibit stand out though,  is the focus on the lesser-known parts of baseball. Yes, Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb's bats are on display along with jerseys from Lou Gerhig and Yogi Bear as one can't talk about baseball without mentioning these types of Legends. It's the lesser-known parts of baseball that are exhibited and brought to light that showcases the impact of baseball throughout  American culture and how baseball reflected a sense of who we were as a country. The curators did not shy away from the discrimination or equality that was in baseball. They tackle the subject by bringing it forward and putting it on display.  They're willing to show the progression of women and minorities within the sport, and in turn, within society.

The Negro League is shown in the light of the hows and whys it was created, that white players refused to share the field with African-American players. There is no dispute on why there were two leagues at the time and the Negro League is clearly represented in the exhibit. By displaying Jackie Robinson's 1948 Jersey, one worn after the desegregation of the sport, baseball can be seen as ahead of its time. Not only was baseball the first sport to be integrated, but it occurred before the military or even schools were integrated. The same can be said regarding the portrayal of women within baseball. While women often played softball, we were introduced to women playing baseball during World War II and showed how girls can play baseball and can be just as athletic as men.

What's also great about this exhibit is the interactive portions that allow for more access to information on the subjects presented. Whether it is for personal knowledge or use in the classroom, the exhibits learning lab helps open up the dialog for the tough questions regarding race, discrimination and inequality to be had. By offering other resources, from books, exhibits or other online information,  a visitor to the exhibit can expand their knowledge on all the themes represented.

Collector and author Stephen Wong, and major contributor to the exhibit, offers his own reflections the true meaning of the exhibit. In his own words, “ we live in very difficult times, highly politicized times. Arguably times will we may have lost the sense of self as a country, We lost the sense of who we are.  In a nutshell, I think baseball is one of those things that remind us of who we are as Americans.”  Wong’s narratives and research, along with Chief Curator, Danial Piazza, weaves a tale of how baseball came to be, along with the stories of the individuals playing it, from the soldiers playing a pick up game to the legends like Babe Ruth.

For this exhibit is bringing the imp
act of baseball to American history, it is showcasing the cultural impact of the sport into the American way of life.  It's about how baseball was accepted by the masses, despite race or gender. It's about how those legendary stadiums were filled with loyal fans, despite who was on the field. “Baseball: America's Home Run” shows how sport can overcome diversity and unite the masses.  It shows who we were, who we have been and what we can become.