The 1962 New York Mets were the worst team in the history of Major League Baseball.

Dave Winfield threw a baseball that killed a sea gull in midflight.

Candy Cummings invented the curveball.

The designated hitter rule was the brainchild of Oakland Athletics owner Charles O. Finley.

The "Tinker-to-Evers-to-Chance" infield was the premier double play combo of its era.

Lou Boudreau introduced the defensive "shift."

The first World Series was played in 1903.

Brooklyn Dodger Babe Herman tripled into a triple play.

The professional ban on hiring black players was an informal "gentleman's agreement" that was never committed to writing.

Ty Cobb won the 1910 American League batting title.

Pete Gray was the first handicapped major-leaguer.

Bill Buckner's error blew the Red Sox lead in the sixth game of the 1986 World Series.

The 1919 Chicago White Sox won their "Black Sox" nickname from the gambling scandal that enveloped them.

George Brett won the 1976 American League batting title without divine intervention.

Nobody hit significant numbers of home runs during the pre-Ruth era.

Bo Jackson was the first player to boast simultaneous careers in both Major League baseball and the National Football League.

Howard Ehmke pitched a no-hitter on September 7, 1923.

Bucky Dent's home run in the 1978 AL East playoff was the game's death blow to the Boston Red Sox.

Alexander Cartwright was the first umpire in organized baseball.

Hall of Famer Roger Bresnahan invented shin guards in 1907.

The first newspaper story about baseball appeared in 1853.

Duane Kuiper (Cleveland Indians and San Francisco Giants, 1975-1985) was the worst non-pitching home run hitter of all time.

Night baseball first appeared in the mid-to-late thirties.

Aaron Stern initiated the first ladies' day in 1886.

The system of hand signals to signify balls and strikes was the idea of umpire Cy Rigler, who wanted to help out deaf outfielder William Hoy.

Babe Ruth benefited from a home-field advantage at the "House The Ruth Built" during his historic 1927 season.

Pitchers don't win batting titles.

The New York Yankees established the greatest dominance over the competition in the history of organized ball.

Chicago outfielder Bill Lange crashed through a fence to make a spectacular grab of a flyball.

Babe Ruth hit 714 home runs (as we'd reckon them).

Ty Cobb was no home run hitter.

Outfielder Paul Hines pulled an un-assisted triple play.

Babe Ruth was a draft dodger.

The Boston Braves were named in honor of the disguised raiders of the Boston Tea Party.

Female baseball players have never competed against men on the professional level.

Joe Nuxhall was the youngest player ever to compete in the big leagues.

Pitcher Rube Waddell dismissed his outfielders during an official Major League game and went on to retire the side.

The World Champion 1991 Minnesota Twins posted the greatest worst-to-first record of all time.

Boston manager Ed Barrow's decision to move Babe Ruth into the outfield was a stroke of genius.

Philadelphia first baseman Al Reach (National Association, 1871-1875) was the first professional baseball player.

In 1947, The St. Louis Cardinals seriously considered going on strike rather than face Brooklyn's Jackie Robinson on the playing field.

The first big-league designated hitter in a regular season game came to bat in 1973.

Ray Chapman's death led to the abolition of the spitball.

The Cincinnati Red Stockings were the first professional baseball team.

Abner Doubleday invented the game of baseball in the summer of 1838.

Dizzy Dean won 30 games in 1934.

Only players get beaned.

Ty Cobb stroked 4,191 lifetime base hits.

Jackie Robinson was the first black major-league ballplayer.

Babe Ruth hit a "called shot" home run in the 1932 World Series against the Chicago Cubs.