26 November 2004
Baseball As America
December 2004 to April 2005
by Ray Mileur
Counting the days to spring training? The days between the last out of the World Series and the pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training is torturous for Cardinal Fans, I know because I are one. But there is relief in site, of course The Birdhouse is busy 365 days a year but there is help on
another front from the Missouri History Museum in St. Louis. The museum is welcoming an exhibition this winter that will ease your pain and cure your cabin fever.
The museum is presenting, Baseball As America an exceptional traveling exhibition organized by The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, in Cooperstown, New York. This is the first major exhibit to examine the relationship between baseball and American culture, it will be on display at the museum from December 19 - April 24, 2005.
It explores how the American landscape, our language, literature, diet, movies and summertime living all bear the mark of a 19th century game that has served as both a public reflection of and catalyst for the evolution of American culture and society. Featuring treasures that have left their home in Cooperstown to tour the country for the first time ever—and a special section on baseball in St. Louis—Baseball As America is an once-in-a-lifetime experience that will evoke many memories and inspire fans of all ages.
The exhibit offers more than 500 artifacts representing the richness of baseball as the national pastime, including historic uniforms, balls, bats, gloves, ephemera, books, art and a host of other objects dating from the inception of the game to heroic home run marathon between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa and beyond.
Some remarkable exhibits you will see, include Jackie Robinson's 1956 jersey, "Shoeless" Joe Jackson's shoes; and the record setting bats from the Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa home run chase of 1998 as well as those of Babe Ruth (home run #60 in 1927) and Roger Maris (home run #61 in 1961. For baseball card collectors there is a rare Honus Wagner baseball card and perhaps the most sacred relic, the Doubleday, ball from baseball's mythic first game in 1839.
These objects are brought to life by the integration of dramatic photographs, film clips and audio recordings, interactive computers and other display technology. In their scope and variety, the objects testify to the remarkable position baseball has commanded—and still commands—in national life.
The museum, located in Forest Park, is open daily 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. with extended hours on Tuesday until 8 p.m. Admission to the exhibit is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors and students and free for children 6 and under. The exhibition is free on Tuesday. For details call (314) 746-4599
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