Brief Essay: Baseball In The Golden Age

[Glenn Higginbotham]

The late 1940s and the 1950s are often portrayed as a time of happiness and accumulation of wealth by the post -WWII generation. That is partially true. What this image hides is the fall of the Iron Curtain, and the spectre of nuclear oblivion when our erstwhile allies the Russians acquired the ability to build atomic weapons.

In the midst of these threats, America found escape on the ballfields. Major league baseball enjoyed skyrocketing attendance in most of the years between 1946 and 1960. These were the years when MLB was indeed America's pastime. Providentially, these were also the years when some of the greatest players ever to grace the field were in their prime or being introduced. Other legends were on the downside of their careers, but could still affect pennant results.

The Hall of Fame was until recently dominated by players from this era. You guys know the names -- no sense in repeating them here -- some of them became part of the American lexicon for a time -"Say hey!"

The game became truly national in 1947, and MLB became part of changing the social fabric.

In a larger sense, then, MLB both reflected and affected the changing face of America during that time.

All in all, the years 1946 to 1960 were truly baseball's Golden Age.

[Myron T]

Glenn,

I would have to agree. I have always been a big fan of that era and actually any era up till 1970. Not that 1970 and beyond was bad, but I don't feel the mystic I do with this era and others.

Very Good Sir, I am taking notes so I might write as well as you !! hehe

Myron