This web page is devoted to examining the ways in which the events in professional basball have mirrored the events in the twentith century world. The trends of the 1910's are shown in the dead ball era. Players like Ty Cobb exemplified the era, with their hard work and uncomprimising will to suceed. Babe Ruth, who was known for his wild lifestyle and nightlife, epitomized the twenties lifestyle with both his play and private life. He gave baseball a totally new look. The thirties and the great depression are shown by the iron willed play of teams like the Gashouse Gang (St. Louis Cardinals). Baseball in this era was indicative of the country's scrapy nature. In 1947 baseball had its civil rights movement when Jackie Robinson became the first African-American to play in the Major Leagues. In the fifties and sixties the country and baseball saw some of their best days with plays like "the catch" and good times. The increasing greed of society became evident became strikingly apparant in baseball starting in the 1980s with a series of strikes.