I was at the first one, when it was presented in New York City several years ago and highly recommend a visit. If you can’t get to the Hall of Fame, this is the next best thing.
FIRST EXHIBIT TO HIGHLIGHT BASEBALL’S INFLUENCE ON AMERICAN CULTURE PLAYS ITS FINAL INNING IN BOSTON
Museum of Science, Boston creates Home Plate Baseball Lab to showcase the science of baseball
BOSTON—More than a game, baseball weaves together the many threads of American culture. With each new season, hopes and dreams are renewed as fans root for their favorite teams.And this summer, the Museum of Science gives fans another reason to cheer when it presents the last stop on the national tour of Baseball As America June 15 through September 1, 2008.
Organized by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Baseball As America is the first major exhibition to highlight the relationship between baseball and American culture. To augment the exhibit, the Museum of Science has created new exhibits and programs, offering visitors the chance to explore the science and technology behind the game.
With more than 500 artifacts on display, the exhibit is organized into thematic sections that allow visitors to experience and understand the role of baseball in American culture and history. Through the exploration of this broad range of themes—including immigration, nationalism, integration, technology, and popular culture—the exhibit reveals how the game has reflected and in many cases shaped American society.
“Along with offering visitors and fans the opportunity to experience Baseball’s rich history through amazing artifacts, the Museum is excited to showcase the role science plays in the game, and how technology has changed it through the decades—from improvements in equipment and field surfaces, to advances in sports medicine and the treatment of injuries,” says Ioannis (Yannis) Miaoulis, president and director of the Museum of Science. “Like any good teacher, we value the opportunity to present science and technology through topics visitors are truly passionate about. Since we live in the greatest baseball city in the world, there is no better place to showcase this special exhibit.”
Exclusive to the exhibit’s final run in Boston, the Museum’s Home Plate Baseball Lab will give visitors the chance to explore the science of baseball, such as the physics of a 95 mph pitch, the biology behind sports injuries, and the engineering concepts behind choosing the perfect bat. With supporting content provided by the Boston Red Sox, the Home Plate Baseball Lab features hands-on components like a baseball dissection exhibit and demonstrations in the Pitching Cage led by Museum educators.
Baseball As America features artifacts dating back more than 150 years ago to the game’s origins, including:
- “Green Light” letter, written by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to baseball commissioner Kenesaw Landis, January 15, 19 42, in which he encourages the commissioner to keep baseball going during World War II
- The world’s most valuable baseball card: a Honus Wagner T206 of 1909
- The first baseball pitched by Cy Young in the first World Series in 1903
- Chicago Stars Ladies’ Base Ball Club Postcard
- Rare photos and possessions from baseball greats Jackie Robinson, Joe DiMaggio, and other heroes.
New to Boston – The Museum of Science has secured local memorabilia for the Boston run of the exhibit presented for the first time outside of Cooperstown including:
- Curt Schilling’s bloody sock from the 2004 World Series
- The final out baseball from the 2004 World Series
- David Ortiz’s jersey worn during the 2004 World Series
- Glove worn by Red Sox pitcher Jonathan Papelbon in the 2007 World Series
- Boston Red Sox jersey worn by Cy Young
In addition to presenting the science behind the sport, the Museum will connect with baseball fans through a truly unique exhibit component. People from around the country who visit mos.org/baseball can submit videos or photographs of themselves telling their favorite baseball stories. These submissions will be featured online and on a monitor in the exhibit, joining videos that chronicle the personal stories of notable fans like Red Sox favorite Johnny Pesky, Senator Kennedy, Governor Deval Patrick, Boston Poet Laureate Sam Cornish, filmmaker Ken Burns, sportswriters Jackie MacMullan, Tony Massarotti, Dan Shaughnessey, broadcaster Robin Young, and many more.
To complement the exhibit’s run, the Museum of Science will also host several programs for all ages throughout the summer. Featuring topics such as the science of pitching, architectural designs of ball parks, and the latest statistical theory used to analyze player success and managerial decisions, these programs will include a variety of baseball insiders and experts—from Red Sox executives Bill James and Janet Marie Smith to broadcasters and former stars like Joe Castiglione and Bill Lee.
For more information, the public can call 617/723-2500, (TTY) 617/589-0417, or visit mos.org.
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Back to me:
The MOS Creativity and Collaboration Center hosts a Web site for those who wish to she their stories and, in effect, become part of the exhibition.
Do you have a story to share? Send us photos and videos that detail your most treasured baseball memories. Not only will they appear here, they will also be available for you to watch in the Baseball As America exhibit.
Johnny Pesky, Jackie MacMullan, Sen. Ted Kennedy, and others have already told us their stories — now we want yours.
To participate, visit www.mos.org/create/baseball.
Also, check out the Baseball as America Web site.
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