Spring in Boston means baseball, and this week we’re talking about the time in 1874 when the Boston Red Stockings tried to bring Americaās national pastime to Britain.Ā 120 years before the World Baseball Classic, Bostonās biggest baseball promoter did his level best to get the cricket fans in ājolly oldā hooked on his gameā¦ and the fact that he could sell them all the mitts, bats, and gloves they would need was just a happy accident, Iām sure.Ā Red Stockings pitcher and future sporting goods magnate Al Spalding led the team on the World Baseball Tour, but would they be able to convert English strikers to batters and bowlers to pitchers?Ā And for the team, would their nearly two month long diversion mean the end of their pennant race for 1874?Ā Ā
Continue reading When Boston Brought Baseball to Britain (episode 273)