Baseball's Comeback

In the early twentieth century, America’s sport was baseball. People loved to watch it, play it, and live it. In the midst of World War II—when people were on the edge of their seats for reasons far beyond entertainment—baseball brought comfort. It reminded Americans of joy, normalcy, and their love for the game.

In the 1950s, Ted Williams, one of the greatest hitters of all time, famously said: “Baseball gives every American boy a chance to excel, not just to be as good as someone else but to be better than someone else. This is the nature of man and the name of the game.”

This leads to a question: How could a sport so beloved begin to fall in viewership, only to later surge back and gain a new generation of dedicated fans?

Many who drifted away from baseball turned to faster-paced sports like football or basketball. The main criticism of baseball has long been its slow pace—only about 10% of the game involves action. But in that 10%, fans feel everything: the crack of the bat sending the ball deep into left field, the crowd rising as it clears the wall, or the electric moment when your favorite pitcher strikes out an elite hitter on three pitches.

So what happened? Why did people stop loving baseball?

During the late 1980s and early 1990s, MLB viewership began a steady decline. Fans were upset about several issues: the absence of a World Series in 1994, the slow pace of play, and the controversies of the steroid era. Many switched to other sports, and eventually the Super Bowl became more popular to watch than the World Series.

This trend lasted until around 2022, when MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announced a major change: the introduction of the pitch clock. The decision was a huge success. Manfred reported, “Our attendance was up 9.6%—the biggest increase in 30 years. We feel like we’re putting the best form of baseball on the field.” Suddenly, baseball felt alive again.

Then came another turning point. After the 2023 season, Shohei Ohtani joined the powerhouse Dodgers, signing a historic $700 million contract. Already known as a phenomenal player, he got even better—hitting .310, driving in 131 runs, and collecting 200 hits. His move brought an entirely new wave of fans, especially from Japan, where Ohtani is beloved. As the Dodgers won back-to-back championships, viewership climbed even higher.

Ultimately, baseball is making a comeback. The sport that once defined America is once again becoming the sport to watch.