As long as anyone can remember, teams have given signs to relay instructions, and the fine art of sign stealing has been practiced as long as signs have been given. In September of 1900, a box with a mechanical contrivance was uncovered in the third base coach’s box at Phillies’ Huffington Stadium, proving why the Phillies might have been so successful at home that season. It became clear quite early that teams will try almost anything to steal each other’s signs, as the fine art of sign stealing remains a part of the game today.For more information visit www.49sfastball.com

During WWII, all abled bodied ballplayers were expected to serve in the war, so as the war continued, the talent pool within the major leagues shrunk. Having little options for players, the Brooklyn Dodgers signed player, Tommy Brown, at the young age of 16. In August of 1945, Brown hit a home run off Preacher Roe, setting the record for the youngest player ever to hit a home run in a major league game.For more information visit www.49sfastball.com

Today, Sunday is a very popular day for spending time at the ballpark, but believe it or not, this has not always been the case. In the early part of the 20th century, it was not considered proper to play baseball on Sunday. In fact, it was actually illegal. Here’s a short history of Sunday baseball.For more information visit www.49sfastball.com

Franchise owner, Bill Veeck, has come up with some outrageous promotional stunts over the years, and on July 12, 1979, his wildest promotion of all completely backfired, leaving the field of Comiskey Park in ruins and causing the White Sox to forfeit the 2nd game in the double header. The promotion brought about 45,000 rowdy teenagers to the ballpark that day, 39 of whom were arrested for disorderly conduct.For more information visit www.49sfastball.com

On April 12, 1980, Nolan Ryan made his major league debut against Don Sutton of the Dodgers. And it sure was a memorable game to start his career, as Ryan hit his first big league home run and the game lasted for 5 hours and 35 minutes, going into 17 innings.For more information visit www.49sfastball.com

As per tradition started by William Howard Taft, the U.S. president throws the first pitch of the major league baseball season. On April 16, 1940, President Franklin D. Roosevelt was in Griffith Stadium to keep the tradition alive; the performance of his throw however, wasn’t quite traditional.For more information visit www.49sfastball.com

On August 18, 1967, one pitch changed Tony Conigliaro’s career, and life. A fastball got away from Angel’s pitcher, Jack Hamilton, and hit Conigliaro right in the face. The force of the pitch severely damaged his left eye, causing vison problems so bad he was eventually forced to quit.For more information visit www.49sfastball.com

Player-manager of the Cubs, Frank Chance made what was seen as an incredibly daring and spectacular play in his day. So spectacular, in fact that Cubs owner loaned Chance $10,000 so he could purchase 10 percent of the team. Frank later sold his interest for $150,000.For more information visit www.49sfastball.com

Dave Dravecky was an exceptional pitcher who reached an ill fate— cancer. After undergoing surgery to remove half of a muscle in his upper arm, he was told he would never pitch again, but on August 10, 1989, he took the mound. What an inspirational comeback.For more information visit www.49sfastball.com

During a rough season, things seemed be turning around for the Pittsburgh Pirates in a game against the Philadelphia Phillies. Feeling good about their 10 run lead in the first inning, broadcaster, Jim Rooker, declared, “If we lose this one, I’ll walk home.” Unfortunately for Rooker, they did lose, and he was expected to walk all the way home from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh. Rooker acquired $81,000 for local charities and 7 blisters on one foot from his grueling walk.For more information visit www.49sfastball.com