Introduction
This class has examined different approaches to sports history, such as that of cultural historians who stress the cultural, historical perspective, while Bass believes sports reflect social division. Gutkind offers an idea of sport as some form or universal link, while Lopate uses a narrative approach. The main purpose of this article is to discuss these perspectives as applied in baseball, football, and basketball.
Baseball
Gorn & Oriard:
- Emphasize a cultural, historical approach to understanding the integration of American Indian players into baseball.
- Highlight societal attitudes towards marginalized communities and the evolving sports environment.
Bass:
- Sports as mirrors of societal differences and injustices are evident in the discrimination and bias faced by American Indian athletes during integration.
Gutkind:
- He views sports as a universal connection, but the integration of American Indian players reveals the complexity of achieving unity through sports.
Lopate:
- While not directly addressed, Lopate’s narrative approach could offer a humanistic dimension to the experiences of Chief Meyers and Louis Sockalexis.
Football
Gorn & Oriard:
- Their cultural-historical lens is relevant in understanding the desegregation of the Washington Redskins during the Kennedy administration.
- Explores the racial climate and societal changes shaping football.
Bass:
- Resistance and challenges faced by black athletes reflect sports as a mirror for societal divisions.
Gutkind:
- Desegregation efforts in football challenge Gutkind’s view of sports as a universal connection, highlighting societal divisions.
Lopate:
- Lopate’s narrative approach could humanize the stories of Woody Strode and Kenny Washington, adding a personal dimension to desegregation.
Basketball
Gorn & Oriard:
- Their cultural-historical approach untangles gender dynamics in women’s basketball in North Carolina from 1920-1960.
Bass:
- The rise and fall of women’s basketball reflects societal expectations and limitations, aligning with Bass’s perspective.
Gutkind:
- Gutkind’s view of sports as a universal connection is challenged by the societal divisions restricting opportunities for female athletes.
Lopate:
- Lopate’s narrative approach can enrich the stories of women athletes, highlighting their resilience and contribution to the narrative of women’s sports.
Conclusion
The findings across baseball, football, and basketball show a layered exchange between cultural historians and other writers, each perspective contributing to a nuanced understanding of sports history. The complex nature of sports requires a broad spectrum of knowledge from different viewpoints.
Introduction
The course has critically looked at different views of cultural historians and other sportswriters in navigating the complicated terrain of sports history. It raised some questions about why cultural historians, including academic historians, appeared to have overlooked sports history at its inception. In this discourse are outstanding people such as Gorn and Oriard who argue on behalf of a cultural, historical approach. In contrast, Bass argues that sports function like a reflector reflecting society’s division and injustices[1]. On the other hand, these points differ significantly from some of the opinions of writers like Gutkind and Lope. The authors argue that the phenomenon of sport presents particular problems for a historian who must consider the script and the impromptu and fluid dimension of the subject matter under investigation. This makes initiates a drive to explore sports more than what it looks like on the outside, looking for a deeper understanding beyond sightseeing. However, Bass describes sports as “microcosms” of more significant social problems, such as justice and unfairness, that cannot be limited to the playing field.
Through alternative perspectives, Gutkind proposes sports as a binding force that can bridge the gap among societal divisions. He believes that sports are a universal language that crosses the board of cultures social and economic backgrounds. On the other hand, Lopate adopts a more narrative perspective, which implies that sports are captivating stories, each game providing a new book. Lopate argues against overthinking, insisting that sports already possess a storytelling function. However, these opposing views stem from an inherent tension between cultural historians and those with different viewpoints. While Gutkind and Lopate have a more generalized and non-analytical approach, Gorn/Oriard, and Bass are committed to revealing the sociocultural effects of sport. However, when historians attempt to import such practices from other historical fields to sports’ unpredictable and complex nature, the challenges come forth. Therefore, the course journey entails discovering which perspective matches the complex history of sport, which we explore in the following parts of the paper.
Baseball
The focus on the complex amalgamation of American Indian ball players within the expansive terrain of baseball history in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Lee Gutkind has shed light on this issue, providing an insightful prism through which to examine the intricacies of assimilating American Indian ball players into the framework of baseball[2]. The strong emphasis on societal perspective and cultural implications is perfectly congruent with the American Indian players facing challenges of this period. Narratives on basketball are a fascinating story that shines a light on the role cultural dynamics played in assimilating American Indians into the world of baseball. The evidential journey within sources like American Sports: This is what baseball brings out – stories that personify the distinctive problems that American Indian players face. Chief Meyers and Louis Sockalexis represent the complex relationship between cultural stereotypes, ingrained prejudices, and sincere integration efforts. Gorn and Oriard’s cultural, historical approach is an invaluable analytical tool to break down these narratives in the context of societal attitudes towards marginalized communities and an ever-changing sports environment. Additionally, several viewpoints expressed in the different readings to complement this exploration. Robert Fuller’s lecture on the history of baseball provides a foundational understanding of the sport’s development, creating a basis for understanding the difficulties facing Native American players[3]. Benjamin G. Rader’s contribution to “American Sports: “Baseball” adds dimension and situates the events in the historical dynamics that shaped the integration process[4]. Jacob Shafer’s piece, “Computers vs. Guts,” provides the contemporary edge as the writer reflects on the changing approaches in baseball[5].
Ben Baumer explores applied mathematics at the ballpark. It brings out a contemporary analytical approach that stands in contrast to the traditional approaches and sabermetrics[6]. Tim Hayburn’s article on baseball behind bars is a different approach that takes us to unconventional places where baseball has been played[7]. Ronald Smith’s scrutiny of the Paul Robeson-Jackie Robinson affair and the political crash illustrates the intersection of sports, race, and politics[8]. The work of Jeffrey Powers-Beck on American Indian integration of baseball is vital to analyzing the crucial challenges of that era[9]. As the historical tableau unfolds, different perspectives emerge, each adding color to the narration. From the perspective of Bass, sports as mirrors of societal differences and injustices echo very well when American Indian athletes are considered. The discrimination and bias experienced on the baseball field were no different from the societal problems at that time.
Gutkind’s concept of sports as a universal connection is tested under the American Indian integration crucible. The players represent Gutkind’s vision of unity through sports, but the deep-seated divisions in these players underscore the complexity of this vision. The integration process becomes a microcosm, showing both the forces of unity and disunity. Lopate’s narrative-driven approach may have yet to be directly addressed in the historical modules, but it offers an extra humanistic dimension to the understanding of the events of September 11. The stories of Chief Meyers, Louis Sockalexis, and others become moving tales of resilience and contribution once examined through Lopate’s lens. The experiences of American Indian players no longer remain as historical events but as human experiences carved into the game’s emerging tale.
Football
The desegregation of the Washington Redskins during the Kennedy administration (1934-1946) makes for a fascinating context on which to judge historical views on race and integration in American football. The cultural-historical approach of Gorn and Oriard is most relevant when considering desegregation of the Washington Redskins. Their model gives a sophisticated understanding of the racial climate that surrounded the acceptance of African-American football athletes during a period of deep-rooted prejudices. The narratives derived from Modules 2-6 are very instructive on these athletes’ complicated problems.
Woody stroke and Kenny Washington’s stories are among the tapestry of history woven, which depict the hardship and accomplishments that came with the desegregation of professional football. The cultural-historical lens of Gorn and Oriard serves as a vital medium through which these narratives are framed into their cultural setting. This lens reveals the immense role that racial tensions play in sports and outlines how society changes and shapes football. From the rich evidence in the modules, Robert Fuller’s lectures on the history of football at Arizona State University lay the foundation for understanding football evolution and desegregation challenges. Richard O. Davies’ work, “Sports in American Life: Football,” provides a more holistic look at the larger picture of football as an American cultural phenomenon.
In “Outside the Pale” and “Civil Rights on the gridiron,” the contributions of Thomas G. Smith are indispensable in explaining why Blacks were initially excluded from the National Football League and what desegregation efforts were involved[10]. The readings presented in this chapter provide a thorough analysis of the Kennedy administration and its impact on racial norms in professional football. Further readings deepen the evidential base. Andrew Doyle’s investigation of the Southern Evangelical Crusade Against Intercollegiate Football and Kevin Britz’s assessment of Bronko Nagurski’s impact on football history bring diverse angles to the social and cultural implications of football[11]. A book by William Gudelunas and Stephen R. Couch, The Stolen Championship of the Pottsville Maroons, is a case study that explains the emergence of modern professional football[12].
This leads to examining alternative approaches that make the historical narrative even more complex. Bass’s view that sports are nothing but a mirror for societal divisions becomes visible in the form of resistance and challenges that black athletes faced while trying to smash the color barrier. The prejudices related to racial discrimination are reflected in the football field. Sports as a universal connection: Desegregation efforts and football. Such efforts indicate the potential for unity through sports but highlight the entrenched social divisions beneath the surface. The integration of African-American players becomes a mini-world showing the sport has bonding and dividing elements. While Lopate’s narrative-based approach is not addressed directly in the historical modules, it can shed light on the personal stories of those desegregated. Lopate brings the human element into the broader historical context, turning the desegregation story into a compelling human experience.
Basketball
The study of the rise and fall of women’s basketball in North Carolina from 1920-1960 gives a comprehensive view of gender dynamics in sports over the century. The cultural-historical approach of Gorn and Oriard is invaluable in untangling the intricacies associated with women’s basketball in this era. Their model provides a detailed examination of how social changes and societal norms shaped the course of women’s participation in basketball. Various narratives illustrate the difficulties encountered by female athletes at the turn of this era. In articles, the evidence draws a rich tapestry of historical accounts from different points of view on the origins of women’s basketball. It will also be an opportunity to learn about the broader context of the sport from Robert Fuller’s lecture on basketball history at Arizona State University. Richard O. Davies’ work, “Sports in American Life: “Basketball,” takes a holistic view of the historical terrain of basketball in American society[13].Furthermore, Charles H. Baltimore’s contribution, “The Negro in Basketball,” adds yet another dimension of complexity by addressing the intersectionality of gender and race in women’s basketball[14]. Pamela Grundy’s study, “From Amazons to Glamazons: This study entitled “The Rise and Fall of North Carolina Women’s Basketball, 1920-1960,” discusses the regional dynamics that impacted the history of women’s basketball in North Carolina[15].
Rita Liberti’s work, “We Were Ladies, We Just Played Basketball Like Boys: “African American Womanhood and Competitive Basketball at Bennett College, 1928-1942,” is a research essay that provides a detailed analysis of the experiences of African American women in basketball during this era[16]. The broad narrative of college basketball also gets extra depth from the 1951 gambling scandal, as explored by Albert J. Fiona’s. Whitcomb Hess’ piece, “The Man Who Invented Basketball,” presents the historical context of the evolution of the sport throughout the years, providing essential background information.[17] Vago Colds on the politics of narrating basketball’s origin helps give another perspective on basketball’s cultural importance.[18]
Judy Polumbaum’s work, “From Evangelism to Entertainment: While not directly linked to the North Carolina context, “The YMCA, the NBA, and the Evolution of Chinese Basketball” is a comparative perspective that enriches the discussion by bringing global insights into women’s basketball. Women’s basketball in North Carolina shows changes in gender perspectives and women’s participation in athletics. Gorn and Oriard’s approach becomes an indispensable tool for analyzing the cultural dynamics underlining women’s basketball during that phase. The readings provide narratives that portray a vivid connection between socially imposed norms, cultural transformations, and women athletes’ endeavors to define their place within the world of sports.
Through this, Bass’s perspective on sports mirroring societal divisions becomes evident since the rise and fall of women’s basketball are interconnected with societal expectations and limitations on women at that time. Restrictions and opportunities given to female athletes indicate more general societal issues and difficulties. Gutkind’s conception of sports as a universal connection is challenged in the setting of women’s basketball. The societal divisions restricting women athletes’ opportunities become apparent while showcasing unity in the pursuit of athletic excellence. However, Gutkind’s view of sports as a unifying force is made more complicated by the boys’ struggles in breaking through societal barriers. Lopate’s narrative approach makes the stories much more interesting, highlighting the tribulations and victories of women athletes in a world dominated by male sports. Using personal narratives, his lens highlights the resilience of these athletes and their contribution to the ever-expanding story of women’s participation in sports. Sports have the potential to transform personal narratives into a testament that challenges the norms and expectations of society.
Conclusion
The findings across baseball, football, and basketball summarize a layered exchange between cultural historians and other sports writers. Gorn Oriard’s cultural, historical approach to understanding the incorporation of American Indian players into baseball is revealing. This approach is demonstrated through football’s exploration, which applies to comprehending racial desegregation. The cultural-historical analysis of women’s basketball shows the underlying gender dynamics in sports. However, other viewpoints provide essential points. Bass’s perspective fits cases where sports reflect social divides, Gutkind’s idea resonates with instances of universal connection, and Lopate’s narrative-based approach enriches historical accounts with a human dimension.
The assessment of the complicated weave of sports history shows that no one approach prevails everywhere. For instance, cultural historians will provide the analytical framework, while other writers will contribute with broader narratives and connections to societal dynamics. This complex approach represents the complex and diverse nature of sports that require a broad spectrum of knowledge from different perspectives.
References
Albert J. Figone, “Gambling and College Basketball: The Scandal of 1951, Journal of Sport History 16, no. 1 (Spring 1999): 44-61.
Amy Bass, “State of the Field: Sports History and the ‘Cultural Turn’,” The Journal of American History 101, no.1 (June 2014): 148-172.
Andrew Doyle, Foolish and Useless Sport The Southern Evangelical Crusade Against Intercollegiate Football Journal of Sport History 24, no. 3 (Fall, 1007): 317-340.
Ben Baumer, “Applied Mathematics at the Ballpark: The Life of One Sabermetrician,” Math Horizons (September, 2014): 18-20.
Benjamin G. Rader, “American Sports: Baseball,” in American Sports from the Age of Folk Games to the Age of Televised Sports, Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2004.
Charles H. Baltimore, “The Negro in Basketball, The Negro Mistory Bulletin, (December, 1951): 49-50.
Jacob Shafer, “Computers vs. Guts: Rays Pulling Blake Snell Gifts Dodgers 2020 World Series,” bleacherreport.com, 2020.
Jeffrey Powers-Beck, “Chief: The American Indian Integration of Baseball, 1897-1945, American Indian Quarterly 25, no. 4 (Fall, 2001): 508-538.
Jules Tygiel, “The Negro Leagues, OAH Magazine of History, (Summer, 1992): 24-27.
Kevin Britz, “Of Football and Frontiers. The Meaning of Bronko Negurski Journal of Sport History 20, no. 2 (Summer, 1993): 101-126.
Lee Gutkind, “Baseball: The Universal Connection,” Creative Nonfiction, no. 34 (2008): Elliott J. Gorn and Michael Oriard, “Taking Sports Seriously,” The Chronicle of Higher Education, March 24, 1995.1-5.
Whitcomb Hess, “The Man Who Invented Basketball The American Scholar 18, no. 1 (Winter, 1948-49): 87-92
Pamela Grundy, “From Amazons to Glamazons: The Rise and Fall of North Carolina Women’s Basketball, 1920-1960. The Journal of American History (June, 2000) 112-146
Richard Crepeau, “The Flood Case,” Law and Order 34, no. 2 (Summer, 2007): 183-191.
Richard O. Davies, “Sports in American Life: Basketball in Sport in American Life: A History, Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, 2017.
Richard O. Davies, “Sports in American Life: Football,” in Sport in American Life: A History, Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, 2017.
Rita Liberti “We Were Ladies, We Just Played Basketball Like Boys: African American Womanhood and Competitive Basketball at Bennett College, 1928-1942 Journal of Sport History 26, no. 3 (Fall, 1990): 567-579
Robert Fuller, “The History of Baseball, Part I, lecture at Arizona State University, Summer 2023.
Robert Fuller, “The History of Baseball, Part II, lecture at Arizona State University, Summer 2023.
Robert Fuller, “The History of Basketball lecture at Arizona State University, Summer 2023
Robert Fuller, “The History of Football, Part I, lecture at Arizona State University, Summer 2023.
Robert Fuller, “The History of Football, Part II, lecture at Arizona State University, Summer 2023.
Ronald A. Smith, “The Paul Robeson-Jackie Robinson Saga and a Political Collision,” Journal of Sport History 6, no. 2 (Summer, 1979): 5-27.
Thomas G. Smith, “Outside the Pale: The Exclusion of Blacks from the National Football League, 1934-1946, Journal of Sport History 15, no. 3 (Winter, 1988): 255-281
Thomas G. Smith, ‘Civil Rights on the Gridiron: The Kennedy Administration and the Desegregation of the Washington Redskins, Journal of Sport History 14, no. 2 (Summer,1987) 189-208
Tim Hayburn, “Baseball Behind Bars: Prison Baseball at Eastern State Penitentiary in the Early Twentieth Century,” Journal of Sport History 34, no. 2 (Summer, 2007): 253-267.
Vago Colds, “Our Myth of Creation: The Politics of Narrating Basketball’s Origin, Joumal f Sport History 43, no. 1 (Spring 2016) 37-61
William Gudelunas and Stephen R. Couch, “The Stolen Championship of the Pottsville Marcons: A Case Study in the Emergence of Modern Professional Football Journal of Sport History 9, no. 1 (Spring, 1982): 53-64
[1] Amy Bass, “State of the Field: Sports History and the ‘Cultural Turn’,” The Journal of American History 101, no.1 (June 2014): 148-172.
[2] Gutkind, Lee. “From the Editor: Baseball: The Universal Connection.” Creative Nonfiction (2008): 1-5.
[3] Robert Fuller, “The History of Baseball, Part I, lecture at Arizona State University, Summer 2023.
[4] Benjamin G. Rader, “American Sports: Baseball,” in American Sports from the Age of Folk Games to the Age of Televised Sports, Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2004.
[5] Jacob Shafer, “Computers vs. Guts: Rays Pulling Blake Snell Gifts Dodgers 2020 World Series,” bleacherreport.com, 2020.
[6] Ben Baumer, “Applied Mathematics at the Ballpark: The Life of One Sabermetrician,” Math Horizons (September, 2014): 18-20.
[7] Tim Hayburn, “Baseball Behind Bars: Prison Baseball at Eastern State Penitentiary in the Early Twentieth Century,” Journal of Sport History 34, no. 2 (Summer, 2007): 253-267.
[8] Ronald A. Smith, “The Paul Robeson-Jackie Robinson Saga and a Political Collision,” Journal of Sport History 6, no. 2 (Summer, 1979): 5-27.
[9] Jeffrey Powers-Beck, “Chief: The American Indian Integration of Baseball, 1897-1945, American Indian Quarterly 25, no. 4 (Fall, 2001): 508-538.
[10] Thomas G. Smith, ‘Civil Rights on the Gridiron: The Kennedy Administration and the Desegregation of the Washington Redskins, Journal of Sport History 14, no. 2 (Summer, 1987) 189-208
[11] Andrew Doyle, Foolish and Useless Sport The Southern Evangelical Crusade Against Intercollegiate Football Journal of Sport History 24, no. 3 (Fall, 1007): 317-340.
[12] William Gudelunas and Stephen R. Couch, “The Stolen Championship of the Pottsville Marcons: A Case Study in the Emergence of Modern Professional Football Journal of Sport History 9, no. 1 (Spring, 1982): 53-64
[13] Richard O. Davies, “Sports in American Life: Basketball in Sport in American Life: A History, Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, 2017.
[14] Charles H. Baltimore, “The Negro in Basketball, The Negro Mistory Bulletin, (December, 1951): 49-50.
[15] Pamela Grundy, “From Amazons to Glamazons: The Rise and Fall of North Carolina Women’s Basketball, 1920-1960. The Journal of American History (June, 2000) 112-146
[16] Rita Liberti “We Were Ladies, We Just Played Basketball Like Boys: African American Womanhood and Competitive Basketball at Bennett College, 1928-1942 Journal of Sport History 26, no. 3 (Fall, 1990): 567-579
[17] Albert J. Figone, “Gambling and College Basketball: The Scandal of 1951, Journal of Sport History 16, no. 1 (Spring 1999): 44-61.
[18] Vago Colds, “Our Myth of Creation: The Politics of Narrating Basketball’s Origin, Journal of Sport History 43, no. 1 (Spring 2016) 37-61
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