Analysis. History. Perspective.

Sports Then and Now



How Gambling Almost Destroyed Baseball in the 19th Century 1

Posted on January 24, 2020 by Varun Kumar

Baseball and gambling are closely associated with each other since the mid-19th century. The game has a complex history with betting, with scandals taking place at various points in history. Some of the famous managers and baseball players have been involved with betting on their own teams, leading to a complex relationship between betting and baseball.

Hal Chase

Baseball Was More Common in Small Country-wide Towns

Although many people think that baseball was played in metropolitan areas, it was actually more common in small towns. Rural people loved playing baseball as it was a game of skill, competition and skill, much like their farm work where uncertainty played a big part. During that time, almost all baseball games featured gambling on both sides, from how many hits a team was going to score to how long the game would last.

Gambling and baseball have now become more organized and regulated. Today, All the major online casinos like Jeetwin, Omnia, BluefoxCasino and more are licensed and regulated by government authorities, and sports betting is restricted in some parts of the world. However, there was little control over gambling during the 19th century. In fact, betting was such a big feature of baseball that today’s fans would find it difficult to recognize the sport as it was then compared to today.

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    • Archie Griffin: 2-Time Heisman Winner
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      Archie Griffin

      The Sports Then and Now Vintage Athlete of the Month is the only football player ever to capture college football’s top individual award twice.

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      Griffin joined the Buckeyes for the 1972 season, which happened to be the first in which freshmen were eligible to play varsity football, and made an immediate impact. After fumbling in his only carry of his first game, Griffin more than made up for it in his second game by rushing for 237 yards against North Carolina. By the end of the season, Griffin had rushed for 867 yards.

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