August 31, 1909 – A. J. Reach Co. patented the cork-centered baseball. Previously the balls had a hard rubber core to them. It sounds harmless enough, after all the core is buried under a leather cover and inner bindings. The stats tell a different story though.
According to ThisDayinBaseball.com the number of .300 hitters jumped from eight in 1910 to 27 a season later in the American League. The league’s earned run average will go from 2.53 to 3.34. We have heard about the corked bat, but the corked ball may have had an even bigger impact in the game. The modern ball has a core composed of cork and rubber.
To find more great daily sports history make sure to check out the Sports Jersey Dispatch and Pigskin Dispatch.
More From Sports History Network
Sports History On This Day: July 15
July 15, 1876 – By George I think he’s got it! Almost 100 years to the
Sports History On This Day: July 14
July 14, 1914 – This is truly a great story of overcoming much in a
Spies on the Sidelines: How Much of an Impact Does Spying Have in the NFL?
While the phrase “three-letter agency” is a euphemism for American spook organizations such as
Sports History On This Day: July 13
July 13, 1930 – The first-ever football (soccer) World Cup competition begins in Uruguay. When
Sports History On This Day: July 12
July 12, 1931 – Crowd control or crowd in control? It was an odd occurrence
The Incredible Run of the 1966 to 1971 Baltimore Orioles
For nearly twenty years (1966-85), the Baltimore Orioles were a team to be reckoned
How Did Miami Win Super Bowl VII? By Losing Super Bowl VI?
A former running back for the 1972 Undefeated Miami Dolphins spoke to me recently
Sports History On This Day: July 11
July 11, 1950 – In Chicago at good ole Comiskey Park, the 17th All-Star Baseball