Star-Spangled Baseball

In the aftermath of the Civil War, two all-American things -- flags and baseball -- became tied together as a means of reuniting the nation. From "The Star-Spangled Banner" to pennants marking a winning season, flags and the sport have been entwined for 150 years. "Star-Spangled Baseball" shares stories about how the old game and Old Glory came together to link patriotism and hardball.

In the aftermath of the Civil War, two all-American things -- flags and baseball -- became tied together as a means of reuniting the nation. From "The Star-Spangled Banner" to pennants marking a winning season, flags and the sport have been entwined for 150 years. "Star-Spangled Baseball" shares stories about how the old game and Old Glory came together to link patriotism and hardball. From a player who was buried in his team's flag...to the design of early pennants...from the National Anthem to the National Pastime...from a teenage girl who hoisted the U.S. flag on opening day in the 19th century to the catcher who slugged an historic homer with a 9/11 patch on his shoulder -- all those stories and more are told in "Star-Spangled Baseball."

James Breig is an award-winning author and columnist. His most recent books are “Searching for Sgt. Bailey: Saluting an Ordinary Soldier of World War II” (nonfiction) and “The Mystery of the Multiple Mothers,” written with Regina Kupecky (fiction). He has contributed articles to many magazines, including The Colonial Williamsburg Journal and History Magazine. He also writes a weekly article about flags at www.gettysburgflag.com/blog. He lives in upstate New York.