We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
Tom Zeiler

In this course, we will explore the more recent history of baseball in America, through similar lenses as ones we have already used. Money & labor, culture, shutdowns, and patriotism & nationalism are our main themes for this fourth and final course. We will also look at how contemporary trends such as COVID-19 tie back to a distant history.

Enroll now

What's inside

Syllabus

Moneyball
Welcome to the course! In this module we will cover topics surrounding the Reserve Clause, the 1970s, rising salaries, and baseball in the 21st Century.
Read more
Post-Modern Baseball
In this module we will cover topics surrounding iconic pitchers, the Cold War, baseball curses, and race in baseball.
Baseball at War
In this module we will cover topics surrounding Vietnam, the First Gulf War, and 9/11.
Post-War Society
In this final module we will cover topics surrounding baseball after WWII, player strikes, COVID, and the future of modern baseball.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Examines American contemporary baseball through the lenses of labor, culture, shutdowns, and patriotism
Taught by Tom Zeiller, a recognizable authority on baseball history
Explores current baseball trends and how they align with its distant history
Develops a comprehensive understanding of recent baseball history and its relevance to society
Provides a multi-modal learning experience with modules, videos, readings, and discussions
Requires students to come in with an understanding of baseball history

Save this course

Save Baseball into the Millennium to your list so you can find it easily later:
Save

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Baseball into the Millennium with these activities:
Read 'Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game'
The book discusses how the Oakland A's used data and analytics to build a successful team with a limited budget.
Show steps
  • Read the book.
  • Summarize the main arguments of the book.
  • Identify the key principles of sabermetrics.
Read 'The Baseball 100: The Greatest Players of All Time'
The book provides a comprehensive look at the 100 greatest players in baseball history.
View The Baseball 100 on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the book.
  • Create a list of the 10 players you believe are the greatest.
  • Write a short essay explaining your choices.
Practice analyzing baseball statistics
By practicing analyzing baseball statistics, you will develop a deeper understanding of the game and how it is played.
Show steps
  • Find a dataset of baseball statistics.
  • Calculate the batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage for a player.
  • Compare the statistics of two different players.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Create a timeline of important events in baseball history
Creating a timeline of important events in baseball history will help you visualize the evolution of the game.
Show steps
  • Research important events in baseball history.
  • Create a timeline using a tool like Google Timeline.
  • Share your timeline with others.
Discuss the impact of COVID-19 on baseball
Discussing the impact of COVID-19 on baseball with peers will help you understand the challenges and opportunities that the game faces.
Browse courses on COVID-19
Show steps
  • Find a peer group to discuss with.
  • Prepare talking points.
  • Participate in the discussion.
Volunteer at a local baseball game
Volunteering at a local baseball game will give you a firsthand look at the game and how it is played.
Browse courses on Baseball
Show steps
  • Find a local baseball team or league.
  • Contact the team or league and ask about volunteering opportunities.
  • Show up on game day and help out.
Create a presentation on the history of baseball
Creating a presentation on the history of baseball will help you learn about the game and its evolution.
Browse courses on Baseball
Show steps
  • Research the history of baseball.
  • Create a presentation using a tool like PowerPoint or Google Slides.
  • Present your presentation to others.
Contribute to a baseball-related open-source project
Contributing to a baseball-related open-source project will give you hands-on experience with baseball data and analytics.
Browse courses on Baseball
Show steps
  • Find a baseball-related open-source project.
  • Contribute to the project by fixing bugs, adding features, or writing documentation.
  • Submit your contributions to the project.

Career center

Learners who complete Baseball into the Millennium will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Sports Marketer
Sports Marketers develop and implement marketing campaigns for sports teams, athletes, and products. This course will help you understand the principles of marketing and how to apply them to the sports industry. You will also learn how to create and execute marketing plans, manage budgets, and evaluate marketing campaigns.
Financial Analyst
Financial Analysts create financial models to value companies, predict financial performance, and make investment recommendations. This course will help you develop the analytical skills necessary to succeed in this role by teaching you how to evaluate financial data, understand financial markets, and make sound investment decisions.
Sports Agent
Sports Agents represent athletes in contract negotiations, marketing deals, and other business matters. This course will help you understand the business of baseball and the role of agents in the industry. You will also learn how to negotiate contracts, manage finances, and build relationships with clients.
Sports Journalist
Sports Journalists write, edit, and produce news and commentary about sports. This course will help you develop the writing and communication skills necessary to succeed in this role by teaching you how to gather information, write clear and concise articles, and interview athletes and coaches.
Sports Historian
Sports Historians research and write about the history of sports. This course will help you develop the research and writing skills necessary to succeed in this role by teaching you how to find and evaluate sources, write clear and concise articles, and present your findings to an audience.
Sports Broadcaster
Sports Broadcasters call play-by-play for sporting events and provide commentary and analysis. This course will help you develop the communication skills necessary to succeed in this role by teaching you how to speak clearly and concisely, analyze sports events, and engage with an audience.
Sports Physical Therapist
Sports Physical Therapists help athletes recover from injuries and improve their physical performance. This course will help you understand the principles of physical therapy and how to apply them to the needs of athletes. You will also learn how to assess injuries, develop treatment plans, and provide rehabilitation exercises.
Sports Psychologist
Sports Psychologists help athletes improve their mental health and performance. This course will help you understand the psychological factors that affect athletic performance and how to help athletes overcome mental challenges. You will also learn how to develop and implement mental training programs.
Sports Lawyer
Sports Lawyers represent athletes, teams, and sports organizations in legal matters. This course will help you understand the legal issues that arise in the sports industry and how to resolve them. You will also learn how to negotiate contracts, manage disputes, and protect the interests of your clients.
Sports Nutritionist
Sports Nutritionists help athletes optimize their performance by providing them with personalized nutrition plans. This course will help you understand the principles of nutrition and how to apply them to the needs of athletes. You will also learn how to create and implement nutrition plans, monitor athletes' progress, and provide guidance on healthy eating habits.
Sports Manager
Sports Managers oversee the day-to-day operations of sports teams and organizations. This course will help you understand the business of sports and how to manage a successful organization. You will also learn how to create and implement budgets, manage staff, and make decisions that will benefit your team or organization.
Sports Executive
Sports Executives manage the business operations of sports teams and organizations. This course will help you understand the financial, marketing, and legal aspects of the sports industry. You will also learn how to develop and implement strategic plans and make decisions that will benefit your team or organization.
Sports Scout
Sports Scouts evaluate athletes and provide their teams with recommendations on who to draft or sign. This course will help you develop the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in this role by teaching you how to scout players, analyze game film, and make informed recommendations.
Sports Coach
Sports Coaches teach and train athletes in a specific sport. This course will help you develop the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in this role by teaching you how to plan and conduct practices, motivate athletes, and develop winning strategies.
Athletic Director
Athletic Directors oversee the athletic programs of schools and universities. This course will help you understand the administrative and operational aspects of athletic departments. You will also learn how to manage budgets, hire and fire coaches, and promote the athletic program.

Reading list

We've selected six books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Baseball into the Millennium.
A comprehensive and engaging history of baseball, providing a broad context for the topics covered in the course.
A nostalgic look back at the golden age of baseball in the 1950s, focusing on the Brooklyn Dodgers and their iconic players.
A personal and moving account of the author's experiences as an outfielder in the minor leagues, providing insights into the challenges and rewards of professional baseball.
A powerful and provocative biography of Mickey Mantle, exploring the complexities of his life and legacy.
A fictional account of a young baseball player's journey through the minor leagues, exploring the challenges and sacrifices he faces.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Similar courses

Here are nine courses similar to Baseball into the Millennium.
Western and Chinese Art: Masters and Classics
Introduction to JavaScript
The Modern World, Part Two: Global History since 1910
China Humanities: The Individual in Chinese Culture
Film, Images & Historical Interpretation in the 20th...
Biology Everywhere Foundations
Applied Public History: Places, People, Stories
Human History
The Jewish Bible: Its History As A Physical Artifact
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2024 OpenCourser