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Moneyball and Globalization

Tom Zeiler

This course will explore baseball’s historical connections to money and globalization, two of the most powerful forces in the modern era. Baseball may be a child’s game, but it has been inextricably intertwined with money and profit since its very inception in the late nineteenth century. The Reserve Clause, world tours, collective bargaining, expansion, bringing players from abroad, and realignment have always been driven as much or more by money than anything else.

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What's inside

Syllabus

America Expands Abroad

Welcome to the course! In this module we will cover topics surrounding 19th century professionalization and international baseball.

Silver and Golden Ages

In this module we will cover topics surrounding the Progressive Era, the Silver Age, the Black Sox, and the Great Depression.

Baseball and America Move West

In this module we will cover topics surrounding changing demographics, post-WWII affluence, crimes of the century, and franchise shifts.

The Worker

In this final module we will cover topics surrounding the Reserve Clause, Marvin Miller, the rise of the MLBPA, and outsourcing.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores baseball's evolution and how it's intrinsically linked with money and globalism, providing insights into how the game is shaped by these powerful forces

Course taught by Tom Zeiler, renowned for his expertise in baseball history and the intersection of sports and money

Provides a comprehensive study of the historical and contemporary impact of money and globalization on baseball

Delves into diverse topics, from 19th-century professionalization to the rise of the MLBPA, engaging students with the interplay of baseball and the wider world

Suitable for learners interested in the history of baseball, the intersection of sports and business, or the evolution of money's influence in sports

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Activities

Coming soon We're preparing activities for Moneyball and Globalization. These are activities you can do either before, during, or after a course.

Career center

Learners who complete Moneyball and Globalization will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Sports Journalist

This course is a must-take if you would like to succeed as a sports journalist. It can help you build the background and vocabulary necessary for writing about such topics as collective bargaining, which is touched on in the course's final module.

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Sports Commentator

This course, which traces the history of money and globalization in baseball, may prove useful to you if you are hoping to enter the sports commentary field. It will help you build a foundation in the ways that these forces have shaped the sport, which would help you better comment on and analyze the modern game.

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Sports Agent

This course, which explores historical connections between baseball and globalization, may provide a helpful tool for a sports agent. It can help you understand the historical context of many of the issues that face baseball players, such as entry to the sport from different countries and the impact of money on player contracts.

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Sports Executive

As this course covers the ways in which money has influenced baseball, it may prove useful as you work your way into the ranks of sports management. It can help you understand how money has impacted everything from the treatment of players to the decisions to expand or move franchises.

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Public relations

This course can help you enter the field of public relations with a particular focus on sports. It can help you understand the ways that financial motivations and the need to grow globally can impact the public image of professional sports teams.

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Marketing

If you wish to enter the marketing field, this course on the history of money and globalization in baseball can prove useful. It can help you understand the ways that these two forces have influenced the marketing of the sport, which will be vital if you wish to create successful marketing campaigns.

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Investment Banker

This course, which explores globalization and economics in the sphere of international baseball, can prove helpful as you enter the field of investment banking. It will help you form a foundational understanding of the financial dynamics and global markets that connect to professional sports.

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Financial Analyst

As this course explores financial trends and globalization in baseball, it may prove helpful as you enter the field of financial analysis. It can help you build a foundation for understanding the financial trends that drive the professional sports world.

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Economic Analyst

This course can help you build a foundation for this career, as its exploration of financial trends and globalization can help you understand the financial markets of the wider world.

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Research Analyst

This course is an excellent addition to your educational journey should you wish to enter the field of research centered on professional baseball. It will provide you with a solid foundation in the market forces that shape the sport.

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Political Scientist

This course can be helpful as you work towards a career in political science. It can help you build a foundation in the ways that money and globalization shape the political landscape, which will be essential if you hope to analyze and dissect the politics of professional sports.

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Lawyer

If you wish to enter a law career and specialize in the area of sports law, this course can be helpful. It can build a foundation for understanding the legal issues that surround international baseball and the many financial considerations that go into the sport.

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Nonprofit Administrator

While the focus of this course is on the business of baseball and professional sports, its examination of the ways that money and globalization change the sport can provide a helpful background if you go on to a career in a related nonprofit.

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Teacher

This course can be helpful for someone hoping to become a teacher, particularly if they plan to teach history or other social science subjects. It can help you develop the critical thinking skills that are necessary for teaching and for success in the field of education.

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Writer

Though this course is very specific to the sport of baseball, a writer can still find the course material helpful for honing their writing craft. It can help develop your critical thinking skills, which will help you become a better writer.

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Reading list

We've selected 13 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 Moneyball and Globalization.

Baseball in the Garden of Eden