Introduction to MLB Baseball in Kentucky
Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league in North America, and the oldest of the four major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada. The league is made up of 30 teams, divided into two leagues: the National League (NL) and the American League (AL).
Kentucky is a state located in the south-central region of the United States. It is bordered by seven states and the Ohio River. Despite its long history of baseball, Kentucky does not currently have any MLB teams.
History of Baseball in Kentucky
Baseball has been played in Kentucky since the early 1800s. In 1820, the first organized game of baseball in the state was played in Harrodsburg. The first professional team in Kentucky was the Louisville Grays, who were formed in 1876. The team played in the National League from 1876 to 1877.
The Louisville Colonels were formed in 1882 and played in the American Association from 1882 to 1899. The team disbanded after the 1899 season due to financial difficulties.
The Kentucky Colonels were formed in 1901 and played in the American Association from 1901 to 1902. The team disbanded after the 1902 season due to financial difficulties.
The Louisville Eclipse were formed in 1909 and played in the American Association from 1909 to 1915. The team disbanded after the 1915 season due to financial difficulties.
MLB Teams in Nearby States
While Kentucky does not have any MLB teams, there are several teams located in nearby states. The closest teams are the Cincinnati Reds, who play in Ohio, and the St. Louis Cardinals, who play in Missouri.
The Reds are a professional baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central division, and are one of the oldest teams in Major League Baseball, having been founded in 1881. The Reds play their home games at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.
The Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the National League Central division, and are one of the most successful teams in baseball history, having won 11 World Series championships. The Cardinals play their home games at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.
Minor League Teams in Kentucky
While Kentucky does not have any MLB teams, the state does have several minor league teams. The most prominent of these is the Louisville Bats, who play in the Triple-A International League. The Bats play their home games at Louisville Slugger Field in Louisville.
The Lexington Legends are a minor league team that plays in the South Atlantic League. The team was founded in 2001 and is affiliated with the Kansas City Royals. The Legends play their home games at Whitaker Bank Ballpark in Lexington.
The Bowling Green Hot Rods are a minor league team that plays in the Midwest League. The team was founded in 2009 and is affiliated with the Tampa Bay Rays. The Hot Rods play their home games at Bowling Green Ballpark in Bowling Green.
Notable MLB Players from Kentucky
While Kentucky does not have any MLB teams, the state has produced many notable players over the years. Some of the most famous players from Kentucky include:
- Lou Gehrig – A Hall of Fame first baseman who played for the New York Yankees from 1923 to 1939.
- Harmon Killebrew – A Hall of Fame slugger who played for the Washington Senators and Minnesota Twins from 1954 to 1975.
- Pee Wee Reese – A Hall of Fame shortstop who played for the Brooklyn Dodgers and Los Angeles Dodgers from 1940 to 1958.
- Bob Gibson – A Hall of Fame pitcher who played for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1959 to 1975.
- Jim Bunning – A Hall of Fame pitcher who played for the Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies, and Pittsburgh Pirates from 1955 to 1971.
MLB Team Expansion in Kentucky
In recent years, there have been calls to bring an MLB team to Kentucky. While there have been no serious efforts to do so, fans in the state have expressed interest in the possibility.
In 2015, the Louisville Baseball Stadium Authority proposed a plan to bring an MLB team to the city of Louisville. The plan called for a $200 million stadium to be built on a site near downtown Louisville. However, the plan was met with opposition from both the city and state governments, and it was eventually abandoned.
Kentucky’s Role in MLB
Despite the lack of an MLB team in the state, Kentucky plays an important role in the sport. The Louisville Slugger baseball bat factory is located in the city of Louisville, and the company has been producing bats for the MLB since 1884.
In addition, the state is home to the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, which is a popular tourist destination for baseball fans. The museum features exhibits about the history of the Louisville Slugger brand, as well as displays of some of the most famous bats used in the MLB.
Final Thoughts
Kentucky has a long history of baseball, and the state has produced some of the most famous players in the sport. While the state does not currently have any MLB teams, there are several teams located in nearby states.
In addition, Kentucky plays an important role in the sport through the Louisville Slugger baseball bat factory and the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory. While there have been calls to bring an MLB team to Kentucky, there have been no serious efforts to do so.
For now, Kentucky remains without an MLB team, but the state still plays an important role in the sport.
References
- Baseball in Kentucky. (2020, June 15). Retrieved from baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Baseball_in_Kentucky
- Cincinnati Reds. (2020, June 15). Retrieved from mlb.com/reds
- Louisville Bats. (2020, June 15). Retrieved from milb.com/louisville
- St. Louis Cardinals. (2020, June 15). Retrieved from mlb.com/cardinals
- Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory. (2020, June 15). Retrieved from sluggermuseum.com/