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Baseball statues database launches featuring sport's biggest stars Baseball statues database launches featuring sport's biggest stars
(7 months later)
What do the names Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio and Harry Wright have in common? You'll probably have heard of the first two baseball legends, but the third name provides a link between a sport that's as American as Uncle Sam – and a university city in South Yorkshire, England.What do the names Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio and Harry Wright have in common? You'll probably have heard of the first two baseball legends, but the third name provides a link between a sport that's as American as Uncle Sam – and a university city in South Yorkshire, England.
Sheffield's incongruous baseball connection was reinforced on Tuesday when researchers from one of the city's universities launched the first ever database of statues commemorating the sport's biggest stars, managers, owners, broadcasters – and even famous fans.Sheffield's incongruous baseball connection was reinforced on Tuesday when researchers from one of the city's universities launched the first ever database of statues commemorating the sport's biggest stars, managers, owners, broadcasters – and even famous fans.
The unique academic project – which is also displayed in a Google Map of locations around the US and Canada – features information on when the statues were unveiled, who sculpted them, and the inscriptions on plinths or plaques, as well as images of each statue.The unique academic project – which is also displayed in a Google Map of locations around the US and Canada – features information on when the statues were unveiled, who sculpted them, and the inscriptions on plinths or plaques, as well as images of each statue.
Among the legendary players featured alongside Ruth and DiMaggio in the online hall of fame is Sheffield-born baseball pioneer Harry Wright, who had a statue erected by his Philadelphia grave in 1897. Wright emigrated to the US with his family as a child and became one of America's foremost cricketers, before turning his attentions to baseball.Among the legendary players featured alongside Ruth and DiMaggio in the online hall of fame is Sheffield-born baseball pioneer Harry Wright, who had a statue erected by his Philadelphia grave in 1897. Wright emigrated to the US with his family as a child and became one of America's foremost cricketers, before turning his attentions to baseball.
In 1865 he became the first manager of a professional baseball team, the Cincinnati Red Stockings, and effectively defined the role for future generations. His statue was only the third baseball-related statue to be erected, and the first to be funded by public donations. The esteem in which he is held is illustrated by the engraving on the statue plinth which reads "the father of baseball".In 1865 he became the first manager of a professional baseball team, the Cincinnati Red Stockings, and effectively defined the role for future generations. His statue was only the third baseball-related statue to be erected, and the first to be funded by public donations. The esteem in which he is held is illustrated by the engraving on the statue plinth which reads "the father of baseball".
The database reveals that 35 US states have a baseball statue somewhere, with 70% of them located at or close to a major or minor league ballpark. The most frequently portrayed player, with seven statues, is barrier-breaker Jackie Robinson, although strangely none of his statues are sited at a current Major League Baseball parks.The database reveals that 35 US states have a baseball statue somewhere, with 70% of them located at or close to a major or minor league ballpark. The most frequently portrayed player, with seven statues, is barrier-breaker Jackie Robinson, although strangely none of his statues are sited at a current Major League Baseball parks.
Dr Chris Stride, a statistician from the University of Sheffield's institute of work psychology, and Ffion Thomas, a graduate student from the University of Central Lancashire, have worked on the project in their own time for the past 18 months.Dr Chris Stride, a statistician from the University of Sheffield's institute of work psychology, and Ffion Thomas, a graduate student from the University of Central Lancashire, have worked on the project in their own time for the past 18 months.
Stride said he was driven to compile the baseball database after completing a similar project with sporting statues in the UK. "I realised there was a new wave of figurative art. Historically, most statues were of politicians or royalty or military figures that reflected society's point of view at the time. But with baseball in the US, it's about branding and nostalgia."Stride said he was driven to compile the baseball database after completing a similar project with sporting statues in the UK. "I realised there was a new wave of figurative art. Historically, most statues were of politicians or royalty or military figures that reflected society's point of view at the time. But with baseball in the US, it's about branding and nostalgia."
Stride noticed there was a resurgence in the building of baseball statues in the last 20 years. "Ninety percent of baseball statues have been erected since 1990, and over half in the last decade, showing it to be primarily a recent phenomenon. Innovative marketing strategies of baseball franchises based around branding through nostalgia and reflected glory are the primary reason for this increase.Stride noticed there was a resurgence in the building of baseball statues in the last 20 years. "Ninety percent of baseball statues have been erected since 1990, and over half in the last decade, showing it to be primarily a recent phenomenon. Innovative marketing strategies of baseball franchises based around branding through nostalgia and reflected glory are the primary reason for this increase.
"The fashion for baseball statues coincides with the birth of retro-themed ballparks such as Camden Yards and AT&T Park, which nods to the past in construction and decoration to give the stadium environment a sense of authenticity and identity that appeals to fans.""The fashion for baseball statues coincides with the birth of retro-themed ballparks such as Camden Yards and AT&T Park, which nods to the past in construction and decoration to give the stadium environment a sense of authenticity and identity that appeals to fans."
"Statues are also being used by towns, cities and commercial organisations seeking reflected glory and identity from their sporting heritage," Stride said."Statues are also being used by towns, cities and commercial organisations seeking reflected glory and identity from their sporting heritage," Stride said.
The earliest baseball statue identified, which depicts former St Louis Cardinals owner Chris Von Der Ahe, dates from the 1880s; it was commissioned by Von Der Ahe himself, and can be seen today at his grave in Bellefontaine Cemetery, St Louis.The earliest baseball statue identified, which depicts former St Louis Cardinals owner Chris Von Der Ahe, dates from the 1880s; it was commissioned by Von Der Ahe himself, and can be seen today at his grave in Bellefontaine Cemetery, St Louis.
Stride says while he had a lot of fun flying to the US and visiting these cathedrals to baseball, it was all self-funded, and the project has an academic value: "You have to ask why is this phenomenon happening? It's an integration of sport and art. There have been hardly any research papers published, apart from one on Pat Tillman, but that is a very extreme example and had no contextual information. The US take their sport history more seriously than the UK, and it shows."Stride says while he had a lot of fun flying to the US and visiting these cathedrals to baseball, it was all self-funded, and the project has an academic value: "You have to ask why is this phenomenon happening? It's an integration of sport and art. There have been hardly any research papers published, apart from one on Pat Tillman, but that is a very extreme example and had no contextual information. The US take their sport history more seriously than the UK, and it shows."
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