What is an era in baseball?

The Deadball Era in baseball occurred from the early 1900s to around 1920. This era was characterized by low-scoring games, strong pitching, and an emphasis on strategy and small ball tactics rather than power hitting. The name "Deadball" refers to the heavy, soft, and often dirty baseballs used during this time, which made it difficult for hitters to get solid contact and hit home runs.

During the Deadball Era, pitchers like Cy Young, Walter Johnson, and Christy Mathewson dominated the game, and teams relied on their strong pitching staffs to win games. Strategy was key, with managers employing tactics such as the hit and run, stolen bases, and bunting to manufacture runs.

The Deadball Era came to an end with the emergence of stars like Babe Ruth, who introduced power hitting and the home run as major elements of the game. This era laid the foundation for modern baseball and left a lasting impact on the sport's evolution.