15 Greatest Traditions in Baseball History

Traditions are tough to generalize.

Many survive despite no longer serving their original functions. Others were created specifically for aesthetic or entertainment purposes. Still, simpler ones exist—those rooted in human nature.

In baseball, we see examples of every type.

Age-old customs and recent inventions enamor fans and get them hooked on the national pastime.

These are the greatest traditions that the sport has ever devised and nurtured.

The Ceremonial First Pitch

U.S. President William Howard Taft pioneered this tradition in 1910. Countless extraordinary people have since been featured prior to a ball game.

For all the political figures and celebrities that receive the honor, there are just as many cancer survivors and school teachers. Yes, the fraternity of first-pitch throwers is incredibly diverse.

Ultimately, though, wild attempts are the most memorable.

High Socks

Who said all baseball players are vain?

The ones who wear high socks stand out as obvious exceptions.

There's nothing sexy about rolling up your pants to the knees and exposing the contour of everything below. Rather, it's a decision inspired by superstition, a matter of personal preference.

As someone who dressed accordingly throughout my Little League career, I'm admittedly biased.

But players sporting this throwback look actually perform better! Exhibit A—B.J. Upton (h/t MLB.com).

'Take Me out to the Ball Game'

Ironically, Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer collaborated on "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" years before watching professional baseball for themselves.

Nonetheless, their song captures the gist of the experience.

Genres of music have risen and faded since 1908, but fans of every generation still enjoy the sport's unofficial anthem.

Singing along during the seventh inning unifies the crowd.

Home Run Signs/Statues

Home runs are far more exciting than other run-scoring plays, and it's refreshing to see that new ballparks recognize their grandeur. Round-trippers have become unfortunately rare since the end of the steroid era, so they shouldn't be taken for granted.

Venues that use a sign or statue can be immediately identified by viewers. Their creations are distinct, inspired by franchise history or location.

Click on the below links to see a few traditions in motion (courtesy of MLB.com):

Bernie Brewer's Home Run Slide (Miller Park)

Home Run Apple (Citi Field)

Home Run Statue (Marlins Park)

Minnie and Paul (Target Field)

Bobbleheads

One thing that men and women have in common?

A fascination with dolls.

Some fools claim it isn't "socially acceptable" for guys to submit to that reality, yet baseball fans do it all the time. They toy with bobbleheads at stadiums or in the privacy of their own homes, and their masculinity is never doubted.

If we've gone through the trouble of mass producing disproportionate figurines, then we ought to cherish them.

The Designated Hitter

The designated hitter rule is an epic innovation.

It has enabled baseball to be played at a higher level. When pitchers can focus on their mound duties while DHs perfect their swings, it spares fans from enduring booted ground balls and pathetic flails in the batter's box.

This is a example of specialization, that little concept responsible for making football so popular in the United States.

Superstars often extend their careers by adjusting to the designated hitter role. It preserves their health so that they can continue mashing home runs.

And isn't that exactly what fans pay to see?

Unique Batting Stances

Baseball players are urged to learn standardized sliding and throwing techniques at a young age to avoid injury.

Thankfully, coaches don't mess with their unique batting stances. Every awkward contortion is green-lighted so long as it makes them comfortable at the plate without compromising their swing.

Even ridiculous-looking routines aren't suppressed! You can find them in every MLB lineup.

Throwing Back a Visitor's Home Run

Spectators pay gross fees to enter a ballpark. They schlep their gloves from home and hold out hope that someone will launch a pitcher's mistake into their pocket.

In a crowd of thousands (or tens of thousands), recovering a home-run ball is very unlikely.

Despite all the preparation, those who beat the odds enthusiastically chuck their prizes back onto the field if they were crushed by players in the visiting threads. Loyalty is never sacrificed for a souvenir.

That's how it should always be.

Champagne Celebrations

The baseball season can be difficult to bear.

Constant travel exhausts the body and strains relationships. Injuries strike at the most inopportune times with the potential to end a player's season and diminish his future earning power.

At the end of successful campaign, let the champagne fly.

Retaliating After a Hit Batsman

Most plunkings are unintentional.

That applies to errant pitches thrown at reduced velocity (non-fastballs). As well, hitting someone in the late stages of a close game is probably not an act of malice.

However, in the heat of battle, involved individuals don't exercise such common sense. Suspecting foul play, they'll retaliate.

Sticking up for a targeted teammate is evidence of a close-knit group.

Confrontations with Umpires

Veteran baseball fans—have you noticed that ejections, which were infrequent occurrences once upon a time, are suddenly commonplace?

This trend stems from the fact that umpires don't tolerate bullying anymore. Many trigger-happy officials will toss a player or coach for subtle, disrespectful conduct.

Of course, interactions usually doesn't end there.

I support in-your-face arguments, regardless of who's in the wrong. They interrupt baseball's pitch-by-pitch monotony and reinforce the belief that competitors aren't simply satisfied with a pay check—they want to win, too.

Midseason All-Star Festivities

Professional baseball leagues traditionally reward first-half overachievers with All-Star selections.

The MLB version of the Midsummer Classic invites nitpicking, particularly in regards to fan voting, mandatory representatives from every team and how the game's result decides home-field advantage for the World Series.

Overall, though, it's a fun time.

The festivities provide additional benefits, too.

Athletes that compete daily get a well-deserved vacation, and host cities experience economic boosts from the influx of consumers.

Curtain Calls

Home crowds go bananas whenever a player reaches an impressive milestone or goes yard to break a tie.

When a game's outcome has yet to be determined, everything is about the team...except when the fans plea for acknowledgement from a heroic individual.

Given the right circumstances, the man of the moment should not be chastised for reciprocating a curtain call.

Old-Timers Day

At the MLB level, Old-Timers' Day is only practiced by the New York Yankees, and that's a shame.

It's great entertainment for fans who want to catch glimpses of retired legends. Nothing beats the sight of a middle-aged man going deep (e.g. Tino Martinez, 2011).

Also, 99 percent of former players are itching to get back on the field. Even newer franchises like the Arizona Diamondbacks and Tampa Bay Rays would have no trouble filling up a couple of rosters.

This tradition is a fun way for teams to thank ex-pros for their years of service.

Jackie Robinson Day

Though most clubs have been reluctant to honor past big-leaguers, at least they all pay homage to Jackie Robinson for his contributions.

He shattered the color barrier on April 15, 1947 and finished his career with Hall of Fame credentials.

His No. 42 jersey was retired across the country in 1997, but it is worn by all uniformed personnel—including coaches and umpires—on every anniversary of his debut (aka Jackie Robinson Day).

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