Baseball is America’s pastime and eye black is one of the most recognizable aspects of the game. Baseball players have been wearing eye black for more than a century and the tradition has evolved over the years. In this article, we’ll take a look at the history of eye black in baseball, when it first became popular, and why it’s still being used today.
Before Eye Black: The Origins of Baseball
Before eye black became popular, baseball had already been around for more than a century. The game was first played in the mid-1800s, with the first professional team forming in 1869. However, it wasn’t until the early 1900s that the game really started to gain popularity. As the game grew in popularity, so did the need for protective equipment, including helmets and eye black.
The Rise of Eye Black: The First Professional Player to Wear Eye Black
The first professional player to wear eye black was Ty Cobb, who began using it in 1908. Cobb had heard about the use of eye black from a friend who told him it would help him see the ball better in the bright sunlight. Cobb began wearing the eye black and quickly saw an improvement in his performance.
Cobb’s use of eye black soon caught on and the tradition began to spread throughout the game. By the mid-20th century, it was common for almost all professional baseball players to wear eye black.
The Evolution of Eye Black: From Baseball to Other Sports
The use of eye black soon spread to other sports, as well. Football players began to wear eye black in the 1920s, and by the 1940s, it had become commonplace in other sports such as basketball, hockey, and boxing.
In addition to its practical uses, eye black has also become a symbol of toughness and strength. Many athletes use eye black to intimidate their opponents, or to show off their team spirit. The tradition has also been used in other aspects of pop culture, such as music, television, and movies.
The Benefits of Wearing Eye Black
Today, eye black is still widely used by athletes in various sports. But why do athletes wear eye black in the first place?
The primary reason for wearing eye black is to reduce the amount of glare from the sun. The black pigment helps to reduce the amount of light that reaches the eyes, making it easier to see the ball or opponents. Wearing eye black can also help to reduce the amount of sweat in the eyes, which can be uncomfortable and distracting.
Eye black has also been found to provide psychological benefits. Wearing eye black can boost confidence and make athletes feel more powerful, which can help to improve performance.
Conclusion
The tradition of wearing eye black has been around for more than a century and it shows no signs of stopping. Ty Cobb is credited as the first professional baseball player to wear eye black, and since then, the tradition has spread throughout the game and beyond. Eye black is still widely used today for its practical and psychological benefits and is sure to be around for many years to come.