Originally played in England 300 years ago, but in the form of Rounders, Baseball has emerged as a huge sport in North America, the Far East and South America in the past 80 years with numerous betting opportunities available to the punter primarily based around the action in the USA in the MLB (the professional Major Baseball League).

Baseball is also the major sport in both Japan and Cuba and the latter exports most of its best players to North America to play in the MBL). The MBL is divided into two leagues, the National League (NL) and the American League (AL) which are both further sub-divided into East, West and Central divisions, in a similar lay out to American Football.

George Herman Ruth, known as Babe Ruth was the first real superstar of the sport in North America, also known as the first big power hitter in the league.

After starting life with the Boston Red Sox, Ruth transferred to the New York Yankees, winning seven pennants and four World Series.

He retired in 1936 and became one of the first five players to be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

He was the first player to record 60 home runs in a season and tied with Muhammad Ali as the most recognised athlete on the planet from a list of 800!

That single season record of home runs lasted for 34 years until Roger Maris landed 61 home runs in 1961 also for the New York Yankees.

Mark Magwire and Sammy Sosa moved the record on in 1998 until the current mark was set by Barry Bonds in 2001 with 73 home runs.

BASEBALL WORLD SERIES WINNERS

2000 - NEW YORK YANKEES
2001 - ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
2002 - ANAHEIM ANGELS
2003 - FLORIDA MARLINS
2004 - BOSTON RED SOX
2005 - CHICAGO WHITE SOX
2006 - ST LOUIS CARDINALS
2007 - BOSTON RED SOX
2008 - PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
2009 - NEW YORK YANKEES
2010 - SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS