THIS N THAT

Had it not been for the coronavirus, today, at 4 pm, the Cincinnati Reds' season would have begun.  In light of that, I offer the following.

Bengals' great Anthony Munoz was a relief pitcher on the University of Southern California's  national championship baseball team in his sophomore year in college. 
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The American Civil War, 1860 - 1865, was instrumental in the spread of baseball throughout the country.  Prior to the war, it was strictly played "up East'.  Troops from New England played it in camps and introduced it to the rest of the country.
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The National League in major league baseball was born at a meeting in 1876 in New York City.  The eight (8) charter members were the cities of  New York, Cincinnati, Hartford, Chicago, Louisville, Philadelphia, Boston and St. Louis. 
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My first real baseball glove was a Nakona brand.  It was a really good glove and had a blue shade to the soft leather.  My grandfather bought it for me.  Nakona is still in business in Nakona, Texas - their good gloves go for up to $650 these days.  I'm sure mine didn't cost that much in 1953. 
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