1893 - First ever recording of Casey at the Bat is released and immediately shoots to #1 on the charts.  For fear of being "just another Casey", baseball players adopt a "hit it where they ain't appraoch" and all strikeouts require a quarter in the "Strikeout Jar". True story*.

(* May not be true)

1956 - During spring training, baseball tries out the automatic intentional walk.  This requires the construction of The WalkaTron 3000 by Professor Henry VanDeMeer.

VanDeMeer quickly lost control of The WalkaTron 3000 and, much to the horror of Major League Baseball, the machine tore through downtown Fort Meyers, setting it ablaze and slaughtering thousands.

(The WalkaTron 3000 was later brought down by a large, radioactive lizard awoken by The WalkaTron 3000's thundering footsteps.  Thanks radioactive lizard!)

Thanks to www.nationalpastime.com for all non-made-up info.

(And don't forget to participate in Colin's community projection)