Baseball (1994)
Ken Burns' monumental nine-part PBS documentary tracing the full sweep of America's national pastime through archival imagery and unforgettable personal testimony.
Baseball - Series Information
- Original Title: Baseball
- First Air Year: 1994
- Last Air Year: 1994
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Documentary
- Content Rating (US): TV-PG
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 103 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 9
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: September 18, 1994 (United States - TV-PG), September 18, 1994 (Canada - G), September 18, 1994 (Australia - PG)
- Networks: PBS
- Alternative Titles: Ken Burns' Baseball (US)
- Production Companies: Florentine Films, WETA
- Production Countries: United States of America
Baseball - Plot
The history of the sport of baseball in America, told through archival photos, film footage, and the words of those who contributed to the game in each era. Writers, historians, players, baseball personnel, and fans review key events and the significance of the game in America's history.
Baseball - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a sense of the sweeping scope of this landmark documentary series.
Where to Watch Baseball
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Baseball - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- John Chancellor
- Daniel Okrent
- Buck O'Neil
- Studs Terkel
- Roger Angell
- George Plimpton
- Gerald Early
- George Will
- Ossie Davis
- Paul Roebling
Writers
- Geoffrey C. Ward
- Ken Burns
Executive Producers
- Ken Burns
Baseball - FAQs
Who directed the Baseball documentary series?
Baseball was directed by Ken Burns, the acclaimed documentary filmmaker behind other landmark PBS series such as The Civil War and Jazz. Burns co-wrote the series with Geoffrey C. Ward and also served as executive producer, bringing his signature archival storytelling style to America's national pastime.
What is the Baseball documentary series about?
Baseball chronicles the full history of America's national pastime from its 19th-century origins to the modern era. Through archival photographs, rare film footage, and reflections from writers, historians, players, and fans, the series explores how the sport mirrors the broader story of American culture, race, and identity.
How does Baseball address race and civil rights?
Race is one of the series' most powerful threads. Burns devotes substantial time to the Negro Leagues, Jackie Robinson's integration of Major League Baseball in 1947, and the long struggle for equality within the sport. Buck O'Neil's deeply personal recollections give these chapters an emotional resonance that remains unforgettable decades later.
Where can I watch the Baseball documentary?
Baseball is available to purchase on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. The series originally aired on PBS and remains one of the network's most celebrated documentary productions. Check JustWatch for the most current availability in your region.
How many episodes does Baseball have?
The original 1994 series consists of 9 episodes, each structured as an "inning" covering a distinct era of baseball history. Ken Burns later returned to the subject with Baseball: The Tenth Inning (2010), a two-part follow-up that brought the story into the steroid era and beyond.
Who are the key voices featured in Baseball?
The series features an extraordinary range of voices, including journalist and narrator John Chancellor, writer Roger Angell, cultural critic Gerald Early, author George Plimpton, political commentator George Will, and beloved Negro Leagues veteran Buck O'Neil, whose warmth and wisdom became one of the documentary's most celebrated elements.
Was Baseball well received by critics?
Absolutely. Baseball earned widespread critical acclaim upon its 1994 debut and is widely regarded as one of the finest documentary series ever made for American television. It won multiple Emmy Awards and cemented Ken Burns' reputation as the preeminent chronicler of American history through the documentary form.
What are similar documentaries to Baseball?
Fans of Baseball often enjoy Baseball: The Tenth Inning (2010), Ken Burns' own follow-up to the original series, as well as MLB Network Presents (2015) and The Comeback: 2004 Boston Red Sox (2024). For broader sports documentary storytelling, Leaving Neverland (2019) and FIFA Uncovered (2022) offer similarly immersive archival approaches.
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