The Crack Of The Bat and Brotherhood

/ Lodge Education / By

Baseball History & Masonic Hall of Famers

Baseball and Freemasonry

Two deeply rooted traditions in American culture—share more than just longevity. From the humble beginnings of baseball in 19th-century fields to the shining lights of Cooperstown, Masonic values have quietly but meaningfully shaped some of the game’s greatest legends.

Baseball: A Game of Ritual and Transformation

Much like Masonry, baseball has evolved from simple roots. Early versions of the game—like rounders—were informal, chaotic, and even dangerous (players were once out by being hit with the ball!). It wasn’t until 1845 that Brother Alexander Cartwright, a Mason from New York, helped formalize the rules that shaped modern baseball: the diamond infield, 90-foot base paths, foul lines, and nine-player teams.

Cartwright’s influence spread far and wide—literally—helping bring baseball to the West Coast and even Hawaii.

The Masonic Symbolism Hidden in the Game

It’s easy to overlook the esoteric side of baseball, but the parallels are hard to ignore:

  • The diamond-shaped field evokes the Masonic compass and square

  • Three strikes, three outs—three being a sacred number in Freemasonry

  • Four bases? Four cardinal directions

  • Nine fielders, nine innings—3 x 3, another sacred number

Whether coincidence or cosmic symmetry, the game mirrors Masonic principles of structure, ritual, and individual excellence.

Defining Greatness: In Baseball and Brotherhood

So, how do we measure greatness in baseball? Is it 3,000 hits, 500 home runs, or 30-game winning seasons? Maybe. But greatness is also about consistency, teamwork, and the will to rise through challenge—values shared by both athletes and Masons.

Of the 317 members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, at least 58 were Freemasons. Let’s highlight a few iconic players who embodied both Masonic and baseball excellence.

The Immortals: Masonry in Baseball’s First Hall of Famers

  • Ty Cobb (Royston #52, Detroit): A .367 batting average and 4,101 career hits over 24 seasons

  • Honus Wagner (Centennial Lodge #544, PA): Shortstop legend and face of the rarest baseball card in existence

  • Christy Mathewson (Architect Lodge #519, NYC): Dominant pitcher with 373 career wins and three shutouts in the 1905 World Series

Other Legendary Masonic Hall of Famers

  • Cy Young (Mystic Tie #194, OH): 511 career wins—the most in MLB history

  • Joe Sewell (Tuscaloosa #785, AL): Nearly impossible to strike out—just 114 strikeouts in 7,132 at-bats

  • Branch Rickey (Mt. Vernon #688, PA): Executive who broke baseball’s color barrier by signing Jackie Robinson

Builders of the Game

  • Charles Ebbets (Greenwood Lodge #569, NYC): Built Ebbet’s Field and grew the Dodgers

  • Albert “Happy” Chandler (Corydon #799, KY): Allowed the integration of baseball and helped build the pension fund

  • Larry MacPhail (Cumberland #8, TN): Pioneered night games, uniform numbers, and air travel for teams

More Than Just Stats

The Mason-ballplayers were more than their numbers. They were innovators, leaders, and examples of grit and determination. Some, like Willie Mays (Boyer Lodge #1, Prince Hall), dazzled with all-around excellence. Others, like Hack Wilson and the Waner brothers, showed how camaraderie and community extend beyond the field.

Final Thoughts: The Spirit of the Game

Baseball is lonely. It’s slow. It’s hard. But when that bat cracks, and the crowd rises—when the glove pops with a fastball—it becomes a poetic reflection of life. And for many, it’s also a reflection of the Masonic journey: learning, refining, striving, and building something greater than oneself.

As we honor the Masons who shaped baseball history, we celebrate more than their stats—we honor their spirit.

Adapted from: Right Worshipful Brother Cary Cohn and Lee Roof – Originally presented July 2017


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