In America, the game of baseball is considered our national past time. When the resplendent sport first embraced our country, fathers would haul their sons to the ballpark. Kids clothed in their suspenders, with button up collars, drinking Red Rock Cola at 5 cents a pop. Men primped in pancake shaped hats and perfectly coiled neckties. Baseball players sported pedal pushers hiked to the knees, carrying leather Spalding signature gloves, and swinging hand-crafted Louisville Sluggers. Knickerbocker beer, Pinch-Hit tobacco, and Old Gold cigarettes ads circled the field. Classic doubleheaders were common. This is when baseball was baseball.

Baseball was baseball when Willie Mays’ catch at center field saved the game for the New York Giants over the Cleveland Indians in 1954. Two years later, Don Larsen pitched the only perfect game in a World Series; Yogi Berra calling the flawless sporting event. In addition to more praiseworthy moments, Pittsburgh Pirates’ Roberto Clemente smacked his 3, 000th career hit, which would tragically be his last. A couple of years later, in 1974, Hank Aaron hammered his 715th career dinger, breaking a nearly 40 year MLB record. With all the great names and exclusive occasions in baseball, Babe Ruth delivered the kick start baseball needed for the so called “dead-ball” era. It could of began when the “Caliph of Clout” slugged his first long ball; or when he lead the Yankees to their first World Series title; or when he called his shot; or when he broke his own single-season home run record.

Nonetheless, when “The Great Bambino” left the game of baseball, Yankee Stadium was, from there on, “The House that Ruth Built.” Indeed, it was; however, “The Sultan of Swat” had a supported cast that boosted the playing field as well: Earle Combs, Mark Koenig, Lou Gehrig, Bob Meusel and Tony Lazzeri, better known as the Murderers’ Row. The comprehensive squad accomplished historical home runs, snappy runs batted in, striking batting averages, triumphant pennants, celebrated championships, and elite hall of fame members. Yet, what made the 1927 Yankees standout from the rest was their team play. The Babe recognized numerous pitchers lobbing foul balls when he was up to bat. Howard Ehmke and company quickly gathered that the Iron Horse, who at the time had the best batting average in the league, followed in the batting lineup. After becoming aware of the roster, pitchers started to fling dashing fast balls towards Ruth’s way, permitting him the opportunity to make baseball history.

The Murderers’ Row set a standard for team play in any sport: Lakers sensations Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar; 49ers marvels Joe Montana and Jerry Rice; track ace Michael Johnson and his world record holding 4×400 relay team; two-time Olympic gold medalists Misty May and Kerri Walsh; and fellow Yankee icons Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle.

In the game of craps, it is essential to possess a quality team. Conversely, it is even more important for the crew to work together. If not, then the common goal of maintaining an edge over the casino will fail. It will not matter if the group displays record setting throws, contains dominate players who can shoot from both sides of the table, or earn massive winnings. If conflict arises, they must learn to manage it. The squad must remain competitive, yet, still respect each member. If a player’s shot is off target, he/she will need valued instruction and moral support from other members. Teams that work as one can certainly prove themselves creditable of dominating the game of craps.

"The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don’t play together, the club won’t be worth a dime." -Babe Ruth

"Sixty, count ’em, sixty! Let’s see some son-of-a-b**** match that!" -Babe Ruth

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