I was reading ESPN.com and found some interesting historical facts about things such as the draft, instant reply and even blogging!!

Instant replay (1879)

Years before there were moving pictures there was instant replay. As a result of arguments on close plays, the powers that be in the new Northwestern League hit upon an innovation: They would have their umpires watch plays a second time and decide what had really happened. This was achieved by asking the players involved to repeat their actions of a moment before "with a gentlemanly mind toward honesty and no malice aforethought." And, in a precursor to slow-motion, it was also requested that "players effect a more measured pace in so doing so as to facilitate a more favorable view for the umpire." Whatever the best intentions of the league's powers that be, it stood to reason that players would try to gain an advantage in their recreations. This led to further arguments and, in one notable case in a game that pitted Davenport against Omaha, an all-out brawl over the exaggerated actions of players asked to encore their movements.

Blogging (1907)

Today we call it "blogging." When it was first tried in 1907 by a man named Cyrus Dalrymple, it was known as "keying." Dalrymple was a Cincinnati Reds fan who was growing increasingly frustrated with his team's poor start. After the Cincinnatis got blown out 10-2 by the Cubs, Dalrymple ran to the nearest telegraph office and sent an identical message to a handful of like-minded friends:

Ned Hanlon a nincompoop. Stop. Do not care how many pennants won in Balt and Bkn. Stop. What has he done for us. Stop. Show him the door. Stop. Kruger a yannigan. Stop. Lobert a muffin. Stop. Mason could not strike out Mrs. Roosevelt. Stop. More tomorrow.

Soon, Dalrymple was sending telegrams after every game he witnessed to a growing number of people. They became longer and more exasperated in tone as the Reds continued to lose. Telegrams were not cheap, being billed on a per-word basis. After six weeks, Dalrymple had run through his life savings complaining about a team that was clearly going nowhere. By then he had a number of keying imitators in cities throughout the National League but, one by one, they too went broke and gave up the practice.

You can find the full article here.

Speaking of Instant replay, SOMEONE STOP REPLAYING THAT COLDPLAY SONG WITH THOSE ANCIENT OLD COUPLE THIS INSTANT!!

Purgatorian Post #762