Cracker Jacks or Quarterbacks: Which Sport Owns America’s Heart?

Some say America's heart beats with a baseball's perfect arc, others with a fourth-quarter drive–but which sport is the true heartbeat of the nation? 

Courtesy of Fox News Associated Press

This is my formal request to change the lyrics from “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” to “Take Me Out to a Ball Game.” After the MLB’s Opening Day on March 27, I am amped up for the baseball season. But at the same time, there are only 154 days until Sept. 4; the Kickoff Game of the 2025 NFL season hosted by the Super Bowl LIX winners, the Philadelphia Eagles. As an overall sports fan, I get excited anytime a season kicks off, but when it’s baseball and football, I can’t decide which one I hold closer to my heart. I know I’m not alone; this seems to be the case for most of the United States, and it begs the question of which is America’s national sport? 

Exactly one week before today, it was Opening Day for the MLB and baseball fans across the nation were on the edge of their seats. Let’s recap, shall we? The New York Yankees took on the Milwaukee Brewers and won 4-2. Austin Wells led off with a home run, marking the first time in Yankees history to do so on Opening Day. The Baltimore Orioles won against the Toronto Blue Jays (sorry Canadian fans!) 12-2 with the Orioles' new right fielder, Tyler O’Neill, extending his MLB record from homerunning five straight Opening Days to six. An unfortunate loss for the Los Angeles Angels, 8-1, against the Chicago White Sox took place after the Sox lost 121 games last season. This helped the Sox rank above 0.500 for the first time in two years. A close win for the San Francisco Giants as they won 6-4 against the Cincinnati Reds with Wilmer Flores hitting a three-run home run to end the ninth inning. The Cleveland Guardians won in the tenth inning with three runs against the Kansas City Royals to end the game 7-4. The Philadelphia Phillies also took the win against the Washington Nationals in the tenth inning, with a final score of 7-4, as Bryce Harper hit his sixth Opening Day home run. Despite the 90-minute rain delay, the St. Louis Cardinals won 5-3 against the Minnesota Twins. After their two wins in Japan, the Los Angeles Dodgers won 5-4 against the Detroit Tigers, keeping their good streak up.

Courtesy of Mike Lawrie/Getty Images

The Seattle Mariners won 4-2 against the Athletics. The Chicago Cubs won 10-6 against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Boston Red Sox took the win over the Texas Rangers with a 5-2 final score. The Houston Astros had a nice 3-1 win against the New York Mets following some player position switches and first games, and the San Diego Padres won 7-4 against the Atlanta Braves. 

The real big story from Opening Day, at least for a big Miami fan like myself, was the Miami Marlins' win over the Pittsburgh Pirates with a final score of 5-4. With three runs in the final two innings, this marked the first Opening Day walk-off win in franchise history for the team. Go Fish!

Courtesy of Chris Graythen/AFP

Now that we’re caught up in all things Opening Day, let’s talk football. I mean it’s only 5 months, 1 day, 10 hours, 15 minutes and 37 seconds away. Okay, so the hours, minutes and seconds I don’t have down, but I’m counting! The NFL Draft is quickly approaching from April 24-26, which means football fans will be getting even more excited for the season to take off. Picks and trades will take place to set up teams for the Mid-July Training Camps set to begin between July 16 and 21 and the final roster cut deadline on Aug. 27. 

Looking ahead, some bold predictions are being shared about the upcoming season and the schedule isn’t even released yet! Talk about the Denver Broncos coming out to impress fans has been circulating as they come off a great 2024 season. They’re rumored to have around a $50 million cap space ready to bring in some great players to support their already strong offensive and defensive lines. With the Chicago Bears announcing Ben Johnson as the new head coach on Jan. 21, the offensive line for the team is expected to increase in talent and skill under his coaching. Paired with their strong defense, there may be some good movement to be spotted by the Bears this upcoming season. In regards to players, Aaron Rodgers is still rumored to be entertaining the Steelers as they continue to search for a quarterback, and the team seems to look good going into the 2025 season. This could be a strong match, potentially bringing the Steelers to the playoffs for the third season in a row, and not in a “thankful for their Week 15 performance” way. In other quarterback news, Kirk Cousins from the Atlanta Falcons may be traded, but this will likely take place after the draft. There’s also been a lot of talk about Kansas City’s two-year contract with left tackle Jaylon Moore, as they need more support from that position moving into next season. And finally, offensive tackle Terron Armstead agreed to cut his salary down to the league minimum with the Miami Dolphins, indicating he may be on his road to retirement before the season. If that is to be true, it will be necessary for the Dolphins to find a replacement in the draft. 

Those are just a few of the rumors circulating about the 2025 NFL season, and I’m already so invested. Between the MLB and NFL, it’s hard for me to pick which news I’m more invested in right now, and I know I’m not the only one. Baseball has its history of being named as “America’s Pastime,” while football takes the title of being America’s “National Pride.” So, which is the true national sport of the U.S.?

Courtesy of Britannica Encyclopedia

Well, baseball has been part of American culture for over 150 years, with professional leagues beginning in the 1800s. It's one of those sports we’ve all played in our childhood at a ballpark or on the grass in our backyard. As long as there’s an open field, you can play America’s pastime, which is why the sport carries such significance in our hearts. It continued to be played through the American Civil War and the Great Depression, serving as an escapism for those affected. In the present day, it could also be considered a form of escapism from current issues, though not as severe, as you watch the nine innings unfold over a couple of hours. Baseball has also served as a symbol of community, as people from all backgrounds and walks of life have the opportunity to enjoy the game. All that to say, with its historical significance and tradition, it’s hard not to love a sport that brings people together over some drinks, laughs and Cracker Jacks. 

Football, on the other hand, has brought together millions from across the nation since the 20th century. The most popular sport amongst spectators in America, in recent years, the NFL has surpassed baseball by over 10 times in viewership. Since the 1958 NFL Championship between the Baltimore Colts and New York Giants, referred to as the “Greatest Game Ever,” football has retained the title of the most popular sport across the nation. College football also experienced significant growth expanding the interest of the nation. Additionally, the NFL has continued to reach international fandom as it continues to recruit international players and foster their talents in its International Player Pathway Program. America can’t get enough football, and officially marks the Super Bowl as a major cultural event. There’s no denying the fact that football, between the tailgating, the games and the spirit, has brought together millions and continues to hold a special place in the hearts of us all.

Courtesy of the Los Angeles Times

The United States doesn’t technically have a national sport, and I think I’d like to keep it that way. Baseball brings leisurely summer nights, but football brings chaotic Sunday afternoons. Football brings high-intensity plays, but baseball brings perfectly-timed seven-inning stretch naps. Baseball brings the thrill of a walk-off home run, but football brings a last-second touchdown. Football brings tailgates full of burgers and wings, but baseball brings the majestic beauty that is a $7 Dodger Dog. I couldn’t decide which one I’d want as the national sport, and neither should you! Enjoy your magical baseball nights for now, as you get ready for the intense football nights to come in September, it’s important to have a nice balance. I guess we can keep the lyrics to “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” as they are for now. But can we at least change Carrie Underwood’s “Waiting All Day for Sunday Night” to “Waiting All Year for Sunday Night”?

Edited by Madison Roost