The very first World Series was played in 1903 between the Boston American League club (now the Boston Red Sox) and the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Although the very first world series wasn’t played until 1903, there was a previous championship called “The Championship of the United States” and “World’s Championship Series”, which the winners of the National League and American Association had played from 1884 to 1891. The Series ended when the American Association folded in 1891.

Ban Johnson formed the American League in 1901 to take advantage of the National League’s cut down from twelve teams down to eight. Ban Johnson and fellow owners raided the senior circuit and signed away many star players. This constant raiding formed the idea of a championship between the National and American Leagues.

The two leagues finally called a truce in the winter of 1902/03. The following August, Barney Dreyfuss, owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates challenged the Boston American League Club to an eleven game Championship Series but instead agreed to a best-of-nine championship The first three games were played in Boston, the next four in Pittsburgh, and the remaining two in Boston.

Some in-game action saw Sam Leever, pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates injuring his shoulder while trap-shooting. His teammate Deacon Phillippe had to stand in and pitch five games for Pittsburgh. He even set a World Series record by striking out ten Boston batters, but that record was later broke, as Dinneen struck out eleven Pittsburgh batters in Game 2!

The Boston Americans came back behind to win the final four games. The end result for the first World Series, Boston won the first World Series five games to three, winning the last four.

Owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Barney Dreyfuss, added his share of the gate receipts to the players’ share. This meant that the losing team’s players actually finished with a larger individual share than the winning team!

The very first World Series was a voluntary arrangement between the two clubs, and so a 1904 World Series did not take place.

The success of the very first World Series proved the newly formed American League could beat the best of the National League, increasing the demand for future World Series’. And so in 1905, the World Series was made into a formal compulsory annual event.

There is very little to beat a full body massage delivered by a licensed professional massage therapist. It relieves you of tensions of the body and the mind, and some even go so far as to say, the soul. This article does not refer to nor recommend visits to those massage parlors that are run by unlicensed and untrained personnel.

There are a number of benefits that a full body massage gives you.

The basic idea behind a massage is touch therapy. Humans tend to become ill physically and emotionally in the absence of touch. If a baby is not fondled, it languishes and becomes cranky, and even physically ill. This need to be touched is what imbues a massage with therapeutic qualities. Relaxation apart, it actually helps muscle fibers to heal after an injury, even to resist injury. Muscles get toned when massaged. The blood circulation improves, aiding general health and cell growth. The lymphatic circulation perks up too, thus improving the immune system. Massage removes blockages in these two circulatory systems. A massage, when done properly, relaxes you and invigorates you simultaneously. You get complete rest when you sleep and when you wake up you are more alert, and can get more work done.

Never had one before? Try it for a wonderful experience!

I’ll walk you through your first massage. The first step is to select a well-reputed massage parlor. You go to the receptionist, register yourself, and set up an appointment. The usual charge is $50 to $100 for an hour-long session. You step into a private cabin, step out of your clothes, and lie face down on the massage table. You’ll be covered with a sheet, just to keep the warmth in. The masseuse will begin massaging you, using a massage oil to help her hands move smoothly over you. There are special strokes used in a massage like strokes, circular motions, pressing actions, and a gentle kneading action.

It is common for the masseuse to begin the massage at the feet and then work her way up, past the legs, up to the hips. You will feel the warmth generated by her hands flowing into the muscles, relaxing each fiber, untwisting the veins and arteries, nerves and tendons and ligaments. There are a number of methods of massage. You should let the massage therapist select the one that is best for you. When you have had ten or more massages, you’ll be experienced enough to make your own choice!

The masseuse’s magical hands continue their journey upwards over your back ending at your head. At every inch, you will experience such indescribable relaxation, that it is best left for you to experience firsthand!

Massaging heals the body from within. This natural healing process is entirely restorative. Just make sure you patronize a reputed massage parlor, and get massaged by a trained and licensed professional therapist. Getting a massage by an untrained masseuse may actually aggravate your aches and pains instead of alleviating them. Now you’ll have to excuse me! I have a massage waiting for me!