Essay: What is America's game? 3 sports, 3 American eras

FILE - In this 1936, file photo, Johnny Mize of the St. Louis Cardinals swings during a baseball game. (AP Photo/File)

FILE - In this Nov. 22, 1945, file photo, Cleveland Rams football team yell in their dressing room after they beat the Detroit Lions at Detroit to clinch the Western Division championship. Coach Adam Walsh, top, center, waves his hat as he joins in the fun. (AP Photo/Preston Stroup, File)

FILE - In this Nov. 22, 1962, file photo, sports announcer and founder of the American Football League Harry Wismer eats a Thanksgiving snack in his New York hotel room, while watching his team, the New York Titans, edge the Denver Broncos, 46-45 on television. (AP Photo/Marty Lederhandler, File)

FILE - In this Oct. 4, 1924, file photo, U.S. President Calvin Coolidge throws out the ball for the opening game of the 1924 World Series between the Washington Senators and the New York Giants in Washington. (AP Photo/File)

FILE - In this Nov. 7, 1989, file photo, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice runs past New Orleans Saints' Toi Cook for a touchdown in the first half during the 49ers' 31-13 victory over the Saints at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Martha Jane Stanton, File)

FILE - In this Nov. 4, 1945, file photo, Johnny Grigas, right, Boston Yanks is stopped for no gain, when Jack Matheson, (82) Detroit Lions tackled him at Fenway Park in Boston. The Detroit lions defeated the Boston Yanks 10-9 during a heavy snow storm. (AP Photo/File)

FILE - In this June 17, 2019, file photo, Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard takes a selfie holding his playoffs MVP trophy during the NBA basketball championship team's victory parade in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP, File)

FILE - In this Oct. 14, 2004, file photo, Chinese fans greet players of Houston Rokets and Sacramento Kings during their NBA preseason game in Shanghai, China. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, File)

FILE - In this July 22, 2009, file photo, NBA star Kobe Bryant walks past fans as he enters a Nike store in Singapore. (AP Photo/Joseph Nair, File)

FILE - In this April 10, 1962, file photo, a helicopter hovers over Dodger Stadium on Opening Day of the baseball season as the Los Angeles Dodgers play their first game at the new 56,000-seat stadium in Chavez Ravine against the Cincinnati Reds near Los Angeles, Calif. (AP Photo/File)