Baseball Then and Now. While baseball players made money and endorsed the occasional product or gala supermarket opening, their primary purpose was to play baseball. Baseball, at that time, was a regal pursuit. Baseball was one of those things. Some fans may perceive that baseball itself is striking out. Baseball commissioner Bud Selig recommended some profit sharing among teams. Winning baseball teams make money. Our society no longer justifies the investment of time that professional baseball requires. Baseball has changed because our society has changed. Baseball was once the central preoccupation of the nation. 6 pgs, no bibliography. Pages: 6 Bibliography: 0 source(s) listed Filename: 11884 Baseball Now Then.doc Price: 53.70