Learn the Games
Every sport in 60 seconds, plus the words that gatekeep it. No jargon walls here.
In 60 seconds
Two teams alternate batting and fielding across 9 innings. The pitcher throws; the batter tries to hit and run around 4 bases to score a run. 3 strikes = out, 3 outs = your turn ends. Most runs wins. No clock — the game ends when the innings do.
The words that matter
InningOne round: both teams bat once. 9 per game.
Strike / BallStrike = good pitch you missed or didn't swing at. Ball = bad pitch. 3 strikes you're out; 4 balls you walk to first base.
Home runBall hit over the wall — batter and everyone on base scores.
ERAA pitcher's average runs allowed per 9 innings. Lower = better. Under 3.50 is good.
Batting averageHow often a hitter gets a hit. .300 is a star.
BullpenThe relief pitchers who take over when the starter tires.
The Records That Matter
Drop one of these and nobody asks if you're new.
⚾Baseball
762 home runsBarry Bonds — career HR record
73 home runsBarry Bonds, 2001 — single season
56-game hit streakJoe DiMaggio, 1941 — the 'unbreakable' one
5,714 strikeoutsNolan Ryan — no one else has 5,000
🏀Basketball
100 pointsWilt Chamberlain, 1962 — single game
38,387 → passedLeBron James — all-time scoring leader
73-9Golden State Warriors, 2016 — best regular season
11 ringsBill Russell — most championships
🏈Football
7 Super BowlsTom Brady — most by a player
89,214 yardsTom Brady — career passing
2,105 yardsEric Dickerson, 1984 — rushing season
109-yard TDAntonio Cromartie — longest play possible
⚽Soccer
800+ goalsCristiano Ronaldo & Messi — the eternal debate
8 Ballons d'OrLionel Messi — most ever
7-1Germany vs Brazil, 2014 — the World Cup shock
InvinciblesArsenal 2003-04 — unbeaten league season
🏒Hockey
2,857 pointsWayne Gretzky — no one else has 2,000
92 goalsWayne Gretzky, 1981-82 — single season
11 Stanley CupsHenri Richard — most by a player
🏏Cricket
100 centuriesSachin Tendulkar — international hundreds
400 not outBrian Lara — highest Test score
800 wicketsMuttiah Muralitharan — Test bowling record