Graig,
Great questions and alot to ponder. Speaking from my experience, I grew up in the 1970s-1980s and lived to open packs of baseball cards and try and put sets together. I got my baseball tv fix from Mel Allen's "This Week in Baseball" and went to card shows regularly in the 80s and 90s. Most of my deep love for the game came from reading books like Ritter's Glory of Their Time's etc...
What your question boils down to I think is how people are raising their children and what they are exposed to. My son is heavily involved in sports but I think he may know more actual MLB names from his Wii or his Playstation!
Personally, I try and involve him with my letter writing and autograph requests to NFL and MLB players from the 1950s to present and we still get some beautiful letters from former players so this helps a bit.
But the more I see of his interests and those of kids in his school, it does not appear there is a universal knowledge of sports history or interest to learn about the history of sports even.
Who besides me now that I recollect, will think that the 1978 Topps Doug Ault card was the coolest around?
I think that you will always have your sports history buffs and lovers but those traits need to be passed on to younger generations. Not as easy as it sounds unfortunately.
Good night Sibby Sisti wherever you are! (with my apologies to the The Great American Baseball Card Flipping, Trading, and Bubble Gum Book by Brendan C. Boyd and Fred C. Harris) the second greatest book behind "Glory of their Times!"
Great topic Craig!
Mike