Sultan of Swat (1920); Spit Ball (1905); Screw Ball (1926)

[Dave Wilton]

>    Paul Dickson gives no date for "the big show," meaning the
> major leagues.  It was used in the baseball movie BULL DURHAM.
>
>    8 April 1910, NEW YORK TIMES, pg. 10:
>    ...most of whom are sure to go back to the minors and get
> a few seasons more baseball knowledge before they join the big show.

Actually, in BULL DURHAM the term used was "the Show," not "the big show."
Both forms are in Dickson (with no dates given).