1922 The Yankees, who have been sharing the Polo Grounds with the Giants since 1913, begin construction on their own ballpark in the Bronx. The stadium will become known as the ‘House that Ruth Built,’ acknowledging the Babe’s popularity and influence. Visit http://www.ballparkprints.com see over 25 additional images from 1921 to 1937 the building of Yankee Stadium
Busch Memorial Stadium 1973
On May 12, 1966, four days after the final baseball game played at Sportsman’s Park, Busch Memorial Stadium opened with the St. Louis Cardinals winning 4 -3 in 12 innings over the Atlanta Braves. In 1970 the grass field was replaced with Astro Turf to make the conversion from baseball to football easier.
On May 12, 1966, four days after the final baseball game played at Sportsman’s Park, Busch Memorial Stadium opened with the St. Louis Cardinals winning 4 -3 on a Lou Brock single in 12th inning over the Atlanta Braves. In 1970 the grass field was replaced with Astro Turf to make the conversion from baseball to football easier.
Hilltop Park
Following the 1902 season, under the new ownership of Frank Farrell and Bill Devery, the American League Baltimore franchise was moved to Manhattan. The team then became known as the New York Highlanders. Their first home ballpark, which was built in six weeks, received its name, Hilltop Park, because it was situated on top of a hill overlooking the Hudson River. It opened on April 30, 1903, with the Highlanders winning 6-2 over Washington. The final game at Hilltop Park is played on October 5, 1912. In 1913 the team began playing in the Polo Grounds and were now known as the New York Yankees. Hilltop Park’s original location was at West 168th Street, Fort Washington Avenue, 165th Street, and Broadway in the Washington Heights section of Manhattan. It was demolished in 1914 and is now the site of Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center.
Charles A. Weeghman owner of the Federal League team, Chicago Chi-Feds, played their home opener on April 23, 1914, in Weeghman Field In 1915 the Federal League folded. Weeghman then formed a syndicate including the chewing gum manufacturer William Wrigley Jr. to buy the Chicago Cubs from Charles P. Taft. The start of the 1916 season the Cubs moved from the West Side Grounds to Weeghman Field. In 1926, the ballpark was renamed “Wrigley Field.”
http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHI/1914.shtml
The Indians trade Gold Glove first baseman Vic Power and left-handed pitcher Dick Stigman(image is of Stigman pitching to Maris with Mantle on deck 1961) to the Twins for pitcher 20-game loser Pedro Ramos, who will compile a 26-30 record during his 2+ seasons with the Tribe. Power will contribute 2+ solid seasons with Minnesota batting .278, and their new southpaw will post a .702 winning percentage, the best in the American League this season, winning 12 of 17 decisions.
As a fan of baseball and believe all workers / employees should always try to get the best salary they can. Baseball has been very good to Bud Selig as an owner and commissioner his current annual salary is $18.4 million! For more on Bud Selig visit:
Starting off the new year one of my primary goals is to blog at least once a week. Not being a natural, fluid writer is the reason that I am putting this pressure on myself. Being a visual person my skills in art and photography afforded me a fantastic career and because of that my writing skills weakened. I mostly wrote business outlines, proposals, and short brief letters. But, my goal is also to share my photography and, the photography of Ozzie Sweet (that can be purchased at http://www.ballparkprints.com) of ballparks that I travel to and, the occasional brief comments on the greatest game in my opinion baseball, and other interest that I have. So bear with me as I start this new journey in my life
While reading the various obituaries about former ballplayer and Cleveland broadcaster Mike Hegan, I kept thinking they omitted one of the great trivia questions; in 1973 who was the last player that made the final out in the original Yankee Stadium? Mike Hegan a fly ball to CF.
Mike Hegan, left, and his father, Jim, at spring training in 1962 Associated Press
Growing-up near Yankee Stadium afforded me the opportunity to hang out there and get ball [players (almost all would sign) autographs as they walked to the stadium from the, subway, their cars and [1]The Concourse Plaza. I remember those days and have some stories about a few encounters, but Jerry Colman was one of the good guys and would sign and sign gain. There was the usual small group of us that showed up most days, and after awhile the players would recognize you, and Jerry was one that not only recognizes you but also talk to you.
With his active career over I encounter Jerry Coleman in the 1958-59 again, back then for a few years the Yankees would bring up their triple A farm team from Richmond VA and have them workout on the ball field that is now 161 Street Garage. Living just up the hill from the ball field where we played baseball everyday, word spread the Yankees farm team was working out there. I cannot say how kids showed up, but it was a lot. Out of that sea of kids like me Jerry Coleman called me over and let me be the back up batboy told me, be alert, and do not get hurt. I can still see talking to me dressed so neatly and wearing brown and white loafers…
[1] APA: Concourse Plaza Hotel – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concourse_Plaza_Hotel The hotel was located within walking distance of Yankee Stadium, which was home to baseball’s New York Yankees and (until 1976) football’s New York Giants. Many star players from the home teams – including Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris of the Yankees and Frank Gifford of the Giants – stayed at the Concourse Plaza, and visiting players would also stay at the hotel.[2][3]Yankees Second baseman Horace Clarke was reportedly the last Yankees player to make the hotel his in-season residence during the 1960s and early 1970s.
On this day in 1974 Rheingold Beer announces it will close its Brooklyn-based plant. As a result, the brewery will be forced to end its 13-year relationship with the Mets as the team’s primary radio-TV sponsor.
This was my dad’s beer, and it got me into trouble big time once. Not because I was drinking under-age but because that empty bottle was worth a nickel. In the late 1950’s, the summer, I was 10 years old I started saving my allowance to buy tickets, to sit in the bleachers at Yankee Stadium, price of admission fifty-cents. One-time I needed one more nickel for a ticket and, sitting in the refrigerator was dad’s almost full quart bottle of Rheingold beer. Thinking dad would not notice I poured it down the drain and with that nickel in hand off to the game I went. That night at dinner dad asked “what happened to his beer”, mom did not drink beer, my older brother was at camp, and my sister was eight. Knowing I was in trouble I confessed that I poured it out for the deposit on the bottle. Next came “why”, and my answer only made it worst I needed to buy a ticket to see the Yankees. Dad always a calm man, told me I was too young to be going to Yankee Stadium alone, pulled my allowance of 25-cents a week for the remainder of the summer.
BALLPARK PRINTS 