THE OLD BALLPARKS: A DYING BREED
They don't make them like these anymore
POLO GROUNDS
(NY GIANTS, 1911-1957; NY METS, 1962-63)
Horseshoe-shaped oddity with weirdest dimensions ever - 279 to left (with an overhanging scoreboard that made homers even easier), 483 to center and 257 to right . . . Clubhouse was located in second-floor walk-up behind center- field bleachers . . . So spacious in the power alleys that the bullpens were located in fair territory . . . The original New York Giants actually played some games in the 1883 season on a polo field owned by New York Herald publisher James Gordon Bennett. They built a park for themselves in 1890 and named that the "Polo Grounds." The first Polo Grounds burned down in 1911, and owner John T. Brush retained the name when he built a new concrete-and- steel structure.
EBBETS FIELD
(BROOKLYN DODGERS, 1913-57)
Talk about intimate . . . Home of passionate fans and chummy right-field wall (297 feet) with tricky caroms best fielded by Carl Furillo . . . Scoreboard in right-center featured sign saying, "Hit sign, win suit." . . . The park in which Casey Stengel doffed his cap and a bird flew out; where a fan jumped on home-plate umpire George Magerkurth; and where Babe Herman once doubled into a double play when three men wound up on third.
CONNIE MACK STADIUM
(PHILADELPHIA A'S 1909-54; PHILLIES, 1938-1970)
Known as Shibe Park until renamed in 1952 for the venerable A's owner- manager . . . The first steel-and-concrete stadium in the majors . . . Dominated in later years by prodigious scoreboard in right-center . . . 468 to dead center . . . Extremely high press box, affording broadcasters, according to Ernie Harwell, "a splendid view of the button on top of the batter's cap." . . . Where else could you hit one off the ''Goldenberg's Peanut Chew" sign?
FORBES FIELD
(PITTSBURGH PIRATES, 1909-1970)
Another wonderfully misshapen park, measuring 300 to right, 457 to center and 365 to left . . . Site of Babe Ruth's final three homers on May 25, 1935, the final one, off recently deceased Guy Bush, sailing over the roof in right . . . Last major league triple-header here on Oct. 2, 1920 . . . In 62 seasons, no one pitched a no-hitter in this park . . . Now the site of University of Pittsburgh grad schools.
CROSLEY FIELD
(CINCINNATI REDS, 1912-1970)
Major league night baseball born here on May 24, 1935 . . . Perhaps the most continually renovated park during its lifetime . . . Famous incline, a la ''Duffy's Cliff," in front of left-field wall . . . Equally famous laundry beyond that wall, where windows were regularly shattered by mortars launched by the NL's finest right-handed sluggers . . . Flooded almost beyond all subsequent comprehension in 1937.
SPORTSMAN'S PARK
(ST. LOUIS BROWNS, 1902-1953; CARDINALS, 1920-66)
Where Bill Veeck rocked baseball by sending midget Eddie Gaedel to the plate, Aug. 19, 1951 . . . Nice for lefties (310 to right) but a pain for righties (351 to left) . . . Frequent controversy in right: whether 'tis nobler to shoot at open pavilion (the wall was 11 feet, 6 inches) or a screen restricting home runs . . . Stan The Man walloped five homers in double-header May 2, 1954 . . . Site of first three-homer game in AL history, accomplished by Browns' Ken Williams on April 22, 1922.
GRIFFITH STADIUM
(ORIGINAL WASHINGTON SENATORS, 1892-1960; 2ND WASHINGTON SENATORS,
1961)
Where Mickey Mantle hit the famed 565-foot home run off Chuck Stobbs in '53 . . . Also where Earl Averill's rocket in '37 All-Star Game broke Dizzy Dean's toe and led to Diz' physical demise . . . Original left-field distance of 405 was eventually pared to 386 . . . Home park of Walter Johnson, arguably greatest pitcher of them all . . . The fence ran in at a right angle just to the right of the center-field flagpole.
BRAVES FIELD
(BOSTON BRAVES, 1915-1952)
Finally scaled to 340-390-320 dimensions, down from original Machiavellian design of 402 down the lines and 505 to center. No wonder Ty Cobb said, ''Nobody will ever hit a ball out of this park." . . . Home of renowned ''Jury Box" bleacher section in right field . . . Site of longest game, the 26-inning Braves-Dodgers epic of May 1, 1920 . . . Sheer hell on batters when the east wind blew, but Rogers Hornsby hit .387 playing a full year here . . . Think of Judge Fuchs, Wally Berger, Lou Fette and Rabbit Maranville each time you cruise by on the Mass. Pike extension.
- Compiled by Bob Ryan
PART I: