Crosley Field
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| Location | Cincinnati, Ohio |
| Opened | April 11, 1912 |
| Closed | June 24, 1970 |
| Demolished | 1972 |
| Capacity | 30,000 |
| Owned By | Cincinnati Reds |
| Architect: | Harry Hake |
|
Dimensions:
Left Left-Center Center Right-Center Right |
360 ft. (1912), 320 ft. (321), 352 ft. (1926), 339 ft. (1927), 328 ft. (1938); 380 ft. 420 ft. (1912), 417 ft. (1926), 395 ft. (1927), 393 ft. (1930), 407 ft. (1931), 393 ft. (1933), 407 ft. (1936), 387 ft. (1938), 380 ft. (1939), 387 ft. (1940), 390 ft. (1944), 387 ft. (1955) 383 ft. 360 ft. (1912), 384 ft. (1921), 400 ft. (1926), 383 ft. (early 1927), 377 ft. (late 1927), 366 ft. (1938), 366 ft. (1938), 342 ft. (1942), 366 ft. (June 30, 1950), 342 ft. (1953), 366 ft. (1958) |
Various ballparks had stood on the site starting in 1884, though the position of the diamond and the grandstand was shifted several times. Initially they were at the southwest corner, tucked into the angling intersection. In the 1890s, a new grandstand was built in the southwest corner, and the diamond was shifted, but the old grandstand was retained as bleachers. This was a good thing, because when the new stands burned, the diamond was relocated and the old stands became the grandstand again temporarily. A concrete, fireproof structure was then built in the southwest corner, in a style reminiscent of Chicago's World's Columbian Exposition of 1893, although the old 1884 structure was again retained as bleachers. While elegant in appearance, this so-called "Palace of the Fans" was too small. In 1912, the entire structure was rebuilt in steel and concrete at a cost of $225,000.
The ballpark was known as Redland Field from 1912-1933, when team owner Powel Crosley chose to rename the stadium in his own honor - advertising his Crosley automobiles to boot. Crosley was the site of the first major league night baseball game on May 24, 1935. It hosted the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in 1938 and 1953.
The field of play was known for the sloping hill or "terrace" that led up to the fence (and to street level) across left field, which remained throughout the entire time the stadium stood. The field was also known for its cozy dimensions, especially the short fence in center field. It has been said that although the fence was marked as 390 feet away, both the home and visiting-team pitchers were certain it was shorter.
In August 1966, Crosley Field served as the setting for an outdoor rock music concert by The Beatles during their final American and Canadian tour. The stadium began to decline in the 1960s, and the surrounding neighborhood became rather dangerous, particularly at night. These factors, along with the city's desire to build a single stadium that could house both the Reds and the Cincinnati Bengals of the NFL led to the closure of Crosley and the mid-season move of the Reds in 1970 to Riverfront Stadium. Crosley Field was demolished two years later, and a business park now stands on the site. However, the park has been recreated (in part) in Blue Ash, Ohio as part of a local athletic center, using various items from the original (such as 400 seats). [link] There is also now a small commemorative area on the Crosley Field site, featuring a couple of seats from the old park.
Trivia
- In 1937, Mill Creek flooded, submerging the field under 21 feet of water. Two individuals, Reds pitcher Lee Grissom and Reds traveling secretary John McDonald, got into a rowboat and entered Crosley Field over the left field fence and rowed to where the pitcher's mound was.
- Across the left field wall on York Street, a sign on the Superior Towel and Linen Service plant advertised a downtown clothier, Steibler Suits, which rewarded any player hitting the sign with a suit. Reportedly, the Reds player with most suits was Wiley Post, with sixteen suits. Willie Mays was the opposing player with the most suits, seven. The Superior Towel and Linen Service plant was demolished in 1960 and its land became a parking lot.
- Crosley Field’s infamous left-field terrace may have contributed to the ending of one of baseball’s greatest player’s career. On May 28, 1935, Boston Braves player/manager Babe Ruth chased a fly ball when he tripped over the incline and fell on his face. Disgusted, he left the field in a huff. He retired not long after.
External links
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