polo grounds

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

hello to everyone. ONE thing that i would like to get off of my chest is that i am getting sick and tired of reading in books about the negative things about the polo grounds. THE polo grounds like tiger stadium here in detroit does not get the respect i think they should.NONE of the old parks were perfect. not even EBBETS FIELD IN BROOKLYN. they had post to obstuct the views but there were needed for getting the great views from the upper decks of the old parks i have been to alot of games at TIGER STADIUM which is still standing they have not torn it down, and are new COMERICA PARK STINKS. i swear that i will not go down to see a game there. I read about how old the POLO GROUNDS WAS but it was only 53 years old when they started taking her down in APRIL OF 1964. THE GIANTS started playing there in 1891 but the stadium was wooden and burned down in 1911. I have talked to a few oldtimmers players who played there for the giants and mets and there was nothing wrong with the structure. IT was not falling down.THE area around the stadium was not the greatest. I was there in 1988 for a yankee redsox game at yankee stadium and i visited the polo grounds site which are apartment buildings now with the name POLO GROUNDS APARTMENTS. I HAD a cassette of the BOBBY THOMSON HOMERUN CALL FROM RUSS HODGES and i listened to it and it was great to hear the call there even with the polo grounds being torn down. I think that they could of used it a few more years but they wanted the property for housing. I asked MONTY IRVIN A fews years ago about if they could have stayed at the PG AND HE TOLD ME that they could have been there another 15 years or more. I also visited the EBBETS FIELD apartments and that was great to get a chance to see were it was. I had a copy on cassette of a DUKE SNIDER HOMERUN ONTO BEDFORD AVE and i listened to it and there were people around that though that was great. THE POLO GROUNDS had a lot of posts there as you can see in photos of the stadium MOST of the seats were obstucted but i would rather sit infront of a post there or at EBBETS FIELD CROSLEY FIELD OR ANY OF THE OLD TIME PARKS THAN TO GO TO A NEW STADIUM LIKE COMERICA PARK thanks DONALD LONG LIVE THE POLO GROUNDS

[prof93]

http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/pan/6a29000/6a29200/6a29227r.jpg

[prof93]

http://www.dugout-memories.com/goffpol1.jpg

[prof93]

http://www.conigliofamily.com/images/PoloGrounds.jpg

[prof93]

http://www.ktg2.com/images/pgn.jpg

[prof93]

http://www.bigleaguedreams.com/images/replica_polo01.jpg

[prof93]

http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/nyy/photo/photogallery/anniversary/championships/06.jpg

Joe DiMaggio hits a home run in the third inning of the Oct. 10, 1937, World Series game at the Polo Grounds

[prof93]

http://www.dugout-memories.com/goffpol2.jpg

[prof93]

http://members.tripod.com/franksballparks/polo3.jpg

[prof93]

http://www.blackbetsy.com/imagefarm/joejacksonbattingaugust1915pologrounds.jpg

Joe Jackson batting during a game at Polo Grounds on August of 1915, shortly before he was traded to the White Sox. This game was played Monday August 9, 1915 and would explain why the crowd is so small

[prof93]

http://www.ballparksofbaseball.com/past/pologrounds100.jpg

[prof93]

http://stadiumpage.com/stadiumgraveyard/polo_dimag.JPG


Joe DiMaggio of the Yankees Homers in the 1951 World Series

[prof93]

http://stadiumpage.com/stadiumgraveyard/polo8.JPG

Gil McDougald becomes first rookie ever to hit a Grand Slam in the World Series

[prof93]

http://stadiumpage.com/stadiumgraveyard/polo_color.JPG

[prof93]

http://stadiumpage.com/stadiumgraveyard/polo54.JPG

[prof93]

http://www.ebaseballparks.com/images/polo6.jpg

[prof93]

http://www.ebaseballparks.com/images/polo5.jpg

[prof93]

http://www.ebaseballparks.com/images/polo3.jpg

[prof93]

http://www.ebaseballparks.com/images/polo2.jpg

[prof93]

http://www.ebaseballparks.com/images/polo1.jpg

[prof93]

http://photos.liveauctioneers.com/houses/fuscoauctions/1041/0157_1_lg.jpg

[prof93]

http://www.bayou.com/~brooklyn/polo1.jpg

[westsidegrounds]

Great stuff, prof! Well done!

[Clockwork]

That outfield looks huge..

[LouGehrig]

These are great. I too would prefer to watch a game in a regular stadium like the Polo Grounds than in one of the new ones.

It is fascinating that Camden Yards and Jacobs Field are praised so highly because they are patterned after real ball parks, yet those in power tear down the real ball parks.

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

Nice pictures.

Just like Ebbets Field, they shouldn't have tore down the Polo Grounds.

Of course the shape was a bit strange for a baseball field, but nevertheless I would really like to see a game in one of those old stadiums.

[westsidegrounds]

There's only one of the great NYC ballparks left, and though I'm not a big Yankee fan myself, I hope those who are will get together & keep it from becoming just a memory like the others.

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

http://www.starstruck.com/goodsportsart/grafx/APC_AmazingPoloCatch.jpg

What was the big green screen in front of Willie Mays for?

Quite annoying for the audience I think.

[westsidegrounds]

What was the big green screen in front of Willie Mays for?

Quite annoying for the audience I think.

Actually it was behind him.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

hello to everyone i think that out in centerfield on both sides of the bleachers there were batters backgrounds to help out the batter see the ball better. so that is why they had the put the wall out there as you can see in the willie mays catch lithograph on both sides of the bleachers hope everyone had a nice holiday donald detroit mi

[prof93]

Four sluggers have put a ball over the center field wall in the Polo Grounds (Version IV). Those sluggers are Luke Easter of the Negro Leagues in 1948; Joe Adcock on April 29, 1953; Lou Brock on June 17, 1962; and Hank Aaron on June 18, 1962.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

hello to everyone. just wanted to let you know that the game that lou brock hits his homerun in the centerfield bleachers at the polo grounds exists on audio. if anyone wants any info on the game contact me off of the baseball-fever site. GAME WAS 6-17-1962. ALSO marv throneberry in the same game was called out after hitting a big triple after missing 1st base. take care everyone donald detroit mi :radio

[MetsFan11368]

ALSO marv throneberry in the same game was called out after hitting a big triple after missing 1st base. :radio

Marv was on a roll that day.

After being called out for not touching first base, Casey Stengel went out to argue the call with the umpire who supposedly replied to him “Forget it, Case, he missed second base, too”.

[prof93]

http://www.ballparksofbaseball.com/past/polo15.jpg

[prof93]

http://www.ballparksofbaseball.com/past/poloout.jpg

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

[QUOTE=prof93]http://stadiumpage.com/stadiumgraveyard/polo_color.JPG[/QUO hello does anyone out there know what the area cut out in the facing of the roof in the polo grounds is in this tinker postcard from when the mets were playing there in 1962 and 1963 thanks donald detroit mi :hp :hp

[maw1120]

I'm looking to obtain wood from the seats that were once inside the Polo Grounds. Does anyone have any they would like to part with? Thanks!

I am still on my searh for Polo Grounds wood and now have added Ebbets Field wood to my search. Thanks again!

[donzblock]

[QUOTE=prof93]http://stadiumpage.com/stadiumgraveyard/polo_color.JPG[/QUO hello does anyone out there know what the area cut out in the facing of the roof in the polo grounds is in this tinker postcard from when the mets were playing there in 1962 and 1963 thanks donald detroit mi :hp :hp
I believe those areas were carved out in 1951 to give the sign stealers a place to hide. (Only kidding, Donald.)

[bondsgirrrl]

These new parks are nice and all , but I do like the parks of the past better.

[GIANT]

Roger Angell, the celebrated writer for the New Yorker, authored a fitting eulogy for the Polo Grounds with an article written in the spring of 1963:

The Polo Grounds, which is in the last few months of its disreputable life, is a vast assemblage of front stoops and rusty fire escapes. ...Old-timers know and love every comer of the crazy, crowded, proud old neighborhood: the last-row walkup flats in the outermost lower grandstands, where one must peer through girders and pigeon nests for a glimpse of green; the little protruding step at the foot of each aisle in the upper deck that trips up the unwary beer-balancer on his way back to his seat; the outfield bull pens, each with its slanting shanty roof, beneath which the relief pitchers sit motionless, with their arms folded and their legs extended, like so many park bums; and the good box seats just on the curve of the upper deck in short right and short left-front windows on the street, where one can watch the arching fall of a weak fly ball and know in advance, like one who sees a street accident in the making, that it will collide with that ridiculous, dangerous upper tier for another home run.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Hello enjoy the photo

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

:dance :clapping :radio ENJOY

[64Cards]

Great stuff Donald & Prof!! For some damn reason, even though it's 9am, I have an urge to drink a Knick and light up a Chesterfield.

I have one of the colored pictures and the aerial shot of the PG, from behind front of park, hanging in my basement.

When did the Knick ad replace the Chesterfield in CF? And what was up there when Mets played in 62 & 63?

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Great stuff Donald & Prof!! For some damn reason, even though it's 9am, I have an urge to drink a Knick and light up a Chesterfield.

I have one of the colored pictures and the aerial shot of the PG, from behind front of park, hanging in my basement.

When did the Knick ad replace the Chesterfield in CF? And what was up there when Mets played in 62 & 63?

Hello everyone. the knickerbocker beer ad went up on the clubhouse building in either 1955 or 1956. as far as when the mets played at the polo grounds they put a scoreboard on the building in center field and they put ads back on the outfield walls for the first time since the late 1940,s Does anyone out there know if there are any recordings that still exist of knickerbocker beer ads. the only giant games that i know that exist on audio are not from the ny giants radio network. take care Donald :radio :clapping

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Hello . the knickerbocker beer ad on the clubhouse wall replaced the chesterfield ad in 1956 at the polo grounds. And as i stated before that a scoreboard was put up with a rheingold beer add for the mets 2 year stay at the polo grounds Take care all Donald :waving

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Hello all. this photo of the polo grounds is from the 1930,s. Enjoy :waving

[polo54]

A couple of questions:

when did the PG's green paint scheme first appear (the "green bathtub")?

....and, when were the advertising signs that were on the walls down the RF + LF lines removed? These may have reappeared during the Mets' '62-'63 residence there, but I can't remember offhand.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

A couple of questions:

when did the PG's green paint scheme first appear (the "green bathtub")?

....and, when were the advertising signs that were on the walls down the RF + LF lines removed? These may have reappeared during the Mets' '62-'63 residence there, but I can't remember offhand.

Hello the polo grounds had ads on the walls until 1948. after that season the outfield walls were painted green. when the new york mets came in 1962 and 1963 the ads were painted back up on to the outfield walls. take care Donald

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Enjoy the photo

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Hello enjoy the photo

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Hello enjoy the photo

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Enjoy the photo

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

here is a demolition photo from 1964

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

here is another demolition shot of the polo grounds in 1964

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Here is another nice polo grounds photo from 1957

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Hello thats bobby thomson in centerfield against the pirates.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

hello here is a photo of a giants program

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Hello here is a polo grounds 1956 giants program

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

here is a 1948 giants baseball program from the polo grounds

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Hello here is a program from the giants last year in new york

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Hello here is a photo from the giants last game at the polo grounds in 1957

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Here is another photo from that last game in 1957

[westsidegrounds]

Hello here is a photo from the giants last game at the polo grounds in 1957

I believe that is Mrs John McGraw.

[GIANT]

Mrs McGraw put the curse on the Giants that afternoon. She said the Giants will never win anything in San Francisco. Other than three World Series appearances all losses she has proven correct to this point in time.

[tonypug]

Mrs McGraw put the curse on the Giants that afternoon. She said the Giants will never win anything in San Francisco. Other than three World Series appearances all losses she has proven correct to this point in time.
Long live the curse.

[polo54]

Amen. Mrs. McGraw also made an eloquent statement that her late husband would have turned over in his grave if he knew his beloved Giants were moving. Also, with the Giants gone, that New York would never be the same.
So true.


Question: look at the 6th picture on this page (thomson retrieving the ball in the deepest part of the ballpark.) Does anyone know what the other plaques are?

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Hello and enjoy the photo and happy holiday weekend to eveyone Donald detroit mi :waving

[donzblock]

Hello and enjoy the photo and happy holiday weekend to eveyone Donald detroit mi :waving
Same to you, Donald, but how am I supposed to enjoy this photo?

[MetsFan11368]

Donald,

Do you have any idea who the man standing next to home plate raising his right hand is? He kind of resembles M. Donald Grant a little bit.

[Shotgun Shuba]

Amen. Mrs. McGraw also made an eloquent statement that her late husband would have turned over in his grave if he knew his beloved Giants were moving. Also, with the Giants gone, that New York would never be the same.
So true.


Question: look at the 6th picture on this page (thomson retrieving the ball in the deepest part of the ballpark.) Does anyone know what the other plaques are?


There is the Grant Memorial, of course, and the plaques are for Mathewson, Mcgraw and Youngs.

[NCSoxfan]

I've always thought of the Polo Grounds as being my third favorite park (behind Fenway and Wrigley) and I've always wished that I could have gone to see a game there.

Thanks for the pics guys :)

[polo54]

As far as the organic combination of team, ballpark, fans and location, Ebbets Field in its (and Brooklyn's) heyday has never been surpassed.

The Polo Grounds was quintessential Manhattan, and all the colorful (positive and negative) and historic elements that that implied.
Fenway is a classic old ballpark (a survivor to be sure), but never remotely approached the magic or atmosphere of Ebbets Field... or the Polo Grounds for that matter.
It's impossible to compare "what is" to "what was": there's a completely
different social and cultural context nowadays.
But for what it's worth, the Dodgers (i.e., what they represented) were pure poetry: passion, comedy and tragedy; laughter and tears. When I think of the Red Sox, I get a vague mental impression of part fussy old teacher and part whining mother-in-law.

In contrast to today's Yankees-Red Sox rivalry, which is predominatly media hype, read some of Jerry Izenberg's wonderful old columns about the "real" rivalry: Giants-Dodgers. As the late Red Barber said, baseball lost its greatest rivalry in 1958. Something special that it can never recapture.

"No club contributed more to the gaiety and nationwide popularity of baseball than did Brooklyn." (Joe Reichler).

"Every day at Ebbets Field is like being in a world series." (Babe Herman)

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

hELLO you can see the football field in this late 1963 photo from the polo grounds enjoy. :clapping

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Hello and enjoy this photo of one of the plaques that once hung on the clubhouse wall at the polo grounds. its for a NEW YORK GIANT FOOTBALL player Donald :)

[zman]

http://www.blackbetsy.com/imagefarm/joejacksonbattingaugust1915pologrounds.jpg

[zman]

http://www2.tltc.ttu.edu/Harper/images/Baseball/PoloGrounds1913WSc.jpg

[zman]

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/1566397960.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

[zman]

http://tsn.sportingnews.com/i/baseball/ballparks/memory_polo.gif

[jingram]

Polo Grounds in color...series of color slides from a certain on-line auction recently. 1951 World Series; supposedly a Joe DiMaggio home run sequence.

[jingram]

Photo 2 of 5

[jingram]

Photo 3 of 5

[jingram]

Photo 4 of 5

[jingram]

Last of the sequence of 5

[History Of Baseball Fan]

its too bad that the Giants and the Dodgers moved.... could you imagine 4 NY teams in the Post Season ! that would be crazy.

[Swiss]

Sorry me, but if the Jints and the Dogs didn't move away, the Mets wouldn't exist anymore.

[History Of Baseball Fan]

too bad they didn't keep the polo grounds. they could have used it for a minor league team or something :s

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Here is a nice lithograph of the polo grounds in its later years.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Here is a stub that i saw on ebay from the 10-3-1951 playoff game 3 at the polo grounds when bobby thomson hit the big homerun to beat brooklyn.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Here is a photo of a autographed baseball by bobby thomson and ralph branca.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

This is a nice photo of the polo grounds from the early 1940s and shows the ads on the left field wall at the PG.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

In this photo you are sitting out in right field looking toward home plate/ this is from the early 1940s at the polo grounds.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

This photo is from the 1942 all star game at the polo grounds.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Here is another photo of the polo grounds from the early 1940s.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Here is a nice photo of batting practice at the polo grounds in 1954.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Here is the polo grounds from above in the mid 1950s

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Here is a photo of the polo grounds looking toward homeplate in 1957.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Here is the 1952 giants at the polo grounds.

[zman]

http://www.lelands.com/App_Themes/Images/Auctions_Images/603/popups/38164.jpg
(leelands.com)

[zman]

From the last Dodgers-Giants game at the Polo Grounds
http://i20.ebayimg.com/04/i/06/b5/7b/a6_1.JPG
(photo from ebay)

[zman]

Last Dodgers-Giants game at Polo Grounds
http://i19.ebayimg.com/04/i/06/b5/07/46_1.JPG
(ebay)

[tonypug]

From the last Dodgers-Giants game at the Polo Grounds
http://i20.ebayimg.com/04/i/06/b5/7b/a6_1.JPG
(photo from ebay)
That sure looks like Gil Hodges at bat.

[zman]

That sure looks like Gil Hodges at bat.

I'm glad you said that because that's what I was thinking too but I wasn't sure about it.

[MSUlaxer27]

Last of the sequence of 5
The more I see pictures from Giants games at the Polo Grounds from the inside, the more I think: What a horrible place to watch a baseball game. I would have liked to see a game at the Polo Grounds to say I was there and experience it once...but after the remodeling (and removal of the Roman Frescoes) this place was an anticeptic dump. A piece of history was lost when it was knocked down, but we're not talking about the original Penn Station here (a lost jewel to say the least).

I guess it's fitting the Mets played here first moving from one characterless football stadium to another. Speaking of which, I am glad that aside from the the overhang in right field (still 300 feet away) the Mets did not try to emulate any of the absurd dimensions of the Polo Grounds. I'm disappointed that the jints' left, not that they knocked down the Polo Grounds.

[zman]

I agree that the removal of those beautiful Roman frescoes was unfortunate. I grieved over the loss of the copper facade when they remodeled Yankee Stadium too. The loss of beauty is a mournful thing.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

The more I see pictures from Giants games at the Polo Grounds from the inside, the more I think: What a horrible place to watch a baseball game. I would have liked to see a game at the Polo Grounds to say I was there and experience it once...but after the remodeling (and removal of the Roman Frescoes) this place was an anticeptic dump. A piece of history was lost when it was knocked down, but we're not talking about the original Penn Station here (a lost jewel to say the least).

I guess it's fitting the Mets played here first moving from one characterless football stadium to another. Speaking of which, I am glad that aside from the the overhang in right field (still 300 feet away) the Mets did not try to emulate any of the absurd dimensions of the Polo Grounds. I'm disappointed that the jints' left, not that they knocked down the Polo Grounds.
You do have the right to your opinion. but i have talked to alot of people including dodger fans that said that the polo grounds was a great place to watch baseball games.the polo grounds was not a antiseptic dump like you say it was. if you want to go see a antiseptic dump then go to detroits comerica park and the new comiskey park in chicago.the polo grounds has gone down as one of the greatest sports venues in history like it or not.

[MSUlaxer27]

The Polo Grounds was (were?) renowned for the games, players and teams that played there, not for the architecture (after removal of the frescoes) itself. If it still existed people wouldn't talk about the Polo Grounds with the same reverence as they do speak of Fenway, Wrigley and Tiger when it was open.

Simply put, the Polo Grounds was a football stadium masquerading as a ballpark. (Even if baseball was played there first). I don't hear anyone wishing that the LA Dodgers would still play their games in the LA Coliseum (and it had quirky dimensions like the pologrounds: 250 down the leftfield line, 440 to right center) It couldn't have been an enjoyable experience. I love rooting for the Mes at Shea, I love the experience of being at their games (where ever they play), but I do not enjoy the experience of being at Shea since it's not designed for baseball, neither was the Polo Grounds.

It's like Notre Dame's stadium, the experience of watching your team play on the same field (I was not there to watch the Irish if you can tell by my screen name) as some of the most storied names in college football was a great experience, but the "actual" experience of being in Notre Dame Satdium was not enjoyable. They cram 20 people onto a bench seat that was made for 10 people to sit on.

In the same way I can see how people who grew up with Giants can miss rooting for them (If the Mets moved I'd be crushed), but I can't see how anyone who actually wants to enjoy the game (good sight lines, closer to the field) can miss the Polo Grounds. I root for the team, not the building. Hell, I'd even take the Mets still playing at 155th & 8th, if it was in a new building. The Polo Grounds was outdated in 1964, it would be completely obsolete by this point.

Those NY Giants fans who post here and saw games in the PG and have also seen a game in one of the better modern parks (say the Jake, Camden or PNC or even one of the old ones :Tiger, Fenway or Wrigley) How did/does the stadium experience compare?

I would have been nice if the Giants (and dogers) still played in NYC and SF/LA were awarded the expansion franchises in 1962 so that the link to the origins of NY baseball weren't severed. If they were here I would hope that they still would be getting ready to move into a new BALLparks in 2009.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

The Polo Grounds was (were?) renowned for the games, players and teams that played there, not for the architecture (after removal of the frescoes) itself. If it still existed people wouldn't talk about the Polo Grounds with the same reverence as they do speak of Fenway, Wrigley and Tiger when it was open.

Simply put, the Polo Grounds was a football stadium masquerading as a ballpark. (Even if baseball was played there first). I don't hear anyone wishing that the LA Dodgers would still play their games in the LA Coliseum (and it had quirky dimensions like the pologrounds: 250 down the leftfield line, 440 to right center) It couldn't have been an enjoyable experience.

I wish the Giants still played in NYC and SF was awarded the expansion franchise in 1962 so that the link to the origins of NY baseball weren't severed. If they were here I would hope that they still would be getting ready to move into a new BALLpark in 2009.You sound like that you were a fan of those 1960 and 1970 cookie cutter stadiums that everyone cant stand. the polo grounds was unique because of its dimmensions.all of the old ballparks were diffrent in there own way.and because of the polo grounds unique dimmensions it has gone down as one of the unique ballparks in history. again you have the right to like or not to like anything you want but nobody will ever change my mind on the polo grounds. as i said in the other post if you want to see a crappy antiseptic stadium go to detroits comerica park and the new comiskey park.and by the way the polo grounds has alot of fans on this board.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

The more I see pictures from Giants games at the Polo Grounds from the inside, the more I think: What a horrible place to watch a baseball game. I would have liked to see a game at the Polo Grounds to say I was there and experience it once...but after the remodeling (and removal of the Roman Frescoes) this place was an anticeptic dump. A piece of history was lost when it was knocked down, but we're not talking about the original Penn Station here (a lost jewel to say the least).

I guess it's fitting the Mets played here first moving from one characterless football stadium to another. Speaking of which, I am glad that aside from the the overhang in right field (still 300 feet away) the Mets did not try to emulate any of the absurd dimensions of the Polo Grounds. I'm disappointed that the jints' left, not that they knocked down the Polo Grounds.By the way you sound like someone that likes the idea of the yankees tearing down yankee stadium for that new dump next door in a couple of years.and i bet that you never knew why the polo grounds had its shape in the first place.

[Brownie31]

You sound like that you were a fan of those 1960 and 1970 cookie cutter stadiums that everyone cant stand. the polo grounds was unique because of its dimmensions.all of the old ballparks were diffrent in there own way.and because of the polo grounds unique dimmensions it has gone down as one of the unique ballparks in history. again you have the right to like or not to like anything you want but nobody will ever change my mind on the polo grounds. as i said in the other post if you want to see a crappy antiseptic stadium go to detroits comerica park and the new comiskey park.and by the way the polo grounds has alot of fans on this board.

POLO GROUNDS 1957: You expressed my sentiments perfectly. Brownie31

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

POLO GROUNDS 1957: You expressed my sentiments perfectly. Brownie31Hey brownie31 did you ever get a chance to see a game at the polo grounds.

[Brownie31]

Hey brownie31 did you ever get a chance to see a game at the polo grounds.

POLO GROUNDS 1957: No, unfortunately. The only MLB stadiums I saw games were Candlestick Park and Atlanta Fulton County Stadium. However, I have seen many a game in Birmingham's 1910 Rickwood Field. It combines elements of both Forbes Field and Shibe Park and is being preserved. The Polo Grounds and Ebbets Field are lost treasures. Brownie31

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

POLO GROUNDS 1957: No, unfortunately. The only MLB stadiums I saw games were Candlestick Park and Atlanta Fulton County Stadium. However, I have seen many a game in Birmingham's 1910 Rickwood Field. It combines elements of both Forbes Field and Shibe Park and is being preserved. The Polo Grounds and Ebbets Field are lost treasures. Brownie31I have seen photos of rickwood field its the oldest ballpark in the country.i am glad to hear that its still around. do they still play baseball there.:clapping

[Brownie31]

I have seen photos of rickwood field its the oldest ballpark in the country.i am glad to hear that its still around. do they still play baseball there.:clapping

Indeed it is the oldest. Yes, along with high school games, once a year the Birmingham Barons play a game at Rickwood. The Barons and their Southern League opponents dress in throwback uniforms usually from the 1910s through the 1960s. The game scenes from Tommy Lee Jones' "Cobb" were filmed at Rickwood and vintage ads were put on the outfield which are still there. For more info try www.rickwood.com. Brownie31

[MSUlaxer27]

Thank you for allowing me to have the "right to my own opinion". That is so generous of you. Don't assume that because I do not share your opinion on the Polo Grounds that I do not know NY baseball history. The Polo Grounds was built the way it was due to geographic constraints. (Coogans Bluff, The Harlem River and the IRT rail yards in additon to another ball park on the site).

I do not like Shea (the original cookie cutter stadium) nor any of the other monstrosities built in Philly, Atlanta, Cincinnati, St. Louis or Pittsburgh in the 60's and beginning of the 70's. Shea was built before all those other stadiums yet is still in use. I apologize if I'm excited that NY National League basball fans will have their first "baseball" stadium since they knocked down Ebbets Field.

As far as Yankee stadium goes when accidents like this happen:

More than 20,000 people had been expected at Monday night's game at the stadium, which turns 75 years old Saturday. Mayor Rudy Giuliani said someone almost certainly would have been killed if the collapse had happened during the game.

The 18-inch joint, used to connect beams, crushed one of the blue plastic seats to pieces and gouged a 6-inch hole in the concrete. The joint tore another hole in the ceiling of the upper deck.

Then maybe it is time for it to be replaced.

When, in your august opinion, is it OK to replace a stadium?

Should we ever take advantage of improvements in construction and technology to improve the experience of attending a game?

I am well aware that there are many fans of the Polo Grounds on this site, as should be expected. I don't agree that the PG should be venerated as a great ballpark. The Polo Grounds may have worked in the beginning of the 20th century when teams played small ball, but that time and style of play is long, long gone. Why constrain a modern team to playing in an archaic stadium.

[StanTheMan]

Count me among the fans of the PG on this board.....

What does the LA Collesium dimensions have to do with anything? The PG was incredibly unique, shaped like no other ballpark..... but it was far from the "Whiffle Ball" fields in Houston, or some of the other hitter friendly old parks, like Shibe Park.

Babe Ruth at the Polo Grounds, from 1920-22.
He hit 75 HR's and the PG's and 73 on the Road.

Willie Mays played at the PG from 1951-52, and 1954-57
He hit 94 home runs at the PG and 93 on the Road.

The Wonderful dimesions of the PG forced the outfielders to play closer together than any other park. Many balls which were doubles into the gaps at every other stadium in the Majors at the time were line drive outs at the PG. It was a wonderful ballpark for lots of reasons... and many people did not like it, for some of the same reasons.

For example, Vic Wetz's 450+ foot out on "the catch" in the 1954 World Series is well remembered. That ball is a HR in most other parks. Rhodes hit a Home Run in the 10th inning to win that game, a ball that travelled about 265 feet or so.

You don't care for that type of ball... I would have LOVED to have seen a game there, and generations of fans in NYC apparently loved to go there as well.

The sheer battle between pull hitters, who must have thought they could reach out and TOUCH the foul poles they appeared so close..... and the pitchers who dared to throw them inside pitches would have been wonderful to observe. And those same pull hitters, who really got a hold of one, but did not pull it enough, could hit 425 foot outs with regularity. It must have been a wonderful spectacle, in my opinion, and made for a game which was undoubtedly unique, but unquestionably Major League Baseball.

Take Mel Ott's numbers, at the PG from 1926-47
323 Home Runs at home, but only 188 on the road.... He must have figured it out!!!

So what could he do that the Babe and Willie Mays could not? Heck if I know, but painting the PG as an absurdity, or a Football Field is ridiculous. The played football at Wrigley and Yankee Stadium too... what dumps!! :laugh

The PG IS one of the legendary locations that baseball was played in the country... and always will be. Without modern technology (internet boards, the PG in video games, which is a blast btw, etc) the legend of the PG may have suffered.

But the legend of the PG is going strong, and will be here forever, imo.

Bryan in Indy

[rcl986@aol.com]

[QUOTE=MSUlaxer27]The more I see pictures from Giants games at the Polo Grounds from the inside, the more I think: What a horrible place to watch a baseball game. ]

Far, far ,far from a horrible place to watch a game. Growing up in Manhattan in the fifties gave me the opportunity of seeing many games at both the Polo Grounds and Yankee Stadium. Later on I saw a number of games at both Fenway Park and Shibe Park in Philly. They ALL shared one major attribute, THEY WERE TRUE BASEBALL PARKS. They shared the same "feel" or aura for the game, they offered the same excitement upon entering, they all made you feel like you were in someplace special.
As to the sightlines and game viewing at the Polo Grounds, unless you were sitting directly behind a pole or twenty rows back in the bleachers most seats were pretty good. I can speak from first hand experience having sat in the extreme right field upper deck with Police Athletic League tickets; in upper box seats (first row) between home and third with my Dad for the Giants / Dodgers opener in '53; in general admission seats, both upper and lower decks on both foul lines and in reserved seats usually between home and first in the upper deck. These particular seats were great because unless there was a sell out (usually the Dodger games) they too were sold at general admission prices, which was, at the time $1.25. If I have one regret about those days and those ballparks it's that I never got to Ebbets Field in person. Even as a Giants fan I know now I missed something very special. I guess the closet park (in physical attributes) to Ebbets that I visited was Shibe. But please, don't sell the seating and sightlines of any of these old parks short based solely on what you observe in half century old and older photos because you'd simply be wrong!

[DODGER DEB]

Here is a great view of the POLO GROUNDS.....


http://i8.ebayimg.com/04/i/06/c2/d5/ce_1.JPG


From an eBay listing.

c.

[StanTheMan]

Another great aspect of the PG... is the fact that is WAS a Home Run Hitters Park for pull hitters, but at the same time, the park was "Neutral" when it came to total offense/runs.

Meaning that a fan at a game at the PG was very likely to see a Home Run (the PG had the highest frequency of HR's at any park until Coors Field Opened) but the total number of runs scored in games at the PG when compared to other parks placed the PG in a very average position. This is of course due to the short distances down the line, but was more than offset by they HUGE distances to the power alleys and even longer distance to CF.

A high percentage of PG runs were scored of Long Balls, but not all games were 10-9, not even close...... In fact the amount of runs scored was VERY Average.

From some fans' standpoint..... one who likes the HR, (who doesn't!!!), and enjoys the fact that those HR's could come at ANY time, from just about ANY batter (who hits one down the line), but also wants to watch a game with a normal scoreline, where defense, baserunning, etc. are all important, (i.e. NOT Coors Field, or TENRUN Field in Houston) the Polo Grounds may have been the best park of all Time.

From a certain point of view.

[DODGER DEB]

This great, but sad, photo was taken on September 29, 1957, the last game played at the Polo Grounds. It shows Mrs. John McGraw, wife of the great manager John McGraw, one of the last to leave the Polo Grounds....for the last time.

http://i14.ebayimg.com/04/i/06/db/c9/61_1.JPG

From an eBay listing.

c.

[musial6]

I saw my first major league game at the Polo Grounds in 1942.There were lots of servicemen in the stands. They got in free if in uniform..You were obliged to pass any foul balls in the stands to the nearest serviceman. You would be booed mercilessly if you didn't.

The PG lacked the intimacy between players and fans that Ebbets Field provided. It really was a cavernous ball park. Still, I enjoyed watching games there. Ah, where are the snows of yesteryear?

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Well everyone last month a dream came true for me when i got this polo grounds seat.i always wanted one. it now sits next to my old comiskey park seat.now i can sit in my own polo grounds seat and have a hot dog and a cold rheingold beer and listen to the giants and mets play baseball at the polo grounds on audio tape.i can now close my eyes and i am sitting in the polo grounds watching the ball game. DREAMS do come true sometimes.:)

[Brownie31]

Well everyone last month a dream came true for me when i got this polo grounds seat.i always wanted one. it now sits next to my old comiskey park seat.now i can sit in my own polo grounds seat and have a hot dog and a cold rheingold beer and listen to the giants and mets play baseball at the polo grounds on audio tape.i can now close my eyes and i am sitting in the polo grounds watching the ball game. DREAMS do come true sometimes.:)

POLO GROUNDS 1957:

Congratulations! Enjoy!

Brownie31

[rcl986@aol.com]

Well everyone last month a dream came true for me when i got this polo grounds seat.i always wanted one. it now sits next to my old comiskey park seat.now i can sit in my own polo grounds seat and have a hot dog and a cold rheingold beer and listen to the giants and mets play baseball at the polo grounds on audio tape.i can now close my eyes and i am sitting in the polo grounds watching the ball game. DREAMS do come true sometimes.:)

Well PG57 you finally made it. It's a beauty and well deserved by such a great Polo Grounds proponent. Congratulations and Welcome to 155th and 8th.

[DODGER DEB]

Well everyone last month a dream came true for me when i got this polo grounds seat.i always wanted one. it now sits next to my old comiskey park seat.now i can sit in my own polo grounds seat and have a hot dog and a cold rheingold beer and listen to the giants and mets play baseball at the polo grounds on audio tape.i can now close my eyes and i am sitting in the polo grounds watching the ball game. DREAMS do come true sometimes.:)


I am SO HAPPY for you, PG1957!

I am sure just sitting in it will bring you back to "that wonderful time".

Enjoy!

c.

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

Well everyone last month a dream came true for me when i got this polo grounds seat.i always wanted one. it now sits next to my old comiskey park seat.now i can sit in my own polo grounds seat and have a hot dog and a cold rheingold beer and listen to the giants and mets play baseball at the polo grounds on audio tape.i can now close my eyes and i am sitting in the polo grounds watching the ball game. DREAMS do come true sometimes.:)

All I can say is WOW! Great stuff. I envy you.

Enjoy!

[tonypug]

Well everyone last month a dream came true for me when i got this polo grounds seat.i always wanted one. it now sits next to my old comiskey park seat.now i can sit in my own polo grounds seat and have a hot dog and a cold rheingold beer and listen to the giants and mets play baseball at the polo grounds on audio tape.i can now close my eyes and i am sitting in the polo grounds watching the ball game. DREAMS do come true sometimes.:)
Donald, now all you need is for somone to spill beer on you,and you will really feel like you are there, enjoy.

[EbtsFldGuy]

This from a Brooklyn Dodger fan once and always:

I always enjoyed going to the PG. Its unusual dimensions gave it a flavor we in NY were not used to seeing; so did the fact that the dugouts had no exit, and the clubhouses were in center field; the bullpens in fair territory in left and right fields also were unique; the green paint was an eye catcher; and the surrounding bluff was something a city kid did not regularly see.

I returned to the PG when the Mets played there, and could not get used to the blue paint scheme. Still, it rekindled memories of the old Giants days there.

I'm sorry the PG is gone. It would be fun to see baseball there still.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Here is a photo from 1936 showing fans entering the polo grounds.

PHOTO FROM EBAY LISTING.

[tonypug]

Here is a photo from 1936 showing fans entering the polo grounds.

PHOTO FROM EBAY LISTING.
Too bad the same amount of people weren't going in the 50's. The Giants might still be in New York if they did.

[EbtsFldGuy]

It's a sign of changed times that in photos of this and almost any other crowd at a game in the 50's, people dressed up for the occasion. Coats, ties and hats for the men; dresses for the ladies.

America has now become the home of the casual dresser in almost every sense, it seems.

[rcl986@aol.com]

What I find most interesting about that picture is that when I sat in those very same grandstand seats in the early 50s the price was only .15c more. A Buck and a quarter got you a seat in the first row on the lower deck in left or right field. I think they got as high as $1.50 just prior to the Giants flight in 1957.

[EbtsFldGuy]

Anyone remember going to the Journal American Saturday morning clinics at the PG for free, where a Giant would speak to you, and then you could stay for the game?

I did it once, when Red Schoendienst spoke to us.

Think it was 1957.

[rcl986@aol.com]

[QUOTE=EbtsFldGuy]Anyone remember going to the Journal American Saturday morning clinics at the PG for free, where a Giant would speak to you, and then you could stay for the game?

Didn't the Journal American also sponsor some sort of annual high school All-Star game at the Polo Grounds? In later years I think Eddie Kranepoel played in it prior to being drafted by the Mets.

[EbtsFldGuy]

[QUOTE=EbtsFldGuy]Anyone remember going to the Journal American Saturday morning clinics at the PG for free, where a Giant would speak to you, and then you could stay for the game?

Didn't the Journal American also sponsor some sort of annual high school All-Star game at the Polo Grounds? In later years I think Eddie Kranepoel played in it prior to being drafted by the Mets.

Yes, it did.

And in our neighborhood it was a significant status symbol to sport one of the nice jackets they gave to those selected for that game.

[rcl986@aol.com]

You guys over in Brooklyn really got the good stuff. I remember (as a Giant fan) watching in GREAT envy on TV as Happy Felton would present that days winner of the knothole competition professional gloves and bats. Those gloves went for a whopping $20 to $25. apiece in those days. Great memories.
I'm just sorry I never made it to Ebbets Field.

[Brownie31]

The Journal American-yet another lost NY newspaper. So sad.
The Brooklyn Eagle, The Daily Mirror, The Herald Tribune, The
World-Telegram, and many more voices lost!:ughh

[rcl986@aol.com]

You're right Brownie. In fact, The Daily News and the Mirror came out or "came up" as we once said, twice a day. Both these papers published "Bulldog" editions which hit the newstands in the early evening as well as there "Late Edition" which arrived in the Morning.

[Brownie31]

You're right Brownie. In fact, The Daily News and the Mirror came out or "came up" as we once said, twice a day. Both these papers published "Bulldog" editions which hit the newstands in the early evening as well as there "Late Edition" which arrived in the Morning.

RCL:

In the 1910s and 1920s New York had fifteen dailies and
Chicago eight. Even Birmingham had three!

Brownie31

[Padday]

A different World Series at the Polo Grounds.
It's the Gaelic Football All Ireland Final of 1947 between Kerry and Cavan. Cavan won it.

[musial6]

The Daily News actually had SIX editions--the City edition in the evening and then the *, **, ***, ****, and, finally, the ***** about 5 A.M.

[DODGER DEB]

The Daily News actually had SIX editions--the City edition in the evening and then the *, **, ***, ****, and, finally, the ***** about 5 A.M.

In the summertime, I remember how everyone would wait for the Daily News truck to arrive at their local candy store with the early edition, usually about 10PM the night before, so they could get the paper and look up the box scores. It was a very special time in NYC history, one most of us who were there will never forget.

c.

[Brownie31]

The Daily News actually had SIX editions--the City edition in the evening and then the *, **, ***, ****, and, finally, the ***** about 5 A.M.

From the very beginning in 1919, The Daily News has had great
sports writers. Today there is Mike Lupica and from the past
such luminaries as Dick Young, Paul Gallico and the one and
only Marshall "Big Words" Hunt.

Brownie31

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Here is a photo from 1936 showing fans entering the polo grounds.

PHOTO FROM EBAY LISTING.Does anyone here know where this photo was taken inside the polo grounds. was it out off of 8th ave, or was it behind homeplate? i see that the fans are entering the grandstand seating area of the polo grounds.

[rcl986@aol.com]

I may be wrong but I believe these gates were located off of 8th Avenue in the deep right field section of the Polo Grounds. Possibly under or near the outside ramp to the upper deck. Box and Reserved seat gates (if memory serves) were on each side of homeplate and bleacher seat gates were beyond center field. Once inside the ballpark an exchange window was available behind home plate to allow fans to change or upgrade there tickets. This window was accesable to box, reserved and general admission (grandstand) ticket holders only as (again, if memory serves) bleacher seat holders were relegated to the bleacher area unless they decided to leave and pay another admission.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

I may be wrong but I believe these gates were located off of 8th Avenue in the deep right field section of the Polo Grounds. Possibly under or near the outside ramp to the upper deck. Box and Reserved seat gates (if memory serves) were on each side of homeplate and bleacher seat gates were beyond center field. Once inside the ballpark an exchange window was available behind home plate to allow fans to change or upgrade there tickets. This window was accesable to box, reserved and general admission (grandstand) ticket holders only as (again, if memory serves) bleacher seat holders were relegated to the bleacher area unless they decided to leave and pay another admission.
Thanks for the info.everyone should checkout my polo grounds groups on yahoo.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/POLOGROUNDS1962
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pologrounds1957


again thanks for the info.:)

[Knick9]

I flat out love the Polo Grounds! That place looked so great and beautiful. It was unique as it could possibly be with the field dimensions and the great views from the seats. I can only wonder what the Polo Grounds would look like today if it was still standing. :noidea

[Elvis]

Well everyone last month a dream came true for me when i got this polo grounds seat.i always wanted one. it now sits next to my old comiskey park seat.now i can sit in my own polo grounds seat and have a hot dog and a cold rheingold beer and listen to the giants and mets play baseball at the polo grounds on audio tape.i can now close my eyes and i am sitting in the polo grounds watching the ball game. DREAMS do come true sometimes.:)

That's great! Soon you'll have a Tiger Stadium seat. :( That is going to be a great collection. I almost wish I would've gotten a Dodger Stadium seat last year. Maybe ebay.

Do you know what years that seat was used? Are those the original colors?

[MSUlaxer27]

I flat out love the Polo Grounds! That place looked so great and beautiful. It was unique as it could possibly be with the field dimensions and the great views from the seats. I can only wonder what the Polo Grounds would look like today if it was still standing. :noidea
Considering that chunks of Yankee Stadium concrete fell in the stands (before a game) a few years ago and I was at a Met game in 2003 where the stadium wall caught on fire (sending black smoke into my seats in the Loge). I can't imagine the upkeep of the Polo Grounds would have been much better. Thankfully they are breaking ground on New Stadiums so finally the new york teams can enjoy some much needed new ballparks.

[tonypug]

Considering that chunks of Yankee Stadium concrete fell in the stands (before a game) a few years ago and I was at a Met game in 2003 where the stadium wall caught on fire (sending black smoke into my seats in the Loge). I can't imagine the upkeep of the Polo Grounds would have been much better. Thankfully they are breaking ground on New Stadiums so finally the new york teams can enjoy some much needed new ballparks.
There was a fire in the industrial area behind Shea Stadium in 2003, but I don't believe any part of the stadium ever caught fire.

[Naneen]

Interesting to hear you go on about the Polo Grounds. I was there as a child. I have a sterling silver cased pencil stub which reads; " Keep Score with the New York Giants Polo Grounds Season 1914 H. N Hempstead Pres." On the reverse side is the name of the gentleman my Mother worked for who was one of the group that, I believe, built the Polo Grounds. His name. as inscribed : 105, Captain T. L. Houston. I believe these pencils were to be attached to a watch fob as there is a loop on one end. I just found this site today, so hello.

[Brownie31]

Interesting to hear you go on about the Polo Grounds. I was there as a child. I have a sterling silver cased pencil stub which reads; " Keep Score with the New York Giants Polo Grounds Season 1914 H. N Hempstead Pres." On the reverse side is the name of the gentleman my Mother worked for who was one of the group that, I believe, built the Polo Grounds. His name. as inscribed : 105, Captain T. L. Houston. I believe these pencils were to be attached to a watch fob as there is a loop on one end. I just found this site today, so hello.

You have a real treasure! Quite an heirloom!

Brownie31:clapping

[tonypug]

Interesting to hear you go on about the Polo Grounds. I was there as a child. I have a sterling silver cased pencil stub which reads; " Keep Score with the New York Giants Polo Grounds Season 1914 H. N Hempstead Pres." On the reverse side is the name of the gentleman my Mother worked for who was one of the group that, I believe, built the Polo Grounds. His name. as inscribed : 105, Captain T. L. Houston. I believe these pencils were to be attached to a watch fob as there is a loop on one end. I just found this site today, so hello.
Welcome Naneen, what years did you go to the Polo Grounds? That does sound like quite a treasure. If possible could you take a picture and post it here, I'M sure we would all like to see it. Donald is probably salivating already.

[Naneen]

Hi Tonypug....late getting back to you...but I will take a photo and try sending it to you.
Naneen

[Naneen]

Did the photos arrive? Naneen

[Naneen]

Will try again for the photos. Naneen:hp

[tonypug]

Will try again for the photos. Naneen:hp
Very nice Naneen. Thats quite a treasure. Thanks for the photos.

[brooklyndodger14]

Interesting to hear you go on about the Polo Grounds. I was there as a child. I have a sterling silver cased pencil stub which reads; " Keep Score with the New York Giants Polo Grounds Season 1914 H. N Hempstead Pres." On the reverse side is the name of the gentleman my Mother worked for who was one of the group that, I believe, built the Polo Grounds. His name. as inscribed : 105, Captain T. L. Houston. I believe these pencils were to be attached to a watch fob as there is a loop on one end. I just found this site today, so hello.


Hello Naneen, and Welcome to the Fever!

It is very interesting to note that the name of the person your mother had worked for might be none other than Tillinghast L'Hommedieu Huston (also spelled in some quarters as "HOUSTON").

The year of 1914 is also significant because Captain (promoted later to Colonel during World War I) Huston, at that time a season-box holder at the Polo Grounds, entered into discussions with a fellow baseball fan named Jacob Ruppert to purchase another baseball team that was in complete disarray and put up for sale by their owners anxious to get out of the game.

The owners of this moribund team were "Big Bill" Devery and Frank Farrell and their team was called the Highlanders, or as the papers had re-christened them two seasons earlier, the Yankees.

The purchase was made on January 11, 1915 for the amount of $460,000 and the rest, as they say, became history. (All above info was sourced from "The New York Yankee Encyclopedia", by Harvey Frommer, (1997) McMillan.)

Captain Huston co-owned the Yankees until the start of the 1923 season, a seven year span that lay seed to the Yankees' rise to prominance with the hiring of Miller Huggins, the purchase of Babe Ruth, and the construction of Yankee Stadium.

I believe you possess a noteworthy item of NY Giants and Yankee history!

Dennis
BrooklynDodger14

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Here is a nice photo of the polo grounds from JULY 16 1962 with Jack Sanford on the mound for the giants facing the mets 3rd baseman Felix Mantilla.This game and the doubleheader on july 15 1962 still exists today on audio.

[EbtsFldGuy]

Terrific 1962 shot. Thanks.

Made me wistful that the Giants were gone and that the photo could have shown the still continuing Brooklyn-NYG rivalry, and not that of a replacement team.

[nygiant]

That picture is from a double-header at the Polo Grounds in July, 1962. My Dad and I were at that game...the Mets won the first game, Jay Hook was the winner. Willie Mays hit a single in the 1st inning an was thrown out trying to stretch it into a double. He didn't get another hit that day. In the nite-cap, Al Dark brought in Juan Marichal in relief to preserve the Giants win.

[Naneen]

Wow, thanks for that information. That's wild. My kids will like to know that.
Naneen

[brooklyndodger14]

Wow, thanks for that information. That's wild. My kids will like to know that.
Naneen


http://www.baseball-fever.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=13848&d=1157495919

http://www.baseball-fever.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=13849&d=1157495933


Hello Naneen,

You are most very welcome!

As a certain gentleman named Stengel once said, "You could look it up!"


Dennis
BrooklynDodger14

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Here is a great photo of the polo grounds from 1910. you are standing in the upper deck at the old wooden polo grounds.

PHOTO FROM A EBAY LISTING

[tonypug]

Nice picture Donald, I haven't seen that one before.

[Knick9]

It's always nice to look at more and more pictures of classic ballparks. It really gives you an idea of what it was like.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Here is a photo from that sad day of 4-10-1964 when the polo grounds started to come down.

[RockinDaBronx]

http://www.forgotten-ny.com/SUBWAYS/9thavel/map2.jpg
[URL="Gaints lost subway shuttle station"]http://www.forgotten-ny.com/SUBWAYS/9thavel/9Ave.html
Pretty cool site of lost New York, shows the remnants of the Subwat transfer station and the traces of the Polo grounds that still remain today.

[tonypug]

Good stuff RockinDaBronx, that is a real interesting site. Donald a good but very sad picture. I have seen many pictures of the demolition of Ebbets Field, but very few of the Polo Grounds.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Here in this 1957 photo you are sitting in the left field bleachers at the polo grounds. you can see the batters background out in the left field bleachers and you can also see the knickerbocker beer sign behind homeplate.

[tonypug]

Donald, great picture. That looka like a pretty good crowd for a game in 1957. They must be playing the Dodgers.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Here is a photo that i have from 1954 that shows the polo grounds.it looks like the bridge that went across the harlem river.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Here is the 1956 Home new york giants schedule at the polo grounds.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Here is a 1957 New York Giants schedule for games at the polo grounds.

[JOHN3057]

Great stuff!!! Awesome pictures!!!:dance

[penncentralpete]

hey donald: i just LOVE those giants' schedules! terrific stuff. the picture of jack sanford pitching to felix mantilla is also awesome! great! thanks, pete

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Here is a LITHO or cartoon of the Polo Grounds that was posted on my Polo Grounds website.i have been told that this is used on a computer baseball game. Nice litho

[milladrive]

I'd love to say I know who's batting or who's catching.

I do know, however, that the pic's from the playoff against the Cubs, 10/8/1908.

[RichLetarte]

I loved the Polo Grounds and the New York Giants. Having grown up in central Massachusetts, I never had the opportunity to attend a game there, but its shape and dimensions were so unusual. The challenge of hitting there must have been terrific. I first noticed its short foul lines in a Gillette freeebie about baseball in about 1952 as a nine-year-old. My kids later bought me a model of the ballpark and it sat alongside a replica of Braves Field until I gave the Boston model to Art Johnson, a pre-war Brave. The Polo Grounds is now in my office for all to see.

The Giants were the National League's dominating team through 1937. By the time they left Manhattan after the 1957 campaign, the team had employed only five managers. McGraw and Durocher were the most successful although Terry won a number of flags.

In writing my book, That One Glorious Season, (website www.gloriousseason.com) I had the opportunity to spend an afternoon with Dusty Rhodes. Oh, did he like the Polo Grounds. We relived his home run in the first game of the 1954 World Series and he said that he was just trying to poke a single into right field. That would probably have won the game, as Mays was on second base. Instead, Dusty got under the ball and it sailed about 260 feet into the stands. Dusty went on to elaborate about that series and his life with the Giants and later as a hand on a New York harbor tugboat.

It is amazing how people have forgotten that American League teams actually existed in St. Louis, Philadelphia, and Washington but they remember that New York City lost two teams overnight.

Long live the Giants and the Polo Grounds.

Rich Letarte

[GIANT]

I loved the Polo Grounds and the New York Giants. Having grown up in central Massachusetts, I never had the opportunity to attend a game there, but its shape and dimensions were so unusual. The challenge of hitting there must have been terrific. I first noticed its short foul lines in a Gillette freeebie about baseball in about 1952 as a nine-year-old. My kids later bought me a model of the ballpark and it sat alongside a replica of Braves Field until I gave the Boston model to Art Johnson, a pre-war Brave. The Polo Grounds is now in my office for all to see.

The Giants were the National League's dominating team through 1937. By the time they left Manhattan after the 1957 campaign, the team had employed only five managers. McGraw and Durocher were the most successful although Terry won a number of flags.

In writing my book, That One Glorious Season, (website www.gloriousseason.com) I had the opportunity to spend an afternoon with Dusty Rhodes. Oh, did he like the Polo Grounds. We relived his home run in the first game of the 1954 World Series and he said that he was just trying to poke a single into right field. That would probably have won the game, as Mays was on second base. Instead, Dusty got under the ball and it sailed about 260 feet into the stands. Dusty went on to elaborate about that series and his life with the Giants and later as a hand on a New York harbor tugboat.

It is amazing how people have forgotten that American League teams actually existed in St. Louis, Philadelphia, and Washington but they remember that New York City lost two teams overnight.

Long live the Giants and the Polo Grounds.

Rich Letarte

Dusty Rhodes was not alone in his love of the the Polo Grounds. It was indeed a unique and wonderful ball park. As for Rhodes' expoloits in the '54 Series, he hit his home runs off Bob Lemon and Early Wynn both of whom are enshrined at Cooperstown. The' 54 team is the last Giants team to win a World Series, which allows former New York Giant fans to have some satisfaction for the Giants migration to San Francisco.

[Ralph Zig Tyko]

Yes, Giant, may they come close [thanks for the screw-up, Dusty] but never, ever win it all in San Francisco.
They will always be the New York Giants.

[Crosley Fielder]

We went to NYC on a vacation in 1964. Dad took us on a boat ride around Manhattan Island...an old subchaser. We passed the Polo Grounds. I think they were taking it down. I've got an old black and white pic of it someplace. I'll try to find it. :p

[ardun]

The first time I went to Yankee Stadium, we parked south of the Stadium along the Harlem Rver. It was the day before David Cone threw his perfecto.
Hot, hazy and muggy as hell: I got out of the car and looked south. There through the haze across the purple/black water was Coogan's Bluff...but at it's base there was no Pologrounds.
I wept.

[Ralph Zig Tyko]

ardon, I've wept a few tears, over the years, about the Ol' PG, myself... Better to have loved and lost, I guess.