Forbes Field

[hbwriter]

On a similar note to the ballparks then/now video, here's one I did from my book Roadside Baseball dedicated to Forbes Field. The b/w shots are rare--a friend of mine entered the abandoned park just weeks before the wrecking ball.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wsRGK4xR-Y

[hbwriter]

FYI, the dissolves in this short video I made of a visit to the Forbes Field site today pretty much line up exactly with the vinatge photos shown--curious, did anyone here ever see Forbes in the flesh? Was it as great as I want to believe?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wsRGK4xR-Y

author's site
www.chrisepting.com

[hbwriter]

did anyone here ever see a game at Forbes?

[neil]

I guess that I am too new to know as to what is to be taken as honorable threads and dishonorable threads. Shame on you and get your junk out of a good website.:mad:

[neil]

did anyone here ever see a game at Forbes?
Yes, I saw many; not that you seem to care. Take your junk and remove it to people who don't CARE. I like this site, but yor certainly don't respect it.
Get your disrespectful self somewhere else:mad:

[EvanAparra]

Cmon neil, relax. Im enjoying his stuff so far, maybe he just wants a little input.

[Seattle1]

Cmon neil, relax. Im enjoying his stuff so far, maybe he just wants a little input.

It seems interesting.

[sflnyc]

BUMP!!!

Here are some Forbes Field photos for all to enjoy if they haven't seem them yet. And if they have, then they get to enjoy them again!!

Undated photo from the exterior behind home plate.

[sflnyc]

Undated photo from beyond the left field fence

[sflnyc]

Undated photo taken from the University of Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning.

The book where I got the picture from states that it's from the 1960 World Series, but I highly doubt it. There is no bunting to be seen anywhere and the huge swaths of empty seats can be seen in the RF stands (both upper and lower). All 4 of the Pirate World Series games drew sell-out crowds of 36,000 plus.

Besides that, this is a very picturesque setting around the ballpark.

[sflnyc]

The aforementioned "Cathedral of Learning" at the University of Pittsburgh beyond the Third Base stands.

[sflnyc]

Radio accouncing booth at Forbes Field. I guess you can really call this the "Catbird Seat"

I like the lawsuit influenced sign on the field that says "No Hitting Towards Stands. Makes one wonder why anyone would ever hit a ball towards the stands in the first place?

[sflnyc]

The outfield area in a photo taken between August 14-17, 1947 during a series with the Cardinals.

The inside fence sliced 30 feet off the left-field home run distance and was christened Greenberg Gardens in honor of Hank Greenberg. Later on it was dubbed "Kiner Korner" for Ralph Kiner. Of course, when Kiner went on to do TV for the Mets, his postgame show was called "Kiner's Korner"

[sflnyc]

June 28, 1970

Fans attack the scoreboard after the last game at Forbes Field.

If you look through the crowd you'll see somebody with a "Knot Hole" sign, as in Knot Hole Gang.

Any Pittsburgh area posters now anything about the Knot Hole sign and why it was part of the Forbes Field scoreboard?

[sflnyc]

Does anybody out there have a photo of the Forbes Field outfield wall that was used as decoration in the Allegheny Club at Three Rivers Stadium?

Prior to Three Rivers Stadium coming down of course.

Here is a picture of it being dismantled from Forbes for transfer to the new park.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Does anybody out there have a photo of the Forbes Field outfield wall that was used as decoration in the Allegheny Club at Three Rivers Stadium?

Prior to Three Rivers Stadium coming down of course.

Here is a picture of it being dismantled from Forbes for transfer to the new park.
Does anyone know if it was taken out of 3 rivers before she came down.i hope that it was saved after all of these years.
I am glad to see a thread here for this great historic ballpark.:applaud:

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Does anybody out there have a photo of the Forbes Field outfield wall that was used as decoration in the Allegheny Club at Three Rivers Stadium?

Prior to Three Rivers Stadium coming down of course.

Here is a picture of it being dismantled from Forbes for transfer to the new park.

Here is a photo showing the wall at 3 rivers stadium. i just hope that they saved this wall after all of these years.

[steveironcity]

Here is a photo showing the wall at 3 rivers stadium. i just hope that they saved this wall after all of these years.

Ive never seen it at PNC, and ive sat in almost every section, and have taken 2 tours.. somthing just came to mind. It could be in the Pittsburgh Sports Museum at the history center in the strip. Ill try to find out.

[tdinan]

The original Angels in the Outfield with Paul Douglas has some great extensive footage of Forbes Field. It shows up on TCM every once in a while.

[Lpeters199]

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[zxasqw12]

Besides that, this is a very picturesque setting around the ballpark.

No question- almost park-like. The exterior especially looked very ornate. That being said, it looks like there were some absolutely horrible sight lines down the LF and RF lines. Talk about "obstructed view" seats!

I'll take two tickets please- as long as they're nowhere near the upper rows down the lines.

[alpineinc]

I'm a new member, and I'd like to post a few nice color pics of Forbes Field on this thread. But when I try, I'm asked for a URL--whatever that is--and I give up in frustration. Can anyone give me the information I need to post these shots? Thanks.

If the photo is on a web site, get the image address or URL (http://www....jpg, etc.) by right clicking -> Properties in Windows or Ctrl-click in Mac. Try to copy the address if you can. Then when posting a reply, use the Insert Image icon (yellow sky/mountain), paste the URL, click ok and off you go.

If the photo is a file on your computer, when posting a reply use the Manage Attachments icon (paper clip), choose and upload your file (says around 1mb max but you can go a little larger). Once it shows up in your file list in the popup window, close out, then click the paper clip again to select your file and off you go.

For both instances, you may need to add actual text to complete your post.

[Lpeters199]

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[alpineinc]

Scanning usually results in large files that may be too big to attach - you may have to reduce them in a graphics program or upload them elsewhere and put the URLs here. A free Photobucket or Flickr account's not a bad way to go.

Looking forward to seeing them!

[alpineinc]

From hunter..'s Flickr site (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7364897@N02/sets/72157604554429163/)...

1951

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3226/2463352422_f6ce684c5e_o.jpg

Late '60's

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3021/2462509835_4566404b42_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2327/2462478917_ecc3e58bb3_o.jpg


The outfield wall and flagpole today, from rj-photo (http://www.flickr.com/photos/arejay/283129714/):

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/110/283129714_f0621c19cc_b.jpg

Home plate today, from DC Products (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dcproducts/340015534/):

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/153/340015534_f75aa67e2c_b.jpg

Great old newspaper pic from Nonesuch (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nonesuch/288433512/):

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/102/288433512_2e08a8cdfd_b.jpg

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

1925 World Series
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3076/2477359932_6e028d3883_o.jpg

1920's
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3184/2476546529_241187fbfc_o.jpg

Soon after opening
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3110/2477408864_ed377c3f96_o.jpg

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

1909 World Series, which pitted Ty Cobbs' Tigers against Honus Wagner's Pirates. Old panorama with some apparent water damage.
ENLARGE (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3198/2477685966_3f35541121_o.jpg)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3198/2477685966_b8f67a51e1_b.jpg

Closeups of photo above
ENLARGE (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2196/2477685460_43cc7278af_b.jpg)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2196/2477685460_43cc7278af_b.jpg

ENLARGE (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2185/2477685132_4b3a6777c4_o.jpg)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2185/2477685132_f8bab45310_b.jpg

ENLARGE (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3178/2476872121_d8fab85997_o.jpg)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3178/2476872121_87bf94c2b5_b.jpg

A few vintage b/w Forbes snapshots
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2163/2476871789_8c76549000_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2338/2476871677_5f85107579_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2366/2477684186_0a887d4e25_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2033/2477684054_0092e3bf75_b.jpg

[stlfan]

They had 5-6 rows of seats put in front of the dugouts???!!!

[MattD1972]

They had 5-6 rows of seats put in front of the dugouts???!!!

It certainly looks like they tacked rows onto the end of the box seats, and made the teams sit on the field. It looks bizarre, but it's one of the beter thought-out ways this was done early in baseball. At the 1903 World Series, fans ringed the infield in Boston. In 1915, the Phillies added a new set of seats in CF - right where Harry Hooper hit the winning home runs in the 5th game of the Series.
Thank goodness they didn't make the players keep using the dugout. While it's easy to see Honus Wagner nicely saying "Excuse me...pardon me....excuse me...pardon me", it's also just as easy to see Cobb going nuts and killng someone.

Does anyone have a 50's - 60's view from behind home plate? I thought I saw a Busch Stadium-like tarp machine in the recent American Experience Clemente biography, but I'd like a better view, if possible.

[Pelt]

http://www.ballparksofbaseball.com/past/forbesmain2007.jp

[Pelt]

http://www.ballparksofbaseball.com/past/forbesmain2007.jpg

[tdinan]

http://www.ballparksofbaseball.com/past/forbesmain2007.jpg

That must be the longest backstop in the history of baseball...

[MattD1972]

http://www.ballparksofbaseball.com/past/forbesmain2007.jpg

Thanks, Pelt!
I once watched a replay of the Gibson 17-strikeout ( I think it was 17, don't flame me if I'm off) game from the 1968 Series, and was truck just how ungainly the tarp machne looked at the first grass Field at Busch. This one just plain looks wrong.

[Pelt]

Thanks, Pelt!
I once watched a replay of the Gibson 17-strikeout ( I think it was 17, don't flame me if I'm off) game from the 1968 Series, and was truck just how ungainly the tarp machne looked at the first grass Field at Busch. This one just plain looks wrong.

No problem, Matt.

I kinda thought that about the track that runs down the third base line too (regarding Forbes), but after a while it just seems to add even more of that quirky charm to the old place.

[bleacherbum73]

Thanks, Pelt!
I once watched a replay of the Gibson 17-strikeout ( I think it was 17, don't flame me if I'm off) game from the 1968 Series, and was truck just how ungainly the tarp machne looked at the first grass Field at Busch. This one just plain looks wrong.

Yeah, I"ve seen shots of it too from that time. But there wasn't much you could do since it was a grass field. I think it was just a steel covering colored to somewhat match the grass. Of course, the grass at Busch in the 60's was horrible, and by the time Oct and the world series came around it was worse. Long hot summer and football being played on it. It was kinda cool to watch it in action. The whole plate would lift up and back and the tarp would rise up attached to a litle "car" and it would roll across the infield. The one at Busch was removed in '95 during renovations that returned to a grass field.

[LetsGoMets687]

That must be the longest backstop in the history of baseball...

And that shot is after they brought it IN quite a bit. Originally it was more than 100 ft.


-

http://www.ballparks.com/baseball/national/forbes05.jpg


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2185/2477685132_f8bab45310_b.jpg

[stlfan]

It was kinda cool to watch it in action. The whole plate would lift up and back and the tarp would rise up attached to a litle "car" and it would roll across the infield. The one at Busch was removed in '95 during renovations that returned to a grass field.

Vince Coleman would beg to differ. LOL I also think that when Busch had the grass back in the 60's, Astroturf was placed over the tarp machine.

[parlo]

That must be the longest backstop in the history of baseball...A passed ball or wild pitch would score a runner from second.

[Lpeters199]

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[Lpeters199]

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[Lpeters199]

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[Lpeters199]

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[alpineinc]

Great pics.

Looks like they're from '58-'60 with the sleeveless outer unis and "Los Angeles" on the scoreboard - with the first pic definitely '60.

[Lpeters199]

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[DallasGoon]

Does anyone know home plate/foul territory was asymmetrical to the stands around home? Kinda funky looking. Still cool place though. Also, I heard that it was the fist ballpark with multi-color seats. Any truth to that?

[Lpeters199]

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[Lpeters199]

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[Lpeters199]

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[Lpeters199]

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[Lpeters199]

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[icee82]

By the way...I did a little research on this photo. It was taken on October 1,
1966. Woodie Fryman was the Pirates pitcher. Bob Bailey is at third base, Gene Alley is at shortstop, Manny Mota is in left field, Donn Clendenon is the first baseman, Willie Mays is the baserunner, and Jim Ray Hart is at the plate. It was actually the first game of a doubleheader and the next to last day of the 1966 season.

[PeteU]

Am I correct when I heard that Forbes Field was the first ballpark with padding on its fences?

However, were any of the outfield fences padded? It looked that at least in left field, the fences were brick.

If anyone could clarify, that would be great.

[Milwaukee T]

When you look at photos like these and see the towering structures of Pittsburgh all around the stadium; you start to really appreciate these old gems as parks in the neighborhood. It is such a shame that all these new stadiums have to be isolated from the neighbors due to parking and shops. I would love to have a new stadium built amoungst these types of buildings and let the city and the sport remain the focus point rather than the entertaainment that these new places all feel the need to have with pools and food courts. How about, just once, work with the confinements of the surrounding area rather than forcing the places to "feel" like they have them.

[tdinan]

PROGRAMMING ALERT!!!

This Saturday, May 31st @ 6pm Turner Classic Movies is showing "Angels in the Outfield" with Paul Douglas and Janet Leigh. It contains some amazing (B&W) footage of Forbes Field, including the dugout, playing field, concourse and locker room, circa 1951.

This is a must-see for all classic ballpark afficianados.

[Stray Cat]

By the way...I did a little research on this photo. It was taken on October 1,
1966. Woodie Fryman was the Pirates pitcher. Bob Bailey is at third base, Gene Alley is at shortstop, Manny Mota is in left field, Donn Clendenon is the first baseman, Willie Mays is the baserunner, and Jim Ray Hart is at the plate. It was actually the first game of a doubleheader and the next to last day of the 1966 season.

This picture is how I remember Forbes Field. In 68-69 my dad and I went to
a lot of games. It where I learned to love baseball. Iron City beer, peanuts, popcorn, bat and helmet give away days. So many great games with my dad who isn't with us anymore. :sigh:

[Pelt]

That's a great pic. It's the first aerial I've seen of Forbes where it is in football configuration.

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

Here's a field shot from 1915

Click To ENLARGE (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3106/2544861321_45a1184ff5_o.jpg)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3106/2544861321_9194e688a4_b.jpg

[Pelt]

http://stadiumpage.com/stadiumgraveyard/ff12.jpg

[Pelt]

Here's another one with the area pretty much cleared off.

http://stadiumpage.com/stadiumgraveyard/ff15.jpg

[alpineinc]

More photos from the great stadiumpage (http://stadiumpage.com/stadiumgraveyard/) site. Didn't even know these were there!

http://stadiumpage.com/stadiumgraveyard/ff6.jpg

http://stadiumpage.com/stadiumgraveyard/ff7.jpg

And more demo shots:

http://stadiumpage.com/stadiumgraveyard/ff11.jpg

http://stadiumpage.com/stadiumgraveyard/ff13.jpg

http://stadiumpage.com/stadiumgraveyard/ff14.jpg

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

Great pics, Alpine. Some of the most interesting b/w game pics from the stands you'll ever see. Those box seats weren't even bolted down; they're basically fold up picnic chairs. Is that Pittsburgh or Mayberry??

I also love the abandoned scoreboard with the dark imposing tower in the background.

I'm also loving all the other great Forbes pics. Keep them coming.

[alpineinc]

Some of the most interesting b/w game pics from the stands you'll ever see. Those box seats weren't even bolted down; they're basically fold up picnic chairs. Is that Pittsburgh or Mayberry??.

Ha, I was thinking the same thing - looks like a company picnic! Must be a beer keg or cooler somewhere, lol.

[Pelt]

I love seating diagrams.

http://img365.imageshack.us/img365/7155/forbesfieldseatingdiagrtu8.jpg

[DaBigMotor]

Weird how a Major League ballpark found itself in the middle of a college campus....

[Sean O]

More photos from the great stadiumpage (http://stadiumpage.com/stadiumgraveyard/) site. Didn't even know these were there!

http://stadiumpage.com/stadiumgraveyard/ff6.jpg



Whoa, amazing! In the top-center of this shot you can see the following:

"During World War II, from June 26, 1943, through the end of the season, a huge U.S. Marine made of wood stood against the left-field wall, just to the right of the scoreboard. Standing at parade rest, the Marine Sergeant was 32 feet high, 15 feet wide across his feet, and in play."

I always wondered whether or not there were pictures of this, and apparently this photographer randomly captured one in just that brief 3 month span. Awesome.

[cgcoyne2]

Great pics, Alpine. Some of the most interesting b/w game pics from the stands you'll ever see. Those box seats weren't even bolted down; they're basically fold up picnic chairs. Is that Pittsburgh or Mayberry??

Almost all of the old stadiums had movable seats in the front boxes. The seats that were bolted down started a few rows back.

[Pelt]

Here are a couple more from stadiumpage.com.

Even though the beams obstruct views and you can't see all of right field in this one, I'd still see every game from here if I had to - gladly.

http://stadiumpage.com/stadiumgraveyard/ff2.jpg

This pic shows a better view of the screen over the right field fence.

http://stadiumpage.com/stadiumgraveyard/ff4.jpg

[cgcoyne2]

How about these pictures I worked up.

[Lafferty Daniel]

Whoa, amazing! In the top-center of this shot you can see the following:

"During World War II, from June 26, 1943, through the end of the season, a huge U.S. Marine made of wood stood against the left-field wall, just to the right of the scoreboard. Standing at parade rest, the Marine Sergeant was 32 feet high, 15 feet wide across his feet, and in play."

I always wondered whether or not there were pictures of this, and apparently this photographer randomly captured one in just that brief 3 month span. Awesome.

That is pretty sweet. Good eye.

[Lafferty Daniel]

Just perfect.

43919

That backdrop is perfect. Newer stadiums could learn a few things from Forbes Field.

[alpineinc]

How about these pictures I worked up.

Cool! Looks right - the existing wall matches right up, and the home plate is right inside that dark gray building today.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/111/295635190_40d85c5a79_m.jpghttp://farm1.static.flickr.com/128/340015916_4814fa70a8_m.jpg

I HIGHLY recommend to anyone into classic baseball to take a trip to Pittsburgh, including a visit to the Forbes Field wall and home plate. For those of us who love the old parks, it's great to see an actual piece of one that exists exactly where it was 40+ years ago, and beautifully maintained as well. The few minutes we were there, we ran into a few other fans and chatted about the old parks, etc.

And don't forget a game at beautiful PNC - with a Primanti Bros. cheesesteak (not like Philly!) and Iron City brewskis, and you can also hang out at beautiful Point State Park across the river, where you can see both new stadiums, and even the Andy Warhol museum is nearby. My favorite baseball trip so far.

[alpineinc]

Whoa, amazing! In the top-center of this shot you can see the following:

"During World War II, from June 26, 1943, through the end of the season, a huge U.S. Marine made of wood stood against the left-field wall, just to the right of the scoreboard. Standing at parade rest, the Marine Sergeant was 32 feet high, 15 feet wide across his feet, and in play."

I always wondered whether or not there were pictures of this, and apparently this photographer randomly captured one in just that brief 3 month span. Awesome.

Wow, didn't see that. That is amazing! I wonder if anyone knocked one into him?

Any idea of the wording on the Marine (if they are words) itself, next to the Buy War Bonds, etc.?

http://stadiumpage.com/stadiumgraveyard/ff6.jpg

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

Some great shots in this thread. The color ones from Lpeters were wallpaper worthy, and I'm not even a Pirate fan.

Here's a slightly larger version of a pic posted by Pelt a while back
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3163/2557682938_6b20a92f24_o.jpg

Plus some more Corbis shots

2 from 1956
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3268/2557683014_420b974e24_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3075/2556860257_874a5b9e02_o.jpg

June 29, 1970 After last game at Forbes.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3194/2556860339_b35a32903a_o.jpg

[Pelt]

Looks like that third pic got flipped somehow. The scoreboard is down the right field line instead of left. Still a great pic though!

[DaBigMotor]

There was ZERO parking around this place.

Strange how here, like Yankee Stadium, the stands were "V" shapped around the ball diamond, making it an akward fit, and forcing the plate farther out from the stands. Would seem to have had terrible sightlines because of that.

Whatever happened to the scoreboard, (or what was left of it?)

[alpineinc]

Strange how here, like Yankee Stadium, the stands were "V" shapped around the ball diamond, making it an akward fit, and forcing the plate farther out from the stands. Would seem to have had terrible sightlines because of that.


Definitely an odd layout. It seems like it was almost the opposite of a place like Shea, where you're pretty much facing the outfield in the field seats, where in this shot the field seats near first and third base really have a good vantage point towards home plate, but then it bows out so far behind the plate that it must've seemed so far away - you could have a pickup game in that expanse behind home plate!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3163/2557682938_6b20a92f24_o.jpg

[LetsGoMets687]

WTF? :laugh That's like the most random post ever.

[alpineinc]

WTF? :laugh That's like the most random post ever.

One guy, in the crowd down there, has a baseball hat on. http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj90/alpineinc/baseball_cool.gif

[cgcoyne2]

PROGRAMMING ALERT!!!

This Saturday, May 31st @ 6pm Turner Classic Movies is showing "Angels in the Outfield" with Paul Douglas and Janet Leigh. It contains some amazing (B&W) footage of Forbes Field, including the dugout, playing field, concourse and locker room, circa 1951.

This is a must-see for all classic ballpark afficianados.

I got your alert too late. So I ordered the DVD from blockbuster.com :bowdown:

To all out there, the 1951 version of "Angels in the Outfield" was super as far as seeing a lot of Forbes Field. Definitely worth the 99 minutes it runs. Movie wasn't bad either.

[Milwaukee T]

Whoa, amazing! In the top-center of this shot you can see the following:

"During World War II, from June 26, 1943, through the end of the season, a huge U.S. Marine made of wood stood against the left-field wall, just to the right of the scoreboard. Standing at parade rest, the Marine Sergeant was 32 feet high, 15 feet wide across his feet, and in play."

I always wondered whether or not there were pictures of this, and apparently this photographer randomly captured one in just that brief 3 month span. Awesome.

It would be my guess that it really was stroke of pure luck as I don't think it is even a photo from a Pirates' game. I may be incorrect, but I think that is one of the high school games that were played there that summer.

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

It would be my guess that it really was stroke of pure luck as I don't think it is even a photo from a Pirates' game. I may be incorrect, but I think that is one of the high school games that were played there that summer.

Upon close inspection, you're probably right. It looks like the team in the field are wearing dark dungarees, not uniforms. Also the scoreboard isn't being used, and the players don't look very big.

[Gooseamania]

imagine being able to storm the field after the last game at a ballpark to grab whatever pieces you could get your hands on! I'm sure A LOT of those people where able to grab some pretty neat memorabilia.

[Pelt]

Found this interesting tidbit:

http://www.msha.gov/MineRescue/FORBES.GIF

"The first national mine-safety demonstration was held at Forbes field, in Pittsburgh, on October 30, 1911. The demonstration was planned and managed by engineers of the Bureau, with the aid of miners and coal operators of the Pittsburgh district. It embraced exhibits that demonstrated the character of nearly every branch of the Bureau’s investigative work in relation to mine accidents, including first-aid and mine-rescue work, coal-dust explosions, and also special coal-dust explosions at the Bureau’s experimental mine at Bruceton, Pa. Approximately 15,000 persons attended the demonstration. The principal field exhibits were witnessed by President William H. Taft and many officials of both the National and State governments. Teams of miners trained in first-aid and rescue work from every coal-mining State took part in this stimulating demonstration."

[Pelt]

http://www.mccullough.nl/images/WmSobits-fotosbw-1.jpg

[alpineinc]

Wow, quite a find! Good stuff.

[Pelt]

Yeah, I was surprised that I hadn't seen that one yet.

Does anybody have a larger hi-res version of the November 27th, 1926 Carnegie Tech upset of Notre Dame panoramic of Forbes? I can't find anything larger than this:

http://www.carnegiemellontoday.com/images/news_images/ForbesFieldGameDay1926.jpg

[Pelt]

http://img387.imageshack.us/img387/6302/aerialforbestq7.jpg

[Sean O]

http://img387.imageshack.us/img387/6302/aerialforbestq7.jpg

God I love Carnegie Mellon. It's so strange to see how much has changed there since the photo was taken: no student center and companion building in the lower right, and no hulking brutalist computer science building.

If Forbes Field had stayed there, CMU students could've been at both professional baseball and Kennywood within 15 minutes. As if anyone else needed more incentive to go to such a school.

[six4three]

The New York Times this morning is running a story about the 1961 Series (the Yankees are making their first trip to Pittsburgh since then):

In 1960, a Series to Remember (or Forget) (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/24/sports/baseball/24yankees.html?_r=1&ref=sports&oref=slogin)

The article includes a couple of brilliant photos, including one of the stunning view of Forbes Field from the Cathedral of Learning, and the old home plate, now located within Posner Hall:

[sflnyc]

The New York Times this morning is running a story about the 1961 Series (the Yankees are making their first trip to Pittsburgh since then):

In 1960, a Series to Remember (or Forget) (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/24/sports/baseball/24yankees.html?_r=1&ref=sports&oref=slogin)

The article includes a couple of brilliant photos, including one of the stunning view of Forbes Field from the Cathedral of Learning, and the old home plate, now located within Posner Hall:

That shot from the Cathedral of Learning is a classic! As far away from the action as they were, you just know that someone had a transistor radio on and they fans up there were listening to confirm what they "think they saw" 100's of feet below them. Classic charming old time fans.

EDIT - Upon looking at the photo again, the fan in the foreground is holding a transistor radio in his left hand...

[sflnyc]

From hunter..'s Flickr site (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7364897@N02/sets/72157604554429163/)...

1951

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3226/2463352422_f6ce684c5e_o.jpg

Late '60's

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3021/2462509835_4566404b42_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2327/2462478917_ecc3e58bb3_o.jpg


The outfield wall and flagpole today, from rj-photo (http://www.flickr.com/photos/arejay/283129714/):

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/110/283129714_f0621c19cc_b.jpg

Home plate today, from DC Products (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dcproducts/340015534/):

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/153/340015534_f75aa67e2c_b.jpg

Great old newspaper pic from Nonesuch (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nonesuch/288433512/):

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/102/288433512_2e08a8cdfd_b.jpg

Interesting. I never knew any part of the old park still existed. If I was a Pitt student, I know what part of campus I would go to do my studies, right next to the home run wall between the 436-foot and 457-foot signs. The other students could have the meadows, lawns, etc. that most college campuses have.

[parlo]

I posted this on the history page, but I will post it here also because there are some photos of the 1960 World Series at Forbes Field.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/24/sports/baseball/24yankees.html?ref=sports

[icee82]

I am not a Pirates' fan but I have visited the wall in Pittsburgh several years ago when my beloved Reds were in town. I traveled from NC to the Burgh. You can just feel the history at that location. Everyone should take the opportunity to visit that location.

[six4three]

I posted this on the history page, but I will post it here also because there are some photos of the 1960 World Series at Forbes Field.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/24/sports/baseball/24yankees.html?ref=sports

Beat ya. (http://www.baseball-fever.com/showpost.php?p=1225844&postcount=99) ;)

[Pelt]

A couple of Getty shots, including a Bears/Steelers game from 1963.

http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/267/57341051ks2.jpg

I've always loved the detail on the right field wall.

http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/7600/50558345sm8.jpg

[six4three]

I've always loved the detail on the right field wall.

http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/7600/50558345sm8.jpg

Wow - that's gorgeous. Outstanding.

I don't think I've seen that detailing before - it's not visible in other pictures. Did it go all the way around? And when was the wall changed into the blank brick wall that stands today?

[stlfan]

Wow - that's gorgeous. Outstanding.

I don't think I've seen that detailing before - it's not visible in other pictures. Did it go all the way around? And when was the wall changed into the blank brick wall that stands today?

I believe that only the right field wall that was in front of the double decked stands in right was detailed like that. The rest was the brick wall that stands today.

[Pelt]

Yep, that's pretty much it.

I bet there were some rather interesting ricochets off of that wall.

[cgcoyne2]

Wow - that's gorgeous. Outstanding.

I don't think I've seen that detailing before - it's not visible in other pictures. Did it go all the way around? And when was the wall changed into the blank brick wall that stands today?


If you watch the 1951 movie, "Angels in the Outfield" as described earlier ther is a scene where the rightfielder (I believe) makes a ruuning catch along the wall. It's very cool to see. I believe its towards the end of the movie. I'll look for it.

[cgcoyne2]

Here are a bunch of pictures from "The Angels in the Outfield", the 1951 version with Forbes field.

Here's the Cathedral of learning.
46173

Here's the Rightfield wall.
46174


Here's three in a row in left center near a fenced off light tower.
46175

46176

46177

[cgcoyne2]

Here are some more.

Here's Joe D. in the movie.
46180


Here's Ty Cobb in the movie.
46181


Here's the centerfield wall.
46182


Here's the leftfield wall from behind homeplate.
46183


Here's the right center field wall.
46184

[cgcoyne2]

Sorry, just a repeat.

[64Cards]

A couple of Getty shots, including a Bears/Steelers game from 1963.

http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/267/57341051ks2.jpg

I've always loved the detail on the right field wall.

http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/7600/50558345sm8.jpg
If that was 1963 for the Bears-Steelers game, it was played on 11/24, 2 days after JFK was murdered in Dallas. Pete Rozelle decided not to cancel that Sundays NFL schedule, even though CBS was of course covering the Presidents funeral and various news dealing with the shooting, rather than the NFL. Rozelle would later say it was the biggest mistake of his career as Commissioner. Mike Ditka had a tremendous game for the Bears.

[cgcoyne2]

Here's 2 more where right center meets center field. Notice the garage doors before you get to the center field wall.

[Dinosaur]

Wow, what fantastic pics guys - thank you!

They sure brought back some memories. I took in a couple of games there in 1964 and again in 1967. My father took me - the '64 game was the first game I ever saw in person - my eyes were probably the size of dinner plates. Those pics from the upper deck in right looking to the infield was right about where we were.

ME

[gardawg62]

sorry double post.

[gardawg62]

http://www.ballparksofbaseball.com/past/forbesmain2007.jpg

That must be the longest backstop in the history of baseball...


Does anyone know how far the light towers, went into the ground? The ones to the left and right of dead center.I was up there a few weeks ago, and tripped over a twisted piece of metal, from looking at the picture above, thats where the light towers once stood.

[hbwriter]

In some photos, does that building out beyond left field, the sort of pagoda shaped thing, look HUGE

but in person, it's small and far off?

[Brad MCdonald]

I hope I haven't missed it, but has anyone posted that classic photo I saw years ago of that baseball fan dangerously retrieving a foul ball off the roof at
Forbes Field? It had landed in a drain gutter(I think) that was on the second deck..I think it was during the 1960 World Series .

[Pelt]

Kind of an odd pic. Looks like the players were pasted on top of an old and hazy photo of Forbes. Wish the background was a little clearer. I'll bet it still from 1909, even though it's been altered.

http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/4541/7272006pittsburghbasebahp1.jpg

[Pelt]

Larger hotlink to it:

http://www.hellopittsburgh.com/Images/Panoramic/7272006Pittsburgh_baseball_1909.jpg

[GWagner]

I have read this site for some time now, but have never posted until now. I have one quick story to tell about Forbes which has always stuck with me.

My grandfather was born and raised in Pittsburgh. He was a huge Pittsburgh sports fan and always talked about Honus Wagner and how we were related to him (no truth to this). He would always tell me about the times him and friends would skip school and sneak into Forbes and watch Wagner play. I was very close with my grandfather and would often ask him to share the story with me even though he had told me countless times before. That story has gotten past onto my own children and they now tell their friends and do papers on Honus and how their grandpa watched him play.

One of these days I will buy a piece of Forbes and who knows it might be a seat in which my grandpa sat in.

Thanks for reading,
Geoffrey Wagner

[Beech Cricker]

I have read this site for some time now, but have never posted until now. I have one quick story to tell about Forbes which has always stuck with me.

My grandfather was born and raised in Pittsburgh. He was a huge Pittsburgh sports fan and always talked about Honus Wagner and how we were related to him (no truth to this). He would always tell me about the times him and friends would skip school and sneak into Forbes and watch Wagner play. I was very close with my grandfather and would often ask him to share the story with me even though he had told me countless times before. That story has gotten past onto my own children and they now tell their friends and do papers on Honus and how their grandpa watched him play.

One of these days I will buy a piece of Forbes and who knows it might be a seat in which my grandpa sat in.

Thanks for reading,
Geoffrey Wagner

Geoffrey, I too had a grandfather who was born in and spent his entire life in Pittsburgh or environs. And like yours, he was a lifelong Pittsburgh sports fan. He loved telling the story of how his dad took him to his first game at Forbes Field where they sat in the bleachers, etc. Good stuff!

Why do you doubt you are related to Honus Wagner? Wagner was from Carnegie, correct (not far at all from the Burgh)?

As a side note, I believe the Pennsylvania Railroad named their interlocking tower at Carnegie WAGNER in honor of Honus.

[cgcoyne2]

I have read this site for some time now, but have never posted until now. I have one quick story to tell about Forbes which has always stuck with me.

My grandfather was born and raised in Pittsburgh. He was a huge Pittsburgh sports fan and always talked about Honus Wagner and how we were related to him (no truth to this). He would always tell me about the times him and friends would skip school and sneak into Forbes and watch Wagner play. I was very close with my grandfather and would often ask him to share the story with me even though he had told me countless times before. That story has gotten past onto my own children and they now tell their friends and do papers on Honus and how their grandpa watched him play.

One of these days I will buy a piece of Forbes and who knows it might be a seat in which my grandpa sat in.

Thanks for reading,
Geoffrey Wagner

Dude, what was the story? You have to tell us what happened when grandpa went to Forbes. Am I the only one interested?

[DrBear]

In some photos, does that building out beyond left field, the sort of pagoda shaped thing, look HUGE

but in person, it's small and far off?

Depends on the camera lens - a telephoto lens shortens distance so that objects appear to be closer to each other than they really are.

[GWagner]

Hey Jeff and cjcoyne2,

Jeff, I truly don't know if we are related to Honus. I guess it's a possibility, but without exploring it some more I would have to say wishful thinking on my grandfather's part. :) Our family is from Transylvania and Honus Wagner's parents were from Bavaria, so who knows?! Wagner was also born in Mansfield which combined with Carnegie in 1894, so yes he was born in Carnegie, technically. Funny how my grandpa was born and raised in Coraopolis which is 10 miles from Carnegie.

cjcoyne2, I wish I could give you some more information on the games he attended. He talked about never being really close, but loved how Wagner played. Ironically, both my grandpa and Honus were built very much the same. Both were built a little odd, but had great strength. He would talk about how nice Forbes Field was. He talked about how nice the exterior was and as we know, it might have been the most beautiful exterior of all ballparks. Wish I could give you more, but he was getting older when I started to write memories down and even though his memory was good, it started to decline.

Thanks for the interest,
Geoffrey

[cgcoyne2]

Hey Jeff and cjcoyne2,

Jeff, I truly don't know if we are related to Honus. I guess it's a possibility, but without exploring it some more I would have to say wishful thinking on my grandfather's part. :) Our family is from Transylvania and Honus Wagner's parents were from Bavaria, so who knows?! Wagner was also born in Mansfield which combined with Carnegie in 1894, so yes he was born in Carnegie, technically. Funny how my grandpa was born and raised in Coraopolis which is 10 miles from Carnegie.

cjcoyne2, I wish I could give you some more information on the games he attended. He talked about never being really close, but loved how Wagner played. Ironically, both my grandpa and Honus were built very much the same. Both were built a little odd, but had great strength. He would talk about how nice Forbes Field was. He talked about how nice the exterior was and as we know, it might have been the most beautiful exterior of all ballparks. Wish I could give you more, but he was getting older when I started to write memories down and even though his memory was good, it started to decline.

Thanks for the interest,
Geoffrey

Thanks Geoffrey

[Pelt]

http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/3882/mlb1970bkltforbesfldqj7.jpg

[Pelt]

Couple of shots from Corbis that I haven't seen before.

http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/3803/forbes1gk3.jpg

I've never seen the outfield stands set up like this before, so this was a cool find.

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/7255/forbes3ng2.jpg

[stlfan]

I've never seen the outfield stands set up like this before, so this was a cool find.

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/7255/forbes3ng2.jpg

I've never seen it set up like that before either. Great shots pelt. I have also never seen a field chalked up like that before on the foul ground of the infield.

[tugger]

I've never seen it set up like that before either. Great shots pelt. I have also never seen a field chalked up like that before on the foul ground of the infield.

I just thought they had really, really wide basepaths.

[alpineinc]

Great pic. 1925 World Series, 2nd of 4 WS for Forbes (Opening Year '09, '25, '27 and of course '60). I'd be interested to see if the outfield had the same setup for the '27 Series.

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/7255/forbes3ng2.jpg

[alpineinc]

1909 WS

http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/det/4a20000/4a23000/4a23300/4a23349r.jpghttp://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/det/4a10000/4a19000/4a19400/4a19419r.jpg


1909 WS? or early 1910s

http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/det/4a10000/4a10000/4a10300/4a10306r.jpghttp://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/det/4a10000/4a10000/4a10300/4a10305r.jpg

http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/det/4a10000/4a10000/4a10300/4a10304r.jpghttp://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/det/4a10000/4a10000/4a10300/4a10303r.jpg

http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/det/4a10000/4a10000/4a10300/4a10302r.jpg

[Pelt]

That's a cool looking shot of the houses from right field at the end of the main grandstand, alpine.

Here is a shot of the cover for the tarp covering down the third base line (Pete Rose sliding into third - 9/10/64). Looks like dangerous footing, if you're going after a pop-up.

[Pelt]

Made a quick panoramic from the pics that alpine provided

[Beech Cricker]

The group is gathering at the site of Forbes Field to celebrate the anniversary of Game 7 of the 1960 World Series and Maz's big homer:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08284/918907-63.stm

What is so neat about this is how innocently this gathering started--a guy playing a cassette tape of the game, a la Donald.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

The group is gathering at the site of Forbes Field to celebrate the anniversary of Game 7 of the 1960 World Series and Maz's big homer:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08284/918907-63.stm

What is so neat about this is how innocently this gathering started--a guy playing a cassette tape of the game, a la Donald.

Jeff this is a great idea that i had heard that was going on around this time for years.i have been to the Forbes Field site twice, its great to see homeplate and the outfield wall and flag pole.and i also have Game 7 1960 world series on audio. i have the national broadcast on audio plus the Tv broadcast on audio with Mel Allen and Bob Prince.glad to see that there are more people like me out there listening to these old classic games on audio.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Here is the Forbes Field wall these days

[Milwaukee County Stadium]

Here is the Forbes Field wall these days

Look how beautiful she is!!!:happy:

[alpineinc]

12th I've uploaded in a series of 16 (I'm guessing, I'll know when I find them all!) of the Chicago Tribune's Ed Burns' take on all the major league parks, printed in the Sporting News in 1937. Forbes turn - the only triple deck stand in the NL - "curse the Alpine architects" - lol.

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj90/alpineinc/forbessn37.jpg?t=1225644265

[alpineinc]

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj90/alpineinc/forbessn47.jpg?t=1226210800

[alpineinc]

1947 Sporting News, from Gene Mack of the Boston Globe.

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj90/alpineinc/sn4612mackforbes.jpg?t=1226249756

[alpineinc]

'27 WS

http://72.37.159.45/App_Themes/Images/Auctions_Images/811/popups/59324a.jpg

[soup]

http://tbn0.google.com/hosted/images/c?q=30551a371ac06fa3_large

[soup]

http://tbn0.google.com/hosted/images/c?q=b410b149736ce705_large

[Pelt]

That's the first I've seen of that LIFE pic behind home plate. Great stuff.

[icee82]

These LIFE photos are great. Here is a great field shot from the '60 World Series

[alpineinc]

9/4/38. Family photos from lreed7648 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leonandloisphotos/2980387623/) on flickr.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3062/2980387623_e4591e359b_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3167/2981243818_a95fc23678_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3002/2981243400_0b1ff64cee_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3290/2980388003_e4c8b756f8_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3033/2980387369_794e943079_b.jpg

[Yankeefan3783]

I found this Forbes Field (http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z58/kekdogg/Carnegie%20Science%20Center%20Train%20Display/DSCF2760.jpg) model linked on uniwatchblog.com (http://www.uniwatchblog.com/2008/12/30/portraits-in-the-paint/#comments). There are more links there with more pictures of the model.

[locke40]

I find it very interesting that there are ZERO advertisements in the entire park!! :applaud:

[tugger]

I find it very interesting that there are ZERO advertisements in the entire park!! :applaud:

Don't forget, the Pirates were generally pretty crappy at Forbes. Personally, I'd take a few ads if it meant a few more W's.

[Pelt]

Can't say I've seen this one before.

[hbwriter]

A friend of mine, the actor Fred Willard, is also a ballpark freak. We've visited some former sites to mark off where things once stood, but he had some images from a while ago that blew me away. When he was on the road after Forbes closed, he snuck in alone with a camera, set it up and took some pictures of himself throughout the ballpark (and some just of the park)

I'll post more as I find them--here's the first

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg185/hbwriter/fredforbes.jpg
chris

[parlo]

Great stuff. Thanks for sharing.

[alpineinc]

Longtime Bucs announcer Bob Prince (with Bob Uecker) is on the MLB Network right now, doing a Tigers-Yanks Mark Fidrych game from 1976, the year after he was unceremoniously dismissed from the Pirates' broadcast team. Started at the top of the hour, great viewing and listening, especially for old time Pirates' fans, I'm sure! The bonus for ballpark fans is the game is at fabled old Tiger Stadium, also.

[Philtration]

The Forbes Field wall is by far the coolest tribute to a former ballpark around.
So much better than just an outline of a batters box surrounded by concrete and asphalt.

If and when they replace Wrigley and Fenway they should do the same sort of thing.
A park with the ivy covered outfield wall or the green monster as a backdrop is the way to go.

http://www.baseball-fever.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=53182&d=1223679234

[DMR67442]

I will be visiting PITTSBURGH this summer. My question is what was the streets names where the main entrance was? And what would I type into my gps to get me to the area now. I would like to see the wall and homeplate. I also will be trying to attend a pirates game!:lightbulb::lightbulb:

[RoastedPeanut]

I will be visiting PITTSBURGH this summer. My question is what was the streets names where the main entrance was? And what would I type into my gps to get me to the area now. I would like to see the wall and homeplate. I also will be trying to attend a pirates game!:lightbulb::lightbulb:

You go past the cathedral of learning on forbes ave, because fifth takes you the other way, you make a right when you reach bigalow st, but it's after towers as well, and you make your way to carnegie-mellon..

I'm not really helping, am I..?

Forbes Field is currently housed on a block containing several campus buildings, with home plate being off of the library at Posvar Hall..

But it's really cool because you can stand over home plate and imagine what stories history has to tell.. People are friendly around those areas during the day, try to find a parking lot for the usual five dollars because the traffic cops are crazy about the meters..

There's lots of steelers peddlers around, and try not to take any directions while you're there that take you along bigalow.. That street is the most confusing to master since it seems like there are five of them..

If you're doing this by bus, it seems a lot easier.. They have some really good sandwiches and dogs with everything and the kraut king thrown into it..

And if you're driving, remember which roads go in which direction.. Odds are, you'll find yourself going in a circle at some point..

[gardawg62]

The street you are looking for is "Roberto Clemente Drive". It runs in front of the wall. If you can find it, you're good to go. A good place to park is the garage off Forbes, right across from another place that is must see/do, the Original Hot Dog Shop, don't let the outside scare you away, those are the best dogs in Pittsburgh!

[BigRon]

Great pictures of Forbes Field! By the way, does anybody know what neil was complaining about to hbwriter, back at the beginning of this thread several years ago?

I don't have any pictures to add, just memories. I saw MANY games at Forbes Field, and some memorable sights. I saw 2 mammoth home runs, one by Duke Snider in 1957, over the 436 mark in deepest right-center, and one by Willie Stargell about 1966 or 1967, over the 457 mark. Both had to go at least 500 feet on the fly.

Being a Dodger fan in those days, I never missed when Sandy Koufax was pitching. I saw him pitch a number of memorable games, and was there the night (Twi-night doubleheader) in 1965 when the Pirates beat both Drysdale and Koufax (Koufax went all the way in the nightcap and lost in the 11th on a Jim Pagliaroni double off the scoreboard).

I also had the pleasure of watching Bill Mazeroski make more good defensive plays than any player I have ever seen. Maz's place in the Hall of Fame can be debated, but his position as one of the handful of greatest defensive players in history cannot. Maz was not fast but he was quick and he had remarkable hands. He also was the best ever on the double play pivot at second. NOBODY came in to second on him, and I mean nobody.

[DMR67442]

Thank you very much

dave

you go past the cathedral of learning on forbes ave, because fifth takes you the other way, you make a right when you reach bigalow st, but it's after towers as well, and you make your way to carnegie-mellon..

I'm not really helping, am i..?

Forbes field is currently housed on a block containing several campus buildings, with home plate being off of the library at posvar hall..

But it's really cool because you can stand over home plate and imagine what stories history has to tell.. People are friendly around those areas during the day, try to find a parking lot for the usual five dollars because the traffic cops are crazy about the meters..

There's lots of steelers peddlers around, and try not to take any directions while you're there that take you along bigalow.. That street is the most confusing to master since it seems like there are five of them..

If you're doing this by bus, it seems a lot easier.. They have some really good sandwiches and dogs with everything and the kraut king thrown into it..

And if you're driving, remember which roads go in which direction.. Odds are, you'll find yourself going in a circle at some point..

[DMR67442]

Thank you

dave


the street you are looking for is "roberto clemente drive". It runs in front of the wall. If you can find it, you're good to go. A good place to park is the garage off forbes, right across from another place that is must see/do, the original hot dog shop, don't let the outside scare you away, those are the best dogs in pittsburgh!

[alpineinc]

1956.

http://tbn0.google.com/hosted/images/c?q=44a7f5409f1cba07_large


More '60 WS Cathedral of Learning shots

http://tbn0.google.com/hosted/images/c?q=98e801d3805233be_large

http://tbn0.google.com/hosted/images/c?q=10df31721afac335_large

[PurpleMustReign]

I've never seen the outfield stands set up like this before, so this was a cool find.

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/7255/forbes3ng2.jpg

Does anyone know when they added the outfield seats?

[alpineinc]

From OldTimeBaseball (http://picasaweb.google.com/rriescher/OldTimeBaseball#) on Picasa.

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj90/alpineinc/00326_s_8ac95rbc70411.jpg

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj90/alpineinc/forbes.jpg

[alpineinc]

From Bill (http://picasaweb.google.com/Cordicron/PittsburghPiratesVsSanFranciscoGiantsJuly11961Play edAtForbesFieldPittsburghPa#) on Picasa. Follow link to entire album.

"Pulling the batting cage out to deep centerfield Forbes Field July 1, 1961"

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj90/alpineinc/042.jpg

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj90/alpineinc/043.jpg


"At Bat is pitch hitter Walt Moryn #20. On deck for Pittsburgh is #4 Bob Skinner, Forbes Field July 1, 1961"

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj90/alpineinc/038.jpg

[alpineinc]

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj90/alpineinc/forbesfield.jpg

[bandit12]

Google Street View of the Wall.

http://maps.google.com/maps?oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&ie=UTF8&q=forbes+field+pittsburgh&fb=1&split=1&gl=us&cid=0,0,11831112639794264401&ei=i3MASoj2DJyltgfXlbyPBw&ll=40.441591,-79.952786&spn=0,359.996578&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=40.441502,-79.952851&panoid=ZMop5Wp-P6W7oIXGtUWruw&cbp=12,136.4292543246047,,0,3.9420062695924702

[bandit12]

Radio accouncing booth at Forbes Field. I guess you can really call this the "Catbird Seat"

I like the lawsuit influenced sign on the field that says "No Hitting Towards Stands. Makes one wonder why anyone would ever hit a ball towards the stands in the first place?

That was to keep players from playing pepper or soft tossing. More or less to not wear out the grass or even the fence.

[Lpeters199]

Forbes Field aerial showing Kiner's Korner interior fence.

[Lpeters199]

Roman Mejias at the wall.

[SultanOfWhat]

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o164/emstc/WashingtonSenatorsoutfielderGooseGo.jpg

October 1925 --- Washington Senators' outfielder Goose Goslin at bat against the Pittsburgh Pirates, during the 1925 World Series.

[Anubis2051]

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj90/alpineinc/forbesfield.jpg

The exterior looks like the child of ebbets and wrigley! anyone know why the pirates didn't try and replicate this look for PNC? because as much love as that ballpark gets, the exterior really isn't something to write home about.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/76/202890517_9413031c09.jpg?v=0

[tugger]

The exterior looks like the child of ebbets and wrigley! anyone know why the pirates didn't try and replicate this look for PNC? because as much love as that ballpark gets, the exterior really isn't something to write home about.


Forbes was built before wrigley or ebbets. And Wrigley's exterior, besides maybe the sign, is very plain. I think PNC does fine just being PNC and not trying to be something else. Now if they'd just get a team worth a darn . . .

[Lpeters199]

Behind the foul pole.

[Beech Cricker]

An article from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Forbes Field's 100th b-day:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09179/980447-63.stm#

[DiggerODell]

An article from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Forbes Field's 100th b-day:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09179/980447-63.stm#

Good article Beech . . .thanks for posting. It's cool they still remember the old ballpark 100 years later!

[cgcoyne2]

Excellent article. Thanks.

[Beech Cricker]

In case you missed it there is a short video that accompanied that recent Post-Gazette article:

http://www.post-gazette.com/multimedia/?videoid=102035

[TIGER STADIUM 1912]

Here is a model of Forbes Field from ebay.

[TIGER STADIUM 1912]

Here is another photo of the model.

[TIGER STADIUM 1912]

Here is one last photo.

[Lpeters199]

From NYPL site: http://www.nypl.org/

Forbes Field in 1923.

[Sean O]

Is there any chance at all that the people in the infield corner of the LF bleachers could see the plate? Any farther back than about 15 rows, and I have to figure the roof and truss must block 80-90% of what's going on.

[alpineinc]

The Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum (http://www.heinzhistorycenter.org/exhibits.aspx?ExhibitID=28) is having a summer exhibit on Forbes Field, some photos "never seen before", including construction pics. Photos here are small, but interesting nonetheless.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2447/3654501924_040edb631a_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3306/3653705969_ab9732b481_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3650/3663298140_27bcee8525_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3659/3662496017_8a78cf7167_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3642/3663298322_6287cdf271_o.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2446/3654501442_405a20eed6_o.jpg

Local news video here -> http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/video/19862109/index.html

[Pelt]

Great find on the construction pics.

[Chevy114]

Here is a model of Forbes Field from ebay.

That is so cool! Sometimes I wish I had a cool looking park that I would want a model of!

[J.E.Fullerton]

Here's a fragment of one of the blueprint elevations from the HOF library:
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b189/jefullerton/FF.jpg

[216rules]

Really makes me wonder sometimes why the Pirates left this ballpark. Yeah, I know all about Pitt buying the land and such, but one of the all-time classic parks could have been surviving to this day right here in Pittsburgh. I love PNC, but still...

[Lpeters199]

Really makes me wonder sometimes why the Pirates left this ballpark. Yeah, I know all about Pitt buying the land and such, but one of the all-time classic parks could have been surviving to this day right here in Pittsburgh. I love PNC, but still...


This site has many gorgeous aerials of Forbes Field and the surrounding area from back in the day. I love this one, even though it only shows the light towers--a unique shot! You might love PNC a little bit less after looking at these.

http://images.library.pitt.edu/cgi-bin/i/image/image-idx?q1=forbes+field&rgn1=ic_all&type=boolean&xc=1&g=imls&view=thumbnail

[Lpeters199]

How likely is flooding at the new parks?

[216rules]

Exposition Park was before the days of locks on the rivers, but PNC does have a flood wall, just in case. Some of those pictures on that site were the first time I've seen them.

[Lpeters199]

These pictures give good looks at the batting cage parked on the field at the 457 ft. mark. I saw Donn Clendenon bounce one off the top of the cage in a televised game when he was with the Pirates.

[Lpeters199]

Kiner's Corner from LIFE Magazine July 31, 1950

[Lpeters199]

This short video clip shows the last putout at Forbes Field, by Bill Mazeroski.

http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200906084940543

[RichardLillard1]

Just because the river has locks now, doesn't mean it doesn't get flooded.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a286/RichardLillard1/pnc_park2.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a286/RichardLillard1/45759839pncpark_flood.jpg

Those are from a few years ago. I remember watching SportsCenter the night it happened. Workers were wading through about two and a half feet of water in the basement of PNC.


Richard

[Lpeters199]

Do you know in what year those flood pictures were taken? Nice shots.

[RichardLillard1]

No idea, sorry. I just did a quick Google photo search.


Richard

[Lpeters199]

This picture and caption contain some interesting information:

[alpineinc]

Do you know in what year those flood pictures were taken? Nice shots.

Sept. 18, 2004.

Link here: http://www.kruckewitt.com/

Another pic:

http://www.kruckewitt.com/pnc_park3.jpg

[Lpeters199]

Light tower.

[Sean O]

I loved the way that Forbes built the light towers, From the in-play base by the outfield wall (like Shibe) to the contrast without any seating near it. Glad they replicated the style for PNC.

[soup]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2387/2193721027_e405842fa9_o.jpg

[SultanOfWhat]

from ebay. Says YS 1960 WS, but it's obviously not, so it must be Forbes. Clemente off first:

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/SwR2Q-TyjVI/AAAAAAAAMi0/XDdPdVIZ9pA/s800/says1960%20ws%20forbes.JPG

1927 WS GM 1:
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/SwR4Ktvi5sI/AAAAAAAAMjQ/XbdWtazXspM/s800/1927%20World%20Series%20Game%201.jpg

[Lpeters199]

I'll bet that was Rocky Nelson hitting a home run in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series. This shot, taken from a different angle, looks like the same swing:

[metfan13]

I'll bet that was Rocky Nelson hitting a home run in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series. This shot, taken from a different angle, looks like the same swing:

But Nelson batted before Clemente that game.

[Lpeters199]

I stand corrected. It sure looks like the same swing. Who followed Clemente then?

[metfan13]

I stand corrected. It sure looks like the same swing. Who followed Clemente then?

Smith, who DID homer that game, in the 8th, with Clemente on first. But he hits RH.

[Lpeters199]

It might have been game 2, when Nelson batted behind Clemente.

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-scores/boxscore.php?boxid=196010060PIT

[metfan13]

It might have been game 2, when Nelson batted behind Clemente.

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-scores/boxscore.php?boxid=196010060PIT

That would be a heck of a swing for a single to LF.

[Lpeters199]

Could have been a swing and a miss.