Crosley Field

[driver62]

Here are a few then and now photos of Crosley.15939

15940

15941

The first photo shows an overall view of then and now.

The second photo is looking from the scoreboard down the left field wall.

The third photo shows the terrace in left field. It's the hill going away from you, not the left to right one.

[2Chance]

Good pics! Thanks for sharing!

[Jason R. Maier]

Wow, cool pics

[icee82]

There are a bunch of great Crosley Field photos at www.crosley-field.com.

[driver62]

There are a bunch of great Crosley Field photos at www.crosley-field.com.

I know. That's where I got these photos from.

[Crosley Fielder]

If you walk around the businesses that occupy the Crosley site you are, probably, walking four or five feet above the old field. I think Crosley sat atop an old brick yard that was below street level. The top of LF-CF terrace was level with the sidewalk beyond the wall. They must have brought in many tons of fill to raise the area.

[driver62]

If you walk around the businesses that occupy the Crosley site you are, probably, walking four or five feet above the old field. I think Crosley sat atop an old brick yard that was below street level. The top of LF-CF terrace was level with the sidewalk beyond the wall. They must have brought in many tons of fill to raise the area.

I don't know if they used much fill or not. The left field terrace is still there, although paved over with asphalt now.
(see photo at top of page)
I need to get down there and check out the area.

[icee82]

I have actually been to the Crosley Field location. I travel from NC every year to Cincinnati to see the Reds play at GABP. I am sure that there is probably some fill dirt in that location because I read somewhere that the original field was below stree level. I never went to a game there so I am really unsure about that.

[Astros]

In June, 1967 Jimmy Wynn hit a home run that cleared the fence at Crosley Field and bounced onto the highway behind the park. Does anyone remember this shot? It was supposedly the longest home run ever hit at Crosley Field. I was wondering if there was ever any story as to who may have gotten the ball (if any passers-by even noticed).

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

In June, 1967 Jimmy Wynn hit a home run that cleared the fence at Crosley Field and bounced onto the highway behind the park. Does anyone remember this shot? It was supposedly the longest home run ever hit at Crosley Field. I was wondering if there was ever any story as to who may have gotten the ball (if any passers-by even noticed).

Video of that homerun was put out on a video by either the reds or houston around 20 years ago.

[icee82]

It is really amazing that there are so few photos available of Crosley Field. You would think that a lot of people from Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky would have bunches of pics from that park.

[Crosley Fielder]

Like a lot of history I'm sure there are thousands of pics of Crosley Field in old albums and shoe boxes. I regret I didn't take more pictures of it while it was standing. Seems to me I must have taken heed of those warnings that you weren't supposed to take a camera to the ball park. I should have. ha :)

[driver62]

Like a lot of history I'm sure there are thousands of pics of Crosley Field in old albums and shoe boxes. I regret I didn't take more pictures of it while it was standing. Seems to me I must have taken heed of those warnings that you weren't supposed to take a camera to the ball park. I should have. ha :)

I agree that there are probably many photos of Crosley laying around and forgotten. The sad thing is, about the only people who try to keep the old ballparks alive through sites like this, are ones who actually use to see games there. To younger people, it didn't exist in their lifetime so it means nothing.
If you would walk into every building in the industrial park that now sits where Crosley was, I'll bet not even 1 out of 10 people who work there even know there was once a ballpark there.
It's sad but that's the way is is. I guess it's called progress.

[TJH1923]

I was looking for Yankee photos and came across this photo from 1939 Ws on Corbis.

[icee82]

That particular picture was taken in the top of the second inning in Game 1 of the 1940 World Series. Hank Greenberg singled off Red’s starting pitcher Paul Derringer and Rudy York followed with another single. Bruce Campbell followed with a sacrifice. In this photo, Pinky Higgins has just laced a two run single as Greenberg and York are scoring. The Reds’ pitcher is Paul Derringer. The Reds’ third baseman is Billy Werber and the shortstop is Billy Myers. The Reds’ left fielder is Jimmy Ripple. Derringer was knocked out of the game in this inning as the Tigers scored five runs on their way to a 7-2 victory. Bobo Newsom took the victory in Game 1 but his father died the following day as he had traveled from South Carolina to see his son pitch.

[driver62]

Here's a photo of Crosley Field before it was torn down in 1972. It was used as an impound lot by the city.

[driver62]

This is a photo of Crosley I've never seen before. Notice the fans sitting on the left field terrace. It's a World Series game although I don't know the year.

[icee82]

I would question whether the previous pic was of a World Series game. There are no buntings shown anywhere in the pic. It would have to be either 1939 or 1940 if it was a World Series game because the laundry in left field had been torn down by the 61 Fall Classic. The quality of the pic appears to be too good to be from that era. Also if you look at one of the pics from the 1940 World Series, the signs on the laundry are different so it is very doubtful if this is a World Series game.

[stlfan]

I would guess it is maybe Opening Day 1941. Notice that there seems to be a World Series flag in the upper right hand corner of the photo. Only the word "World" is visible with the Reds logo underneath.

[driver62]

I would guess it is maybe Opening Day 1941. Notice that there seems to be a World Series flag in the upper right hand corner of the photo. Only the word "World" is visible with the Reds logo underneath.

You could be right about opening day as there is no bunting anywhere. Too bad we can't see the scoreboard and find out who the opponent was.
I think that any ball hit into the crowd on the left field terrace was a ground rule double. If not, it would be a very short homerun as it was only 328 feet down the left field line.

[TJH1923]

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[TJH1923]

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[driver62]

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I've seen this photo before. The dirt area outside the centerfield wall is Interstate 75 under construction.

[StanTheMan]

That last photo from TJH.....

It is incredible how the people at the ballpark that day all conspired to wear nothing but Black, White, or Gray shirts. The Reds then painted the grandstands, roof, facade, seats, aisles, etc. in the same shades.

It really makes the green of the field stand out nicely.... :shhh:

And that right field foul line must be about a foot wide!

[Williamsburg2599]

That last photo from TJH.....

It is incredible how the people at the ballpark that day all conspired to wear nothing but Black, White, or Gray shirts. The Reds then painted the grandstands, roof, facade, seats, aisles, etc. in the same shades.

It really makes the green of the field stand out nicely.... :shhh:

And that right field foul line must be about a foot wide!

I'm pretty sure that picture has been colorized, if that's what the :shhh: is hinting ;). And the foul line seems to have dirt surrounding it. (making it easier to see if the chalk kicked up and where it landed, the PG also did this)

[jdgreenwood]

After visting the area and reading various accounts on the internet, I have the feeling that not too many people were sad to see it vacated.

No parking, vandalism, neighborhood, etc.

Also, from what I have read, people were excited to redevelop the river banks, since that era had declined with old buildings and warehouses.

Since, the Reds moved to Riverfront when I was 3, I never the visited Crosley. Are these accurate assupmtions of feelings from the late 60's?

Thanks

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Here is a nice photo of crosley field from the 1960s. you can see the right field bleachers that were called the sun deck for day games and the moon deck for night games.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

In this photo from crosley field you can see Johnny Bench and also can see the ads that were on the left field wall.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

After visting the area and reading various accounts on the internet, I have the feeling that not too many people were sad to see it vacated.

No parking, vandalism, neighborhood, etc.

Also, from what I have read, people were excited to redevelop the river banks, since that era had declined with old buildings and warehouses.

Since, the Reds moved to Riverfront when I was 3, I never the visited Crosley. Are these accurate assupmtions of feelings from the late 60's?

Thanks

I saw Crosley Field one time in 1970 and liked it. it was a small but very nice stadium.the area around it did not seem to be bad back in 1970.

[2Chance]

That top picture, Donald, shows Jim O'Toole (#31) and Tommy Harper (#17) swinging a bat on deck. The others (#41 in Left, #26 pitching and #4 infield) I surmise are coaches. Nice pic. :thumbsup:

A friend had relatives who lived up the hill from Old Crosley and watched the games from their apartment. The area seemed okay to me at that age, but the city definitely wanted to develop the riverfront.

Seems like they still do. :rolleyes:

[Williamsburg2599]

Here is a nice photo of crosley field from the 1960s. you can see the right field bleachers that were called the sun deck for day games and the moon deck for night games.

What's up with the mini-chopper?

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

What's up with the mini-chopper?

If i recall the caption for that photo said that the helicopter was trying to help the field after some rain, if i recall right.
That photo i got back when the new crosley field in blue ash ohio opened up.i donated money for the new crosley field project and got a small booklet with photos.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Here is a nice view of crosley field from behind homeplate.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Here is a nice view of crosley field from the 1961 world series. you can see the sun deck out in right field.

[jdgreenwood]

Nice photos,

Thanks

The situation reminds me of Indianapolis and Bush Stadium. 2-3 miles from downtown and hotels, tired area, no parking, lack of restaurants/bars, etc.


However, I do miss the smell of old peanut shells & stale beer. New park is too nice.

[driver62]

After visting the area and reading various accounts on the internet, I have the feeling that not too many people were sad to see it vacated.

No parking, vandalism, neighborhood, etc.

Also, from what I have read, people were excited to redevelop the river banks, since that era had declined with old buildings and warehouses.

Since, the Reds moved to Riverfront when I was 3, I never the visited Crosley. Are these accurate assupmtions of feelings from the late 60's?

Thanks

What you say is correct. Crosley was located in what was a industrial area a mile or so north of downtown. The Reds bought land around the stadium and tore down a lot of buildings for more parking. In the old days, people from out of town would ride the train to Cincy (I did this once) and walk to the park and the locals would ride the trolley cars.

In the 50's, more and more people were driving to the game which meant more parking was needed.

There was a problem with vandalism. I remember my father taking me to a game and we parked in someones backyard. He paid some kid a few bucks to watch the car. If you didn't, you would return to a car with a busted windshield or flat tires.

The last game I saw there was in the mid to late 1950's. I was in the military from 1959-71 and the Reds had already moved to Riverfront by then.

When you're a kid, you think the park will always be there. I'm sure there are many in New York that thought the same about Ebbets and the Polo Grounds.

[icee82]

That pic of with Jim O'Toole (31) and Tommy Harper (17) is a little confusing.
The manager of the Reds, Dave Bristol wore #4 in 1966. The only year that the Reds had anyone wearing uniform #26 was in 1965 when Charlie James wore it but he was an outfielder. I wonder if the 26 might be another number. I love trying to figure out when these old photos were taken.

[icee82]

Actually that photo that was taken with the helicopter on the field was in 1962. How do I know that? The Crowe Engineering building is gone so it has to be post 1961. Also in 1963, the Reds added plywood to the top of the fence. There is no plywood on the fence. So the uniform #31 is Jim O'Toole. However the 17 is not Tommy Harper but Cookie Rojas.

[2Chance]

originally posted by icee82
#17 is not Tommy Harper but Cookie Rojas.
We have a winner!
Good catch, icee.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Here is a color photo of the scoreboard that was installed in 1957

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Here is a photo of crosley field showing the ballpark being painted white in 1961.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Here is some great info on crosley field from the 1961 Cincinnati Reds yearbook.

[driver62]

Here is a nice view of crosley field from behind homeplate.

I sat behind home plate once when I was a kid. I went here with a church group. Here's a photo showing what it looks like now where home plate was located. Home plate was where the photo on the left was taken.

[sflnyc]

Here are my additions to the Crosley Field Collection

First picture is an undated shot of the then Redland Field

Second photo is from the first night game in MLB history against the Phillies on May 24, 1935 (Attendance 20,422).

Third photo is an aerial photo on January 26, 1937 after the Mill Creek Flood.

Fourth photo is an exterior photo, circa 1941

Fifth photo is of the Center Field fence in the 1940's illustrating the white line and explained Ground Rule for balls in play in that area.

[sflnyc]

Here are my additions to the Crosley Field Collection (cont'd)

First photo is from Opening Day on 4.10.68 against the Cubs (Att: 28,111)

Second photo is from the last game ever at Crosley Field on 6.24.70 (Att: 28,027). Opponent was the San Francisco Giants and we can see the two legendary players, Pete Rose and Willie Mays (both of which were captains of their teams), exhanging line-up cards prior to the beginning of the game.

Riverfront Stadium would open 6 days later.

[icee82]

Does anyone else have any old photos of Crosley Field that are not on the website www.crosley-field.com? I am looking for some new photos or ones that few people have seen.

[StadiumGraveyard]

I'm pretty sure that picture has been colorized, if that's what the :shhh: is hinting ;). And the foul line seems to have dirt surrounding it. (making it easier to see if the chalk kicked up and where it landed, the PG also did this)

Yeah its obviously colorized... I did it for my website, Stadium Graveyard. Its sort of an art print type of idea....
And on the foul line quote, there was dirt surrounding that RF foul line....

[icee82]

This photo was taken on June 23, 1957. The Reds in this pic are Ed Bailey (6), George Crowe (15), and Smokey Burgess (7). The Pirates in this pic are Nellie King (29), Vern Law (32), Roman Mejias (25), and Hank Foiles (20).

[icee82]

Here is another pic from the same day, June 23, 1957 but this is the first game of the twinbill. It is the bottom of the third inning and Nellie King is facing the Reds' Ed Bailey. George Crowe is at second base and Frank Robinson is at first base. The Pirates in this pic are Gene Baker at third base; Dick Groat at shortstop, and Paul Smith in left field.

[icee82]

The pic was taken on June 23, 1957. The Reds' Hal Jeffcoat is facing Pirate pitcher Elroy Face in the bottom of the eighth inning. Gene Baker is at third base, Dick Groat is the shortstop, and Hank Foiles is the catcher. Gene Freese is the left fielder. Of course he eventually played for the Reds. The Reds won the game 5-3.

[icee82]

I believe this is either from 1955 or 1956 but I am uncertain. Any of the Crosley experts that want to jump in on this, please do so!!!

[icee82]

This is from the same game as above but I am unable to tell what game and what year it was.

[icee82]

This is from the same game!

[icee82]

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/170/420524218_f9e5f0d732_b.jpg

[icee82]

Here is another pic from that game.

[icee82]

Another pic from the same day!!!

[icee82]

And another one.

[crablegs]

Damn thats awesome. Most Crosley pics around are usually from when the neighborhood got leveled. Classic Crosley had a cool backdrop with the wall of buildings all around.

[icee82]

I love the old photos that were taken of Crosley prior to 1961. The stadium was surrounded by all of those building...the Superior Towel and Linen Service building down the left field line. The Crowe Engineering Company building in center field. That was the best!!!

[Reds41]

1970

http://img.nytstore.com/IMAGES/NSAP1522_EXTR.JPG

[Reds41]

In June, 1967 Jimmy Wynn hit a home run that cleared the fence at Crosley Field and bounced onto the highway behind the park. Does anyone remember this shot? It was supposedly the longest home run ever hit at Crosley Field. I was wondering if there was ever any story as to who may have gotten the ball (if any passers-by even noticed).

The longest HR that I have heard hit at Crosley Field was also by Jimmy Wynn who hit a shot into the last 2-3 rows of the Sun Deck. It was the closest that anybody had come to clearing the Sun Deck.

[Reds41]

What's up with the mini-chopper?

The helicopter was drying the outfield out after a rain.

[Lpeters199]

The Jimmy Wynn home run over the scoreboard can be seen on a video called The 50 Greatest Home Runs In Major League History. If you look carefully, you can see the ball bouncing on the freeway. Amazon has this video available on VHS at this link:

http://www.amazon.com/Greatest-Home-Runs-Baseball-History/dp/6304962355

[Pelt]

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/170/420524218_f9e5f0d732_b.jpg

To me, I absolutely love the scenery beyond the outfield walls. I think this is/was more beautiful than Wrigley.

Unfortunately, I was born (1971) just in time for Riverfront Stadium when my family lived in the Cincy area.

[icee82]

Those old pics of Crosley behind the laundry burned down were breathtaking. I think Crosley was one of the most beautiful old parks of that era.

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

^Great pics Icee, especially the color ones.

Here are 2 old b/w pics from when Crosley was known as Redland Field

Panorama
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2005/2476545679_f20191b015_o.jpg

Closeup
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2354/2476545859_a9fd1b46f3_o.jpg

[Yoda]

amazing pictures.


I've been on this site for like a month and I've learned so much about old baseball venues.

[alpineinc]

Final game, final batter at Crosley Field, Wednesday, June 24th, 1970. Bobby Bonds at the plate would ground out 1-3 to end it. Reds scored 2 in the bottom of the 8th to gain the lead, with Johnny Bench (in his first MVP year) and Lee May (last HR, last hit, last RBI, last run scored at Crosley) hitting solo homers to knock Juan Marichal out of the box and hand him the loss. The win kept the Reds 9 games ahead of the Dodgers for the NL West lead, and they would go to the Astrodome for 3 before returning home to open Riverfront the following Tuesday, June 30th (8-2 loss to the Braves), where they eventually clinched the NL pennant and opened the World Series that October.

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

[Pelt]

^Great pics Icee, especially the color ones.

Here are 2 old b/w pics from when Crosley was known as Redland Field

Panorama
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2005/2476545679_f20191b015_o.jpg

Closeup
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2354/2476545859_a9fd1b46f3_o.jpg

Wow! Check out the crazy cut of the infield!

[stlfan]

Wow! Check out the crazy cut of the infield!

I think the Polo Grounds way back in the day had a similar clover style infield dirt design.

[Twins91871977]

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Looks like alot of foul territory, almost Oakland Coliseum-like.

[Lpeters199]

http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1091566/index.htm

[J.R.]

The Reds should have built an homage to this place at Broadway Commons instead of the mismash they have now.

[Lpeters199]

Aftermath of a collision at Crosley.

42331

[Reds41]

http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1091566/index.htm

That was bulldozed under about 10-12 years ago.

[Lpeters199]

That was bulldozed under about 10-12 years ago.
Check on the Where's Crosley Now site. I read somewhere that the owner was gone for a while, and when he came back everything was gone.

[Reds41]

Check on the Where's Crosley Now site. I read somewhere that the owner was gone for a while, and when he came back everything was gone.

I know members of the family. Yes, he left the property and when he returned, it was bulldozed. Along with dozens and dozens of Crosley Field original seats.

[Pelt]

Cool little site at http://www.cincysportshistory.com had this little tidbit:

In 1900 the ballpark caught on fire, burning the recently built grand stands and part of the pavilion.The Reds considered moving to East End Park (located on the East side) where the Cincinnati Kelly's played in 1891. But decided to shift the diamond BACK to the way it was before 1894 and reuse the original grandstands..And build temporary grand stands. Interestedly enough, the OLD grandstands and bleachers were not harmed in the fire.

After a season in a half of playing in the charred ballpark, the Reds rebuilt permant new grand stands. The look of the new grand stands were far better then the previous ones built for League Park II. It's columns and pillars were inspired by classical architecture. And created a very lovely atmosphere. With the complettion of the new grandstand, the field was repositioned back to the way it was from 1894 - 1900.

The new grandstands were called the Palace of the Fans. And for some strange reason, baseball historians consider 1902 the end of League Park. And the beginning of a new park called Palace of the Fans. But during that time, Cincinnatians still refered to the gorunds as League Park. Similar to the way that some still refer to Cinergy Field as Riverfront Stadium. If anything, Palace of the Fans should have been called League Park III.

And here is that East End Park:

http://www.cincysportshistory.com/Images/EastEndPark2.jpg

http://www.cincysportshistory.com/Baseball/Kellys/Images/East_End_Park_3.jpg

I wish there was a better shot of the outside of the main grandstands, as it looks somewhat architecturally detailed.

EDIT: I'm having a hard time finding any pics of Cincy League Park, a.k.a Legion Field, which was the precursor to the PoF, which was all on the same spot as Crosley.

[Pelt]

Speaking of the Palace of the Fans, cool pics at digitalballparks.com:

http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/1411/pof1py2.jpg

http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/3628/pof2tt0.jpg

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/1351/pofai1.jpg

Cool model of it:

http://img357.imageshack.us/img357/1791/pofmodelqt8.jpg

[Pelt]

Okay, I found this one pic of Cincy's League Park at http://www.thedeadballera.com

http://www.thedeadballera.com/Stadiums/StadiumsCincyLeaguePark_photo1.jpg

Although it doesn't say anything about the pic really. Still the first time I've seen it.

[Pelt]

Cool old 1914 map of Cincinnati. I put the red arrow at the spot where I think they are representing Redland/Crosley. The res was too bad to see the street names, but I'm pretty sure that's Western and Findlay.

http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/1299/cincinnati1914fc7.jpg

[Pelt]

I know this isn't Crosley, but I thought that because the Reds almost called this home, this was cool to Cincy baseball history.

Cool tidbit of info at this site http://www.projectballpark.org/history/aa/pendleton.html and here is an extract from it:

"The Louisville Colonels and Kelly's Killers were arrested here on April 26, 1891. The Philadelphia Athletics and Kelly's Killers were arrested here on May 24, 1891. The Washington Statesmen and Kelly's Killers were arrested here on June 7, 1891. All for playing ball on Sunday. Wow. You think Kelly's Killers would have learned by June 7 or started playing at another "secret" field outside of Cincinnati."

More from wiki, which also had photos.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e1/PendletonPark1.JPG

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/61/East_End_Park_%28High_Shot%29.jpg

“Pendleton Park is a former baseball ground located in Cincinnati, Ohio. However, during the time when the ballpark was being used by major league baseball, newspapers referred to the park as East End Park more often than any other name. The name Pendleton Park came sometime after major league baseball vacated the facility.

The ballpark was home to the Cincinnati Kelly's Killers of the American Association during 1891. The club has also been referred to as the Cincinnati Porkers, Cincinnati Kelly's Hustlers, Cincinnati Kelly's Braves and even the Cincinnati Reds. Interestly enough, contemporary newspapers referred to the club as the Cincinnati Reds far more often then any other nickname that this franchise is historically known by. This peculiar situation gave the city of Cincinnati two major league baseball teams in the same year with the same nickname. The National League Reds, who played on the west side of Cincinnati and the Association Reds who played on the east side.

The location of the park was just off Eastern Avenue (now called Riverside Drive) in the Schmidt Recreation Complex between modern day Hulbert Street, Babby Alley, Watson Street and Ridgley Street. Ridgley street now dead ends at Babby Alley but it once extended the distance of the right field bleachers. Paul Kramer Field and C.L. Harrison Field are currently located where the park once stood. Just south of Hulbert is the Ohio River and many patrons attending Kelly's Killers games were dropped off by steamboat coming either from the city or from Coney Island. Pendleton Park was one of only a handful of major league parks to have access by way of a river.

At the time, the National League did not allow Sunday baseball games to be played. As a result the rival American Association capitalized on this by having their teams play Sunday games. However, the Cincinnati Association club had difficulty with this due to the fact that the city had the blue law in place which also disallowed Sunday games. Owners of the Cincinnati Kelly's Killers made repeated attempts at playing games on Sundays. Sometimes the Mayor of Cincinnati, Mayor John B. Mosby, would enforce the law and other times he would not. When the Mayor did enforce the law, the Kelly's Killers and their opponents found themselves in jail.

In one instance, before a game played on May 24th against the Philadelphia Athletics, the Chief of Police behaved like a Colonel in the US Army. Dressed in a full military uniform, Chief Dietsch had seventy-five of his police officers marched back and forth on the baseball field prior to game time to try and intimidate the baseball club. He even went as far as to have seventy-five more police officers waiting at the station if the Kelly's Killers attempted to play. The players went ahead and attempted to play anyway. When the game entered the second half of the first inning, Chief Deitsch had enough and had his officers arrest all of the players. The next day the Cincinnati Commercial Gazette reported that "It would be commendable in Chief Deitsch if he would display as much zeal in closing saloons and shutting off a few of the crap games that he has shown in stopping Sunday base ball."

The Kelly's Killers didn't survive the full baseball season, they folded after an 8-0 loss to the St. Louis Browns on August 16th 1891. The final Kelly's Killers game at Pendleton Park was played on August 13th against the Boston Reds and the game resulted in a 1-7 Cincinnati loss.

After the short-lived experiment with major league baseball on the east side of Cincinnati failed, the grounds was acquired by the Cincinnati Gymnasium and Athletic Club, and became known as the "Cincinnati Gym Grounds". They built a swimming pool in the center field area.”

EDIT: That 1891 St Louis Browns team, is todays St Louis Cardinals.

[Pelt]

http://www.ballparkwatch.com/images/cincinnati/Crosley-2.jpg

Cool pics of Crosley being sodded.

http://img397.imageshack.us/img397/2220/85480718xq0.jpg

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/5848/95316216dj3.jpg

[Pelt]

The Beatles making their way to the stage at Crosley, 1966. Love the colors of the old ballpark.



I believe that after this show, the Beatles played another concert in St Louis later on in the day.

[Pelt]

Crosley is at the top. Not sure of the year that this pic was taken, but it's before the upper deck expansion and I can't really see any light towers.

[Gary Dunaier]

The Beatles making their way to the stage at Crosley, 1966. Love the colors of the old ballpark.

48638

The people in the upper deck must have loved their view of the show.

[Pelt]

The people in the upper deck must have loved their view of the show.

Yeah, there is no way that they saw Ringo - just the top of the tent.

Here is another cool shot of the backstop. Interesting use of a straight angle in front of the curved grandstand.

[stlfan]

I came across this cool site of a Crosley model. The page is labeled as Mike Weaver's Scale Model of Crosley Field. Here is one shot of the model from the site.

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.crosley-field.com/images/weaver/pic005.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.crosley-field.com/crosleymodel.html&start=104&h=306&w=595&sz=34&tbnid=4vdVSGx3lQtPwM:&tbnh=69&tbnw=135&hl=en&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcrosley%2Bfield%26start%3D100%26gbv%3 D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN

[Pelt]

Here are a couple good finds of Cincy's League Park. This was the predecessor to the Palace of the Fans. Home plate was in the area of where the right field corner of Crosley field was - At the corner of Findlay and Western.



1884

[soup]

love this park. I wish I would have been around to see it

[driver62]

A restored Crosley Field bus.

[icee82]

Okay...it is time for everyone to begin their research. I have found an oddity that only appears in 1937 at Crosley Field. It appears that the schedule for the next game is painted or is shown on the left field fence. I have never seen this on any other pics of Crosley but both of these are from the same season. I found both of them on Getty Images. Does anyone know about this?

[icee82]

Bumping to the top awaiting an answer on the 1937 Crosley Field pics.

[Pelt]

Bumping to the top awaiting an answer on the 1937 Crosley Field pics.

Don't have an answer for you, but all I know about Crosley and the year 1937 is that it was the year of the big flood and also the year that a previous version of the Cincinnati Bengals played at Crosley - which I can't find a pic of anywhere.

But until then, here's another cool old color pic:

[icee82]

None of the Crosley experts have been able to shed any light on this. I actually e mailed John Erardi of the Enquirer who wrote a book on Crosley Field. He forwarded the e mail to Greg Rhodes who co-authored the book. He did not know and he forwarded his response to the director of the Reds HOF. I have sent a letter to Eddie Joost who is the only living member of the 1937 Reds to ask him if he might know why that was done and if it was only in the 1937 season. I really hope that he responds.

[bobw357]

Went through my collection of Reds photos and only found this 1937 photo with the upcoming schedule on the outfield wall.

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o186/bobw_photos/739ba.jpg

[alpineinc]

13th of a series of ballpark reviews from the Sporting News, 1937, and the reason why I found these in the first place - was looking for the answer to the question posed here regarding the special schedule display on the left field wall, and of course, nothing about that here, lol. They do discuss how colorful the scoreboard is, however. The new dimensions talked about would be for the 1938 season.

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj90/alpineinc/crosleysn37.jpg?t=1225644918

[alpineinc]

Neat shot of Ted Kluszewski, 1951, Cincinnati Sports History (http://www.flickr.com/photos/30680837@N03/2919752293/) on flickr.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3193/2919752293_5a6c2400db_b.jpg


Nice night shot (early '60's?)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1193/651459233_652914b55d_o.jpg

[icee82]

These old photos from Crosley are very exciting. Bobw do you have anymore? That is the first time that I have seen that particular pic.

[alpineinc]

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

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj90/alpineinc/sn4610mackcrosley.jpg?t=1226249622

[alpineinc]

So we know about the '37 flood, but what about the 1913 flood that delayed the start of the Reds' (and Pirates) season? From the Sporting News, April 1913.

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj90/alpineinc/crosley1913.jpg?t=1226284782

[alpineinc]

Opening Day 1929 - advertising for...Coney Island?

http://72.37.159.45/App_Themes/Images/Auctions_Images/811/popups/59003a.jpg


First night baseball game (posted before?)

http://72.37.159.45/App_Themes/Images/Auctions_Images/711/popups/54141.jpg

[stlfan]

I don't know if there still is, but I remember back in the late 80's, early 90's when we'd visit family in Cincy, we went to an amusement/waterpark called Coney Island. There were a lot of older structures there that dated pretty far back.

edit:
Here is the link.

http://www.coneyislandpark.com/

[mrakbaseball]

Is Blue Ash still the site of a resurrected Crosley Field. With 600 original seats. Possibly the scoreboard, flagpole and ticket office. An Old Timers Game was dedicated in July 11, 1988.
from ebaseballparks.com

[icee82]

Yes, it is in Blue Ash. The scoreboard, the ticket booth, and some seats from Crosley are there.

[Pelt]

The scoreboard is a detailed replica. Unfortunately, it isn't the original.

[icee82]

My bad on the scoreboard. It is definitely a replica scoreboard.

[icee82]

I have a question about Crosley and subsequent Riverfront Stadium. I know that Crosley Field holds a very special place in the hearts of Cincinnati fans. It holds a very special place in my heart although I never saw a game there. However do you think the fact that the Big Red Machine was being built and the Reds went to the World Series two of the first three years that Riverfront was open helped acclimate Reds fans to Riverfront? If you think about it many of the wonderful memories in Cincinnati baseball history happened at Riverfront. That first season in Riverfront saw Pete Rose crash into Ray Fosse at home during the All Star Game and later in the year, the World Series was played at Riverfront against the Orioles. The Reds were right back in the Series again in 1972 against the Oakland Athletics.

[soup]

http://tbn0.google.com/hosted/images/c?q=ba2a44bd40cee263_large

[soup]

http://tbn0.google.com/hosted/images/c?q=e10dde9647cf3f42_large

[Pelt]

Those photos are great!

I wish that I could get a panoram of the outfield and scenery beyond the fence - before they started knocking all the surrounding buildings down. To me, the scene beyond the outfield was one of the best looking atmospheres in all of baseball.

[J.R.]

The Interstate surely destroyed this one. Of course, the Reds went and built the new one right next to I-71.

Of all the characteristics of Crosley to bring over, they chose the worst.

[driver62]

Crosley is my favorite old ballpark as it's the only one I ever saw games in.

For a young kid, it was a sea of green in the midst of apartment buildings and factories.

Thanks for the pics.

[icee82]

The above pics are from July 21, 1950 and I believe these pics could be from the same game. The top pic is Jackie Robinson at bat. The bottom pic is Joe Adcock who played in Cincinnati before finding fame in Milwaukee.

[icee82]

By the way, look at the man on the roof in this photo.

[HoldenV8]

Those old photo's kinda make you long for a simpler time don't they? I mean, no war on terror, no skyrocketing fuel prices. And I'd imagine, cheaper seat prices to a ball game.

[Captain Cold Nose]

Those old photo's kinda make you long for a simpler time don't they? I mean, no war on terror, no skyrocketing fuel prices. And I'd imagine, cheaper seat prices to a ball game.

No time is really simple for those actually living in those times. Jim Crow, kids working in the factory or mines for 14 hours a day, need I go on?

Sure, the ticket prices were cheaper. And income was much, much lower. It wasn't simpler for those living then.

[metfan13]

Those old photo's kinda make you long for a simpler time don't they? I mean, no war on terror, no skyrocketing fuel prices. And I'd imagine, cheaper seat prices to a ball game.

30's - Great Depression

40's - WWII

50's - Fear of nuclear war

Nostalgia is nice, but the reality is that all times had their fears and concerns.

[icee82]

I agree with the last two people that posted on the boards. We love the ballparks from yesteryear but I would not want to go backwards and live in those days. Those times seem simpler because we might have been kids during that time and we were youthful and naive as well. All eras had their issues. Prices to game might have been cheap but they were not cheap at that time. If they had been that cheap, the stands would have been packed for every game. I have heard of people working for a dime per hour so the ticket prices were relative to the income of that era.

[icee82]

Here is another pic from 1950. This is Jim Russell of the Dodgers in left. Check out the guy on the pole behind the left field fence.

[icee82]

And yet another Crosley!!!

[Pelt]

Couple of good finds of old League Park. You can see that the infield was where Palace/Crosley's right field corner used to be:

[Pelt]

Also, some great shots of the Palace of the Fans. I really like the last one with the soccer field in it.

[Pelt]

Finally, a good shot of the area beyond the outfield fence.

[soup]

Finally, a good shot of the area beyond the outfield fence.

they must not have been expecting a bunt

[chinese home run]

Here is another pic from 1950. This is Jim Russell of the Dodgers in left. Check out the guy on the pole behind the left field fence.

If someone hit the guy on the pole, did HE win a free Siebler suit, too?

[locke40]

I think the Reds would be a MUCH more popular team nowadays if this Field was still around. What a shame they destroyed such an interesting Field.

[J.R.]

I think the Reds would be a MUCH more popular team nowadays if this Field was still around. What a shame they destroyed such an interesting Field.

Once the Interstate came through, the writing was on the wall. Much of what made the park great was lost.

http://www.cincinnati-transit.net/75-crosley.jpg

As you can see, the outfield view was gutted, and what was left of the neighborhood was consumed by parking lots.

It's difficult for an old-school "neighborhood park" to survive in a town with limited mass transit.

[Milwaukee County Stadium]

Once the Interstate came through, the writing was on the wall. Much of what made the park great was lost.

http://www.cincinnati-transit.net/75-crosley.jpg

As you can see, the outfield view was gutted, and what was left of the neighborhood was consumed by parking lots.

It's difficult for an old-school "neighborhood park" to survive in a town with limited mass transit.

Who knows maybe in like 25-35 years when Great American Ballpark needs to be replaced the Cincinnati Reds will rebuild a new modern Crosley Field on the same site of old Crosley Field, You never know

[icee82]

That will never happen. Crosley Field is located in a rough area of town and it is highly industrialized now as well. The proximity to hotels and restaurants are much better on the riverfront.

[metfan13]

Who knows maybe in like 25-35 years when Great American Ballpark needs to be replaced the Cincinnati Reds will rebuild a new modern Crosley Field on the same site of old Crosley Field, You never know

Why would anyone care if it was built on the old site? The views are gone anyway and it would be a new park, not Crosley. In 35 years there will hardly anyone alive who remembers seeing a game at Crosley.

[davidsb]

http://www.baseball-fever.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=29085&stc=1&d=1189790649I sat behind home plate once when I was a kid. I went here with a church group. Here's a photo showing what it looks like now where home plate was located. Home plate was where the photo on the left was taken.
Cool side by side photos. I see the score board in the distance on the 'now' photo. Is it still there today?

[icee82]

There is nothing at the site but a marble monument and it is somewhat hard to find.

[chinese home run]

There is nothing at the site but a marble monument and it is somewhat hard to find.

I was at the dedication of the monument in 1995; if memory serves me correctly, it should be on the corner of Western Avenue and Liberty Street- or the exit ramp off of I-75 for what used to be Western Avenue.

I haven't been to Cincinnati in over ten years, though- I hope nothing happened to it.

[icee82]

It is still there or it was there several years ago when I went to Cincinnati. It is nestled to the side of a building but there is nothing in the vicinity to alert you that the monument is there. I wish they could do a little more to mark the location of the park but it is highly industrialized in that area now.

[icee82]

For Christmas, my son gave me a DVD of the 1961 World Series between the Reds and Yankees. There were some great scenes of old Crosley Field in that DVD. It was great seeing it in color but at the end, it showed actual game footage in black and white which was great to see!!!

[icee82]

A pic of Crosley down the right field line. The stands are a little empty for this game. The runner appears to be Jackie Robinson. Of course this comes from the LIFE gallery.

[alpineinc]

Watching Jackie Robinson while sipping a 25 cent premium beer and sitting on a 10 cent cushion. Ain't life grand!

[tommybaseball]

I agree with the last two people that posted on the boards. We love the ballparks from yesteryear but I would not want to go backwards and live in those days. Those times seem simpler because we might have been kids during that time and we were youthful and naive as well. All eras had their issues. Prices to game might have been cheap but they were not cheap at that time. If they had been that cheap, the stands would have been packed for every game. I have heard of people working for a dime per hour so the ticket prices were relative to the income of that era.

Yes, I do not believe in living in the past but it would be great to go back for a game. Cue up the Twilight Zone music!

[natron20]

I don't know if there still is, but I remember back in the late 80's, early 90's when we'd visit family in Cincy, we went to an amusement/waterpark called Coney Island. There were a lot of older structures there that dated pretty far back.

edit:
Here is the link.

http://www.coneyislandpark.com/

Also if you notice in the pic from post #109 the advertisement painted on the side of the building in the upper left hand corner

CONEY
America's Finest Amusement Park
SWIM-DINE-DANCE-PICNIC
20 minutes from(?) Fountain Square Route 52 East

[icee82]

Opening Day at Crosley 1956

[Paul W]

crosley was one of the last parks to add overflow seating in the outfield (into the late 50's), this was a common practice in many parks but was discontinued gradually after wwii (as well as photographers on the field and players leaving their gloves on the grass at their positions).
this park was one of the last to have an incline in front of an outfield fence (red arrows) to accommodate the overflow crowds (fenway had the same before the monster was built). note the upward angle of the foul line. this persisted until the park closed (last game pix low left corner).
this situation did allow an up-close experience for those seated out there (green arrows).

[driver62]

Speaking of fans on the field, here's a photo of Crosley with fans sitting in the outfield.

[driver62]

An Aerial photo of Crosley. I have no date but some of the buildings around it have been torn down so I would guess sometime in the 60's. The street running behind the center field wall is now I-75.

For perspective, if you were driving on I-75 southbound and took the Western Avenue exit, it would put you right behing the right field bleachers.

[Pelt]

Great aerial pic. Too bad the area deteriorated around Crosley like that.

[tdinan]

Here's the same general area today, courtesy of Live Maps. You can make out where Crosley used to be using some of the still-existing buildings as reference points.

[driver62]

Great reference photos. Dalton St used to stop at Findlay but was extended after the park was gone. Dalton now goes through just behind what was at one time second base.

[driver62]

Here's a map showing Dalton going through Crosley.

[Mygirljess]

There are a bunch of great Crosley Field photos at www.crosley-field.com.

Wow, they even have a picture of Pete Rose taking the field for the first time, Opening Day 1963.

[icee82]

There are some great photos in the LIFE archives of old Crosley Field. You notice when you look at a lot of these old photos, the teams had trouble drawing crowds back in the '50's and '60's with all of these beautiful parks.

[Paul W]

it's a shame that it started so well for him and ended so badly...

[PurpleMustReign]

Crosley was pretty small. It is amazing that they fit a ballpark in that small of a space.

[mweiford]

This is a photo of Crosley I've never seen before. Notice the fans sitting on the left field terrace. It's a World Series game although I don't know the year.

This is April 15, 1941 opening day against the Cardinals. Standing room only!!! Reds lost this game, 7-3 and were swept by the Cards in this opening series. Not a good way to start the season in defense of the world championship!

[icee82]

I would have to question the date on that photo. You will notice that television cameras are present. From the Reds' perspective, televised games began in 1947. I believe this game might actually be from 1949.

[SultanOfWhat]

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/Shy6sZfDR3I/AAAAAAAAGhU/NT3of42pYBI/s800/Crosley%20Field%2C%20Cincinnati%2C%20Ohio%2C%20Oct ober%204%2C%201939.jpg
Crosley Field, Cincinnati, Ohio, October 4, 1939

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/SiNGza0yC1I/AAAAAAAAGzo/v6vfB4lL0Uo/s800/60701.jpg

[Lpeters199]

1919 World Series picture plus others at this Joe Jackson site:

http://www.blackbetsy.com/joepics3.htm

[Pelt]

Some good finds here. Not sure when the first pic was taken though. The second is of the Palace of the Fans predecessor - League Park. I just love the history of the site itself and not just Crosley.

[icee82]

Here is a pic of Frank Robinson from opening day in 1956 and you can get a close up shot of the fans sitting in the outfield terrace.

[Matt The Hammer]

So how were the rules changed with the overflow crowds? Was the small fence in front of the fans the new fence for the field?

[alpineinc]

As noted, there are many great Crosley LIFE photos - here's a few that really stand out; not sure why the September 1961 shoot (last 3) were in the road unis, btw.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3574/3571773238_155c72b7b7_o.jpg]

http://www.gstatic.com/hostedimg/892305bde3ba7edc_large

http://www.gstatic.com/hostedimg/0c3c46111bf75712_large

http://www.gstatic.com/hostedimg/0864402cf356c7c7_large

[Lpeters199]

Some overhead shots from: http://www.historicaerials.com/Default.aspx

[Lpeters199]

Some items from the rebuilt Crosley Field in Union, Ky from: http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=cincinnati%20suds&w=30778281%40N03

[Lpeters199]

From LIFE Magazine, 1957:

[icee82]

A scene from snowy Crosley Field on April, 1953 from an Ebay auction.

[hcorday]

As noted, there are many great Crosley LIFE photos - here's a few that really stand out; not sure why the September 1961 shoot (last 3) were in the road unis, btw.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3574/3571773238_155c72b7b7_o.jpg]

http://www.gstatic.com/hostedimg/892305bde3ba7edc_large

http://www.gstatic.com/hostedimg/0c3c46111bf75712_large

http://www.gstatic.com/hostedimg/0864402cf356c7c7_large
Might have been a workout just before the opening day.Note that Frank Robinson is wearing a home cap (white with pinstripes) and in the 3rd picture there are ladders in the stands in the background as if they are doing some last minute touchups or maybe hanging bunting.

[Pelt]

A scene from snowy Crosley Field on April, 1953 from an Ebay auction.

Great shot. Crosley will always be my favorite view beyond the fences, before they tore stuff down for the interstate route.

[HollandsComet]

Notice in the above pic where they're called "RED LEGS" on the Crolsey scoreboard? I believe this would've been during the heart of the McCarthy era when being a "Red" was considered undesirable, so the team added "Legs" back onto their name for a while to avoid the stigma...

[alpineinc]

Might have been a workout just before the opening day.Note that Frank Robinson is wearing a home cap (white with pinstripes) and in the 3rd picture there are ladders in the stands in the background as if they are doing some last minute touchups or maybe hanging bunting.

Good catch. Might also be a pre-WS workout.

[icee82]

Those photographs above were taken in different years. The picture of the scoreboard which references Redlegs was taken on opening day in 1956. If you look closely at the Reds' player, it is Rocky Bridges who was better known as a Brooklyn Dodger but he actually played five seasons in Cincinnati which was from 1953 until the Reds placed him on waivers in 1957. Ironically enough this was Frank Robinson's first game in the majors and he was leading off that day. There are probably close to 100 pics on the LIFE site from opening day in 1956.

The next two pics were taken during the pennant winning season of 1961. There are some other photos on the LIFE site and there is a bottle of champagne in the dugout. There is no bunting in any of the photos so I am guessing they were close to winning the pennant hence the champagne being in the dugout. The two bottom pics have Vada Pinson, Frank Robinson, and Pete Whisenant in them.

[Lpeters199]

A search for Crosley Field in Cincinnati magazine turned up some good articles, especially this one about Larry Luebbers:

http://books.google.com/books?id=XR0DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA95&dq=crosley+field&as_pt=MAGAZINES#v=onepage&q=crosley%20field&f=false

http://www.lelands.com/Auction.aspx/AuctionDetailed/52191/November-2009-Catalog/Photo-Collection/The-Cincinnati-Reds-Photograph-Collection/Lot999~1960s-Crosley-Field-Photo-Collection-%28122%29/page1