Old Ballparks

In case you missed it, this week’s theme is how MLB teams used ballparks as marketing devices. No players on these program and schedule covers—just shots of the ballparks. Even the ‘53 Yankees, featuring Mantle, Ford, Berra in the lineup, used Yankee Stadium as essential baseball iconography.

Shea Stadium, 1975. Shea was state of the art at the time, but so much has changed since then. More changes are in store: ballparkdigest.com/2025/09/30/c...

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With two MiLB ballparks pressed into service as MLB homes in 2025, you might assume some historical line had been crossed. Go back to 1961, though, and you’ll find three former MiLB ballparks hosting American League baseball. #MLB #sportsbiz #baseballbiz ballparkdigest.com/2025/04/01/f...

The next stage of RFK Stadium demolition will proceed after the National Park Service approved plans from Events DC to tear down what’s left of former home of the Washington Senators, Nationals and Redskins. No, Magneto will not assist. #MLB #sportsbiz #baseballbiz ballparkdigest.com/2025/02/09/n...

Have a vested interest in this unbuilt ballpark for the Minnesota @twins: yes, the park and Guthrie ended up being a better use for the site; and yes, the current home of this page is within the footprint of this Downtown East site. #mlb

Earl Averill, League Park, Cleveland, 1930. Like the rest of us, he yearns for spring training.

Earl Averill, League Park, Cleveland, 1930. Like the rest of us, he yearns for spring training. #mlb #springtraining #cleveland

Efforts to declare Jackie Robinson Ballpark a National Commemorative Site continue, as the U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan bill moving the process forward to President Joe Biden for his signature. #MLB #MiLB #sportsbiz #baseballbiz ballparkdigest.com/2024/12/28/n...

The Birmingham Barons are set to return to their former home again, announcing a 2025 Rickwood Field game on June 4, hosting the Rocket City Trash Pandas. #MiLB #baseballbiz #sportsbiz ballparkdigest.com/2024/11/21/b...

The Astrodome Conservancy unveiled a new Astrodome redevelopment concept, as the nonprofit teams with Gensler Architects to create a sustainable business vis adaptive reuse for the historic venue. #MLB #sportsbiz #adaptivereuse ballparkdigest.com/2024/11/18/n...

Worthless and turning into a source of disinformation. Ran across a list of right-wing accounts yo avoid that actually contained plenty of lefties, including Mike Nellis.

With Jim Gilliam: The Forgotten Dodger headed to the printer for Dec. 1 preorders, time to discuss his baseball homes. He began his MLB career as a Brooklyn Dodger, so here is a nice simple look at Ebbets Field. Can’t help but think what could have been if O’Malley had never moved Da Bums.

Sicks' Seattle Stadium, c. 1950. Built in 1938 by brewing magnate Emil Sicks for his PCL Seattle Rainiers, Sicks' (or Sick's or Sicks, depending on year) Stadium was located at Rainier and McClelland, a semi-rural area. The 15,000-seat ballpark was built at the site of MiLB's Dugdale Park.

Shea Stadium as it looked when opening in 1964.

Shea Stadium as it looked upon opening in 1964. Yes, most of us remember it from its later years--a little rough on the edges, unloved by the city. But when it opened adjacent to the World's Fair, it was hailed as the stadium of the future.

Seals Stadium, 1949. Home of the PCL's San Francisco Seals (1931–1957) and Mission Reds (1931–1937) and the San Francisco Giants (1958-1959). Nestled in the Mission District (16th and Bryant), Seals Stadium was regarded as the finest MiLB ballpark when first opened.

Rendering of a Los Angeles Wrigley Field expansion to host Major League Baseball, dated February 28, 1957. The Brooklyn Dodgers were laying the groundwork for a California move, but Walter O'Malley had judged Wrigley Field, at 22,000, too small for Major League Baseball.

Anaheim Stadium before opening.

Anaheim Stadium, home of the California Angels, pre-opening in 1966. Now it's Angel Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Angels. Designed by Noble W. Herzberg, who also designed D.C. Stadium and brought some similar elements to this ballpark under Del Webb and Arthur Johnson supervision.

The Polo Grounds receives a temporary reprieve from the wrecking ball when the New York Mets begin what would be a two-year residency in the former home of the New York Giants while Shea Stadium is under construction. Razed in 1964, and the site is now home to a public housing project.

The Polo Grounds receives a temporary reprieve from the wrecking ball when the New York Mets begin what would be a two-year residency in the former home of the New York Giants while Shea Stadium is under construction. Razed in 1964, and the site is now home to a public housing project.

Crosley Field, former home of the Cincinnati Reds, c. 1935-1943.

Crosley Field, former home of the Cincinnati Reds, c. 1935-1943. Located at the corner of Western Av. and Findley St., the former Redland Field was designed by Harry Hake and opened April 1912. It was renamed Crosley Field in 1934 after entrepreneur Powel Crosley Jr. purchased Reds and the ballpark.

Municipal Stadium, former home of Kansas City Athletics, Monarchs, Royals and Chiefs. When the A's moved to KC, city added the 2nd-level grandstand in 90 days to meet MLB specs.

Municipal Stadium, former home of Kansas City Athletics, Monarchs, Royals and Chiefs. This angle shows the history of this venue: bottom of the grandstand is the old single-deck Muehlebach Field (1923-1954). When the A's moved to KC, city added the 2nd-level grandstand in 90 days to meet MLB specs.

Ebbets Field from the right-field corner, former home of the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Ebbets Field, Brooklyn Dodgers home, 1922. Opened in 1913 and built by Dodgers owner Charlie Ebbets on the old Pigtown dump site. On Opening Day keys to the bleachers were forgotten, flag was left behind, and everyone involved never thought to point out there was no press box--finally added in 1929.

Rendering of proposed Dodger Stadium outfield wall design, 1961.

Rendering of Dodger Stadium outfield wall design from the O'Malley archives. Was not implemented in 1962 opening; scoreboard tech was more primitive at the time. Now seen in almost all MLB ballparks.