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About Their Favorite Ballparks
Baseball Digest, Oct, 2000
by John Kuenster
"As baseball enters the new millennium," writes author Jeff Idelson, "the ballparks that witnessed so much of the game's memorable moments are all but forgotten. With few exceptions, baseball's original hallowed grounds have been replaced by state-of-the-art ballparks that combine all of today's necessary amenities with the classic look of those from days gone by."
In a survey in which he asked Hall of Famers about their favorite parks as well as their first memories of playing on a big league diamond, Idelson came up with some interesting revelations.
Here is how a dozen Hail of Fame members responded to Idelson's two-tiered request:
WHITEY FORD: "I loved Yankee Stadium because I was left-handed. I usually faced mostly right-handed hitting teams there. The fence in center field was 461 feet away, and left center was 457 feet. As long as you kept the hitter from hitting the ball down the line, it was a great park to pitch in.
"My first game was at Fenway Park in Boston in July of 1950. I came into the game with the Yankees losing, 10-0, and left the game losing, 17-4. Later on we found out the first base coach for Boston was letting hitters know what pitch I was throwing with men on base. It was a very tough day, but things got better when coach Jim Turner and Ed Lopat corrected my flaw the next day."
STEVE CARLTON: "By far, my favorite place to pitch was Dodger Stadium during night games. The infield grass was kept long, the pitching mound was very high, the alleys were deep, and the night air seemed to keep the ball from traveling very far.
"My major league debut came at old Busch Stadium on Grand Avenue in St. Louis against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The first pitch I threw was to third baseman Bob Bailey. It was a fastball, low and away. He ripped it for a home run down the left field line. I said, `Damn, that was a pretty good pitch.'"
LARRY DOBY: "I enjoyed playing at Griffith Stadium in Washington. In left and right field was where all the African-American fans sat and cheered, and I had very good games there.
"My first major league game took place at Comiskey Park in Chicago. I pinch-hit and struck out. But, in my next game, I played first base and doubled in a run."
BOBBY DOERR: "Fenway Park was my favorite park to play in. There were no shadows in day games for a right-handed hitter. The left field fence was short and it helped that the wind would blow towards left field most of the time. It was just a great park to play a ball game in. The weather was always good, not too hot like the Midwest.
"I played my first game at Shibe Park in Philadelphia. It was a great thrill because I went three-for-five and I got to see Connie Mack for the first time."
RED SCHOENDIENST: "My favorite ballpark was old Sportsman's Park in St. Louis. It has special memories for me because I met my future wife there. Also, it was special to play in front of all my family and friends. Since I grew up across the (Mississippi) river in Illinois, it was like playing in my own yard.
"My first major league game was at Wrigley Field in Chicago. I was assigned to play left field and, of course, the wind was really blowing. As the wind swirled, I only became more nervous. It was Opening Day for the Cubs and the rivalry between the Cards and Cubs only added to my desire to do well. I had just turned 20 and was very excited to be in the major leagues. I made an error in the outfield, but also made my first hit in the big leagues. I loved every minute of it."
NOLAN RYAN: "Anaheim Stadium was my favorite place to pitch before it was enclosed in the late 1970s. It was such a nice setting and the fans were close to the field. The southern California air was heavy at night so the ball wouldn't carry well.
"I'll never forget my first big league ball game, at Shea Stadium in New York. I faced Henry Aaron and Eddie Mathews for the first time--two of the 500-home run hitters."
BILLY WILLIAMS: "I loved playing at Dodger Stadium. I thought the baseball atmosphere there was great because I was a Dodger fan growing up, although they were in Brooklyn. There was a lot of history connected with that name, the Dodgers. There was always fan support.
"When I first came to the major leagues, the ballpark that comes to mind is Seals Stadium in San Francisco. It was a small ballpark and one of the last knothole parks, a lot of wood."
BOB FELLER: "I really enjoyed pitching at Comiskey Park in Chicago. It had deep power alleys, and it was also deep down the right and left field foul lines. It also usually had a good mound, and the fans were fair.
"My first big league start was at League Park in Cleveland, 1936. I was only 18 years old and I fanned 15 St. Louis Browns, and won, 4-1. I pitched three innings six weeks earlier versus the St. Louis Cardinals and fanned eight in an exhibition game. I relieved several times in July and early August before my first start."
DON SUTTON: "The Astrodome in Houston was my favorite place to pitch because it was more forgiving, especially of high fastball pitchers.
"My first memory of playing at Dodger Stadium was the realization that I was a teammate of Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale, and a member of the 1965 world champions."
MONTE IRVIN: "Wrigley Field in Chicago was my favorite ballpark. In 1956, I came to the Cubs after playing for the Giants for six years. The first time the Giants came in that season, I hit a key home run off my friend, Jim Hearn, and won the ball game for our team. It was very sweet revenge. The feeling lasted for a week.
"In early July of 1949, I reported to the Polo Grounds with Hank Thompson. Leo Durocher greeted us and introduced us around. We sat on the bench for a couple of days and then went to Ebbets Field to play the Dodgers. In the late innings, I was called on to pinch-hit. Joe Hatten was the pitcher. Even though I was a veteran and almost 31, my knees started to knock and wouldn't stop. I called time and stepped out. Finally, the feeling stopped, and I walked on a 3-and-2 count. I ran to first base, just happy to get there. We lost the game, but I wasn't nervous any longer."
STAN MUSIAL: "Sportsman's Park in St. Louis was my favorite. I played most of my games there and I was very comfortable at the plate. I also liked Ebbets Field because I hit very well there. That's where the Dodger fans gave me my nickname `Stan the Man.' That will always be a special place to me.
"I remember my first two hits came at Sportsman's Park. It was the first time I ever saw a knuckleball--thrown by Jim Tobin of the Boston Braves."
TED WILLIAMS: "Fenway Park was my favorite ballpark because it was my home. But, on the road, I loved to play in Detroit. You know, I hit 55 home runs in that ballpark, including two in my first two at-bats. The facade in right field was very close and those Tiger pitchers always came right after you. They didn't try to pitch around you.
"My first official game in the big leagues was at Yankee Stadium--the house that (Babe) Ruth built. And the Babe himself was there. My first time at bat, I struck out against Red Ruffing.
"One of my teammates (Jack Wilson) thought I was a little bit cocky. He came all the way down from the end of the dugout. I was up by the water fountain and the bat rack, and here he comes right for me. Then he says, `What do you think of the big leagues?'
"Well, I gave him a little sass, but I also said this: `I know I can hit this guy (Ruffing).' It later proved that I did hit him pretty good."
This is only a sampling of the good stuff that can be found in the current Hall of Fame yearbook, a highly recommended, 176-page, four-color production that can be relished by baseball fans, young and old.
COPYRIGHT 2000 Century Publishing
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