Baseball and America have always had a storied history together. From the sandlots to the major leagues, the game has captivated fans for over a century. And while the players create the action, the fields they play on often become powerful symbols in their own right. Unfortunately, not all historic ballparks stand the test of time. This article takes a nostalgic look at some of the most iconic ballparks that no longer exist.
Ebbets Field
- Home of the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1913-1957
- Distinctive rotunda entry and red brick exterior
- Cherished stadium with a passionate fan base
- Demolished in 1960 after the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles
Ebbets Field in Brooklyn is remembered as the beloved home of the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1913 to 1957. The cozy ballpark featured a red brick exterior, inviting rotunda entrance, and snug dimensions that made for an intimate fan experience. Giants like Jackie Robinson, Pee Wee Reese and Duke Snider played on its hallowed grass. But after the Dodgers relocated to Los Angeles in 1958, Ebbets Field was demolished in 1960. The passing of Ebbets marked the end of an era, but its legacy lives on.
Polo Grounds
- Home stadium for the New York Giants from 1911-1957
- Distinctive deep center field dimensions of 483 feet
- Site of famous “Shot Heard Round the World” home run
- Demolished in 1964 after the Giants relocated to San Francisco
Located in upper Manhattan, the Polo Grounds was home to the New York Giants from 1911 to 1957. This cavernous ballpark boasted the deepest center field in history at 483 feet. The Polo Grounds also hosted legendary moments like Bobby Thomson’s “Shot Heard Round the World” in 1951. After the Giants moved to San Francisco in 1958, the Polo Grounds met the wrecking ball in 1964. Though it could not escape the tide of time, the Polo Grounds remains a fixture of baseball lore.
Sportsman’s Park
- Dual home to the St. Louis Cardinals and Browns for decades
- Massive outfield spaces showcased talented Cardinals teams
- Demolished for the new Busch Memorial Stadium in 1966
- Lives on through memories as crucial to St. Louis baseball history
In St. Louis, Sportsman’s Park hosted both the Cardinals and Browns from 1920 to 1966. Greats like Stan Musial and Rogers Hornsby manned its expansive outfield spaces. But with the opening of Busch Memorial Stadium in 1966, Sportsman’s Park was torn down. Though little physical evidence remains, the ballpark lives on through memories and stories as a key part of St. Louis baseball.
Tiger Stadium
- Illustrious home of the Detroit Tigers from 1912-1999
- Legends like Ty Cobb and Al Kaline played on its field
- Sat vacant for nearly a decade after the Tigers left in 2000
- Demolished in 2009, closing the book on a historic ballpark
Detroit was home to baseball at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull for nearly a century at Tiger Stadium. Legends like Ty Cobb, Hank Greenberg and Al Kaline patrolled its grass through the years. After the Tigers moved downtown to Comerica Park in 2000, Tiger Stadium sat vacant until its demolition in 2009. Though gone, Tiger Stadium remains one of the most iconic classic ballparks in baseball history.
Other Defunct MLB Ballparks that We Still Miss
In addition to the above, here are some stadiums that baseball fans still miss:
- Yankee Stadium (Bronx, N.Y., 1923-2008)
- Shibe Park (Philadelphia, 1909-1970)
- Forbes Field (Pittsburgh, 1909-1970)
- Crosley Field (Cincinnati, 1912-1970)
All in all, while only their stories remain, these four ballparks represent an important chapter in baseball’s narrative. Their demolitions marked the end of an era when stadiums were intimate parts of the urban landscape. But the legends, memories and ghosts of these ballparks still loom large. By remembering iconic ballparks like Ebbets Field, the Polo Grounds, Sportsman’s Park and Tiger Stadium, baseball keeps its connections to the past alive. Though they no longer physically stand, their legacies are forever ingrained in the fabric of the game.