Pittsburgh Phantoms ( NPSL ) (1967)
Forbes Field was a baseball park in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania , from 1909 to 1971. It was the third home of the Pittsburgh Pirates Major League Baseball (MLB ) team , and the first home of the Pittsburgh Steelers , the city 's National Football League (NFL) franchise . The stadium also served as the home football field for the University of Pittsburgh "Pitt " Panthers from 1909 to 1924. The stadium was named after British general John Forbes , who fought in the French and Indian War , and named the city in 1758.
The US$ 1 million ($26.2 million today ) project was initiated by Pittsburgh Pirates ' owner Barney Dreyfuss , with the goal of replacing his franchise 's then-current home, Exposition Park . The stadium was made of concrete and steel (one of the first of its kind ) in order to increase its lifespan. The Pirates opened Forbes Field on June 30, 1909 against Chicago Cubs , and would play the final game also against the Cubs on June 28, 1970. The field itself featured a large playing surface , with the batting cage placed in the deepest part of center field during games . Seating was altered multiple times throughout the stadium's life; at times fans were permitted to sit on the grass in the outfield during overflow crowds . The Pirates won three World Series while at Forbes Field and the other original tenant, the Pittsburgh Panthers football team had five undefeated seasons before moving in 1924.
Some remnants of the ballpark still stand, surrounded by the campus of the University of Pittsburgh . Fans gather on the site annually on the anniversary of Bill Mazeroski 's World Series winning home run , in what author Jim O'Brien writes is "one of the most unique expressions of a love of the game to be found in a major league city ". [3]
Planning and design[ edit ]
In 1903, Pittsburgh Pirates ' owner Barney Dreyfuss began to look for ground to build a larger capacity replacement for the team 's then-current home, Exposition Park . [4] Dreyfuss purchased seven acres of land near the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh , adjacent to Schenley Park , with assistance from his friend , industrialist Andrew Carnegie . [5] The low-priced land was selected so Dreyfuss could spend more on the stadium itself. [5] Dreyfuss signed a contract that he would "make the ballpark ... of a design that would harmonize with the other structures in the Schenley Park district ." [6] The site was initially labeled "Dreyfuss 's Folly " due to its long distancea 10-minute trolley ridefrom downtown Pittsburgh , but the land around the park developed and criticisms were dropped . [5] [7] Official Pirates ' records show that Forbes Field cost US$ 1 million for site acquisition and construction , however some estimates place the cost at twice that amount. [7] [8]
Dreyfuss announced that unlike established wooden ballparks such as the Polo Grounds , he would build a three-tiered stadium out of steel and concrete to increase longevitythe first of its kind in the nation . [9] [10] Charles Wellford Leavitt , Jr . was contracted to design the stadium's grandstand . A civil engineer , Leavitt had founded an engineering and landscape architecture firm in 1897. [6] He had gained experience in steel and concrete constructs while designing the Belmont and Saratoga racetracks . Based on Dreyfuss ' architectural requirements, Leavitt presented a plan for Forbes Fieldthe only ballpark he would design. [6] Pirates ' manager Fred Clarke also had input into the stadium's design, giving groundskeepers advice on the field , in addition to designing and patenting a device to spread and remove a canvas tarpaulin over the infield in case of rain . [11]
Initial work on the land began on January 1, 1909, [6] but ground was not officially broken until March 1. [5] Nicola Building Company built the stadium in 122days and play began less than four months after ground was broken, on June 30. [5] [12] Though the scoreboard was operated by hand, [13] the ballpark featured multiple innovations such as ramps and elevators to assist fan movement throughout the park, a room for the umpires , and a visiting team clubhouse similar to the Pirates '. [5] The facade of the stadium featured "buff-colored terra cotta " spelling out "PAC" for the Pittsburgh Athletic Company . [5] The light green steelwork contrasted with the red slate of the roof . [5] Some members of the press urged Dreyfuss to name the stadium after himself. However, the owner decided on Forbes Field , in honor of General John Forbes , who captured Fort Duquesne from the French in 1758 and rebuilt a new " Fort Pitt " at the site. [5] [14] In 1935, after Dreyfuss ' death, there was renewed media interest in renaming the stadium "Dreyfuss Field ". His widow, Florence , resisted . However, a monument to Dreyfuss was placed in center field just in front of the wall . [15]
Opening [ edit ]
"Pittsburg can now boast of the world's finest baseball park. It is a marvel of which people in other cities can have no adequate conception until they come here and see it."
Fred Clarke , 1909 [16]
On June 29, 1909, the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Chicago Cubs by a score of 81 at Exposition Park . The two teams opened Forbes Field the following day. Fans began to arrive at the stadium six and one-half hours early for the 3:30 pm game . [11] The game started at 3:30 p.m. Weather conditions were reported as clear skies with a temperature around 80 degrees. [17] Of the crowd, the Pittsburgh Press wrote, "the ceremonies were witnessed by the largest throng that ever attended an event of this kind in this or any other city in the country ... Forbes Field is so immenseso far beyond anything else in America in the way of a baseball parkthat old experts , accustomed to judging crowds at a glance, were at a loss for reasonable figures ." [16] Records show that the first game was attended by a standing-room only crowd of 30,338. [7] Various National League officials and owners were present for the opening pre-game ceremonies , including league president Harry Pulliam , Civil War veteran and manager of Pittsburgh 's first professional baseball team Al Pratt , and American League president Ban Johnson . [11] Pittsburgh Mayor William A. Magee threw out the stadium's ceremonial first pitch. [16] The Chicago Cubs won the first game by a score of 32. Dreyfuss declared , "This is indeed the happiest day of my life." [16] The stadium was widely considered the best in the league. [14]
It is more accurate to say Mayor Magee threw out the first ball . He was in the second tier and threw the ball to John M. Morin , Director of Public Safety , on the field below. Morin then went to the mound and threw the first pitch to the Pirate catcher . [18]
Pictures depict the flag at Forbes Field at half staff on opening day . This occurred to honor recently deceased presidents of the Philadelphia Phillies and the Boston Doves . [17]
The first batter at Forbes Field was future Hall of Famer Johnny Evers , th