Crosley Field Opening

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Lore & Background

The site at Findlay and Western had housed three distinct parks for the Reds before Crosley Field existed. From 1884 to 1901, League Park stood there, followed by the Palace of the Fans from 1902 to 1911. Between the 1911 and 1912 seasons, these were demolished to make way for Redland Field, a double-deck steel-and-concrete stadium built for $225,000 by Harry Hake Sr.'s architectural firm. The new park featured a distinctive "V" shape formed by covered areas down the lines and behind home plate, earning it the nickname "The Old Boomerang." Seating was initially modest at 25,000 fans, with all outfield seats located in right field's semi-trapezoid stands known as the "Sun Deck." In 1934, local businessman Powel Crosley Jr. bought the struggling team, and the park was renamed Crosley Field to honor him, coinciding with his advertising of Crosley cars.

In Their Own Story

On May 24, 1935, history was made as President Franklin D. Roosevelt pressed a button from the White House to illuminate Crosley Field for its first night game against the Philadelphia Phillies. A crowd of 20,422 fans watched Lou Chiozza become the first player to bat under major-league lights in a game the Reds won 2–1 behind Paul Derringer. The park saw chaotic moments too; on July 31, an overflow crowd forced people onto the field during a game against the St. Louis Cardinals, leaving manager Chuck Dressen unable to see the action and remarking, "I see the Cardinals got a run — but I don't know how they got it." During that same era, burlesque performer Kitty Burke stepped into the batter's box for an unofficial pinch-hit appearance against Paul Dean. In 1937, after home plate was moved 20 feet toward center field to reduce dimensions, Mill Creek flooded the field under 20 feet of water, prompting pitcher Lee Grissom and traveling secretary John McDonald to row a boat into the outfield.

Reader's Guide

Visitors entering Crosley Field would find one of the smallest parks in the major leagues, rarely exceeding 30,000 seats except for temporary additions on opening day or World Series games. The park was bounded by Findlay Street (south), Western Avenue (northeast), Dalton Avenue (east), York Street (north), and McLean Avenue (west). Groundskeeper Mathias "Matty" Schwab, hired in 1894, laid the sod just in time for the first game on April 11, 1912, a 10–6 victory over the Chicago Cubs. In 1939, roofed upper decks were added to the left and right side pavilions, increasing capacity by about 5,000 seats. The field hosted All-Star Games in 1938 and 1953, and saw the major leagues' first official save on April 7, 1969, when Bill Singer worked three scoreless innings for the Dodgers.

Did You Know?

• Crosley Field was the first major-league park with lights for night games, activated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt from the White House.
• The ballpark was originally named Redland Field and was renamed Crosley Field in 1934 when Powel Crosley Jr. bought the team.
• In 1937, Mill Creek flooded the field with 20 feet of water, prompting a pitcher and secretary to row a boat into left field.
• The park hosted three different stadium structures: League Park (1884–1901), Palace of the Fans (1902–1911), and Redland/Crosley Field (1912–1970).
• Groundskeeper Matty Schwab served the Reds from 1894 until his retirement at age 83 in 1963.