This Day In History -- Historical Baseball Stadiums First

September 17, 2021 at 08:44 PM EDT

By WeatherBug's Brandon Bush

Tiger Stadium in Detroit, Michigan in 1961 (Detroit Free Press via Wikimedia Commons)

Baseball is one of the most popular, and one of the oldest, sports in America. It’s legacy as “America’s Pastime” is backed by a long history of events that have left an impression in the minds of long-time fans. April 20th is a landmark day for such baseball enthusiasts, so let’s look at what makes this day so special:

The Boston Red Sox are one the most popular and recognizable teams in the MLB. They have been to the World Series 13 times since 1901 and have won nine times. The Red Sox success would continue until Babe Ruth was sold to the Yankees in 1919. The aftermath, often referred to as the “Curse of The Bambino,” was a downward spiral resulting in loss after loss and many near-misses. However, their luck would turn around in 1939 when the team acquired outfielder Ted Williams, ushering in a new era of success. From there, they would go on to reach several more World Series that unfortunately ended in losses until their long-awaited drought ended in 2004. No less recognizable is their stadium, Fenway Park. Building began in September 1911 and finished a few months later, making it the oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball. The first game was played on this day in 1912 and featured the honorary first pitch from John F. Kennedy’s grandfather, John F. Fitzgerald.
A midwestern team of notable popularity and success are the Detroit Tigers. Having made 11 World Series appearances, their winning record stands at four; and they are the only Midwest team to remain in their original founding city. Though now demolished, their original stadium, Tiger's Stadium, would’ve celebrated its 108th anniversary of play today; its opening game was April 20th, 1912. Tiger's Stadium, initially known as Navin Field, began construction in October 1911, and was completed slightly after Fenway Park. The stadium became Briggs Stadium after being purchased by Walter Briggs until 1961. From there, the stadium would be known as Tiger's Stadium. Unfortunately for Tiger's Stadium, the Tigers and the city of Detroit wanted a new stadium, and though many campaigned to save the stadium, ground for Comerica Park was broken in October 1997 and its first regular season game was on April 11, 2000. Tiger's Stadium would stand for over a decade longer until it was demolished in 2008.
Ground was broken for Wrigley Field in 1911 and took three years to complete. It was initially occupied by a team known as the Chicago Whales from 1914 to 1915; the team folded that same year. The Chicago Cubs moved in from the West Side Grounds and have called the stadium their home since 1916. Their first game at Wrigley was held on this day in that year. Also on this day in 1946, their first televised game took place. The Cubs are especially known for having the longest career drought of any major North American sports team at 108 years! They have played in the World Series an impressive 11 times, but have only won 3 in 1907, 1908 and 2016.
Without the Brooklyn Dodgers, the protective headgear would have taken much longer to become a mainstay. They were the first team to wear the headgear during a game on this day in 1941.

Baseball has been among the most popular sports for over 150 years and has no sign of slowing down anytime soon. Each year brings a new host of records to be shattered and some new ones to be set. Unfortunately, the 2020 baseball season is indefinitely postponed due to the rapid spread of the coronavirus. Shutting down Major League Baseball is something that two world wars couldn’t accomplish! Current plans involve the season beginning in May, but no definitive decision has been made.

Image: Tiger Stadium in Detroit, Michigan in 1961 (Detroit Free Press via Wikimedia Commons)