My father played his first major league game at Shibe Park in 1937 and played in the first night All Star game - Shibe Park 1943 - I also attended the 1950 World Series game - Phillies against the Yankees at Shibe Park - there is a photo of my dad being honored at Shibe Park in 1938 on our website - Timeless Baseball - great memories of a wonderful ballpark!
334 LF foul line, 447 to center, 329 RF foul line. The power alleys were about 390. The RF wall was 32 feet high, not an easy HR. The scoreboard in RF was 60 feet high.
This city really knows how to take care of it's monumental landmarks, they just allowed it to rott! The animals that lived in the neighborhood were taught to despise the legacy of Connie Mac! So, it came as no surprise that someone eventually set it ablaze. Strange part of North Philly" North Penn/Swampoodle".
@stadiumist1 I also attended that game. I was 12-years-old at the time. Like most Philadelphians, I was looking more forward to opening the Vet than backwards at closing Shibe. It took several years to understand the impact that Shibe Park made on me and that minimal chance existed of baseball capturing me had the Vet been my nascent fan experience.
Lived four blocks from Connie Mack, a child's dream. Got autographs as a kid from many players, both National and American League. Sadly, at the end of each season the autograph book was thrown away, and a new one bought for the next season. Why oh why the a/books were thrown away is something that I can't answer. Living in Swampoodle in the area of the ball park is a memory that will be with me forever. I'm sure that there are many who share that same feeling.
In 1988 Sports Illustrated did an article on Shibe Park. In the 1930s the owners put a 40 foot wall in right field to block the view of the people who built the bleachers across the street.
I also remember the article described how there were brick triangles coming out of the right field wall at right angles that led to odd bounces. Though they may be less aesthetically pleasing, I've heard many old-time ballplayers say they approved of symmetrical playing fields after dealing with that.
Interesting. And, of course, I like your handle name.
Speaking of Shibe/Mack and the old days, I was talking to someone else who grew up in Philly recently (we both moved up north to Boston) and we realized that the pro Philadelphia team that has the most titles is The Mack Men with five. Kind of a sad legacy when a team that uprooted over half a century ago has more championships than anyone else. Let's hope the Phillies begin to close the gap tonight.
Thanks for the reply. Howz this for a stat. The RedSox, since selling Babe Ruth, have won the exact number of pennants (six) and WS titles (2) as the Phillies during the same period! If the Phillies can sting the Yankees, they wil pass the BoSox in championships. Just a thought and not a shot at Boston or the Sox.
That is true - the Sox may claim 7 WS titles, but 5 came before pretty much anyone now alive was born.
People in Boston know of the 2004 ALCS collapse by the Yankees, but I find the 1912 WS collapse by the (then) New York Giants to the Red Sox just as compelling, even if it took place in one half inning.
I hope that WS gets more attention when Fenway Park turns 100 in 2012. I don't think any video footage exists, though I've read all about it in "The Glory of Their Times".
Loved going to this ballpark when I was a kid. The memories of seeing my favorite all time Phillie, Richie Allen, hit them out of the park and bounce off of the Speck Olds sign. The Vet was a dump and I love the new ball park but you cannot erase the memories that Old Connie Mack Stadium gave me when I was a kid.
The Mets didn't have much of a chance to win "the 2007 & 2008 National League East" as John McCain & Sarah Palin didn't win the 2008 U.S. Presidency. The "Phillies" continue to show mockery over the "New York Mets"
See the book, "To Everything a Season: Shibe Park and Urban Philadelphia," by Bruce Kuklick. He covers this history of the park, the teams that played there, those in charge, the history of the neigborhoods surrounding the park, and the social forces that shaped them.
Along the way, Kuklick provides some answers as to the question of a better alternate history unfolding and why it didn't. Some answers can be arrived at by reading what was covered about the Macks, if responsibly researched.
The last 45 seconds are so sad.
alonenjersey 3 months ago
My father played his first major league game at Shibe Park in 1937 and played in the first night All Star game - Shibe Park 1943 - I also attended the 1950 World Series game - Phillies against the Yankees at Shibe Park - there is a photo of my dad being honored at Shibe Park in 1938 on our website - Timeless Baseball - great memories of a wonderful ballpark!
Mr09204007 6 months ago 2
They should have least saved the tower and perthaps the wall, but this hpapend decades ago, few people then were involved in savng buildings.
etrax2000 7 months ago
In the immortal words of Charlie Frank "DAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWGS"
jgbartley 11 months ago
Can anyone please tell me what the dimensions (fence distant) were in the 1960s?
999YORK 1 year ago
@999YORK
334 LF foul line, 447 to center, 329 RF foul line. The power alleys were about 390. The RF wall was 32 feet high, not an easy HR. The scoreboard in RF was 60 feet high.
oldaardvark 6 months ago
Excellent video. I have read up on Shibe Park, and this video has added to what I have learned about it. You did a great job!
charingmartin 1 year ago
This city really knows how to take care of it's monumental landmarks, they just allowed it to rott! The animals that lived in the neighborhood were taught to despise the legacy of Connie Mac! So, it came as no surprise that someone eventually set it ablaze. Strange part of North Philly" North Penn/Swampoodle".
italobambino43 1 year ago
Theres a church there now.
MBOYA22 1 year ago
The home of the Philadelphia Atheletics!!!!!!
Wehategod 1 year ago
I saw my first MLB game at old Connie
Mack Stadium in 1966. I was in attendance on October 1, 1970 for the
final game. Fans staged a near riot and
tore the old ball park apart!
stadiumist1 1 year ago
@stadiumist1 I also attended that game. I was 12-years-old at the time. Like most Philadelphians, I was looking more forward to opening the Vet than backwards at closing Shibe. It took several years to understand the impact that Shibe Park made on me and that minimal chance existed of baseball capturing me had the Vet been my nascent fan experience.
DickAllen4HOF 1 year ago
@DickAllen4HOF
stadiumist1 1 year ago
@DickAllen4HOF Both stadiums will always have a special
place in my heart. Old Connie Mack will always be the first.
stadiumist1 1 year ago
Comment removed
Snowy4091 2 years ago
Lived four blocks from Connie Mack, a child's dream. Got autographs as a kid from many players, both National and American League. Sadly, at the end of each season the autograph book was thrown away, and a new one bought for the next season. Why oh why the a/books were thrown away is something that I can't answer. Living in Swampoodle in the area of the ball park is a memory that will be with me forever. I'm sure that there are many who share that same feeling.
stripemister 2 years ago
I'm glad they tore down Shea right away instead of letting it deteriorate for 6 years like Shibe Park
edkollin 2 years ago
In 1988 Sports Illustrated did an article on Shibe Park. In the 1930s the owners put a 40 foot wall in right field to block the view of the people who built the bleachers across the street.
I also remember the article described how there were brick triangles coming out of the right field wall at right angles that led to odd bounces. Though they may be less aesthetically pleasing, I've heard many old-time ballplayers say they approved of symmetrical playing fields after dealing with that.
zorak1997 2 years ago
They called it the "Spite Fence." It was a source of amusement rather than anger.
DickAllen4HOF 2 years ago
Interesting. And, of course, I like your handle name.
Speaking of Shibe/Mack and the old days, I was talking to someone else who grew up in Philly recently (we both moved up north to Boston) and we realized that the pro Philadelphia team that has the most titles is The Mack Men with five. Kind of a sad legacy when a team that uprooted over half a century ago has more championships than anyone else. Let's hope the Phillies begin to close the gap tonight.
zorak1997 2 years ago
Thanks for the reply. Howz this for a stat. The RedSox, since selling Babe Ruth, have won the exact number of pennants (six) and WS titles (2) as the Phillies during the same period! If the Phillies can sting the Yankees, they wil pass the BoSox in championships. Just a thought and not a shot at Boston or the Sox.
DickAllen4HOF 2 years ago
That is true - the Sox may claim 7 WS titles, but 5 came before pretty much anyone now alive was born.
People in Boston know of the 2004 ALCS collapse by the Yankees, but I find the 1912 WS collapse by the (then) New York Giants to the Red Sox just as compelling, even if it took place in one half inning.
I hope that WS gets more attention when Fenway Park turns 100 in 2012. I don't think any video footage exists, though I've read all about it in "The Glory of Their Times".
zorak1997 2 years ago
Loved going to this ballpark when I was a kid. The memories of seeing my favorite all time Phillie, Richie Allen, hit them out of the park and bounce off of the Speck Olds sign. The Vet was a dump and I love the new ball park but you cannot erase the memories that Old Connie Mack Stadium gave me when I was a kid.
PapaBear251903 3 years ago
The Mets didn't have much of a chance to win "the 2007 & 2008 National League East" as John McCain & Sarah Palin didn't win the 2008 U.S. Presidency. The "Phillies" continue to show mockery over the "New York Mets"
Signal337 3 years ago
See the book, "To Everything a Season: Shibe Park and Urban Philadelphia," by Bruce Kuklick. He covers this history of the park, the teams that played there, those in charge, the history of the neigborhoods surrounding the park, and the social forces that shaped them.
Along the way, Kuklick provides some answers as to the question of a better alternate history unfolding and why it didn't. Some answers can be arrived at by reading what was covered about the Macks, if responsibly researched.
fgldnglbs 3 years ago
WOW! I thought Shibe and Connie Mack were two different parks. I grew up in Philly and my Grandfather would talk about Shibe park. Nice job.
bowiebeeb 3 years ago