ON THIS DAY: June 30, 1909, Forbes Field opens in Oakland
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By Matt Simmons
PITTSBURGH, Pa. — The crowds pouring into the Pirates brand new ballpark had every reason to be excited on June 6, 1909. The team’s winning streak was going strong and they’d eventually make it to the World Series and win their first championship.
Just a 10-minute trolley ride from downtown Pittsburgh, Forbes Field replaced the wooden Exposition Park on the flood-prone and smoke-choked North Shore. Situated among the green hills of still-growing Oakland and adjoining Schenley Park, Forbes Field also bumped up capacity significantly, from 16,000 at Exposition Park to 25,000, the largest in the major league at that time (a further expansion in 1925 would raise that to 35,000).
Named in honor of John Forbes, a British general in the French and Indian War, it was one of the first concrete and steel ballparks. Designed by Charles Wellford Leavitt, Jr., a landscape architect who specialized in gardens at wealthy estates, the palatial grounds of Forbes Field and the ornate details on its multiple decks place it highly in fans’ sentimentality as a “classic” ballpark.
Forbes Field (ca. 1909) Exterior of Forbes Field, a baseball stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Pittsburgh, ca. 1909. [Photograph] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/95503573/ (Library of Congress)
Forbes Field Aerial view of Forbes Field. Forbes Field opened June 30, 1909 and was home to the Pittsburgh Pirates after their move from Exposition Park on the North Side. It also served as the home field for the Negro League team, the Homestead Grays, who played all of their home games here from 1922 to 1939. The legendary ballpark saw Babe Ruth hit his last home runs here and Bill Mazeroski hit his infamous home run to win the 1960 World Series. The actual home plate from Forbes Field has been preserved in the floor of Wesley W. Posvar Hall. A commemorative plaque mentions the final games played; a double-header against the Chicago Cubs on June 28, 1970. The Pirates won both games, 4-1 and 3-2. Demolition began on July 28, 1971 after two fires severely damaged the structure. Picture taken between 1950-1959. (Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System)
Aerial View of Oakland Oakland Aerial View that Shows the Cathedral of Learning under Construction. It also Shows Forbes Field and Pitt Stadium. Picture taken in 1930. (Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System)
Forbes Field View of Forbes Field and the Nash Kelvinator Sales building taken from the Hotel Schenley on a game day. Forbes Field opened June 30, 1909 and was home to the Pittsburgh Pirates after their move from Exposition Park on the North Side. It also served as the home field for the Negro League team, the Homestead Grays, who played all of their home games here from 1922 to 1939. The legendary ballpark saw Babe Ruth hit his last home runs here and Bill Mazeroski hit his infamous home run to win the 1960 World Series. The actual home plate from Forbes Field has been preserved in the floor of Wesley W. Posvar Hall. A commemorative plaque mentions the final games played; a double-header against the Chicago Cubs on June 28, 1970. The Pirates won both games, 4-1 and 3-2. Demolition began on July 28, 1971 after two fires severely damaged the structure. Picture taken between 1961-1965. (Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System)
Forbes Field Forbes Field dugout. (Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System)
Forbes Field A view from the stands at Forbes Field looking toward the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh taken sometime between June and October 1943. The Navy sailor at the end of the field was removed at the close of the season. (Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System)
Forbes Field Entrance to Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Detroit Publishing Co, C. C. & Detroit Publishing Co, P. Entrance to Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pa. Pennsylvania Pittsburgh Pittsburgh. United States, None. [Cbetween 1900 and 1910] [Photograph] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2016815082/. (Library of Congress)
Forbes Field Detroit Publishing Co, C. C. & Detroit Publishing Co, P. Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pa. Pennsylvania Pittsburgh Pittsburgh. United States, None. [Between 1900 and 1915] [Photograph] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2016802439/. (Library of Congress)
Forbes Field Detroit Publishing Co, C. C. & Detroit Publishing Co, P. The Bleachers, Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pa. Pennsylvania Pittsburgh Pittsburgh. United States, None. [Between 1900 and 1915] [Photograph] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2016802441/ (Library of Congress)
Forbes Field Detroit Publishing Co, C. C. & Detroit Publishing Co, P. Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pa. Pennsylvania Pittsburgh Pittsburgh. United States, None. [Between 1900 and 1915] [Photograph] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2016802439/. (Library of Congress)
Forbes Field Forbes Field was Home of the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1909 through 1970. Picture taken between 1909-1930. (Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System)
Forbes Field Photograph shows baseball players and spectators at Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Detroit Publishing Co, P. (1908) Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, PA. Pennsylvania Pittsburgh, 1908. [United States: Detroit Publishing Co] [Photograph] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2015649146/ (Library of Congress)
Forbes Field Detroit Publishing Co, C. C. & Detroit Publishing Co, P. Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pa. Pennsylvania Pittsburgh Pittsburgh. United States, None. [Between 1900 and 1915] [Photograph] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2016802439/. (Library of Congress)
Forbes Field Forbes Field looking from the bridge over St. Pierre's Ravine. Between 1913 and 1914, the ravine was filled in and the bridge was buried, allowing for a larger park space to be completed by 1923. Picture taken on April 6, 1910. (Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System)
1925 World Series (1925) Spectators at World Series, watching Washington Nationals playing in Pittsburgh, Pa. Pennsylvania Pittsburgh, 1925. [Photograph] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/90705711/. (Library of Congress)
Forbes Field View of Forbes Field and the Nash Kelvinator Sales building taken from the Cathedral of Learning. Forbes Field opened June 30, 1909 and was home to the Pittsburgh Pirates after their move from Exposition Park on the North Side. It also served as the home field for the Negro League team, the Homestead Grays, who played all of their home games here from 1922 to 1939. The legendary ballpark saw Babe Ruth hit his last home runs here and Bill Mazeroski hit his infamous home run to win the 1960 World Series. The actual home plate from Forbes Field has been preserved in the floor of Wesley W. Posvar Hall. A commemorative plaque mentions the final games played; a double-header against the Chicago Cubs on June 28, 1970. The Pirates won both games, 4-1 and 3-2. Demolition began on July 28, 1971 after two fires severely damaged the structure. Picture taken between 1961-1965. (Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System)
Forbes Field The parched earth, due to sod and topsoil removal, is the foreground of this view of 52 year old Forbes Field in that section of Pittsburgh near the Pittsburgh campus, July 14, 1971. The University of Pittsburgh has decided to go ahead with plans to demolish the now deserted stadium, purchased in 1968 as a site for its new law school and social science complex. (AP Photo/Harry Cabluck) (Harry Cabluck/ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Forbes Field Scoreboard Forbes Field demolition continues as the scoreboard is dismantled. Forbes Field opened June 30, 1909 and was home to the Pittsburgh Pirates after their move from Exposition Park on the North Side. It also served as the home field for the Negro League team, the Homestead Grays, who played all of their home games here from 1922 to 1939. The legendary ballpark saw Babe Ruth hit his last home runs here and Bill Mazeroski hit his infamous home run to win the 1960 World Series. The actual home plate from Forbes Field has been preserved in the floor of Wesley W. Posvar Hall. A commemorative plaque mentions the final games played; a double-header against the Chicago Cubs on June 28, 1970. The Pirates won both games, 4-1 and 3-2. Demolition began on July 28, 1971 after two fires severely damaged the structure. Picture taken in January 1972. (Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System)
Demolition of Forbes Field Demolition of Forbes Field. Chairs are being removed from the ballpark, as the scoreboard pays homage to a bygone era. Forbes Field opened June 30, 1909 and was home to the Pittsburgh Pirates after their move from Exposition Park on the North Side. It also served as the home field for the Negro League team, the Homestead Grays, who played all of their home games here from 1922 to 1939. The legendary ballpark saw Babe Ruth hit his last home runs here and Bill Mazeroski hit his infamous home run to win the 1960 World Series. The actual home plate from Forbes Field has been preserved in the floor of Wesley W. Posvar Hall. A commemorative plaque mentions the final games played; a double-header against the Chicago Cubs on June 28, 1970. The Pirates won both games, 4-1 and 3-2. Demolition began on July 28, 1971 after two fires severely damaged the structure. Picture taken in 1972. (Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System)
Demolition of Forbes Field Aerial view of Forbes Field demolition. Forbes Field opened June 30, 1909 and was home to the Pittsburgh Pirates after their move from Exposition Park on the North Side. It also served as the home field for the Negro League team, the Homestead Grays, who played all of their home games here from 1922 to 1939. The legendary ballpark saw Babe Ruth hit his last home runs here and Bill Mazeroski hit his infamous home run to win the 1960 World Series. The actual home plate from Forbes Field has been preserved in the floor of Wesley W. Posvar Hall. A commemorative plaque mentions the final games played; a double-header against the Chicago Cubs on June 28, 1970. The Pirates won both games, 4-1 and 3-2. Demolition began on July 28, 1971 after two fires severely damaged the structure. Picture taken April 19, 1972. (Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System)
Demolition of Forbes Field One of the last standing walls of Forbes Field. The formerly complete sign reads "Home of the Pittsburgh Pirates- World Champions 1960." Forbes Field opened June 30, 1909 and was home to the Pittsburgh Pirates after their move from Exposition Park on the North Side. It also served as the home field for the Negro League team, the Homestead Grays, who played all of their home games here from 1922 to 1939. The legendary ballpark saw Babe Ruth hit his last home runs here and Bill Mazeroski hit his infamous home run to win the 1960 World Series. The actual home plate from Forbes Field has been preserved in the floor of Wesley W. Posvar Hall. A commemorative plaque mentions the final games played; a double-header against the Chicago Cubs on June 28, 1970. The Pirates won both games, 4-1 and 3-2. Demolition began on July 28, 1971 after two fires severely damaged the structure. Picture taken April 25, 1972. (Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System)
Forbes Field Highsmith, C. M., photographer. (2019) It's customary when a professional sports stadium outlives its usefulness for it to be torn down and replaced by some sort of development. But when most of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania's, historic Forbes Field baseball stadium, near the main campus of the University of Pittsburgh, was razed in , portions were saved. They include the sections of the brick wall where right-center and right field meet, as well as the flagpole that rose right on the field there. They stand to this day on the very spot where they stood during the stadium's heyday as a mecca for history-minded baseball fans. Allegheny County Pennsylvania Pittsburgh Pittsburgh. United States, 2019. -07-04. [Photograph] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2019691331/ (Photographer: Carol M. Highsmith/Library of Congress)
Despite the excitement of a new ballpark, the Pirates had a lapse in that first game. After Pittsburgh Mayor William Magee threw the ceremonial first pitch, the Pirates lost to the Chicago Cubs, 3-2, in front of an overflow crowd of 30,000 fans.
The ballpark developed a reputation for triple plays due to the generous outfield and also, in part, to its light poles, statues, flags and batting cages located in the field of play, which tended to create helpful defensive ricochets.
The first radio broadcast of a baseball game happened there in 1921, with the announcer using a telephone as his microphone. Other league firsts for the ballpark include the first rain tarpaulin and the installation of pads on the outfield walls.
Inevitably, as the University of Pittsburgh expanded, the ballpark’s era came to a close. The university purchased the land in 1958, but repurposing the site was contingent on the ballpark’s replacement, Three Rivers Stadium, being completed.
The lame duck ballpark’s decay became more and more evident as no one was interested in improving a doomed structure, but “The House of Thrills” wasn’t done making memories.
The Pirates played for over 60 years at Forbes Field and won three World Series during that time. During the 4,728 games played at Forbes Field, no one threw a no-hitter. Perhaps even more surprisingly, alcohol was never sold inside the ballpark either, though fans could bring their own until 1959.
The legacy of Forbes Field lives on at PNC Park, which was heavily inspired by its predecessor. The current ballpark corrected the concrete sterility and distance Three Rivers Stadium imposed between fans and players and restores intimacy and asymmetry to the field of play, which immediately won praise from the fans.