The End of Forbes Field
This date in 1970 saw the end of 61 years worth of tradition and baseball history at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh, PA. The last game at Forbes Field was played before 40,918 fans who saw the Pittsburgh Pirates sweep a doubleheader from the Chicago Cubs by scores of 3-21
and 4-1.2
Forbes Field opened on June 30, 1909, with a game against the Chicago Cubs that saw the Cubs win by a score of 3-23. Vic Willis started the game at pitcher for the Pirates and the first batter he faced, Johnny Evers, was hit by the pitch. Later, Frank Chance would collect the first hit and RBI - scoring Evers - in the parks history.4 The first Pirates' win in the park would have to wait until July 2 when Nick Maddox pitched a complete game to beat the Cubs by a score of 4-2.5 The first home run in park history came from Cincinnati Reds player Mike Mitchell on July 5 off of Willis. It was the top of the ninth inning and the Reds were being shutout when Mitchell blasted one over the left field fence6 that landed in Schenley Park.7
Forbes Field was known for its deep outfield dimensions that originally
stood at 360 ft. down the left field line, 462 ft. to the center field
wall, and 376 ft. down the right field line. The left field and center
field walls were covered with ivy much like Wrigley Field in Chicago
today. Left field was full of unique characteristics that could only be
seen at Forbes Field. First, there was Greenberg's Garden named after
home run hitter Hank Greenberg and later renamed Kiner's Korner after
home run hitter Ralph Kiner. There was also the unmistakable large
scoreboard with the notable Longines clock on top. Looming over the
field from the background was the roofline of the Carnegie Library and
Museum building.
The Pirates and Forbes Field hosted the World Series four times. First in 1909 against the Detroit Tigers, 8 again in 1925 against the Washington Senators, and twice against the New York Yankees in 1927 and 1960. The 1909 Series is remembered as the battle between the two greatest hitters of the era, Honus Wagner and Ty Cobb. Wagner would hit .333 with six stolen bases and lead the Pirates to a 4 to 3 series win. Cobb, on the other hand, would hit a measly .231 and never reach the World Series again.
There was never a question about who was going to win the 1927 World Series. The Yankees came into the series with one of the greatest teams in history and easily took care of the Pirates. A photograph of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and the Waner brothers, Paul and Lloyd sums up the series. Before the photograph was taken, Ruth laughingly told the Waner brothers, "You Pee-Wees really hit the ball good, I'm told."9 The Yankees went onto win the series in a four game sweep.
The 1960 World Series will be remembered for the most dramatic moment in Pirates history. With the series tied at three games a piece and the score tied at nine going into the bottom of the ninth inning, Bill Mazeroski stepped to the plate. He took the first pitch for a ball from Yankees' pitcher Ralph Terry. The second pitch Mazeroski deposited over the left field wall as outfielder, Yogi Berra looked up and watched the ball disappear along with hopes of another championship.11 In the seven game series the Pirates would be shutout twice and outscored by a margin of 55 to 27, yet still capture the championship. Young fan Andy Jerpe picked up the momentous baseball, which was his ticket into the Pirates clubhouse and an introduction to Mazeroski. After Mazeroski signed the baseball, he gave it back to Jerpe and said, "You keep it, son. The memory is good enough for me."12
There were other special moments at Forbes Field, like the day in 1927 when Honus Wagner hit a home run over the left center field wall at age 53. There was the day in 1935 when Babe Ruth, while with the Boston Braves, hit three home runs in a game and they turned out to be his last.
The Pirates were not the only baseball team that played at Forbes Field. The Pittsburgh Crawfords and the Homestead Grays of the Negro Leagues, along with greats such as Josh Gibson, Satchel Paige, James "Cool Papa" Bell, Buck Leonard, and Oscar Charleston also called Forbes Field home.
Besides baseball other sports were played at Forbes Field. The Pittsburgh Steelers played footballat Forbes Field from their inception in 1933 until 1957. Originally known as the Pittsburgh Pirates, until they adopted their more familiar name of Steelers in 1940. During their time in Forbes Field the team only reached the playoffs once, in 1947. Their one playoff game was played at Forbes Field and they lost to the Philadelphia Eagles by a score of 21-0. The University of Pittsburgh, Pitt Panthers football team also played at Forbes field from 1909 to 1924.
On July 18, 1951 boxers Jersey Joe Walcott and Ezzard Charles, faced each other for the third time for the heavyweight championship. In the previous two fights went the full 15 rounds and Charles won by unanimous decision. On that day at Forbes Field the results would be different. Walcott came in as the underdog but he knocked out Charles in the 7th round to take the belt. At the time he was oldest heavyweight champion at the age of 37.
It was sad to see the iconic stadium be used for the last time on that day on June 28, 1970, during the doubleheader against the Cubs, and the fans had a
hard time letting go. After the game there was a raffle to give away the bases, home plate, the pitching rubber, player caps and other items around the ball park. However, it was not enough for the fans who stormed the field looking to take home any other treasures that were not nailed down. Fans started to climb the scoreboard and dismantle any pieces that they could take. Other fans stayed in the stands and started to dismantle the seats. One fan, Tom Link, wrote about his adventure of walking away with a few chairs from the stands and ivy from the wall. Later his father would build a patio in their backyard that incorporated the chairs and the ivy, creating a perfect setting to watch Pirates baseball.13
After the Pirates moved to Three Rivers Stadium, Forbes Field sat abandoned. The grass on the infield grew long, the seats in the stands were never repaired, and the scoreboard stood bare. Fire ended any hope fans might have had of saving the old field. On July 17, 1971 there was a fire that destroyed one of the locker rooms and a storage area under the right field stands. The University of Pittsburgh who took over ownership after the Pirates had left had already made plans to demolish the structure. The demolition that the fire had started would not be complete until 1973. 15
There are still a few remnants of the ball park on the University of Pittsburgh campus. Home plate is embedded in the floor of Posvar Hall. It is not in the exact location of the original home plate because that would place it in a stall in the women's bathroom, but it is near by. Also on campus is the still standing center field wall with the ivy.16 Memories of the field can also be seen in the Pittsburgh area. Outside of the Pirates' current stadium, PNC Park is a statue of Honus Wagner that originally stood outside of Forbes Field.
After 61 years of home runs, touchdowns, fights, and excitement Forbes Field was closed. It was a culturally significant part of the Pittsburgh fabric of life. Sports have always been an important aspect of Pittsburgh pride, from the Pirates, to the Steelers and the Penguins. Forbes Field was where people and families gathered together to share their sports fandom, and create lasting memories. However, it was the end of Forbes Field and eventually Pittsburghers would learn to create new memories in stadiums like Three River Stadium, Heinz Field and PNC Park.
1) https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PIT/PIT197006281.shtml
2) https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PIT/PIT197006282.shtml
3) https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PIT/PIT190906300.shtml
4) "How the Game Was Lost by Pirates' Ball Club" Pittsburgh Daily Post, 1 July 1909, p. 10.
5) https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PIT/PIT190907051.shtml
6) Ryder, Jack. “Cincinnati Enquier.” Cincinnati Enquier, 7 July 1909, p. 4.
7) “Pirates Celebrate Fourth By Mutilating Reds.” Pittsburgh Daily Post, 6 July 1909, p. 9.
8) https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1909_WS.shtml
9) Abrans, Al. "Sidelights on Sports." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 29 June 1970, P. 22.
10) Sporting News Collection, St. Louis, MO., 7 October 1927.
11) Associated Press. "Pittsburgh Wins World Series on Mazeroski's Home Run, 10-9." Gazette and Daily, 14 October 1960, p. 40.
12) Associated Press. "Mazeroski Returns Ball to Youngster." Hartford Courant, 14 October 1960, p. 25
13) http://www.post-gazette.com/news/portfolio/2015/05/22/Baseball-Lore-Nothing-topped-Forbes-Field-especially-on-last-day/stories/201501010221
14) Sporting News Collection, St. Louis, MO., 29 June 1970.
15) United Press International. "Fire at Forbes Field." New York Times, 18 July 1971 p. S6
16) United Press International. "Forbes Field wall, home plate an attraction." Sentinel, 20 September 1984, p. A12
Forbes Field opened on June 30, 1909, with a game against the Chicago Cubs that saw the Cubs win by a score of 3-23. Vic Willis started the game at pitcher for the Pirates and the first batter he faced, Johnny Evers, was hit by the pitch. Later, Frank Chance would collect the first hit and RBI - scoring Evers - in the parks history.4 The first Pirates' win in the park would have to wait until July 2 when Nick Maddox pitched a complete game to beat the Cubs by a score of 4-2.5 The first home run in park history came from Cincinnati Reds player Mike Mitchell on July 5 off of Willis. It was the top of the ninth inning and the Reds were being shutout when Mitchell blasted one over the left field fence6 that landed in Schenley Park.7
 |
| Mazeroski hits World Series winning home run. Sports Illustrated/Marvin E. Newman |
The Pirates and Forbes Field hosted the World Series four times. First in 1909 against the Detroit Tigers, 8 again in 1925 against the Washington Senators, and twice against the New York Yankees in 1927 and 1960. The 1909 Series is remembered as the battle between the two greatest hitters of the era, Honus Wagner and Ty Cobb. Wagner would hit .333 with six stolen bases and lead the Pirates to a 4 to 3 series win. Cobb, on the other hand, would hit a measly .231 and never reach the World Series again.
 |
| Lloyd Waner, Babe Ruth, Paul Waner, & Lou Gehrig at the 1927 World Series10 |
There was never a question about who was going to win the 1927 World Series. The Yankees came into the series with one of the greatest teams in history and easily took care of the Pirates. A photograph of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and the Waner brothers, Paul and Lloyd sums up the series. Before the photograph was taken, Ruth laughingly told the Waner brothers, "You Pee-Wees really hit the ball good, I'm told."9 The Yankees went onto win the series in a four game sweep.
The 1960 World Series will be remembered for the most dramatic moment in Pirates history. With the series tied at three games a piece and the score tied at nine going into the bottom of the ninth inning, Bill Mazeroski stepped to the plate. He took the first pitch for a ball from Yankees' pitcher Ralph Terry. The second pitch Mazeroski deposited over the left field wall as outfielder, Yogi Berra looked up and watched the ball disappear along with hopes of another championship.11 In the seven game series the Pirates would be shutout twice and outscored by a margin of 55 to 27, yet still capture the championship. Young fan Andy Jerpe picked up the momentous baseball, which was his ticket into the Pirates clubhouse and an introduction to Mazeroski. After Mazeroski signed the baseball, he gave it back to Jerpe and said, "You keep it, son. The memory is good enough for me."12
There were other special moments at Forbes Field, like the day in 1927 when Honus Wagner hit a home run over the left center field wall at age 53. There was the day in 1935 when Babe Ruth, while with the Boston Braves, hit three home runs in a game and they turned out to be his last.
The Pirates were not the only baseball team that played at Forbes Field. The Pittsburgh Crawfords and the Homestead Grays of the Negro Leagues, along with greats such as Josh Gibson, Satchel Paige, James "Cool Papa" Bell, Buck Leonard, and Oscar Charleston also called Forbes Field home.
Besides baseball other sports were played at Forbes Field. The Pittsburgh Steelers played footballat Forbes Field from their inception in 1933 until 1957. Originally known as the Pittsburgh Pirates, until they adopted their more familiar name of Steelers in 1940. During their time in Forbes Field the team only reached the playoffs once, in 1947. Their one playoff game was played at Forbes Field and they lost to the Philadelphia Eagles by a score of 21-0. The University of Pittsburgh, Pitt Panthers football team also played at Forbes field from 1909 to 1924.
On July 18, 1951 boxers Jersey Joe Walcott and Ezzard Charles, faced each other for the third time for the heavyweight championship. In the previous two fights went the full 15 rounds and Charles won by unanimous decision. On that day at Forbes Field the results would be different. Walcott came in as the underdog but he knocked out Charles in the 7th round to take the belt. At the time he was oldest heavyweight champion at the age of 37.
It was sad to see the iconic stadium be used for the last time on that day on June 28, 1970, during the doubleheader against the Cubs, and the fans had a
 |
| Fans climbing the scoreboard at Forbes Field 14 |
After the Pirates moved to Three Rivers Stadium, Forbes Field sat abandoned. The grass on the infield grew long, the seats in the stands were never repaired, and the scoreboard stood bare. Fire ended any hope fans might have had of saving the old field. On July 17, 1971 there was a fire that destroyed one of the locker rooms and a storage area under the right field stands. The University of Pittsburgh who took over ownership after the Pirates had left had already made plans to demolish the structure. The demolition that the fire had started would not be complete until 1973. 15
There are still a few remnants of the ball park on the University of Pittsburgh campus. Home plate is embedded in the floor of Posvar Hall. It is not in the exact location of the original home plate because that would place it in a stall in the women's bathroom, but it is near by. Also on campus is the still standing center field wall with the ivy.16 Memories of the field can also be seen in the Pittsburgh area. Outside of the Pirates' current stadium, PNC Park is a statue of Honus Wagner that originally stood outside of Forbes Field.
After 61 years of home runs, touchdowns, fights, and excitement Forbes Field was closed. It was a culturally significant part of the Pittsburgh fabric of life. Sports have always been an important aspect of Pittsburgh pride, from the Pirates, to the Steelers and the Penguins. Forbes Field was where people and families gathered together to share their sports fandom, and create lasting memories. However, it was the end of Forbes Field and eventually Pittsburghers would learn to create new memories in stadiums like Three River Stadium, Heinz Field and PNC Park.
Sources
1) https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PIT/PIT197006281.shtml
2) https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PIT/PIT197006282.shtml
3) https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PIT/PIT190906300.shtml
4) "How the Game Was Lost by Pirates' Ball Club" Pittsburgh Daily Post, 1 July 1909, p. 10.
5) https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PIT/PIT190907051.shtml
6) Ryder, Jack. “Cincinnati Enquier.” Cincinnati Enquier, 7 July 1909, p. 4.
7) “Pirates Celebrate Fourth By Mutilating Reds.” Pittsburgh Daily Post, 6 July 1909, p. 9.
8) https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1909_WS.shtml
9) Abrans, Al. "Sidelights on Sports." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 29 June 1970, P. 22.
10) Sporting News Collection, St. Louis, MO., 7 October 1927.
11) Associated Press. "Pittsburgh Wins World Series on Mazeroski's Home Run, 10-9." Gazette and Daily, 14 October 1960, p. 40.
12) Associated Press. "Mazeroski Returns Ball to Youngster." Hartford Courant, 14 October 1960, p. 25
13) http://www.post-gazette.com/news/portfolio/2015/05/22/Baseball-Lore-Nothing-topped-Forbes-Field-especially-on-last-day/stories/201501010221
14) Sporting News Collection, St. Louis, MO., 29 June 1970.
15) United Press International. "Fire at Forbes Field." New York Times, 18 July 1971 p. S6
16) United Press International. "Forbes Field wall, home plate an attraction." Sentinel, 20 September 1984, p. A12
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