If you're going to be in Boston and wanted to write a post going 180 degrees in the other direction from this one, you could visit what remains of Braves Field, a clammy, windy, unmourned ballpark where not that much happened. (That's an exaggeration -- there were World Series games and an All-Star Game there.)
It's not hard to get to from Fenway - a reasonable walk, or a short ride on the Green Line.
The site of Huntington Avenue Grounds, where the first World Series game was played, is on the Northeastern University campus -- also not that far away -- though there's not much there; it's a small park with a statue and a marker. October might be a fitting month to visit.
(These are not exactly "off the beaten path" and perhaps you have already been.)
I think I might have seen the Huntington Grounds marker, it's ringing a bell and I walked through the Northeastern campus on the way to Fenway many years ago. But it was in the days before cell phone cameras so I can go back and get a picture at least.
Thanks for the article Amanda. Got directed here from a Fangraphs article.
Navin Field Grounds Crew: what a testament to love of baseball, it's history and what it means to be a true fan! Hats off to those determined to not let a gigantic piece of history just fade away.
It's such a great baseball story. I didn't know about that when I was there; I ran across that whole backstory after I got home, but it adds so much to the new ballpark being on the exact site.
Amanda: Enjoyed your Tiger Stadium "tour" very much, well done. I saw the last three games there, by CHOICE, not by chance. I think we paid 125 dollars for centerfield bleacher tix for the last game in which Robert Fick hit the last HR (slam), the final hit. I live one mile from Fenway Park but also one mile from the Huntington Avenue Grounds (mentioned in another email) and the South End Grounds across the railroad tracks from Huntington (Northeastern University). You should read my piece on the SEG to get a feeling of what else is at Northeastern in your search for "off base" baseball. Google "NU News 50 : Home" for the 50th anniversary issue of the Northeastern News published by my many old pals from 50 years ago back in 2021. My story is about the Grounds and how Northeastern tries to ignore its significance to the area. The two ball yards were about 1,000 feet apart for a decade. There's also the Congress Street Grounds, closer to downtown, but it is also unmarked and forgotten.
Have a great time when you visit. October can be fabulous here, cool with color.
Richard Dixie Tourangeau, SABR 1980-current.
Boston, Rhode Island and Northern New England Chapters.
Well done Amanda! I was fortunate enough as a kid to get on the field at Tiger Stadium when visiting Detroit. My Dad knew someone who knew someone and we went on the field as the Tigers were out of town on a road trip. The tiered stands were amazing to see in person and it felt as if those tiers were right on top of the field. Then there was a flag wayyyy out in center field on a light tower where Reggie Jackson had hit a monstrous home run in the 1971 All-Star game. As a kid I marveled at how a human being could hit a baseball so far! BTW Fenway is every bit as awesome if not more so. Enjoy!
This was excellent! Despite how hard it is for me to accept anything positive towards the Tigers after that last series
Very good as always.
If you're going to be in Boston and wanted to write a post going 180 degrees in the other direction from this one, you could visit what remains of Braves Field, a clammy, windy, unmourned ballpark where not that much happened. (That's an exaggeration -- there were World Series games and an All-Star Game there.)
It's not hard to get to from Fenway - a reasonable walk, or a short ride on the Green Line.
The site of Huntington Avenue Grounds, where the first World Series game was played, is on the Northeastern University campus -- also not that far away -- though there's not much there; it's a small park with a statue and a marker. October might be a fitting month to visit.
(These are not exactly "off the beaten path" and perhaps you have already been.)
I think I might have seen the Huntington Grounds marker, it's ringing a bell and I walked through the Northeastern campus on the way to Fenway many years ago. But it was in the days before cell phone cameras so I can go back and get a picture at least.
Thanks for the article Amanda. Got directed here from a Fangraphs article.
Navin Field Grounds Crew: what a testament to love of baseball, it's history and what it means to be a true fan! Hats off to those determined to not let a gigantic piece of history just fade away.
It's such a great baseball story. I didn't know about that when I was there; I ran across that whole backstory after I got home, but it adds so much to the new ballpark being on the exact site.
Amanda: Enjoyed your Tiger Stadium "tour" very much, well done. I saw the last three games there, by CHOICE, not by chance. I think we paid 125 dollars for centerfield bleacher tix for the last game in which Robert Fick hit the last HR (slam), the final hit. I live one mile from Fenway Park but also one mile from the Huntington Avenue Grounds (mentioned in another email) and the South End Grounds across the railroad tracks from Huntington (Northeastern University). You should read my piece on the SEG to get a feeling of what else is at Northeastern in your search for "off base" baseball. Google "NU News 50 : Home" for the 50th anniversary issue of the Northeastern News published by my many old pals from 50 years ago back in 2021. My story is about the Grounds and how Northeastern tries to ignore its significance to the area. The two ball yards were about 1,000 feet apart for a decade. There's also the Congress Street Grounds, closer to downtown, but it is also unmarked and forgotten.
Have a great time when you visit. October can be fabulous here, cool with color.
Richard Dixie Tourangeau, SABR 1980-current.
Boston, Rhode Island and Northern New England Chapters.
Questions: My email is furballdx@gmail.com
Thank you for this! I'll check that article out. It sounds like there may be some interesting history there.
Well done Amanda! I was fortunate enough as a kid to get on the field at Tiger Stadium when visiting Detroit. My Dad knew someone who knew someone and we went on the field as the Tigers were out of town on a road trip. The tiered stands were amazing to see in person and it felt as if those tiers were right on top of the field. Then there was a flag wayyyy out in center field on a light tower where Reggie Jackson had hit a monstrous home run in the 1971 All-Star game. As a kid I marveled at how a human being could hit a baseball so far! BTW Fenway is every bit as awesome if not more so. Enjoy!
why give a trump state any praise? gross