Philadelphia's Old Ballparks (Baseball In America) [Hardcover]

Rich Westcott (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 7, 1996

Philadelphia's rich baseball heritage as seen through its baseball parks is vividly brought to life in this colorful and anecdotal book. Experienced sportswriter Rich Westcott once again dives into a labor of love, taking us back in time to an era when Philadelphia's ballparks were as famous and as much a part of the game as the teams that took the field. Philadelphia's baseball history goes beyond Shibe Park. "Philadelphia's Old Ballparks" is both a documentary and an oral history, providing detailed descriptions of all of the old professional parks and the many teams that played in them, including Baker Bowl, with its right field wall so close to home plate, it prompted sportswriter Red Smith to quip, 'it might be exaggerating to say the outfield wall casts a shadow across the infield. But if the right fielder had eaten onions at lunch, the second baseman knew it'. Shibe Park is also well-documented with its idiosyncracies, as are the others. The recollections of dozens of people players, owners, vendors, ushers, grounds keepers, and fans combine to recreate the world that was held within those walls. Author note: Rich Westcott has served as a writer and editor on the staffs of a variety of newspapers and magazines in the Philadelphia and Baltimore areas during his 35 years in publishing. He is the publisher and editor of "Phillies Report". He is the author of six books, including "The New Phillies Encyclopedia" (Temple), with Frank Bilovsky; "Phillies '93, An Incredible Season (Temple)"; "Diamond Greats"; and "Masters of the Diamond".

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is a brilliant story written by a baseball writer in love with Philadelphia's old ballparks and the players. The parks seem to talk to you as the book describes the history of baseball development in Philadelphia and the U.S.A. If you love baseball, it's a page turner." --Danny Litwhiler, former Phillies star "Rich's exhaustive research is evident throughout. His interviews with fans and those who lived, worked, and played in these baseball stadiums make for a fascinating read spiced with humorous and incredible stories about baseball's monuments of the past." --Harry Kalas, long-time Phillies broadcaster "I love the smell of creosote in the afternoon...Westcott's reconstruction of ballyards past suggests the Sunday aromas of the Connie Mack Stadium press box baking in July doubleheader heat. Under the bubbling tarpaper of the old firetrap was mingled the aroma of sweating scribes, dogs, and burgers sizzling on Mike and Laura's grill and the toxic haze from the tobacco we used to inhale in that innocent time." --Bill Conlin, sports columnist, Philadelphia Daily News (and the Phillies beat writer the final five seasons of Connie Mack Stadium "Rich Westcott has written a very interesting book. I couldn't put it down. I think the book is terrific, just like I thought Connie Mack Stadium was terrific. After reading the book, I learned I'm walking in some pretty good company. Philadelphia's Old Ballparks is really well done. I enjoyed it thoroughly. It gets an A plus from me." --Dick Allen, former Phillies star

From the Publisher

"An old ballpark has an allure that cannot be dismissed. It evokes warm memories while suggesting another era when baseball was a kinder, gentler game. One cannot simply forget it. It's grip is far to strong."

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 206 pages
• Publisher: Temple University Press (June 7, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1566394546
• ISBN-13: 978-1566394543
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,456,366 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Philly's Old Ballparks = Great Book, February 21, 2000

By 

Chip Millard (Silver Spring, MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Philadelphia's Old Ballparks (Baseball In America) (Hardcover)

Rich Westcott's Philadelphia's Old Ballparks is an excellent book about major league baseball parks in Philadelphia that no longer exist. The book focuses on Shibe Park (aka Connie Mack Stadium) and Baker Bowl (aka Philadelphia Park). Combined, these two parks housed major league baseball for a combined 113 seasons, with Shibe Park being the home of the Philadelphia A's from 1909 to 1954 and home to the Phillies from mid-1938 to 1970, and Baker Bowl being home to the Phillies from 1887 to mid-1938. The book also discusses in less detail Columbia Park, first home of the A's, Recreation Park, first home of the Phillies, other "major" league parks from the late 1800's, and some Negro League parks.

The book is loaded with interesting stories about each of the ballparks included. Many first-hand anecdotes from fans and former players about Shibe Park, Baker Bowl, and even Columbia Park are included. With Baker Bowl and Shibe Park, a listing of events in each park, changes over time in each park, and features included in each park are remembered and discussed.

Mr. Westcott's book also discusses the historical significance of each ballpark, particularly Baker Bowl and Shibe Park. Baker Bowl was the first ballpark in baseball to built with steel and brick, and was the first stadium in the U.S. to use a cantilever design. It was also the last pre-steel-and-concrete-era park to be abandoned. Shibe Park was the first all steel-and-concrete park in major league baseball to be built (in 1909) and its materials and design were copied in essentially all ballparks that were built soon thereafter, including Ebbets Field, Fenway Park, and Wrigley Field.

Overall, the book is a loving tribute to the rich history of Philadelphia Major League Baseball. Fans too young to remember the parks in the book (like me) will quickly become experts on these lost ballparks, while fans who went to games at these ballparks will be reminded of their experiences. The book has inspired me to buy other books dealing with old ballparks, and about the only negative about the book is that it will point out the lack of similar books for other major league cities. This book deserves that kind of praise.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars LONG LIVE RECREATION PARK, April 24, 2004

By 

Alphonse Dattolo (HALEDON,NEW JERSEY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Philadelphia's Old Ballparks (Baseball In America) (Hardcover)

THIS BOOK IS GREAT!MY FAVORITE BALLPARK IS RECREATION PARK-THE PHILLIES FIRST FROM 1883-1886.THIS LONG FORGOTTON PARK HAS A VERY NICE CHAPTER IN THE BOOK.PICTURES OF THIS PARK ARE RARE BUT THERE IS A PARTIAL VIEW FROM THE 1884 SEASON.I HAVE BEEN A PHILLIES FAN FOR 44 YEARS AND I REALLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!!!!!!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good History and Great Photos, April 21, 2002

By 

Joseph McCauley (Northville, Mi 48168) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Philadelphia's Old Ballparks (Baseball In America) (Hardcover)

This book about Philadelphia's old ball parks was informative and eye catching.
Too often, old ballpark books glaze your eyes over with trivia or overwhelm you with minutia.
I was delighted to get a feeling about these ball parks, the city and the people involved with them.
The photos are great and really give you a sese of "being there".
I wish there was a book about Ebbet's Field or The Polo Grounds that was this good.
This book leads the way in how a ballpark book should be done.

Bravo Mr Westcott.