3Com Park / Candlestick Park

[Chisox73]

Here is a pic of The Stick in the 1960s.

http://www.ballparksofbaseball.com/past/candleold.jpg

[Candlestick60]

Hi Can Anybody post some pics of Candlestick Park the way it looked in the 1960s? Color and or Black&White C60

[Williamsburg2599]

Here's one I found on Corbis.com
24632

[HoldenV8]

Gee, looked like a baseball stadium then didn't it.

[nymdan]

Here's two more I found.
http://www.fogcityjournal.com/images/photos/49ers_061109/candlestick_park_tom_gehring.jpg

http://imagesource.allposters.com/images/pic/FIP/SF-00117-C~Candlestick-Park-Giant-s-Pennant-San-Francisco-California-Posters.jpg

And, wow... it's called Monster Park now? I had no idea, I guess since the Jets haven't played there recently so I haven't watched any games that have taken place there within the past few years. Gotta love corporate sponsors.

[HoldenV8]

From Candlestick Park to 3Com Park & now its Monster Park. Money definately talks in pro sport doesn't it.

[Candlestick60]

Thanks for the pics guys It certianly did look like a Baseball stadium then once they inclosed it it looked like a cookie-cutter park:radio C60 PS keep them comming

[Rome Colonel]

For "live" shots of Candlestick Park see the film "Experiment in Terror", which was released in 1962. It has been on TCM in the past year and may be available on video.

[Candlestick60]

For "live" shots of Candlestick Park see the film "Experiment in Terror", which was released in 1962. It has been on TCM in the past year and may be available on video.

Hey Rome Thats one movie ive never seen or heard of thanks for the heads up buddy.C60:radio

[Candlestick60]

Didnt they film the Donna reed show episode at candlestick when they went to San Francisco and saw Willie Mays

[hofflalu]

From Candlestick Park to 3Com Park & now its Monster Park. Money definately talks in pro sport doesn't it.

It will go back to Candlestick Park: voters in San Francisco passed a measure in 2004 requiring the name to go back to Candlestick once the current naming rights deal expires in 2008. One of the few times naming rights will be prevented from continuing.

[Richmond Hill Phoenix]

Here are a couple more shots, both from Corbis:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t246/loughtog/candle2.jpg

Taken in July 1960.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t246/loughtog/candle.jpg

Taken April 12, 1960. The inagural game at the 'Stick.

[Rome Colonel]

More on the movie, which is available on DVD:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055972/

The credits at IMDB don't mention him but John Roseboro is in it too. The game footage is from the 1961 season.

It's possible that they filmed part of a "Donna Reed Show" episode in Candlestick Park. Episode 6-31, "My Son the Catcher" (April 16, 1964) and Episode 7-3 "Play Ball" (October 1, 1964) both featured Mays and Don Drysdale. Leo Durocher appeared in "Play Ball." However, the episode list at IMDB is not complete so there might be other possibilities.

[Richmond Hill Phoenix]

Now that I'm home I've been able to find a few more shots (once again from Corbis.ca):

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t246/loughtog/candle3.jpg
Another shot from opening day 1960.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t246/loughtog/candle4.jpg
Opening day again.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t246/loughtog/candle5.jpg
In the background, the park appears to be under construction.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t246/loughtog/candle6.jpg
The park as it was in 1989. Compare this to the older shots.

[Candlestick60]

Great pics agian thanks guys 1989 compaired to 1960 no comparision at all the original stick was the best.C60. P.S. If any one has pics of the old scoreboard I love to see them that was a cool scoreboard with that old Tarryton sign:radio

[stlfan]

I love the pics of the stadium pre-expansion. I think if the 49ers has never moved in and it would have remained baseball only that it would be considered a classic. It was beautiful when it first opened. I have always wondered a couple of things though. Why didn't they have the outfield extend all the way out to the bleachers in left field instead of having the inner wall? Also, why does the edge of the left field bleachers toward center field look as if there are no seats? It looks like concrete stands and that there are people out there, but not as much as the rest of that outfield section. At first I thought maybe it was because it was dead-center but that would have been painted a dark color for the hitters background. Anyone from the area back then know these things?

[Richmond Hill Phoenix]

About the fence thing, the only thing that I can think of is that they initially were going to make the field go all the way to the stands, but maybe it was too deep (aka there wouldn't be enough HR's). Or maybe they had to do that so that they could fit a football stadium in? I'm not really sure, these are just guesses.

[bobw357]

Picked up a slide today of Candlestick Park from 1962 and it has a clear shot of the scoreboard with the Tareyton cigarettes sign. I'll post a photo after I scan and clean it up.

[Candlestick60]

Thanks I cant wait to see it:radio C60

[Candlestick60]

What great pics and in living color as well good job!!!C60

[alpineinc]

Had to revive this thread with a couple of great pics:

From madalyne53 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/madalyne53/2602817251/) on flickr, 1961.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3134/2602817251_663eb99dfd_b.jpg

1959, in anticipation of the WS, not to be.
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj90/alpineinc/sf1.jpg

1960, the SI cover.

http://i.cdn.turner.com/sivault/si_online/covers/images/1960/0718_large.jpg

[stlfan]

What was the reason why Candlestick was designed so that the upper deck extended down the 1st baseline shorter than the 3rd baseline?

[nymdan]

As a side note, I didn't realize that they're back to calling the place Candlestick, since the naming rights deal with Monster expired recently. Nice to see.

[Sean O]

What was the reason why Candlestick was designed so that the upper deck extended down the 1st baseline shorter than the 3rd baseline?

I believe the (supposed at the time) football field was always meant to go down 3b instead of 1b, so it would make sense to have more direct sideline views. It was also probably to help out wind flow.

[alpineinc]

As a side note, I didn't realize that they're back to calling the place Candlestick, since the naming rights deal with Monster expired recently. Nice to see.

Wow, that's great. "Monster" is just not very classic or awe inspiring.

[J.R.]

The 49ers destroyed this place. I'm thrilled that they're stuck with it.

[Pelt]

I wonder why when Dodger Stadium and Candlestick were being built, they both felt the need to have a gazzillion acres of foul territory around the infield?

At least they've brought things closer at DS now.

[stlfan]

I believe the (supposed at the time) football field was always meant to go down 3b instead of 1b, so it would make sense to have more direct sideline views. It was also probably to help out wind flow.
So I guess that when they had it built, they had it designed with the full enclosure in mind. I guess cutting the length of the upper deck down the 1st baseline allowed for the upper deck to curve around the right field corner better so that when in football configuration, the sideline seats over in right wouldn't be too far from the gridiron. Anehiem tried to emulate Candlestick when it was enclosed in the 80's, but since the upper deck wrapped around the right field corner further away, the sideline seats near the 1st baseline were further from the football field.

[Greg B.]

One of the things I remember reading about Candlestick was that when it was designed and first opened, the seats were supposed to have hot-water heat under them somehow for those chilly days, but that the system was abandoned. Does anyone know if it ever worked and/or what led to the abandonment?

[alpineinc]

Here's some great press about brand new Candlestick from the Sporting News. The radiant heat was for 30,000 seats, which included the entire loge and the first eight rows of the upper deck. It cost $81,000, and if Stoneham had his way "it will never be turned on"!

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj90/alpineinc/can2.jpg

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj90/alpineinc/can1.jpg

[alpineinc]

More interesting stuff on the heating, some pretty funny:


5/25/60 SN

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj90/alpineinc/can5.jpg


1/31/62 SN

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj90/alpineinc/can3.jpg


And, what has to be the last word on the subject, lol -

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj90/alpineinc/can4.jpg

[alpineinc]

Great photo from Dizzy Atmosphere (http://www.flickr.com/photos/daveglass/439251861/) on flickr, vs Dodgers, 1965; McCovey at first.

109200

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

A mix of older and newer......



Two from 1962
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3081/2703525391_941552c2a2_o.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3017/2704346840_9636492f83_o.jpg

Around 1990
ENLARGE (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3126/2703524513_bf7f2caf21_o.jpg)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3126/2703524513_32e08b6716_b.jpg

\ENLARGE (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3126/2703524513_32e08b6716_b.jpg)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3191/2704349102_3818fae06a_b.jpg


Finally, two from Seals Stadium, which Candlestick replaced
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3008/2704349596_d1fe98216e_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3163/2704350322_174b3127e4_o.jpg

[Greg B.]

Wow, thanks for those articles Alpineinc. They sure shed a lot of light on the entire question about the heat. The costs quoted from 1960 really are a hoot -- $5000 worth of oil to run the heating system for a year, 25 cents to park at County Stadium and complaints expected because SF was charging 75 cents, and the cost of the stadium being a little over $5 million. Wow.

Although I was never there, I always liked the design of the original Candlestick as shown in the photos. I like modern design more than retro and so the use of reinforced concrete forms looks better to me than the exposed girderwork that HOK now seems to favor for their designs. I especially like the original light towers at Candlestick. Can anyone comment on how well the stadium worked in its original form? The only odd thing I ever wondered aout was the chainlink ooutfield fence, which seemed strange and almost unsafe to me.

[DiggerODell]

A mix of older and newer......



Mario . . .now those bring back some very fond memories! Particulary the early 60's shots!

The 1st ballgame I ever attended I had no idea I would attend until about 1-2 hours before I was there. My Gramps came home one evening from work at the naval yards in Vallejo (we lived in Benicia, about 35 miles north of the Stick) and says "Davy, you ready to go down and see your San Francisco Giants play a game at the ball diamond?" I couldn't get ready fast enough and we were off. I asked if I might see Billy O'Dell pitch (as a kid, I had it in my mind we must be related or something) and he told me he wasn't scheduled to pitch that night.

So we arrived at the park and I was struck in awe of how large it was from outside . . .up until then all I had ever seen as far as a ball diamond was the little league park I played in. As we walked through the entry leading to our seats which were on the 1st base side . . . my jaw dropped. I had never seen anything so splendied in my life! I thought no place on earth could look so fabulous! From accounts of gramps telling my family later I actually just stood and stared with my jaw dropped for a minute and a half atleast. The bright green expanse . . . I knew no place on earth so beautiful. I couldn't take my eyes off it, and players warming up playing catch and someone in the batters cage . . . and that wonderful sound of the crack of a bat on ball. The sight of #24 . . and #44 . . in real life was almost more than my mind could comprehend.

Till this day, I have no memory of who won that game that evening or who even was the starting pitchers or for that matter the exact date of my introduction to a big league ball park. It simply didn't matter. I was hooked.

Thanks again Mario for those wonderfull photos of the Stick. Someday when I'm drawing my last breath . . . I will remember 5 things very vividly. The birth of my 3 kids, the way my wife smiled when we were married in Kolding, Denmark in 1977 and that evening under lights in 1963 first laying eyes upon a wonderful old ballpark, known as the Stick.

David

[DiggerODell]

A mix of older and newer......



Mario . . .now those bring back some very fond memories! Particulary the early 60's shots!

The 1st ballgame I ever attended I had no idea I would attend until about 1-2 hours before I was there. My Gramps came home one evening from work at the naval yards in Vallejo (we lived in Benicia, about 35 miles north of the Stick) and says "Davy, you ready to go down and see your San Francisco Giants play a game at the ball diamond?" I couldn't get ready fast enough and we were off. I asked if I might see Billy O'Dell pitch (as a kid, I had it in my mind we must be related or something) and he told me he wasn't scheduled to pitch that night.

So we arrived at the park and I was struck in awe of how large it was from outside . . .up until then all I had ever seen as far as a ball diamond was the little league park I played in. As we walked through the entry leading to our seats which were on the 1st base side . . . my jaw dropped. I had never seen anything so splendied in my life! I thought no place on earth could look so fabulous! From accounts of gramps telling my family later I actually just stood and stared with my jaw dropped for a minute and a half atleast. The bright green expanse . . . I knew no place on earth so beautiful. I couldn't take my eyes off it, and players warming up playing catch and someone in the batters cage . . . and that wonderful sound of the crack of a bat on ball. The sight of #24 . . and #44 . . in real life was almost more than my mind could comprehend.

Till this day, I have no memory of who won that game that evening or who even was the starting pitchers or for that matter the exact date of my introduction to a big league ball park. It simply didn't matter. I was hooked.

Thanks again Mario for those wonderfull photos of the Stick. Someday when I'm drawing my last breath . . . I will remember 5 things very vividly. The birth of my 3 kids, the way my wife smiled when we were married in Kolding, Denmark in 1977 and that evening under lights in 1963 first laying eyes upon a wonderful old ballpark, known as the Stick.

David

[Yankee7]

In the picture from 1965 with McCovey at first, it is not the Dodgers they are playing. Look at the first base coach. Even from the back that is the unmistakable figure of one Mr.Y.Berra. Also on his left sleeve you can see part of the Mets logo. Therefore its the Mets that are playing (and at that time probably losing to) the Giants. Still in all---a great picture.

[alpineinc]

In the picture from 1965 with McCovey at first, it is not the Dodgers they are playing. Look at the first base coach. Even from the back that is the unmistakable figure of one Mr.Y.Berra. Also on his left sleeve you can see part of the Mets logo. Therefore its the Mets that are playing (and at that time probably losing to) the Giants. Still in all---a great picture.

Looks right. I'll leave a comment on flickr - he said he took it at age 15 at a Sunday Dodger game. But that has to be Yogi!

[Cubs1945]

Candlestick actually looked early on like it belonged as a ballpark. The 49ers totally ruined this joint just like the Chargers ruined Jack Murphy. It is fitting that the baseball teams have left and the football teams remain. I never want to see a mutipurpose stadium ever again.

[DiggerODell]

Candlestick actually looked early on like it belonged as a ballpark. The 49ers totally ruined this joint just like the Chargers ruined Jack Murphy. It is fitting that the baseball teams have left and the football teams remain. I never want to see a mutipurpose stadium ever again.

I agree with you Cubs1945 . . . 200%. And you did not even mention what Al Davis did to OAC. I don't think atleast in this generation we have to worry about multipurpose stadiums being built (or introduced to existing ballparks). That was simply an experiment which didn't work. Took them approx 40 years and many ruined venues to figure it out . . .but? They did.

[Philtration]

What a shame about the way they butchered the place. It could have been a classic if they would have left it alone.

[Paul W]

it is the mets, yogi coaching 1st his uni has the logo patch on it.
it's hard to tell exactly which day it was; according to retrosheet - 4/25/65 was the largest day game crowd for a mets game at the 'stick. could have been the 2nd inning...

no matter what was done with that place it still would be cold and windy with too much foul room, not criteria for a classic...

[monkeypants]

Great photo from Dizzy Atmosphere (http://www.flickr.com/photos/daveglass/439251861/) on flickr, vs Dodgers, 1965; McCovey at first.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/172/439251861_44da1d1bcb_o.jpg

Damn, they really pulled the fences in when they installed the inner chain link fence. That must have been an absolute cavern when it first opened.

[MattD1972]

Does anyone know how the field was laid out for the Raiders when they played there on 1961 ?
In the same vein, does anyone know how the WFL team had their field laid out in Anaheim? (in pre-1980 pics of Anaheim, there's a 2nd pressbox down the 3rd base line - I'm guessing that's the 50-yard line)
What was it in the 1970's with ruining perfectly good ballparks in CA to use for football?!?

[Chevy114]

A beautiful park that like most stadiums of the 1960s got ruined by expansion. The only difference is they had to do it with the horrible winds they faced! Poor candlestick park!

[Lpeters199]

Candlestick had lots of room for kids to scramble for home run balls.

[JT7]

Is it me....and somebody correct me....I know someone will, but it looks like Candlestick Park was never an exciting park....the expansions made it even worse. To me, there was never anything unique about the park....again though...somebody correct me.

[DiggerODell]

Here is an old "empty Candlestick" I found on my computer, downloaded back in '99 or so.

[DiggerODell]

Is it me....and somebody correct me....I know someone will, but it looks like Candlestick Park was never an exciting park....the expansions made it even worse. To me, there was never anything unique about the park....again though...somebody correct me.


Thats a tough one. I reckon from an outsider it would have appeared unexciting, dull & plain. I always found it "BEAUTIFUL" when I would arrive for a game. I would actually stand outside before entering and merely admire it. I realize now I was young and up until then it had been the only ballpark I had ever witnessed a big league game at. There will "ALWAYS" be a soft spot in my heart for the "Stick". Games were almost always exciting (particulary when they played the hated Dodgers . . . as every ballpark has it's fair share of dull games.

You are absolutely correct on your observation that "expansions made it worse" although I wouldn't have used the word "worse" . . . just . . expansion did take something away from it, something I would ponder in my visits there in later years.

[Gary Dunaier]

Fascinating to see how "lopsided" it was, with more seats on the third base side. Obviously they had plenty of space to make equal stands on both sides...

[alpineinc]

Couple more interesting shots.

1959.

http://webbie1.sfpl.org/multimedia/sfphotos/AAC-5354.jpg http://webbie1.sfpl.org/multimedia/sfphotos/AAC-5353.jpg
http://webbie1.sfpl.org/multimedia/sfphotos/AAC-5358.jpg http://webbie1.sfpl.org/multimedia/sfphotos/AAC-5359.jpg

1960.

http://webbie1.sfpl.org/multimedia/sfphotos/AAC-5282.jpg http://webbie1.sfpl.org/multimedia/sfphotos/AAC-5288.jpg http://webbie1.sfpl.org/multimedia/sfphotos/AAC-5298.jpg http://webbie1.sfpl.org/multimedia/sfphotos/AAC-5302.jpg http://webbie1.sfpl.org/multimedia/sfphotos/AAC-5312.jpg

[alpineinc]

All 1963.

http://webbie1.sfpl.org/multimedia/sfphotos/AAC-5200.jpg http://webbie1.sfpl.org/multimedia/sfphotos/AAC-5235.jpg

Ford Frick.

http://webbie1.sfpl.org/multimedia/sfphotos/AAC-5238.jpg

http://webbie1.sfpl.org/multimedia/sfphotos/AAC-5323.jpg http://webbie1.sfpl.org/multimedia/sfphotos/AAC-5204.jpg http://webbie1.sfpl.org/multimedia/sfphotos/AAC-5206.jpg http://webbie1.sfpl.org/multimedia/sfphotos/AAC-5233.jpg http://webbie1.sfpl.org/multimedia/sfphotos/AAC-5226.jpg http://webbie1.sfpl.org/multimedia/sfphotos/AAC-5230.jpg

1964.

http://webbie1.sfpl.org/multimedia/sfphotos/MOR-0310.jpg

[BleedingOrange]

These old shots of the Stick are great. I have never seen any old photos before. My first game was 89 against Philly. Upper deck on the 3rd base line. Clark made a diving catch of a foul pop behind first. Remember it like it was yesterday. UUUUURRRIIIBEEEEEE!!! Good times. I live in Japan so I'am out of the loop. When do the 49ers move out?? What does the city plan to do with the Stick?? Does anyone know if old seats have ever been sold.

[Rennie Stennett]

I love these old pics. Mays said that he would have hit 800 home runs if he didn't have to hit in the stick. The provailing winds blow in from LF and out towards RF. The LF stands upper decks was not completed until the early 70's when the 49'ers moved in and at this time as we know Mays career was almost over.

I attended one game at the stick. It was a Saturday afternoon game in September of 1998. Orel Hershiser started the game for the Giants and he knocked a single. I remember I stipped down to shorts and a t-shirt at the start of the game (it was hot) but by the seventh inning it was freezing cold and I put on sweats and a coat and hat.

[BleedingOrange]

These old shots of the Stick are great. I have never seen any old photos before. My first game was 89 against Philly. Upper deck on the 3rd base line. Clark made a diving catch of a foul pop behind first. Remember it like it was yesterday. UUUUURRRIIIBEEEEEE!!! Good times. I live in Japan so I'am out of the loop. When do the 49ers move out?? What does the city plan to do with the Stick?? Does anyone know if old seats have ever been sold.

[Aviator_Frank]

Fascinating to see how "lopsided" it was, with more seats on the third base side. Obviously they had plenty of space to make equal stands on both sides...

It looked very Yankee Stadiumesque with the partial grandstands and the wrap-around field boxes.

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

Great pics.

My first thought upon seeing this one was "Those are long lines for the porto-johns. Didn't they have facilities inside?"

http://webbie1.sfpl.org/multimedia/sfphotos/AAC-5323.jpg

[PeteU]

These old shots of the Stick are great. I have never seen any old photos before. My first game was 89 against Philly. Upper deck on the 3rd base line. Clark made a diving catch of a foul pop behind first. Remember it like it was yesterday. UUUUURRRIIIBEEEEEE!!! Good times. I live in Japan so I'am out of the loop. When do the 49ers move out?? What does the city plan to do with the Stick?? Does anyone know if old seats have ever been sold.

The 49ers new stadium plan has been in limbo for about a decade now. I've heard the most recent desire is to move to Santa Clara but far as I know nothing has been approved to date. So for the time being the Stick is secure, for football at least.

[Rennie Stennett]

Great pics.

My first thought upon seeing this one was "Those are long lines for the porto-johns. Didn't they have facilities inside?"

http://webbie1.sfpl.org/multimedia/sfphotos/AAC-5323.jpg

The game I went back in like 98 where that hill starts behind the ticket offices, there was all these buses parked with neighborhood names attached to their route signs and no cabs there as the game was over. I had no idea what bus to take as i was headed to the bottom of petrero hill to see a band at the bottom of the hill club (kool club by the way). I got luck and jumped on the correct bus and only had to walk like twenty blocks through the mission district to get to the club.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1216/is_/ai_4224820

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potrero_Hill

[alpineinc]

..........

[alpineinc]

..........

[ChineseDemocracy]

That wasn't a bad looking park when it first opened.

Their upper deck reminds me of Renovated Yankee Stadium's upper deck, at least from the back.

[chinese home run]

More Opening Day '60 - with V.P. Nixon!

http://72.37.159.45/App_Themes/Images/Auctions_Images/711/popups/52940a.jpg

http://72.37.159.45/App_Themes/Images/Auctions_Images/711/popups/52940b.jpg

Great pictures of Opening Day 1960 alpine inc!

The fellow throwing out the first pitch is San Francisco mayor George Christopher- he shows up in a few other pictures in this thread as well.

In 1962, when Nixon ran for governor of California, Christopher was his running mate as lieutenant governor.

Thank goodness AT &T Park is around- we don't have Candlestick to kick around anymore (lol)

[Smirkman]

I love these old pics. Mays said that he would have hit 800 home runs if he didn't have to hit in the stick. The provailing winds blow in from LF and out towards RF. The LF stands upper decks was not completed until the early 70's when the 49'ers moved in and at this time as we know Mays career was almost over.

I attended one game at the stick. It was a Saturday afternoon game in September of 1998. Orel Hershiser started the game for the Giants and he knocked a single. I remember I stipped down to shorts and a t-shirt at the start of the game (it was hot) but by the seventh inning it was freezing cold and I put on sweats and a coat and hat.


Mays may have been a great player but he is wrong in regards to the Stick. He hit more HR's in the Stick than on the road. See article below. Perhaps Mays may have hit 700 if he didn't miss time in the war.

http://a.espncdn.com/mlb/columns/neyer_rob/1374309.html

[Pelt]

http://72.37.159.45/App_Themes/Images/Auctions_Images/805/popups/56797b.jpg

http://72.37.159.45/App_Themes/Images/Auctions_Images/801/popups/55746a.jpg

These two pics illustrate why I was never a big fan of the Stick - even before the Niners expansion to it.

The first pic shows a ridiculous amount of foul territory, with an upper deck that still ended up with bad sight lines - as seen in the second pic.

So, you have a baseball park with stands that are far away from the field, that has obstructing support poles, which support an upper deck that you still can't even see the whole field from.

[yelloiamjeff]

I was browsing the internet and all I could find are these pictures of Candlestick Park. It's a start but I want to see some other classic photos.

http://www.chrisputro.com/ballparks/19880823%20Candlestick%20Park%20-%20scoreboard.jpg
http://www.chrisputro.com/ballparks/19880823%20Candlestick%20Park%20-%20field.jpg
http://www.chrisputro.com/ballparks/19880823%20Candlestick%20Park%20-%20outfield.jpg
http://www.zackhample.com/photos/1993/zack_candlestick_park.jpg
http://www.baseball-statistics.com/Ballparks/SF/candlestick1.jpg
http://www.projectreplay.com/dmb/dmbnewimage/candlestick%20park-%20turf.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3112/2639144084_9367919296_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2100/2510571814_9f3fd9862b_o.jpg

[alpineinc]

...........

[alpineinc]

Here a couple good ones from 1960 to bump this great thread.

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj90/alpineinc/InsideCandlestickParkca1960.jpg

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj90/alpineinc/CandlestickParkseenfromparkinglot.jpg

[CandlestickBum]

Although I was never there, I always liked the design of the original Candlestick as shown in the photos. I like modern design more than retro and so the use of reinforced concrete forms looks better to me than the exposed girderwork that HOK now seems to favor for their designs. I especially like the original light towers at Candlestick. Can anyone comment on how well the stadium worked in its original form? The only odd thing I ever wondered aout was the chainlink ooutfield fence, which seemed strange and almost unsafe to me.

Everyone I've ever talked to loved the enclosure. Aesthetically is may not have been very nice too look at, but it guarded against the winds, which are really, really bad there even after the walls went up. I can hardly imagine how bad they were before.

[CandlestickBum]

These two pics illustrate why I was never a big fan of the Stick - even before the Niners expansion to it.

The first pic shows a ridiculous amount of foul territory, with an upper deck that still ended up with bad sight lines - as seen in the second pic.

So, you have a baseball park with stands that are far away from the field, that has obstructing support poles, which support an upper deck that you still can't even see the whole field from.

I can't disagree with you. Only reason I liked it was cuz it was "ours" and visiting players hated even more than our players.

There was a kind of wierd "survivor" mentality among the regular fans of the place.

[MontanaJim74]

Please see -> http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=62120&highlight=candlestick

Site is so busy that great threads get buried, just gotta "Search" them out!

yeah but that other thread is about pre-renovated Candlestick. I'd like to see more pics since the 72 renovation like those shown here.

I never got the chance to see the giants at the stick. but now every year i try to go to a 49ers game there and imagine how it must have been like for baseball. Does anyone know where homeplate was located? My guess is it was somewhere around the southwest corner of the endzone that is there now for football games.

[Anubis2051]

yeah but that other thread is about pre-renovated Candlestick. I'd like to see more pics since the 72 renovation like those shown here.

I never got the chance to see the giants at the stick. but now every year i try to go to a 49ers game there and imagine how it must have been like for baseball. Does anyone know where homeplate was located? My guess is it was somewhere around the southwest corner of the endzone that is there now for football games.

You are correct. I believe the dugouts are still there, although they now have a 49ers cover on them. The stadium also curves out a little bit there.

[Milwaukee County Stadium]

Here are some photos of Candlestick Park from getty

[Milwaukee County Stadium]

Some more photos of Candlestick Park from getty

[Milwaukee County Stadium]

more photos of Candlestick Park

[MarthaT]

Love the old photos, looks like it was a pretty nice park

[Milwaukee County Stadium]

Some more photos of Candlestick Park from getty

[Milwaukee County Stadium]

some more photos of Candlestick Park from around 1990-1994

[Milwaukee County Stadium]

Some more photos of Candlestick Park from around 1994-1996

[elpablo302]

Is it just me, or does the initial shape of the stadium, given the great amount of foul territory, seem like a somewhat modernized version of the Polo Grounds? Granted, they had a much larger piece of land to work with, and the horseshoe aspect of the original grandstand doesn't run parallel as PG did, but I'm wondering if some of that thought was brought into the original design.

Other stadia of the era (Dodger Stadium, Anaheim) aren't quite as rounded out running from behind home plate out past first/third and down the lines. There was a picture further back in the thread that showed a football field running square with home plate/center field instead of along the third base line as they did when the expansion was completed.

[Milwaukee County Stadium]

Some more photos of Candlestick Park from around 1996-1998

[redv]

Here are some photos of Candlestick Park from getty

Is that fake turf?!? Looks like there are just sliding pits there...

[Greg B.]

Candlestick installed Astroturf around 1970 and it was there for most of that decade before being removed.

[JT7]

[QUOTE=alpineinc;1354216]First Opening Day, 1960.

http://72.37.159.45/App_Themes/Images/Auctions_Images/805/popups/56797b.jpg

http://72.37.159.45/App_Themes/Images/Auctions_Images/805/popups/56797c.jpg

http://72.37.159.45/App_Themes/Images/Auctions_Images/805/popups/56797e.jpg

Is it it me or was Candlestick designed with football in mind....

[Bronxbomberjet]

It looked a lot nicer back then, when the outfield area was open...
I might've liked it when I was there back in 1989, if it still had that 1960's open look to it..

Candlestick was the worst stadium I was ever in...

[Lpeters199]

So close in 1962.

[cooldrive]

Thanks for the pics, guys. I was at the second game played there and

was at the All-Star Game in '61 when Stu Miller was "blown off" the mound.

That always sounds as if Miller was scooped up at short by Wills. The wind

just caused him to move eratically.

Odd thing was, the day was very warm for the first six or sever innings.

A large woman near me stood up and said, "It's too hot!" and keeled over.

Three or four fans were treated for heat related problems that day. By the

ninth, Candlestick had resumed being Candlestick. Maris said he's quit the

game if he were traded to SF.

The fans were ready, though. We had our blankets with us.

[DiggerODell]

Thanks for the pics, guys. I was at the second game played there and

was at the All-Star Game in '61 when Stu Miller was "blown off" the mound.

That always sounds as if Miller was scooped up at short by Wills. The wind

just caused him to move eratically.

Odd thing was, the day was very warm for the first six or sever innings.

A large woman near me stood up and said, "It's too hot!" and keeled over.

Three or four fans were treated for heat related problems that day. By the

ninth, Candlestick had resumed being Candlestick. Maris said he's quit the

game if he were traded to SF.

The fans were ready, though. We had our blankets with us.

That, my dear cooldrive . . . is a great story. Fat ladies and wind at the stick . . . hell, even I couldn't go wrong with that. Wish I'd have been old enough, love to have seen what you seen. I remember days like that, little later of course.

[Lpeters199]

A video clip from 1962--no sound, but some looks at Candlestick.

http://www.efootage.com/stock-footage/73515/AmericanAmericansUSUSUnitedStatesNewYork

[Paul W]

the end clips show the long hallway that leads to both clubhouses, which are still being used for nfl games. an original giants oversized locker has been placed in gap between the grandstand and the right field outfield seats, near a food stand. anyone who goes to the 'stick this weekend can see it.

[Lpeters199]

From an Oakland Raiders site:

http://raidershistory.com/index.php?set_albumName=AFL_YEARS&name=gallery&include=view_album.php

[Lpeters199]

............

[Zoso]

http://baseball-fever.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=48682&stc=1&d=1217724813

Yich. At no point did this park have any redeeming qualities. The makeshift bleachers propped up in no man's land in right, the oddly shaped curve of the left field seating, the excessive foul territory. There isn't even a good exterior view. Maybe if it had been turned to face the big hill..

[Lpeters199]

The Catches: Dwight Clark & Leon Hart.

[alpineinc]

Sporting News article links of mine from Page 1 of this thread that have apparently been dead for a while have been restored. Good reading, check it out.

[Lpeters199]

Sporting News article links of mine from Page 1 of this thread that have apparently been dead for a while have been restored. Good reading, check it out.

How did you restore them? That's happened to many of my posts--what used to be pictures have become just words, and I have no idea why.

[alpineinc]

How did you restore them? That's happened to many of my posts--what used to be pictures have become just words, and I have no idea why.

I don't know why either, I guess attachments expire? Anyway, I hit Edit, Go Advanced, and the attachments show up as files near the bottom. I d/led them and put them on a Photobucket instead and now linked to them, so it won't happen again.

[Lpeters199]

I don't know why either, I guess attachments expire? Anyway, I hit Edit, Go Advanced, and the attachments show up as files near the bottom. I d/led them and put them on a Photobucket instead and now linked to them, so it won't happen again.



What does d/led mean? Sorry for my lack of computer knowledge. Thanks for the help.

[hofflalu]

Photos from Corbis.com:

October 28, 1958:

http://pro.corbis.com/images/42-16481277.jpg?size=67&uid=9d873d12-f733-4e74-ae4a-8359e45281d1&uniqID=88aa804e-171f-4470-a242-8c9f904b48dc

April 1, 1961?:

http://pro.corbis.com/images/TS003612.jpg?size=67&uid=5c0215fd-9dcc-4b73-bd18-9185b11e0667&uniqID=40508c26-d89e-4332-97e6-dfa762c55f59

October 4, 1962:

http://pro.corbis.com/images/U1351367.jpg?size=67&uid=872b2c69-c2f7-498c-800a-bb995db1762c&uniqID=30251c98-b576-47b5-ac35-b5fef3c2bc7f

October 5, 1962:

http://pro.corbis.com/images/BE025222.jpg?size=67&uid=e7e54ccd-404f-4c35-b251-42f697bfa668&uniqID=73ebe87b-dca7-4e7b-b23d-d66ff2029ac0

October 7, 1962:

http://pro.corbis.com/images/U1350284.jpg?size=67&uid=561d6e22-ac2d-4c21-9d85-36718a70f990&uniqID=f6a87adb-186f-43a8-a9b1-39d64f2bff76

October 16, 1962:

http://pro.corbis.com/images/U1351835.jpg?size=67&uid=93240696-ce86-4d67-b5fb-6720e93cdadf&uniqID=811c22bc-5b71-4750-befd-d79c0317a06e

July 1, 1963:

http://pro.corbis.com/images/U1388616.jpg?size=67&uid=b3a85265-6c28-4993-b37e-32a6a021de8e&uniqID=f75dbbcb-49a1-4668-b43b-a71198c79fcd

August 22, 1965:

http://pro.corbis.com/images/U1511736.jpg?size=67&uid=3dddcb73-b7a9-40b7-8421-28b84b7a12a6&uniqID=7148c75c-9929-4390-8aa1-0253326abe53

May 1, 1966:

http://pro.corbis.com/images/TS003672.jpg?size=67&uid=5a47dfe5-00ac-4c2f-8be0-390eceae2d4d&uniqID=762037d2-3c96-4159-afc0-440f28e5e6d0

July 4, 1966:

http://pro.corbis.com/images/U1522171.jpg?size=67&uid=e2c4d1e0-4ea0-4b67-9fef-3f53dfa8fd21&uniqID=8e04417f-b1d3-44d7-88da-95dc72cb0f9f

[hofflalu]

More photos from Corbis.com:

December 30, 1967 (football before the enclosure):

http://pro.corbis.com/images/U1578656.jpg?size=67&uid=61a89364-68e4-4138-b4bf-2967686fb12b&uniqID=932e1a78-f669-4501-82f4-24cb09b25946

April 6, 1972:

http://pro.corbis.com/images/U1904961.jpg?size=67&uid=0552f30a-2bdd-441d-992a-1e049cec1d75&uniqID=57583a21-22ce-47d4-9632-61652f7f87cc

December 23, 1972:

http://pro.corbis.com/images/BE059792.jpg?size=67&uid=f10cec78-d7ba-4026-86c2-4ef5e99fc35d&uniqID=9cc4bf61-597a-4805-87bb-04170adad260

August 2, 1974:

http://pro.corbis.com/images/U1811897.jpg?size=67&uid=dce5bd9b-5cf8-4781-9fa9-cd6119e76c52&uniqID=abb91265-58d0-435e-afac-ffcf92ded967

August 26, 1978 (note the AstroTurf around the home plate cutout):

http://pro.corbis.com/images/U1941924.jpg?size=67&uid=993e7fe2-4287-4085-bac9-d0f92682a01a&uniqID=c508bd61-3a86-4aa7-9ca6-d17d583c6494

November 27, 1978 (the last year Candlestick had artificial turf):

http://pro.corbis.com/images/BE046072.jpg?size=67&uid=1de28196-2588-4104-b7b1-e10aa1ba37d1&uniqID=01919399-d996-48f4-b38d-54eed3bd5635

October 19, 1989:

http://pro.corbis.com/images/U89332050.jpg?size=67&uid=2523a583-e570-4611-b1b1-8b7c9f9f8353&uniqID=78bd4308-d487-4c8f-8d9b-e1af04f21617

[alpineinc]

What does d/led mean? Sorry for my lack of computer knowledge. Thanks for the help.

Downloaded.

So, I'm pretty much foregoing the attachment deal. Instead, I'm getting my picture attachments back from the old posts here, uploading the pictures to a free album I created on photobucket.com, and linking here to those photos (on photobucket, hover the mouse over your uploaded picture -> Link Options -> copy the IMG link, paste it here with the yellow sky/mountain icon), good to go. That way they won't disappear.

[NYFan1stYankFan2nd]

Some of the photos in posts #71, #77 resemble how OYS could have turned out - either in 1922 or at some later point - even the 1970s renovations.

Desirable? NO. Saved OYS? Very well might have!

Just my dos centavos.

[Lpeters199]

Downloaded.

So, I'm pretty much foregoing the attachment deal. Instead, I'm getting my picture attachments back from the old posts here, uploading the pictures to a free album I created on photobucket.com, and linking here to those photos (on photobucket, hover the mouse over your uploaded picture -> Link Options -> copy the IMG link, paste it here with the yellow sky/mountain icon), good to go. That way they won't disappear.

Thanks, Al. I'll try it when time permits. Good explanation.

[Lpeters199]

..............

[stlfan]

You know, I have never seen any photos taken during the renovation when they enclosed Candlestick. They have to be out there somewhere.

[Sean O]

Candlestick was graced by the incomparable Willie Mays, and desecrated by the grossly overrated Beatles.

Finally, a comment so outrageously insane it rivals the "tear down CitiField and build Shea again" line.

[Philtration]

Finally, a comment so outrageously insane it rivals the "tear down CitiField and build Shea again" line.

Yup :applaud:

[Zoso]

If I don't like it, it's overrated.

[Lpeters199]

Finally, a comment so outrageously insane it rivals the "tear down CitiField and build Shea again" line.

...........

[Sean O]

I surrender to the will of the majority. The Beatles were gods, and Willie Mays sucked. I stand corrected.

Wille Mays was awesome, but saying that Candlestick Park was desecrated by at the very least one of the most important musical acts in recorded history is kinda madness. I mean, I hate the Rolling Stones, but they haven't desecrated anything, let alone an awful structure like Candlestick, by performing.

It's essentially the same as saying Joe Dimaggio desecrated Yankee Stadium because he's not as good as some people believe.

[Lpeters199]

Wille Mays was awesome, but saying that Candlestick Park was desecrated by at the very least one of the most important musical acts in recorded history is kinda madness. I mean, I hate the Rolling Stones, but they haven't desecrated anything, let alone an awful structure like Candlestick, by performing.

It's essentially the same as saying Joe Dimaggio desecrated Yankee Stadium because he's not as good as some people believe.

.............

[CandlestickBum]

I surrender to the will of the majority. The Beatles were gods, and Willie Mays sucked. I stand corrected.

You never met a strawman you didn't like I bet.

:banghead:

[Lpeters199]

You never met a strawman you didn't like I bet.

:banghead:

.............

[Zoso]

Yes, they gave us "important" lyrics like "We all live in a yellow submarine" and sludge like "Strawberry Fields Forever", not to mention that stroke of creative genius known as "yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah". Where would the world be without such gems?

The word desecrated was intended as simply a way of expressing my opinion. I don't think they damaged the turf one bit.

They only wrote some of the most profoundly good songs in history, some of which hold up to the best composers who ever lived. Citing two gimmicky psychedelic songs does nothing to change that. Not everything they wrote was good, but when they were at their best, the lyrics, melodies, production, etc. was as good as it could ever get. It could be matched, but never topped. This is inarguable.

[Lpeters199]

They only wrote some of the most profoundly good songs in history, some of which hold up to the best composers who ever lived. Citing two gimmicky psychedelic songs does nothing to change that. Not everything they wrote was good, but when they were at their best, the lyrics, melodies, production, etc. was as good as it could ever get. It could be matched, but never topped. This is inarguable.


...........

[Lafferty Daniel]

I think you just ended the war by conceding that not everything they wrote was good. And I'll agree that their best work was top notch, such as "Things We Said Today", "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", and "You Won't See Me"--better live by Paul McCartney today than the original version. This too is inarguable. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HX1iJxWIcA

Take it to a music forum please.

[HollandsComet]

[QUOTE=hofflalu;1542302]

November 27, 1978 (the last year Candlestick had artificial turf):

http://pro.corbis.com/images/BE046072.jpg?size=67&uid=1de28196-2588-4104-b7b1-e10aa1ba37d1&uniqID=01919399-d996-48f4-b38d-54eed3bd5635

I so hate to interrupt the musical pissing match here, but I'd like to steer us back to the topic at hand. The 49ers/Steelers game in this photo that Hofflalu posted took place on that tragic Monday night after S.F. Mayor George Moscone and city supervisor Harvey Milk were murdered at city hall. There was some talk of even postponing the game, but it would've been a logistical nightmare for ABC and the NFL. Lousy game, too, as the Niners were no match for the Steelers that night in the pre-Bill Walsh/Joe Montana era.

Oh by the way, The Beatles ruled--end of story.

[stlfan]

I thought this forum was about Candlestick Park?

[Zoso]

DOOD TEH BEETlez R AWSUM

[Dougman59]

You know, I have never seen any photos taken during the renovation when they enclosed Candlestick. They have to be out there somewhere.

It is difficult to find find renovation photos. The best source is that some of the renovation appears to be in background of 1972 Topps cards of certain San Diego Padres players. Look up dave campbell or Ivan Murrell as 2 example. The stadium appears to be candlestick and is somewhat under construction. These may help.

[alpineinc]

It is difficult to find find renovation photos. The best source is that some of the renovation appears to be in background of 1972 Topps cards of certain San Diego Padres players. Look up dave campbell or Ivan Murrell as 2 example. The stadium appears to be candlestick and is somewhat under construction. These may help.

Looks like there's a bunch, actually. Let me know if any of these are incorrect.

http://www.707sportscards.com/psa-cards/30110453.jpg

http://www.707sportscards.com/psa-cards/11296355.jpg

http://www.707sportscards.com/psa-cards/30259439.jpg

http://www.707sportscards.com/psa-cards/02519274.jpg

http://www.707sportscards.com/psa-cards/11234777.jpg

http://www.707sportscards.com/psa-cards/11234776.jpg

[Dougman59]

Looks like there's a bunch, actually. Let me know if any of these are incorrect.

http://www.707sportscards.com/psa-cards/11298569.jpg

http://www.707sportscards.com/psa-cards/30110453.jpg

http://www.707sportscards.com/psa-cards/11296355.jpg

http://www.707sportscards.com/psa-cards/30259439.jpg

http://www.707sportscards.com/psa-cards/02519274.jpg

http://www.707sportscards.com/psa-cards/11234777.jpg

http://www.707sportscards.com/psa-cards/11234776.jpg


I guess there was alot more than just the Padres cards that showed the construction. What surprises me is the absence of cranes or gantries in the construction. Must have been done in the off season.

[Bitter Fan]

It is fascinating that there are so few pictures of Candlestick's expansion. I'm an SF native and I don't remember seeing any pictures.

I'm sure the SF Chronicle took some, but that would require a search through their photo archives.

[Lpeters199]

It is fascinating that there are so few pictures of Candlestick's expansion. I'm an SF native and I don't remember seeing any pictures.

I'm sure the SF Chronicle took some, but that would require a search through their photo archives.

All their photographers were busy taking pictures of hippies, SF's pride and joy.

From Leland's Auctions site:

[Dougman59]

It is fascinating that there are so few pictures of Candlestick's expansion. I'm an SF native and I don't remember seeing any pictures.

I'm sure the SF Chronicle took some, but that would require a search through their photo archives.

I was viewing old NFL films season highlights this weekend. During a short segment on 49er Gene Washington 1971 season, some of the football footage showed the construction in the background (showing cranes). Apparently, Candlestick's expansion was not complete during the 49er's first season there.

I'm going to try and lift the image from the DVD and put it up here.

[Lpeters199]

1962 World Series:

[Lpeters199]

Here's a tidbit from the 5-24-1971 Sports Illustrated mentioning construction work:

[zxasqw12]

Bobby Bonds, circa 1969

[zxasqw12]

Willie McCovey, circa 1969

[zxasqw12]

Circa 1969

[zxasqw12]

Juan Marichal, circa 1969

[zxasqw12]

Juan Marichal takes the field in a gloomy looking Candlestick Park

Circa 1969...

[Anubis2051]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4802744846_c5e570c7c2_b.jpg

[Paul W]

herman franks enjoying ice cream in '65.
this room is used by the 9ers these days, all the lockers have been replaced.

[BSmile]

Installing Artificial Turf - ca. 1970-71
Not sure if this is the initial install, or the "sliding pits". From Wiki:
"The surface of the field is natural bluegrass, but for nine seasons the stadium had artificial turf, from 1970 to 1978. A "sliding pit" configuration, with dirt cut-outs only around the bases, was installed in 1971, primarily to keep the dust down from the breezy conditions. Following the 1978 football season, the artificial turf was removed. Natural grass was re-installed before the 1979 baseball season."

[jnakamura]

Not sure if this is the initial install, or the "sliding pits".

That's not the initial instalation. It's year 2 (1971) when they converted from a full-dirt infield to the sliding pit configuration. If you look closely you can see the seem at the top of the infield where the original dirt went to.

This screen grab from 1970 shows the original astroturff configuration.

[RfkFedEx]

http://baseball-fever.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=48682&stc=1&d=1217724813

Anyone know when the lower portals in the upper deck were filled in?

[jnakamura]

From 1971. Notice the completed RF retractable football seats, but still no upper stands around the rest of the ballpark.

http://cache2.asset-cache.net/xc/88628291.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=77BFBA49EF878921CC759DF4EBAC47D0B7B8E420E054D15D 3B994C4D1FA8BB1E27F7C3ECC0E70F4A

[JohnCropp]

Candlestick Park (also commonly referred to as Candlestick or The Stick) is an outdoor sports and entertainment stadium located in San Francisco, California in the Bayview Heights area. The stadium was originally built as the home of Major League Baseball's San Francisco Giants, who played there from 1960 until moving into Pacific Bell Park (since renamed AT&T Park) in 2000.
(Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candlestick_Park))

http://cache4.asset-cache.net/xc/81373579.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=77BFBA49EF8789215ABF3343C02EA5481A7224CC5A26BB80 04AAAD428366BC606F0CE6D242DE1961

http://www.sportsartifacts.com/mempccandlestick.JPG

http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2008/0919/pg2_ap_candelstick1_600.jpg

http://baseballengineer.com/wp-content/media/2010/05/candlestick_enclosed.jpg

[Matt The Hammer]

John - there are a few threads. Maybe we can merge them?

Best one: http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?62120-Candlestick-Park-pics-of-the-1960s&highlight=candlestick

Others:
http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?90616-Candlestick-Park&highlight=candlestick

[JohnCropp]

That would be a good idea. They weren't listed in the sticky at the top so I didn't know they existed.

... is there a Mod Call button for such an occasion?

[RfkFedEx]

The permanent wall in LF looks sorta like they were going for an OYS look. The way Death Valley in OYS looked from the 30s till 1973. The curvature of the Stick's wall kinda has that OYS feel.

Did the playing surface ever extend all the way to that wall? Or was the ground in front of the permanent wall always elevated above the playing surface?

[Paul W]

The permanent wall in LF looks sorta like they were going for an OYS look. The way Death Valley in OYS looked from the 30s till 1973.

The curvature of the Stick's wall kinda has that OYS feel. It was a long way out there to LF at the Stick before the portable fence was installed and the track moved in.

doubt that they had oys death valley in mind, remember willie mays was a right handed hitter.
the curve follows the design lines of the building which accounts for the wide curve. the extraordinary foul space was due to the wide curve of the lower seating bowl, which was needed to create enough floor space for extra seating (same w/dodgers also). the lf stands are built into the bottom of a hill which eliminates the extensive infrastructure co$t having to be built.
considering the checkered history of mayor christopher and his involvement in getting the place built, it's amazing that the place was finished.

the fences was there from the start, here's a pix from game #1.

[RfkFedEx]

It looks as if some of the OF light towers were relocated after expansion.

Those towers look like they were the most treacherous bulb changes of any stadium ever. Dodger's, pre Mt. Davis Oakland Coliseum, and Memorial Stadium in Baltimore are other honorable mentions in the scary light tower category.

[Paul W]

It looks as if some of the OF light towers were relocated after expansion.

yes, towers changed.
the outfield ones were a bit shorter than the grandstand ones.
it wasn't called windystick for nuthin'...

[Paul W]

something that i haven't seen brought up - the cut of the infield dirt seems to have followed the franchise cross country.
here's a series of pix with the polo grounds/seals stadium on the left and the 'stick on the right.
in the post war years the pg infield was cut with the outfield edge parallel to the baseline cut, with the only curves behind the bases
at the foul lines and directly behind second.
when the mets moved in the standard layout was used.
this pattern was used on other fields and it looks like seals stadium used it as far back as the 30's.
when the 'stick opened, this pattern was used and even carried through to the carpeted field. wasn't until the return of grass that the standard cut was used.
could be a coincidence or stoneham's intercession that this pattern was used well into the late 70's when almost all professional baseball was using the "standard".

[Paul W]

i read the the gi-ants are parading around nyc with their trophy, seems like another 'frisco "see, we matter" inferiority complex showing itself.
it's one thing if a local franchise like the nyy displaying their hardware at the writer's dinner, but from 3k miles away?
i know old g'ints fans in nyc and they think this is a bit much.

[RfkFedEx]

i know old g'ints fans in nyc and they think this is a bit much.

There's only one reason for the Giants to make that trip east today. $$$$

Fascinating stuff about the infield layouts. I figured each park had tailored dirt patterns according to how the fences played, etc.

What is the rhyme or reason behind the art of infield dirt layouts? Fenway, Wrigley, NYS being the easiest examples to work with given how different each infield is shaped.

[Chevy114]

Do you think when they built the stick and dodger stadium anyone thought, man one of these will last for 50 years with the potential to last at least another 50 more and one of these will become unkept and not asthetically pleasing?

[Paul W]

TWhat is the rhyme or reason behind the art of infield dirt layouts? Fenway, Wrigley, NYS being the easiest examples to work with given how different each infield is shaped.

the makeup of mlb fields is more standardized now than ever - materials, grass, cut patterns etc. mlb wants it that way
up to the late 80's franchises purchased these materials locally and tailored the field to their needs.

[Paul W]

There's only one reason for the Giants to make that trip east today. $$$$

it has more to do with the kind of publicity larry baer couldn't buy in frisco...

[burroughsmvp]

I feel the infield cutouts are different... maybe now more than ever. I think it's the groundskeepers, perhaps in conjunction with manager or infielder desires.
Look at the difference between Yankee Stadium and the Ballpark in Arlington as an example.
http://blog.mandalatv.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/new-yankee-stadium.jpg
Note the uniformed arc of the Yankee Stadium cutouts.
Now compare to Arlington.
http://www.ballparksofbaseball.com/al/pictures/rangers09950.jpg
Notice the straight edge, from grass to dirt, in Arlington near home plate and second base. And notice the cutouts near 1st and 3rd are more oblong.

[Matt The Hammer]

http://www.baseball-fever.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=94000&stc=1&d=1295478254

You can relly see the cutouts in the retractable stands for the three upper deck support towers when the stands are folded up and pushed under the upper deck.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4802744846_c5e570c7c2_b.jpg

[RfkFedEx]

Was the playing surface ever lowered?

[Paul W]

Was the playing surface ever lowered?

no, most of that area is landfill.

[hofflalu]

In one of Matt The Hammer's posts in the "Parks in football configuration" thread, he posted this image:

http://www.baseball-fever.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=93892&stc=1&d=1295120255

At the back on the end of the 1st baseline stands there looks to be a small observation tower. What would that have been for?

[Paul W]

At the back on the end of the 1st baseline stands there looks to be a small observation tower. What would that have been for?

a place for horace to drink by himself...

[New Yorker]

Hey, Giant fans! Hypothetical question: make believe, for a moment, that Candlestick Park hadn't suffered from any climate issues – make believe it was more or less as comfortable as any other ballpark. Given that, how would it have compared to other baseball parks in terms of comfort, sight lines, vibe… all that other stuff?

[will101]

Hey, Giant fans! Hypothetical question: make believe, for a moment, that Candlestick Park hadn't suffered from any climate issues – make believe it was more or less as comfortable as any other ballpark. Given that, how would it have compared to other baseball parks in terms of comfort, sight lines, vibe… all that other stuff?
I'm kind of biased, as I have seen more events there than any other venue. But, looking at it objectively, it's better for football than baseball. The curve of the grandstand behind home has the pitcher's mound as the center of the radius, as kind of an homage to the bathtub shape of the Polo Grounds. But that gives them almost every seat a long way from the action. Having just two decks is rather clumsy, requiring some rather large support poles. The "luxury boxes" are tiny, with most of them having room for five seats in front, three on a riser behind, and the door. Literally nothing else. The 1971 reconstruction improved spectator amenities a bit, with an escalator helping out with that nasty climb up from the parking lot (the stadium is built into a notch in the hill, basically bedrock, which is why the visitors had to walk across the field to that tunnel, and how it survived Loma Prieta).
Besides all that, the vew from the upper level is great for both sports. The noise from big crowds before expansion tended to just drift away across the water, but a full house after expansion makes for a very noisy stadium. This has worked to the advantage of the Niners for years. But even before the expansion a crowd of 10,000 made it seem like a lonely place. And there were a lot of crowds of 10,000 (or fewer).
Ironically the expansion itself made the place seem more vibrant. The construction went on all through the 1971 baseball and football seasons, with a reduced capacity increasing the demand for tickets, and the construction materials reflecting the sound back. That just seemed like an exciting year.
Candlestick seemed a very comfortable stadium at the time, with wider seats and lots of leg room. But the only place people had to campare it to was Kezar Stadium, which had very small dimensions of both. But the seats are still plenty roomy for most, so on the comfort level it rates fairly high. The concourses are rather narrow, with about one concession stand per two seating sections, so it can be crowded out there. But it was designed in 1958, and that was standard back then.

[will101]

At the back on the end of the 1st baseline stands there looks to be a small observation tower. What would that have been for?
It's called the 'Police Tower'. It literally is an elevated security station, similar to what European soccer stadiums have. It used to be out at the end of the right field lower deck, and it can still be seen in Google Maps in the parking lot a couple of hundred yards to the east. And apparently it is still used, as I saw folk entering and leaving while tailgating before a Niner game once.

[will101]

Was the playing surface ever lowered?
No, because the stadium is built in a notch of the hill on bedrock. Which saved thousands of lives when Loma Prieta hit. The old shoreline was near where the access road goes around the parking lot.
FYI the field here is not below sea level, despite the urban legend, but about 30 feet above. If you walk onto the field (as you're required to do for the Forty Niners fanfest) you are actually going uphill from the parking lot, and enter behind what was center field.

[Jay Stew]

Some old photos of Candlestick taken by former MLB pitcher Jerry Reuss.

From 1991.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/4581139007_ae87206c19_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43289453@N03/4581139007/

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4046/4581766306_b24a631476_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43289453@N03/4581766306/

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4581138005_f9de7f3997_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43289453@N03/4581138005/

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3314/4581765290_824940a71f_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43289453@N03/4581765290/

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4802744846_c5e570c7c2_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43289453@N03/4802744846/

From 1997.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4035/4576088507_4fe70c6d8c_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43289453@N03/4576088507/


Final pitch of Jerry Reuss' no-hitter.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3509/4015150144_0cb238a356_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43289453@N03/4015150144/

[will101]

Final pitch of Jerry Reuss' no-hitter.

I was there for that. Mid 70s, hardly any wind, one of the nicest evenings ever at Candlestick. Other than Russell making an error on Clark's grounder in the first he would have had a perfect game. And you can tell from the pic that not many had left. Since he was perceived as one of the few nice guys on the Dodgers we stayed and made sure he got a nice hand.

[will101]

Anyone know when the lower portals in the upper deck were filled in?
Sometime around 1993-94. The Niners had been asking for more seating, and that was also when they built that weird seating section in straightaway center field. Supposedly they were able to squeeze in about three thousand more seats, total. The Niner record for warm behinds present is 69,311, set at a playoff game in 1995.

[Chevy114]

Could they ever do a throw back baseball game at the stick? I am not sure if the football seats are rusted in like in other mutli purpose, but I think if they can do a throw back game at the LA Col. they should do one in SF.

[will101]

Could they ever do a throw back baseball game at the stick? I am not sure if the football seats are rusted in like in other mutli purpose, but I think if they can do a throw back game at the LA Col. they should do one in SF.
They could, but the primary question would be why? It had been almost 50 years since the Dodgers last played in the Coliseum. The Giants have been gone from Candlestick for 11 1/2.

And I don't think that it will last long enough for people to be nostalgic. Groundbreaking for the new stadium for the Niners is set for next January, and they will take up residence in 2015. I expect that Candlestick will be knocked down that summer, and you will soon find the usual condos, mini-parks and Big Box stores on the land.

Regarding the football seats: they have to dismantle, inspect and refurbish them every year for just the reason you mentioned. If part of them were to collapse because of rust, the city would have to sell Treasure Island or one of the bridges or something just to cover the claims.

[Chevy114]

They could, but the primary question would be why? It had been almost 50 years since the Dodgers last played in the Coliseum. The Giants have been gone from Candlestick for 11 1/2.

And I don't think that it will last long enough for people to be nostalgic. Groundbreaking for the new stadium for the Niners is set for next January, and they will take up residence in 2015. I expect that Candlestick will be knocked down that summer, and you will soon find the usual condos, mini-parks and Big Box stores on the land.

Regarding the football seats: they have to dismantle, inspect and refurbish them every year for just the reason you mentioned. If part of them were to collapse because of rust, the city would have to sell Treasure Island or one of the bridges or something just to cover the claims.

Then I say one last hooraw! I understand that it wasn't that long ago, I just think it would be fun if the last event ever there was the 1st event ever there giants baseball.

[DiggerODell]

Then I say one last hooraw! I understand that it wasn't that long ago, I just think it would be fun if the last event ever there was the 1st event ever there giants baseball.

Breaks my heart the Stick is doomed within the next 5 years or so. I agree with you Chevy, I wish they'd play "one last game" at the venue, perhaps on one of the upcoming April 12ths, to commemorate the anniversary of it's 1st game April 12, 1960. I know personally I would travel from Colorado to attend such an event. I wouldn't even mind if they played the final weekend series of spring training against the A's one year there, it would be worth the effort and travel.

[Chevy114]

Breaks my heart the Stick is doomed within the next 5 years or so. I agree with you Chevy, I wish they'd play "one last game" at the venue, perhaps on one of the upcoming April 12ths, to commemorate the anniversary of it's 1st game April 12, 1960. I know personally I would travel from Colorado to attend such an event. I wouldn't even mind if they played the final weekend series of spring training against the A's one year there, it would be worth the effort and travel.

From your lips!

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Groundbreaking for the new stadium for the Niners is set for next January, and they will take up residence in 2015.

Really? Cool. I'm glad they finally got all that red tape sorted out. About time they began construction.

Now don't get me wrong, I respect the history of the Stick, but the Niners need a new stadium. Badly. And I have seen what the new stadium will look like... SWEET!!! (http://www.49ersnewstadium.com)

[will101]

Really? Cool. I'm glad they finally got all that red tape sorted out. About time they began construction.

Now don't get me wrong, I respect the history of the Stick, but the Niners need a new stadium. Badly. And I have seen what the new stadium will look like... SWEET!!! (http://www.49ersnewstadium.com)
It will be. A bunch of us are planning to go to the groundbreaking. Then again, I will be at the start of the demolition of Candlestick, too. I'm fairly sure they won't be able to blow it up, as it is probably twice as strong as the cookie cutters were.

[Chevy114]

Really? Cool. I'm glad they finally got all that red tape sorted out. About time they began construction.

Now don't get me wrong, I respect the history of the Stick, but the Niners need a new stadium. Badly. And I have seen what the new stadium will look like... SWEET!!! (http://www.49ersnewstadium.com)

I always say it looks like it will be built on the cheap, which is never a bad thing unless Paul W can find a way lol jk. I'm also glad they are doing the boxes on one side its something different and frees up the middle rows for average joes.

Edit Never mind, 937 Million is way too expensive for that thing! It doesn't look anything special for that much, is the land driving up the price???

[RfkFedEx]

A bunch of us are planning to go to the groundbreaking. Then again, I will be at the start of the demolition of Candlestick, too.

How sure of a thing is this Niner's stadium groundbreaking?

[DrBear]

Like Brett Favre's retirement, I'll believe it when it actually happens. Otherwise, no way.

The design looks like an open-air Ford Field. I wonder if we'll eventually see baseball stadiums with nothing but luxury boxes and one lower deck club seats behind home plate

[RfkFedEx]

Note to the York family and Santa Clara:

"if you build it, the Raiders will come".

[Chevy114]

Note to the York family and Santa Clara:

"if you build it, the Raiders will come".

Would the raiders share now? I know that Al Davis said he pulled out of the hollywood stadium because he would have to share with another team.

[RfkFedEx]

Would the raiders share now? I know that Al Davis said he pulled out of the hollywood stadium because he would have to share with another team.

No one will deal with Al as long as he's north of the soil. A soon as Al keels over, Goodell will hand pick an owner who'll move the Raiders move to SC if the Niners already have the stadium built.

I don't think the Yorks can build a billion dollar venue alone, not even with the help of Santa Clara. It's going to take committment from both Bay area teams minus Al Davis to get this thing done. IMO

[alpineinc]

Construction, 1958/1959

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj90/alpineinc/sf3.jpg

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj90/alpineinc/sf1-1.jpg

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj90/alpineinc/sf2-1.jpg

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj90/alpineinc/sf5.jpg

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj90/alpineinc/sf4.jpg

[RfkFedEx]

nice find Alpineinc.

[will101]

How sure of a thing is this Niner's stadium groundbreaking?
In theory no groundbreaking is a sure thing until the shovels hit dirt. That said, a note that Jeb York sent out made no bones that the lockout/CBA is affecting the financing, and is the reason why the groundbreaking was delayed from this past January. And included in "financing" is the naming rights deal. If they hit up the right tech company, that money plus the evil PSLs should cover about half of the cost.

And on the Raider situation: the Yorks have been clear that under no circumstances will the ownership of the stadium be shared. Which means if they want to be a tenant, and help pay for the thing, then they are open.

[will101]

I always say it looks like it will be built on the cheap, which is never a bad thing unless Paul W can find a way lol jk. I'm also glad they are doing the boxes on one side its something different and frees up the middle rows for average joes.

Edit Never mind, 937 Million is way too expensive for that thing! It doesn't look anything special for that much, is the land driving up the price???
The price is for the land, and the fact that this stadium will be only five miles on a straight line from the San Andreas Fault. Construction is difficult in California. Candlestick is built on bedrock, is more than 12 miles from the fault, and was 60 miles north of the main quake in 1989. The new place will be on alluvium, and much closer to the epicenter (only 20 miles north).

[will101]

Breaks my heart the Stick is doomed within the next 5 years or so. I agree with you Chevy, I wish they'd play "one last game" at the venue, perhaps on one of the upcoming April 12ths, to commemorate the anniversary of it's 1st game April 12, 1960. I know personally I would travel from Colorado to attend such an event. I wouldn't even mind if they played the final weekend series of spring training against the A's one year there, it would be worth the effort and travel.
I would be there. Sit in the right field upper deck, where all of the rowdies used to go. They used to have to send security out, because our chants of "L-A S**ks!" were loud enough to get picked up on the broadcasts. The good old days.

[Paul W]

Then I say one last hooraw! I understand that it wasn't that long ago, I just think it would be fun if the last event ever there was the 1st event ever there giants baseball.

it all comes down to co$t, the gi-ants are a business and for what the city would charge for building rental and all of the changes - it doesn't make business sense.

[Paul W]

Really? Cool. I'm glad they finally got all that red tape sorted out. About time they began construction...

i guess that you are not a santa clara co. resident/taxpayer...

[Paul W]

Note to the York family and Santa Clara:

"if you build it, the Raiders will come".

not until al is dead...

[Paul W]

The price is for the land, and the fact that this stadium will be only five miles on a straight line from the San Andreas Fault. Construction is difficult in California. Candlestick is built on bedrock, is more than 12 miles from the fault, and was 60 miles north of the main quake in 1989. The new place will be on alluvium, and much closer to the epicenter (only 20 miles north).

the 'stick barely touched "bedrock". the attached pix shows the area in 1946 and 1968, with the landfill and original shorelines overlayed. as is most of the shoreline around the bay, even inland from the landfill (like foster city) the shoreline is "soft" and in danger of heavy shaking or liquifaction in strong localized shakes. who knows where the next big epicenter will be, if it's under any large building (stadium) distance from the fault plates won't make a difference.

[Paul W]

found another motion picture set at the 'stick - Experiment In Terror, 1962
most of the last 14 minutes was shot during and after a gi-ants/dodgers game in 4/62.
there's lots of continuity breaks and inconsistencies but the bad guy is shot dead on the mound.
if you have comcast xfinity on-demand, you can find it in free movies.
go to 2:07 for an abbreviated summary...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAQITo0P-oI

[Mr. Laser Beam]

i guess that you are not a santa clara co. resident/taxpayer...

No, but if I was, I would be honored that my money is going towards such a worthwhile and absolutely needed goal. I would call it a necessary sacrifice.

Why do you wish for the 49ers to be forced to play in a stadium that obviously sucks? Why do you wish to hurt the team? For that matter, why do you hate new stadiums of any kind? Do not lie, you know you do.

[will101]

i guess that you are not a santa clara co. resident/taxpayer...
I am, and am looking forwrd to it also.

[will101]

the 'stick barely touched "bedrock". the attached pix shows the area in 1946 and 1968, with the landfill and original shorelines overlayed. as is most of the shoreline around the bay, even inland from the landfill (like foster city) the shoreline is "soft" and in danger of heavy shaking or liquifaction in strong localized shakes. who knows where the next big epicenter will be, if it's under any large building (stadium) distance from the fault plates won't make a difference.
With respect, you are mistaken in several areas. There are several locations around the bay where the ancient shoreline is anything but soft. For example: both sides of the actual Golden Gate, Tiburon peninsula, Point Richmond, and Alcatraz and Angel islands. Once upon a time Candlestick Point was like that too.

Your illustrations all show Candlestick to be at least partially built on what was under water as recently as 1946. If that is true, how do you explain the field level to be almost 20 feet above sea level? If you have been there, you know that you are obviously walking uphill from the parking to the stadium.

The three illustrations are not even consistent with each other. The portion of your illustration clearly with the 'blue' shoreline shows the lower deck of Candlestick to be more than 90% on the solid shore. Not coincidentally, the damage suffered in Loma Prieta that delayed the World Series and caused a Niner game to be moved was all suffered out in the center field upper deck, which was furthest "offshore". But the yellow shoreline and "X" shows the location at the water's edge, and the orangey map has it clearly offshore. The yellow map, while lacking in geographic correlation, does conflict with the elevation issue. The orange map (which is shipped with an accuracy disclaimer stating all major projects have their own geologist verify the data BTW) has the blue X well out into the parking lot. This can be proven by the "switchback" road a couple of centimeters to the left of the X. That switchback runs immediately around the curve of the stadium, less than about 40 feet away. This can be seen (faintly) in the 'blue' photo of the upper right.

And earthquakes do not strike at random locations, but in fracture zones. And while there are often occurrences of unknown zones, that is less likely to happen in the Bay Area than anywhere else in the world. This is the most studied area in the world, and any major digging in the area is analyzed for potential faulting. There are no surprises under Candlestick Park. Liquifaction was observed in the area in 1989, but well out in the parking lot, and in the dirt lots to the east.

[will101]

it all comes down to co$t, the gi-ants are a business and for what the city would charge for building rental and all of the changes - it doesn't make business sense.
My guess is that playing one of the games of the Bay Bridge series at Candlestick could be a win/win with enough tickets sold. They could easily get 50,000+ for one last nostalgia trip. Especially if they gave out commemorative 'Croix de Candlestick' pins. I still have the one that I earned. Sat through an absurd amount of bitterly cold night games up there, only to get my pin when it was almost 80 degrees, and Gooden beat Krukow 2-0 in a quick 10 inning game. The baseball gods were definitely messing with me. Here's the game:

http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1984/B08170SFN1984.htm

[Paul W]

No, but if I was, I would be honored that my money is going towards such a worthwhile and absolutely needed goal. I would call it a necessary sacrifice.

Why do you wish for the 49ers to be forced to play in a stadium that obviously sucks? Why do you wish to hurt the team? For that matter, why do you hate new stadiums of any kind? Do not lie, you know you do.

because the local taxpayers are being hosed with this boondoggle.

[Paul W]

I am, and am looking forwrd to it also.

hide your wallet!

[will101]

because the local taxpayers are being hosed with this boondoggle.
Any actual facts to back up this claim?

[Paul W]

Any actual facts to back up this claim?

http://www.fieldofschemes.com/news/archives/2011/04/4515_santa_clara_fin.html

http://www.fieldofschemes.com/news/archives/2011/03/4486_santa_clara_pre.html

http://www.fieldofschemes.com/news/archives/2011/02/4449_santa_clara_cou.html

it'll take a little more time for more...

[Paul W]

With respect, you are mistaken in several areas.

do the overlay like i did. the photos were from the same site and same framing (758 ft.) no need for me to fudge the facts.
field level was created with landfill, that's why it's 20 ft above. i've been there several times and the parking is only slightly lower than the building, the uphill climb is on the west side near the hill. whatever bedrock is there is west of the stadium building. the 3rd base side may be on bedrock but not right/center field.
the entire area that the building and parking sits on are in the two darkest red hues (most likely to be dangerous) on the shaking map.
most of the peninsula side of the bayshore is landfill, including almost all of sfo, 101 and the oracle headquarters in belmont.
engineers and politicians say it's safe but i don't want to be near the bayshore when a close-in/strong earthquake hits from the san andreas or hayward faults.

[Paul W]

My guess is that playing one of the games of the Bay Bridge series at Candlestick could be a win/win with enough tickets sold.

what about luxury box/season tix locations and sales? the 'stick does not have what telco park has.
what about sponsor display advertising? would duplicates have to be made? who would pay for those? the advertisers would have to be reimbursed for the loss of their profile. i'm sure the gi-ants would not want to do that.
what about what about the lack of a baseball pressbox? the niners removed that years ago.
what about reworking the field? did you know that the niners removed almost all of the outfield warning track and they have set up permanent railings on the field and built a shed at the lf foul pole. who's gonna pay to change that?
what about a foul screen, batting cage and foul poles? who's gonna pay for those?
what about the rf stands they haven't been moved in years, what if there's problems with that? who's gonna pay for that?
who's gonna pay to reassemble the rf stands and set the field up for the niners?
and then of course, there's the matter of paying to rent the building.

from a business standpoint it wouldn't pay the gi-ants to do this even if they charge $20 for those pins.
they wanted out of there as much as the me(t)ss wanted out of shea.
mlb is a business and they don't do cool unless it pays.

[will101]

what about luxury box/season tix locations and sales? the 'stick does not have what telco park has.
what about sponsor display advertising? would duplicates have to be made? who would pay for those? the advertisers would have to be reimbursed for the loss of their profile. i'm sure the gi-ants would not want to do that.
what about what about the lack of a baseball pressbox? the niners removed that years ago.
what about reworking the field? did you know that the niners removed almost all of the outfield warning track and they have set up permanent railings on the field and built a shed at the lf foul pole. who's gonna pay to change that?
what about a foul screen, batting cage and foul poles? who's gonna pay for those?
what about the rf stands they haven't been moved in years, what if there's problems with that? who's gonna pay for that?
who's gonna pay to reassemble the rf stands and set the field up for the niners?
and then of course, there's the matter of paying to rent the building.

from a business standpoint it wouldn't pay the gi-ants to do this even if they charge $20 for those pins.
they wanted out of there as much as the me(t)ss wanted out of shea.
mlb is a business and they don't do cool unless it pays.
Maybe if you had bothered to read the previous several posts, not just the one, you would know that THIS GAME IS FOR AFTER THE NINERS HAVE MOVED SOUTH BUT BEFORE THEY DEMOLISH THE PLACE! Let me know if that was too subtle.
What about luxury boxes/ season tickets? It's a one shot deal. Nobody cares about the boxes. And the ticket sales would be on a priority basis, but nobody would stress on where their seats were. It's a one shot deal. Nobody cares.
Advertising would be handled from scratch, as such a novelty game would have not trouble attracting them. It's a one shot deal. Nobody cares.
The press will sit up the football press box. And like it. It's a one shot deal. Nobody cares.
The Giants would have no problems writing a check to the city for setting up the field one last time. When you are likely to attract 55,000 people, you can throw a little bit of cash around. It's a one shot deal. Nobody cares.
You also missed the thread where it was mentioned that the RF stands have to be dismantled and inspected every year, due to earthquake regs and the eternal war against rust.

And the city will have no problems making a last $200k in rent from a building that will be demolished in a matter of WEEKS after this game.

And I bet the Giants send 100% of any profit realized to Delancy Street or the Red Cross or someplace. It's a one shot deal. Nobody cares.

BTW did you catch where we said it was a one shot deal? And that this was going to be between the last ever Niner game at Candlestick, and when the wrecking balls start in?

[will101]

do the overlay like i did. the photos were from the same site and same framing (758 ft.) no need for me to fudge the facts.
Then why is the stadium location shown in three different places?

field level was created with landfill, that's why it's 20 ft above.
Even at 20 feet, that's the highest landfill around. One of your pix accidentally proved my point.

i've been there several times and the parking is only slightly lower than the building, the uphill climb is on the west side near the hill. whatever bedrock is there is west of the stadium building. the 3rd base side may be on bedrock but not right/center field.
Nope, sorry. If you walk in from the east, starting at the water's edge, you have a steady climb the whole way. The last time I went to the Niner fan fest, they let you in behind center field, and you walk straight onto the field. I was looking directly along field level as I came in the gate, and I'm 6-3.
Plus you never addressed why most of Candlestick had zero damage in 1989. That was a 7.1 quake.

the entire area that the building and parking sits on are in the two darkest red hues (most likely to be dangerous) on the shaking map.
Repeat: Why did most of Candlestick have zero damage in 1989?

most of the peninsula side of the bayshore is landfill, including almost all of sfo, 101 and the oracle headquarters in belmont.
engineers and politicians say it's safe but i don't want to be near the bayshore when a close-in/strong earthquake hits from the san andreas or hayward faults
Loma Prieta did hit from the San Andreas. And it's also a function of time. It doesn't matter much what you do to rock; the longer it is there, the stronger it becomes. The landfill in most places around the bay was pretty safe 22 years ago, and it's going to be safer now. The obvious exceptions were the landfill created at random, before the engineers knew what they were doing, like in the Marina district, and the area just past the current Bay Bridge toll plaza.
You sound like you need refresher courses in geology and engineering.

[Chevy114]

I just thought it would be a fun idea similar to the dodgers at the colliseium. I didn't mean to start any drama, I just thought 1 preseason game would be fun. To me its not about the money or cutting out boxes revenue or sponosrs, I just thought one blanket GA price and allow in as many as can fit. If they did it for charity like the dodgers did for think blue, I think it would be a good cause that shouldn't worry about the moeny.

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Is it even still possible to convert the Stick to its baseball configuration?

[mrjpa]

According to a Giants season-ticket holder friend of mine, the retractable right field seats have since been made permanent. Would such a game still be practical?

[Mr. Laser Beam]

^ I don't see how they could physically fit the baseball diamond in. There literally would be no right field. You can't play like that...

[Chevy114]

If they are done with football at that point, why not tear the seats out for the game?

[Lpeters199]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7kEaxSl5MQ&feature=related

[will101]

I just thought it would be a fun idea similar to the dodgers at the colliseium. I didn't mean to start any drama, I just thought 1 preseason game would be fun. To me its not about the money or cutting out boxes revenue or sponosrs, I just thought one blanket GA price and allow in as many as can fit. If they did it for charity like the dodgers did for think blue, I think it would be a good cause that shouldn't worry about the moeny.
I would have preferred it without the drama, too. But sometimes you run across people who say no to everything. And I still think it would be a great way to say goodbye.

[will101]

According to a Giants season-ticket holder friend of mine, the retractable right field seats have since been made permanent. Would such a game still be practical?
Absolutely, and "permanent" is a really bad word to use here. If you go to a Niner fan fest, they bring you in through the old center field. Which means the metal seats are looming over you on your left. You can see that there is a little bit of extra bracing, but it's still just metal scaffolding. In a worst case scenario you could just send some guys out there with cutting torches. But since they dismantle, inspect and refurbish much of it every year (as rust is a big problem) the seats could be taken care of easily.

[CandlestickBum]

Absolutely, and "permanent" is a really bad word to use here. If you go to a Niner fan fest, they bring you in through the old center field. Which means the metal seats are looming over you on your left. You can see that there is a little bit of extra bracing, but it's still just metal scaffolding. In a worst case scenario you could just send some guys out there with cutting torches. But since they dismantle, inspect and refurbish much of it every year (as rust is a big problem) the seats could be taken care of easily.

Yep, agree, permament=no longer easily retractable in this context.
The idea has it's attractions, a July or August weekend series against the Dodgers at Candlestick anyone? Bring back the foghorn at full power baby! But logistics would be a pretty big problem. Esp with food vendors.

One of the games would HAVE to be a retro humm baby game.

[alpineinc]

Great angle, 1978.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2399/1594075975_6a62a32de9_b.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/13184821@N07/1594075975/in/pool-22529997@N00

[will101]

Great angle, 1978.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2399/1594075975_6a62a32de9_b.jpg
After much poking around, I have established that this is on Wednesday afternoon, May 24, 1978. It really helps to see the numbers of the pitcher, catcher and batter. It is the bottom of the eighth, Giants up 2-0, Oscar Zamora pitching to Mike Sadek with Joe Ferguson catching. Sadek is going to fly out to center, ending the eighth. Gary Lavelle will finish the ninth, completing a combined shutout with John (The Count) Montefusco. Paid attendance 6,158, which was typical for weekdays at Candlestick. Notice the heavy jackets worn by pretty much everyone, even though it's late May. I have no life, and it's raining bloody murder outside.

http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1978/B05240SFN1978.htm

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

Some old TSN pics.....

Early 1960's aerial

ENLARGE (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2111/5738411018_cbd3c4b89b_o.jpg)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2111/5738411018_cbd3c4b89b_o.jpg

According to the description, this was land clearing for Candlestick. Perhaps someone can identify approximately where this was on the site.

ENLARGE (http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5187/5737858839_7be26bf57f_o.jpg)
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5187/5737858839_7be26bf57f_o.jpg

Progress? Chuck Ruppert oversees laying of the the fake turf and construction of OF stands. 1972

ENLARGE (http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5270/5738409976_7efaff6680_o.jpg)
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5270/5738409976_7efaff6680_o.jpg

[will101]

Some old TSN pics.....

Early 1960's aerial
From the position of the outfield fences, the way that the lane markings in the road are laid out, and size of the crowd I'm guessing the pennant year of 1962.


According to the description, this was land clearing for Candlestick. Perhaps someone can identify approximately where this was on the site.
Look at the first aerial shot. There is a road making a loop behind home plate. Follow that road north, and at the edge of the parking lot there is a "Y" intersection. The picture is from across the street from the north edge of the future parking lot. We are looking north (same direction as the aerial) and the "Y" can just be seen at the bottom right of the photo. You can also see just how foggy it gets in the distance.


Progress? Chuck Ruppert oversees laying of the the fake turf and construction of OF stands. 1972
Actually this is late March 1971. You can just see the construction of the upper deck extension in the top right, which means it had barely started. All through that season we watched the construction work it's way out around the outfield. During the regular season all of the stands under the construction were blocked off, lowering the baseball capacity to ~33,000. For the playoffs (and football season) the middle third of much of the new upper deck was open, raising the capacity to 41,000+ for baseball and not quite 45,000 for football. By 1972 everything had been completed, giving capacities (at the time) as 56,000 for baseball and 61,000 for football.

[RfkFedEx]

Was immenant domain applied to clear housing from the site? i.e. Chavez Ravine? The neighborhood at Candletick Point didn't look all that poor.

[will101]

There was no housing. It was a rock quarry. Charles Harney owned a constuction company, and mined his own rock for making cement out of the hill, which is the notch that they built the stadium in. He was already successful by not having to buy rock from others, but that was nothing compared to the killing he made for dumping this otherwise useless land on the city, and getting the contract to build the stadium. He cried about all of the stories regarding poor construction and the wind all the way to the bank.

[CandlestickBum]

Some old TSN pics.....

According to the description, this was land clearing for Candlestick. Perhaps someone can identify approximately where this was on the site.



That looks like they are creating road access in from the north side of the site. Either extending Jamestown or Ingerson Ave. Probably Jamestown as it's closest to the hillside.

[will101]

That looks like they are creating road access in from the north side of the site. Either extending Jamestown or Ingerson Ave. Probably Jamestown as it's closest to the hillside.
But nowhere on Jamestown does the road fork and shoot off to the right. I still think that this is Ingerson, the road just visible to the right is Giants Drive, and the vacant lot on the right is now Gilman Park. Plus the slope down from Jamestown is much steeper. If you go to N 37 42.965 W 122 23.390 (about where the photographer was standing) in google maps you can see what I mean. In addition Jamestown never (until recently) had housing on the uphill side, which you can see just at the left edge of the photo.

[CandlestickBum]

But nowhere on Jamestown does the road fork and shoot off to the right. I still think that this is Ingerson, the road just visible to the right is Giants Drive, and the vacant lot on the right is now Gilman Park. Plus the slope down from Jamestown is much steeper. If you go to N 37 42.965 W 122 23.390 (about where the photographer was standing) in google maps you can see what I mean. In addition Jamestown never (until recently) had housing on the uphill side, which you can see just at the left edge of the photo.

Okay. Ingerson it be.

[Paul W]

THIS GAME IS FOR AFTER THE NINERS HAVE MOVED SOUTH BUT BEFORE THEY DEMOLISH THE PLACE!

don't hold you breath for all this happening anytime in the near future...
still would not make business sense for a business like the gi-ants, they're fat and happy with what they have.

[Chevy114]

don't hold you breath for all this happening anytime in the near future...
still would not make business sense for a business like the gi-ants, they're fat and happy with what they have.

But its one game maybe preseason like the dodgers did.

[CandlestickBum]

But its one game maybe preseason like the dodgers did.

Don't pay any attention to PaulW, he has ana obsessive hatred of the Giants. Just sit back and enjoy his rantings, he can be pretty amusing.

[will101]

Don't pay any attention to PaulW, he has ana obsessive hatred of the Giants. Just sit back and enjoy his rantings, he can be pretty amusing.
I've learned that. Like the way he has to put a condescending spin into many of the team names. But he has posted some nice diagrams and pix, so that part I appreciate.

[CandlestickBum]

I've learned that. Like the way he has to put a condescending spin into many of the team names.

Exactly


But he has posted some nice diagrams and pix, so that part I appreciate.

He does make the occasional positive contribution doesn't he?
In conclusion:
We can enjoy his feeble attempts at hate. And enjoy his contributions.

That sounds like a win-win.

Though I reserve the right to poke him with a stick. :vamp:

[alpineinc]

He does make the occasional positive contribution doesn't he?
In conclusion:
We can enjoy his feeble attempts at hate. And enjoy his contributions.

That sounds like a win-win.

Though I reserve the right to poke him with a stick. :vamp:

Sure, he's a grump. But he's our grump.

[jnakamura]

Sure, he's a grump. But he's our grump.

He may see the glass as less than half empty, and beat certain points to death, but his photo and diagram additions to the ballpark forum have been nothing short of invaluable.

[Chevy114]

Can we start a thread deciated to Paul's playful names of our beloved teams? I bet he could do all of them with time!

[RfkFedEx]

Paul has solved many ballpark mysteries for me. His contributions to the board's content have been so awesome. The dude has seen and done more in his baseball lifetime than anyone else here. You just gotta deal with the grumpiness, it's well worth it. He's a walking history book, and real life google machine for everything ballpark or stadium.

[Paul W]

Don't pay any attention to PaulW, he has ana obsessive hatred of the Giants. Just sit back and enjoy his rantings, he can be pretty amusing.

i don't hate 'em - i just like pullin' gi-ants fans (short) chain!

:vamp::balloon::vamp:

[Paul W]

one of my favorite cartoons, an oldie but a good-ie...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OK7v4vAXdiA

:balloon:

[Paul W]

He may see the glass as less than half empty, and beat certain points to death, but his photo and diagram additions to the ballpark forum have been nothing short of invaluable.

using what i've learned from the people i know in the baseball biz, just bein' real.

[Paul W]

the rf observation tower, now in the deep center parking lot.

[Paul W]

building the hitters backdrop...

[Paul W]

gil hodges and the dodgers make that looooonnnnng walk...

[Paul W]

bad weather at the 'stick? perish the thought...

the seat backs look unpainted.

[alpineinc]

6/10/66. Largest link sizes available.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/4354667088_ea1697c926.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3369/3664722888_a4298b1701.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4354675374_cdbd2e3510.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/chaparralbrad/4354667088/in/photostream/

[Mr. Laser Beam]

When the Stick was first built (i.e. its pre-Niners configuration, when it was baseball-only), why were there so many seats out beyond left field, but almost none (save for a couple of tiny bleacher sections) in right?

[Chevy114]

I think part of it was just going for that modern look. I would say the other reason was to fit football in there since the 49ers were always destined to play there.

[jnakamura]

Were the upper deck portals (the ones at the bottom that eventually got closed up) for access by Upper Box seat tickets? I assume those tunnels led to the press level. Was there some kind of physical divider between the Upper Box sections and Upper Reserved sections that prohibited movement between the two levels?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3112/2639144084_9367919296_b.jpg

[RfkFedEx]

The lower portals were closed sometime in the 80s. You can still see where they were when the stadium is empty today, bc the seats are a brighter red from less weathering. A while back I asked the deal w/ how the concourse for that level functioned and what became of it, but no one on here really seems to know.

Anyone know if the watch tower that was reloed to the rf parking lot is still in use today?

[jnakamura]

I just thought it would be a fun idea similar to the dodgers at the colliseium. I didn't mean to start any drama, I just thought 1 preseason game would be fun. To me its not about the money or cutting out boxes revenue or sponosrs, I just thought one blanket GA price and allow in as many as can fit. If they did it for charity like the dodgers did for think blue, I think it would be a good cause that shouldn't worry about the moeny.

It looks like those portal openings led to a stairway that went down one level--presumably to the press/suite level. It this shot you can see the underside of the stairs from the portals that go down.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4802744846_c5e570c7c2_b.jpg

[RfkFedEx]

Also of note, the lower portals were closed off gradually and not all at one time. Did anyone ever try Lucky Fine Beer?

[Chevy114]

I always wondered why they had a chain link fence, but looking at the last pic it makes sense how low the seats are. Wonder why?

[jnakamura]

I always wondered why they had a chain link fence, but looking at the last pic it makes sense how low the seats are. Wonder why?

The original LF design was poor. It made no sense to have the stands that far back. The original baseball fence had a 20 foot gap between the stands and the fence--and that was when the power alleys were 395. In 1961 when the moved the fences in the gap was just ridiculous.

I've heard it mentioned that it was done so that a football field would fit, but they didn't need all that room--as you can see there's still a very wide gap between the football field and the stands.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4031/4295153459_965d776d4e_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/33574290@N00/4295153459/

[Chevy114]

It looks like the corner of the endzone is right aginst the original seats in LF. You have to remember it was conviced in the 50s and finished in 60 or 61, so they probably didn't have the technology to make the curve any sharper than that.

[jnakamura]

It looks like the corner of the endzone is right aginst the original seats in LF. You have to remember it was conviced in the 50s and finished in 60 or 61, so they probably didn't have the technology to make the curve any sharper than that.

That's kind of the point--why have a curved stand? In fact, why have the grandstand in LF at all? The football sideline was in RF. Those seats in LF were lousy for baseball and football.

If anything they should have had the main grandstand stop down the LF line the same way it did down the RF line. Then build a small bleacher section (baseball bleachers/football endzone seats) in LF. In RF they should have built a more substantial straight grandstand that ran from the foul pole out to right center field to act as prime football seats (Like Jacobs Field's LF bleachers).

Anyway you slice it that LF section was a flaming mess and very poorly thought out.

[Chevy114]

Yeah I feel you thats probably why the Big A and Shea didn't put one up. I feel like it was either this or those straight stands from comiskey and ebbets.

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

I don't miss the Stick for baseball at all.

Here's an early construction shot. Pouring concrete for the supports, perhaps.

ENLARGE (http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6076/6085887996_3b07458d70_o.jpg)
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6076/6085887996_3b07458d70_o.jpg

[CandlestickBum]

Was there some kind of physical divider between the Upper Box sections and Upper Reserved sections that prohibited movement between the two levels?


No. Entering the upper deck you could walk down into the upper box seats or walk up into the upper reserve. Upper box in the infield areas were pretty decent seats. RF upper deck sucked Alpaca.



Did anyone ever try Lucky Fine Beer?

Just known as Lucky Lager, cheap cheap cheap. The first beer I ever tasted, warm of course, and (well) underage. Olympia and Pabst were still around then .

[Matt The Hammer]

That's kind of the point--why have a curved stand? In fact, why have the grandstand in LF at all? The football sideline was in RF. Those seats in LF were lousy for baseball and football.

Anyway you slice it that LF section was a flaming mess and very poorly thought out.

Maybe - just guessing - that the original designs for the Stick had possible use as a running track? If you look at the aerial shot with the Niners game, you could see how a running track would be laid out in there.

Again, just guessing. Was San Fran ever contemplating an Olympic bid?

[bnbusser]

Candlestick was also the site of the last live paying gig by the fab four. Exactly 45 years ago today (August 29, 1966) the Beatles played their last live show ever at Candlestick Park (the impromptu show on top of the Apple building in London in 1969 doesn't count).

[RfkFedEx]

Last concert at Candlestick was whom? Stones early 80s I'm guessing.