Forbes Field

[icee82]

By the way...I did a little research on this photo. It was taken on October 1,
1966. Woodie Fryman was the Pirates pitcher. Bob Bailey is at third base, Gene Alley is at shortstop, Manny Mota is in left field, Donn Clendenon is the first baseman, Willie Mays is the baserunner, and Jim Ray Hart is at the plate. It was actually the first game of a doubleheader and the next to last day of the 1966 season.

[PeteU]

Am I correct when I heard that Forbes Field was the first ballpark with padding on its fences?

However, were any of the outfield fences padded? It looked that at least in left field, the fences were brick.

If anyone could clarify, that would be great.

[Milwaukee T]

When you look at photos like these and see the towering structures of Pittsburgh all around the stadium; you start to really appreciate these old gems as parks in the neighborhood. It is such a shame that all these new stadiums have to be isolated from the neighbors due to parking and shops. I would love to have a new stadium built amoungst these types of buildings and let the city and the sport remain the focus point rather than the entertaainment that these new places all feel the need to have with pools and food courts. How about, just once, work with the confinements of the surrounding area rather than forcing the places to "feel" like they have them.

[tdinan]

PROGRAMMING ALERT!!!

This Saturday, May 31st @ 6pm Turner Classic Movies is showing "Angels in the Outfield" with Paul Douglas and Janet Leigh. It contains some amazing (B&W) footage of Forbes Field, including the dugout, playing field, concourse and locker room, circa 1951.

This is a must-see for all classic ballpark afficianados.

[Stray Cat]

By the way...I did a little research on this photo. It was taken on October 1,
1966. Woodie Fryman was the Pirates pitcher. Bob Bailey is at third base, Gene Alley is at shortstop, Manny Mota is in left field, Donn Clendenon is the first baseman, Willie Mays is the baserunner, and Jim Ray Hart is at the plate. It was actually the first game of a doubleheader and the next to last day of the 1966 season.

This picture is how I remember Forbes Field. In 68-69 my dad and I went to
a lot of games. It where I learned to love baseball. Iron City beer, peanuts, popcorn, bat and helmet give away days. So many great games with my dad who isn't with us anymore.

[Pelt]

That's a great pic. It's the first aerial I've seen of Forbes where it is in football configuration.

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

Here's a field shot from 1915

Click To ENLARGE

[Pelt]

[Pelt]

Here's another one with the area pretty much cleared off.

[alpineinc]

More photos from the great stadiumpage site. Didn't even know these were there!





And more demo shots:

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

Great pics, Alpine. Some of the most interesting b/w game pics from the stands you'll ever see. Those box seats weren't even bolted down; they're basically fold up picnic chairs. Is that Pittsburgh or Mayberry??

I also love the abandoned scoreboard with the dark imposing tower in the background.

I'm also loving all the other great Forbes pics. Keep them coming.

[alpineinc]

Some of the most interesting b/w game pics from the stands you'll ever see. Those box seats weren't even bolted down; they're basically fold up picnic chairs. Is that Pittsburgh or Mayberry??.

Ha, I was thinking the same thing - looks like a company picnic! Must be a beer keg or cooler somewhere, lol.

[Pelt]

I love seating diagrams.

[DaBigMotor]

Weird how a Major League ballpark found itself in the middle of a college campus....

[Sean O]

More photos from the great stadiumpage site. Didn't even know these were there!

Whoa, amazing! In the top-center of this shot you can see the following:

"During World War II, from June 26, 1943, through the end of the season, a huge U.S. Marine made of wood stood against the left-field wall, just to the right of the scoreboard. Standing at parade rest, the Marine Sergeant was 32 feet high, 15 feet wide across his feet, and in play."

I always wondered whether or not there were pictures of this, and apparently this photographer randomly captured one in just that brief 3 month span. Awesome.

[cgcoyne2]

Great pics, Alpine. Some of the most interesting b/w game pics from the stands you'll ever see. Those box seats weren't even bolted down; they're basically fold up picnic chairs. Is that Pittsburgh or Mayberry??

Almost all of the old stadiums had movable seats in the front boxes. The seats that were bolted down started a few rows back.

[Pelt]

Here are a couple more from stadiumpage.com.

Even though the beams obstruct views and you can't see all of right field in this one, I'd still see every game from here if I had to - gladly.



This pic shows a better view of the screen over the right field fence.

[cgcoyne2]

How about these pictures I worked up.

[Lafferty Daniel]

Whoa, amazing! In the top-center of this shot you can see the following:

"During World War II, from June 26, 1943, through the end of the season, a huge U.S. Marine made of wood stood against the left-field wall, just to the right of the scoreboard. Standing at parade rest, the Marine Sergeant was 32 feet high, 15 feet wide across his feet, and in play."

I always wondered whether or not there were pictures of this, and apparently this photographer randomly captured one in just that brief 3 month span. Awesome.

That is pretty sweet. Good eye.

[Lafferty Daniel]

Just perfect.

Attachment 43919

That backdrop is perfect. Newer stadiums could learn a few things from Forbes Field.

[alpineinc]

How about these pictures I worked up.

Cool! Looks right - the existing wall matches right up, and the home plate is right inside that dark gray building today.



I HIGHLY recommend to anyone into classic baseball to take a trip to Pittsburgh, including a visit to the Forbes Field wall and home plate. For those of us who love the old parks, it's great to see an actual piece of one that exists exactly where it was 40+ years ago, and beautifully maintained as well. The few minutes we were there, we ran into a few other fans and chatted about the old parks, etc.

And don't forget a game at beautiful PNC - with a Primanti Bros. cheesesteak (not like Philly!) and Iron City brewskis, and you can also hang out at beautiful Point State Park across the river, where you can see both new stadiums, and even the Andy Warhol museum is nearby. My favorite baseball trip so far.

[alpineinc]

Whoa, amazing! In the top-center of this shot you can see the following:

"During World War II, from June 26, 1943, through the end of the season, a huge U.S. Marine made of wood stood against the left-field wall, just to the right of the scoreboard. Standing at parade rest, the Marine Sergeant was 32 feet high, 15 feet wide across his feet, and in play."

I always wondered whether or not there were pictures of this, and apparently this photographer randomly captured one in just that brief 3 month span. Awesome.

Wow, didn't see that. That is amazing! I wonder if anyone knocked one into him?

Any idea of the wording on the Marine (if they are words) itself, next to the Buy War Bonds, etc.?

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

Some great shots in this thread. The color ones from Lpeters were wallpaper worthy, and I'm not even a Pirate fan.

Here's a slightly larger version of a pic posted by Pelt a while back


Plus some more Corbis shots

2 from 1956




June 29, 1970 After last game at Forbes.

[Pelt]

Looks like that third pic got flipped somehow. The scoreboard is down the right field line instead of left. Still a great pic though!

[DaBigMotor]

There was ZERO parking around this place.

Strange how here, like Yankee Stadium, the stands were "V" shapped around the ball diamond, making it an akward fit, and forcing the plate farther out from the stands. Would seem to have had terrible sightlines because of that.

Whatever happened to the scoreboard, (or what was left of it?)