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Reply With QuoteThe All Star Game wasn't a big deal back then. 55,000 was actually a pretty good crowd.Originally Posted by hbwriter
The 1960 All Star Game at Yankee Stadium drew only 38,362 and the 1964 game at Shea was only 50,000.
I had an interesting experience yesterday. I spent the day at the LA Coliseum, being interviewed by a current player about the stadium history (I wrote a book about the LAC and this visit was for the taping of a TV pilot about ballparks)
This guy was an All Star this past season so we got to talking about the All Star game played at the LAC in '59--that game always struck me for several reasons--one, because there were two All Star games in 1959 and the LAC represented the back end of a double header (game one had been played in Pittsburgh the month before).
Also, I believe the LAC game was played in the afternoon (according to newspaper reports)
But the thing that interests me most is that All Star game represents the only time that many legends played at the LAC--players including Kaline, Ted Williams, Early Wynn, Killebrew, and several others.
Oh, another thing--check out the official logo for the LAC All Star Game - a sombrero? Seems odd...
Anyway, when allowed, I'll post some photos from yesterday--I have to say the player was dumbstruck at the thought of baseball in the Coliseum--but he'd never been there before and really liked the place. If anyone has anymore info/photos/etc. on this game, it'd be great to see it.
LA Times article on the game - (ONLY 55,000?
Last edited by hbwriter; 11-12-2009 at 11:10 AM.
The All Star Game wasn't a big deal back then. 55,000 was actually a pretty good crowd.
The 1960 All Star Game at Yankee Stadium drew only 38,362 and the 1964 game at Shea was only 50,000.
J--I know All Star game attendances were lower back then--but the Coliseum, given how new MLB was to the area in '59, typically drew pretty big for special events--(the Yankee/Dodger exhibition--Campanella night--pulled 93K+)
But that's just it--the ASG wasn't considered a really "special" event.
Yankee Stadium always drew big crowds for special events too. The fact that less than 39,000 showed up speaks volumes about how "special" the ASG was considered during that time.
BTW I love that sombrero ASG logo! Great Find!
Who was the player!???! I am VERY curious!I had an interesting experience yesterday. I spent the day at the LA Coliseum, being interviewed by a current player about the stadium history (I wrote a book about the LAC and this visit was for the taping of a TV pilot about ballparks)
This guy was an All Star this past season so we got to talking about the All Star game played at the LAC in '59--that game always struck me for several reasons--one, because there were two All Star games in 1959 and the LAC represented the back end of a double header (game one had been played in Pittsburgh the month before).
Also, I believe the LAC game was played in the afternoon (according to newspaper reports)
But the thing that interests me most is that All Star game represents the only time that many legends played at the LAC--players including Kaline, Ted Williams, Early Wynn, Killebrew, and several others.
Oh, another thing--check out the official logo for the LAC All Star Game - a sombrero? Seems odd...
Anyway, when allowed, I'll post some photos from yesterday--I have to say the player was dumbstruck at the thought of baseball in the Coliseum--but he'd never been there before and really liked the place. If anyone has anymore info/photos/etc. on this game, it'd be great to see it.
LA Times article on the game - (ONLY 55,000?]
Jna--
But that's just it--the ASG wasn't considered a really "special" event.
---
I know--but I think that applied more on the east coast and midwest--in the west, it was all still pretty new and I think fans supported almost any MLB event--still, 50K is respectable--but I bet the LAC still looked empty
Locke--I'll post photos, soon--I just can't reveal too much as they're just in production now
That was the problem with the Coliseum--even a crowd of 60,000 seems empty-ish. For the record though, the '59 ASG was the 4th highest (ASG) attendance in history to that date.Jna--
But that's just it--the ASG wasn't considered a really "special" event.
---
I know--but I think that applied more on the east coast and midwest--in the west, it was all still pretty new and I think fans supported almost any MLB event--still, 50K is respectable--but I bet the LAC still looked empty
Anyway here's some LIFE pics from 1957 you (all) might enjoy (unless you're Brooklyn fans)
I hate the misconception that it was solely O'Malley's fault for the move. He really tried to keep the Dodgers here, but it was Moses who really forced them out. But I like the trade off we got. Anyways... those are some great shots. I love the helicopter that Walter was flying in. Was that him flying over Chavez Ravine?
1969-1986
1969-1973-1986-2000
1969-1973-1986-1988-2006
1999-2000
Yep. Here's a couple more of the famous 1957 flight.
We'll put it... HERE!
great shots, man--thanks for those
Yeah, LIFE has some awesome photos.
Looks like ol' Walt is ready to hurl in that last pic...and they haven't even left the ground yet.
These photographs are outfreeginstanding! Great find jna and thank you for sharing them on here. As you well may know by know, I don't like LA (I don't even like anybody's grandma from LA, ha! Said more in jest ftr) but these shots are fascinating! One would have to be brain dead not to enjoy each and every one of them. The fly over Chavez Rev. are particulary interesting . . . even the LAC shots. I admit, there is something very special about LAC with the portholes and nothing but a smooth flow and view of seating . . . would be interesting if somebody tried to build a new ballpark looking similar to LAC with a more squared angle for baseball.
Many Thanks again!!!
Some's basturds, some's ain't. Thats the score.
As I looked at the picture of the hill where Dodger Stadium would eventually be built, I couldn't help but try and paint a picture in my head of where certain things are now, what was destroyed, etc...
Great finds.
No one can make you
Do what they want to
You know you're stronger
Than the lies
That they tell you
Somebody try to spot where home plate would be and paint it over the pic
21 National League Pennants
Chinese Democracy--due to your name, I'm guessing you're a G-N-R fan--the other day when I arrived at the LAC to tape the show, at the building nearby where I parked--the band was actually in there rehearsing for the upcoming tour of Asia--sounded great!
This shot also came from O'Malley's epic 1957 flight. Too bad this park lost out.
Last edited by Lpeters199; 11-13-2009 at 12:57 PM.
Geeze, LA was sprawl even back then.
What gave me away?
They've been working on their pyro the last couple of days. Gonna be a huge show.
I'm looking forward to your new project.
No one can make you
Do what they want to
You know you're stronger
Than the lies
That they tell you
Excellent find. The main roads next to the hill look like what is now Stadium Way & Elysian Park Ave. Or is that road in the foreground Scott Ave?
A couple of slides from my collection of the All Star Game
Closeup of the scoreboard
Bob--I cannot tell you how those made my day--spectacular--thank you
Excellent pictures! Any of the left field screen?
Here's the only slide with a view of the left field screen. It very hard to see because of the distance and the white shirted crowd.
funny how the lines for football are still visible
(these new pop ads on here are making me NUTS--I hate them)
And CD--thanks for the interest -- I think you'll enjoy the new LA ballpark book (out in April)
Interesting to see many of the homes are still there.
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