Comiskey Park

The Baseball Palace of the World that hosted champions, boxing legends, and the Chicago Cardinals' 1947 NFL title.

Comiskey Park was a ballpark in Chicago, Illinois, located in the Armour Square neighborhood on the near-south side of the city. The stadium served as the home of the Chicago White Sox of the American League from 1910 through 1990. Built by White Sox owner Charles Comiskey and designed by Zachary Taylor Davis, Comiskey Park hosted four World Series and more than 6,000 Major League Baseball games. The field also hosted one of the most famous boxing matches in history: Joe Louis' defeat of champion James J. Braddock, launching his 11-year run as the heavyweight champion of the world.

The Chicago Cardinals of the National Football League also called Comiskey Park home when they were not playing at Normal Park, Soldier Field, or Wrigley Field. They won the 1947 NFL Championship Game over the Philadelphia Eagles at Comiskey Park. Much less popular than the Bears, the Cardinals had their last season at Comiskey in 1958, and they left for St. Louis in March 1960. The Chicago American Giants of the Negro American League called Comiskey Park home from 1941 to 1950.

The park was also home to the Chicago Mustangs and Chicago Sting of the NASL. The park was demolished in 1991, after a new Comiskey Park stadium (later renamed U.S. Cellular Field, then Rate Field) opened just to the south.

Quick Facts

Nickname

The Baseball Palace of the World
Old Comiskey Park
White Sox Park

Location

324 West 35th Street; Chicago, Illinois

Groundbreaking

1910

Opened

July 1, 1910

Closed

September 30, 1990

Demolished

1991

Owner

Chicago White Sox

Surface

Natural grass; AstroTurf infield (1969–1975)

Lore & Background

White Sox Park was built on a former city dump that Charles Comiskey bought in 1909 to replace the wooden South Side Park. Within three years, it was renamed Comiskey Park. The original name was restored in 1962, then it changed back to Comiskey Park in 1976. On April 22, 1923, the park was subject to a bombing, suspected to be labor unions in response to it being painted by non-union, open shop, painters.

During a time of unrest due to an employer movement to weaken labor unions. Comiskey Park was very modern for its time. It was the third concrete-and-steel stadium in the major leagues to be built since 1909. As originally built, it seated almost 32,000, a record at the time.

Briefly, it retained the nickname 'The Baseball Palace of the World'. Light towers were added in 1939. The park's design was strongly influenced by Sox pitcher Ed Walsh and was known for its pitcher-friendly proportions (362 feet to the foul poles; 420 ft to center field). Later changes were made, but the park remained more or less favorable to defensive teams.

For many years this reflected on the White Sox style of play: solid defense, and short, quick hits. The park was unusual in that no player hit 100 home runs there: Carlton Fisk set the record with 94. The first game in Comiskey Park was a 2–0 loss to the St. Louis Browns on July 1, 1910. The first no-hitter at Comiskey Park was in 1911, hurled by Ed Walsh on August 27, a 5–0 win over Boston.

The Sox won their first home night game, over St. Louis on August 14, 1939, 5–2. The ballpark was significantly expanded during the 1926–1927 off-season. The single-deck pavilions and the outfield bleachers were replaced by a double-decked stand which surrounded almost the entire field except for a new, small bleacher section in straightaway centerfield. While Comiskey Park hosted the Chicago Sting and other soccer events, it did not host the final Soccer Bowl—that honor belongs to Stanford Stadium in 1984.

Reader's Guide

Comiskey Park was the site of four World Series contests. In 1917, the Chicago White Sox won Games 1, 2 and 5 at Comiskey Park and went on to defeat the New York Giants four games to two. In 1918, Comiskey Park hosted the World Series between the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox. The Cubs borrowed Comiskey Park for the series because of its larger seating capacity.

The Red Sox defeated the Cubs four games to two. Games 1–3 were played at Comiskey Park. The Red Sox won games one and three. Attendance was under capacity in that war year.

The best crowd was Game 3, with some 27,000 patrons. In 1919, the White Sox lost the infamous 'Black Sox' World Series to the Cincinnati Reds, five games to three in a nine-game series. Games three, four, five and eight were played at Comiskey Park. The White Sox won game three and lost games four, five and eight.

In 1959, the White Sox lost four games to two to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Games one, two and six were played at Comiskey Park. The White Sox won game one and lost games two and six. With their win in Game 6 at Comiskey Park, the Los Angeles Dodgers became the first West Coast team to win a World Series.

Comiskey saw its last post-season action in 1983, when the White Sox lost the American League Championship Series to the Baltimore Orioles 3–1. The White Sox lost both of their home games (Games 3 and 4). Baltimore went on to win the World Series. Comiskey Park was the site of three Major League Baseball All-Star Games: 1933, 1950, and 1983. Comiskey Park was the most frequent home to the Negro leagues East-West All-Star Game from 1933 to 1960.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Comiskey Park's role for the team?

It served as the primary home stadium for the Chicago Cardinals from 1927 until 1959. This venue marked a foundational era where the team established its early identity before relocating westward.

Where was this historic stadium located?

The grounds were situated in Chicago, Illinois, sharing the facility with the city's Major League Baseball team. It stood alongside the White Sox as a co-tenant for many decades during its operation.

Which other professional team played at this venue?

The Chicago White Sox were the primary co-tenants of the ballpark during its entire tenure. This dual usage made it one of the few venues hosting both professional football and baseball at the time.