Crosley Field Opening

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Lore & Background

The site at Findlay and Western had housed three distinct parks for the Reds before Crosley Field existed. From 1884 to 1901, League Park stood there, followed by the Palace of the Fans from 1902 to 1911. Crosley Field itself was originally named Redland Field when it opened in 1912, and was renamed Crosley Field in 1934 after local businessman Powel Crosley Jr. bought the struggling Reds. The park was the first major-league park with lights for playing night games, hosting the first night game on May 24, 1935, with President Franklin D. Roosevelt pressing a telegraph key to light the field. The park also hosted the 1938 All-Star Game.

In Their Own Story

On May 24, 1935, history was made as President Franklin D. Roosevelt pressed a button from the White House to illuminate Crosley Field for its first night game against the Philadelphia Phillies. A crowd of 20,422 fans watched Lou Chiozza become the first player to bat under major-league lights in a game the Reds won 2–1 behind Paul Derringer. The park saw chaotic moments too; on July 31, an overflow crowd forced people onto the field during a game against the St. Louis Cardinals, leaving manager Chuck Dressen unable to see the action and remarking, "I see the Cardinals got a run — but I don't know how they got it." During that same era, burlesque performer Kitty Burke stepped into the batter's box for an unofficial pinch-hit appearance against Paul Dean. In 1937, after home plate was moved 20 feet toward center field to reduce dimensions, Mill Creek flooded the field under 20 feet of water, prompting pitcher Lee Grissom and traveling secretary John McDonald to row a boat into the outfield.

Reader's Guide

Crosley Field was located in the Queensgate section of Cincinnati, bounded by Findlay Street, Western Avenue, Dalton Avenue, York Street, and McLean Avenue. The park had a distinctive 'V' shape due to the angle of its covered grandstands, earning it the nickname 'The Old Boomerang.' It was among the smallest parks in the majors, with a capacity of about 25,000 in 1912, later expanding to just over 30,000 seats. The outfield seating, known as the 'Sun Deck' (or 'Moon Deck' for night games), was in right field. The park's dimensions changed over time, with home plate moved 20 feet toward center field after the 1937 season.

Did You Know?

• Crosley Field was the first major-league park with lights for playing night games.
• The park was originally named Redland Field when it opened in 1912, and was renamed Crosley Field in 1934.
• Three different parks stood on the same site before Crosley Field: League Park (1884–1901), Palace of the Fans (1902–1911), and then Redland Field/Crosley Field (1912–1970).
• In 1937, Mill Creek flooded, submerging the field under 20 feet of water; Reds pitcher Lee Grissom and traveling secretary John McDonald rowed a boat onto the field.