What in the Heck?

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Posted By: Jim VB

Like most issues, the driving force behind this was money.

Remember that back in the 1950-1960's, the major source of revenue for all baseball teams was attendance, not TV contracts. Almost annually, the National League champion faced off against the Yankees in the World Series. In 1952, 1953, 1955, and 1956 that was the Dodgers vs. the Yanks. Average attendance in Yankee Stadium approached 70,000. In Ebbetts Field it was 35,000. This disparity helped drive the Dodgers and the Giants westward.

In 1959 the Dodgers drew 90,000+ in the Series against the White Sox, because they played in the Coliseum. But in 1961, the National League was back to drawing 35,000 for the Pirates in Forbes Field.

Clearly, the stadiums were the problem, not the team, or the league designation.

In addition, both leagues had expanded and new stadiums were being built. Cities like Pittsburgh, Philly, and Cincy were afraid they would be left behind (or worse their teams would leave town.) They reacted with new stadiums, but for the sake of fiscal prudence, designed stadiums that could be used for multiple sports. "Astro-turf" allowed them to use a field for baseball, football, concerts, or anything else they could think of. They did not have to worry that Monday's Rolling Stones concert would tear up the grass before Wednesday's baseball game or Sunday's football game.

This neutral, round design, led to bland stadiums. Thank God that the infusion of TV money helped convince teams and cities that they could afford to have multiple stadiums in the same city, for different sports.