Forgotten MLB Ballparks: Crosley Field in Cincinnati

Crosley Field, formerly Redland Field, is perhaps one of the most historic yet least known MLB ballparks in baseball's history.  It's final structure was finished just as two other MLB ballparks opened; Wrigley Field and Fenway Park. Both Wrigley Field and Fenway Park are still in operation today. As the home of the very first professional baseball franchise, one would think the city would have a remembrance on the former site. However, there is very little remembering the old Crosley which stood on the corners of Findlay Street and Western Avenue.
Perhaps the most famous feature of the ballpark was the left field incline that rose 16 degrees. Baseball fans can get a general sense of what the incline was like by observing the center field slope at Houston's Minute Maid Park. In return, there is also a dedication to the terrace outside of Great American Ballpark complete with statues of Joe Nuxhall and Frank Robinson.
Home to the Reds from 1884 to 1970, Crosley was one of the smallest MLB ballparks in the country. It was named after Powel Crosley who purchased the team in 1934. Crosley would go on to be the first team owner to suggest and implement night baseball. He had to get permission from the league first but felt that with the Great Depression ongoing, the Reds would lose money if games would continue to be played during the day. Crosley was right - the ballpark was frequently over capacity for night games after the night lights were installed.
Of course, such large crowds presented a problem. Crosley was located on the West Side of town in more of a neighborhood setting as it was miles from downtown Cincinnati. There was very little parking for cars as traveling by train had decreased dramatically in the 1950s and 60s. During that same era, transplanted Cleveland Browns coach Paul Brown was given the keys to an expansion team; the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals had no home, however, and part of the expansion plan was that a venue would be constructed for them. The deal came with perfect timing as the Reds were also looking for a new ballpark.
In 1970, both of Cincinnati's franchises moved to Riverfront Stadium which was located in a rather undeveloped part of the city. Riverfront was one of multiple MLB ballparks shaped like a cookie cutter. Those other ballparks were also home to the city's NFL franchise including Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh and Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia. The Reds went on to win three World Series titles while playing at Riverfront. It was demolished in 2002, the year before the Reds moved into Great American Ballpark.

MLB Ballparks