RetroSeasons recaps past sports seasons through stories, photos, videos, and stats from every team, league, and stadium in history. Coverage includes the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL, as well as vintage media from defunct teams and leagues.
The first game played was an inter-league exhibition game against the New York Yankees on April 5, 1913, played before an overcapacity of 30,000 fans, with 5,000 more who had arrived but were not able to get in. After a loss against the Yankees in another exhibition game on April 7 in front of about 1,000 fans on a very cold day, the first game that counted was played on April 9 against the Philadelphia Phillies, with Brooklyn losing, 1–0. When the park was opened, it was discovered that the flag, keys to the bleachers, and a press box had all been forgotten. The press box level was not added until 1929. The seating area was initially a double deck from past third base, around home plate, and all the way down the right side. There was an open, concrete bleacher stand extending the rest of the way down the third base side to the outer wall, but no seating in left field or centerfield. The right field wall was fairly high due to the short foul line (around 300 feet (91 m)) necessitated by the street immediately beyond it, but had no screen or scoreboard at first. The ballpark was built on a sloping piece of ground. The right field wall made up the difference, as the right field corner was above street level.
As with Boston's Fenway Park and Detroit's Tiger Stadium, two ballparks that opened one year earlier than Ebbets Field, the intimate configuration prompted some baseball writers to refer to Ebbets Field as a "cigar box" or a "bandbox."
On July 20, 1957, the Brooklyn Dodgers faced the Chicago Cubs at Ebbets Field in a mid-season matchup. Don Drysdale took the mound for the Dodgers, while Dave Hillman started for the Cubs. At this point in the season, the Dodgers were in a close race in the National League, trying to keep pace with the Milwaukee Braves. The Cubs, on the other hand, were struggling to climb out of the lower half of the standings. Key players like Duke Snider and Gil Hodges were crucial for the Dodgers’ offense, while the Cubs relied on Ernie Banks and Lee Walls for their batting strength.
The game began with the Cubs scoring an early run in the first inning, but the Dodgers quickly responded with a four-run outburst in their half of the first, highlighted by a two-run double from Gino Cimoli. Don Drysdale settled in after a shaky start, while the Dodgers added insurance runs with a solo homer from Randy Jackson in the sixth inning and another from Duke Snider in the eighth. The Cubs mounted a late rally in the seventh inning, with Ernie Banks hitting a three-run homer, and added another run in the ninth on Banks’ second homer of the game, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Dodgers’ lead.
In the end, the Dodgers secured a 7-5 victory, thanks to a strong start from Drysdale and timely hitting. With this win, the Dodgers remained competitive in the pennant race, showcasing their resilience and depth. Ernie Banks' performance for the Cubs highlighted his power-hitting capability, though it was insufficient to change the game's outcome. The season continued with both teams striving for different goals, the Dodgers aiming for a postseason berth and the Cubs looking to build for the future.
During the month of August 1957, the Pirates found themselves in a tight pennant race...
Pittsburgh Pirates vs Los Angeles Dodgers - Radio Broadcast / During the month of August 1957, the Pirates found themselves in a tight pennant race with the Milwaukee Braves. They were battling for the top spot in the league, and every game mattered. Led by legendary outfielder Roberto Clemente and slugger Hank Aaron, the Pirates and Braves engaged in an intense race that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
The Dodgers, on the other hand, were also performing well in August. Led by their star player, Duke Snider, and bolstered by the strong pitching of Don Drysdale, the Dodgers were staying within striking distance of the leading teams.
Throughout the month, both the Pirates and Dodgers played numerous crucial games against each other and other top teams in the league. These matchups were closely contested, often decided by the narrowest of margins.
By the end of August 1957, the Pirates had managed to maintain their position in the race for the National League pennant. Their star players, like Clemente, delivered key performances to keep them in contention. However, the Dodgers were hot on their heels, determined to seize any opportunity to overtake the Pirates and secure the top spot.
As the season progressed, the Pirates and Dodgers continued to battle it out until the final games of the regular season. The race for the pennant remained incredibly tight, making the 1957 season one of the most memorable and exciting in baseball history. Ultimately, the team that prevailed would have the honor of competing in the World Series and contend for the championship title.
This 1957 regular season game at Ebbets field sees the Brooklyn Dodgers hosting the...
Chicago Cubs vs Brooklyn Dodgers - Radio Broadcast / This 1957 regular season game at Ebbets field sees the Brooklyn Dodgers hosting the Chicago Cubs. On the mound are two young pitchers, the Cubs rookie Dick Drott and the Dodger's Sandy Koufax. At this point, Koufax is in his 3rd season and this game is his his 21st career start.
The legendary Vin Scully calls the game In his 8th year in the broadcast booth and the Dodgers final season in Brooklyn.
In this 2006 interview, legendary broadcaster Ernie Harwell reflects on his early career, notably his...
Ernie Harwell - Brooklyn Dodgers - Radio Interview Part 3 of 8 / In this 2006 interview, legendary broadcaster Ernie Harwell reflects on his early career, notably his time with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Before becoming synonymous with the Detroit Tigers, Harwell's distinctive voice and keen insights graced Dodgers broadcasts, providing fans with vivid descriptions and memorable moments from the games. This segment offers a unique look into Harwell's contributions to baseball history and the narrative of one of the sport's most storied franchises during its Brooklyn era.
