Posts Tagged ‘Baseball’

Chris Boyd’s superb documentary on “The First Padres” is now available on DVD.  Check it out on this link: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/thefirstpadres.  Chris includes great archival footage of the Lane Field days and interviews with players and local historians.  The film premiered on KPBS back on October 8.  It’s well-worth owning.

The premier of  “The First Padres” by filmmaker Chris Boyd is coming to KPBS television on October 8 at 9:00.  Check the website for more details  http://thefirstpadres.com/ and view the trailer here.  This is a wonderful documentary on the history of our team.  Be sure to tune in.

Babe Ruth in 1921. From Library of Congress.

George Herman Ruth, world’s greatest baseball player, came into our midst on the noon train today slanting one eye at his traveling bag and the other at the overcast sky. “Low visibility,” quoth the Babe. “But if the raindrops will stay away for a short time I guess I can get the range and park a few baseballs on the far side of your famous stadium.”
–San Diego Tribune, October 29, 1924.

The story of a barnstorming Babe Ruth when he hit homers in City Stadium: Babe Ruth in San Diego.

Spalding is perhaps the world’s most recognized name in sporting goods. Less well-known is the man who founded the famous company: Albert Goodwill Spalding, a member of the baseball Hall of Fame, business magnate, and prominent San Diegan.

The story of A. G. Spalding and San Diego.

Not even Yankee Stadium or Boston’s Fenway Park can surpass the comforts and conveniences of the Padres’ new home . . . This is a real ballpark, built for the game of baseball, a ballpark in which the city of San Diego can take great pride.  –Jack Murphy, San Diego Union

Read about the fondly remembered Padres stadium in Mission Valley: Westgate Park.

Westgate Park photo courtesy Bill Swank