Ebbets Field from the outfield, 1950s
By B Major
The year 2007 marks the 50th anniversary of the last game the Brooklyn Dodgers played in Ebbets Field, the ballpark so fondly recalled by a generation of Brooklynites. On Sept. 24, 1957, the Dodgers beat the Pittsburgh Pirates, 2-0. The team subsequently departed Brooklyn for Los Angeles in 1958 and Ebbets Field, built in 1913, was torn down two years later. Today, the Ebbets Field Houses stand on the spot once occupied by the legendary ballpark. Strangely, the Brooklyn Dodgers are remembered as residents of Flatbush. Indeed, one of the club's top stars, Duke Snider, was known as "The Duke of Flatbush" and even the recent HBO series on the team is titled "Brooklyn Dodgers - The Ghosts of Flatbush." But Ebbets Field was actually located in Crown Heights. The borders of the bandbox ballpark were Sullivan, McKeever, Bedford and Montgomery Streets - the southwest corner of Crown Heights. Let's hear from some folks who were around in those days: does anyone know why Ebbets Field, clearly located in Crown Heights, was so closely associated with Flatbush?
5 comments:
The NY Jets and Giants play in NJ, get over it
Maybe because it was right off Flatbush Avenue which was the main drag back in the day
I am not too expert in the history of Brooklyn, but I recently read the novel Sophie's Choice which was set in 1947 on a street overlooking the Prospect Park Parade Grounds, an area described as Flatbush. The book also mentions the characters visiting Crown Heights, described as a posh part of Flatbush. Thus, it seems that in mid-Century at least Crown Heights was considered part of Flatbush.
If I had to guess, I would assume all were in or near the borders of the pre-Brooklyn village of Flatbush and inherit the name.
Thank you very much, 11:04. Although I am a fan of the film, I must admit I've never read the novel "Sophie's Choice." I'll pick it up today! Great perspective.
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