View Single Post
Old 04-03-2024, 07:37 PM   #88
asrivkin
Major Leagues
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Maryland
Posts: 316
Exposition Park 1882

Today, we finish off Pittsburgh.

What I gather from some web research is that the first home for the current Pirates franchise is very close to where they reside today. In 1882 their grounds were in what was then the separate town of Allegheny City, at the site of 1875's Allegheny Exposition. This was Exposition Park (I). The field was prone to flooding, so in 1883 they moved to a field closer to the river but less prone to flooding. This was Exposition Park (II). After a few months, they moved back to Exposition Park (I). It is not clear to me whether these fields used the same grandstand, or what. The next year either more flooding, the fear of more flooding, or just wanting a change of scene, led them to move to Recreation Park, already made by dswans. In 1891 they moved _back_ to a new Exposition Park, which lasted much longer and many historic players and games.

There's not a whole lot else out there about Exposition Parks I and II, and as noted I'm not sure if they even had different grandstands. I found a mention of harness racing there, and the insurance maps and one photo I found do show a track.

Google Drive Link to Exposition Park 1882

The photo claims to be from 1890, so I'm not sure the photo is quite from a version the Pirates used, but I figured it was at least something to work with. I also noted that it was pretty similar to the model of Tampa's Plant Field that I made, so I used that as a base and altered it. I'm not sure that was the best move, particularly since I made the park early on in my endeavors, but what's done is done.

As noted, this completes all the Pittsburgh Pirates' fields back to their formation. The Cardinals are also complete. I've got a few options for what to do next. I'm leaning toward doing the 1876-1887 South End Grounds, which would complete the Beaneaters and also serve to tackle the longest-serving remaining park. Using that criteria would point me to do the Cubs' 1885-1890 West Side Park or the Dodgers' 1884-1889 Washington Park after that, but I don't want to get ahead of myself.

As always, I hope you enjoy it!
Attached Images
Image Image Image Image Image 

Last edited by asrivkin; 04-03-2024 at 08:42 PM. Reason: Added some links
asrivkin is offline   Reply With Quote