As a boy growing up in the 1960’s I enjoyed watching Home Run Derby on television. Each episode two top home run hitting baseball players would square off to see who could hit the most home runs in nine innings. Here is an example episode:
The winner would earn a whopping $2000. Watching it today, I am entertained by the campy conversation, as well as the subdued, almost shy attitudes of the ballplayers.
As kids we would play our own versions of home run derby, setting up a lawn hose to mark the outfield fence and pitching a whiffle ball to each other. Great fun.
As a nostalgic adult I became curious about the setting for the filming of Home Run Derby, and discovered it took place in Wrigley field in South Central Los Angeles, probably during the off season. It was built in 1925 and named after the same chewing gum magnate as Wrigley Field in Chicago (built in 1927), and was used by the Pacific Coast League Los Angeles Angels until 1957, as well as the Holllywood Stars in the late 20’s and 30’s. The ballpark was used for various movies, such as “Damn Yankees”.
The Brooklyn Dodgers moved to Los Angeles in 1958 and considered using Wrigley Field, but opted instead for the L.A. Coliseum for their first home before Dodger Stadium was constructed. The newly formed Los Angeles Angels major league team did settle in Wrigley Field in 1961 for one year. Demolition of the park began in 1969 to be replaced by a recreational facility, Gilbert Lindsay Park.
During a trip to Southern California 20+ years ago we drove through Los Angeles and took a few pictures of the site. I was amused at seeing the same roof line of the houses that stood beyond the left field fence.
That was a fun sleuthing adventure.