Sportsman's Park
St. Louis, MO
Sportsman’s Park was home to two different
baseball teams during its existence. As far
back as the 1870’s baseball was played at
the location that Sportsman’s Park stood.
Grand Avenue Grounds home of the Brown
Stockings (National Association), was first
located at the corner of Dodier Street and
Grand Avenue.
In 1880, the ballpark was torn down, and the first Sportsman’s Park opened on May 21, 1881. Built mainly of wood, the ballpark burned in 1891.
In 1892, the National Association folded, the Browns were renamed the Cardinals, became part of the National League, and moved into a new Sportsman Park. But in 1898, a fire swept through the ballpark and destroyed it. The team then moved to Robinson Field. The St. Louis Browns were formed after the 1901 season, when the Milwaukee Brewers, charter members of the American League, moved to St. Louis.
The St. Louis Browns built a new ballpark where Sportsman’s Park burned in 1898. It consisted of about 8,000 wooden seats. The ballpark was named after its predecessor. Several years later, the ballpark was completely remodeled. Concrete and steel was used to build a double deck grandstand from first to third base, with additional seating joining the lower level and extending down the lines. Bleachers were also built and placed in the outfield. The capacity increased to 18,000. In 1920 the St. Louis Cardinals moved into Sportsman’s Park. By the 1925 season, the grandstands were double decked to both foul poles, and the bleachers in right field were covered, increasing the capacity to 30,500.
Fans sitting behind homeplate could see the bleachers which extended all the way around the outfield, a huge scoreboard above the left field seats, and views of the surrounding neighborhood. The media also received an excellent view of the field from the press box on top of the stadium roof. The first night game under lights at Sportsman’s Park was on May 24, 1940. Both the Cardinals and the Browns played at the ballpark until 1953, when the Browns moved to Baltimore.
In the same year, Sportsman’s Park was renamed Busch Stadium after August Busch purchased the team on April 9, 1953. Busch added box seats and renovated the clubhouses at the stadium. Busch also placed a Budweiser eagle on top of the scoreboard. The Cardinals played at Sportsman’s Park until May 8, 1966 when the last game was played at the ballpark.
The Cardinals moved into Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis days later. Sportsman’s Park/Busch Stadium was demolished soon after. Today, it is site of the Herbert Hoover Boys’ Club. A baseball field is at the same location where the Cardinals and Browns once played.
Sportsman's Park Facts and Figures
Tenants: St. Louis Browns & Cardinals
Capacity: 17,500 (original), 30,611 (final)
Surface: Grass
Cost: $300,000
Opened: May 21, 1881
Closed: May 8, 1966
Demolished: 1966
Dimensions: 360-L, 430-C, 335-R (original), 351-L, 425-C, 310-R (final)
Architect: Osborn Engineering
Location: Along Sullivan Ave., North Spring Ave., Dodier St., North Grand Ave.
