1912 The
Sarasota Baseball Team was organized to “furnish amusement
during the summer months and also to advertise the town by
having a good baseball team.” The team’s colors were blue-grey
trimmed with red.
1923 Payne Park, the original stadium for the city of
Sarasota, was built on a portion of 60 acres of land donated by
Calvin Payne and his wife, Martha.
1924 - 1927 The New York Giants held spring training in
Sarasota. John Ringling is credited with scoring the Giants for
Sarasota.
1933 - 1958 The Boston Red Sox called Payne Park their
spring training home (with a four-year hiatus during World War
II).
1959 The Los Angeles Dodgers used Sarasota’s spring
training facilities for one year.
1960 - 1997 The Chicago White Sox called Sarasota their
spring training home.
1989 Ed Smith Stadium was
built and named to honor the hard-working, multi-year president
of the Sarasota Sports Committee – Ed Smith.
1990 Payne Park was demolished in November 1990, after
standing for 65 years. History of Sarasota’s Baseball Tradition
1998 - Present In 1998, the Cincinnati Reds began
their spring training and minor league operations at Ed Smith
Stadium.
2007 Payne Park reopens on Oct. 6, 2007.
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Famous Major
League Baseball players who participated in spring training in
Sarasota
Ted Williams was born on Aug. 30, 1918, and died in
Inverness, Fla. on July 5, 2002. The mighty slugger, who wanted
to be known as the greatest hitter of all time, played nineteen
seasons with the Red Sox, compiling a lifetime batting average
of .344. He hit .400 or better three times. He was inducted into
the Hall of Fame in 1956.
Local favorite Early Wynn was born on Jan.6, 1920, and
died in Venice, Fla. on April 4, 1999. He began his career in
1939 with the Senators, then the Indians, the White Sox and
threw his 300thwin for Cleveland. An intimidating fastball
thrower, he won the Cy Young Award in 1959 at age 39 by winning
22 games. He won 20 or more games five times.
Source: Jeff
LaHurd, "Spring Training in Sarasota 1924-1960." |
