park slope when

Hamilton wrote: That is how the Dodgers got their name.

You are correct Hamilton. Dodging trolleys when the Dodgers played in Eastern Park. They were actually called the "Trolley Dodgers" and later just the Dodgers. You had to cross a maze of trolley tracks to get to the field.. They also started playing in Washington Park on Third Ave & around 3rd Street. Now that WAS before my time. I saw them many times in Ebbets Field but not in Washington Park or Eastern Park. We used to walk to Ebbets Field from 12th street. Up to and through Prospect Park. And even if it was a night game it was safe to walk home through rhe park as well.

Hamilton wrote: I had lived at 61st and 4th ave. and belonged the ymca on 60th and 4th and they would march us to the 9th st Y, where we would swim for over an hour, then we were marched across the park to Ebbets Field and seated in the central field bleachers.

needless to say we the quietest kids in the ballpark,after that experience I became a Yankee fan.

Hey Hamilton. I went to Ebbets Field with anyone who would take me. 9thst "Y" day camp, CYO (even though I was not Catholic), family members (I was the youngest). When you went with a kids group you were part of the Dodgers "Knot Hole Club". When I was old enough I would go by myself & get a bleacher seat for .50. When they raised it to .60 we were furious. Sometimes our whole family, including my Mother, would go to a day-night double header.For that we got reserved seats for $1.75. Then the DEVIL himself, Walter O'Malley moved the Dodgers to LaLa land when I was in the Army. I would love to share a 6 pack over Walter's grave. After I drink it of course. I have never rooted for the Dodgers since they left Brooklyn!

The hats you speak of were mostly straw hats. Yes, jackets and many bow ties as well. That went for Ebbets, Polo Grounds and Yankee Stadium. Ebbets Field was a great place to watch a game. Yankee Stadium was okay(before the last reconfiguration) but the Polo Grounds was a dump. I saw games in all three amd was lucky enough to see many of the greats from all three NY teams including Snider, Mays, Dimaggio, Mantle, Mel Ott, Gil Hodges, Jackie Robinson, Phil Rizzuto, Pee Wee Reese to name a few.

Sorry bogframe, I do not remember the memorial on the staircase. Went there 4 years but I guess I was not too observant. I do remember that Rosie O'Donnel of WWII fame had a connection. I believe it was his Father or Mother who was a Teacher at Manual. Mostly I remember the Gyms, Shops and some of the Classrooms including the Glee Club room. I graduated in 1951. I still have my Gradualtion album from 1951. It was called "The Prospect". I glanced through it but found no picture of the staircase or Memorial. :?

Jim Vaccaro wrote: Old Goat..I graduated in 1960..I also remebering walking through Prospect Park to Ebetts Field..In the Mid 50's the the bleacher seats were less then $1 "Happy Felton's Knothole Gang" was then put on TV before the home games..
I remember the Players in those days being much more accessible

Hi Jim, The players were more accessible for two reasons. 1. The confines of Ebbets Field allowed you to talk to the players especially during fielding & batting practice. 2, you could stand at the Clubhouse entrance after the game and wait for them to come out. many of them would stop and talk to you and give autographs. Joe Hatton (Pitcher) was especially friendly. he lived near Bartel-Pritcahrd Square and would talk to us about the neighborhood.

Hamilton wrote: In those days,people who went to the games were real fans ,who felt the players were members of their family.

Now a days teams trade so many players each year, it's difficult to care .

Once Corporations starting buying luxury and field boxes going to a game has become a status for individuals who don't even watch the game, they just want to say, I've been to a Yankee game.

You have hit more then one nail on the head. I used to know (and so did my friends) the number on the back of every Dodger player. I can still tell you Roy Campenella 39, Gil Hodges 14, Jackie Robinson 42, Duke Snider 4 etc:. Now they do not stay with one team long enough for the numbers to be known by the press much less the fans. There is no more loyalty whether it is owners to players, olayers to team and they all say to hell with he fans.! It is all the almighty buck. Walter O'Malley had a lot to do with that trend. To hell with the fact that Dodger fans packed Ebbets Field even when they were not contenders. Lets go to LaLa land where we can get free real estate, executive boxes, and any other thing we want. Money, money, money. Then he screwed Gene Autry and the Angels when they came and took most of the money that they made.

Hamilton wrote: I would laugh when I saw L.A. Dodger games on T.V. , the moron fans would sit in the stands with their portable radios and listen to the game they were watching.

Yes, and do not forget the Sushi & White wine instead of Beer & Hot Dogs

I wonder if "Marvelous Marv Throneberry" drew the winning name? Nah, he would have dropped it. About the only real pro on the team that wasn't washed up was Richie Ashburn. They were so bad that it was worth the price of admission just to see them play. As I have said before the Polo grounds was a dump but it filled in okay until Shea was finished. Now they tore down Shea!! More Luxury Boxes!!!