The Best Baker Bowl Photos on the Internet, Part 1

July 01, 2012

Been looking all day for these, on flickr, baseball-fever, and google. Here’s some of the best stuff I found. And after you check these out, be sure to check out Part 2.

The famous Lifebuoy sign in rightfield. Legend has it that in the 1920s, as the Phillies settled into their annual spot in the basement of the standings, someone snuck in and, right under the “The Phillies Use Lifebuoy” sign, painted the words, “And they still stink”. The right field was an incredible 280 feet from home plate. Think of how short the Green Monster wall is, then sheer off another 35 feet. Until 1921, it was 272 feet from home plate. Just unreal.

An aerial shot of Baker Bowl. Just check out the dimensions of RF as opposed to left and center. Dead center was 408 feet, just one foot shorter than the deepest part of CBP.

Kind of fun to compare Phils dimensions back then and today.

So much to love about this old postcard. First of all, love the guy with the megaphone behind home plate. He was the PA announcer, and just like today, he would announce each batter. Love the Philadelphia flag in the upper left corner. And the view into left is very Camden Yards-esque. Even Cooler? The two tall buildings in the background still exist. The tall brick building was a Ford Motor Company plant. The brick building across the street still stands as well. Also, notice how wide the dirt path was between home and the pitcher’s mound. It’s the widest path I think I’ve ever seen.

Ok, so this pic is obviously two photos put together. You won’t get anything about the field from this photo, but think it is a neat look at the structure. You are sitting in the cheap seats, which you’ll appreciate more in the next photo.

Ok, look how empty the bleachers are. Now look to the right of the photo. Cheap seats are completely packed. Everybody loves a deal.

A great look at the neighborhood around Baker Bowl. Not only are the two buildings behind Baker Bowl still there, but so is the building across the street from them.

The Baker Bowl hosted exactly one World Series, in 1915 (it also hosted the 1924 Negro League World Series). As you can see above, the Phillies fans in the cheap seats were Flyered fired up about it. Tickets in the grandstands were $3 for this Series. Babe Ruth made his first ever World Series appearance with the Red Sox at the Baker Bowl, grounding out as a pinch hitter in Game 1. It was also the first time a President attended a World Series game, as Woodrow Wilson threw out the ceremonial first pitch of Game 2. (below)

Also in The Shibe Vintage Sports History Blog