Jefferson Street Grounds
Encyclopedia
Jefferson Street Grounds was a baseball field
located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
. It was also known as Jefferson Park and Athletics Park. It was home to the Philadelphia Athletics from 1871
to 1876
, five seasons in the
National Association
and one in the National League
of Base Ball Clubs. From 1873
to 1875, the Athletics shared it with the White Stockings
, also in the National Association. Later it was home to the American Association
Athletics beginning 1883
, moving in from Oakdale Park
, until 1890
.
The grounds were located on a large block bounded by Jefferson Street (north); 25th Street (east); Master Street (south); and 27th Street (west). Although typically listed as one ballpark, the 1870s diamond was located in the opposite corner of the block from the 1880s diamond. The facility opened on May 15, 1871. The seating capacity was meager, only 5,000 seats. The inaugural National League game was played there, on Saturday, April 22, 1876, between the Philadelphia Athletics and the Boston Red Caps
; Boston won 6-5. By a quirk of fate, it was the only NL game played that day, all others being rained out. This game is often pointed to as the beginning of Major League Baseball.
The last major league game played in the park was October 11, 1890.
The ballpark site is currently occupied by various structures including Daniel Boone Public School aka Camelot Academy at 1435 N 26th St, and the Athletic Recreation Center and its ball fields.
Baseball park
A baseball park, also known as a baseball stadium, ball park, or ballpark is a venue where baseball is played. It consists of the playing field and the surrounding spectator seating...
located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
. It was also known as Jefferson Park and Athletics Park. It was home to the Philadelphia Athletics from 1871
1871 in baseball
-Champions:*National Association : Philadelphia Athletics*National Association of Amateur Base Ball Players: Star of Brooklyn, 30–13*National Association of Junior Base Ball Players: Fly Aways-National Association final standings:...
to 1876
1876 in baseball
After a tumultuous six-year existence, the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players , folded following the season. The National League of Professional Base Ball Clubs was formed in Chicago, Illinois by businessman, and owner of the Chicago White Stockings, William Hulbert, for the...
, five seasons in the
National Association
National Association of Professional Base Ball Players
The National Association of Professional Base Ball Players , or simply the National Association , was founded in 1871 and continued through the 1875 season...
and one in the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
of Base Ball Clubs. From 1873
1873 in baseball
-Champions:*National Association: Boston Red Stockings-National Association final standings:-Statistical leaders:-January–March:*March 3 – For the first time, the NA adopts a standardized ball to be used in all league games.-April–June:...
to 1875, the Athletics shared it with the White Stockings
Philadelphia White Stockings
The Philadelphia White Stockings were an early professional baseball team. They were a member of the National Association from 1873 to 1875. Their home games were played at the Jefferson Street Grounds...
, also in the National Association. Later it was home to the American Association
American Association (19th century)
The American Association was a Major League Baseball league that existed for 10 seasons from to . During that time, it challenged the National League for dominance of professional baseball...
Athletics beginning 1883
1883 in baseball
-Champions:*National League: Boston Beaneaters*American Association: Philadelphia Athletics*Inter-State League: Brooklyn Atlantics*Northwestern League: Toledo Blue StockingsInter-league playoff: Philadelphia declined to play Boston...
, moving in from Oakdale Park
Oakdale Park
Oakdale Park is a former baseball field located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. The field was home to the Philadelphia Athletics in their first season of the American Association in 1882...
, until 1890
1890 in baseball
-Champions:*World Series: Brooklyn Bridegrooms 3, Louisville Colonels 3, 1 tie*National League: Brooklyn Bridegrooms*American Association: Louisville Colonels*Players' League: Boston RedsInter-league playoff: Brooklyn declined challenge by Boston...
.
The grounds were located on a large block bounded by Jefferson Street (north); 25th Street (east); Master Street (south); and 27th Street (west). Although typically listed as one ballpark, the 1870s diamond was located in the opposite corner of the block from the 1880s diamond. The facility opened on May 15, 1871. The seating capacity was meager, only 5,000 seats. The inaugural National League game was played there, on Saturday, April 22, 1876, between the Philadelphia Athletics and the Boston Red Caps
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
; Boston won 6-5. By a quirk of fate, it was the only NL game played that day, all others being rained out. This game is often pointed to as the beginning of Major League Baseball.
The last major league game played in the park was October 11, 1890.
The ballpark site is currently occupied by various structures including Daniel Boone Public School aka Camelot Academy at 1435 N 26th St, and the Athletic Recreation Center and its ball fields.