Russwood Park
Encyclopedia
Russwood Park was a stadium
in Memphis, Tennessee
. It was primarily used for baseball
and was the home of the Memphis Chicks
minor league baseball
team until the spring of 1960. The ballpark was originally built in 1896, and was known as Elm Wood Park. In 1915, team owner Russell E. Garner incorporated his name into the ballpark's name.
Prior to its dramatic end, the ballpark was best known for being among the more uniquely shaped ballfields in the country. It was built on a six-sided, asymmetrical block, with the deepest parts of left and right fields being significantly farther from home plate than straightaway center. Some of its boundary streets were Pauline Street (east, right field), Madison Avenue (south, home plate), and Hospital Street (west, left field).
One of its better-known non-baseball events was a concert held by Memphis' adoptive son Elvis Presley
on July 4, 1956.
The final event at the old ballpark was a pre-season exhibition game between the Chicago White Sox
and the Cleveland Indians
on Easter
Sunday, April 17, 1960.
The ballpark was a relic, constructed primarily of wood. That night after the game, a fire of undetermined origin destroyed the ballpark. The blaze threatened the Baptist Hospital across the street from it, and patients had to be evacuated.
The Chicks played in a temporary facility for the 1960 season and then moved elsewhere. A revived minor league entry for the city, called the Memphis Blues, began play in 1968 at the new Tim McCarver Stadium
.
Stadium
A modern stadium is a place or venue for outdoor sports, concerts, or other events and consists of a field or stage either partly or completely surrounded by a structure designed to allow spectators to stand or sit and view the event.)Pausanias noted that for about half a century the only event...
in Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
. It was primarily used for baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
and was the home of the Memphis Chicks
Memphis Chicks
The Memphis Chicks were an American minor league baseball team based in Memphis, Tennessee. The Chicks were charter members of the Southern Association from 1901 until November 18, 1960, when the club folded and was transferred to Macon, Georgia for 1961.The Chicks suffered a...
minor league baseball
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
team until the spring of 1960. The ballpark was originally built in 1896, and was known as Elm Wood Park. In 1915, team owner Russell E. Garner incorporated his name into the ballpark's name.
Prior to its dramatic end, the ballpark was best known for being among the more uniquely shaped ballfields in the country. It was built on a six-sided, asymmetrical block, with the deepest parts of left and right fields being significantly farther from home plate than straightaway center. Some of its boundary streets were Pauline Street (east, right field), Madison Avenue (south, home plate), and Hospital Street (west, left field).
One of its better-known non-baseball events was a concert held by Memphis' adoptive son Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
on July 4, 1956.
The final event at the old ballpark was a pre-season exhibition game between the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
and the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
on Easter
Easter
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
Sunday, April 17, 1960.
The ballpark was a relic, constructed primarily of wood. That night after the game, a fire of undetermined origin destroyed the ballpark. The blaze threatened the Baptist Hospital across the street from it, and patients had to be evacuated.
The Chicks played in a temporary facility for the 1960 season and then moved elsewhere. A revived minor league entry for the city, called the Memphis Blues, began play in 1968 at the new Tim McCarver Stadium
Tim McCarver Stadium
Tim McCarver Stadium was a stadium in Memphis, Tennessee. It was primarily used for baseball and was the home of the Memphis Blues , the Memphis Chicks , and the Memphis Redbirds ....
.