Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

LessAspin

(1,370 posts)
Mon Jul 25, 2022, 05:16 PM Jul 2022

The Polo Grounds

Wish I could have visited this place.....

"Baseball’s cheating history includes its most famous home run, the ‘Shot Heard ’Round the World’"

If you think the Houston Astros pulled off a feat with their sign-stealing en route to the 2017 World Series title, they’ve got nothing on the 1951 New York Giants. A highly similar scheme by the Giants not only sparked an amazing run to the National League pennant but also led to the most famous home run in baseball history: the “Shot Heard ’Round the World.”

Both teams used a “spy” in center field to steal the opposing catcher’s signals and relay them to the batter.

For the Astros, it was a center field camera feeding a monitor in the dugout.

For the 1951 Giants, it was a handheld telescope manned by a coach, who then pressed a buzzer that sounded in the bullpen. Both teams then signaled the pitch to the hitter — the Astros by banging a trash can, the Giants by having a player in the bullpen either toss a ball in the air or hold it still.

The Astros dominated their competition during the regular season, then won a pair of seven-game series against the Yankees and Dodgers to take the 2017 crown, winning eight of nine postseason games in their home park.

But the Giants were 7½ games out of first place on July 19, 1951, only six games above .500, when manager Leo Durocher called a team meeting to announce the new sign-stealing scheme. ...

Desperate for an edge, Durocher assigned third base coach Herman Franks to take Schenz’s portable telescope to Durocher’s clubhouse office, then located above center field at the Polo Grounds, the Giants’ home field. Durocher then had the Polo Grounds’ electrician, Abraham Chadwick, place an electric button in the office and run wires from the button to buzzers in the Giants’ bullpen and dugout, Prager discovered.

The telescope was powerful enough that Franks could easily see the opposing catcher’s signs — one finger for a fastball, two for a curveball or change-up. (Sliders and split-finger fastballs had not yet been invented.) Protective wire mesh was cut away from the glass window to remove an obstacle for the telescope, photos of the Polo Grounds show. ...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2020/02/13/giants-cheating-home-run-1951/


This must be where Leo Durocher had that telescope setup..




View from behind home plate...


5 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
The Polo Grounds (Original Post) LessAspin Jul 2022 OP
Interesting. are those trains?? dameatball Jul 2022 #1
Just across the river from the old Yankee Stadium. rsdsharp Jul 2022 #2
I saw the Mets play there once. patphil Jul 2022 #3
I remember seeing the Giants' Polo Grounds on tv. 480 ft to centerfield. empedocles Jul 2022 #4
If you make a study of the Polo Grounds' outrageous outfield dimensions Brother Buzz Jul 2022 #5

patphil

(6,881 posts)
3. I saw the Mets play there once.
Mon Jul 25, 2022, 05:54 PM
Jul 2022

It was in 1962, before Shea Stadium was built.
They played the Los Angeles Dodgers; Sandy Koufax was on the mound for the Dodgers.
Dodgers won, but former Dodger Gil Hodges hit a homer for the Mets.

empedocles

(15,751 posts)
4. I remember seeing the Giants' Polo Grounds on tv. 480 ft to centerfield.
Mon Jul 25, 2022, 07:48 PM
Jul 2022

Steps on the field led to the clubhouse in center field, to which the players walked to at game end.

Very short foul poles.

Brother Buzz

(37,607 posts)
5. If you make a study of the Polo Grounds' outrageous outfield dimensions
Mon Jul 25, 2022, 09:59 PM
Jul 2022

You can really appreciate Willie Mays's immortalized "The Catch".

450'-460' is a LONG home run is any other ballpark that I know of.



Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Baseball»The Polo Grounds