Ebbets Field opens today
On April 5, 1913 – 1913: Ebbets Field opens today to magnificent reviews. Charles Ebbets, the president and chief owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers, has not spared either money or convenient care to make sure his new ballpark is comfortable for the fans and players.
The entrance to the stands is more like that of some vast theater than of a stadium. The lobby of the entrance is more than 80 feet in diameter and is resplendent with its marble and glazed brick walls. Inclined runways have been installed instead of stairs. The seats are comfortable. The cost of the new ballpark: $750,000.
A capacity crowd of 30,000 turns out for the exhibition game against the Yankees. More than 5,000 howl in disappointment as they can’t get in.
The Dodgers take a 2-0 lead, with Casey Stengel’s homer accounting for one run, before the Yankees tie the game in the ninth. But the Dodgers score in the bottom of the inning to win, 3-2. It is reported that late at night Ebbets is still separating the $10 and $5 bills.
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