Baseball Anniversaries: Look For These During the 1985 Season

NEW YORK — Throughout the sprawling baseball season, which stretches from the thaw of spring to the chill of autumn, the cry of “Happy Anniversary” can be heard each day.

Most of us celebrate memorable days only a few times of year, but in the world of baseball, each day seems to mark another landmark occasion. As America’s Pastime gets set for another season, here are a few notable anniversaries for 1985:

Seventy-five years ago--Comiskey Park, currently the major league’s oldest stadium, opens July 1, 1910.

White Sox Park, as it was known then, had a seating capacity of 35,000 and offered generous outfield dimensions--no surprise since White Sox pitcher Ed Walsh helped design the stadium. It was 362 feet down the foul lines and 420 feet to straight-away center--a pitchers’ ballpark if ever there was one.

The park was renamed Comiskey Park in 1913 and 13 years later was remodeled into the form we know today with the addition of bleachers and a double-decked outfield pavilion.

Fifty years ago--Babe Ruth, as a member of the 1935 Boston Braves, concludes his legendary major-league career.

At 40 years of age and no longer the feared slugger he once was, the Bambino shines one final time when he hits three homers in a game--one drive leaves the ballpark--against the Pirates. Ruth retires June 2 with a .181 average and six homers in 28 games for the 1935 season.

Thirty-five years ago--The “Whiz Kids” win the National League pennant on the final day of the regular season in 1950.

With the Phillies needing a victory over second-place Brooklyn to end a 35-year pennant drought, Dick Sisler homers off Don Newcombe in the 10th inning to give Philadelphia the NL title. However, the Phillies are overwhelmed in the World Series, losing four straight to the New York Yankees.

Thirty years ago--The Dodgers win their only World Series in Brooklyn.

This was the year the Dodgers did not have to “wait until next year” to capture the Fall Classic, as they beat the rival Yankees in a classic “subway series.” Johnny Podres wins Game 7 with an eight-hit shutout and receives a dramatic running catch near the left-field line by Sandy Amoros.

Twenty-five years ago--Bill Mazeroski homers in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 7 against the Yankees to give the Pirates the World Championship.

In the most dramatic ending to any World Series, Mazeroski parks a pitch from the Yankees’ Ralph Terry into the left-field bleachers, giving Pittsburgh a 11-9 victory and transforming Forbes Field into a madhouse. New York manager Casey Stengel, despite winning 10 pennants in 12 years, is fired after the Series.

Twenty years ago--The Houston Astrodome opens April 9, 1965.

Baseball enters the modern era with the unveiling of its first indoor arena, the $38 million wonder of the sports world. Player-coach Nellie Fox wins an exhibition game against the Yankees with an RBI single in the 12th inning. Earlier, Mickey Mantle smashed the first Astrodome home run.

Fifteen years ago--Crosley Field and Forbes Field are replaced by modern concrete structures in Cincinnati and Pittsburgh.

A sellout crowd of 51,000 flocks to Riverfront Stadium on June 30, 1970 to watch the Reds usher in the sixth home field in their long history. Hank Aaron homers for Atlanta in the opener. Three weeks later, the Reds spoil the Pirates’ opener at Three Rivers Stadium when Tony Perez homers in the fifth inning.

Ten years ago--Cincinnati wins the World Series with a thrilling seven-game triumph over the Boston Red Sox.

With the Reds leading three games to two and ahead 6-3 in Game 6, pinch-hitter Bernie Carbo’s three-run homer ties it and sets the stage for Carlton Fisk, who homers off the foul pole in left field to extend the Series. However, Joe Morgan wins the championship for the Reds with a ninth-ining RBI single in Game 7.