This 1984 program showcases four of the most celebrated ballparks in Major League Baseball history: Fenway Park, Yankees Stadium, Wrigley Field, and Comiskey Park. Hosts Jim Scott and Sean Mooney visit each stadium and speak with baseball legends Johnny Pesky, Andy Pafko, Billy Pierce, and Yogi Berra.
00:00Copy video clip URL This tape begins with a black screen, color bars, and tone.
00:55Copy video clip URL Fade into the intro segment for the program. The narrator talks about the most legendary ball parks in baseball. A number of classic and modern MLB clips provide an introduction to the program.
01:53Copy video clip URL Fade into to a shot of Boston’s famous Fenway Park. We first take a look at the beautiful landscape of the field before we are greeted by the hosts of the show. We travel with Jim Scott and Sean Mooney to the four most illustrious baseball parks in America: Fenway Park in Boston, Yankee Stadium in New York, and both Comiskey Park and Wrigley Field in Chicago. Before visiting these ballparks, Scott and Mooney showcase some of the classic ballparks and stadiums that have succumbed to the wrecking ball.
04:02Copy video clip URL Fade into a segment on Forbes Field in Pittsburgh, Shibe Park in Philadelphia, Crosley Field in Cincinnati, Sportsman Park in St. Louis, Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, and the Polo Grounds in New York. The two hosts delve into a segment on the expansion and construction of the newer stadiums that replaced the the classic ballparks. Shay Stadium in New York became a prototype for modern ball parks all across the country.
08:06Copy video clip URL Fade into a shot of Scott and Mooney at Fenway Park. The two discuss some of the reasons for tearing down some of the older ball parks and comment on the loss of charm that came with the construction of new stadiums. This is followed by some footage of some of the older ballparks. A song by Frank Sinatra plays as clips of some of baseball’s classic moments are showcased.
11:06Copy video clip URL Dissolve into a shot of Mooney at Fenway Park with former Boston Red Sox shortstop and manager, Johnny Pesky. Pesky shares some of his memories about Fenway Park. He recounts a few stories about some of the players who have come to conquer the Green Monster over the years. The two agree that the outfield in Fenway is one of the most difficult outfields to play in baseball. This is followed by a number of clips of blunders and bloopers from Fenway’s outfield over the years.
15:41Copy video clip URL We meet Mooney and Pesky at the left field foul line. Peske shares a story about a rowdy fan who gave him a hard time while he was on the field. Interestingly, Fenway is one of the only parks in baseball where a player can shake hands with a fan while still in fair territory.
17:27Copy video clip URL Dissolve into a collection of slow motion plays from around Fenway. We eventually cut back to Mooney and Pesky talking about some of the greatest players to ever play for Boston. Pesky mentions Dominic DiMaggio and Ted Williams, then tells an amusing story about Williams. The two talk about some of the players of the modern era. This is followed by a number of clips from the classic days of baseball.
23:33Copy video clip URL Dissolve into a shot of Scott at Wrigley Field. Scott speaks with former Cubs outfielder Andy Pafko about the uniqueness of Wrigley Field. Scott also gives a brief history of Wrigley Field. Various clips of the Wrigley Field of the past are included in the segment. Scott and Pafko eventually make it up to the bleachers and talk about the 1945 World Series, which Pafko was involved in. He also talks about his trade to the Brooklyn Dodgers from the Cubs in the middle of a three-game series at Wrigley. This cuts into a segment on Chicago’s recognition as a great baseball town. This includes a number of classic clips from both the White Sox and Cubs.
34:35Copy video clip URL Dissolve into a shot of Scott at Comiskey Field. Scott speaks with former White Sox Pitcher Billy Pierce. Pierce recounts the first time he ever saw Comiskey Park while on the road with the Detroit Tigers. Scott and Pierce also discuss some of the changes in the park over the years. This eventually cuts into a segment on the history of the ball club.
41:02Copy video clip URL Dissolve into a shot of Scott and Pierce sitting down with each other behind the picnic area. The two talk about the 1959 World Series bout between the White Sox and the L.A. Dodgers. Pierce recounts some of the events of the series and expresses his disappointment in losing. This eventually cuts into a segment on Yankee Stadium in New York.
44:25Copy video clip URL We are greeted by Sean Mooney at Yankee Stadium. He speaks with legendary Yankee Catcher Yogi Berra. Berra recalls the first time he ever played at the stadium. The two talk about some of the changes to the ball park over the years. This cuts into a segment on the history of the ball club.
50:01Copy video clip URL Dissolve into a shot of Mooney and Berra at home plate. Berra talks about some of his most memorable plays as a catcher and gives praise to the Yankees’ talented pitching staff in the fifties. He recounts Yankee pitcher Don Larsen’s perfect game in in the 1956 World Series against the Brooklyn Dodgers. The two then make their way over to the outfield where Berra talks about some of the greatest players to ever play those positions. This eventually cuts into a collection of clips from some of the most memorable baseball plays at Yankee Stadium.
57:24Copy video clip URL Fade into a shot of Scott and Mooney at Yankee Stadium. The two conclude the program by giving a brief preview of next week’s program. The credits follow shortly afterward.
59:48Copy video clip URL Tape ends.
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