The Tim McCarver Stadum is an old converted American Legion field
opened about 1963 andlocated on the Memphis-Mid-South-Libertyland
Fairgrounds propery at Central and East Parkway. It had a artificial
turf infield. It was the the home of the Memphis Blues AA/AAA,
Memphis Chicks AA, and Memphis Redbirds AAA. The first use of the
stadium was about 1968. Here is the stadium info.

Dimensions: LF: 323 CF: 398 RF: 325
Capacity: 8,800 (1999) Opened: 1963
Stadium Minor League History:

Texas League 1968-1973 (AA Blues)
Then the team moved to jackson

International League 1974-1976 (AAA Blues)

Southern League 1978-1999 (AA Chicks)

Pacific Coast League
1999-2001 (AAA Redbirds)

Tim McCarver Stadium, though built in an era of boring, ugly
ballparks, is nonetheless an interesting and offbeat place.

Notable: First, the seats are very close to the field, and there's
plenty of good spots to watch the game.
Secondly, there's an outfield seating section and other
interesting places to sit, creating a nice variety of options for the
restless fan who likes to move around.
Third, the concession stands, souvenir store, restrooms,
and diversions were scattered around the outer portion of the park
with plenty of room to move around and somewhat of a loose, carnival-
type atmosphere.
Fourth, Taken as a whole, the place had a slightly run-down
but funky vibe to it -- clearly not just another stadium run off the
assembly line.


Many a major leaguer played there. Tim Raines, Gary Carter, Tim
Wallach, Bo Jackson, J R Richard (Best pitcher I ever saw bar none!)
Art Howe, and do on. In 1978, the Memphis team had a world class
pitching staff, including: Scott Sanderson (5-3, 4.03), Bill
Gullickson (1-4, 3.06), Bryn Smith (4-6, 2.48), Charlie Lea (3-3,
3.57), David Palmer (8-10, 3.05).

Memphis Blues (1968-1973) (1975-1976) (Minor League Team)
Memphis Chicks (19??-19??) (1978-1997) (Minor League Team)
Note: The Memphis Chicks are now the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx
located in Jackson, TN.
Memphis Red Sox (1924-25, 1927-30, 1932, 1937-62) (Negro League Team)


A lot of managers started in Memphis. Felipe Alou is a name that
comes to mind. Whitey Herzog was mets player development and spent
time in Memphis watching players.

Tim McCarver is a hometown Mempis boy, who played on the 1959-60
Memphis St Louis AAA team before the old Russwood Park (located
across from Baptist Hospital on Madison) burned down.
Tim high Schooled at Christian Brothers High School in Memphis, and
along with the Gagilanio Brothers was a product of a fertile era of
Memphis Baseball.

Btw, The Auto Zone Park is at the convergence of a point West of
Russwood and North of The Memphis Sox Negro League Team.


Here is last night Box Score

Memphis Redbirds @ Portland Beavers June 24

FINAL - box score 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Memphis Redbirds 0 0 0 0 2 0 4 2 3 11 15 0
Portland Beavers 0 0 2 0 4 0 2 0 0 8 16 1
WP: Journell
LP: Duncan
S: Crudale





Fred Deaton, LPC-MHSP
A Licensed Mental Health Counselor



-----Original Message-----
From: Walt [mailto:waltp@...]
Sent: Tuesday, June 24, 2003 11:16 PM
To: memphis-redbirds@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [memphis-redbirds] Memphis


Hi All,

I just joined your site because I just got back from a quick trip to
see the Pandas and I included a trip around the block the ballpark is
located at. I was very impressed with what I could see. It looks
like a very first-rate facility.

I expect to be back in town soon as the trip from St. Louis just
keeps getting shorter and shorter (as radar detector technology
improves.) I am looking forward to seeing a game at the new park.

Did I see a message that said your old ball park was named Tim
McCarver stadium?!?


We love our
Cardinals and Redbirds
and follow the teams
religiously

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/