Day Off in Pittsburgh

On the off day in Pittsburgh some played golf...others relaxed...some visited historical sites. I was one of those. Renting a car and driving east from downtown to the Oakland area one finds not only the impressive campus of the University of Pittsburgh, but also the remains of Forbes Field which includes part of the centerfield wall including the flagpole, which, like Minute Maid Park, was inside the field of play.

The actual location of home plate is within a nearby campus building. The current home for outdoor sports in Pittsburgh is across the Allegheny River and the location of old Fort Duquense in the downtown area. The Steelers home, Heinz Field is near the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers as they form the Ohio. PNC Park, home of the Pirates is
further upstream on the Allegheny.

Ironically the spots where the two teams now call home is actually where pro sports started in Pittsburgh way before Three Rivers Stadium which proceeded the twin parks in the same location and even Forbes Field. The first professional football game was played not far from the present location of PNC Park. And when the Pirates played in the first World Series in 1903 their field was also in the same general area.

Things have come full circle in Pittsburgh, but the long time home of the Pirates in the Universit area has not been forgotten...if only by the remaining outfield wall and flagpole.

We have lost memories from our former ballparks in Houston, though the memory of Buff Stadium was preserved for awhile and the outline of Colt Stadium was findable in the Astrodome parking lot for awhile. If the Astrodome ever has to come down in the interests of "progress" let there at least be a serviceable plan to mark the spot and memories from the old girl.