South End Grounds

South End Grounds is the most commonly used informal name for a major league baseball park that was the home ground to the Boston entry, first in the National Association of Professional Baseball Players, and then in the National League, from 1871-1914.

Related Topics:
Major league baseball - Park - Boston - National Association of Professional Baseball Players - National League - 1871 - 1914

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Its formal name, as indicated on the sign over its entrance gate, at least in its later years, was Boston National League Base Ball Park. The ballpark was located on the northeast corner of Columbus Avenue and Walpole Street. Accordingly, it was also known over the years as Walpole Street Grounds, Union Baseball Grounds, or simply Boston Baseball Grounds).

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The ballpark was across the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad tracks, to the south, from the eventual site of the Huntington Avenue Grounds, home to the Boston American League entry prior to the building of Fenway Park.

Related Topics:
New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad - Huntington Avenue Grounds - American League - Fenway Park

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Boston club was initially known as the Red Stockings, because many of its players had come from the famous 1869-1870 barnstorming team known as the Cincinnati Red Stockings and took the nickname with them to Boston. Over time the team acquired other informal nicknames, such as "Beaneaters", "Red Caps", "Rustlers" and even "Doves". This team eventually adopted the official nickname "Braves", just a few years before abandoning South End Grounds.

Related Topics:
1869 - 1870 - Barnstorming - Cincinnati Red Stockings

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Two franchise shifts later, they are now the Atlanta Braves, and are the only surviving charter member of the original National Association. Their original "Red Stockings" nickname lives on in three ways: in the Boston Red Sox of the American League, who adopted it in 1908 after the National Leaguers had given up their red trim briefly; in the Cincinnati Reds of the National League, who reclaimed their city's old nickname in the 1880s during their days in the then-major American Association; and in the perennial red trim that the Braves wear in their uniforms. It is noteworthy that of the various stadiums and ballparks the Braves have called home during their 135 seasons to date, the South End Grounds served them for the longest time period, 44 seasons.

Related Topics:
Atlanta Braves - Boston Red Sox - American League - 1908 - Cincinnati Reds - American Association

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

South End Grounds was rebuilt twice during its lifetime, the first time on purpose and the second time by necessity.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~