The Old and the New: Celebrating Two Great Ballparks in Columbus
Several Fireproof employees headed over to Huntington Park on Saturday to see the Columbus Clippers take on the Toledo Mud Hens. Now in its second year, Huntington Park is well established as one of the city’s best venues. In fact, last year BaseballParks.com named Huntington Park the Best Ballpark of the Year based on its superior design and site selection and for its fan amenities. While few would argue that it is indeed a wonderful ballpark, some of you may still be making comparisons to the Clippers’ former home—Cooper Stadium. If you’re struggling to recall the heyday of this Franklinton hallmark, allow us to offer up a little nostalgia.
October 17, 1931
The Columbus Baseball Club purchased 26.9 acres along W. Mound Street from Mary C. Grant.
June 3, 1932
Red Bird Stadium was built for $450,000 for St. Louis’ top minor-league team. It was one of the first stadiums with permanent outdoor lights.
June 17, 1932
The first night game in the stadium attracted more than 21,000 people. Two months later, Franklin D. Roosevelt kicked off his first presidential campaign in the stadium.
1943
Seventeen-year-old Joe Garagiola played in 81 games for Columbus.
1955
The Red Birds moved to Omaha. Harold Cooper and other local businessmen purchased Ottawa from the International League and relocated the team to Columbus. The new major-league affiliate was the Kansas City Athletics. The Columbus team was named the Jets, and the stadium took on its new identity as Jet Stadium. On opening day, 88-year-old Cy Young tossed out the first pitch.
1970
Jet Stadium needed major repair work, but the IRS ruled that since the Jets were a non-profit organization, they could not use profits to fix the stadium. The Jets moved to Charleston, West Virginia.
1975
Franklin County bought Jet Stadium for $600,000.
1977
Franklin County Commissioner Harold Cooper brought baseball back to Columbus. AstroTurf was installed; suites were built; and the Clippers were born as the Triple-A affiliate of the Pirates.
1979
The Clippers began their affiliation with the New York Yankees.
August 19, 1984
The stadium was renamed Cooper Stadium after Harold Cooper, president of the International League at that time.
June 26, 1995
Fans watched future Yankees Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte. Rivera threw a five-inning no-hitter against Rochester.
November 13, 2007
Cooper Stadium was officially moved into the city of Columbus when Franklin County commissioners annexed 47 acres of township land that included the ballpark.
2008
In their second year as an affiliate of the Washington Nationals, the Clippers played their final season in Cooper Stadium.
Fireproof fans young and old alike were treated to a picnic-style dinner on the second floor of the new stadium, followed by treats and excellent seats and fireworks! A great way to end the summer!
For more pictures of our day at the ballpark, please visit our Fireproof Records page on Facebook.
