Braves Field

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Lore & Background

James Gaffney envisioned a wide-open field conducive to inside-the-park home runs, constructing the park on a large rectangular plot one mile west of Fenway Park. The stadium was built entirely of steel and concrete, featuring stands almost entirely in foul territory with fences over 400 feet down the lines and nearly 500 feet to dead center. A stiff breeze from the Charles River further discouraged home runs, leading Ty Cobb to declare, "Nobody will ever hit a ball out of this park." It took seven years until New York Giants catcher Frank Snyder hit the first major league home run off the left field foul pole in 1922. During the lively ball era, inner fences were moved based on whims, and the entire field was once shifted clockwise. The stadium, nicknamed "The Wigwam" and later "The Bee Hive," hosted the 1936 All-Star Game and served as a temporary home for the Boston Red Sox during the 1915 and 1916 World Series due to Fenway's smaller capacity.

In Their Own Story

On May 1, 1920, Braves Field witnessed history when Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Leon Cadore and Braves pitcher Joe Oeschger locked horns for a still-record 26 innings, ending in a 1–1 tie called on account of darkness. The park also saw the Boston Red Sox play select regular-season games from 1929 to 1932 due to grandfathered blue laws that did not apply to this location. In 1935, Babe Ruth played his final season for the Braves here. By September 21, 1952, the Brooklyn Dodgers defeated the Braves 8–2 in the final Major League game at the venue, with Roy Campanella hitting the last home run and Eddie Mathews batting third as a 20-year-old rookie. Despite low attendance in later years, the stadium hosted professional football teams, including the Boston Bulldogs, Shamrocks, and the franchise that became the Washington Commanders.

Reader's Guide

Visitors to the current Nickerson Field on the Boston University campus can trace the original footprint of Braves Field, which was aligned northeast just like Fenway Park. The site is located at Commonwealth Avenue and Babcock Street. While most of the stadium was demolished in 1955, the pavilion grandstand at the end of the right field line remains as the seating core for football, soccer, field hockey, and track-and-field events. The original outer wall was largely retained, though a portion along Harry Agganis Way was replaced with wrought iron fencing in 2008. The historic ticket office has been converted into the Boston University police station, and dormitories now cover the former main grandstand area. Of all the demolished "Jewel Box" ballparks, Braves Field retains the largest proportion of visible remnants still standing.

Did You Know?

• On May 1, 1920, Braves Field hosted the longest major league baseball game in history: a 26-inning tie between the Brooklyn Dodgers and Boston Braves that ended 1–1.
• The stadium was nicknamed "The Wigwam" initially, then "The Bee Hive," before being renamed National League Park from 1936 to 1941 when the team became the Boston Bees.
• Babe Ruth played his final major league season for the Braves at this park in 1935.
• The original ticket office was converted into a Boston University police station after the stadium's renovation.
• Of all the demolished "Jewel Box" ballparks, Braves Field has the largest proportion of visible remnants still standing today.

Architectural Design and Construction

Built by owner James Gaffney on the former Allston Golf Club site one mile west of Fenway Park, it was aligned northeast. The design featured a large rectangular plot with stands almost entirely in foul territory, leaving little beyond the fence. A stiff breeze from the Charles River further hindered home runs. Ty Cobb commented that nobody would ever hit a ball out of the park. The stadium had a capacity of 40,000 and included a trolley system.

Baseball History and Defining Moments

The Boston Braves played at Braves Field from 1915 until 1952. Babe Ruth played his final season for the Braves here in 1935.

Professional Football Legacy

Between 1929 and 1948, the stadium hosted multiple professional football teams, including the first home of the NFL franchise that became the Washington Commanders. The Boston Bulldogs played there in 1926 as part of the first American Football League, followed by the Boston Shamrocks in 1936 and 1937 during the second AFL. In 1932, it became home to the NFL's Boston Braves expansion franchise owned by George Preston Marshall; after a 4–4–2 season, they moved to Fenway Park as the Redskins before relocating to Washington in 1937.

Transformation and Enduring Legacy

After purchasing the Braves from Bob Quinn in 1945, owner Lou Perini moved the team to Milwaukee prior to the 1953 season due to low attendance. Boston University purchased the site on July 30, 1953, renaming it Boston University Field. The old ballpark was used until 1955, when remodeling began. By 1968, all but the right-field pavilion were replaced or incorporated into new structures like the Case Physical Education Center and dormitories.