Memphis Tigers vs. Louisville Cardnials, Rex Dockery Field, Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis TN - Circa 2004

Very strong crowd that night.

Was in HS at the time.

Probably one of the last games I've attended sober at the LB

Tim McCarver Stadium, July 1980. I know many of the older posters, myself included, have quite a few fond memories of this place.

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Rock & Roll history setting DJ Dewey Phillips & Sam Phillips standing in front of Sun Studio, 706 Union Ave., Memphis TN - Circa 1955
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(01-14-2019 11:37 PM)UofMark Wrote:  Tim McCarver Stadium, July 1980. I know many of the older posters, myself included, have quite a few fond memories of this place.

I had a summer job once cleaning McCarver Stadium the next day after games. The smell of rotten beer in the Memphis humidity was something I'll always cherish.

I was fortunate enough to see Bo Jackson's towering home run live though. Really good times as a kid.

Some of the pictures were taken in my lifetime and yet it seems long ago. It does not take long for things and events to disappear in the mist of time.

(01-13-2019 11:51 PM)AlonsoWDC Wrote:  Very strong crowd that night.

Was in HS at the time.

Probably one of the last games I've attended sober at the LB

There were many games when drinking was the most appropriate action. Ease the pain.

Memphis Blues 'AAA Expos' vs Charleston WV Charlies 'AAA Pirates', Blues Stadium, Fairgrounds, Memphis TN - Circa 1975

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and Gary Carter behind the plate

(01-15-2019 09:08 PM)Cletus Wrote:  

Memphis Blues 'AAA Expos' vs Charleston WV Charlies 'AAA Pirates', Blues Stadium, Fairgrounds, Memphis TN - Circa 1975

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Thanks Cletus. I had posted that in the early days of this thread many years ago. I know compared to AZPark today, Blues/McCarver Stadium was a total dump but honestly most stadiums then weren't built for comfort, only functionality. I have many great memories of that stadium, from Bo Jackson's first pro at bat in 86 (a dribbler up the middle for a single), John Scoras scoring the winning run in a playoff/playin game against the Montgomery Rebels in 79 to Charlie Lea's last AA start in 80 after Montreal had called him up, a win to move to 9-0. Ugly times too like when the Marlins refused to play a preseason game because then owner David Hersh had put in a new drainage system in the offseason and the outfield was unsafe due to ruts. When they announced that to a mostly full stadium, well, it got ugly. As it did on a two bit beer night in the early 80's when the leftfield stands were full and totally ripped. A Nashville Sounds left fielder named Victor Mata had been getting heckled all night finally had enough. He turned and fired a ball into the stands that luckily didn't hit anyone. Memphis came close to having their own 'Cleveland Indians beer night' incident that night. I was in the leftfield line stands that night thankfully. MPD did a great job restoring order. That stadium lasted for 30+ years, from 1968-1999. AZPark opened in 2000.

Blues Stadium, later to be named Tim McCarver Stadium, previously Fairgrounds number 3, Fairgrounds, Memphis TN - Circa 1969
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This is where my grandfather and great-grandfather lived (Summer Ave-- present day site of St. Michael's Church). The rectory is where my great aunt lived (still standing) and was on the neighboring property. They used to keep cows in the back (near where Sam Cooper runs through today).

(01-16-2019 11:13 AM)UofMark Wrote:  

(01-15-2019 09:08 PM)Cletus Wrote:  

Memphis Blues 'AAA Expos' vs Charleston WV Charlies 'AAA Pirates', Blues Stadium, Fairgrounds, Memphis TN - Circa 1975

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Thanks Cletus. I had posted that in the early days of this thread many years ago. I know compared to AZPark today, Blues/McCarver Stadium was a total dump but honestly most stadiums then weren't built for comfort, only functionality. I have many great memories of that stadium, from Bo Jackson's first pro at bat in 86 (a dribbler up the middle for a single), John Scoras scoring the winning run in a playoff/playin game against the Montgomery Rebels in 79 to Charlie Lea's last AA start in 80 after Montreal had called him up, a win to move to 9-0. Ugly times too like when the Marlins refused to play a preseason game because then owner David Hersh had put in a new drainage system in the offseason and the outfield was unsafe due to ruts. When they announced that to a mostly full stadium, well, it got ugly. As it did on a two bit beer night in the early 80's when the leftfield stands were full and totally ripped. A Nashville Sounds left fielder named Victor Mata had been getting heckled all night finally had enough. He turned and fired a ball into the stands that luckily didn't hit anyone. Memphis came close to having their own 'Cleveland Indians beer night' incident that night. I was in the leftfield line stands that night thankfully. MPD did a great job restoring order. That stadium lasted for 30+ years, from 1968-1999. AZPark opened in 2000.

Lots of great memories as a kid at McCarver. Went to the last game ever played there. The Liberty Bowl looks weird in the background without the suites.

(01-17-2019 03:07 PM)Cletus Wrote:  

Blues Stadium, later to be named Tim McCarver Stadium, previously Fairgrounds number 3, Fairgrounds, Memphis TN - Circa 1969
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I have always heard Fairgrounds # 3 - what is the significance behind that?

(01-25-2019 08:48 AM)MemTigers1998 Wrote:  I have always heard Fairgrounds # 3 - what is the significance behind that?

Over the third base stands was ballfield #1, beyond the leftfield fence was #2.

These ads are from a 1971 Blues program I have.

(01-25-2019 02:48 PM)UofMark Wrote:  

(01-25-2019 08:48 AM)MemTigers1998 Wrote:  I have always heard Fairgrounds # 3 - what is the significance behind that?

Over the third base stands was ballfield #1, beyond the leftfield fence was #2.

These ads are from a 1971 Blues program I have.

Here's a pic from the same year of that Holiday Inn MidTown on Union Ave. in your Ad. It was right across the street from Methodist Hospital Central.

Holiday Inn Midtown, 1262 Union Ave., Memphis TN - Circa 1971

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An amazing view of how vibrant Beale St. was post WWII.

Click on pic to enlarge



Rooftop picture of Handy Park looking east down Beale St, Memphis TN - Circa 1952

Hooks Bros. photo

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(01-29-2019 11:00 AM)Cletus Wrote:  .

An amazing view of how vibrant Beale St. was post WWII.

Click on pic to enlarge



Rooftop picture of Handy Park looking east down Beale St, Memphis TN - Circa 1952

Hooks Bros. photo

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Such a cool picture. Leaves me with a lot of questions.
So King's Palace was further east of its present day location?
And is that (seems improbable) the grain elevator at Airways and Lamar in the background?

(02-01-2019 06:21 PM)MtownTigers916 Wrote:  

(01-29-2019 11:00 AM)Cletus Wrote:  .

An amazing view of how vibrant Beale St. was post WWII.

Click on pic to enlarge



Rooftop picture of Handy Park looking east down Beale St, Memphis TN - Circa 1952

Hooks Bros. photo

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Such a cool picture. Leaves me with a lot of questions.
So King's Palace was further east of its present day location?
And is that (seems improbable) the grain elevator at Airways and Lamar in the background?

Yes, it is a very interesting picture. I think that is the old Commercial Appeal Building on the left with the white cylinder on top. That far end of the street almost looks a little off, like it should be Linden Ave. I wonder if they did construction on Beale later after this pic. It seems really straight. That tall structure could have been at the MLGW maintenance facility at the end of Beale...idk.

(02-06-2019 08:27 PM)tigerlands Wrote:  

(02-01-2019 06:21 PM)MtownTigers916 Wrote:  

(01-29-2019 11:00 AM)Cletus Wrote:  .

An amazing view of how vibrant Beale St. was post WWII.

Click on pic to enlarge



Rooftop picture of Handy Park looking east down Beale St, Memphis TN - Circa 1952

Hooks Bros. photo

.

Such a cool picture. Leaves me with a lot of questions.
So King's Palace was further east of its present day location?
And is that (seems improbable) the grain elevator at Airways and Lamar in the background?

Yes, it is a very interesting picture. I think that is the old Commercial Appeal Building on the left with the white cylinder on top. That far end of the street almost looks a little off, like it should be Linden Ave. I wonder if they did construction on Beale later after this pic. It seems really straight. That tall structure could have been at the MLGW maintenance facility at the end of Beale...idk.

The Commercial Appeal Building, The South's Greatest Newspaper, 495 Union Ave., Memphis TN



Electric Power House, Memphis Consolidated Gas & Electric Company, Beale St. at Myrtle St., Memphis TN - Circa 1917
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