Brooklyn still feels the presence of the Brooklyn Dodgers, despite their move to California decades ago. Baseball enthusiasts in the area keep the memory alive. As Los Angeles aimed for a sweep against the Yankees in the World Series with a 3-0 series lead, fans gathered in Flatbush at the former site of the Dodgers’ stadium. They visited a “home plate” monument where Jackie Robinson and other legends once played.
Larry Nelson, a 74-year-old retired US Air Force veteran from Portland, Oregon, visited to stand on the home plate. He wanted to see where Ebbets Field stood before its demolition. The site, now a housing project since 1957, continues to attract tourists, especially when the Dodgers visit New York.
Ezra Asket, a 28-year-old maintenance manager at Ebbets Field Apartments, often sees visitors. He provides them with a bat to capture a memorable photo. Asket, originally from Wisconsin, has learned the site’s history from these visitors, who often share more about the past than he knows.
Nelson expressed a desire for more of Ebbets Field to have been preserved. He acknowledged the necessity of the new buildings but planned to reflect on the site while attending the game at Yankee Stadium.
Long-term Flatbush residents frequently visit the site. Israel McCrea, 44, who grew up playing stickball there, supports the Yankees despite their slim chances against the Dodgers. For those living at Ebbets Field Apartments, the outcome of the Dodgers’ games is less important than preserving the team’s legacy.
Over 67 years since the Dodgers left, many original fans have passed away. Their families continue to cherish and pass down memories of the team. Robert Driver, 56, who has lived at the apartments since childhood, notes that younger generations are less familiar with the site’s significance. As older generations fade, so do the stories of Ebbets Field, risking the loss of this historical landmark’s legacy.
What Other Media Are Saying
- AOL: The article discusses how the legacy of the Brooklyn Dodgers still haunts old neighborhoods, but fading memories highlight the special significance of Ebbets Field.(read more)
- New York Times article discusses how New York fans who grew up with the Brooklyn Dodgers face a tough choice in the World Series, reflecting on their heritage and loyalty.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Why do people still visit the old Brooklyn Dodgers site?
Fans visit to honor the Dodgers’ legacy and connect with baseball history.
What is currently at the location of the old Ebbets Field?
The site is now a housing project known as Ebbets Field Apartments.
Who commonly visits the Ebbets Field site today?
Baseball enthusiasts, tourists, and long-term Flatbush residents often visit.
How do residents of Ebbets Field Apartments feel about the Dodgers’ legacy?
Residents value preserving the Dodgers’ legacy over game outcomes.
What is the risk if stories of Ebbets Field aren’t shared?
The historical legacy of Ebbets Field may fade as older generations pass.
