The Polo Grounds, home of the New York (baseball) Giants from 1891 to
1957 (when they moved to San Francisco) stood in the section of Upper Manhattan
north of 155th Street and bound by Coogan’s Bluff and the Harlem River. It had
one of the deepest centerfield fences at 483 feet and shortest right and left
field fences at 258 and 279 feet, as any field ever has.
It was home to Willie Mays’ iconic over-the-shoulder catch in Game 1 of
the 1954 World Series. In the photo, the
center field fence marking 483 feet is seen in the background. The ball travelled an estimated 420 feet, most
likely a home run in any modern stadium.
The Polo Grounds were also home to the New York Yankees from 1913 until
1922 and the sight of Babe Ruth’s first Yankee home run in 1920.
The last sporting event held at the Polo Grounds was a football game
between the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills in December 1963. It was demolished the following spring.
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