Sarasota's Spring Training Historical Stats
1912
The Sarasota Baseball Team was organized to "furnish
amusement during the summer months and also to advertise the town by having
a good baseball team." The
team's colors were blue-grey trimmed with red.
1923
Payne Park, the original stadium for the city of
Sarasota, was built on a portion of 60 acres of land donated by Calvin
Payne and his wife, Martha.
1924 - 1927
The New York Giants held spring training in
Sarasota. John Ringling is credited with scoring the Giants for Sarasota.
1933 - 1958
The Boston Red Sox called Payne Park their
spring training home (with a four-year hiatus during World War
II).
1959
The Los Angeles Dodgers used Sarasota's spring training
facilities for one year.
1960 - 1997
The Chicago White Sox called Sarasota their
spring training home.
1989
Ed Smith Stadium was built and named to honor the
hard-working, multi-year president of the Sarasota Sports Committee -
Ed Smith.
1990
Payne Park was demolished in November 1990, after
standing for 65 years.
1998 - Present
In 1998, the Cincinnati Reds began their
spring training and minor league operations at Ed Smith Stadium.
2007
Payne Park reopens on October 6, 2007.
Famous Major League Baseball players
who participated in spring training in Sarasota
TED WILLIAMS
was born on August 30, 1918, and died in
Inverness, Fla. on July 5, 2002. The mighty slugger, who wanted
to be known as the
greatest hitter of all time, played nineteen seasons with the
Red Sox, compiling a lifetime batting
average of .344. He hit .400 or better three times. He was
inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1956.
EARLY WYNN,
a local favorite was born on January 6, 1920, and died in Venice,
Fla. on April 4, 1999. He began his career in 1939 with the Senators,
then the Indians, the White Sox and threw his 300th
win for Cleveland. An intimidating
fastball
thrower, he won the Cy Young Award in 1959 at age 39 by
winning 22 games. He won 20 or more games five times.
Source: LaHurd, Jeff. Spring Training in Sarasota 1924-1960.
