Wes K, Franklin, TN -- Oct 04, 2007 14:32 PM
2 visit(s). My rating: 8
This was one of my uncle's favorite parks. As a scout in the 1950's, he thought this park best allowed an all-around player to star. He was a fan of triples, believing that a triple meant a player had both power and speed. I got to sit behind the Pirates' dugout one Sunday for a doubleheader when they were playing St. Louis. Both games went to extra innings. Stan Musial was already past his prime, and he only played in the second game. He got two hits. I remember Lindy McDaniel lost the first game in relief then came back and won the second game in relief for St. Louis. I also remember a player named Bob Clemente who everybody thought had loads of potential. He batted 8th for the Pirates then.

Wes K, Franklin, TN -- Jan 10, 2008 17:20 PM
10 visit(s). My rating: 8
This was a great place to watch baseball, especially if you would rather watch games that don't become home run derbies. In the late 1950's and early 1960's, home run hitters came into Forbes and pull the ball 350 feet down the left field line for easy outs. The area behind center field was still beautiful back in those days (I haven't seen that park area since about 1966 or 1967). I remember walking across the University of Pittsburgh campus from the parking area to the field. I think Roberto Clemente would have averaged 10 more homers per season playing in most other parks, but at the same time, his average was higher because he hit at Forbes. The left and centerfielders had more ground to cover and watched more than the average number of ball drop in for hits. The great thing about this park was that line drives were nothing but trouble for the outfielders if they were not caught. The ball rolled all the way to the fence, and it frequently turned singles into doubles, doubles into triples, and triples into inside the park homers.