The Polo Grounds

These were the dimensions of the Polo Grounds from 1923 until 1957. In case you can't squint, it's 279, 447, 483, 440, 258ft, left to right. Willie made The Catch in the 1954 Series just to the right of the center field cut out, which led to the clubhouses.

What is less known is that Joe DiMaggio made a similar catch as a rookie, in the 1936 Series against the Giants. It was the final out of game one, I think. The Yanks were leading big... something like 18-4. According to a Joe D. biography I read by Richard Ben Cramer (and since corroborated by other reports), Hank Lieber of the Giants hit a bomb to straight away center. Joe turned, ran full tilt toward dead center, and caught the drive near the clubhouse. Since it was the final out, Joe continued running up the clubhouse steps with ball in glove. Then he turned to face the field. He remembered that FDR had attended the game, and that they had announced that everyone ought to remain seated until the President departed. So Joe turned around, still with ball in glove, and stood at attention as FDR was driven past him. According to author Cramer, FDR saluted rookie Joe. I believe FDR was also at the 1932 World Series game in Chicago when the Babe called his shot. I've read reports of FDR laughing heartily as the Babe circled the bases... proof to me that something happened on that field that day! And proof to me that FDR had it goin' on!

Note: Diagram referenced from Andrew Clem's Baseball. No copyright infringement is intended. I would gladly go to the Polo Grounds myself to take pictures and measurements. But some imbecile tore it down. Idiot!