More baseball was played in the ballpark on this corner than anywhere else in Hot Springs. Built here in 1894 and used until 1942, Whittington Park, which was later named Ban Johnson Field, was the epicenter of baseball in Hot Springs. A partial list of those who played classic games here includes: Cy Young, Honus Wagner, Buck Freeman, Sam Crawford, Walter Johnson, Tris Speaker, and Babe Ruth.
The health benefits of “taking the baths” were a primary reason for baseball coming to Hot Springs.
Other than the hot baths, hiking the mountain trails was the biggest reason for baseball players to train in Hot Springs.
Although the original clubhouse was replaced long ago, the golf course is essentially the same as when it was founded in 1898.
Many of baseball’s greatest players were fond of thoroughbred racing.
Most Major League players of the early 20th century had few inhibitions, and many enjoyed gambling during training trips to Hot Springs.
Texas artists Chris Arnold and Jeff Garrison of Dallas created the mural honoring five iconic baseball greats
This field, also known as Fordyce Field, was constructed in 1912 by the Hot Springs Park Company to meet the demand of over 250 major leaguers training in Hot Springs.
You are standing where the tradition of baseball spring training began.
Built in 1909 as the Boston Red Sox training center, this field was also used by the Cincinnati Reds and Brooklyn Dodgers.
This site some of the greatest Negro League teams, including the Pittsburgh Crawfords, Homestead Grays, Memphis Red Sox, and Kansas City Monarchs.
More baseball was played in the ballpark on this corner than anywhere else in Hot Springs.
Built in 1923 as the Woodmen of the Union Building, this hotel, bathhouse, and performance venue quickly became the center of African American culture in Hot Springs.
The old Arlington Hotel, originally located across the street on the Arlington Lawn, was the site of the infamous arrest of New York Giant’s manager John “Mugsy” McGraw.
Built in 1890, the elegant, 500-room Eastman Hotel was a hub for the baseball community in the early 20th century.
Constructed in 1902 and expanded in 1926, the Majestic was a favorite destination for several Major League teams including the renowned Boston Red Sox.
“Bucketfoot Al” credited the hot water baths and mountain trails of the city with saving his baseball career.
Ruth trained here nine times and became a very familiar face around Hot Springs.
Hall of Famer and Arkansas native Bill Dickey was discovered in Hot Springs while substituting for a friend in a semi-pro game at Whittington Park
Many baseball historians regard Ewing as the greatest all-around 19th century player.
For decades, the Missouri-Pacific Railroad Depot was the bustling transportation hub of Hot Springs.
Jay “Dizzy” Dean and Paul “Daffy’ Dean, two brothers from Lucas, Arkansas
At this field on October 1, 1952, 18-year old Hank Aaron and the Indianapolis Clowns played in one of 12 games of the Negro League World Series against the Birmingham Black Barons.
No player left a bigger legacy in Hot Springs than “the Flying Dutchman.”
One of the most important events in Hot Springs history occurred where you are standing.
Lefty Grove became a star in the major leagues with the Philadelphia Athletics and the Boston Red Sox
This Hall of Fame outfielder, personally tutored by John “Mugsy” McGraw, played his entire career with the New York Giants, hitting 511 home runs.
At the conclusion of his historic Hall of Fame career, Rogers “The Rajah” Hornsby returned to Hot Springs to oversee the nationally-recognized baseball school.
On March 5, 1911, here at Whittington Park, the man who remains the leader in triples (312) in Major League history played in an exhibition game between the Brooklyn Dodgers and a group of American League All-Stars.
After training in Hot Springs in 1912, twenty-two-year-old Smoky Joe Wood compiled a 34 – 5 record and led the Boston Red Sox to victory in the World Series.
The legendary slugger often visited Hot Springs to prepare for one of his twenty-two seasons in the majors.
Often regarded as Major League Baseball’s greatest defensive outfielder, “The Grey Eagle” trained for many years in Hot Springs as a player and as a manager.
Walter Johnson trained in Hot Springs over many seasons.
“Bucketfoot Al” credited the hot water baths and mountain trails of the city with saving his baseball career.
Ruth trained here nine times and became a very familiar face around Hot Springs.
The health benefits of “taking the baths” were a primary reason for baseball coming to Hot Springs.
Hall of Famer and Arkansas native Bill Dickey was discovered in Hot Springs while substituting for a friend in a semi-pro game at Whittington Park
Many baseball historians regard Ewing as the greatest all-around 19th century player.
For decades, the Missouri-Pacific Railroad Depot was the bustling transportation hub of Hot Springs.
Jay “Dizzy” Dean and Paul “Daffy’ Dean, two brothers from Lucas, Arkansas
This field, also known as Fordyce Field, was constructed in 1912 by the Hot Springs Park Company to meet the demand of over 250 major leaguers training in Hot Springs.
At this field on October 1, 1952, 18-year old Hank Aaron and the Indianapolis Clowns played in one of 12 games of the Negro League World Series against the Birmingham Black Barons.
Other than the hot baths, hiking the mountain trails was the biggest reason for baseball players to train in Hot Springs.
No player left a bigger legacy in Hot Springs than “the Flying Dutchman.”
You are standing where the tradition of baseball spring training began.
Although the original clubhouse was replaced long ago, the golf course is essentially the same as when it was founded in 1898.
One of the most important events in Hot Springs history occurred where you are standing.
Lefty Grove became a star in the major leagues with the Philadelphia Athletics and the Boston Red Sox
Built in 1909 as the Boston Red Sox training center, this field was also used by the Cincinnati Reds and Brooklyn Dodgers.
This Hall of Fame outfielder, personally tutored by John “Mugsy” McGraw, played his entire career with the New York Giants, hitting 511 home runs.
Built in 1923 as the Woodmen of the Union Building, this hotel, bathhouse, and performance venue quickly became the center of African American culture in Hot Springs.
Many of baseball’s greatest players were fond of thoroughbred racing.
Most Major League players of the early 20th century had few inhibitions, and many enjoyed gambling during training trips to Hot Springs.
Texas artists Chris Arnold and Jeff Garrison of Dallas created the mural honoring five iconic baseball greats
At the conclusion of his historic Hall of Fame career, Rogers “The Rajah” Hornsby returned to Hot Springs to oversee the nationally-recognized baseball school.
On March 5, 1911, here at Whittington Park, the man who remains the leader in triples (312) in Major League history played in an exhibition game between the Brooklyn Dodgers and a group of American League All-Stars.
This site some of the greatest Negro League teams, including the Pittsburgh Crawfords, Homestead Grays, Memphis Red Sox, and Kansas City Monarchs.
After training in Hot Springs in 1912, twenty-two-year-old Smoky Joe Wood compiled a 34 – 5 record and led the Boston Red Sox to victory in the World Series.
The legendary slugger often visited Hot Springs to prepare for one of his twenty-two seasons in the majors.
The old Arlington Hotel, originally located across the street on the Arlington Lawn, was the site of the infamous arrest of New York Giant’s manager John “Mugsy” McGraw.
Built in 1890, the elegant, 500-room Eastman Hotel was a hub for the baseball community in the early 20th century.
Constructed in 1902 and expanded in 1926, the Majestic was a favorite destination for several Major League teams including the renowned Boston Red Sox.
Often regarded as Major League Baseball’s greatest defensive outfielder, “The Grey Eagle” trained for many years in Hot Springs as a player and as a manager.
Walter Johnson trained in Hot Springs over many seasons.
More baseball was played in the ballpark on this corner than anywhere else in Hot Springs.