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Opening Day at Hilltop Park, April 14, 1908. New York Highlanders and Philadelphia Athletics. View full size. George Grantham Bain Collection.
Hey! I think that's Chief Bender (1st Athletic in from the right; dark hats) Also on the A's that year? Eddie Plank and Frank "Home Run" Baker, all Hall of Famers. They finished 6th in the AL that year actually ahead of their arch rivals, the Highlanders (Yankees). Mostly this same team would go on to win the World Series in 1910, 1911 and 1913.
I'm sure I'm not the first Phila A's fan to point out that 11 years later, the 1929 A's won the pennant AND the world series by beating the Yankee's famous murderer's row. That year's AL pennant race had 14 Hall of Famers between the #1 and #2 teams, including both managers, Mack and Huggins. Must have been a chilly April 14 as they all have their jackets on.
Some photos of Hilltop Park can be seen here. Seems it existed as a ballpark and a home for the Highlanders/Yankees for just over ten years; it was demolished in 1914.
Denny Gill
Chugiak, Alaska
Legend on Photo says Phila. Americans, instead of Athletics.
[Philadelphia Americans is short for Philadelphia American League team. As opposed to the Philadelphia Nationals. - Dave]
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