Morgan G. Bulkeley Stadium
Encyclopedia
Morgan G. Bulkeley Stadium was a sports stadium located in Hartford, Connecticut
. The facility housed the Eastern League's Hartford Senators
and the Hartford Blues
of the National Football League
. It also included a 1/5 mile dirt oval for motor sports. Originally named Clarkin Field from 1921-1927, the stadium was renamed for former Connecticut governor, Morgan Bulkeley in 1927.
The stadium was the home of Hartford's various minor league baseball team such as the Hartford Chiefs, Hartford Senators, Hartford Laurels and Hartford Bees. The teams that played here between 1921 and 1952 were affiliated with the Eastern League. Lou Gehrig
, Jim Thorpe
, Leo Durocher
, Hank Greenberg
, Warren Spahn
and Johnny Sain
all played for these teams at one point in their careers. Babe Ruth
played at Bulkeley Stadium in an exhibition game in 1940. When the Boston Braves moved to Milwaukee at the end of the 1952 season, Hartford's minor league team was relocated. The stadium soon feel into disarray and was demolished in 1955. The location of the stadium is currently a nursing home, however a historical plaque was dedicated in 1998.
James H. Clarkin owner of the Hartford Club and the Eastern League Franchise replaced the old Wethesfield Ave grounds with the new Clarkin Field in 1921, later called Bulkeley Stadium. The site was located at Hanmer and George Sts off of Franklin Ave., mintues walk from the old field. "there was a fine playing surface laid out and had erected one of the best minor league structures in the country, with a stand of steel and concrete and dressing rooms, shower baths and complete modern equipment. In 1927 fire destroyed the stand and fence but was rebuilt in less than a month. After a few away games at the beginning of the season, the Senators returned to Hartford for a Gala opening July 1927" according to the "Hartford Courant" March 12,1933 when former owner Clarkin died.
Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
. The facility housed the Eastern League's Hartford Senators
Hartford Senators
The Hartford Senators were a minor league baseball team based in Hartford, Connecticut. They operated in the Connecticut League from 1902-1912, the Eastern Association from 1913-1914, the Eastern League from 1916-1932 and the Northeastern League in 1934. For the 1932 season they were affiliated...
and the Hartford Blues
Hartford Blues
The Hartford Blues of the National Football League played only in the 1926 NFL season, with a record of 3-7. The team was based in Hartford, Connecticut but played at the East Hartford Velodrome.-Origins:...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. It also included a 1/5 mile dirt oval for motor sports. Originally named Clarkin Field from 1921-1927, the stadium was renamed for former Connecticut governor, Morgan Bulkeley in 1927.
The stadium was the home of Hartford's various minor league baseball team such as the Hartford Chiefs, Hartford Senators, Hartford Laurels and Hartford Bees. The teams that played here between 1921 and 1952 were affiliated with the Eastern League. Lou Gehrig
Lou Gehrig
Henry Louis "Lou" Gehrig , nicknamed "The Iron Horse" for his durability, was an American Major League Baseball first baseman. He played his entire 17-year baseball career for the New York Yankees . Gehrig set several major league records. He holds the record for most career grand slams...
, Jim Thorpe
Jim Thorpe
Jacobus Franciscus "Jim" Thorpe * Gerasimo and Whiteley. pg. 28 * americaslibrary.gov, accessed April 23, 2007. was an American athlete of mixed ancestry...
, Leo Durocher
Leo Durocher
Leo Ernest Durocher , nicknamed Leo the Lip, was an American infielder and manager in Major League Baseball. Upon his retirement, he ranked fifth all-time among managers with 2,009 career victories, second only to John McGraw in National League history. Durocher still ranks tenth in career wins by...
, Hank Greenberg
Hank Greenberg
Henry Benjamin "Hank" Greenberg , nicknamed "Hammerin' Hank" or "The Hebrew Hammer," was an American professional baseball player in the 1930s and 1940s. A first baseman primarily for the Detroit Tigers, Greenberg was one of the premier power hitters of his generation...
, Warren Spahn
Warren Spahn
Warren Edward Spahn was an American Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He played his entire 21-year baseball career in the National League. He won 20 games each in 13 seasons, including a 23-7 record when he was age 42...
and Johnny Sain
Johnny Sain
John Franklin Sain was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who was best known for teaming with left-hander Warren Spahn on the Boston Braves teams from 1946 to 1951...
all played for these teams at one point in their careers. Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth
George Herman Ruth, Jr. , best known as "Babe" Ruth and nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat", was an American Major League baseball player from 1914–1935...
played at Bulkeley Stadium in an exhibition game in 1940. When the Boston Braves moved to Milwaukee at the end of the 1952 season, Hartford's minor league team was relocated. The stadium soon feel into disarray and was demolished in 1955. The location of the stadium is currently a nursing home, however a historical plaque was dedicated in 1998.
James H. Clarkin owner of the Hartford Club and the Eastern League Franchise replaced the old Wethesfield Ave grounds with the new Clarkin Field in 1921, later called Bulkeley Stadium. The site was located at Hanmer and George Sts off of Franklin Ave., mintues walk from the old field. "there was a fine playing surface laid out and had erected one of the best minor league structures in the country, with a stand of steel and concrete and dressing rooms, shower baths and complete modern equipment. In 1927 fire destroyed the stand and fence but was rebuilt in less than a month. After a few away games at the beginning of the season, the Senators returned to Hartford for a Gala opening July 1927" according to the "Hartford Courant" March 12,1933 when former owner Clarkin died.