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"The Babe buys Brother Mathias a new Cadillac."
Br. Mathias is at the wheel. Also pictured is teammate Fred Merkle and Babe's first wife, Helen
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Before the Indians moved in permanently into this vast ballpark, the outfield dimensions were deep, for example center field was 470 from home plate.
Before the 1947 season, the Indians first full season there after leaving League Park, owner Bill Veeck shorten the distances by installing temporary fencing, as you see here in the photo above. But supposedly he moved them in before the season began and I dated this photo to April 26th, AFTER the Indians already played three home games. One possibility is he waited a few games to make the change. But another possibility is Veeck, always looking for an advantage, loved to moved the fences in and out as much as 15 feet depending on the opponent. A practice that ended when the American League put its foot down and legislated that all fences stay in a permanent location.
Oh, that Bill Veeck.
