Today isn’t your typical Thursday for OG baseball fans here in Asheville. Tonight is the Tourists’ first home game of the season + since it’s #ThrowbackThursday, on-deck we have a winning streak of Tourist history. (Pun fully intended).
McCormick Field houses more than cleats, bats, beer + hot dogs. In fact, there is plenty of history held within this small stadium that seats 4,350 fans. From Babe Ruth’s debut, stock-car races, to the filming of a classic baseball movie, here are 12 facts to get you pumped for the season (and impress your friends).
- The first official baseball team in Asheville was the Asheville Moonshiners, organized in 1897. They then became known as the RedBirds, then Mountaineers, and finally in 1915 became known as the Asheville Tourists.
- Starting off as part of the North Carolina State League from 1916-1917, the Tourists have been part of the 8 different leagues and are currently in the South Atlantic League. ⚾
- Asheville Tourists played the quickest game in baseball history. On August 30, 1916 the Tourists played the Winston-Salem Twins for the last game of the season. The game started 30 minutes early so the umpire didn’t show until after three innings had been played. Having started at 1:28 p.m. and ending at 1:59 p.m. with a 2-1 win by the Twins, the game lasted only 31 minutes. ⏰
- McCormick Field was built in 1924 at a cost of $200,000. 🏟
- In 1926, Babe Ruth stood in the outfield of McCormick Field and said “My, my, what a beautiful place to play. Delightful. Damned delightful place!” In 1931, Ruth and Lou Gehrig hit home runs at McCormick Field in the New York Yankees 11-3 win during an exhibition game.
- Jackie Robinson and the Brooklyn Dodgers made their debut on McCormick Field in 1948. ⚾
- Due to the end of the Tri-State League in 1955 (the league the Tourists were a part of during this time), Asheville went without baseball for three years. During that time McCormick Field was used for weekly stock-car races until the city found another league. 🏎
- McCormick Field found a rebirth in the 1980’s after Ron McKee + his wife Carolyn became the general + business managers. The McKees increased the season attendance to 49,066 fans during their first year in charge and began promo nights like “Thirsty Thursday” + “Shirt off Your Back Night.” 🍻
- Scenes from the 1988 film Bull Durham were filmed at McCormick Field. 🎥 See clip here.
- In the 1980’s there was talk about demolishing + rebuilding McCormick Field since the stadium had not changed since 1924. Due to a public outcry to not demolish the stadium, McCormick went under an extensive remodel in 1992 which improved the lighting, seating, concessions + bathrooms. 🌭
- The Asheville Tourists proudly wear shades of blue + teal found on their jerseys and mascots. Each color has a special name – midnight navy, Blue Ridge blue + Biltmore jade – representing notable aspects of Asheville. Mascot Mr. Moon came about since the Tourists were first known as the Moonshiners, and he is accompanied by the 1980’s mascot Teddy the bear. 🧢
- In 1994, Asheville Tourists became an affiliate of the Colorado Rockies as a division A minor league team and still is today. Since 1915 the team has changed divisions and team affiliates (Boston Red Sox, Brooklyn Dodgers, Houston Astros, etc.), resulting in numerous Tourists players making it to the MLB.
Let’s be real, unless you’re local baseball historian Bill Ballew (an author of two books about baseball in Asheville), who would’ve guessed there was so much vital minor + major league history here in Asheville?
Have a favorite memory or a great story about McCormick Field? Let us know on Facebook, Instagram or drop us a line. ⚾
See you fans tonight. We’ll be up front taking *all* the photos for AVLtoday.
