The Polo Grounds, a storied sports venue in New York City, saw its final years marked by a series of challenges that ultimately led to its closure in 1963 and subsequent demolition. From its origins in 1890, the stadium had been a central figure in New York sports, but by the late 1940s, signs of decline began to emerge. Issues with maintenance, the departure of key tenants, and the changing landscape of professional sports all contributed to the stadium's
eventual fate, paving the way for new facilities like Shea Stadium.
Deterioration and Ownership Challenges
One significant factor in the Polo Grounds' decline was its deteriorating condition. From the late 1940s onward, the stadium was not well maintained. While the baseball Giants owned the stadium structure itself, the Coogan heirs retained ownership of the land parcel on which it stood. This split ownership created complications for upkeep and investment. The surrounding neighborhood also began to experience a downturn during this period, further impacting the stadium's appeal and restricting ticket sales, even when the Giants were performing well.
For instance, in 1954, despite winning the World Series, the baseball Giants attracted only 1.1 million fans, a figure significantly lower than the over two million drawn by the Milwaukee Braves. This indicated a growing problem with attendance, which was exacerbated by the stadium's obsolescence and lack of modern amenities. The financial strain on the team owner, Horace Stoneham, who relied solely on the Giants for income, meant there was little money available for necessary stadium upkeep. This led to the unfortunate necessity of laying off the stadium's maintenance staff, further accelerating its decay.
Team Departures and Financial Strain
The departure of major tenants dealt significant blows to the Polo Grounds. The football Giants, who had played their home games at the Polo Grounds from 1925 to 1955, moved to Yankee Stadium across the Harlem River after the 1955 NFL season. This relocation meant a substantial loss of rental income for the baseball Giants' owner, Horace Stoneham, who was not as wealthy as many other team owners.
The baseball Giants themselves experienced a disastrous 1956 season, spending most of it in last place before a late surge moved them to sixth. This poor performance led to a further decline in ticket sales, with 1956 attendance being less than half of their World Series-winning 1954 season and ranking last in Major League Baseball. Faced with an obsolete and dilapidated stadium, no maintenance staff, and no prospect of renovation, Stoneham explored options such as becoming tenants of the Yankees or moving to a city-owned stadium. When these plans failed, the Giants announced on August 19, 1957, that after 74 years in New York, they would relocate to San Francisco, California, following their long-time rivals, the Dodgers, to the West Coast. The Giants had won five World Series titles at the Polo Grounds.
Final Years and Legacy
After the baseball Giants' departure, the Polo Grounds saw a brief resurgence with new tenants. The expansion New York Mets played their first two seasons there in 1962 and 1963. Additionally, the New York Titans, later renamed the Jets, of the American Football League, played their first four seasons at the venue from 1960 to 1963. However, these were temporary arrangements. Shea Stadium opened in 1964 and was set to replace the Polo Grounds as the home for both the Mets and the Jets.
The final sporting event at the Polo Grounds was a professional football game between the Jets and the Buffalo Bills. Following its closure, the Polo Grounds was demolished. In its place, a public housing complex known as the Polo Grounds Towers was constructed on the site, marking a complete transformation of the historic location. The stadium's end was somewhat anticlimactic, especially when compared to the farewells of other "Jewel Box" parks, reflecting the long period of decline it had endured.
