October 22, 2008 Boston Braves fans reminisce glory days Play video

(Greg Wayland, NECN: Boston, MA) - Sixty years ago this month, they were in the World Series. Five years later they left Boston forever -- first for Milwaukee, then for Atlanta. But fans of the old Boston Braves remember their team every October.

Evans: "If you don't mind, I'd like to start my presentation today by just going over a brief history of the ball team." Ralph Evans wears his souvenir cap in the October shadows. He’s not alone. Red...blue...big white "B" for "Boston" ...or, if you like, for "Braves" Once those words were inseparable. Now, if you'll come with me.

This was Ralphs annual tour of the last traces of Boston’s last National League ball park -- Braves field.

It opened in 1915. It’s Boston University's Nickerson field now. Close by, a kind of family reunion was underway. . The annual luncheon of the Boston Braves historical association. Players. More of those caps. And diehard fans like Bernie Rubin. “They were my favorite team as a kid growing up and I loved them and I went to all the games.”

Any of you who were Braves fans remember that if you came in this way, you came in and entered the grand stand by a large ramp that would take you to the top of the grandstand.

Ralph Evans was eleven when his favorite team left town. He can't forget that time, or this place. He guides you through the temple ruins.

If you step off that macadam and step onto this

The Braves came to Boston in 1871. They was Babe Ruth’s last team. Buses and streetcars were full on game day in the forties. Forty-seven was a banner year.

It was the greatest attendance year in Braves history at home and on the road. More than one million, two hundred and seventy-eight thousand members of the family saw their favorites at the wigwam. While more than one million three hundred and seven thousand watched the Braves away from home. There was going to be a subway world series with the red sox in 48.

There was a lot of talk about it. It came down to one game. A playoff game between Cleveland and the Red Sox. The Sox lost-- and Cleveland beat the braves, too. It’s all memories now. And steel and concrete phantoms

Right next to this pie-shaped wedge which became the braves bullpen is a walkway and it goes all the way up to that gate. That wall with that red railing that you see is part of the original structure of the ballpark. For whatever reason it wasn't changed.

Oh, it's outstanding. Boston people are very knowledgeable about baseball. And it's so nice to reminisce with old timers that love the game. Clint Conaster: I never realized really, because we don't really get to know the fans, the true fans until we're all through playing because we don't have functions like this when we're playing. Roy Hatsfield: I loved every minute of it. Unfortunately, there just wasn't enough of it.

Joe Morgan: It's a lot of fun, you see guys you haven't seen for a while, but it's getting lesser every year, you know. Among the faithful departed. Right fielder Tommy Holmes. He died last spring. First baseman Earl Torgison. "Torgy" for short., The little general, manager Billy Southworth. Pitcher Johnny Sane. And the lefty they called Spahnny.

This is Warren Spahn, the stylish south paw who in his first full year in the National League led all major league left-handers with twenty-one victories.

That is the last part of the right field wall that remains. The knothole gang -- those very young fans -- are still around. Al Doak for one. and Ed Radovich “ I used to come down to the old ballpark with a bunch of fellas and the attendant there would ask me how much money you got. I have a penny. And he'd say, go ahead in.” This kid's dad took him to his first ballgame at Braves Field. Yeah, that's me.

And I remember there was a guy standing right about here, selling programs. That's about about all I remember.

Except for bright colors and big crowds. All fading by 1952.

There were days when you could go out and you could sit anywhere you wanted in the ballpark. And they were under financial duress and they had to do something. In '53, the Brave's owners moved them to Milwaukee.

“I was sick. I didn't sleep for a week.”

The wigwam closed. But someone stole home one last time.

“With their bare hands, they dug up home plate.”

And as the press and radio of tomorrow write and speak about the new stars as well as the old, long-time Braves family man Tommy McCarthy will still be making the writers and announcers welcomed at the Wigwam I know you're still out there somewhere, Tommy.