The day the Tax Collector struck out Babe Ruth
- By: kenb
- On: 02/26/2009 07:24:48
- In: Manatee County History
Spring Training
Spring Training has been around in Bradenton since 1923. All the games have been played in the same location which today is known as McKechnie Field. It was originally built for the St. Louis Cardinals. Dizzy Dean's ("The Gas House Gang") gas station was caddy corner from where our Downtown Bradenton office was formely located.
http://www.baseballpilgrimages.com/spring/bradenton.html
As spring training is upon us again ( Bradenton has hosted the Pittsburgh Pirates since 1966) it reminds me of a true story that happened in 1928.
The background
There is a road off SR 64 just west of I-75 called Morgan Johnson Road (57th St. E). It runs south to Caruso Rd off SR 70. Morgan lived there circa 1900 and had two sons Henry and Gilbert. There could have been more children, but the two boys are the story.
