Dispatch
Memories of the Coop
Longtime home of pro baseball in Columbus has seen greats such as Mays, Mantle, Bench, Jeter
Thursday, April 3, 2008 6:34 AM
By
Jeff Thitoff
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
File
Cooper Stadium's final opening game is tonight.
The Reverend Billy Graham visited in 1993.
Red Bird Stadium is built in 1932.
Some former Clippers (from left): Joe Garagiola (a Red Bird), Derek Jeter, Otis Nixon
Some of the best storytellers were named Grandpa, Papaw or sometimes just Gramps. They were older, yes, and they looked a little different, but they spun wonderful tales of the past and had a way of comforting us. Today, Cooper Stadium -- one of the grandfathers of ballparks -- kicks off its final season of playing host to professional baseball in Columbus. The mecca on Mound Street, built in 1932 to house the Columbus Red Birds, will serve as the Clippers' home for the 2008 season before the team heads off to shiny new Huntington Park in the Arena District.
Until moving day, the old stadium promises to reveal many of its best old yarns.
The Clippers have a new manager in 2008 in Tim Foli, a former major-league infielder. Although Foli is new to Columbus, he is familiar with Cooper Stadium.
Cont...