This Day In Dodgers History: Charles Ebbets Becomes Controlling Owner

"Ebbets' biggest accomplishment was finding a long-term home for the team. By the early 1910s, he began purchasing land to build a new stadium. Ebbets went as far as selling half of his holdings in the franchise to raise the necessary money. Up to that point, the Dodgers were playing their home games at Washington Park. They additionally played at four other fields, including Eastern Park, from 1862-1897."

"The construction for what would be known as Ebbets Field began on March 14, 1912, and took just more than one year to complete. Ebbets Field hosted its first game on April 5, 1913, when Brooklyn played against the New York Yankees with an overcapacity of 30,000 fans in attendance. An estimated 5,000 more fans arrived to see the Dodgers' new ballpark, but could not get in. The stadium hosted other sporting events, such as NFL, AFL, AAFC and NCAA games."

Charles Ebbets gained an 80% interest and controlling ownership of the Brooklyn Dodgers on Dec. 31, 1897 after years as a bookkeeper and minority owner. The Dodgers won National League pennants in each of his first two seasons as controlling owner. Ebbets purchased land in the early 1910s and sold half his franchise holdings to finance construction of a new ballpark. Construction of Ebbets Field began on March 14, 1912 and the stadium opened April 5, 1913 with overcapacity attendance. Ebbets served as controlling owner and president until his death in 1925, and the team won additional pennants in 1916 and 1920. Ebbets Field hosted other sporting events, remained the Dodgers' home through 1957, and was demolished on Feb. 23, 1960 before being replaced by Ebbets Fields Apartments in 1962.

Read at Dodger Blue