The 99th Year of Spring Training in Clearwater is Complete

This article appeared in the Clearwater Historical Society, Spring 2026 Newsletter

When the Philadelphia Phillies left the city at the end of March, it marked the end of 99 years of professional baseball teams training in Clearwater. It has not been 99 consecutive years though. Four franchises, three of them major league have made their spring home here.

First came the Brooklyn franchise in 1923. Known as the Robins in honor of their manager, Wilbert Robinson who often referred to as “Uncle Robbie”. They became referred to as the Dodgers after Robinson was replaced as manager prior to the 1932 season.

 Robinson was not the reason the Dodgers moved to Clearwater though. Dodger owner Charles Ebbets was in declining health, and it was thought that he would benefit from a warm weather climate. Through Mayor Frank Booth and the city council, a new ballpark was constructed at the corner of Seminole St. and Pennsylvania Ave. to house the team. Originally named Clearwater Athletic was also called Dodger Field at times.

The Brooklyn squad trained there yearly from 1923 – 32 and again from 1936 – 40. Nineteen future Hall of Famers were with the Brooklyn squads during those years. Robinson, Al Lopez, Casey Stengel and Leo Durocher are in the Hall as managers. They along with Max Carey who is in the Hall as a player managed the team in Clearwater. Pee Wee Reese, a Hall of Fame shortstop and supporter of Jackie Robinson as a teammate, made his rookie debut here.

In between the Brooklyn years from 1933 – 35 were the Yankees top farm team, the Newark Bears. Sandwiching the war years 1942 and ’46 were the Cleveland Indians. 1942 saw Lou Budreau age 24, take over as the youngest manager in major league history. Bob Feller as was already in the Navy. 1946 would find them both here.

After training in St. Petersburg from 1915 – 18, the Philadelphia Phillies returned to the county choosing Clearwater in 1947 and thus far turning it into their forever spring home. Fifteen future Hall of Famers have been here with the Phillies. The first, Richie Ashburn: the longest tenured, Mike Schmidt. The Phillies began at the Clearwater Athletic Field, moved to Jack Russell Stadium in 1955 and relocated in 2004 to their current home, BayCare Ballpark. The Phillies return next spring will mark 100 years of baseball spring training in Clearwater