During the 1916 – 17 training camp at Coffee Pot park, the Phillies had a young outfielder named Bud Weiser.
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When the Braves came to play the Cardinals at Al Lang Field in 1952, their leadoff man was named Jack Daniels.
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Also in 1952, March 9, combative future manager Billy Martin led off the game for the Yankees versus the Cardinals. In the bottom of the inning, combative future manager Earl Weaver led off for the Cardinals.
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Grover “Pete” Alexander had a remarkable run of three seasons as a pitcher from 1915 – 17 when he won at least 30 games each season and a total of 94. When people speak of baseball records that will never be broken most speak of Joe DiMaggio’s 56 game hitting streak in 1941. What about Alexander’s 16 shutouts in 1917? Many players tied with one shutout for the major league lead in ’24. The league leaders in complete games only had two. When will anybody complete 16 games in a season again, let alone compile 16 shutouts? What do these records seasons have in common? All occurred after a spring in St. Pete. ’15 – 17 were the only three years Alexander trained in St. Pete. DiMaggio of course trained here many years including 1941.
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Future Hall of Famer Jim Kaat was here with the Senators/Twins team for the Florida Winter Instructional Program in 1960. He also returned in ’61. He liked it so much, he became a winter resident for a few years. He also worked for the city recreation department running youth basketball leagues and other endeavors at the Bartlett Park Recreation Center.
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During the 1961 winter program, the Reds worked out at then Huggins Field and played at Al Lang. Pete Rose is one of the recognizable names to have participated.
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In 1950, Sam Jethroe of the Braves was the first negro major leaguer to appears in St. Pete. The local press downplayed it and negro spectators were not admitted. A colored section was not designated until the following year when the New York Giants brought four negro players to town. The minor league team playing at Al Lang formed a knothole gang in 1947 for both white and negro kids. Restrooms for coloreds were built back then
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