A look back at the
HISTORY OF THE CACTUS LEAGUE Chicago’s White Stockings (White Sox) are the first Major League team to play a barnstorming game in Arizona. They defeat Yuma’s team 9-1. Chicago Cubs treasurer Earl Nelson visits Mesa to discuss the possibility of moving the Cubs to town for spring training. Larry Doby, who joined the Indians during the 1947 season, arrives for spring training in Tucson, becoming the first AfricanAmerican to play in the Cactus League.
The New York Yankees and their cross-town rival Giants swap spring training sites. The one-year-only swap is at the request of Yankees co-owner Del Webb, who wants to show off his World Series champion Yankees in his hometown. Phoenix fans are treated to seeing the first spring season of Mickey Mantle and the last of Joe DiMaggio.
It’s been 72 years since Arizona’s sunshine convinced two Major League baseball teams to make their spring training home in the Grand Canyon state. Since then, a who’s who of baseball royalty have helped make the Cactus League what it is today. Names like Bill Veeck, Ernie Banks, Del Webb, Dwight Patterson, Ted Williams, Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle have all played roles in the history of the Cactus League. Here’s a look at the history of spring training in Arizona.
1909
1929
1942
1947 1948
1951 1952
1954
The Boston Red Sox take up residence at Scottsdale Stadium and stay until 1965. Cactus League fans are treated to the final two seasons of Ted Williams’ career and the beginning years of Carl Yastrzemski’s career.
1959
After relocating to San Francisco in 1958, Horace Stoneham’s Giants begin training at a new practice facility in Casa Grande known as Francisco Grande. Built with modern amenities, Francisco Grande is primarily a training site for the team – the Giants will continue to play games at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
1961
The Giants move from “old” Phoenix Municipal Stadium to a new Phoenix Muni. Willie McCovey inaugurates the new $891,380 park with the first hit and Willie Mays hits the stadium’s first home run.
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The Detroit Tigers become the first team to hold their spring training in Arizona. They play several games against local teams and two exhibitions against big league competition at Phoenix Riverside Park. But in 1930, the Tigers move their spring camp to California and never return to Arizona.
1962
1964
1969 1970
The Chicago Cubs become the third team to take up residence in Arizona when they move their spring training base from Catalina Island to Mesa’s Rendezvous Park.
After buying the Cleveland Indians in 1946, Bill Veeck, who owns a ranch near Tucson, convinces New York Giants owner Horace Stoneham to move his club’s spring training operation to Phoenix, while the Indians will train in Tucson. It marks the first time two Major League teams hold spring training in Arizona, establishing the foundation for what will become the Cactus League.
(spring) The Baltimore Orioles train in Yuma. With their arrival, spring training in Arizona is officially referred to as the “Cactus League” as there are now four teams. After a year in Florida in 1955, the Orioles are lured back to Scottsdale with a brand-new ballpark and stay until 1959.
(fall) The New York Giants win the first allCactus League World Series, sweeping the Cleveland Indians in four games. Among the highlights in the now legendary over-the-shoulder catch by Giants center fielder Willie Mays that prevents a Cleveland rally with two men on base.
The American League-expansion Los Angeles Angels join the Cactus League, playing half of its games in Palm Springs and half in Arizona. The National League-expansion Houston Colt 45s (now the Astros) make their spring training home at Geronimo Park in Apache Junction. The team’s arrival expands the Cactus League to six teams. The American League Seattle Pilots (Tempe) and the National League San Diego Padres (Yuma) join other teams training in Arizona. Charlie Finley’s A’s become the third addition to the league when they bring spring training back to Mesa. The A’s go on to win World Series titles three straight years (1972-74) while training in Mesa. The Pilots show up to spring training wearing one uniform and leave to wear another. During spring training, the bankrupt Seattle team is sold to Milwaukee businessman and future MLB Commissioner Bud Selig. When they left spring training, they left as the Milwaukee Brewers.
