On August 14 in sports history, one significant event took place in 1994: the final baseball game was played at the iconic Polo Grounds in New York City.
The Polo Grounds was a historic stadium that served as the home of the New York Giants baseball team from 1911 to 1957, before they relocated to San Francisco. It was also briefly the home of the New York Mets in 1962 and 1963, while Shea Stadium was under construction.
The final game at the Polo Grounds was played between the New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies. The Mets, who were in their third season as a franchise, defeated the Phillies 5-1 in front of a crowd of just 1,752 people. Mets pitcher Willard Hunter threw a complete game, allowing only one run on five hits.
The Polo Grounds was known for its unique horseshoe shape and short distances to the left and right field walls, which made it a hitter-friendly park. Many baseball legends played at the stadium, including Willie Mays, who made his famous over-the-shoulder catch during the 1954 World Series while playing for the Giants.
After the final game, the Polo Grounds was demolished, and the site now houses the Polo Grounds Towers, a public housing complex. The stadium's legacy lives on through its many memorable moments and the great players who once called it home. The last game at the Polo Grounds marked the end of an era in New York sports history.
