Majestic Park

Majestic Park then was upgraded to become the spring training site of the Boston Red Sox and their star pitcher Babe Ruth in 1909–10 and 1912–18.

In 1914, Babe Ruth was just beginning his career (as a dominant left-handed pitcher) for the Red Sox, while a young Aaron played in the 1952 Negro World Series.

[8][9] Along with Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson and Hank Aaron, others who performed at the site include Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, Jimmie Foxx, Gil Hodges, Harry Hooper, Cy Young, Rogers Hornsby, Grover Cleveland Alexander, Herb Pennock, Tris Speaker, and Walter Johnson.

[10] The Sporting News (1998) ranking of the greatest players ever listed: Babe Ruth (1), Ty Cobb (3), Walter Johnson (4), Hank Aaron (5) and Rogers Hornsby (9).

In 1909, the stands for Majestic Park were built at the field by Boston Red Sox owner John I. Taylor, who signed a five-year lease on the property as a Spring Training location.

The Boston Red Sox were a dominant team, winning four World Series Championships in their time at Majestic Park (1912, 1915, 1916 and 1918).

It was in 1918 spring training that the Red Sox first began to use Babe Ruth in the field, instead of exclusively at pitcher, to take advantage of his hitting.

[18] On March 29, 1918, the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railway, owners of the Majestic Park property cancelled the Red Sox lease for 1919 to utilize a portion of the ballpark area for railroad needs.

[24][25] The Roy Doan Baseball School operated from 1934 to 1938, attracting hundreds of students and utilized Dean Field and other locations throughout Hot Springs.

Hornsby's six-week event ran until 1952, annually attracting 100-200 prospective professionals and numerous major league scouts.

[30] In 1918, during Spring Training, Ruth played first base as an emergency measure in a game against Brooklyn at Whittington Field (later called Ban Johnson Park).

Discovered by the Clowns while playing for a semi-pro team (Mobile Black Bears) in a game against them, they signed Aaron in April, 1951.

Produced by Arkansas filmmaker Larry Foley, it is narrated by Hot Springs area native, actor Billy Bob Thornton.

[40][41][42][43] In 1953, the Hot Springs Boys and Girls Club built and opened a youth facility on the parcel at 105 West Belding Street, where the building remains today.

In September 2019, the City of Hot Springs successfully passed a publicly voted bond issue to secure 8.5 million dollars for a total renovation of the Majestic Park site.

[49] As part of the Hot Springs Baseball Historic Trail, four separate plaques are erected at the site: Majestic Field, Hank Aaron, Jackie Robinson and Rogers Hornsby.

In March 1918, during batting practice, Babe Ruth hit many home runs over the distant center field fence, predicting his change from pitcher to slugging outfielder.

On October 22, 1953, the legendary Jackie Robinson, played an exhibition game here at Jaycee field with Gil Hodges, Luke Easter and other fellow Big Leaguers.

(1954)Jackie Robinson. Brooklyn Dodgers.
World Series Champion Red Sox 1916, Babe Ruth in front row, middle
Dizzy Dean plaque HOF. "Dean Field" was named for Dean and his brother Paul "Daffy" Dean
Babe Ruth, 1916
Hank Aaron, Milwaukee Braves, 1960