Michael W. Mitchell still remembers the days fondly.
From his childhood home on 162nd Street and St. Nicholas Avenue, he and his family would walk two blocks to the John T. Brush Stairway, down the steps and onto a grassy knoll, then across the street to what was then the upper level of the Polo Grounds. There were no busy highways, no guardrails — just the welcoming sights and sounds of baseball.
Decades later, Mitchell stood in the same spot he had many times as a kid, with the Brush stairwell looming at his back, gazing at what used to be his haven. Now all that stands on that hallowed ground are stained reddish-brown public housing buildings, the stadium that once housed five major New York sports teams left to linger in the memories of aging fans.
But on Thursday, the city took a step toward remembering.
At a rededication ceremony at the bottom of the Brush Stairway, the New York Department of Parks and Recreation officially unveiled renovations — which were completed last year — on 102nd anniversary of the stairwell’s opening. It signified a commitment to the rich history of New York baseball, and more specifically the Giants organization that departed for San Francisco in 1958.
“There’s one thing that New Yorkers do not have, and that’s a lack of pride. We care about our place,” said former Met and Yankee Lee Mazzilli, who grew up in Brooklyn. “We talk about Yankee Stadium being the cathedral of baseball. We know how iconic the Stadium is. But before Yankee Stadium, that’s what the Polo Grounds was. It was a part of baseball history, but more importantly, people forget that right here where we stand was a part of American history.”
The New York baseball Giants presented the Brush Stairway to the City of New York on July 9, 1913, naming it honor of former owner John T. Brush, who died in 1912. The stairwell served as an important passageway for fans to travel from the top of Coogan’s Bluff’s rocky cliffs down to Polo Grounds, the home of the baseball and football Giants, the Yankees, the Jets and later, the Mets.
Mitchell was one of the residents who frequented the Brush Stairway as a kid. So was New York Assemblyman Denny Farrell.
Farrell grew up two blocks away from the Polo Grounds on 159th Street and St. Nicholas Avenue, and he remembers one day when the Cardinals were playing at the stadium. The team took the wrong train and ended up on 157th Street and Broadway instead of 157th and 8th Avenue. Continue reading →

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS: MICHAEL ARONSON

It was exactly 102 years ago today, July 9, 1913, that the Giants baseball team gave New York City a stairway that fans used to descend from the heights of Coogan’s Bluff to the Polo Grounds ballpark and to climb home again after games.
A newspaper of the time (the Daily News first appeared six years later) wrote that the “stairway had been under consideration by the Park Department for some time, but, owing to the lack of funds, the city could not build it.”
Today, the stadium is, of course, a faded memory — with the stairs the only remaining relic of the Polo Grounds.
For decades, the 80-step steel structure rotted and was fenced off. Then, seven years ago this editorial column called for rehabbing the stairs as a way to connect two tiers of Highbridge Park.
Recalling generosity of yesteryear, the Daily News called on the Giants (now of San Francisco) and the four other clubs that once called the Polo Grounds home (the Yankees and the Mets and the NFL’s Giants and Jets) to chip in to a reconstruction fund.
The quintet came through in high style, donating a total of $500,000, with then-Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer adding $400,000. Major League Baseball gave $50,000.
Using that $950,000, the Parks Department has rebuilt the stairs and put them to public use. Today, marking the anniversary, the baseball and football Giants, Yanks, Mets, Jets and Major League Baseball will be recognized at a rededication ceremony.
A hearty salute to them all.

The meeting place for the ceremony is at the bottom of the steps at the Harlem River Driveway, the ramp to the Harlem River Drive, (not Edgecombe Avenue) where there are picnic benches. I will post the official information and invitation from the NYC Parks Department when I receive it. Members of the sports teams that contributed to the rebuilding of the stairs will be making speeches. There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony as well! All invited.

A wonderful meeting took place last night as the Bergino Baseball Clubhouse welcomed the NYGPS and guest speaker Andrew Baggarly. Andrew is one of the best beat writers in the biz and spoke Giants baseball to an enthusiastic and grateful crowd. Andrew spoke about his new book Giants Splash which “Celebrates the golden age of San Francisco Giants baseball.Since the team moved to the shores of McCovey Cove in 2000, Giants fans have been thrilled by iconic players, historic moments, and heroic performances—not to mention three World Series championships. Giant Splash takes readers onto the field and inside the clubhouse for every unforgettable moment: Barry Bonds’ record-setting home runs, Tim Lincecum’s no-hitter, Matt Cain’s perfect game, Travis Ishikawa’s walk-off pennant winner, and many more. Order your copy here:

I began reading the book last night and as an avid Giants fan, it is tough to put down. As Andy stated, “We have been spoiled since moving into AT&T Park(Pac Bell) It is fabulous reliving all the great events that have occurred there.
We would like to thank Andy for taking the time out of his busy schedule to chat with us. The MLB Amateur Draft was last night and he didn’t let that deter him from speaking to us.
Also thanks to Jay Goldberg for making his home ours. No better place to get a Father’s Day gift or a graduation gift than at
http://www.bergino.com/

HOUSTON – Hall of Famer Monte Irvin played for the 1954 New York Giants who swept the Cleveland Indians in the World Series. His championship ring was stolen from his home in the ‘60s. No problem. He has three more in his possession, thanks to the Giants’ three titles in five years. The third was hand-delivered today by team president Larry Baer and general manager Bobby Evans at Irvin’s daughter’s home in West Houston, about 20 minutes from Minute Maid Park, where the Giants are playing a two-game series.
“I’m overwhelmed,” Irvin, 96, said after receiving the ring. “Baseball has been my life since I was 8 years old.”
Irvin, one of the first two African Americans to play for the Giants, along with Hank Thompson (in 1949), is protective of the three rings and plans to keep his new jewelry in a safe deposit box with his 2010 and 2012 models.“It’s so expensive compared to the ones that were given out years ago. This will really be well-kept,” Irvin said. “I’ll wear it only for special occasions . . . like going to the White House.”

During a two-hour visit with Irvin and his family, as the former outfielder spun tales of the Negro Leagues, his days with the Giants and teammate Willie Mays, Baer asked him if he ever had the chance to meet President Obama. Irvin said no but would love to. Right away, Baer invited Irvin and his family to join the Giants in their White House visit next month. It’s already on the Irvins’ family calendar. His daughter, Patricia Gordon, and grand daughter, Stacie Gordon Ashley, saw to it. “Monte is a treasure, a baseball treasure and a Giants treasure,” Baer said after his visit. “He represents our heritage going back to 1949. He represents the game of baseball in the same mold of Jackie Robinson, the same mold of that era. While he wasn’t on the field in 2014, what he did in his history with the Giants made it possible for those who were on the field. “He bridges cultural values in the most dignified way possible. I got chills walking in and seeing him today.” Five other Giants hall of Famers — Mays, Willie McCovey, Juan Marichal, Orlando Cepeda and Gaylord Perry — received World Series rings last month when the current players got theirs in an on-field pregame ceremony.

John Shea is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: jshea@sfchronicle.com. Twitter @JohnSheaHey

Happy Birthday to the greatest from the NYGPS!!! Long may your cap fly off running the bases, long may you chase down balls in the gap and over your head, long may the ball fly off your bat and land over the wall, long may our memories of your greatness continue!!! Happy 84!!!

EXTRA BAGGS AT THE BERGINO CLUBHOUSE!!
Our 3rd meeting of the year (Trophy Tour, Jaime Rupert) will take place June 8 with Andrew Baggarly journalist, Jeopardy Champion, and author, who has covered the Giants since 2004. Andy has graciously agreed to speak to our group as the Giants come to town to play the Mets, June 9-11. Andy is the very talented Giants beat writer for the San Jose Mercury News. His twitter account is the 1st place Giants fans should go to when they need the latest on the Orange and Black. He is in my opinion, the best of all the Giants reporters and writers. Simply, he tells it like it is. Here is the link; this is must for serious Giants fans. https://twitter.com/extrabaggs along with his website http://andrewbaggarly.com/
Andy is the author of A Band of Misfits: Tales of the 2010 San Francisco Giants (2011) and Giant Splash: Bondsian Blasts, World Series Parades, and Other Thrilling Moments by the Bay (2015) Here is a blurb from Amazon about his newest book:
“Celebrate the golden age of San Francisco Giants baseball with Giant Splash, a firsthand account by Giants beat reporter and best-selling author Andrew Baggarly. Since the team moved to the shores of McCovey Cove in 2000, Giants fans have been thrilled by iconic players, historic moments, and heroic performances—not to mention three World Series championships. Giant Splash takes readers onto the field and inside the clubhouse for every unforgettable moment: Barry Bonds’ record-setting home runs, Tim Lincecum’s no-hitter, Matt Cain’s perfect game, Travis Ishikawa’s walk-off pennant winner, and many more.”
This will be a can’t miss event, especially for the majority of us who have remained Giants fans despite the fact that they moved 3,000 miles away, 57 years ago!!
I expect this to be a packed house at the Bergino Baseball Clubhouse http://www.bergino.com/
RSVP as soon as possible and please indicate if you would like to purchase either book, or one or the other. Andy will be happy to sign your book. I met Andy at CitiField and he was nice enough to sign my Band of Misfits book, which is a fabulous read!!
Looking forward to seeing many of you on the 8th, we are looking at 6, or 6:30 starting time. I will advise when I’m sure.-Gary

JERSEY CITY’S HORACE STONEHAM BELONGS IN BASEBALL HALL OF FAME by Ed Lucas

In a tranquil, sunny corner of Jersey City’s Holy Name Cemetery, on West Side Avenue, you’ll find a memorial with the name “Stoneham.” Not many visitors stop by these days, but for local baseball fans, it’s a name that should ring out through the decades.
Charles Stoneham, who grew up in Newark and served as an altar boy at several Hudson County parishes, owned the New York Giants baseball club from 1919 until his death in 1936. He is buried in his family’s Jersey City plot. Under Stoneham’s watch, the NY Giants became a premiere team in the National League, winning the World Series in 1921, 1922 and 1933.
After Charles Stoneham’s death, his son, Horace, inherited the club. At just 32 years old in 1937, Horace became the youngest owner of a Major League baseball team.
One of the first things he did was to establish a successful minor league Giants franchise in Jersey City, at Roosevelt Stadium, keeping the family’s connections to Hudson County strong. This also ensured generations of Giants fans in Jersey City, many of whom still root for them.
Both versions of the Giants were winners under Horace, who worked in several capacities, including as de facto general manager. He kept them at or near the top of the league.
Unfortunately, attendance at the Polo Grounds and in Jersey City was declining by the 1950s. Fans just stopped showing up, even though both clubs actually won titles in the 40’s and 50’s.
For other owners, this wouldn’t be a major crisis, but for Stoneham it was a disaster. The Giants were his primary business. They were the sole income stream for his family. Fewer tickets sold meant a dip in personal fortunes.
In 1951, the Jersey City club relocated to Ottawa, Canada. The city of New York wasn’t offering assistance in updating the Polo Grounds, either, so Stoneham began looking for a new home for the big club.
Realizing the potential for western expansion in baseball, Horace first explored a move to Minnesota. When that fell through, he was courted by the mayor of San Francisco. He signed the deal to move the Giants to California in 1957, even before the Dodgers signed theirs. Continue reading →

Last night (April 10), the Nike Running Club (Some 150 plus runners using the name The Local) led by Coach Knox Robinson and organizer/tour-guide/historian/writer Kevin Fitzpatrick had their weekly run around NYC. Every Friday night Nike organizes a run in one of the five boroughs. 3 to 5 miles to see different neighborhoods and learn about them.This run ended at the John Brush Stairway in Upper Manhattan, the last piece of the Polo Grounds that remain. Kevin informed me that they open up “The Local” online registration each Sunday night for that week. The run filled up in 2 minutes, and had no spots open, only a waiting list to get on. He told me that this was the first time that’s ever happened! Kevin asked some members of the NYGPS to be on hand at the “finish line” to share some history and memories about the NY Giants, the Brush Stairs, and the Polo Grounds. A wonderful time was had by all. We want to thank Kevin, Knox, and Nike for asking us to attend their festivities. Nike provided the NYGPS members with sneakers, jackets and tickets to the Red Sox/Yankee Game that ended at 2:14AM April 11th!! Members were thrilled to be attending and sharing stories with the Nike Running Club. For those who don’t know, the Polo Grounds were about a mile from Yankee Stadium. Some members of both organizations walked to the game, others took a shuttle! I would bet this is the most people at this hallowed locale in decades!

To all those who donated THANK YOU!! Happy holidays!!-Gary