The Rich History of Bosse Field and Baseball in Evansville, Indiana
By Seth Carter
Bosse Field – Indiana Legend Chuck Klein
Future Hall of Famer Chuck Klein kept the Evansvillians entertained during that 50-84 season of 1927. Klein would go on to star with the Philadelphia Phillies and would win the 1932 N.L. MVP Award.
Fun Fact: Chuck is an Indiana treasure. Not only did he play for Evansville, but he was born in Indianapolis, went to high school in Indianapolis, and died in Indianapolis.
Bosse Field – Tigers Come Bearing Gifts of Greenburg
The following season, Major League Baseball came to the rescue. Evansville had never had an affiliation with a major-league team, but that was about to change. They announced a partnership with the Detroit Tigers, who immediately dumped $50,000 into renovations and updates to the ballpark.
Along with the affiliation came future major-league ballplayers, including legendary first baseman Hank Greenburg. He would go on to win two MVPs and even hit 58 homers in 1938. Yes, Hank Greenburg once called Bosse Field his home.
Hank Greenburg’s only season in Evansville: .318 average with 66 extra-base hits, including 15 homers.
A Brave New Evansville
In 1938, the Boston Braves tagged in and partnered up with the Evansville team. That season, they went 77-47 and drew nearly 100,000 fans, which was good for over 30,000 more than second place in the Three-I League.
Name Alert: When Evansville became affiliated with Boston they assumed the nickname of the Bees, nature’s one-shot Johnny.
In 1941, the Braves sent a promising 20-year-old, left-handed pitcher to Evansville for some seasoning, his name was Warren Spahn.
Spahn gave Evansville a glimpse of the Hall of Fame career he would go on to have. That season he went 19-6 with a 1.83 ERA in 28 starts for the Bees.
During World War II, Bosse Field became the Detroit Tigers’ spring training facility for five-straight seasons.
In 1946, Evansville won its first league title since 1915.