STORY TOOLS

• E-mail story
• Comments
• iPod friendly
• Printer friendly

More Baseball

• Hernandez an all-star alternate in Cape Cod league
• Injured Forsythe to miss all-star game
• Pitcher Theodore commits to UT

Share and Enjoy [?]

Get Reprints

Want to use this article? Click here for options!

The Smokies left Bill Meyer Stadium at the turn of the century and the antiquated grandstand of the 6,412-seat facility was imploded.

The Southern League stadium is long gone but thanks to the City of Knoxville and Mayor Bill Haslam, the minor league ballpark's history of more than 50 years will be preserved as part of Neal Ridley/Todd Helton Field.

Ridley/Helton Field located at the end of Jessamine Street - part of the Caswell Park complex - will be home for the city's recreation leagues and serve as an inspiration for youngsters for years.

Near the backstop, where Bill Meyer's grandstand stood, two plaques were unveiled Monday at a ceremony held commemorating the contributions of Ridley, Helton and Meyer.

Ridley, the late former Knoxville businessman and Smokies owner, was a driving force in keeping minor league baseball in Knoxville.

Colorado Rockies star Helton, who was "6 or 7 when my dad took me to my first game here," contributed financially to the project's completion.

"I can remember playing at Bill Meyer Stadium in the Sportsfest," said Helton, who hit a long home run during the competition. "Getting to come out and play on that field was special for me."

Also remembered was Meyer, the former major league catcher and manager for whom the stadium was named in 1955.

"Baseball has been played here since '21," Haslam said referring to Caswell Park and Smithson Stadium, Bill Meyer's predecessors.

Babe Ruth played an exhibition game here in the 1920s.

"A lot of famous players have played here," Haslam said. "I think the most famous was Michael Jordan during his brief baseball career (Birmingham Barons, 1994-95)."

Phil Garner, Reggie Jackson, Trevor Hoffman, Carlos Delgado, Jesse Barfield, Jeff Kent, Chris Carpenter, Harmon Killebrew and managers Earl Weaver and Tony La Russa are only a few of the names inscribed on one plaque.

Meyer, a Knoxville native, grew up not far from the neighborhood. He played briefly for Chicago White Sox and Philadelphia Athletics. Meyer won eight pennants in the minor leagues as a manager and managed Pittsburgh (1948-52). The Pirates retired his No. 1 jersey in 1954.

Ridley, a local businessman, was Mr. Baseball. He owned the minor league team off an on 1956-80 and devoted his energy and money to keep the team here despite declining attendance.

"The fact we had minor league baseball around here for a long time is really due to the fact the Ridleys (Neal and wife Bonnie) did everything it took from selling concessions to making sure the bus showed up to take the team to the next city," Haslam said.

Ironically, Haslam's family is principal owner of the Tennessee Smokies, who relocated to Smokies Park at the intersection of I-40 and Highway 66 in Sevierville in 2000.

University of Tennessee broadcaster Bob Kesling got the ball rolling for the plaques.

"My first job in the city of Knoxville was in 1974," Kesling said. "I walked over here and talked to Neal Ridley. I talked myself into a job and was automatically promoted to assistant general manager of the Knoxville Sox. I was the No. 2 man on a two-man staff. I put up the flag, sold hot dogs and took up tickets."

Kesling moved up to the broadcast booth and from the press box roof watched the great talent that came through Knoxville.

"I remember Cal Ripken Jr., Dale Murphy," he said.

Kesling didn't want Knoxville's minor league baseball legacy to die.

"I wrote the mayor a letter just to remind him we needed to do something," he said. "It's important for the history and tradition of baseball in our city."

Helton stepped to the plate and chipped in.

"The Colorado Rockies came to me and they do a great job building fields in the Denver area," Helton said. "I said, 'OK, I would love to help out but only if we can go back and help a field in Knoxville.' That's what we did."

Helton also donated money for Central High School's new uniforms. The Bobcats wore them proudly and practiced at Ridley/Helton Field before the ceremony. They'd met Central High's most famous alum afterwards.

"Every kid who comes out onto this field one day wants to become a major league baseball player," Kesling said. "All those guys in the Central uniforms, they might be the next Todd Helton. Who knows?"

Helton, who has four years remaining on his contract with Colorado, is the face of the Rockies. He has been in Denver through bad times and finally the good.

Colorado won 14 of its last 15 games, including a wild card tiebreaker with San Diego, to make the playoffs last season. The Rockies swept Philadelphia and Arizona to become National League champions before they lost to the Boston Red Sox in the World Series.

The Rockies first baseman was part of Central's undefeated state championship team in 1990 before going to UT, where he played football and baseball and led the Vols to the College World Series.

Helton will become the first Vol baseball player to have his jersey number retired Wednesday at UT's Leadoff Banquet at the Convention Center. He is the featured speaker and the annual event has been sold out for weeks in tribute to one of Knoxville's favorite sons.

That's not a surprise.

"This is somebody who is special," Haslam said. "He was the heart and soul of this last year's National League champions. But he is also a great son.

"I had a chance to work with Todd's mother years ago. Todd always was around to take care of his mother and you couldn't help but notice that. He is one of the world's best baseball players and one of the best baseball players to ever come out of this area."

Nick Gates covers Smokies baseball. He may be reached at 865-342-6281.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.