Spring Training

Spring training in 1909 for the Pirates was in a town in Arkansas known as Hot Springs. It was and is known for it's Bathhouse Row. Physicians would have patients bathe in the Hot Spring water as a cure all. Or folks would just use the naturally hot spring waters to relax. Many famous boxers would train in this town and you the theroputic springs to expedite recovery. Honus Wagner actually had a home in Hot Springs. Seen in the photo is many players and baseball dignitaries of the time.

It is likely that Wagner and other players visited the countries first ever Alligator Farm that is still located in the town. It opened in 1902. They may have also visited Hot Springs Mountain Tower that was constructed in 1870. Hot Springs is also home to Oaklawn Park, a thoroughbred racetrack which has been in operation since 1904. The town in 1909 had a population of approximately 14,000. They played their home games at Whittington Park. It was not uncommon for the teams to have games "regulars" vs. "yannigans". Yannigans was the title given to scrubs.

Teams spring training at Hot Springs Arkansas:

Cardinals, 1900

Pirates, 1901-16, 1920-23

Tigers, 1908

Cubs, 1909-10

Red Sox, 1909-10, 1912-18, 1920-23

Dodgers, 1910-12, 1917-18

Reds, 1910-11

Browns, 1911

Phillies, 1912

Known persons in above photo are Wagner, Cy Young, Joe Tinker and Clark Griffith... along with Black Sox ringleader Chic Gandil.