Photos: Cleveland Indians Spring training in Tucson, 1946-1992
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Rick Wiley
Photo editor
The Cleveland Indians trained at Hi Corbett Field in Tucson from 1946-1992. Celebrities like Bob Hope and MLB commentator Joe Garagiola were regulars at games.
The Indians were replaced at Hi Corbett Field by the Colorado Rockies in 1993. But they departed in 2010, along with the Chicago White Sox and Arizona Diamondbacks (which played at Tucson Electric Park), leaving Tucson without any Spring training.
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A large crowd watches a Cleveland Indians’ spring training game at Hi Corbett Field in March 1952.
Indians pitcher Satchel Paige warms up before a 1948 spring game.
A 1947 photo shows Cleveland’s Pat Seerey taking a practice cut in Tucson.
Cleveland Indians in Tucson. Cleveland Indians arrive to Tucson at the Tucson train station in 1955.
From left, Cleveland Indians players Early Wynn, Don Mossi, Bobo Lemon Hal Narango, Jim Hegan, George Strick land, Bobby Avila, Hank Aguirre and Hoot Evers with John Ireland at Old Tucson movie studios, ca. 1950s.
Cleveland Indians players Dale Mitchell, Bobby Avila, Bob Feller and Early Wynn view a USAF B-47 bomber with the Indians emblem at Davis-Monthan AFB, ca. 1950s.
Cleveland Indians in Tucson. On March 1, 1949, Gov. Dan E. Garvey came to Tucson to officially welcome manager Lou Boudreau, left, and the world champion Cleveland Indians to the state.
Cleveland Indians manager Lou Boudreau is greeted at the airport in Tucson by cowboys, ca. 1950s.
Entertainer Bob Hope jokes around at the plate with Cleveland Indians players on March 5, 1949 at Hi Corbett Field.
Cleveland Indians manager Frank Robinson, left, with baseball announcer and former player Joe Garagiola in April, 1975, at Hi Corbett Field.
A Cleveland Indians player gets some TLC for a ball to the head at Hi Corbett field during Spring Training in 1967.
Cleveland Indians pitcher Steve Bailey at Hi Corbett field during Spring Training in 1967.
The 1951 Cleveland Indians at the Rancho Barra Nada east of Tucson for their farewell party following spring training.
Cleveland Indians manager Joe Adcock checks the lineup at Hi Corbett field during Spring Training in 1967.
Herb Score and Bob Feller at the Indians Fantasy Camp conducted at Hi Corbett Field in 1990.
Ron Hassey, catcher for the Cleveland Indians, signs autographs for fans at Hi Corbett Field prior to a 1983 spring training game. March 9, 1983.
Fans pack Hi Corbett Field for the last spring training game in Tucson for the Cleveland Indians on March 31, 1992.
Hi Corbett Field- Fans. The making of the movie Major League. July 22, 1988.
Early photo showing Hi Corbett Field, left, and baseball practice fields at right at Reid Park.
Play Snowball! Snow covered Hi Corbett Field. March 5, 1975.
Aerial of Hi Corbett Field. Date Unknown.
Bob Hope (right) at Cleveland Indians spring training at Hi Corbett Field, March 5, l949. Man at left is Lou Boudreau, Indians manager, at center is Hank Greenberg, Indians vice president. Hope is showing the muscles of his pitching arm.
In the stands for the final game of the Cleveland Indians in Tucson on March 31, 1992 was Arizona basketball coach Lute Olson, and on the field, as a Cleveland Indian outfielder, was one of Olson's former players, Kenny Lofton. Lofton played guard for the Wildcats from 1986 to 1989 but switched to professional baseball when his UA days were over.
Fans during the filming for the movie "Major League" in the stands at Hi Corbett Field in July, 1988.
Cleveland Indians at Hi Corbett field during Spring Training in 1967.
Former UA basketball player Kenny Lofton, second from left, gets some friendly ribbing from his new teammates on the Cleveland Indians during Spring Training at Hi Corbett Field in 1992.
Rena Rozakis, visiting from Chicago, couldn't handle the Tucson sun and improvised a hat from a paper bag while watching Cleveland Indians at Hi Corbett field during Spring Training in 1985.
Cleveland Indians pitcher loses his hat, revealing his substantial 70s hair at Hi Corbett field during Spring Training in 1975.
February 27, 1956: But Can They Hit? The Cleveland Indians' opening day of spring training at Hi Corbett Field this morning found eight eager catchers on hand to battle for the starting role. But, the big question was whether any of the seven challengers can wield a heavy enough bat to displace regular receiver Jim Hegan, a defensive star. Left to right, kneeling, are Hank Foiles, Heagan and Hal Naragon. Standing, Lavern Grace, Allan Jones, Dick Brown, Russ Nixon and Earl Averill Jr.
February 27, 1956: Babe and his Boy Babe Herman (left), one-time hitting star of the Brooklyn Dodgers, and his son Don (center) watched proceeding this morning at Hi Corbett Field with Cleveland Indian Manager Al Lopez. Hi Corbett was the site of the opening day of the Tribe's 1956 training season, and young Don, a free agent, was on hand with his dad to try out for an Indian job.
Tom McCraw of the Cleveland Indians in the empty locker room at Hi Corbett Field during the 1980 player's boycott . The last six Indians games of the spring season were cancelled due to the boycott over a contract dispute over free agency.
Mike Hargrove of the Cleveland Indians takes a swing at a fastball during a game at Hi Corbett Field against the Chicago Cubs on April 3, 1985.
Hi Corbett field during Cleveland Indians spring training game, March 13, 1966.
In the locker room, Jerry Dybzinski checks a story on him in the home-town Cleveland papers. April 11, 1980.
Bottom of the 9th inning Pat Kelly doubles to left field as Ozzie Smith of San Diego tries to make the play at second base. Umpire is Jim Quick. March 18, 1981.
Brewers Robin Yount scores from second base on a single by Mark Brouhard, #29, with two outs in the 6th inning. Ron Hassey defends at the plate with Larry Hisle telling Yount to hit the dirt. March 30, 1982.
Duane Kuiper of the Indians hits the ground after a 4th inning collision with Seattle catcher Bob Stinson. March 23, 1980.
Manager of the Cleveland Indians, Doc Edwards is walking around and checking his players as they stretch out in the first day of spring training. February 17, 1989.
Cleveland Indians Spring Training. March 10, 1983.
Cleveland Indians Spring Training. February 26, 1980.
Chris Bando scoots back to third base as Jaime Allen of the Mariners looks to see if the ball is in his mitt. It is. But his left foot is not on the bag. March 13, 1981.
Coach Sommers of the Indians works very hard at keeping his eye on the ball, as a variety of drills occur simultaneously. February 23, 1981.
The Cleveland Indians begin their spring training with stretching exercises (aerobics). February 23, 1986.
Cleveland Indians vs. Milwaukee Brewers. Catcher Ned Yost tags George Fecchetti at home plate in the bottom of the 11th inning on March 8, 1982.
Rick Wiley
Photo editor
