Robin Roberts

Springfield Illinois is the hometown of Baseball Hall of Famer Robin Roberts and has a wonderful ballpark named for him in town.

In his 19-season career, Roberts compiled a 286-245 record with 2,357 strikeouts, a 3.41 ERA, 305 complete games, and 45 shutouts.

He holds the Major League record for home runs allowed by a pitcher (505 ouch) and he holds the major league record for most consecutive Opening Day starts for the same team with 12, between 1950 and 1961.

The Phillies retired Robin Roberts' number 36 in 1962.
Roberts was the only pitcher in major league history to defeat the Boston Braves, the Milwaukee Braves and the Atlanta Braves.
Robin Roberts was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1976.
In 1999, he ranked number 74 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players, and was a nominee for the Major League Baseball All-Century Team.

His final major league game was on September 3, 1966 but he pitched in the minors during 1967.

Robin Roberts Stadium at Lanphier Park originally opened in 1928 and was renovated in 1977. It holds 5,000 people.

Center field is extremely deep for this class of ball at 415 feet dead away.

Lanphier Park has been home to the Springfield Redbirds (1978-1981) a AAA affiliate of the Cardinals, 3 affiliates in the Midwest League and an independent league team.

It was also the temporary home of a Negro League team called the Cincinnati Clowns when they were kicked out of Cincinnati Ohio.

Today it is the proud home of the Springfield Sliders . They play in the Central Illinois Collegiate League.
Below are the remains of the old Springfield Capitals that played in the park in the Frontier League from 1996-2001

Springfield Illinois has a long history of professional and semi-professional baseball dating back to 1883. Here are some of the team names from the past: Senators, Colts, Reds, Foot Trackers, Watchmakers, Red Birds, The Sallies (Professional Female in team 1948), Browns, Giants, and Sultans.