In the Stands
BEES PLAYERS WITH THEIR WIVES AT BRAVES FIELD, 1939. Leslie Jones Collection, BPL Print Department.
Boston Bees players Ralph Hodgin (sitting on wall), Buddy Hassett, and Max West pose with a group of players’ wives along the third base railing.
Even with the new stadium, Braves game attendance lagged far behind that of Boston's perenially popular American League team, the Red Sox. However, the Braves did boast a loyal corps of fans who supported the team, season after season.
To boost ticket sales, publicity director Billy Sullivan—future owner of the Patriots professional football team—introduced a variety of new marketing strategies, including night baseball games featuring players wearing special satin uniforms to increase visibility, fan appreciation days, and the first color highlight films.
