006_It_also_had_a_short_right-field_fence_just_272_feet_down_the

The Philadelphia Phillies had a unique short right field fence that influenced their outfield lineup. From 1891 to 1895, they fielded a star-studded outfield with Hall of Famers Ed Delahanty, Billy Hamilton, and Sam Thompson. In 1894, all three players hit over .400 in the same season, a rare achievement. Despite the success, the stadium faced challenges, including a fire in 1894 and a fatal balcony collapse in 1903. The team continued playing there for another thirty-five years despite these tragedies. It also had a short right field fence, just 272 feet down the line, and that quirk of geography helped create one of the most stacked outfields the sport has ever seen. From 1891 to 1895, the Phillies ran out Ed Delahanty, Billy Hamilton, and Sam Thompson in the same outfield, the only trio of Hall of Famers to ever patrol the same outfield together in baseball history. In 1894, all three of them hit over 400 in the same season. So did their backup. Delahanty alone would finish his career with a .346 batting average, still the fourth highest of all time. Barrier that made those numbers possible also nearly destroyed the franchise twice. In 1894, a fire tore through the stadium and forced the Phillies to finish out the season playing on the University of Pennsylvania's field while the park was rebuilt. Then in 1903, a balcony inside the stadium collapsed under the weight of the crowd. Twelve people died. Two hundred thirty-two were injured. The Phillies kept playing there anyway for another thirty-five years.