When what was formerly known as Bradenton's City Park opened in 1923, Major League Baseball's commissioner at the time, Kenesaw Mountain Landis, arrived for pregame festivities on a biplane piloted by a Manatee County official.
The aircraft landed in the outfield of a ballpark that was built for $2,000 and seated 1,300 fans. Like all ballparks at the time, it was segregated, while converted fairgrounds buildings served as makeshift locker rooms.
Much has changed throughout 100 years of baseball in Bradenton, Fla., including a relationship with the Pirates that dates back to 1969, but plenty has remained the same, too.
