St. Louis Cardinals radio broadcaster, Mike Shannon called Brooks Stadium “one of the finest amateur baseball parks in the United States.”
“The experiences that I have had, personally and professionally, with the events that have had the pleasure to conduct in Paducah have been second to none.” –Former OVC official Ron English who is now director of the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament.
“We certainly enjoyed all the Southern hospitality and plan to make a return visit to enjoy your special attractions in beautiful Paducah.” – Sam Torstenson, assistant director of the American Legion’s National Region 4 baseball tournament.
“Saving Brooks Stadium and keeping it going is a tremendous cooperative effort on the part of government, business and labor,” City Commissioner Gerald Watkins said.
“We have very much appreciated how the leadership of the city and county has embraced us,” said Dr. Jon Steinbrecher, OVC commissioner.
“There was nothing like it in the region. It was a real stadium with the enclosed field and the wall surrounding the stadium, and we were always proud that it was our home playing field,” said Steve Finley of the Arizona Diamondbacks who played his high school and legion ball at Brooks Stadium.
Terry Shumpert of the Colorado Rockies said, “It was certainly the best field I ever played on at Tilghman and in the American Legion ball. We felt blessed to play at Brooks Stadium.”
Phil Roof, catcher and coach with the Minnesota Twins stated, “I have a lot of good memories of Brooks Stadium. I really admire Doc Hideg and the other people for keeping it in good shape.”
Polk Brooks, who built the Stadium which is named for him, and is one of the oldest baseball parks still in use in Kentucky, really cared for his community, according to his daughter Carol Brooks. “He thought the stadium would really mean something for the city.”
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