While Reading may be known today for the Fightin' Phils, it has also
been the site of 72 games played by 17 major-league franchises and
barnstorming teams since 1874. Among the teams that have played in these
exhibition games are the Philadelphia Phillies, Philadelphia Athletics,
Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Giants, and St. Louis Cardinals, along with
appearances by baseball greats Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Mike Schmidt,
Ernie Banks, and Rogers Hornsby. Reading fans have looked on as both the
1906 Phillies and A's tried to catch a bunny on the field mid-game,
cheered for Christy Mathewson's shutouts, sang Happy Birthday to Pete
Rose, and watched Shoeless Joe Jackson hit a home run.