Origin of the term "bullpen"

09-24-2003, 03:27 PM

Help! For 30 years, I've been showing off my baseball knowledge to my wife. She always says there is nothing I don't know about baseball. Well, she's finally stumped me!

Last night, I was telling her about pitchers warming up in the bullpen, and she asked me where the phrase "bullpen" came from. I've used that word all my life. It's such a basic part of the game that I never stopped to think of why it's called a bullpen.

Can anyone tell me that? Thanks!

Craig S. · 09-24-2003, 03:38 PM

Good question, LM. I don't think there's a right answer.

This is from the Baseball Library site:

http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseb...s/08_09_00.stm

"The origin of the term "bullpen" has long been debated. A few theories are given in Paul Dickson's Baseball Dictionary. Casey Stengel claimed that managers, sick of their extra pitchers just sitting around "shooting the bull," would send them to pens in the outfield that resembled pens used for bulls or cows. Johnny Murphy believed the name came from Bull Durham advertising signs located near the bullpens in many the ballparks. The term "bullpen" had also been used to name the place where inmates exercise in prison. A final idea is that relief pitchers are like reserve bulls in bullfighting, penned on the side and called into action if the starting bull is inadequate."

The explanation of the word's etymology in Dickson's is about 3 pages long, and discusses in greater length the theories from the paragraph above. There's also a mention that the term was used as early as 1877 to describe the foul area beyond first and third where spectators stood (like bulls in a pen).

gyb13 · 09-24-2003, 06:13 PM

btw, LM, welcome to NetShrine! I hope you enjoy yourself around the boards and, if you have some time, head on over to the Icebreakers forum and tell us more about yourself...also, the trivia section may be of interest to you..

sweaver · 09-24-2003, 06:13 PM

Or maybe they used to keep livestock at the ballyard to make a little extra money. Who knows?

Skip · 09-24-2003, 10:33 PM

So does that mean we're also on track to resolving the mystery of why ballpark franks taste so much better?

SmedIndy · 09-25-2003, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip

So does that mean we're also on track to resolving the mystery of why ballpark franks taste so much better?

'Cos they plump when ya cook 'em!

gyb13 · 09-25-2003, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip

So does that mean we're also on track to resolving the mystery of why ballpark franks taste so much better?

less filling!

09-24-2003, 03:27 PM	#1
LittleMickey Posts: n/a	Origin of the term "bullpen" Help! For 30 years, I've been showing off my baseball knowledge to my wife. She always says there is nothing I don't know about baseball. Well, she's finally stumped me! Last night, I was telling her about pitchers warming up in the bullpen, and she asked me where the phrase "bullpen" came from. I've used that word all my life. It's such a basic part of the game that I never stopped to think of why it's called a bullpen. Can anyone tell me that? Thanks!

09-24-2003, 06:13 PM	#3
gyb13 NS Omnipresent Brasilian Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Crazy George's playground Posts: 10,903	btw, LM, welcome to NetShrine! I hope you enjoy yourself around the boards and, if you have some time, head on over to the Icebreakers forum and tell us more about yourself...also, the trivia section may be of interest to you.. __________________ Gustavo NDF Moderator Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. - Benjamin Franklin

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09-24-2003, 03:38 PM	#2
Craig S. Guest Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,330	Good question, LM. I don't think there's a right answer. This is from the Baseball Library site: http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseb...s/08_09_00.stm "The origin of the term "bullpen" has long been debated. A few theories are given in Paul Dickson's Baseball Dictionary. Casey Stengel claimed that managers, sick of their extra pitchers just sitting around "shooting the bull," would send them to pens in the outfield that resembled pens used for bulls or cows. Johnny Murphy believed the name came from Bull Durham advertising signs located near the bullpens in many the ballparks. The term "bullpen" had also been used to name the place where inmates exercise in prison. A final idea is that relief pitchers are like reserve bulls in bullfighting, penned on the side and called into action if the starting bull is inadequate." The explanation of the word's etymology in Dickson's is about 3 pages long, and discusses in greater length the theories from the paragraph above. There's also a mention that the term was used as early as 1877 to describe the foul area beyond first and third where spectators stood (like bulls in a pen).

09-24-2003, 06:13 PM	#4
sweaver Netshrine Cleanup Hitter Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: The Mountain State Posts: 8,883	Or maybe they used to keep livestock at the ballyard to make a little extra money. Who knows?

09-24-2003, 10:33 PM	#5
Skip NetShrine Vagabond Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Louisville Posts: 7,866	So does that mean we're also on track to resolving the mystery of why ballpark franks taste so much better?

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