1932 ~ HINCHLIFFE STADIUM ~ 1997
Perched on a hilltop overlooking the Passaic River and neighboring Great Falls, New Jersey's historic Hinchliffe Stadium is named after the depression era Paterson Mayor John Hinchliffe. Built during his administration, the park is one of just a few ballparks still standing to host Negro Leagues baseball games.
- Others include famous Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama; Hamtramck Stadium in Hamtramck, Michigan; Cooper Stadium, Columbus, Ohio; Cleveland's League Park and Jacksonville's J.P. Small Memorial Stadium.
Paterson resident John Ellerbee is one among a crew of locals who help build Hinchliffe Stadium - a 10,000 capacity cast concrete oval in Art Deco style, with an infield configuration and outfield dimensions somewhat resembling those of the Polo Grounds. On July 8, 1932, Hinchliffe opened for business. Third baseman John Ellerbee plays at Hinchliffe with the Paterson semi-pro Smart Set club alongside two young teammates named Monte Irvin and Larry Doby.
Barnstormers and independents immediately flock to Hinchliffe - which provided unsegregated seating and racially integrated play. As word spread, Hinchliffe became known not only as on the most beautiful but one of the most welcoming stadiums in the state, according to Friends of Hinchliffe Stadium.
Negro National League II Arrives at
Hinchliffe Stadium
Hinchliffe Stadium
I - NEW YORK BLACK YANKEES (1931-1948)
Founded in 1931 as the independent Harlem Black Bombers, then rebranded as the New York Harlem Stars, the club initially plays home games at the Polo Grounds and Dykman Oval in upper Manhattan. By 1932 the club is recognized as the New York Black Yankees partly owned by famous entertainer Bill "Bojangles" Robinson.
In 1933 they take up residence at Hinchliffe Stadium and stay through 1937, then return during the 1939-1945 seasons. For one season in 1938, they play home games at Triborough Stadium on Randall's Island, and from 1941 through 1947, they also famously play at Yankee Stadium.
- According to NegroLeagueMuseum.com, the New York Black Yankees franchise is basically an extension of the New York Lincoln Giants who fold after the 1930 season. In 1931 John Henry "Pop" Loyd managed the Harlem Stars' interim team, which serves as a bridge between the two long-time franchises.
In 1933 they take up residence at Hinchliffe Stadium and stay through 1937, then return during the 1939-1945 seasons. For one season in 1938, they play home games at Triborough Stadium on Randall's Island, and from 1941 through 1947, they also famously play at Yankee Stadium.
On Sept. 22, 1933, Hinchliffe Stadium hosts the "Colored Championship of the Nation" featuring the New York Black Yankees versus the Philadelphia Stars. The latter defeat the Black Yankees fourteen runs to eight. The 1933 Stars feature Hall of Fame members Jud Wilson and Biz Mackey, while the Black Yankees boast notables Walter Cannady, Fats Jenkins, John Beckwith, George Scales, and Ted "Double Duty" Radcliffe.
On July 13, 1935, New York Black Yankees pitcher Terris McDuffie pitches an 8-0 no-hitter against House of David at Hinchliffe Stadium. Led at the plate by Dave Thomas, Thad Christopher, and Pete Washington, the New York Black Yankees top the 1935 Independent Clubs standings.
In 1936 they joined the Negro National League II. Over the next twelve seasons, Hall of Famers Willie Wells, Mule Suttles, and Satchel Paige variously take turns donning a Black Yankees uniform and plying their respective talents in front of NY/NJ metropolitan area crowds.
In 1936 they joined the Negro National League II. Over the next twelve seasons, Hall of Famers Willie Wells, Mule Suttles, and Satchel Paige variously take turns donning a Black Yankees uniform and plying their respective talents in front of NY/NJ metropolitan area crowds.
But to thwart declining attendance due to Jackie Robinson's arrival at Ebbets Field and to separate themselves from other metro area competition (namely the New York Cubans and Brooklyn Royal Giants), the Black Yankees uproot local operations after the 1947 season and relocate to upstate Rochester, N.Y., where after the 1948 season they ultimately fold all operations.
The New York Cubans (reorganized under owner Alex Pompez) also take up residence at Hinchliffe Stadium in time for the 1935 season and, like the Black Yankees, waste no time hosting some of the game's premier teams and players.
The Pittsburgh Crawfords capture the 1935 Negro National League II first-half title and finish in first place overall, while the New York Cubans recover from a poor start to finish the season in third place and win the second half flag. On Sept. 13, Hinchliffe Stadium hosts game one of the Championship Series. The Paterson watches Cubans starter Frank Blake yield just four hits against a Crawfords lineup that features such greats as Oscar Charleston, Josh Gibson, Pat Patterson, Judy Johnson, Sam Bankhead, Cool Papa Bell, and Jimmie Crutchfield.
The Pittsburgh Crawfords capture the 1935 Negro National League II first-half title and finish in first place overall, while the New York Cubans recover from a poor start to finish the season in third place and win the second half flag. On Sept. 13, Hinchliffe Stadium hosts game one of the Championship Series. The Paterson watches Cubans starter Frank Blake yield just four hits against a Crawfords lineup that features such greats as Oscar Charleston, Josh Gibson, Pat Patterson, Judy Johnson, Sam Bankhead, Cool Papa Bell, and Jimmie Crutchfield.
Facing Pittsburgh starter Harry Kincannon, New York's lineup featuring Lázaro Salazar, Alejandro Oms, Martín Dihigo, Rap Dixon, Clyde Spearman, and Dave Thomas defeat the Crawfords nine to three. Games two and three are held at the Polo Grounds. In-game two, New York's John "Neck" Stanley whitewashes the Crawfords on just four hits. The series then shifts to Pittsburgh. In game four, Martin Dihigo is opposed by Crawfords' starter Leroy Matlock. New York wins the game six to one, giving the Cubans a commanding 3-1 series lead. However, the Crawfords win game five at Pittsburgh, then sweep the next two games held at Philadelphia to win the championship.
After 1936 the New York Cubans fail to field a team for the next two seasons.
They resume playing in 1939 as members of the Negro National League II.
After 1936 the New York Cubans fail to field a team for the next two seasons.
They resume playing in 1939 as members of the Negro National League II.
In 1941, the New York Cubans line-up featured Caribbean Leagues star Juan "Tetelo" Vargas (who leads the team with a .327 average) and Pedro Cepeda (father to Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda). Others include Ramón Heredia, Clemente "Sungo" Carreras, Francisco "Pancho" Coimbre, and Dave Barnhill. The Homestead Grays are first-half champs and finish in first place overall. New York wins the second-half flag, but bow to the Homestead Grays three games to one in the Championship Series.
The Cubans in 1943 and 1944 post-back-to-back second-place finishes again behind the Homestead Grays.
At the same time Jackie Robinson is breaking in with the Brooklyn Dodgers, the Cubans are still splitting games between Hinchliffe and the Polo Grounds. In 1947 the Newark Eagles won the Negro National League II first-half flag, and the Cubans win the second half flag and finish in first place overall. There is no playoff, and thus New York is declared the champion. Led by Luis "Lefty" Tiant (father of Boston Red Sox pitching great Luis Tiant) and Orestes "Minnie" Minoso, the New York Cubans go on to defeat the Negro American League champion Cleveland Buckeyes for the 1947 Negro World Series Championship.
The New York Cubans affiliation with the Negro National League II ends after the 1948 season. The National Trust for Historic Preservation says the (independent) New York Cubans continue playing games at Hinchliffe Stadium until the team folded in 1950.
The New York Cubans affiliation with the Negro National League II ends after the 1948 season. The National Trust for Historic Preservation says the (independent) New York Cubans continue playing games at Hinchliffe Stadium until the team folded in 1950.
Newark Eagles Swoop Through
Hinchliffe Stadium
Hinchliffe Stadium
Hailing from nearby Orange, N.J., Monte Irvin plays ball for East Orange High School and the Paterson semi-pro Smart Set when, during a Newark Eagles tryout at Hinchliffe Stadium, he is scouted and signed in 1937 by Abe Manley. Monte makes a brief debut in 1938 as a 19-year old but effectively begins his Hall of Fame career in earnest the following season. Shortly after that, a 17-year old local Paterson resident Larry Doby in 1942 is likewise signed by Abe Manley during a Newark Eagles tryout held at Hinchliffe Stadium. However, Doby's upbringing is far more intertwined and, for that matter, intimately connected with Paterson's sports complex, for Larry is All-State in football, basketball, and baseball. In 1941 and 1942, he leads Eastside High School to consecutive championships at Hinchliffe Stadium. Monte and Larry play at Hinchliffe as teammates with the Smart Set; they visit Hinchliffe together as members of the Newark Eagles; then oppose each other in the 1954 World Series pitting the New York Giants versus the Cleveland Indians. They are two of only four players to play in both a Negro World Series and a major league World Series, according to Negro League Baseball Museum.
List of Legends Who Play at Hinchliffe Stadium
American Hall of Fame/Cuban Hall of Fame
Over twenty future Hall of Famers
play games at Hinchliffe Stadium:
Over twenty future Hall of Famers
play games at Hinchliffe Stadium:
As Jackie Robinson and Larry Doby begin integrating major league baseball and other premiere African-American players follow, so begins the Negro Leagues baseball enterprise's demise. Hinchliffe Stadium is forced into hosting more varied sporting events such as boxing and auto racing. In 1963 the Paterson school district took over ownership of the stadium. It remains in use through the 1980s when the original dirt and grass playing surface is replaced with astroturf. The infield is also rotated clockwise from its actual alignment. All the while, Hinchliffe Stadium falls further and further into widespread disrepair. By 1997 extensive deterioration and matters of public safety force its closure. Hinchliffe is chained shut and ignored, left unattended to fend against relentless nature and weathering.
Finally, the restoration of Hinchliffe Stadium begins in earnest when in 2013, the National Park Service designates the park as a National Historic Landmark. It also stands as baseball's only Historic Landmark. Seven years later, the National Trust for Historic Preservation lists the stadium as one of the country's most endangered historic places. Both are essential steps towards renovating the complex. Last year, work commenced on the facade, ticket windows, decorative tile, main entrance gate, and (most recently) the cast concrete stadium signs.
Better yet, the Paterson city council earlier this month (August) approved a tax break for developers to rebuild their historic stadium. The mega project includes senior housing, parking, and a restaurant. Groundbreaking is expected in October with a grand opening in two years, according to newyork.cbs.com.
Larry Doby "... had fond memories of those times." - Larry Doby Jr.
Hopefully, Larry's field of dreams is restored in a manner befitting its former glory.
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