Middletown Township near Highlands in Monmouth County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
New York Yankees vs. Hometown Sluggers
Fort Hancock
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 14, 2012
1. New York Yankees vs. Hometown Sluggers Marker
This is the 38th in a series of 39 markers on the Fort Hancock Walking Tour.
On Monday, April 5, 1943, the New York Yankees played the Fort Hancock baseball team on this very field. While future Hall of Famers Joe DiMaggio and Phil Rizzuto were serving their country in the Armed Forces, others, including Joe Gordon and Bill Dickey, played for the Yankees and helped boost the nation’s morale. The Fort Hancock team was comprised of soldiers. The Yankees, led by manager Joe McCarthy, competed against some of the fort’s finest athletes. Despite the best efforts of the hometown sluggers, the visiting Yankees won the game 7 to 2. The Yankees went on to win the World Series six months later. Maybe, this pre-season exhibition game at Fort Hancock made all the difference for both teams.
The only remaining artifacts from this game are the scorecard (pictured, right) and the original backstop standing before you.
Erected by Gateway National Recreation Area. (Marker Number 38.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Sports. In addition, it is included in the New Jersey - Fort Hancock Walking Tour series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 5, 1791.
Location. 40° 27.587′ N, 74° 0.181′ W. Marker is near Highlands, New Jersey, in Monmouth County.
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. This Is Why It’s Called Sandy Hook! (within shouting distance of this marker); Superstorm Sandy High Water Mark (within shouting distance of this marker); Sandy Hook Barracks Building #22 Built 1899 (within shouting distance of this marker); Chow Time! (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Women's Army Corps (WAC) (about 400 feet away); Handball Court (about 400 feet away); Fill’er Up! (about 400 feet away); Discover Sandy Hook (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Highlands.
More about this marker. A photo at the upper right of the marker depicts the “New York Yankees and Fort Hancock baseball teams compet[ing] on the main parade ground.” Below this is a picture of “A score card from the game preserved in the Gateway NRA Sandy Hook Unit collection” and a photo of the “Fort Hancock baseball team c. 1943. Notice the barracks and backstop in the photograph.”
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 14, 2012
2. Marker in Fort Hancock
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, This is th
3. New York Yankees vs. Hometown Sluggers Marker
The original backstop used during the exhibition game can be seen behind the marker.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 14, 2012
4. Fort Hancock Baseball Field
The baseball game between the New York Yankees and the team from Fort Hancock was played on this field in 1943.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 14, 2012, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,162 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 14, 2012, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
