I-435 West KC-KS in Kansas City in Wyandotte County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Ralph Houk

Baseball Manager

— August 9, 1919 • Lawrence, Kansas —

Ralph Houk Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jason Voigt, May 26, 2022

1. Ralph Houk Marker

Inscription. World War II decorated Army Ranger and combat veteran of the Battle of the Bulge, Ralph "The Major" Houk received the Silver Star, Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He went on to spend 11 years with the New York Yankees and participated in eight World Series championships. He played backup catcher behind Yogi Berra and became team manager in 1955. In 18 years, he managed 3,150 major league games, spent five years managing the Detroit Tigers and two years managing the Boston Red Sox.

Erected by Legends Outlets.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Sports • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1955.

Location. 39° 7.592′ N, 94° 49.618′ W. Marker is in Kansas City, Kansas, in Wyandotte County. It is in I-435 West KC-KS. It can be reached from Village West Parkway. Marker is on the grounds of Kansas Legends Outlets shopping/entertainment complex. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1865 Village West Pkwy, Kansas City KS 66109, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Kansas. It is also in the American Midwest,

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in the Corn Belt,

on the prairies,

on the Southern Plains,

and on the Santa Fe Trail Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Adolph F. Rupp (here, next to this marker); Tom S. Watson (a few steps from this marker); Lynette Woodard (a few steps from this marker); Gerald Roberts (a few steps from this marker); Buck O'Neil (within shouting distance of this marker); Jess Willard (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. James Naismith (within shouting distance of this marker); Gale Eugene Sayers (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kansas City.

Regarding Ralph Houk. This is one of several sidewalk plaques placed on the grounds of Kansas Legends Outlets shopping/entertainment complex, which highlight notable people and inventions that came from the state of Kansas.

Also see . . . Ralph Houk on Wikipedia. (Submitted on July 13, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Additional commentary.
1.

Photographed by Jason Voigt, May 26, 2022

2. Ralph Houk Marker

Marker is on the grounds of Kansas Legends Outlets complex.

He was with Yankees for more than 11 seasons. He is listed in only 6 World Series wins: 1 pinch hitting appearance in each of 1947 and 1952 World Series; coach, 1953 and 1958; manager, 1961 and 1962.

His listed seasons as Yankee player are 1947-1954, but no involvement is found in 1949-1951 World Series wins. He became a team manager in 1955 at AAA level.

— Submitted July 29, 2026, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 241 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 13, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.