Norfolk, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Henry M. Land
(1922-2015 )
| | Tidewater Baseball Shrine | |
Photographed by Brandon D Cross, July 18, 2025
1. Henry M. Land Marker
Signed by the Chicago Cubs, the stocky catcher made professional debut at Reidsville, hitting.310 with 14 HRs in 1940. Playing for Wes Ferrell in 1941 at Leaksville, had .303 mark with 39 doubles. Won All-Star honors with leave-leading .327 and only 20 strikeouts at Zanesville, Ohio in 1942.
Performance won him amazing promotion to Los Angeles of the Pacific Coast League at age 21, one of best minor league clubs in history with .710 winning percentage.
Served in Army (1943-46), joining L.A. and then assigned to Portsmouth with Frank Lawrence. A fine receiver, he was named to All-Star teams in 1947 and 1948 and sold to Boston Braves before serious beaning effectively curtailed his career.
Played and managed New Bern (1950-51) and Rock Hill (1952) before returning to Portsmouth as player-coach in 1953.
Scouted for Cleveland, Chicago White Sox and Pittsburgh and was considered one of top umpires in Virginia during 25 years behind mask.
At time of his induction, he had enjoyed a 35-year career with Hoffman Beverage Company.
Erected by Norfolk Tides.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1940.
Location.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Hampton Roads, specifically in Coastal Virginia, and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Tidewater. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Frank Dudley Lawrence (here, next to this marker); James Augustus (Catfish) Hunter (here, next to this marker); Bruce Ernest Howard (a few steps from this marker); Dave Rosenfield (within shouting distance of this marker); Bruce Henry (within shouting distance of this marker); Arthur B. (Bud) Metheny (within shouting distance of this marker); Clyde Eward McCullough Marker (within shouting distance of this marker); Dorrel Norman (Whitey) Herzog (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norfolk.
Regarding Henry M. Land. The Tidewater Baseball Shrine recognizes players and executives who have significantly contributed to the game of baseball in the Tidewater area of Virginia.
The shrine is located at Harbor Park, which is home to the Norfolk Tides, a AAA minor league baseball team affiliated with the Baltimore Orioles. The Norfolk Tides annually induct new members into the shrine.
Also see . . .
Photographed by Brandon D Cross
2. Henry M. Land Marker
1. High Point Confidential: Field of Broken Dreams — Beanball ended High Point natives baseball. (Submitted on July 23, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Harbor Park. (Submitted on July 23, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 23, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 67 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 23, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
