Norfolk, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Clarence M. (Ace) Parker

(1912-2013)

— Tidewater Baseball Shrine —

Clarence M. (Ace) Parker Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, July 18, 2025

1. Clarence M. (Ace) Parker Marker

Inscription. Born Portsmouth, VA., multi-sport star at Wilson High. 1936 Football All-American at Duke, choose first love baseball, signed by Connie Mack, played with Philadelphia A’s (1937-38), only second man to homer first A.L. at-bat.

Unanimous MVP in NFL (1938), first full season with Brooklyn Football Dodgers. Played 6 years in NFL and 1 in All America Conference.

Led 1946 Piedmont League in batting (.331) with Portsmouth, named player-manager in 1948. Had some role at Durham (1949-1952), named Manager-of-the-Year twice. Longtime outstanding Duke baseball coach, also served as backfield coach of many Blue Devil winners.

Left college ranks for successful career as NFL Scout. Selected to NFL, College Football, Virginia and North Carolina Halls of Fame.

Erected by Norfolk Tides.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1948.

Location. 36° 50.593′ N, 76° 16.756′ W. Marker is in Norfolk, Virginia. It is on Park Avenue 0.1 miles north of Water Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker is located on the main concourse of Harbor Park baseball stadium. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 150 Park Avenue, Norfolk VA 23510, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: John Henry (Johnny) Neun (here, next to this marker); Billy Swoope (here, next to this marker); Erwin C. (Bob) Porterfield (here, next to this marker); Hank Lee Foiles (here, next to this marker); William Beck (Swish) Nicholson (here, next to this marker); James F. (Jimmy) Ewell (here, next to this marker); Edwin Miley (Eddie) Sawyer (a few steps from this marker); Richard (Bullet) Alexander (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norfolk.

Regarding Clarence M. (Ace) Parker. 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 . . .
1. Ace Parker. (Submitted on July 29, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Ace Parker (1955) - Hall of Fame. (Submitted on July 29, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

2. Clarence M. (Ace) Parker Marker

Public Domain

3. Ace Parker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 29, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 92 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 29, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.