Greenville in Hunt County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Greenville Beats the Yankees

Photographed by James Hulse, July 28, 2025

1. Greenville Beats the Yankees Marker

Inscription. Greenville's baseball team belonged to the East Texas Baseball League in the 1930s and 40s. In 1947, the Greenville Majors became a class B team in the Big Texas League. They also became famous that year. Our minor league team beat the celebrated New York Yankees, with Joe DiMaggio in center field, in a pre-season exhibition game!

Before the days of radio, Greenville baseball fans pooled their money to lease a local cotton office's telegraph wire to follow out of town games. Local telegrapher Coley Benson translated the telegraph clicks into play by play action.

Chicago White Sox pitcher Monty Stratton grew up in Greenville. After losing a leg in a hunting accident, Stratton returned to the game with an artificial leg. The Hollywood version of his life starred Jimmy Stewart as Stratton and June Allison as his wife, Ethel. Both celebrities were present when The Stratton Story premiered in Greenville in 1949.

Erected by Greenville Main Street.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1947.

Location. 33° 8.35′ N, 96° 6.519′ W. Marker is in Greenville, Texas, in Hunt County. It is at the intersection of Washington Street and Wesley Street, on the left when traveling

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east on Washington Street. The marker is located along the building wall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2714 Washington St, Greenville TX 75401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region

and in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

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: Central Christian Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Cotton Made Greenville Great (within shouting distance of this marker); That's Entertainment (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Bankhead Highway (about 300 feet away); Streetcars (about 300 feet away); Greenville (about 400 feet away); Texas Divided (about 400 feet away); Boom Town (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Greenville.

Also see . . .
1. Monty Stratton. Wikipedia (Submitted on August 2, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

2. When Greenville Beat the Yankees. Texas Co-op Power (Submitted on August 2, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The view of the marker along the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, July 28, 2025

2. The view of the marker along the street

Credits. This page was last revised on August 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 1, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 170 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 2, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 2. submitted on August 3, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.