Hinsdale in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Veeck Park
Dedicated June 1, 2001
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 11, 2025
1. Veeck Park Marker
Honoring Their Contributions to the World of Baseball and the Village of Hinsdale
May All Who Play Here Share Their Unabashed Love of the Game
Bνll Veeck, Sr.
President: Chicago Cubs 1919-1933
Bill Veeck, Jr.
Owner: Cleveland Indians 1946-1949
St. Louis Browns 1951-1953
Chicago White Sox 1959-1961, 1975-1981
Baseball's Hall of Fame 1991
Erected 2001.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Baseball Hall of Famers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1919.
Location. 41° 48.291′ N, 87° 54.798′ W. Marker is in Hinsdale, Illinois, in Cook County. It can be reached from Chicago Avenue west of Tri-State Tollway (Interstate 294), on the right when traveling west. The marker is behind the small building at the center of Veeck Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 701 Chicago Ave, Hinsdale IL 60521, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: H.G. Maxted (approx. 0.7 miles away); World War II Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles
this page online
Regarding Veeck Park. Bill Veeck Sr. was a Chicago sportswriter who was hired by the Chicago Cubs, the city's National League baseball team, and became their president in 1919. He held that job until his death, at age 57, in 1933. During his time in charge, the Cubs won two National League pennants, in 1929 and 1932.
In 1915, Veeck Sr. acquired a home at 640 S. Park Ave. in Hinsdale, about a mile southwest of the park that would later have his name. It was here that his son Veeck Jr., born in 1914, grew up until leaving to attend Phillips Academy in Massachusetts, and later Kenyon College in Ohio. As a child, Veeck Jr. worked at both Wrigley Field, home of the Cubs, and Comiskey Park, where the American League's White Sox played.
After Veeck Sr. died, Veeck Jr. left college and took a job as the Cubs' team treasurer. During his time with the Cubs,
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 11, 2025
2. Veeck Park Marker
In 1940, Veeck left the Cubs to embark on a career as one of baseball's most innovative and charismatic franchise owners. After co-owning the minor league Milwaukee Brewers from 1940 to 1945, during which time he spent 3 years as a Marine and lost part of his right leg to an artillery shell, Veeck would serve as owner of three Major League teams, the Cleveland Indians, St. Louis Browns and Chicago White Sox. His most notable innovations included: the 1947 signing of Larry Doby to the Indians to become the American League's first African American player; the Browns' use of 3-foot-7 Eddie Gaedel as the shortest player in baseball history; the "exploding scoreboard" at Comiskey Park; and "Disco Demolition Night" at Comiskey Park, the chaotic destruction of disco records between games of a doubleheader that led to a White Sox forfeit. Some of the teams also saw unprecedented success during his ownership. The 1948 Indians won their second and last World Series title, and the 1959 White Sox captured that franchise's first American League pennant since the 1919 Black Sox scandal.
After selling the White Sox in 1981, Veeck spent much of his final years as a regular
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 11, 2025
3. Veeck Park ballfield
Also see . . .
1. Baseball's First Bill Veeck. This 2013 article from the Society of American Baseball Research looks at the life of the elder Bill Veeck, whose contributions to baseball would be overshadowed by those of his son, Bill Veeck Jr.
Excerpt: In their testimonials, Veecks friends and acquaintances recounted his enthusiasm and love of baseball. Some of them listed his many accomplishments. Others mentioned that the team owners depended upon his leadership and that they listened attentively whenever he spoke. Perhaps the highest compliments paid Veeck concerned his integrity. 'He was the fairest and squarest man in the game,' John Seys asserted. Cubs manager Charlie Grimm offered his opinion: 'He was the best scout baseball ever knew, and the squarest shooter.' As the Chicago Evening American, Veecks old newspaper, correctly pointed out, even 'those with whom he had clashed' respected him.(Submitted on October 13, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
2. National Baseball Hall of Fame: Bill Veeck. The final sentence of Veeck's plaque calls him "A champion of the little guy."
Excerpt: "He was the man who brought a little person to(Submitted on October 13, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)home plate and explosives to the outfield of Comiskey Park. But beyond the flash, legendary owner Bill Veecks open-minded approach brought positive changes to the game of baseball."Library Congress, Look magazine photograph collection, May 11, 19594. Bill Veeck Jr.The photo shows Veeck during his first stint as owner of the Chicago White Sox. In 1959, the Sox would win the American League pennant for the first time since the infamous "Black Sox" captured the flag in 1919.
3. Veecks Hinsdale home preserved from the wrecking ball by history-loving family. Saved from demolition in 2017 and then preserved in perpetuity by an easement, the Veecks' family home sold in 2019 for $1.25 million. (Submitted on October 13, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 57 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 11, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 13, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
