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

Thomas F. (Tommy) Holmes

(1918-2008)

— Tidewater Baseball Shrine —

Thomas F. (Tommy) Holmes Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, July 18, 2025

1. Thomas F. (Tommy) Holmes Marker

Inscription.
Brooklyn native, signed by Yankees in 1937 for Norfolk Tars, hitting .325 with 25 HR’s and 111 RBI.

After league-leading.368 at Binghamton in 1938, sparked great Newark clubs with 3 straight .300-plus seasons. Sold to Boston Braves in 1942, had instant success with solid hitting and fielding.

Named 1945 National League MVP, lead league in hits, (224), doubles (47), HR’s (28), with.352 average and 117 RBI.

Led Braves to World Championship over Cleveland, with only RBI in 1-0 win over Bob Feller after controversial pick off call at second.

Started 1951 as Hartford (Eastern) Manager, then took over Braves in July. Joined Dodgers in mid-1952 and played in his second World Series.

Managed and coached with Dodgers until 1958, then led successful N.Y. sandlot program. Joined Mets in mid-1970’s and directed community relations.

Lifetime .301 hitter had amazing strikeout ratio, 1 every 41 at bats. Only player to lead league in HR’s (28) and fewest strikeouts (9) same year.

Erected by Norfolk Tides.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1937.

Location. 36° 50.601′ N,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

76° 16.753′ W. Marker is in Norfolk, Virginia. It is in Harbor Park. 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 Ave, 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,

in the Tidewater,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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: Richard J. (Dick) Davis, Jr. (here, next to this marker); William Beck (Swish) Nicholson

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

2. Thomas F. (Tommy) Holmes Marker

(a few steps from this marker); James F. (Jimmy) Ewell (a few steps from this marker); Robert Clinton (Bobby) Richardson (a few steps from this marker); Edwin Miley (Eddie) Sawyer (a few steps from this marker); Erwin C. (Bob) Porterfield (a few steps from this marker); Clyde Edward McCullough (a few steps from this marker); Hank Lee Foiles (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norfolk.

Regarding Thomas F. (Tommy) Holmes. 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. Tommy Holmes. (Submitted on July 23, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Norfolk Tars. (Submitted on July 23, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
3. Harbors Park. (Submitted on July 23, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Additional commentary.
1.

Tommy Holmes image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Wikimedia Commons

3. Tommy Holmes

About Tommy Holmes
Wikipedia and retrosheet.org have birth on March 29, 1917, not in 1918. Phil Cavaretta was 1945 NL MVP. Cleveland defeated Boston Braves in 1948 World Series.

— Submitted July 23, 2026, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 23, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 82 times since then and 11 times this year. Last updated on July 23, 2026, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 23, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.