Day 798

The former site of Hilltop Park

March 7th, 2014



Until it was removed during the ongoing construction here at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center, a plaque could be found on the ground at about the spot I've circled in red. It marked the former location of home plate at Hilltop Park, where the New York Highlanders (a.k.a the New York Yankees) played from 1903 to 1912. We're looking straight out into center field in this photo; using the diagonal left edge of the concrete to approximate the base line, we can roughly estimate the location of third base (now somewhere inside the building at left), where a stealing Ty Cobb slid into Jimmy Austin in one of baseball's most famous photographs. (Here's the story behind that image, "the greatest action picture ever made on the ball field".)


8 Comments

  1. Thomas says:

    I hope they put the plaque back.

  2. Andrew says:

    I visited this exact site yesterday – July 5, 2015 – and the plaque was not there. The construction in that area is complete, but no plaque. Does anyone know if it will be re-installed?

  3. Justin says:

    I was in the area today. The construction is still going and it seems the plaque has not yet been replaced.

  4. Guy says:

    I traveled to the area in January of 2018 and wondered where the marker was! Thank goodness I found this site on my phone.

    I have some good news: I contacted the NY-Presbyterian hospital and received a reply stating that the marker will be returned later in 2018 and there will be a re dedication ceremony as well.

  5. Joe says:

    That’s great news. The Yankees should have someone from YES cover the rededication.

  6. Ed says:

    Where can I find information on that ceremony?

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