Past Ballparks of New York City
New
York City (Manhattan, Queens & Brooklyn)
September 29, 2007
By
Ken Schlapp
 From
1903 to 1912, the Yankees were known as the Highlanders. During
that time, they played their games at Hilltop Park, which was
located between 165th and 168th Streets,
Broadway, and Ft Washington Avenue. It was actually named American
League Park, had a sign on the stadium that said so, but was
referred to as Hilltop Park due to its location on the top of a hill
in Washington Heights. One of the most famous baseball photos was
of Ty Cobb sliding hard into 3rd base to take out the
legs of the 3rd baseman. That photo was taken at Hilltop
Park. Unfortunately, a fire ruined the stadium in 1912, which
forced the Highlanders to move into the Polo Grounds as the Giants’
tenant until Yankee Stadium was completed in 1923. Today, the
Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center occupies the former spot of
Hilltop Park. Thankfully, the Yankees dedicated a plaque in the
courtyard of the hospital in the shape of home plate to estimate the
approximate location where the actual home plate
 previously
existed. We went into the hospital to ask where the home plate
plaque was, and a guard gladly let us in and showed us where it
was. I had to pose as a catcher for a photo opportunity while we
inspected the former home of the Highlanders.
That ended the Manhattan part of our
tour as we headed into Queens and into the area where I grew up,
specifically, Ridgewood and Maspeth. Prior to this trip, I had not
realized how much baseball history resided in my old stomping
grounds.
NYC Ballparks Part III |
