1940s and ’50s Minor League Veterans To Gather at Peekskill Museum
The boys of summer are returning to Peekskill to celebrate minor league baseball in the Hudson Valley.
Beginning on Friday, July 20, a three-day event hosted by the Peekskill Museum will bring together veteran players of the Peekskill Highlanders, other area teams of the former Class D North Atlantic League and past members from the New York Yankees organization.
Other North Atlantic League teams, spread across New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, included the Kingston Colonials, the Hummingbirds (both from Newburgh and Walden), and the Nyack Rocklands. Returning World War II veterans swelled the teams’ rosters from 1946 until televised Major League baseball games impacted attendance in the early ’50s.
Free afternoon activities will kick off on July 20 when Peekskill Mayor Mary Foster will welcome the players, now in their 80s, to the museum on Union Street. Baseball memorabilia exhibits will spark conversations of the game’s gloried past.
On Saturday afternoon, July 21, a dinner at Peekskill’s Cove Restaurant will include a player/panel discussion moderated by John Vorperian, host of the local cable show “Beyond the Game.” Voperian’s fellow Society of American Baseball Research historian, Bob Mayer, will share facts, figures and personal memorabilia.
Former Yankees public relations director Marty Appel and pitcher Jim Bouton will speak at the dinner. Appel, author of 18 books including just released “Pinstripe Empire – A Definitive History of the New York Yankees,” began his career with the Bronx Bombers by handling Mickey Mantle’s fan mail.
The dinner’s keynote speaker, Bouton was brought up to the Yankees 1962 and made an impact on the game not only as a pitcher, but also as an author. “Ball Four,” his 1969 memoir about the behind-the-scenes pro baseball world, upset many with its honest revelations, while others hailed its unflinching candor. Bouton has since authored additional books and continues to be involved with baseball.
On Sunday, July 22, past, present and future players will come together at a Peekskill Tides (Westchester/Rockland College Wood Bat League) baseball game with local Little League teams in attendance.
The public is invited to the Saturday and Sunday activities to meet the players, get autographs, and attend the banquet. Dinner reservations are suggested, and advance ticket sales at $40 for adults and $10 for children under 13 will save $5 off the door prices. All other activities are free of charge.
For reservations and more information, contact the Peekskill Museum at (914) 736-0473.
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.
