Historic Markers Coming to Spot Where Binghamton Triplets Played

More than a half-century after the Triplets played their final game in Johnson City, a pair of historic markers are to be erected at the site of their ballpark, Johnson Field.

The ballpark was built by George F. Johnson, the founder of Endicott Johnson Shoe Company and the owner of the Binghamton Triplets.

An estimated 7,000 people showed up for the first game played at Johnson Field on May 6, 1913. The crowd was much smaller when the Triplets played their final game at the ballpark on August 30, 1968.

Future Yankees stars like Whitey Ford and Thurman Munson played in Johnson City early in their baseball careers.

Johnson Field was torn down to make way for the Southern Tier Expressway - Route 17. The Johnson City Senior Center opened in a newly-constructed building at the site in 1983.

The historic markers acknowledging Johnson Field will be unveiled next month at an event celebrating the 40th anniversary of the senior center.

Historian Gerald Smith said a traditional blue-and-gold marker will be erected next to the center's sign on North Broad Street. He said marker will make note Johnson Field - the home of the Triplets - stood on the site for several decades.

Smith told WNBF News a black granite marker in the shape of home plate will be placed in concrete in the parking lot of the senior center. He said the marker will be in the exact spot where home plate was located in Johnson Field.

The historic markers are to be unveiled at the senior center's anniversary event on October 19 at 10 a.m.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.