Triplets and Thurman Munson Remembered in Johnson City

More than 50 years after a beloved ballpark in Johnson City was torn down, historic markers have been unveiled at the site where the Binghamton Triplets baseball team played.

The Triplets played their last game at Johnson Field on August 30, 1968. Binghamton area residents and baseball fans gathered in Johnson City Thursday at the site of the old ballpark.

A traditional blue and gold state historic marker has been erected on North Broad Street, just west of the Johnson City Senior Center.

A specially-designed marker in the shape of home plate has been installed in the center's parking lot at the precise spot of home plate at Johnson Field.

New York Yankees catcher Thurman Munson spent some time playing with the Triplets during the team's final season. Munson's widow - Diana - and their son Michael were on hand for Thursday's event at the senior center. Mrs. Munson threw a ceremonial ball to Michael as the markers were unveiled.

Johnson Field was built by Endicott Johnson Shoe Company founder George F. Johnson. About 7,000 people attended the first Triplets game at the ballpark on May 6, 1913.

After the Triplets completed their 1968 season, the property was acquired by the New York state Department of Transportation to clear the way for the construction of Route 17.

The area was without baseball for more than two decades until the Binghamton Mets debuted at a city-owned stadium in 1992.

VIDEO: WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph shares some childhood memories of the Triplets and Johnson Field.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.