Ponce de Leon Ball Park
1908 – 1966
Here on these grounds at Ponce de Leon Ball Park, The Atlanta Crackers and the Atlanta Black Crackers began a tradition of baseball championship and athletic excellence which set the high standard for the baseball we enjoy in Atlanta now.
The Atlanta Crackers, known as “The Yankees of the Minors,” were led by Luke Appling, Eddie Mathews, Bob Montag, Ralph “Country” Brown, and many others. For many years, they were owned and operated by “Mr. Atlanta Baseball,” Earl Mann, who rose from peanut vendor to owner. Mann led Atlanta in becoming a major league city, and was instrumental in bringing the Braves to Atlanta.
The Atlanta Black Crackers fielded many of black baseball’s superstars, including Norman “Geromino” Lumpkin, James “Red” Moore, James “Gabby” Kemp, and Vinicus (Nish) Williams. The Rev. John and Billie Harden owned the Atlanta Black Crackers for many years, and the team played on these grounds when the white Crackers were away.
Marker can be reached from Ponce de Leon Avenue NE (U.S. 29), on the right when traveling east.
Courtesy hmdb.org
