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Wilmington rededicates Hilltop park to homegrown baseball legend, William "Judy" Johnson

Renovations to the baseball field at William “Judy” Johnson Park in Wilmington are complete, and today the park was rededicated to the first Delawarean elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.

City and state officials joined residents of Wilmington’s Hilltop community to rededicate the park that was named for the former homegrown Negro League star shortly following his election to the Hall in 1975.

Johnson - who retired in 1937 before Jackie Robinson broke pro baseball’s color barrier - was a role model for many in the neighborhood and city.

A historic marker commemorating Johnson’s accomplishments now graces the strip of grass along 2nd Street behind third base - the position Johnson played his entire career.  Mayor Dennis Williams says he hopes it makes kids aware of the homegrown legend, his legacy and his impact on the community.

“This is one of the things we need now that I think we’re missing in this country and that’s team builders. That’s very critical when people set the example and young men and young women follow. Its crucial. And today we need more of that. A lot of the young kids in this neighborhood should know about who Judy Johnson is.

Wilmington native and Delaware Afro-American Sports Hall of Fame vice president Michael Brown spent a week with Johnson as a high schooler - being tutored on the game and life - before being drafted by the Phillies in 1968.

Brown agreed with the mayor's message of the importance of history and roots.

"Some of these kids don't even know who Jackie Robinson is," Brown said. "But my saying to them is 'If you don't know your past, how are you going to know your future?' We have to let them kids know."

Johnson family friend Ron Whittington wore one of the third baseman’s uniforms from his time playing with the Hilldale Athletic Club in Darby, Pennsylvania, to Thursday’s ceremony.

Whittington remembers a time when baseball was king in Wilmington and feels today’s city youth could benefit from more baseball fields and equipment.

“One of the major things that the city has lost is actually it’s interest in baseball. We need to bring that back. It’s a chance for kids to get together, learn teamwork. It’s a lot different than basketball because there’s more people.”

After retiring in 1937 Johnson, worked as a scout for a number of teams, including the Philadelphia A’s and Phillies. In 1954, a brief spring training assignment made him the first black coach in the majors.

In his youth, Johnson played on many of the city’s fields – including the one that now bears his name.  But the field fell into disrepair over the years as crime and poverty plagued the neighborhood.

There’s still work to be done before park renovations are finished.

However the baseball field is complete and neighbors are looking forward to a summer full of their kids playing at the park instead of avoiding it.

“This shows Hilltop can come back,” said resident Frank Robinson, who since 2005 has worked to get the park back into shape – sometimes even risking his own life by chasing off trouble personally.  

“The people have the power. We’re the biggest gang up here. We have come together to do these things for the kids. As long as I’m here, this park will be safe.” 

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