GERTRUDE EDERLE (1906-2003)

Ederle was the first woman to swim across the English Channel.  The competition swimmer and Olympic champion beat the men’s world record by almost two hours.

 

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FRANKIE FRISCH (1898-1973)

The professional baseball second baseman and manager in Major League Baseball for the New York Giants (1919–1926) and St. Louis Cardinals (1927–1937), and managed the Cardinals (1933–1938), Pittsburgh Pirates (1940–1946), and Chicago Cubs (1949–1951).  Frisch is both a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame Museums.

 

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HAROLD HUNTER (1974-2006)

The skater, actor, comedian, and dancer was an icon of the New York City skateboarding scene.  His  heel flips became a trademark of the sport.

 

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GEORGE LEWIS “TEX” RICKARD (1870-1929)

The boxing promoter was the founder of the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL) and builder of the third incarnation of Madison Square Garden.  After the Walker Law reestablished legal boxing in the state of New York, he became the first to promote boxing to large audiences.

 

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ALEX POMPEZ (1890-1974)

A Cuban American among the most influential owners in black baseball history, Pompez owned the Cuban Stars and New York Cubans franchises from 1916 to 1950.  The baseball executive was one of the original architects of the Negro Leagues World Series.

 

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DAN TOPPING (1912-1974)

Topping was part owner and president of the New York Yankees  from 1945 to 1964.  The Yankees won 14 American League pennants and 10 World Series championships during his tenure as chief executive.

 

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HARRY WILLS (1859-1958)

The top heavyweight contender held the World Colored Heavyweight Championship three times.  Also known as the “Black Panter,” Wills is considered one of the greatest boxers of all time.