Statue of Hall of Famer James O’Rourke moved to Seaside Park
A bronze statue of Major League Hall of Famer James Henry O’Rourke used to be outside of Harbor Yard. It has since been moved to Seaside Park. O’Rourke was a Bridgeport native who is credited with the first hit in the National League in 1876.
More Stories
A piece of baseball history is now back where it belongs: at a baseball field in Bridgeport.
A bronze statue of Major League Hall of Famer James Henry O’Rourke used to be outside of Harbor Yard. It has since been moved to Seaside Park.
An unveiling ceremony will be held at 9 a.m. Friday to celebrate the statue's move.
O’Rourke was a Bridgeport native who is credited with the first hit in the National League in 1876.
Local coach Jim Meszoros helped get the statue back into the public eye.
"In Connecticut, they always talk about rent. His rent is free now. He's going to be here the rest of his life as long as we preserve it, and history is being put out to the kids to say listen... you can do it out of Bridgeport," he says.
In 2013, News 12 aired a piece on O’Rourke officially being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame and spoke to his family.
