Tommy Parker, a lifelong Princeton resident – some would say legend – was honored for his role as the co-founder of Princeton’s American Legion Post 218 baseball team.
Dozens of family members, friends and supporters gathered at Barbara Smoyer Park on Snowden Lane for a special field dedication ceremony to honor Parker on June 13. Parker is the first person to be honored.
“Tommy Parker is an original Princetonian,” said Princeton Recreation Department Executive Director Evan Moorhead. “He grew up in this community. The Parker name resonates in Princeton. That’s why it’s so great to see so many people here.
“When you think about the American Legion Post 218 baseball team, you think ‘Tommy Parker.’ We are here to celebrate the first-ever field dedication of this type. It is a great honor and so well-deserved.”
Parker was the co-founder, general manager and coach of the Princeton American Legion Post 218 baseball team from 1990 through 2022, according to a plaque on the pavilion at Barbara Smoyer Park. The youth baseball players range in age from 15 to 19 years old.
The plaque also states that Parker was a longtime coach of youth baseball and youth football teams, and a local leader in civil rights, workers’ rights and youth athletics. He was the chairman of the former Princeton Civil Rights Commission.
Andrew Koontz, who chairs the Princeton Recreation Commission, praised Parker for his role as an activist. Parker stood up and set the standard for community activism. The decision to honor him with the plaque is a testament to what he has done in the community to bring it together, he said.
Koontz said he became acquainted with Parker through politics in the 1990s. Koontz is a former Princeton Borough councilman and a former Mercer county commissioner.
Jim Healy, who co-founded the American Legion Post 218 baseball team with Parker, shared the origin of the team. There were boys who wanted to play baseball, but there were not enough slots on the American Legion Post 76 team, he said.
Parker approached the commander of Princeton American Legion Post 218 to sponsor a baseball team, Healy said. The commander quickly agreed. After some setbacks, the commander worked it out so that American Legion Post 218 could have a baseball team.
Healy said the team lost every game in its first season, but the young players were happy because they were able to play baseball.
“When you see the plaque (for Parker), it’s a truism,” Healy said. “Build it and they will come.”
Jon Durbin, who is the current general manager and assistant coach for the American Legion Post 218 baseball team, said the decision to dedicate an athletic field to honor Parker was made about four or five months ago. It is the first time that a field has been dedicated to a person.
For those who played baseball or football for Parker, it was all about rhythm – rhythm as a player and rhythm in life, Durbin said. Parker’s belief in the concept of rhythm was that if you get into a good rhythm, “you’ll get the details right,” he said.
Durbin also pointed to Parker’s steadfast commitment to core principles. He never waivered from what he thought was right. He also had strong faith in every person who entered the Parker universe, he said.
“I want to give a shout-out to Mrs. Parker. When I think of a couple who dedicated their lives to children, I think of the Parkers,” Durbin said of Tommy Parker and his wife, Joanne Parker.
Rick Freeman, the chairman of the Mercer County American Legion League, recalled his 35-year friendship with Parker. He helped to change Freeman’s life during their decades-long friendship.
Freeman said he has always looked to Parker for advice. God brought Parker into his life for a reason, and for that he is grateful.
Parker’s sister, Sally Kornegay, read a letter from a former player that also praised Parker.
Wrapping up the dedication ceremony, Taariq Parker said his family appreciated the honor given to his father. The elder Parker has experienced some health issues, and the community has stepped up to help the Parker family, he said.
