Hinchliffe Stadium Knot Hole Gang Hanger Pinback – New York Black Yankees & New York Cubans – 1940s Negro League Youth Badge

Offered here is an exceptional and extraordinarily rare original 1940s Hinchliffe Stadium “Knot Hole Gang” hanger pinback, manufactured by the distinguished Whitehead & Hoag Company of Newark, New Jersey—the foremost producer of high-quality pinback buttons in the early 20th century. Measuring approximately 4 inches in total length, with a 2-inch pinback top and its original hanger intact, this is an unusually large and visually impressive example that immediately stands out among period baseball memorabilia. Most importantly, the condition is MINT, representing as fine and well-preserved an example as could possibly exist. We have yet to encounter another example of this specific pin, underscoring its extreme scarcity and desirability.

This pin was issued to youth members of the Knot Hole Gang at Hinchliffe Stadium, one of the most historically significant Negro League ballparks in the United States and among the very few that still stand today. Knot Hole Clubs were a cherished baseball tradition of the era, designed to cultivate young fans’ enthusiasm for the game. For a nominal fee or membership, children received pins or badges such as this one, granting them access to games—often in designated sections—allowing them to experience live baseball at a time when many would otherwise have been unable to attend. The concept echoes the famed Knot Hole Club of the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field, one of the most celebrated youth fan programs in baseball history.

What makes this piece especially significant is its direct association with Negro League baseball at Hinchliffe Stadium, where young fans could attend games featuring the New York Black Yankees and the New York Cubans—two of the most prominent and talent-rich teams of their era. These clubs featured some of the greatest players in baseball history, including Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, Willie Wells, and Larry Doby, along with stars such as Minnie Miñoso and Luis Tiant. For a young fan in the 1940s, this pin was more than an admission badge—it was a gateway to witnessing legendary talent firsthand.

Adding a compelling modern dimension to its historical importance, Hinchliffe Stadium has recently been revitalized and is slated to serve as a home venue for the New York Cosmos as part of the USL League One, linking this artifact not only to the rich legacy of Negro League baseball but also to the continuing story of professional sports at this landmark site.

In every respect, this piece represents a tangible and visually striking connection to a vibrant chapter of American sports history, combining the cultural importance of Negro League play, the charm of early youth fan traditions, and the craftsmanship of the era’s premier pinback manufacturer. With its MINT condition, unusually large and impressive format, and extreme rarity—having yet to surface in another known example—this pinback stands as a true centerpiece for the advanced collector.

Ships FedEx/UPS/USPS with Insurance.

Questions? 5514863768!