Gloversville, NY-For Immediate Release

July 28, 2023 –

(Updated August 1, 2023 – See videos at bottom of article)

A custom painted portrait of Honus Wagner, Cy Young, Chief Bender and Moonlight Doc Graham with the original 1906 Parkhurst Field grandstands in the background will be unveiled on Saturday, July 28 at the grand opening of the NYS Baseball Hall of Fame in Gloversville.  All four players and countless other legends have played on these grounds for over one hundred years.

James Fiorentino is an American watercolor artist and illustrator who currently makes his home in Hunterdon County, New Jersey.  A master in watercolor, Fiorentino’s artwork has hung in galleries and museums across North America and Europe as well as in private collections worldwide.

“When I first learned about Parkhurst Field, my immediate thought was that this is the original Field of Dreams, and there was no doubt that I wanted to be a part of such an amazing project. Knowing that great legends of baseball like Wagner, Young, Bender and Moonlight Graham played on these fields is incredible, and for young ballplayers to share in the experience is to be part of New York baseball history. Recreating the grandstands and sharing this magic with guests is something I felt my artwork could help showcase.”

David Karpinski, Executive Director of Parkhurst Field Foundation, added, “I was first connected with James when my wife purchased a Honus Wagner print from his collection for me as a gift.  She shared the Parkhurst history and project with him and he was hooked.  We are honored that our story inspired James to create such a beautiful piece of art, which will be prominently displayed in the future at the park and made available for baseball enthusiasts to purchase prints for their own collections.”

Fiorentino’s professional career taking off while still in high school, Fiorentino became the youngest artist ever featured in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum for his likeness of Reggie Jackson. In 1998, while still a student at Drew University, Fiorentino earned the designation of being the youngest artist to be inducted into the prestigious New York Society of Illustrators, where he joined the ranks of American icons Norman Rockwell and Andrew Wyeth.

Fiorentino, often at the athlete’s request, has painted numerous sports legends including Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio, Cal Ripken Jr., Arnold Palmer, Muhammad Ali, Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Michael Jordan, Allen Iverson, Julius Erving, and Tiger Woods. Topps, Upper Deck, and Kelloggs Sports Cards have all featured Fiorentino’s artwork, and Fiorentino has launched his own line of iconic sports card artwork titled “There Is Only One” and “Fiorentino Elite”

The Parkhurst Field Foundation, a 509(a)2 non-profit foundation, was formed to help promote and preserve Parkhurst Field in Gloversville, NY, one of the oldest baseball grounds in America.  Our mission is to chronicle its rich history dating back to its opening in 1906, promote its historic significance through media and events, attain grants and donations to fund the revitalization and preservation of the park’s infrastructure to ensure its sustainability and to serve as a success model for other communities looking to preserve their athletic parks. www.parkhurstfield.org

The New York State Baseball Hall of Fame, founded by Rene LeRoux, began in 2011. It operates a bit differently in its selection process than most other Hall of Fames.  Inductees are selected based on a “body of work” and service to the game rather than statistically based.  While statistics do factor, it is the contributions made by the inductee and the way in which they impacted the game or left their mark which factor in the decision. The longevity of service to the game on any level is important.  We are honored to reward and recognize an inductee for their “love of the game”. 

For More Information about the Parkhurst Field Foundation, contact David Karpinski at 518-461-9250.