Abe Stark
Abe Stark (September 16, 1893 – July 1972) was an American businessman and politician. Born in New York City,[1] he became a tailor and owned a clothing store at 1514 Pitkin Avenue in the East New York section of Brooklyn.
A sign for Abe Stark's clothing store, placed directly under the Ebbets Field scoreboard in right-center field, told players “Hit Sign, Win Suit. Abe Stark. Brooklyn's Leading Clothier.” Any player to hit the sign with a fly ball would get a free suit from Abe's store.[2]
Due to the fielding of Brooklyn Dodgers right fielders Dixie Walker and Carl Furillo, Stark awarded very few suits. It has been said that, as long as the sign was up, the only opposing player to hit the sign on the fly was Mel Ott of the arch-rival New York Giants. What is known is that, upon the suggestion of a customer who pointed out how many free suits Furillo saved Stark from having to give, Stark gave Furillo a free suit.
Stark became so famous as a result of his sign, being seen first on movie newsreels and then on television, he was able to rise through City politics to serve as president of the city council from 1954 to 1961, and as borough president of Brooklyn from 1962 to 1970.
An ice skating rink on the Coney Island Boardwalk is named after Stark.[3]
An elementary school in Spring Creek Brooklyn is also named after Stark.
References
- ↑ "Necrology: United States". American Jewish Year book 74: 559. 1973. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
- ↑ NY Times Hit Sign, Win Suit
- ↑ City of New York Parks & Recreation Abe Stark Rink
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Rudolph Halley |
President of the New York City Council 1954 – 1961 |
Succeeded by Paul Screvane |
| Preceded by John F. Hayes |
Borough President of Brooklyn 1962-1970 |
Succeeded by Sebastian Leone |
| ||||||||
