Three generations of the Rosner family met at the corner of Dexter Court and 86th Road in Woodhaven on Saturday, July 1, to witness the official co-naming of Max Rosner Way in honor of local baseball legend and trendsetter Max Rosner.
Edward Wendell, as president of the Woodhaven Cultural and Historical Society, said more than two dozen members of the Rosner family were in attendance, including the great-great-grandson of the baseball legend, also named Max.
Max Rosner, a Hungarian immigrant who came to the U.S. to pursue the American dream in 1892 was a cigar store owner and later became the owner of the semi-pro baseball team and the Dexter Park stadium, built in 1923, Wendell shared.
The stadium became the birthplace of night baseball thanks to Rosner and was host to legendary players in the Major Leagues and what was known as the Negro Leagues.
“The first-night game here was played in April 1930, 5 years before they did it in Major Leagues and when they did it in Major Leagues, much of what they did was copied off of the work that Max Rosner did,” said Wendell. “So it was a very influential stadium; a big part of our neighborhood. It has been greatly missed and beloved, as you can see today.”
The Woodhaven Cultural and Historical Society, along with the Woodhaven Residents’ Block Association, the Woodhaven Business Improvement District, Councilman Robert Holden and Queens Community Board 9 sponsored the July 1 event.
Councilwoman Joann Ariola, whose district will encompass the area next year, officiated the event in place of Holden, who was feeling under the weather and was unable to attend.
“As immigrants who came to this country with a dream, it’s great to listen and hear and learn the history of the immigrants that came before us,” said Sherry Algredo, president of Community Board 9.
Wendell said she was a vital part of getting the official co-naming.
Senator Joseph P. Addabbo also attended and thanked those in attendance for orchestrating the street naming. He referred to Rosner as “Uncle Max” and noted how the sign will serve as a reminder of what’s good about the community.
