Less than five miles west of Orioles Park at Camden Yards on Route 40 is New Cathedral Cemetery. The cemetery holds the distinction of being the final resting place of four Baseball Hall of Famers. In Chapter 20 of Deadball, Byron Bennett visits New Cathedral in search of the ghosts of the former players, all of which were once members of the 1890’s world champion National League Baltimore Orioles.
Entrance to New Cathedral Cemetery, Baltimore
As you enter the cemetery, there is to the left a white, clapboard building that houses the cemetery’s office. Available inside is a 8″ by 14″ handout entitled “Baseball Hall of Famers” which includes a map of the cemetery. The map’s legend includes symbols identifying the final resting place of each Hall of Famer.
McGraw – Van Lill Mausoleum
The final resting place of former Orioles’ third-baseman John McGraw “ is located in Lot 197, Section L.”
Entrance to McGraw – Lill Mausoleum
McGraw is entombed in a stately granite mausoleum with an oxidized, green copper roof. “J.J. McGraw” is carved into the granite above the front door along with “S. J. Van Lill, Jr.,” whose family shares the space with McGraw and his wife, Blanche. Mrs. S. J. Lill and Mrs. McGraw were sisters.
John McGraw Inscription Above Mausoleum Door, New Cathedral Cemetery
Just over the hill behind McGraw’s mausoleum is the grave site of Joe Kelley, former right fielder for the Orioles. A set of marble stairs at the base of a small hill leads to Kelly’s grave.
Stairway Leading To Internment Site of Joe Kelly, New Cathedral Cemetery
Kelley is buried alongside his wife and son.
Joseph J. Kelly, Hall of Fame Baltimore Oriole, New Cathedral Cemetery
Ned Hanlon, the Orioles’ former manager, is interred just a short walking distance from Kelly’s grave.
Ned Hanlon Family Plot, New Cathedral Cemetery
Hanlon’s wife is buried alongside Foxy Ned.
Edward Hanlon, Hall of Fame Baltimore Oriole, New Cathedral Cemetery
A matching block of granite honors the memory of Hanlon’s son: “Joseph Thomas Hanlon, Born March 3, 1893, Died July 31, 1918, Killed In Action, Buried At Thiaucourt, France.”
Joseph Hanlon, son of Ned Hanlon, New Cathedral Cemetery
The grave site of Wilbert Robinson, former Orioles catcher, and his wife, is situated in the northeast section on the opposite side of the cemetery.
Wilbert Robinson Family Plot, New Cathedral Cemetery
A large chunk of black granite is missing from the corner of Robinson’s headstone.
Wilbert Robinson, Hall of Fame Baltimore Oriole, New Cathedral Cemetery
New Cathedral Cemetery is just one of the many examples of Baltimore’s rich baseball history. Given its close proximity to Camden Yards, the cemetery certainly is worth a stop for any true Orioles fan.
