Number 4….The Duke
Dodger Hall of Fame outfielder Duke Snider, at age 84. Snider was the all-time home run and RBI leader for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers, and he hit four home runs in a World Series twice (1952 and 1955).
Snider generally was considered to be third in the triumvirate of “Willie, Mickey and The Duke” in the streets of New York (except in Brooklyn of course) during the 1950’s. But, he hit 40 or more home runs five seasons in a row, something neither Mays nor Mantle were able to accomplish.
He was an eight time all-star, including seven in a row from 1950 to 1956, NL RBI leader in 1955 and HR leader in 1956. For Dodger nostalgia fans, he also hit the last home run at Ebbets Field.
His lifetime BA was .295, with 2116 hits, 407 (389 with the Dodgers) HR and 1333 (1271 with the Dodgers) RBI. The Dodgers won 6 NL pennants and one memorable World Series (1955) while Snider was playing for them. He finished his career with the Mets in 1963 and (of all ironies) the Giants in 1964.
I remember
having a Duke Snider baseball card in about 1962 or so, I think I traded an extra Maris card for it. It sure was nice when the ballplayers spent their entire career (or at least mostly so) with one team. I understand the economics and don't blame the players for getting all they can, but it sure was nicer for the fans.
Andy
I remember
All the kids in our neighborhood grew up playing a dice game of baseball, and each of us kept a notebook with the starting lineups of every team (there were only from 16 to 20 teams at that point, before 1962).
The notebooks remained unchanged enough that they could be re-used from year to year.
