Registered User
I realize the roster is shrinking every few weeks.
It seems (just in the last few years) more and more old Dodgers are passing away to the Ebbets Field in the sky.
The address list needs to be updated.
Do you have an idea how many old Brooklyn heroes are still alive?
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There were 94 Brooklyn Dodgers living when this was first posted. The following has been edited to reflect recent deaths --
Jim Bucher, 1934-37, d. 10/21/2004
Tony Guiliani, 1940-41, d. 10/8/2004
Sam Nahem, 1938, d. 4/19/2004
Bob Kennedy, 1957, d. 4/7/2005
Eddie Miksis, 1944 & 1946-51, d. 4/8/2005
Mickey Owen, 1941-45, d. 7/13/2005
Gene Mauch, 1944, 1948, d. 8/8/2005
Al Lopez, 1928 & 1930-35, d. 10/30/2005
Mal Mallette, 1950, d. 11/25/2005
Rod Dedeaux, 1935, d. 1/5/2006
Paul Minner, 1946 & 1948-49, d. 3/28/2006
Chink Zachary, 1944, d. 6/24/2006
Jack Banta, 1947-50, d. 9/17/2006
Jack Radtke, 1936, d. 10/24/2006
Rocky Nelson, 1956, d. 10/31/2006
Ernie Koy, 1938-40, d. 1/1/2007
Bob Milliken, 1953-54, d. 1/4/2007
Ray Berres, 1934 & 1936, d. 2/1/2007
Clem Labine, 1950-57, d. 3/2/2007
Otis Davis, 1946, d. 7/23/2007
Clancy Smyres, 1944, d. 11/27/2007
Johnny Podres, 1953-55, 1957, d. 1/13/2008
Rene Valdez, 1957, d. 3/15/2008
Tommy Holmes, 1952, d. 4/14/2008
Preacher Roe, 1948-54, d. 11/9/2008
Joe Tepsic, 1946, d. 2/23/2009
Herman Franks, 1940-41, d. 3/30/2009
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There are now 68 Brooklyn Dodgers still living.
As an indication of how few stars remain, here is the games played by position leaders among survivors:
1b Howie Schultz, 307
2b Don Zimmer, 68
3b Bobby Morgan, 148
ss Lonny Frey, 387
of Duke Snider, 1390
Gene Hermanski, 410
c Bobby Bragan, 118
p Carl Erskine, 294
Ralph Branca, 283
Don Newcombe, 247
Only Duke Snider & Gene Hermanski played 500 games with Brooklyn.
The list of survivors:
Lonny Frey 1933-36
George Cisar 1937
Tony Malinosky 1937
Cliff Dapper 1942
Boyd Bartley 1943
Chris Haughey 1943
Bobby Bragan 1943-44, 1947-48
Luis Olmo 1943-45, 1949
Gene Hermanski 1943, 1946-51
Howie Schultz 1943-47
Charlie Osgood 1944
Eddie Basinski 1944-45
Ralph Branca 1944-53, 1956
Clyde King 1944-45, 1947-48, 1951-52
Tommy Brown 1944-45, 1947-51
Cal McLish 1944, 1946
Cy Buker 1945
Lee Pfund 1945
Ray Hathaway 1945
Mike Sandlock 1945-46
Ed Stevens 1945-47
Don Lund 1945, 1947-48
Jean-Pierre Roy 1946
Marv Rackley 1947-49
Johnny Van Cuyk 1947-49
Duke Snider 1947-57
Elmer Sexauer 1948
Preston Ward 1948
George Shuba 1948-50, 1952-55
Carl Erskine 1948-57
Morrie Martin 1949
Pat McGlothin 1949-50
Don Newcombe 1949-51, 1954-57
Joe Landrum 1950, 1952
Bobby Morgan 1950, 1952-53
Billy Loes 1950, 1952-56
WayneTerwilliger 1951
Andy Pafko 1951-52
Johnny Schmitz 1951-52
Rocky Bridges 1951-52
Don Thompson 1951-54
Dick Williams 1951-54, 1956
Johnny Rutherford 1952
Ron Negray 1952
Ken Lehman 1952, 1956-57
Dick Teed 1953
Glenn Mickens 1953
Chuck Kress 1954
Tim Thompson 1954
Tommy Lasorda 1954-55
Don Zimmer 1954-57
Bob Borkowski 1955
Ed Roebuck 1955-57
Roger Craig 1955-57
Sandy Koufax 1955-57
Bob Aspromonte 1956
Chico Fernandez 1956
Don Demeter 1956
Gino Cimoli 1956-57
Randy Jackson 1956-57
Bill Harris 1957
Danny McDevitt 1957
Jackie Collum 1957
Jim Gentile 1957
Joe Pignatano 1957
Fred Kipp 1957
Rod Miller 1957
Last edited by VIBaseball; 04-10-2009 at 05:40 PM. Reason: Added Johnny Van Cuyk
Registered User
You can get A Baseball Life of Palmyra's Jimmy Bucher from the Lebanon (PA) County Historical Society for $4.50.
It's a nice 30 page booklet on Bucher who played for Casey Stengel while he was on the Dodgers.
Does anyone know where Owen lives?
I had a couple of addresses but never made contact.
Brooklynite
It's amazing that Mickey Owen is still with us. I don't know how he survived the Mexican League. I've got a picture of him peering out of a dugout that appears to have sunk. The roof on the dugout seems to be barely a foot higher than the ground. He appears to be trapped in the dugout and on the verge of being crushed. He was fortunate to have escaped.
Registered User
The following article about Sam Nahem may be of more than passing interest to some - as it was to me. He had a semi-regular job for several years pitching batting practice for Brooklyn, and, as revealed here in a Gene Hermanski thread of a few months ago, Nahem played for the Bushwicks in 1946 (also at other times, I think). As to his presence at the Brighton Beach Baths, I pass on that one. brother shlevine, wasn't that your territory?
‘Subway’ Sam Nahem, ballplayer and union man, dies at 88
by joe eskenazi
staff writer
One spring day in 1940, after a particularly disastrous outing, young Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Sam Nahem was asked by a New York Daily News reporter what good he was doing the team.
“I am now in the egregiously anonymous position of pitching batting practice to the batting practice pitchers,” said the clever right-hander, without missing a beat.
Often the only New Yorker — and Jew — his teammates had ever met, he was nicknamed “Subway Sam.” A born raconteur and lifelong liberal, Nahem died Monday, April 19, of natural causes at age 88 in his Berkeley home.
Nahem, a former Brooklyn sandlot baseball legend, Brooklyn college quarterback, and law school graduate and licensed attorney, went on to pitch parts of four seasons in the big leagues sandwiched around a military hitch. After hanging up his spikes in 1948, he moved his family from the Big Apple to Berkeley nearly 50 years ago, where he was a longtime organizer and activist for the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers union.
“Sam believed in people. That’s why he was so political. He believed that people deserved more, and so there was a great faith in humanity,” said Joanne Nahem, Sam’s daughter.
Added his eldest son, Ivan, “I remember my dad said once he couldn’t understand James Joyce, and that was inconceivable to me he wouldn’t understand something, [especially] something literary, he was so well-read. As a kid, that was a shocking concept.”
Nahem, who grew up in a Syrian Jewish neighborhood where the first language was Arabic, excelled at a number of sports. His youngest son, Andrew, recalls tales of long, hot summers spent in backwoods towns during his minor league days — which Nahem would pass by “reading all of Balzac.” Sometimes, Nahem would even bring his books into the dugout.
“It was almost detrimental to him at that age. He was almost too bookish for the jocks he was around,” said Ivan Nahem. “He might have gone further [in baseball] if it weren’t for his bookishness, but that’s who he was.”
Besides being a Jew with an advanced degree, Nahem differed from his Major League teammates in his strong belief that baseball should be integrated.
“I was in a strange position. The majority of my fellow ballplayers, wherever I was, were very much against black ballplayers, and the reason was economic and very clear. They knew these guys had the ability to be up there and they knew their jobs were threatened directly and they very, very vehemently did all sorts of things to discourage black ballplayers,” Nahem told j. in a rollicking October 2003 interview.
Nahem enjoyed his best professional season in 1941, for the St. Louis Cardinals, when he went 5-2. A year later, however, he was a Philadelphia Phillie. The next year, he was drafted.
“Subway” Sam didn’t see combat in Europe. But, in 1945, he did team up with legendary Negro League pitcher Leon Day to lead the integrated Overseas Invasion Service Expedition all-stars over an all-white 71st Infantry Division team stocked with professionals. The high-pressure games were played in front of 50,000 rabid fans at the same Nuremburg stadium in which Hitler held his most infamous rallies.
Nahem made it back to the Big Leagues in 1948. In his career, he was 10-8 with one save and a 4.69 ERA.
After moving to Berkeley in 1955, Nahem threw himself into his work as a union organizer. Son Andrew recalls Nahem leading a successful strike against Chevron Chemical, “Being gone for days at a time and sleeping in his clothes and stuff like that.”
Nahem retired two decades ago, but would sometimes accompany friend and fellow union organizer David Aroner into negotiations as a volunteer, where his years of accumulated wisdom and legendary wit made him a formidable asset.
Nahem is survived by his children: Ivan of Hoboken, N.J.; Joanne of Minneapolis; and Andrew of New York City; and three grandchildren. His wife, Elsie died of cancer 30 years ago. Sam never remarried, but he did have a long-term relationship with Nancy Shafsky.
“I was always the envy of my friends because I had such a great father,” said Andrew Nahem.
“It’s been very hard the last few years. But, when I think about it overall, I feel tremendously lucky.”
The Nahem family requests donations in Sam’s name be sent to Doctors Without Borders, P.O. Box 1856, Merrifield, VA 22116-8056
pb::
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Jim Bucher (1934-37) died October 21. Though he played more games at third base (204) & also played 73 games in the outfield, he had been the leader in games played at second base (142) among survivors.
Last edited by Macker; 01-05-2007 at 10:48 AM.
Registered User
Jimmy played during the Stengel era. Casey straightened him out one day after Bucher stayed out past curfew. While most players were excused from playing both games of a doubleheader in sweltering heat, Bucher played all 18 innings.
Bucher said Casey said the same thing the whole day that he did the night before when Casey saw him sneaking in , "How ya doin kid?".
It was during the depression and although Bucher didn't like the lesson, he appreciated the fact that Stengel didn't fine him.
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The recent death of Bob Kennedy leaves 89 Brooklyn Dodgers.
Last edited by Macker; 01-05-2007 at 10:48 AM.
All Field, No Hit
Didn't Eddie Miskis recently pass away?
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Eddie Miksis died 4/8/2005. He had been the leader in games played at second base among the survivors with 87. That is now Don Zimmer.
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The passing of Mickey Owen leaves 87 living Brooklyn Dodgers. Owen had played for the Dodgers 1941-45. Herman Franks is now the only survivor of the 1941 team, while Cliff Dapper is the only survivor of the 1942 club.
Last edited by Macker; 01-05-2007 at 10:49 AM.
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The passing of Gene Mauch leaves 86 living Brooklyn Dodgers. Mauch played for Brooklyn in 1944 & 1948.
Last edited by Macker; 01-05-2007 at 10:49 AM.
There IS a "we" in team
It's amazing but not too surprising that many people (including myself) forget that "Newk" is still alive. His seclusion from the spotlight, and successful battle with alcoholism have kind of left him out of the spotlight, while others (with very good reason I might add) have taken the forefront in "reunion" type affairs, like Branca, Erskine, and Snider. By all accounts he was one of the dominant and over-powering pitchers of the 50's but could never relax come playoff time. We have all heard the rumors I am sure of him fighting fans walking to his car, and disappearing for days after bad starts, but it is a shame that he was never warmly embraced these last few years and brought back into the limelight, unless he chose to be as enigmatic these last few years as he was when he played.
unknown brooklyn cabbie " how are the brooks doin"
unknown fan "good they got three men on base"
unknown brooklyn cabbie "which one?"
Team Veteran
Newk, is very much in the public eye, he is evolved in speaking engagements, about alcohol addiction, mostly to the young people. He is still evolved with L.A team, to some extent, and will be at there 50th anniversary celebration, Aug. 28th.Originally Posted by theAmazingMet
********
Since we have a policy of no advertising on BBF, I have deleted that portion of Jackie 42's post which gives the information on how to contact Don Newcombe relative to contacting him for a speaking engagement, and also the portion which details how much he charges for his autograph on a bat or ball.
Yesterday, I asked Jackie42 to remove this portion himself, but he declined saying that he feels we have a double standard here because WE, and other Forums, allowed PaulMcall to publicize his recent book on Ebbets Field. The two incidents are not the same. PaulMcall has been a member of OUR Forum for a long time and during the course of the past few years, while he was writing his book, he frequently talked about it. It was therefore natural for all OUR members to ask where they could obtain a copy of the book, once Paul told US it was completed. The information that Jackie42 included in his post is essentially advertising/selling Don Newcombe's services, and THAT is against BBF policy and rules....and Jackie42 is well aware of that.
DODGER DEB
Last edited by DODGER DEB; 08-12-2005 at 07:21 AM. Reason: Part of this post has been deleted to comply with BBF's policy of NO ADVERTISING!
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The death of Al Lopez leaves 85 living Brooklyn Dodgers. He had been the last surviving Dodger of the teams of 1928, 1930, 1931 & 1932. Lonny Frey is now the only survivor of the 1933 team. Ray Berres is now the leader among catchers with 142 games.
Last edited by Macker; 01-05-2007 at 10:49 AM.
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Mal Mallette, who pitched in relief in two games in 1950, died this past November 25. That leaves 84.
Last edited by Macker; 01-05-2007 at 10:49 AM.
Registered User
USC Legend Rod Dedeaux Passes Away
From MLB:
_Born Raoul Martial Dedeaux in New Orleans, he moved to California as a youngster. He played three seasons for Southern California, and after being scouted by his mentor, Casey Stengel, Dedeaux appeared in two games at shortstop for the 1935 Brooklyn Dodgers, going 1-for-4 with an RBI. "Just going into Ebbets Field was an exciting thing," said Dedeaux in an interview with MLB.com in September 2005. "I just loved those fans there and that was important to me. Unfortunately, I had gotten hurt earlier and was playing under quite a bit of pain, and it never bothered me to this day that I didn't have a longer career in the big leagues."
RIP Mr Dedeaux.
shalom2006
Where are they now?
Ok Brooklyn Fans,
One of you has graciously agreed to find out what happened to Bobby Giallombardo. That was cool, knowing at least that he pitched as late as 1960. So, whatever happened to:
Billy Harris (appears in 1 game at Ebbets in '57 and 1 in LA in '59)
Rod Miller (I think he appears in 1 game in either '57 or '58)
Rene Valdes ('57 Brooklyn who kept changing names)
Baxes (appears in '59 but was in the Brooklyn system forever)
One more note...too bad there wasn't a WBC in the 40's/'50's. Geez, the old Dodgers could have contributed to an Italian win...
Campanella
Pignatano
Gionfriddo
Furillo
Giallombardo
Cimoli
Mets/Brooklyn Dodgers fan
A few years ago I heard about a book called "Baseball's Golden Greeks" and ordered it from the author, Diamantis "Adam" Zervos. It's a pretty nice little volume celebrating major-leaguers of Hellenic heritage.
Jim played in 1959 in LA; here's what stopped him from appearing at Ebbets. After two big seasons with Hollywood in the PCL in 1949 and '50, he spent 1951 and '52 in the army. But after that...
"I made my big mistake in 1953," Jim admitted. "I came out of the service and because I was on Brooklyn's big league roster, they had to keep me, according to baseball law. The only way they could send me out was by getting my permission. They said I was rusty because I had been in the service, and they asked me to go to Fort Worth. Foolishly, I signed a waiver. I didn't have anybody to tell me different."
He blames Buzzie Bavasi for burying him but also acknowledges that the Dodgers had three Triple-A teams in 1949 and '50. I wonder how much time he could have gotten in '53, though, considering he played 3B and 2B.
Jim Baxes died in 1996. His brother Mike also played in the majors.
Gil14HoF2011
Jim Baxes died in 1996, He was signed by the Dodgers in 1947, he finally made it to the majors in 1959 with the LA Dodgers and Cleveland Indians, that was the only year he played in the major leagues.
Lets support Gil Hodges for The Hall of Fame in 2011.
BROOKLYN FOUNDER
Don't forget BILL ANTONELLO, SAL MAGLIE and BOBBY ASPROMONTE!
c.
Gil14HoF2011
Rene Valdes or Valdez is back in Cuba, he appeared in 5 games for the Dodgers in 1957, I guess he finished his career and went back before the revolution.
Lets support Gil Hodges for The Hall of Fame in 2011.
Mets/Brooklyn Dodgers fan
Rod was a mere 17-year-old youth when he whiffed in his only major-league at-bat on 9/28/57.
So he is clearly the youngest surviving Brooklyn Dodger and therefore has perhaps the best chance of being the oldest survivor in time. It's getting to be like the Civil War veterans.
We can also tell that Rod never actually played in an MLB game at Ebbets, since the last Dodgers game there took place four days before. The shortstop had been called up from Class B Cedar Rapids earlier that month but must have ridden the bench. There's no further sign of him in the newspapers after a brief mention in spring training 1958.
Mets/Brooklyn Dodgers fan
This short (5'8"), stocky (187 lb.) righty pitcher is one of the few major-leaguers to hail from New Brunswick. In recent years we've seen Rheal Cormier and Matt Stairs.
Harris pitched with the Montreal Royals, which is not surprising. He performed reasonably well in a 3-2 loss to Philadelphia's Jack Sanford on 9/27/57 -- one day before Rod Miller made his only appearance. Sandy Koufax finished up for Harris, who also singled in one of his two MLB at-bats.
Harris walked three in his other MLB appearance on 9/26/59. The last mention I see of him is that he was sold to Spokane in spring 1960. My guess is that he's still living in New Brunswick today.
From the LA Times, April 3, 1958:
Registered User
Miller was signed out of high school, he had in his contract that he would be brought to Brooklyn after his minor league season was over. At least he was able to wear a Brooklyn Dodger uniform and appear in a major league game. How many of us used to dream of that?
Lets get Eddie Basinski elected to the Polish Sports Hall of Fame.
www.brooklyndodgermemories.com
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