It's nice to have something to write about in this thread other than passings of the old Brooklyn players (though it's even nicer that there haven't been any deaths for a good while now).
This story is about The Oldest Living Dodger: Mike Sandlock. In fact, he's #3 among all ex-big-leaguers behind Conrado Marrero and Ace Parker.
Note that he will be honored at Citi Field on July 21.
I thought it was time to write again about a living Brooklyn Dodger, rather than noting that another had passed away. Preston Ward had not been previously mentioned in this thread.
The Dodgers signed Ward, whose primary position was first base, at the age of 16 in 1944. He made his big-league debut with them in 1948 and hit .260 in 42 games. He actually opened the season as the starter, and he was hitting for good average, but with only one homer. Then Ward went into a bit of a slump; Gil Hodges took over and held the position for 14 years.
Obviously Ward’s way was blocked in Brooklyn, and the Cubs bought his contract and Paul Minner’s for $100,000. Ward remained in the majors through 1959, missing the 1951 and ’52 seasons while serving in the military during the Korean War. He reached a career high in homers with 12 in 1953, splitting the season between the Cubs and Pirates.
Ward retired with a lifetime average of .253 in 744 games after the 1959 season. He and his wife Marie were married in 1951 while he was a soldier stationed at Fort Leonard Wood in his native Missouri. They had two daughters named Sherrie and Linda. They took up residence in Las Vegas and worked together in their own company, Ward Business Products. Marie passed away in 2009.
At least as late as 1994, Ward was also a scout for the Yankees.
Mets/Brooklyn Dodgers fan
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