Happy Birthday Joe Black!

[SouthPaw77]

A terrific relief pitcher for the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1950s, the former Negro League World Series champion took home Rookie of the Year honors and made two World Series appearances in just six big league seasons.

Share your memories and remember Joe Black who was born today in 1924!

[DODGER DEB]

A terrific relief pitcher for the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1950s, the former Negro League World Series champion took home Rookie of the Year honors and made two World Series appearances in just six big league seasons.

Share your memories and remember Joe Black who was born today in 1924!

Thank you for posting this, SouthPaw77. You beat me to it!

JOE was not only a terrific relief pitcher, he literally was OUR one man pitching staff in the 1952 World Series.

He was also a kind, wonderfully warm and funny human being, whose sense of humor could keep you laughing for hours.

He truly was a BROOKLYN DODGER, and I am so glad his #49 is part of OUR incredible history.

Miss you, Joe. :candle:

c.

[LeoD]

Brooklyn Dodgers' pitcher Joe Black, a rookie with the Dodgers but a veteran of the Negro Leagues, pitches the ball from the mound in the ninth inning of the opening game of the 1952 World Series against the New York Yankees at Ebbets Field. The Dodgers would defeat the Yankees 4-2 in this game, but lose the World Series, 4 games to 3. Brooklyn, New York, October 1, 1952.

[donzblock]

Still the most heartbreaking Series' loss of them all. Why did Stengel keep Kuzava in the game? Why didn't the umpire call those Kuzava pitches correctly? Why didn't Martin stay home on that Robinson pop-up? Why did Joe Black run out of gas?

[DODGER DEB]

Still the most heartbreaking Series' loss of them all. Why did Stengel keep Kuzava in the game? Why didn't the umpire call those Kuzava pitches correctly? Why didn't Martin stay home on that Robinson pop-up? Why did Joe Black run out of gas?

To answer your last question, Professor, because I think his arm was ready to fall off. He, and it, were soooo tired.

c.

[penncentralpete]

Joe Black

Strapped for pitching, Dodgers manager Chuck Dressen brought Black out of the bullpen and started him 3 times in 7 days in the 1952 World Series against the New York Yankees. He won the opener with a 6-hitter over Allie Reynolds, 4-2, then lost the 4th game, 2-0, and the 7th, 4-2.

[penncentralpete]

Joe Black

The next spring after the World Series, Dressen urged Black to add some pitches to his strong fastball and tight curve. He tried, but lost control of his two basic pitches in the process and didn't regain his dominance until 1955. After three more seasons with Brooklyn, Black drifted to Cincinnati and Washington and was out of baseball by 1958. In 6 seasons, he compiled a 30-12 record, half of his wins coming in his rookie season

[penncentralpete]

Joe Black......