Dodger Hall of Fame outfielder Duke Snider passed away Sunday morning at the age of 84.
The seven-time All Star center fielder was among the most popular players in Dodger history, ranking among the franchise all-time leaders in home runs, and runs batted in. During the decade of the 1950s, Snider led all Major League players with 326 homers and 1,031 RBI.
Former teammate and Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda remembered Snider fondly.“I was a Duke's teammate and looked up to him with respect. Duke was not only a great player but he was a great person too. He loved his family and loved the Dodgers. He was the true Dodger and represented the Dodgers to the highest degree of class, dignity and character. He was my teammate and friend and I will really miss him.”
Edwin Donald Snider was born in Los Angeles on September 19, 1926. At age five he was nicknamed “Duke” by his father and was a three sport standout at Compton High School. After one of Branch Rickey’s scouts identified Snider as a prospect, he was offered and signed a pro contract at age 17 in 1943.
Snider played in the International League before joining the war effort in 1945. Upon his return to baseball in 1946, Snider had stops in Fort Worth, St. Paul, and Montreal before being called up to Brooklyn in 1948. The following year he drove in 92 runs, beginning a streak of nine consecutive seasons in which he would drive in at least that many.
“He was an extremely gifted talent and his defensive abilities were often overlooked because of playing in a small ballpark, Ebbets Field,” said Vin Scully, Dodger announcer since 1950. “When he had a chance to run and move defensively, he had the grace and the abilities of DiMaggio and Mays and of course, he was a World Series hero that will forever be remembered in the borough of Brooklyn.”
Snider was inducted into baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1980. On Oldtimers Day of the same year, his number 4 was retired in a ceremony that featured Joe DiMaggio and Willie Mays, two of Snider’s contemporaries.
“Duke was one of the truly legendary Dodgers who made his mark first in Brooklyn and then in his hometown, Los Angeles,” Dodger owner Frank McCourt said. “I had the pleasure of spending time with him on several occasions and he was a truly wonderful man. I’m so glad that we were able to keep him as an active part of the Dodger family over the past several years. The entire Dodger organization is deeply saddened by his loss and our heartfelt thoughts are with Beverly and his family.”
Funeral arrangements are still pending.
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