Area fans saw Dodger great, Duke Snider, hit a home run over the right field wall at Danville Stadium on June 20, 1947, when the Brooklyn Dodgers came to town to play their farm club, the Danville Dodgers. The Hall of Fame center fielder for the "Boys of Summer" died early today at the age of 84.
"The Duke of Flatbush" hit .295 with 407 career home runs, played in the World Series six times, and helped bring the Brooklyn Dodgers their only World Series Championship. Snider still holds the Dodgers all time home run record at 389, hitting at least 40 home runs in five different seasons. The eight-time All-Star was one of “Dem Bums," deeply loved by the fans of the Borough of Brooklyn.
In Dodger blue, Snider wore No. 4 and was regarded as one of baseball’s best center fielders in a time considered by many, the golden age of baseball.
Danville Stadium and the Danville Dans join the baseball nation in sending condolences to “The Duke’s” wife Beverly, and their family and friends.
1 comment:
Duke Snyder Brooklyn Dodgers, Mickey Mantle New York Yankees, Willie Mays New York Giants... arguably 3 of the best center fielders to play the game, and for a time, they were all in the New York City area, playing at the same time. That was baseball...
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