How lucky are we?

There’s so much coverage out there right now about Duke Snider’s passing, it’s hard to fathom. Rightfully so, of course. He’s arguably the greatest offensive player in franchise history and holds so many team records it’s almost impossible to list them all.

But what’s also somewhat unique is just how long it’s been since we lost one of our legendary Dodgers. There are 10 uniforms retired and prior to yesterday, the Dodgers had not lost any of these great figures since Pee Wee Reese back in August of 1999.

Fortunately, we still have a trio of Hall of Fame legends who are with us today – Tommy Lasorda, Sandy Koufax and Don Sutton, along with legendary broadcasters Vin Scully and Jaime Jarrin. Not to mention legends like Don Newcombe, Tommy Davis, Maury Wills, “Sweet” Lou Johnson, Steve Garvey, Ron Cey, Bill Russell, Davey Lopes, Rick Monday, Fernando Valenzuela, Wes Parker, Dr. Frank Jobe, Billy DeLury and of course, all those who played the majority of their careers in the 80s, 90s and 00s. The list of these legends could go on for pages.

A day like yesterday is the ultimate reminder that we need to learn all we can from these gentlemen while they are here with us. We are so lucky to have all these people at the Stadium on a regular basis and they helped create the franchise we’ve all come to know and love.

If you see them out and about, be sure to tell them how much they mean to you and the Dodgers.

57 comments

  2. dodgereric

    Amen bear. Sell the team, you worthless pile.

    I know his uni isn’t retired, but seems to me we lost the 3-Dog about this time last year.

    Reply
  4. dodgereric

    I’ve developed a dislike for Bill Plaschke’s style lately, but he’s usually good at things like the passing of Duke Snider. In his article today, he tells a tale of a couple of years ago:

    “The Hall of Fame center fielder’s accomplishments ……. are indelibly etched into a Dodgers culture that he was still actively nurturing as recently as two winters ago.”

    “The team was holding a rookie seminar at Dodger Stadium, and Snider, although ailing and confined to a wheelchair, traveled from San Diego to talk to the kids.”

    “You have to learn to hate Halloween,” he told the wide-eyed youngsters.”

    One of them had the nerve to ask why.

    “Giants colors,” he said.”

    http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-0228-plaschke-duke-snider-20110228,0,2067332,full.column

    Josh was hesitant to list The Duke’s records. Let me, courtesy of WikePedia. These are more than Dodger club records of course. And keep in mind that not only was the majority of his career in the 154-game format, but when the Dodgers played in the Coliseum, right field was 440′. A lot of the names above his in most of these catagories should have asterisks on their names now. No steriod user was he. Duke played only two years in Dodger Stadium. When Snider was sold to the Mets on Opening Day in ’64, it is said that that rough-and-tough s.o.b. Don Drysdale, the one who hit Frank Robinson in the back when Walter Alston ordered him walked, cried.

    Eight-time All-Star (1950?56, 1963)

    Six-time Top 10 MVP
    1950: 9th
    1952: 8th
    1953: 3rd
    1954: 4th
    1955: 2nd
    1956: 10th

    .540 slugging percentage (37th all-time)

    .919 OPS (50th all-time)

    3,865 total bases (87th all-time)

    407 home runs (41st all-time)

    1,333 RBI (77th all-time)

    1,481 runs scored (74th all-time)

    850 extra-base hits (65th all-time)

    17.6 at-bats per home run (59th all-time)

    Dodgers career leader in home runs (389), RBI (1,271), strikeouts (1,123), and extra-base hits (814)

    Holds Dodgers single-season record for most intentional walks (26 in 1956)

    Only player to hit four home runs (or more) in two different World Series (1952, 1955)

    One of only two major leaguers with over 1,000 RBI during the 1950s. The other was his teammate, Gil Hodges.

    Reply
  5. oldbrooklynfan

    Hi Everybody
    Yesterday with the passing of Duke Snider continuing into my morning newspaper brought back memories of my youth.
    Back to the days when it seemed like we won the pennant every year. Back to those grand old world series with the Yankees, where the Duke was a big part of them.
    The photographs of those days gone bye, by people all over the word really did it.
    My condolences to the Snider family, his relatives, loved ones and friends and may he rest in piece.
    And as Josh wrote and reminded us to feel lucky to have more legends still with us.

    Reply
  6. thinkingblue

    We are lucky to have so many legends still with us. We are so lucky to have so many legends played with the Dodgers. Duke Snider may he rest in peace.
    *
    Good morning all. Just have a couple of questions and I’m hoping that someone here knows the answers.
    *
    How many Dodger games have Vin Scully broadcasted?
    Does Vin have a Bobble head?

    Reply
  7. nellyjune

    I can answer the Vin Scully Bobblehead question. He does not have a Bobblehead. He has been asked many times, and each time he has been asked, he has graciously declined. I just happened to be listening to a Dodger Talk one day last season, and Bobbleheads happened to be one of the topics they were discussing.

    I am sure Eric has info on how many games he has broadcasted.

    Reply
  9. dodgereric

    No, seriously. That would be quite the undertaking. I don’t know if it’s even possible, given the different schedules he’s had over the years.

    61 x 162 = 9882

    That gives you a ballpark figure. But you’d have to factor in the 154-game seasons, find the year he started limiting his travel schedule and add in playoff and World Series games. And do spring training games count? Someone would have to dedicate a little time to this to be accurate about it, but suffice to say, it’s a bunch of games. It’s interesting because especially if you factor in the spring games, he could be approaching 10,000 games.

    That in itself would make it worth the while. Hmmm…….

    Reply
  12. thinkingblue

    Thank you all. That is a whole-lotta Dodger talk. I was just wondering since the Clippers announcer reached a milestone. It got me thinking about Vin and how many Dodger games he has broadcasted, if he is even near another milestone. He is just awsome. NELLY did he mentioned why he doesn’t want a bobble head? I wanted one. But hey, we have to respect his decisions! Thanks Nelly & Eric!

    Reply
  15. jhallwally

    Yes my Dodger breathren, we are very lucky to have a rich history and some exceptional ballplayers to revel in. I am a lifelong Dodger fan as I grew up admiring the Dodgers winning style of class and top notch baseball. Oh, how we have fallen. We are very unlucky to have Frank as an owner and Ned as a GM. It saddens me to see this once proud and premiere franchise now relegated to a back room snicker among the owners and anyone in baseball with two brain cells to rub together. I don’t believe our luck will change much until Frank, Ned, and Stan are gone. The Duke, PeeWee, Jackie, Newk, Ersk, Furillo, Garvery, Lopes, Russell, Cey, Hershisher, Valenzuela, etc…. were wonderful and I revere them to this day for their efforts and championships. But they are not winning us ballgames, championships, or fans anymore. This franchise is in a major crisis and nothing short of a new owner and GM will correct the rapid descent to Pirates and Royals territory.

    Reply
  16. jhallwally

    I can’t believe I didn’t mention Koufax and Drysdale as they are the two biggest reasons I became a Dodger fan in my formative years. I was very lucky to be growing up and playing Little League baseball in the mid 60’s. I loved watching Sandy and Don on Saturday game of the week. Back then when you played Little League or sandlot ball, you dreamed of being Koufax, Drysdale, or Mantle.

    Reply
  17. jhallwally

    Mantle transcended team colors for a young kid in the early/mid 60’s. Everybody wanted to be #7!!!!!

    Reply
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      Reply
  18. nellyjune

    Once I saw the movie 61′, I started reading more and more about Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris. That movie was so well done that I didn’t think of them as Yankees at all but ballplayers.

    Reply
  19. jhallwally

    We need a Ned bobble head. Just get one of those fake turds, slap a cheesey mustache on it, rip off the head of a Bonds pumpkin head doll, attach said ****, and you’ve got it!!!! Go with it BeavCo!!!!

    Reply
  22. nellyjune

    Hey Jhall!!! I am sure enchanted has many songs in the vault ready for any occasion or just because he can. He is that good you know :))) LMAO!!!!

    Reply
  30. dodger 32

    I propose a McCourt bobblehead day. This way everyone that attends the game can rip off the head and throw it on the field, then go home.

    Reply
  31. lbirken@aol.com

    I could not let another day go by without expressng my sadness at hearing about Duke Snider’s passing. He was always my favorite player although I don’t know why. By the time I got to see him play he was on the downside of his career due to knee injuries. I did attend a game when the Dodgers played at the Coliseum where they had Duke Snider night. They don’t have nights like that anymore but that night they gave him a bunch of gifts and as I recall, he hit a home run that game. I also had the honor of taking batting instructions from him at Dodger adult fantasy camp. My only beef with him was that he was a USC fan but nobody’s perfect. The Duke is part of a rich Dodger history and he will be missed.

    Reply
  33. northstateblues

    RE: article from Jamie’s post:

    How were you shocked by that report, Jamie? Anyone who is ACTUALLY invested in the Dodgers knew that Frank had asked FOX for money OVER A MONTH PREVIOUS TO SELIG’S DENIAL.

    Just saying. Read a newspaper once in a while. You’ll learn stuff 😉

    Reply
  35. northstateblues

    … And I just realized that the Hogan’s Heroes picture doesn’t have the caption with it. The caption to the photo reads “THERE VILL BE NO SETTLEMENT!!!” [sic]

    Reply
  36. enchantedbeaver

    North – that Hogan’s picture is classic. Captures (no pun intended) Frank’s essence perfectly.
    .
    Very clever backhanded slap at Sgt. Ned “I know nothing, NOTHING!!” Colletti also.

    Reply
  37. jhallwally

    Classic guys!!! LMAO!!! I love the Frank bobblehead idea 32!!! That would be a hoot!!! Sounds like Frank is on his way out, now it is just a matter of how long it will take!!! Selig and Jamie and pray for more Frank pain!!!!

    Reply
  38. dodgereric

    It’s always nice to see the last posts are from Northstate and Enchanted!

    That photo is soooo fake. Anyone would know mccourt would have the most expensive cell phone on the planet.

    Seriously, who didn’t see this coming. After all, lawyers never let the truth get in the way of a good lawsuit. Witness:

    “Frank has consistently and wholly failed to comply,” her [Jamie’s] lawyers wrote.”

    “Ryan Kirkpatrick, an attorney for Frank, said that ……… Frank has “fully complied” with his duties.”

    Reply
  40. jhallwally

    Hi’Ya Dad!!! Bad part is, when the lawyers get involved, it can drag on for a long time. God knows what will be left by the time it is finally settled. MLB needs to step in aggressively like they did in Texas and get rid of the McCourts. I’m sure this group would come up with some doozies for beheading Frank and Ned!!!!

    Reply
  41. dodgereric

    I meant to compliment you on that post up there @ 1:41. It makes a father proud!

    Yeah, the dragging is what I was referring to when I said, “The horror continues.” We need that guy-who-doesn’t-know-who-his-father-is to sell this team before the end of the season or we’ll start watching our guys leave in droves.

    As far as the Beheading Contest goes, I’ll give those future contestants a clue as to what this judge is looking for: Violence. Pure violence.

    Reply
  43. dodgereric

    Gee, 4 posts in 30 minutes without submission errors. The times are accurate.

    WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?

    Reply
  44. jhallwally

    LOL!! Thanks Dad!!! I thought you might be able to relate to that post!!! So far so good on the time warp and submission errors.

    Reply
  45. nellyjune

    Good Morning ITD readers and writers!!!! Fabulous posts yesterday and last night. It appears our submission-error/time warping issues seemed to have disappeared. Thanks to whoever finally figured it out.

    I am sure Collie is feeling this more than anybody because he lives amongst the majority of them (along with a few of our other Bay Area bloggers), and I know tru and my sister are feeling like this too. The Giants fans have just been horrible since spring training started (my family excluded – at the moment anyway). Shad mentioned it the other day too about how they were on their own blogs ripping on the Dodgers the day Duke Snider passed away. I am sorry, but if you are a true fan of your favorite team, you should appreciate the sport as a whole too, and respect all the legends that have played the game and even the players that are playing now. It’s like Jhall mentioning Mantle yesterday. It’s not that we are Yankee fans by any means, but most of us understand a great ballplayer is a great ballplayer, regardless of which team they have/or will play for.

    I am so thankful to be around fans who love their team, regardless of the idiot of an owner and GM we have. At least we are talking about “our” team rather than figuring out ways to make other teams feel like crap all the time.

    How’s that for a soapbox moment enchanted – LOL!!!

    BTW – I had a test of my true baseball fandom, for our annual school/county writing festival I had to help one of my students do a poem about the Giants. She needed help coming up with a couple of words to make the poem work right. I told her if I help her, she has to let me write “I love the Dodgers” on her cast, and she said “no”. I helped anyway :))

    SELL THE TEAM!!!

    Reply
  46. dodger 32

    I think they should erect a statue of Frank in the parking lot and surround it with pigeons. They could also put one of Ned there, but it would soon become home to those pigeons because of the hole in the top of the head.

    Reply
  47. enchantedbeaver

    Mattingly’s named Blake to be the #2 hitter, going to prove that (A) Paul’s being given absolutely no consideration as the LFer (since he’s the only qualified #2 hitter) and (B) this team is going to be pitiful offensively.

    Reply
  48. nellyjune

    I also believe Xavier is out of options too so he will be gone to do great things for another team 😦

    Reply
  49. enchantedbeaver

    That’s the thing Nells. Instead of giving needless ABs to Gabe Kaplan, Paul should at least be give an opportunity to play in front of teams like KC where maybe, just maybe he gets on a little hot streak and Ned can trade him for something – anything rather than lose him at the end of ST because you know he won’t clear waivers (though whoever claims him would HAVE to keep him on their 25 man or lose him.) Still, Ned’s a horse’s donkey for at least not doing what it takes to even make him attractive to another organization. Its not like if he remains Dodger property that he’ll ever be given a chance.

    BTW, Juan Castro solidified his place on the 25 man today with a THREE RUN BLAST. Don’tcha just love it when these old guys put up enough numbers in ST to get on the team, then can’t do crap against real ML pitching?

    E’s highly irritated today.

    Well, he was yesterday too.

    And the day before.

    And the week before that.

    And the month…

    Oh hell, E’s always irritated.

    Reply
  51. messagebear@aol.com

    Well, E – personally I’m all ********** myself! Can’t wait for the cutdown day to come and get rid of some of this Ned accumulated garbage. Spring Training should be an opportunity to expose some of the up and coming young guys to a taste of the major leagues. I have no problem with seeing Gibbons and Thames, because they’re likely the answer to our LF situation, but Paul should definitely get a reasonable chance, which means F Kapler, and the same to Navarro, Miles, and Castro (even if he gets himself a lucky dinger), plus so many others that are just painful to watch even in a Spring Training setting. I know we don’t have much of a farm program left, but at least let’s see some new blood instead of the pitiful assembly of PVL’s that Ned always rounds up. I know that once in a long while you can find something shiny for a while in a bunch of crap, but I’m getting ********** putting up with this bunch of crap.

    Reply
  54. nedajerk

    I did actually they were pretty good when Snider pass away and what the hell did I see Castro hitting a 3 runs HR’s?

    Reply
  56. nellyjune

    PLEASE BEWARE!!!!

    Bear and enchantedbeaver have come out of hibernation and are a tad agitated. Anybody named Frank McCourt or Ned Coletti needs to be advised to stay as far away as possible or risk losing a head. As a matter of fact, anybody named Frank McCourt or Ned Coletti needs to stay away from Dodger fans, period.

    Reply

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