An ongoing illustrative history study
This piece originally posted 11/19/2022,
Campanella's birthday, and at the suggestion of
lifelong Brooklyn Dodgers fan Peter Vinton, Sr.
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We've certainly all heard of Jackie Robinson and understand the groundbreaking role he played (and the risks he took), but today I'd like to honor Robinson's teammate Roy "Campy" Campanella, who blazed quite a remarkable trail of his own. Born November 19, 1921 (Happy birthday!) in Philadelphia, Roy showed an early athletic talent and was reliably picked as captain of nearly every school sports team in which he played. Eventually he began playing for the Negro Leagues in 1937, having dropped out of high school to do so. First picked up by the Baltimore Elite Giants, he then did a stint in the Mexican Leagues for the Monterrey Sultans. His big break came in 1945 when he was signed as catcher for one of the Brooklyn Dodgers' farm clubs. Originally slated to play for the Danville (Illinois) Dodgers, that team's management decided they were not yet ready for racial integration and so Campanella instead started with the Nashua (New Hampshire) Dodgers, which in so doing became the first integrated professional baseball team.
Campanella officially joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in April 1948, only a few months after Jackie Robinson. Ten seasons with the Dodgers followed, a span which also included 8 appearances in the All-Star game and 3 National League MVP awards. Perhaps most significantly Campanella was catcher for the Dodgers' historic 1955 World Series win over the Yankees, himself hitting three home runs in that series.
Sadly Campanella's professional career was cut short when he paralyzed his neck and spine in a car accident in 1958. However he remained a high-profile member of the (now Los Angeles) Dodgers organization, in various public relations and coaching roles. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1969 --the second African American to be so honored. His jersey (#39) was retired by the Dodgers in 1972, along with those of his teammates Jackie Robinson (#42) and Sandy Koufax (#32). Campanella died on June 26, 1993. In 2006 the L.A. Dodgers created the Roy Campanella Award, given annually to the Dodger who best exemplifies "Campy's" spirit and leadership.
Career batting avg: .283
Hits: 1,401
HR: 260
RBI: 1,017
Stolen bases: 34
Campanella's MLB stats page
(I know I've repeatedly stated that I wanted to mostly steer away from celebrities, musicians, and sports figures in this ongoing series, but on this occasion I will admit to being unable to resist the opportunity to draw what amounts to an actual baseball card!)
Next page - Lesson 110: Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Bradley