Newcombe began his career in the Negro Leagues in his native New Jersey with the Newark Eagles in 1944 and 1945 before signing with the Dodgers in 1946. After working his way through the Dodgers system, Newcombe would make his big league debut in May 1949 as among the first African-Americans to pitch in MLB. In 38 appearances with the Dodgers, including 31 starts, Newcombe went 17-8 with a 3.17 ERA with a league leading five shutouts. It was enough to earn Newcombe NL Rookie of the Year and the first of four NL All-Star appearances.
Newcombe would follow his rookie campaign with a 19 win season in 1950 and a 20 win season in 1951 during which he led the NL in strikeouts. But 1951 would be overshadowed by the Dodgers' collapse against the New York Giants. Newcombe took a 4-1 lead into the 9th inning against the Giants during a best two out of three playoff series, but would be lifted in favor of Ralph Branca who gave up the shot heard 'round the world to Bobby Thomson to give the Giants the pennant.
Newcombe would not pitch in the majors until 1954 missing two seasons due to military service in the Korean War. After a mediocre 9-8 effort in '54, Newcombe returned to form in 1955 winning 20 games and being part of Brooklyn's only World Series champion. Newcombe would have his greatest season in 1956 when his league leading 27 wins earning him the inaugural Cy Young Award (which covered both leagues) and the NL MVP.
Unfortunately, Newcombe was never the same pitcher after 1956. After falling to 11 wins in 1957, Newcombe went 0-6 with a 7.86 ERA after the Dodgers went to Los Angeles in 1958. During that season, the Dodgers would trade Newcombe to the Cincinnati Reds. After a respectable 1959 campaign during which he went 13-8, Newcombe split the 1960 season between the Reds and Cleveland Indians calling it a career at the age of 34 although he would play one year in Japan primarily as a position player. Newcombe was actually a good hitter blasting 15 HR with a respectable lifetime batting average of .271 in just under 900 at bats.
Alcoholism would cut Newcombe's career short. It became so bad that he pawned his 1955 World Series ring for a drink and very nearly cost him his family. Newcombe spent the rest of his life working for the Dodgers in various capacities and counseling young players against alcohol and drug abuse. His last public appearance took place last fall at Dodger Stadium in attendance for the 2018 World Series against the Boston Red Sox.
Newcombe's alcoholism and his war service impeded his Hall of Fame chances. He appeared on the BBWAA ballot for 15 years but never received more than 15% of the vote which he received in his final year on the ballot in 1980.
I leave you with Newcombe discussing his career in the context of the civil rights movement. R.I.P.
No comments:
Post a Comment