What Players Would Have Been Terrific Brooklyn Dodgers?

[DODGER DEB]

Through the years I have seen many players, before and after 1957, that I thought would have "fit right in" as BROOKLYN DODGERS and players WE, as FANS, would have LOVED in OUR BROOKLYN UNIFORM?

One that comes to mind is TUG MCGRAW! I often pictured him a BROOKLYN DODGER standing on OUR mound at EBBETS FIELD.

I truly believe his love of the game, along with his fire and passion, would have brought the house down at Ebbets Field, especially against the Giants.

Can you think of any other players who would have "fit" into OUR SPECIAL WORLD in BROOKLYN?

c.

:radio OUR MOMENT IN TIME - OCTOBER 4, 1955 - 3:43PM :clapping

[Paulmcall]

Pete Rose, Kirk Gibson, Jack Morris, Alan Trammell and Maury Wills to name a few.

[LouGehrig]

For many reasons, a natural transition, although a few years into the future, would have been Don Mattingly.

[Greenpeach]

Originally posted by DODGER DEB
Through the years I have seen many players, before and after 1957, that I thought would have "fit right in" as BROOKLYN DODGERS and players WE, as FANS, would have LOVED in OUR BROOKLYN UNIFORM?

One that comes to mind is TUG MCGRAW! I often pictured him a BROOKLYN DODGER standing on OUR mound at EBBETS FIELD.

I truly believe his love of the game, along with his fire and passion, would have brought the house down at Ebbets Field, especially against the Giants.

Can you think of any other players who would have "fit" into OUR SPECIAL WORLD in BROOKLYN?

c.

:radio OUR MOMENT IN TIME - OCTOBER 4, 1955 - 3:43PM :clapping

I think Roberto Clemente would've looked good in right field. ;)

[Dodger Deb, too!]

Ted Williams, definitely! He was colorful and powerful. He would have fit right in and would have added an additional spark to an already "sparkling" team!

m.

[EbtsFldGuy]

Elston Howard, Ron Hunt, Richie Ashburn, Brooks Robinson,
Dale Murphy.

[EbtsFldGuy]

Oops!

I forgot to add

Richie Allen

Gene Conley

Pumpsie Green

Dale Berra

[JACKIE42]

Originally posted by Paulmcall
Pete Rose, Kirk Gibson, Jack Morris, Alan Trammell and Maury Wills to name a few.

Just what we needed Pete Rose, he could of hung out with Durocher, maybe he could have gotten Leo to bet on baseball instead of the pony's. I really can't think of anyone, certainly no one i see listed here so far.

[donzblock]

Stanley would have solved our left field problem. He probably would have found a way to solve the O'Malley problem, too.

[MetsFan11368]

1) John Franco (OK, he's from the 'hood)
2) Lee Mazzilli (Ditto)
3) John Kruk
4) Paul O'Neill
5) Roberto Clemente (ouch)

[EbtsFldGuy]

Lest we forget:

Choo Choo Coleman

[Paulmcall]

Are we talking Daffy Dodgers or pennant contending type of Dodgers?

[DODGER DEB]

NO, WE are NOT talking daffy Dodgers; MY question was a SERIOUS question.....quite obviously not being taken so by SOME of the responses.

There have been many players who BROOKLYN fans would have LOVED to cheer for, had they worn OUR UNIFORM! There were also many players who would have considered it an honor to wear OUR UNIFORM.

Of the ones mentioned so far, in my opinion, I think the following players would been great BROOOKLYN DODGERS:

Brooks Robinson
John Franco
Roberto Clemente
Don Mattingly

I would never choose Paul O'Neill, much too "whiny". He couldn't handle the booing on a bad day.

Ted Williams, a great player, but I'm not so sure he would have been a "fit".

A few more I could see:

Tom Seaver
Keith Hernandez
Ron Swoboda
Stan Musial

c.


:radio OUR MOMENT IN TIME - OCTOBER 4, 1955 - 3:43PM :clapping

[tonypug]

How about three who would have played at Ebbets if the team had stayed. Frank Howard, Tommy Davis and Willie Davis. I would have loved to see big Frank play in Ebbeta Field.

[DODGER DEB]

Those are three good choices, tonypug......especially TOMMY DAVIS. BROOKLYN FANS would have taken to him real quick....and he to US!

c.

:radio OUR MOMENT IN TIME - OCTOBER 4, 1955 - 3:43PM :clapping

[Paulmcall]

How about Yogi Berra, Lou Whitaker or Bob Buhl?

[donzblock]

Berra would have been wonderful--in left, of course. I don't see Willie Davis being very popular in Brooklyn. He played a casual kind of baseball and never came close to realizing his potential. The earth should have swallowed him up for what he did in Koufax's last game.

[DODGER DEB]

Good choice Professor. Yogi with his "isms" and OUR "accent"- truly a match made in heaven. It would have taken days for US to understand each other! :noidea

c.

:radio OUR MOMENT IN TIME - OCTOBER 4, 1955 - 3:43PM :clapping

[Dodger Deb, too!]

Originally posted by DODGER DEB
Good choice Professor. Yogi with his "isms" and OUR "accent"- truly a match made in heaven. It would have taken days for US to understand each other!
c.


Yes, Yogi--absolutely a Brooklyn Dodger "team enhancement!" As for us understanding him, it would have worked. Don't forget, we are Brooklynites and we always get the message. My favorite Yogi quote: "You can see a lot by just lookin'." :rolleyes:

m.

[EbtsFldGuy]

How about:

Eddie Gaedel

[yellowdog]

How about Greg Maddux? He is probably the most unassuming superstar I've ever seen and would seem to fit the Brooklyn Dodger mold quite well. And he has always been a fan favorite as much for the type of person he is as much as for his pitching prowess.

I was at a game a few years ago when he reached a career milestone (can't remember what) pitching a complete game. Someone handed him the ball as he was walking off the field and as he stepped into the dugout, he casually flipped the ball to a kid in the stands.

And while he does appear to have gotten somewhat greedy in his old age, don't forget he turned down a better contract from the Yankees in '92 to sign with the Braves. And any guy that snubs the Yankees is OK in my book.

[JACKIE42]

I could see this guy playing for us. I know he was a coach but that shouldn't count. My only pick.



http://thedeadballera.crosswinds.net/Photos/RuthBabe_photo57.jpg

[EbtsFldGuy]

We can't overlook the ever redoubtable Bill "Swish" Nicholson.

[donzblock]

Nicholson generated the best sound effects.

[tonypug]

What about Joe Adcock, he used to tear Ebbets Field up, when the Braves came to town?

[DODGER DEB]

I am not sure Greg Maddux would have "fit" in. I say this because, his pitching abilities aside....somehow I just can't picture him telling Campy, "I don't want YOU to be my catcher".

As for Babe Ruth....HE would have fit just fine. Great player and "connected" very well with fans...where ever he played.

Bill "Swish" Nicholson.......wow, haven't heard that name in a long time. You are right about the sound effects Professor. Sometimes WE sat there, for what seemed like an eternity, waiting for him to hit a fair ball. Do you happen to know if he ever set a record for the number of foul balls for one AB?

Joe Adcock......solid player who could really hit the long ball. I remember the day he hit 4 HRS off US in 1954, and when Clem Labine beaned him.

c.


:radio OUR MOMENT IN TIME - OCTOBER 4, 1955 - 3:43PM :clapping

[yellowdog]

Originally posted by DODGER DEB
I am not sure Greg Maddux would have "fit" in. I say this because, his pitching abilities aside....somehow I just can't picture him telling Campy, "I don't want YOU to be my catcher".


There is a misconception, started and perpetuated by the press, that Maddux said he didn't not want Javy Lopez to be his catcher. Maddux had two of his best years in '94 and '95 and won two Cy Youngs pitching exlusively to Lopez.

What happened was sometime in '96 he was paired with Eddie Perez and they worked really well together. It was around that time that Bobby Cox decided to start giving Lopez a day off each time through the rotation. He wanted it to be the same pitcher each time so it just worked out to where to took Maddux's starts off.

Perhaps Maddux would not have fit in. You would know better than I. But I do know Maddux is the ultimate team player who places winning over any individual accompilshments.

[DODGER DEB]

Originally posted by yellowdog
There is a misconception, started and perpetuated by the press, that Maddux said he didn't not want Javy Lopez to be his catcher. Maddux had two of his best years in '94 and '95 and won two Cy Youngs pitching exlusively to Lopez.

What happened was sometime in '96 he was paired with Eddie Perez and they worked really well together. It was around that time that Bobby Cox decided to start giving Lopez a day off each time through the rotation. He wanted it to be the same pitcher each time so it just worked out to where to took Maddux's starts off.

Perhaps Maddux would not have fit in. You would know better than I. But I do know Maddux is the ultimate team player who places winning over any individual accompilshments.


Thanks for the explanation, yellowdog. I never really knew exactly what was behind Maddux "refusing" to have Lopez catch him.

In fairness to him, I do not know much about him, only what I have seen from him in the last few years, and while playing the Mets. Your last remark regarding him being the "ultimate team player who places winning over any individual accomplishments" would certainly go far with BROOKLYN FANS....THAT is what WE were all about! So perhaps in retrospect, assuming he would accept that Campy WOULD be his catcher (and why wouldn't he want to be caught by the BEST), he would be a fit.

c.

:radio OUR MOMENT IN TIME - OCTOBER 4, 1955 - 3:43PM :clapping

[EbtsFldGuy]

Perhaps our list would be incomplete without

HARRY CHITI

[EbtsFldGuy]

And, of course, the inimitable

ALBIE PIERSON

[MetsFan11368]

This is a great list you're putting together here, DodgerDeb.

And, who would be the perfect manager to keep all these guys on their toes?

In my opinion, none other than the incomparable...Billy Martin.

[D6+]

This is a great thread.


The Tigers middle infield duo of Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker would have been a great fit for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Two of the best players at their position but also class acts. Kirk Gibson would be someone worth considering because of the combo of his skills, intensity, and ability to hit in the clutch.



Speaking of the Tigers, one player who I think would have been extremely popular in Brooklyn is Al Kaline. There's a street named after him in Detroit, next to Tigers Stadium. My guess is the same would have occurred somewhere in Brooklyn if he played for the Dodgers. He's a tremendous ambassador of the game. Going back much further in Tigers history, Hank Greenberg would have likely been a good fit for the Dodgers.


Jimmy Leyland would be one of my top choices to be the manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers. He gets the most out of his talent.


In addition to Roberto Clemente, Willie Stargell would be at or near the top of my list for players to be added to the Brooklyn Dodgers. A great leader, player, and person. Sadly, like Clemente, Stargell's life ended way too early, though he lived noticeably longer than Clemente did.


Manny Sanguillen would be another former Pirates player well worth considering. The same regarding HOFer Ralph Kiner.


Former Atlanta OF Dale Murphy comes to mind as well. The same with HOF Relief Pitcher Bruce Sutter.



One player who I definitely would have loved to have seen play in Brooklyn was the late great HOFer Kirby Puckett. The same with the late Lyman Bostock. Tony Gwynn comes to mind as well. These players would have represented the franchise extremely well.

[EbtsFldGuy]

Wes Parker would have been a smooth, efficient first baseman at EF, as well as a fan favorite in Flatbush.

[D6+]

Wes Parker would have been a smooth, efficient first baseman at EF, as well as a fan favorite in Flatbush.

Good choice.


In addition to Wes Parker, another 1B from the Los Angeles Franchise who I think would have been a good fit as a player with the Brooklyn Dodgers is Steve Garvey. Garvey was a throwback player in terms of his overall appreciation of baseball and approach to the game. Garvey was one of the most clutch hitters of his time. His roots as a former batboy with the Brooklyn Dodgers in Spring Training of 1956 likely would have given him an even greater appreciation of the Brooklyn Dodgers Franchise than most players.

[MattM]

I have a few good ones:

Gary Carter - great offensive-minded catcher
Yogi Berra - Dodger killer
Satchel Paige - man never aged and could still strike out a side

[D6+]

Good choices, Matt.

IMO, all 3 of those players would clearly have been appreciated by Brooklyn Dodgers fans. As well as helping increase the team's chances of reaching the top of the mountain in a given season.

[SNAP]

Willie Randolph........Tom Seaver...........Graig Nettles.........Roger Maris...........Nettles & Maris would've hit a ton of HR's there.......Randolph's from Brooklyn and played the game the right way and Seaver.....well......how much better could you get than Seaver??

[EbtsFldGuy]

Maury Wills would have been a natural in Flatbush.

[D6+]

Maury Wills would have been a natural in Flatbush.


EbtsFldGuy, would you or anyone happen to know if Maury Wills was in the Brooklyn Dodgers organization or did he get traded to the Los Angeles organization from another team before reaching the majors? Thanks.

[Number 4]

EbtsFldGuy, would you or anyone happen to know if Maury Wills was in the Brooklyn Dodgers organization or did he get traded to the Los Angeles organization from another team before reaching the majors? Thanks.

From baseball_reference.com:

Transactions
Before 1951 Season: Signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers as an amateur free agent.

December 3, 1956: Drafted by the Cincinnati Redlegs from the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1956 minor league draft.

Before 1958 Season: Sent from the Cincinnati Redlegs to the Los Angeles Dodgers in an unknown transaction.

October 13, 1958: Sent to the Detroit Tigers by the Los Angeles Dodgers as part of a conditional deal.

April 2, 1959: Returned by the Detroit Tigers to the Los Angeles Dodgers as part of a conditional deal.

December 1, 1966: Traded by the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Bob Bailey and Gene Michael.

October 14, 1968: Drafted by the Montreal Expos from the Pittsburgh Pirates as the 21st pick in the 1968 expansion draft.

June 11, 1969: Traded by the Montreal Expos with Manny Mota to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Ron Fairly and Paul Popovich.

October 24, 1972: Released by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

[D6+]

Number 4, thanks for the info. It's much appreciated.


The next question that comes to mind is did Maury Wills play in the Dodgers farm system in the years prior to Cincinnati drafting him in 1956?

[Number 4]

Number 4, thanks for the info. It's much appreciated.


The next question that comes to mind is did Maury Wills play in the Dodgers farm system in the years prior to Cincinnati drafting him in 1956?

The only information I could find is from Baseballlibrary.com. Apparently he played in both the Dodger and Tiger farm systems. The above web site states: "Maury Wills was an undistinguished minor league shortstop: scrawny, a poor fielder, and an erratic hitter. He began his pro career in 1951 and probably played every position during his time in the minor leagues; he pitched twice and also caught. The Dodgers loaned him to the Tigers, and he was given back. Even the Topps baseball card company wouldn't sign him to a contract, on the advice of their scout and the Dodgers' scouts. But Wills became the first player Topps passed on to make the majors (and since then, they sign everybody, just to play it safe)."

[penncentralpete]

i would have loved to have seen FRANK HOWARD play 10 or 15 summers at EBBETS FIELD, myself! pete

[CaliforniaCajun]

Through the years I have seen many players, before and after 1957, that I thought would have "fit right in" as BROOKLYN DODGERS and players WE, as FANS, would have LOVED in OUR BROOKLYN UNIFORM?

One that comes to mind is TUG MCGRAW! I often pictured him a BROOKLYN DODGER standing on OUR mound at EBBETS FIELD.

I truly believe his love of the game, along with his fire and passion, would have brought the house down at Ebbets Field, especially against the Giants.

Can you think of any other players who would have "fit" into OUR SPECIAL WORLD in BROOKLYN?

c.

:radio OUR MOMENT IN TIME - OCTOBER 4, 1955 - 3:43PM :clapping


I think the 1970s Dodgers (Steve Garvey, Davey Lopes, Bill Russell, Ron Cey, Dusty Baker, Rick Monday, Don Sutton, Bob Welch, Tommy John, Mike Marshall, and others) come to mind. I could picture them being more reminiscent of the 1950s Dodgers than their immediate successors of the 1960s. After that, free agency seemed to rob teams of their identity.

[penncentralpete]

how about eddie mathews and roberto clemente? would the yanks have beaten THAT brooklyn team over and over again? perhaps not. pete

[Flatbush Flock]

I would like to have had Stan Musial to play left field and provide lefthanded power in Yankee Stadium and Sandy Koufax of the 1962-66 vintage to pitch. I bet we would have won a couple of more World Series and both were find gentlemen.

Also, if Joe Page, Billy Martin and Yogi would have played for teams other than the Yanks, we would have won in 1947, 1952, and perhaps 1953.

[penncentralpete]

dear flatbushflock: if grandma had b****, she'd be grandpa. pete


Let's watch the language, pete!

c.

[Flatbush Flock]

dear flatbushflock: if grandma had b****, she'd be grandpa. pete

Dear Pete: If a frog had wings....

[penncentralpete]

hey deb: sorry for the language thingy, but c'mon! if the yanks didn't have page, martin and yogi? why not if the yanks were the philadelphia A's??? i believe the yankees had superior pitching all down the line. for instance, stengel would bring in allie reynolds in RELIEF! those fellas were just too good. i respect the yanks' teams of the 40's and 50's very much. give credit where credit is due my fellow dodger fans. respectfully, pete trunk, NJ

[kingv]

How about Luis Tiant?

[penncentralpete]

if "tommy john" surgery was around in 1954, i believe KARL SPOONER had a real chance to be a great dodger. mr. spooner struck out 27 men in his first 2 games. pete

[penncentralpete]

here is karl spooner at ebbets field, 1954. pete